Grace Vedic Astrology-Newsletter

The turbulent year now behind us was a prelude to an accelerated phase of the upcoming transitional years leading to a new era. As we enter 2010, four major planets—Saturn, Jupiter, Rahu and Ketu—have shifted their positions. In addition, Uranus will be entering Pisces, and Neptune will be re-entering Aquarius. These combinations, which will remain in the sky until May, 2011, will usher in a new time of brotherhood on earth, one in which structure will be re-established from a higher state of consciousness and a closer connection to divine order.

This momentum, which began in the summer of 2008, will break down old economic and political structures based on excess, overproduction, over-consumption, greed, oppression, manipulation and disregard for the good of all and the environment. This melting down of the old, though destabilizing and painful, will nevertheless assist in the elevation of human consciousness and will bring about a new era.

Jupiter, the indicator of prosperity and expansion, has been debilitated in Capricorn and under the destabilizing influence of the two lunar nodes, Rahu and Ketu. This has played a major role in the financial and economic turmoil we witnessed throughout the past year. Jupiter, however, is now in Aquarius for the next five months. From this position, it will awaken in many the urge for unity, cooperation, tolerance, sharing, justice and protection of the common good. It will also promote emotional and spiritual healing, community life and new and creative ways to prosper.

In May, Jupiter moves to Pisces where it gains more strength. This will expand the spirit of cooperation, compassion and sharing on the level of mass consciousness. But, due to Saturn fully aspecting Jupiter, there will also be much resistance to change. Jupiter will remain in Pisces for twelve months and will go retrograde from July 24th through November 17th. It will retrograde back to Aquarius for nineteen days. We will see more people grouping together, networking and organizing themselves in a common cause for the common good.

Saturn, fully aspected by Uranus, is in Virgo until December 1st of 2011. This placement is more favorable than its last in Leo. Virgo is the sign of health, healing, diseases, food, diet and agriculture. Saturn’s 2.5-year transit here will impact the healthcare system, the medical industry, medical research and discoveries, diet, nutrition and healing methods. Being an earthly and practical sign, it will provoke the reassessment of production and profitability in many industries and businesses. Saturn will be retrograde from January 9th through May 29th.

The north node of the moon, Rahu, is now in Sagittarius while the south node is in Gemini until June 3rd 2011. These placements could be quite challenging for people with those two ascendants; however, conditions will improve in May when Jupiter goes into Pisces.

The four eclipses this year will occur on the Gemini/Sagittarius axis since Rahu and Ketu are, in fact, the eclipse. The first, an annular solar eclipse, will be on January 15th. The second will be a partial lunar eclipse on June 26th. The third will be a total solar eclipse on July 11th and the fourth, a total lunar eclipse on December 21st.

Mars, which has been in Cancer, its sign of debilitation, since October 11th, will remain there until May 27th. It is also currently retrograde and will remain so until March 11th. Because Mars is the transmitter of conflict, anger and violence, we are witnessing intensified terrorist activities and military retaliation. Since it is also the planet of energy, enthusiasm and action, its passage through the watery sign of Cancer is bound to disturb home, emotions, happiness and family life.

Mid-July and August may bring extra tension when Mars and a debilitated Venus will join Saturn in Virgo while Jupiter and Uranus are fully aspecting them. This period will be intensified by the first total solar eclipse of the year on July 11th.

Among the faster moving planets, Venus will go retrograde in Libra for forty days on November 8th. Mercury, currently retrograde, will travel its yearly path, changing signs every 15-24 days. It will be retrograde three more times in the coming year, for periods of 19-22 days, in April, August and again in December. Since Mercury is the ruler of both Virgo and Gemini where the transits occur, the fields of education and learning will be stimulated as will communication with an emphasis on truth. This should engender new and creative ways of doing business.

In 2010, the 360 starry nights will once again present their grand show. Venus will be brightly visible in the evening sky in June and July while the bright red Mars can be seen in the evenings from February to May. Jupiter is still glowing brightly now, heading towards the western horizon; it will appear again in the evening sky from October to December. Gazing up at the stars for even a few minutes cannot help but strike us with awe.

December will bring a lightening of the heavy load that many of us have been carrying for the past few months, as will the delightful Christmas lights that illumine our homes and hearts during the holiday season. The sense of relief and optimism for a better year will be palpable. A few major shifts are taking place in the December skies that will influence human affairs. Jupiter is moving to Aquarius, and Mars begins a lengthy retrograde movement. The winter solstice is on the 21st and a partial lunar eclipse will occur on New Year’s Eve.

Jupiter, which has been debilitated for over a year, is finally being freed from the Rahu-Ketu and Mars afflictions and will be passing into the sign of Aquarius on the 19th. This new position will encourage optimism, kindness, a focus on community life, charity, greater wisdom and understanding and healing on the emotional and spiritual levels. Rahu and Ketu are now at almost one full degree into their new signs, Gemini and Sagittarius, which will bring some relief from the volatility and explosiveness we have seen in the global arena. Individually, we may feel much less vulnerable and better able to handle the issues and challenges we each have to face.

December starts on a good note with the full moon exalted in Taurus. But the new moon on the 15th could be troublesome since it occurs in Sagittarius with Rahu and Mercury just as the Sun enters it.

Mars, weak in Cancer, will go retrograde on the 21st for about two and a half months. When a planet goes retrograde, its influence is magnified. Until the end of January, Mars will be retrograde in the harsh Nakshatra, a fixed group of stars called Ashlesha, which is associated with manipulation, conflict, anger and sexual scandals. So we may see some of that. It’s very easy to spot bright red Mars about 6:00 in the morning right in front of Leo, the lion’s mouth, and again when it rises after 10:30 P.M. (PDT)

The partial lunar eclipse on December 31st mentioned above will occur in Gemini while the moon is full in the fierce Nakshatra of Ardra, which rules storms and destruction. It will involve a combusted Venus and a retrograde Mercury aspected by Saturn and, of course, Rahu-Ketu, which are the eclipses. Though the eclipse will be of a low magnitude and barely visible, it could have a delayed impact. It will last for about four hours from 15:17 until 21:28 (UT) and will traverse parts of Asia, Europe, Australia and Africa.

December is the month of early sunsets and long nights because the sun is taking its lowest path along the horizon. The 21st, the day of the winter solstice, will be about nine hours long. From then on till the summer solstice on June 21st, the days will get longer and longer. Orion is back to the evening sky, rising in the east. The red Aldebaran, the Bull’s eye in Taurus, is high in sky.

As we contemplate the year that is passing and the one that is coming, it helps to remember that our trials and troubles are our tests and, as Ellen G. White said, “Constructive effort, combined with faith in God, turns apparent setbacks into unforeseen good.” This delightful poem, The Burden, depicts this beautifully.

Many, fed up with their burdens,
Come to the city gate,
They each exchange what they carried
And went off with another’s weight.

Happy they were as they left
Not knowing the other man’s load,
But they suffered even more trouble
As they journeyed down the road.

One by one they returned to the place
Where they foolishly left their own pack,
And glad they were to exchange
And take their own burden back.

How often we look at another
And in ignorance we compare,
Thinking by human observance
We know the weight they bear.

For we each are given the strength
To meet what life brings our way,
And only by taking our burdens
Will the law teach us how to obey.

I wish you all a happy holiday season.

The close Ketu-Mars conjunction in Cancer throughout October in addition to the four debilitated planets ignited war-like situations in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and Somalia. A sure combination for fanaticism, terrorism and attack, it produced suicide bombings by the Taliban and Al Qaeda, which were countered by attacks of these countries’ military forces. New attacks were reported almost every day. The deadliest one was on the Justice Ministry of the Iraqi government in Baghdad on October 25th.

As an antidote, the Biblical phrase “to overcome evil with good” comes to mind. In spite of all the trials and tribulations we have to go through on a collective and personal level, we are not to side with evil but to overcome it with good. This means not being overwhelmed by discouragement but accepting our troubles as tests and opportunities to grow and spreading good will, helpfulness and kindness wherever we go.

Mars will remain weak in Cancer until May 2010. It will retrograde there for almost two and a half months. This lingering in its sign of debilitation will be challenging in many ways, as specified in the previous newsletter. It could provoke more conflict, wars and military action; it could also reduce the value of real estate.

The good news is that Rahu and Ketu will be leaving the Cancer/Capricorn axis on the 17th. Ketu moves to Gemini and Rahu to Sagittarius. This shift will bring much relief to Cancer and Capricorn ascendants. However, the week of 14th through the 21st could be a bit rocky as a result of this transition.

Jupiter remains debilitated in Capricorn until December 19th when it will aspect Mars. Though weak, it may help to soften Mars’s harshness.

Venus entering Libra, where it is strong, on the 2nd should strengthen the debilitated Sun and a combusted Mercury until both move to Scorpio in middle of the month.

Saturn has stabilized in Virgo and is now at 6.22’ degrees standing alone, unaffected by any other planets this month, which could help alleviate some of these intense energies.

The full moon is on the 2nd in Aries. The new moon is on the 16th, a day on which to be extra careful since the new moon will be debilitated in Scorpio as Rahu and Ketu make their transition.

Now as winter approaches, the Sun has moved below the equator. It will set a little later every evening and rise a little later each morning until the winter solstice on December 21st when there are approximately fifteen hours between sunset and sunrise.

In the November night sky we will see a few prominent constellations. Pegasus, the great square, Andromeda, Cassiopeia, the W, and Jupiter, still brightly visible. Mars, red and bright, can be seen in the morning sky at about 6:45 California time.

Thanksgiving Day will brighten our month with hope, gratitude and fellowship. The first national proclamation of Thanksgiving was issued by the Continental Congress in 1777. Below is an excerpt that captures the original meaning and purity of this celebration.

The modern Thanksgiving holiday traces its origins to a 1621 celebration at the Plymouth Plantation, where the settlers held a harvest feast after a successful growing season. It is this iconic event that is generally referred to as the first Thanksgiving.

“FOR AS MUCH as it is the indispensable Duty of all Men to adore the superintending Providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with Gratitude their Obligation to him for Benefits received, and to implore such farther Blessings as they stand in Need of ….

It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive Powers of these UNITED STATES to set apart THURSDAY, the eighteenth Day of December next, for SOLEMN THANKSGIVING and PRAISE: That at one Time and with one Voice, the good People may express the grateful Feelings of their Hearts, and consecrate themselves to the Service of their Divine Benefactor of these States respectively, and prosper the public Council of the whole ….”

Dalia Cahill

As anticipated in the September newsletter, the final quarter of this year will be the most dramatic one. The effect of Saturn transiting to Virgo accompanied by retrograde Mercury was strongly felt in small and large ways. On the personal level, many people experienced sudden hardships, accidents, injuries and job losses. The U.S. economy lost 263,000 jobs in September, and there are now 15 million unemployed. On the global scale, we saw the devastation of a 7.6 magnitude earthquake striking the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Landslides and a typhoon swept the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia and a tsunami hit Samoa and Tonga, all between September 27^th and 30^th when Mercury was going direct.

October is expected to be intense from beginning to end as four planets—the Sun, Jupiter, Mars and Venus—will be debilitated. The most volatile conjunction is of debilitated Mars with Ketu in early degrees of Cancer, aspected by debilitated Jupiter. Ketu-Mars energy is the transmitter of accidents, surgeries, military force, courage, anger, passion and violence. This energy, debilitated in the watery sign of Cancer, will disrupt emotions, happiness, home, family, community and real estate. Family happiness will be disturbed; real-estate values will continue dropping until next spring; more people will lose their homes on top of further global economic deterioration. Natural disasters on land and sea may be triggered by Mars transiting through Cancer until May,2010.

Since Venus will also be debilitated in Virgo on the 9^th where it will conjoin Saturn and Mercury, marital happiness and relationships in general will suffer. We must remember that emotions may get out of hand so great calmness will be required to deal with issues properly.

The month will be intense for Virgo and Pisces ascendants, especially around the 16^th and 17^th when Saturn, Mercury and a debilitated Venus will be in Virgo. At the same time that the Sun enters Libra, its debilitation sign, the new moon will occur in Libra.

Everything should crescendo between the 21^st and the 23^rd so we must be very cautious because these planets and the moon will be at their weakest positions.

Jupiter finally goes direct on the 13^th while the moon is in Cancer conjoined with Mars/Ketu. So this is another day to be watchful.

For the next few nights, you can enjoy the harvest moon, appearing so large with its yellow tint, low on the eastern horizon with brilliant Jupiter nearby. It is called the harvest moon because the moon lights the land just as the sun sets opposite it. This gives extra hours of light to the farmers harvesting their crops.

I would advise you to be extra attentive during the next thirty days especially when traveling and in family and relationship matters. This is not the month to take risks or make important decisions. It's best to defer issues until the present intensity subsides. These times have given birth to the phrase: “Better to be safe than sorry.”

I leave you with three quotes, the first two from Yogananda: “Perseverance is the whole magic of spiritual success.” and
“It is his grace that counts, and that grace comes when we do our part to behave like children of God.”

And the third from Psalms 84: 5: “Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee.”

The last quarter of 2009 could be the most difficult and even dramatic of an already challenging year. The same unfavorable forces are still at play (debilitated Jupiter with Rahu). They will be intensified by Mars’ lengthy stay (8 months) in its debilitation sign, Cancer, while Venus and the Sun will also be debilitated during October and November. A debilitated planet is inherently weak and can have a detrimental effect. Mars will conjunct Ketu in Cancer, which could affect oil production and prices and accelerate explosive and violent attacks around the world.

The most significant astrological occurrences this month are, first, that Saturn moves from Leo to Virgo on the 9^th. Saturn will basically remain in Virgo for the next 2.5 years until August 2012. The twelve days around this juncture-point, from the 4^th through the 16^th, which are called sandhi (Saturn in the last degree in Leo and the first degree in Virgo), could be somewhat inauspicious and a little destabilizing, so remember to exercise extra patience in all areas of your life.

This transit will have a great effect on all Virgo ascendants as they will experience changes in their lives and undergo a process of redefining their values and identities. It will also affect Pisces ascendants, especially those who have planets in these two signs, to some extent since Saturn will be fully aspecting this sign.

Venus in Cancer conjoining Ketu seems to have brought to the surface marriage and relationships issues and conflicts. It has compelled some of us to examine, reject or let go of old dreams since Ketu is the planet of detachment, rejection and idealism. Venus will enter Leo on the 15^th.

Mercury will go retrograde for 23 days in Virgo, where it is strong and exalted. But it will suffer some affliction from Saturn so some destabilization in business, communications and equipment can be expected.

The Sun will follow Saturn to Virgo on the 16^th, which will add more tension to the Mercury-Saturn combination there.

The full moon will occur early in the month on the 4^th in Aquarius while Saturn aspects it. So be aware.

The new moon in Virgo on the 18^th will bring greater tension and intensity. It would be wise of you to take note of this day since six planets will be engaged. Saturn, the Sun, the new moon and retrograde Mercury will all be close together in the early degrees while debilitated Jupiter and Mars will aspect them.

There is already a chill in the night air, the first hint of fall. Jupiter is still dazzling on the eastern horizon as early as sunset. The constellations Aquarius and Capricorn can be seen there as well. The two summer birds, the swan, Cygnus, and the eagle, Aquila, are still visible overhead as part of the famous Summer Triangle.

Endurance, faith, love and lots of prayers will help to carry us through to the end of this year. God is the answer not for a few but for all.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be open to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

The month of August is bound to bring more heat waves, more news about states struggling to balance their budgets and avoid bankruptcy and more disclosures of financial corruption. There will be another eclipse, much less dramatic than the full solar eclipse that we had on July 22^nd, which created much excitement in Asia and inspired some magnificent photos that can still be seen on the Web.

The main change taking place in the August sky is that Jupiter retrogrades back to Capricorn to once again join Rahu where it will remain till December 10^th. Its effect will most likely be a further deterioration of the global economy, especially of the banking system. Jupiter, at its maximum retrogression, which means closest to the earth, looks very bright and reddish on the eastern horizon. You will easily be able to spot it after 10:30 pm California time.

The penumbral lunar eclipse, which will be low in magnitude and not visible to the naked eye, will occur
on the 6^th during a full moon in Capricorn. At that point, Jupiter will have just entered Capricorn and will
be adjusting to the shift at 29’6”, which may have a destabilizing effect. The eclipse will last for over three hours between 23:04- 2: 14 GMT. It’s best to be aware of this phenomenon and cautious on this day. Jupiter and one of its moons

This is the last month of Saturn’s passage through Leo, which will not occur again for another twenty-nine years, since it takes Saturn about 2.5 years to cross one sign of the zodiac (30’). On September 9^th it will enter the constellation of Virgo. This shift will bring great relief to many Leos and Aquarians ascendants.

Mark the 16^th on your calendar. This is when both the Sun and Mars will be moving to Gemini. You may feel vulnerable and a little disoriented.

Another important date is the new moon on the 19^th, which will take place in Cancer on the same axis where the eclipse just occurred. At the same time, Saturn and Mercury are only 2º apart, and Mercury is at the last degree (29’30”) in conjunction with the Sun, which may bring tension and intensity. So be aware.

Venus will enter Cancer on the 21^st. From there, it will aspect Jupiter and Rahu. That blend of energies could be a fresh breeze, bringing some benevolent results.

These are hard times and we all feel it, each in our own way and within our personal circumstances. It seems as if our frantic world is at a momentary standstill, as if our habit of immediate gratification is blocked. Everything takes a much greater effort to actualize. Flow is impeded, especially the circulation of money.

If we hold fast to the truth that we are all children of one God and if we play our parts well, we will receive the help we need to solve our many problems. Everyone these days needs more encouragement, more love and support. So give, give it freely wherever you go. Brotherly love and faith is our common armor.

Here is a beautiful quote from John 1:18: “My little children, let us love not in word or tongue but in deed and in truth.”

The major celestial events in July are two eclipses, one lunar and the other, a rare, full solar eclipse. July also brings magnificent, starry summer nights, the passage of the summer solstice (June 21) after which the days get increasingly shorter and, lastly, the 233rd birthday celebration of the United States of America.

The lunar eclipse will take place on the 7th at 21:25’ Sagittarius, beginning at 10:38 GMT (5:38 pm California time) and lasting about two hours. However, it will not be visible, though the full moon can be seen above the horizon. Because this lunar eclipse is of low magnitude, it may only have an effect on the individual level.

The two nodes, Rahu and Ketu, are the physical locations where the solar and lunar eclipses occur. Since an eclipse is an interplay of light and shadow, they are called shadowy planets. They have been on the Cancer/Capricorn axis for the past year. Rahu stands for confusion, illusion, delusion, deception, and addictions but it balances itself by also representing innovation, individuality, independence and insightfulness. Ketu represents escapism, eccentricity, fanaticism, explosiveness, violence and impulsiveness; on its good side are seclusion, universality, idealism, intuition, self-sacrifice and spirituality.

The full solar eclipse, which will occur on the 22nd in 5:26’ Capricorn is quite rare. A total solar eclipse at one given point on earth occurs, on average, only once in about 360 years. A total eclipse is when the moon completely covers the sun as seen from the earth. At the most, it lasts about 7 minutes and 31 seconds. This rare solar eclipse’s maximum duration will be 6 minutes and 39 seconds, starting at 03:38 GMT.

The path of the eclipse will cross through India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Japan and other parts of Asia and over some cities, such as Surat and Indore in India and Chengdu, Wuhan, Hangzhou, and Shanghai in China; Akuseki-hima in Japan will experience a total eclipse for 3 to 5 minutes. Other cites such as Tokyo will witness a partial eclipse. You can follow this eclipse’s path by logging on to www.timeanddate.com. Its impact is expected to be on a bigger scale. Eclipses are considered inauspicious for worldly affairs so it is advisable to be very attentive during this period; avoid traveling and starting significant endeavors. Gazing at the eclipse is also considered inauspicious.

Jupiter has begun its retrograde motion towards Capricorn and on the 30th it will be back to its place of debilitation conjoining Rahu for the rest of the year. This could result in an acceleration of the global economic decline.

Mars and Venus are still traveling together and will be in Taurus for the entire month but not so close to each other as they’ve been the last two weeks. This is their last encounter for the year. Have you felt the extra energy, a certain intensity and passion that they produced?

Venus in Taurus, its own house, is strong but will suffer some affliction from Saturn and Mars.

Saturn and Mars have a reciprocal influence, aspecting each other for the next 45 days. These two malefic energies, added to the solar eclipse, may disturb global events by bringing about violence and accidents.

Mercury, which will be involved with both eclipses, is currently in Gemini and will move to Cancer on the 14th. The sun will follow Mercury on the 16th.

The summer night sky’s spectacular show has begun. Overhead, slightly to the northeast you can gaze at the bright “summer triangle” that Vega, Deneb and Altair are forming any time after 10:00 pm. The red, bright Spica and Arcturus can also be easily found towards the western horizon. A few new constellations are now visible—Scorpio and, little more dimly, Libra, the scale, and Sagittarius, the teapot. Star-gazing, even for just a few moments, can give such an uplifting feeling of awe and wonderment at the vastness of if all.

On the fourth of July, the moon will be in the middle of the constellation of Scorpio, close to the center of the Milky Way. I wish you all a happy July 4th. Let’s remember to be grateful for the birth of this land of freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Though America faces countless problems today, let’s hope that the upcoming changes will be for the better. I would like to end with this historical quote from one of our most beloved presidents, Abraham Lincoln.

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”

The month of May was relatively calm due mainly to a strong Jupiter stabilizing Saturn in Leo. There was no unexpected dramatic crisis, though the global economic downturn continued its steady pace.

The largest scale events in the news were that General Motors is on the verge of a 600-billion-dollar bankruptcy which will be the biggest in USA history, British Airways suffered massive losses, and the state of California struggled with its $21billion dollar deficit, due to the economic slump which reduced tax revenues. The retrograde Jupiter in Aquarius fully aspecting Saturn will remain the predominating influence this month as well so global events are expected to remain somewhat stable.

Mars and Venus, in the sign of Aries, will be moving side by side reaching a culmination point of the same degree, 22:15, on the 22nd. Since the new moon, also on the 22nd, takes place in Gemini in the fierce nakshatra (star grouping) of Ardera, some tension and volatility, especially in the area of relationships, is expected. Attempt to be extra careful and gentle in your dealings and relations with others. The Venus-Mars conjunction can ignite anger and passion.

You can still glimpse this beautiful sight of Venus right beside Mars on the eastern horizon just before sunrise.

The Sun, currently in Taurus aspected by Saturn, will be entering the more favorable sign of Gemini on the 14th.

Retrograde Mercury, having had a strong impact for the last three weeks, is now going direct and will spend most of June in Taurus.

The full moon falls on the 7th in Scorpio, its weakest position, as Mercury moves to Taurus and fully aspects the moon. The moon rules our emotions and our mental balance. Mercury rules the intellect and logic, communication and speech. Thus, this combination may cause us to feel more vulnerable, to be overly sensitive and to overreact. The effect of new and full moons seems to be the strongest two days before so it is advisable to be observant and exercise extra caution on the 5th, 6th and 7th as well as on the 20th, 21st and 22nd.

Those who are Libra ascendants can expect an eventful month since the five true planets, Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, and Saturn, will aspect Libra.

I once had a teacher that taught truth to me,
He said life is far more than what you can see,
There are energies, elements, powers, and forces,
And laws that keep planets and suns on their courses.

There are Angels, and Beings that watch over you,
And things in the unseen to be cautious of, too.
He taught of the Bible, and explained many words,
Said it had meaning we had not yet heard.

He taught of creation, how things come to form,
That thoughts are temperature, some too cold or warm,
He taught of the body and what it contains,
And the power of soul that guides and sustains.

He said common fear taints the food that we eat,
And fear claims more lives than fats or than sweets,
He taught me to think in a common sense way,
To be aware of the words that I choose to say.

As the years hurry by, there is one thing to recall.
A few little words that could benefit aIl,
In a world seeking endlessly beauty and youth
He addressed it so simply with these words of truth.

The most unusual wisdom I heard from this sage,
Were a few words He spoke to me of old age.
He said, "’Old’ is learning the useless too fast,
And too slow the spiritual things that will last.”

The month of May commences with the promise that Jupiter in Aquarius brings. Jupiter will visit Aquarius for the next three months, offering us some sense of relief, hope and optimism. From there, Jupiter will fully aspect Saturn, which may temporarily lighten up the gloomy outlook. Jupiter will return to Capricorn in July where it will remain until December.

