Vedic Highlights July August 2015
In the Vedic understanding of macrocosm and microcosm, our connection to the universe comes from within. The energies of the universe flow through our consciousness and being from the causal to the astral to the physical level. Therefore, in some ways thinking about astrology as up – as an outer phenomenon – is inaccurate. Chew on that as I move on to the news.
One piece of important news is that Jupiter has changed signs. Jupiter takes one year to transit one sign of the zodiac. So we get a different flavor of Jupiter every year. Jupiter is a general signifier of children, teachers, knowledge and wealth. Its natural energy is positive, expansive, joyful. For the last year it was in the sign of Cancer, which is the sign of the moon, mother, emotional nurturance. This is a powerful transit of Jupiter that only happens every 11 years.
Jupiter has now moved into the sign of Leo, the sign of the sun, father, self-expression. Cancer is a water sign, Leo is a fire sign. They are both royal signs, both sattvic signs, meaning when planets are there at birth or by transit- they are inclined towards the good, towards their best nature. So Jupiter in Leo could be very positive for us all. It brings some fire to our minds and our visions, it could improve relations with our father or shine light on our issues with masculine power structures.
It always depends on how your personal chart operates, but reflect on the last year- from last July to now- what was the flavor of Jupiter in Cancer? And envision what it might be this year- something similar but more masculine. Also, if you want to explore how the planets affect your subtle energy- what was the recent period of July 8 to July 18th like? This 10 day period Jupiter was passing over a sensitive knot in the zodiac- it can confuse us energetically and bring up deeper issues. I activated a back injury during the time. I knew the dates and was attempting to pay attention, but it wasn’t until my back ached and stopped me from doing that I got the real message. Don’t stir the pot, slow down and feel deeper, otherwise you will be forced to listen. Nothing serious for me, just another reminder of how this subtle energy practice works.
The other news right now is that Saturn is preparing to change course. It is currently transiting the sign of Scorpio. It had moved to 10 degrees and then stopped and turned retrograde in mid-March. Saturn is the slowest visible planet, it takes 30 years for it to transit the entire zodiac, requiring 2 ½ years to transit one sign. When Saturn moves retrograde, things seem to go even slower. It can make us feel like we are standing still in some way or losing ground.
Saturn in Scorpio is not an easy transit in general as Scorpio is the sign related to our deepest karmas- in yoga what is called our vasanas- and it is ruled by Mars. Saturn and Mars are both difficult energies, so in a way the entire transit brings them up against each other in our own being. Saturn is more an old, withholding, cold, critical energy, Mars is more youthful, brash, hot, and reactive energy. This is a great time to be looking at this in your life. What has felt stuck or blocked since March? How may it be related to a core psycho-emotional issue for you? As Saturn slows, stops and turns direct July 30-August 4 you have the potential to get new traction. Things will start to move a bit again, take this time to clarify what is the right direction.
One other briefer planetary happening is Venus is stopping and turning retrograde in Leo, July 25. This intensifies Venus energy for a while. It will also be in exact conjunction with Jupiter in Leo on August 2-7. When you look up in the night sky, you will see the 2 bright planets merging, almost looking like one bright star. When planets optically connect like this, we call it a war in Vedic astrology, the 2 energies battling each other. It can bring extra brilliance but it more often brings dissipation on some level- one energy vanquishing another. So these are days to simply be extra mindful. Like I was noting with my Jupiter experience in mid-July.
One final thought about Venus, if you know your chart and you are Taurus or Libra rising or moon, you are more affected by Venus’s transits. August 11 to 15 are also tricky Venus days.
Natasha Korshak is a long-time teacher and trainer of yoga, meditation, mindfulness and MBSR, and has been working in the field of integrative health and wellness her entire professional career. She is a graduate of the Interfaith Theological Seminary and an ordained Interfaith Minister specializing in contemplative practice, grief processing, and spiritual direction. Her study and training of mind/body/spirit methods is extensive and she has learned from many of the pioneers in their discipline. As the founder and director of the Sol Center she is well regarded for her depth, warmth, authenticity, and the smile in her voice.
