Whilst I put together the next batch of themed-articles (centering on the connection between astrology and location), I thought I’d give a quick update on the current state of the sky.
Paid subscribers (who are privy to more detailed date-related information) will already be aware that a face-off between Saturn and Mars has been taking place since the end of July, when Mars entered Virgo to stand in direct opposition to a retrograde Saturn in Pisces.
Mars is impulsive, reactive and determined, while Saturn is slow, restrained and limiting. Together they create a combination called called Yama Yoga in Vedic Astrology. ‘Yoga’ in this context simply means a combination of planets with a distinctive energy and effect. Yama is the deity of Death, transformation and the underworld. Yama can also translate to self-control, restraint and various forms of celibacy.
The combined forces of the hot impulsivity of Mars with the patient restraint and limitation of Saturn create a context for the development of a very useful type of self-control which can channel one’s energy in extremely productive directions. Harnessing this energy has a lot to do with tempering initiative and excitement with patience and restraint. It also requires seeing the patterns in your behavior which can lead you to repeating the same mistakes when it comes to pacing yourself and delaying gratification, in whatever area(s) of life this transit is impacting for you.
The pressure of this transit can also lead to an intense amount of frustration and a sense of one’s desires or efforts being continually blocked. If sensitive planets (particularly the moon) are in this axis, it can be hard on physical and mental health. Generally the best outcomes will be had by approaches requiring a lot of discipline and restriction, during this time. If your health is suffering, you may want to take extra care in following routines and lifestyle practices that you know are good for you and avoiding potentially harmful inputs.
All of this will shift on September 13th, when Mars will move from Virgo into Libra—a placement with its own challenges, but which will at least grant relief from pressure that’s been building since the end of July.
This will also coincide with Pitr Paksha or the time for ancestor worship in the Vedic Calendar, which runs from September 7th through the 21st. This is an excellent time for ancestral research and offerings, my favorite of which are ancestral pujas. These rituals are powerful medicine for healing ancestral afflictions, which show up astrologically in specific ways and tend to wreak havoc on the Sun and Moon in the chart, which govern (broadly) mental and emotional health, comfort, self confidence and success, as well as whatever specific areas they might be tied to in your chart. If a family member has recently passed, or you suspect there is a family or ancestral issue I highly recommend these annual pujas, particularly during this time of obvious collective ancestral karmic disturbance.
Also during this time will be an eclipse cycle, with the lunar eclipse on September 7th, and the solar eclipse on September 21st. These heighten the sensitivity of this month even further, making it a tenuous time for starting important projects or undertaking important endeavors (neither of which are recommended during Pitr Paksha, anyway).
The degree to which you’re impacted by the eclipses will depend in large part on where they fall in your natal horoscope and whether they interact with natal planets. Eclipse impacts can be very deep and long-ranging (some say a significant eclipse can impact someone for 18 years!), which are felt either before or after the actual eclipse, depending on where it takes place in relation to natal planets. And effects can be either positive or negative, depending on the same.
In order to moderate some of the intensity that eclipses can bring, it is generally recommended to avoid starting anything important 3 days before and after a lunar eclipse, and 10 days before and after a solar eclipse. During the actual time of the eclipse, spiritual practices are heightened and highly recommended. Mantra, prayer, meditation and other internal practices are particularly suited to the energy of solar eclipses, which tend to connect us with soul-level experience. Social activity and being out of doors or in public places should generally be avoided for solar eclipses. Lunar eclipses can support social and group experiences, particularly if they are for a targeted purpose that can benefit a large number of people. But it should be kept in mind that lunar eclipses tend to increase emotional instability, so taking care with who you surround yourself with will be to your benefit.
More detail on the specific energy of the upcoming eclipses: