Hold on Tight! March is the most momentous month of 2019, giving us a taste of impending new beginnings and big changes for everyone. Not only will the two shadow planets, also known as Rahu & Ketu, move signs, but Jupiter will also shift into Sagittarius briefly, giving us a prelude of what is coming post November. All this happens whilst we deal with a retrograde, debilitated Mercury making it harder to process these shifts.
Rahu & Ketu shift signs and settle into Gemini & Sagittarius for 18 months
The biggest news of the month is the nodal shift by Rahu and Ketu, the two shadow planets. Rahu will enter Gemini and Ketu will enter Sagittarius on March 7, 2019 and remain there till September 23, 2020.
Rahu has suffered for the past three years in Cancer and Leo, transiting through its enemy signs – both Sun and Moon are the Nodes’ biggest enemies – and the place where the Nodes give the most problems. Gemini is considered a place of exaltation for Rahu as for Ketu it is Sagittarius as their nature is more congruent with these signs.
Gemini is a sign where Rahu does exceptionally well and is very comfortable here. This will bring a relief in policies related to immigration, international trade, foreign deals – all Rahu related matters. Being that it is Gemini, all matters related to communications, newspapers, mobile technology, commerce, libraries may go through a powerful transformation. Ketu is going into the sign of Jupiter, a beautiful place for Ketu. Sagittarius is a sign of beliefs, organized religion, gurus, foreign affairs, foreign govts. So we may see a transformation in long held belief systems, in govt. politics and international relations during this transit.
Overall this is a very good transit, just be watchful for summer months from late May till mid-Sept due to a tough Saturn conjunction. This is especially the case for those who are in Saturn or Ketu dashas or have personal planets in the Gemini/Sag axis due to all the concentrated energy in this axis with Mars joining as well in June. I have made a recording about this important transit and how it impacts each sign. Please see here:
Mercury debilitated, retrograde in Pisces & Aquarius from March till May 3, 2019
Mercury has a complex journey for the next few weeks whilst we are experiencing big, important shifts. This means that it will take some time for us to process these shifts that are coming our way, and it also suggests that we should not make any final, concrete plans till Mercury comes out of debilitation in early May, as we may miss some important details.
On February 24, Mercury entered Pisces, where it feels uncomfortable due to the water energy being in conflict with the mercurial nature of analysis and planning. It is also here where it gets debilitated. Then, on March 5, it turns retrograde. From March 14 till April 12, Mercury retrogrades back into Aquarius, causing a Parivartana yoga (exchanging signs) with Rahu in Gemini. Aquarius is co-lorded by the planet Rahu, who has just entered Gemini, lorded by Mercury. This nearly one month period makes Mercury robust and will bring new ideas and plans regarding the areas of life it impacts. This is especially a positive Maha Parivartana yoga for Taurus, Gemini, Leo, Libra and Aquarius. For instance, if you are a Taurus rising, then this exchange of energy takes place between your 10th lord and 2nd lord. And if you are a Leo rising, then this will be an exchange between your 7th lord and 11th lord. This can bring positive energies, prosperity and welcome changes in life. However, you still need to be aware that the overall influence of the planets is uncertain, so be cautious and calculating when making long-range goals.
Mercury turns direct in Aquarius on March 28, the very same day that Jupiter shifts into Sagittarius. This is a positive shift for both planets, and we can see more clarity and forward movement. With Mercury continuing its connection with Rahu, things could manifest very swiftly, but remember to step back and assess the situation before finalising plans, which can be done in early May. During this brief period till April 12, great opportunities can certainly come your way, especially for certain rising signs.
On April 12, Mercury returns to Pisces. Here, he is not at its best, as this is the sign of its debilitation, so your analytic thinking will have to take a back seat to intuitive thinking. One more reason not to make any firm decisions just quite yet, though if you used the earlier 2-week period productively, you will be clear in your direction now.
Jupiter slips into Sagittarius from March 29 till April 23, 2019
Jupiter moves into its mooltrikona – his home sign, Sagittarius, where he is most comfortable – on March 29, 2019. This is an unusual transit for Jupiter, who has swiftly moved from Scorpio to arrive in Sagittarius. Jupiter will also undergo a long and rare gandanta period from March 16 till May 5. Gandanta (spiritual knot, “gand” meaning knot and “anta” meaning end) forming at the end of Scorpio/early Sagittarius, points to unravelling of old karma and implies endings of sorts.
On March 16, Jupiter goes into 29 degrees Scorpio, which is the beginning of the troublesome Scorpio-Sagittarius gandanta. All of us have karmic knots of some type, indeed our birth chart itself is a map of our inherited karma. However, when being affected by Gandanta degrees, we usually experience this karma as a much more dramatic collision with destiny, causing instability and loss of will where it occurs. Usually Jupiter is in gandanta for a short time, around 10 days. But this year it will retrograde on April 11 at the gandanta degree and thereafter, will remain in gandanta till May 5. If you are going through a Jupiter Dasha, or Jupiter represents a pivotal point in your birth chart, for instance, if you are a Sagittarius or Pisces, you will feel it the most. All of us may be affected in various ways as many aspects are joining together and promoting instability, till May 5.
Once again, it is interesting to note that Mercury is also not in its best shape till May 3, which is when it will come out of debilitation. So, we have the planet of wisdom, Jupiter, and the planet of intelligence, Mercury, both in compromised position for the next few weeks, a further confirmation to wait, observe, and reflect. Control the urge to make quick and abrupt changes as Rahu/Ketu movement will tempt us and perhaps compel us to do so.
New Moon in Aquarius, in the nakshatra of Purva Bhadrapada, on March 6
Two days following Maha Shivratri, on March 6, at approx. 4 pm UTC, we have a new moon at 21 degrees Aquarius, in the nakshatra of Purva Bhadrapada, whose ruling planet is Jupiter.
Both the ruler of Aquarius, Rahu, as well as ruler of Purva Bhadrapada, Jupiter, are aspecting each other in water signs. This new moon is activating the two planets that are about to make a major shift, suggesting we are clearing out all issues associated with Aquarius, as well as areas that are connected to the water signs, for the final time. For instance, if you are a Leo Lagna, you may be ending a relationship, as Aquarius is your seventh house, and further your twelfth house of endings is also getting activated due to Rahu’s position. This moon is receiving an aspect from Saturn, further confirms a separation or ending. Because we have a strong, supportive alignment with the outer planets, it also suggests it is an ending that is good for you.
The deity associated with Purva Bhadrapada is Aja Ekapada. Aja which means “without origin” refering to things that are divine and Ekapada means one-legged refering to serpents. Hence, the capacity for transformation is extremely strong in Purva Bhadrapada. The symbol for this star is the front legs of a funeral cot, which indicates a strong connection to the element of fire, the destructive force in us, again suggesting endings of all kind. On a spiritual level, it gives the capacity for great sacrifice or purification for a higher purpose.
This New Moon also suggests new beginnings will soon follow, but we are finishing up the final round of Nodal position, and hence an important chapter in our lives.
Sun Transits Pisces March 15 – April 14
The Sun leaves its difficult transit in Aquarius and enters the dreamy waters of Pisces on March 15, where it feels comfortable being in its friend’s home. Here it will be feeling the blessings of his friend as well, since he receives Jupiter’s aspect from Scorpio. This is a strong transit for the Sun, where we can feel hopeful and inspired again.
The Sun will travel alone for the entire transit without any challenging aspects. This helps ensure that whatever does come up will be in alignment with our soul purpose. It is an eventful month with potentially lots of unexpected twists and turns, leading to endings. We also get a glimpse of a favourable new chapter in our lives, though due to the erratic movement of other planets, it is best to wait to make the final move.
Full Moon in Virgo, in the nakshatra of Uttara Phalguni, on March 21
At approximately 2 am UTC on March 21, the Moon will be at approx 6 degrees in Uttara Phalguni directly opposing the Sun in Uttara Bhadrapada. In contrast to the New Moon earlier in the month, which was represented by a funeral cot symbolising endings, Uttara Phalguni is represented by a bed, which signifies relaxation and rejuvenation, and new beginnings.
Aryaman, the God of patronage and kindness, is the ruling deity for Uttara Phalguni, bringing qualities of nobility, reliability, and generosity to the surface. The ruling planet of this nakshatra is the Sun, who is strong and dignified during this full moon.
The ruling planet of Virgo is Mercury, who is in Aquarius and still retrograde making a conjunction with Neptune, so things could still be a bit blurry, better to wait till the end of the month to finalise any planets, especially signing agreements and contracts.