Another intensity-reducing factor will be that Saturn will go direct on the 17th after almost four and a half months of retrograde motion, which magnified its malefic effect. The day before and day after a slow-moving planet such as Saturn or Jupiter reverses its direction can be disruptive and unstable, so beware.

As I warned in the April issue, the Saturn-Mars conjunction had much to do with the violent 6.8-magnitude earthquake that occurred in central Italy. This event happened on April 6th when Saturn and Mars were almost at the same degree (23º) and conjoined with the moon. Added to this was a debilitated and very unstable Mercury (29º 29’ Pisces), which rules earthquakes.

Also, as expected, the automobile manufacturers, GM, Chrysler and Ford, keep struggling with bankruptcy and massive layoffs. Unemployment is on the rise, with a current national rate of 8.3%. This momentum will continue.

Mars will transit to Aries on the 22nd. Being the owner of Aries, this is a position of great strength, which may activate energetic and innovative solutions for pressing issues, such as alternative energy.

Mercury is currently in Taurus and will go retrograde from the 7th until the end of the month while being unfavorably aspected by Saturn. Because Mercury rules the intellect, logic and the analytical mind, you may have been observing its effect in the people around you reacting more emotionally to situations and events. Mercury retrogrades several times annually.

Venus remains exulted in Pisces for the rest of May. It will be visibly brighter and near Mars for the next two weeks. So if you happen to be up before sunrise, around 5:30 A.M., you might glimpse this rare sight.

The full moon is on the 8th at 19º 56’ Libra and the new moon is on the 24th at 8º 46’ Taurus.

I find that one of the best ways to cope in these turbulent and uncertain times is to cultivate calmness and kindness and keep our thoughts clean of negativity and fear. Let us refrain from adding to the heavy clouds of negativity hovering above our planet. Inner peace and calmness cools the nerves and can heal and rejuvenate every cell of the body. Thoughts, and spoken words, such as love, harmony, forgiveness, goodness, peace, and kindness have life-giving power.

"Seek to find yourself worthy, for daily you are walking in the light of God." Jesus Christ

Dalia Cahill

Spring is here! All of nature is showing us that spring has come. It is in the air we breathe, in fresh blossoms and blooms, in the birds singing. We feel it at home and in business and in all whom we meet. At Easter time there are special and important light rays that, if we are open to newness and rebirth, can bring us new understanding and great encouragement to change—a spring awakening if we will only listen.

March, as expected, brought more financial friction to our global village. AIG insurance announced the biggest capital loss in US history. Stock markets declined severely. On March 22nd, the Dow Jones lost 700 points, the lowest mark in twelve years. Unemployment continues to climb with approximately 742,000 jobs lost in March. In Spain, France, Brussels, Japan and many other countries, the unemployment rate is over 13%.

The harsh aspect of retrograde Saturn and Mars throughout the last month ignited at least three shooting incidents, airlines fatalities, and severe weather and flooding in the Midwest. Mars rules weapons, accidents, violence and anger, and Saturn, loss and unexpected misfortune. This aspect will last for two more weeks so pay attention, especially from April 4th to 6th, when these two planets will be at the same degree.

Mars will be moving to Pisces on the 14th to join exalted and retrograde Venus. Its masculine energy will be softened, encouraging us to move toward deeper, more meaningful relationships, creativity and art. Venus will go direct on the 18th.

The sun enters Aries on the 13th where it is exalted. With spring manifesting so potently, so does the Sun in Aries, where it is joined by Mercury, provoking an energetic approach to looking for new solutions and new leadership and perhaps to breaking new ground. We can already see the expression of this in the world leaders now meeting at the G20 summit in London.

April may still bring more turmoil and intensity to the world’s stage. However, we should feel some relief and a glimmer of hope in May, June and July when Jupiter temporarily leaves its conjunction with Rahu on May 1st and moves to Aquarius for three months.

The full moon is on the 9th in Libra. The new moon is on the 24th conjoining the exalted Sun in Aries.

Your comments and feedback are welcome.

”Let the beautiful bloom of Easter lilies symbolize thoughts that have been used for good upon the earth. Lilies are like the singleness of purpose that lifts its head and stands straight for all to see. The rose in all its beauty represents the soul of man and speaks silently of those rays God sends to earth to help mankind. They silently affirm that God is.”
From The teachings of the Mount Shasta masters

With the opening of the New Year comes the special opportunity for a fresh start. By reflecting on the past year, we have the possibility of leaving behind habits that bar our progress and the chance to redefine our priorities and affirm our intentions and goals for the coming year.

Since we are now entering a completely new phase in the evolution of planet earth, the year ahead will demand change from all of us as we adjust and learn to accept new realties The general astrological outlook for 2009 has already revealed its nature in the latter part of 2008 and, as I wrote in more detail in the September, October and December issues, this momentum will continue.

There are two main forces at play. The first is Saturn’s difficult nine-month passage through the constellation Leo. In addition, already underway is its four-and-a half month sub-period of intensified retrograde movement. The second is Jupiter’s conjunction with the shadowy planets, Rahu and Ketu. One of the most challenging periods of the coming year will be from the 7th to the 15th of February when Mars, Mercury, the Sun and the moon gather in Capricorn.

Saturn’s reverse cycle will intensify decline across the spectrum of the global economy. Saturn stands for starting over again so expect to see much talk about rebuilding, restructuring and reform. This planet also represents labor, employees, land and real estate, so increased unemployment; labor issues and conflicts as well as great loss of real-estate values will be evident throughout the year. On March 12th, when Mars enters Aquarius, it will fully aspect Saturn and this may add tension, volatility and extreme thinking into the mix. Saturn leaves Leo for good on September 9th.

The Rahu-Jupiter conjunction in Capricorn will tend to expose many secrets, scandals and plots in the financial, political and social arenas. Jupiter represents teachers, counselors, advisors and bankers as well as religious, spiritual and social leaders. Rahu represents manipulation, corruption and deceit. Facts and truth will be exposed and surface for all to see. A good example is the Zeitgeist documentary and similar information on the web that is now being widely viewed. The Jupiter-Rahu conjunction could also amplify people’s attraction to unusual and false spirituality.

Jupiter will move into Aquarius for three months in June, July and August but will retrograde back to Capricorn. However, this break away from the influence of Rahu and Ketu may spark hope, optimism and some relief. Jupiter re-enters Aquarius on December 19th and Rahu and Ketu shift their positions, Rahu moving to Sagittarius and Ketu to Gemini on November 16th.

Six eclipses will occur throughout the year. The first solar eclipse is on January 26th followed by a lunar eclipse on February 9th. Then in the summer, a lunar eclipse will occur on July 7th , a total solar eclips on July 22st and a lunar one on August 6th. 2009 will end with a partial eclipse in Capricorn while Mars is debilitated. This is an inauspicious omen for the year 2010.

In the month of January

These are the main events in January. The lunar eclipse will occur on the new moon on the 26th in Capricorn. Mercury will move into Sagittarius while Venus moves to Pisces and Mars to Capricorn, all between the 25th and the 27th. These will be destabilizing and disruptive influences so avoid initiating new activities and taking on commitments—and be kind to yourself.

Another period to watch for is from the 10th through the 14th when the full moon falls in Gemini in the constellation of Ardra, which rules storms and distractions. Then the moon moves to Cancer with Ketu. Mercury goes retrograde on the 12th and the Sun moves to Capricorn. Again with these destabilizing energies, it’s best to stay calm and wait for them to pass.

Saturn, which started its retrogression on December 31st, 2008, unusually will linger in the same degree—27—for the entire month, slowing things down and making accomplishment difficult, especially for Leo and Aquarius ascendants as well as for all the planets located in those two signs in your personal chart.

Mars enters Capricorn on January 27th.

I would like to remind you again that the information given here about the effects of these transits is general in nature. It is for each of you to observe their impact. Most importantly is how you are personally affected since each person has his or her individual pattern and destiny to fulfill. It is only by understanding your own chart that you’ll benefit the most. So I encourage you all to seek a Vedic reading, which will truly bring you much clarity and a deeper acceptance of yourself.

“Hope is a stimulant to all and a blessing from God. Never let its light grow dim or flicker low.”

Happy New Year to all.

Dalia Cahill