Mars enters its exaltation sign of Capricorn joining Ketu
From May 2 till Nov. 6, Mars will be in its exaltation sign Capricorn, forming close conjunctions with Ketu, the headless South Node. Mars’ transit takes place inside the nodal axis, which when joined by the Sun and Moon either during a new Moon or a full Moon, will yield an eclipse. This transit creates a Ruchaka Mahapurusha yoga for Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. It can also bring improvements for Scorpio, whatever this symbolises in the birthchart.
Rahu and Ketu among the planets are given only co-rulership of one sign each. Rahu joins Saturn as co-ruler of Aquarius and Ketu joins Mars as co-ruler of Scorpio. Saturn is associated with the element of air, which also applies to Rahu. Mars rules fire, and Ketu becomes fiery as well. Both of the nodes have a tendency to agitate or destabilize the signs and houses that they affect.
In the planetary cabinet, Mars is the general and Ketu is the standing army. This alone gives the sense of the potential power that can be generated by this combination. Ketu symbolises past karma, so the question is what will Mars do in this battlefield with Ketu by its side? We can expect a fluctuating, unstable, but intensified energy. With Mars also enjoying exalted status in Saturn’s earth sign, Capricorn, we can expect excellent results and the highest expression of Mars’ energy. We count on Mars for observation, strategy, protection, strength, and focus.
Mars transiting through Capricorn for six months is lengthy, due to a retrograde cycle of Mars which begins on June 26 and ends August 27. The retrograde period of Mars could produce more intensity, as an exalted and retrograde planet can behave in peculiar, unpredictable ways. They can subject us to strong desires having to do with the planet’s nature and location in the birthchart. This keeps Mars very close to Ketu as he grinds in apparent reverse motion three times. The potent conjunction periods to watch are: 13 June; 18 July, and 22 September. Mars continues through the late degrees of Capricorn as autumn develops, moving into Aquarius on November 6.
This transit can lead to impulsive decisions and lead to collateral damage, but if the energy has been focused and centered, then we can expect vicory due to Mars’ exalted position, resulting in the greatest victory. This transit demands concentrated thought process and low-risk capacity, along with controlled anger, otherwise with Ketu there, energies can spiral out of control. This will affect the house where it is placed in the chart, and also depends on the rulership of both Mars and Ketu. One who stabilises himself will win the battle, as Mars is always victorious in Capricorn. Controlling the impulses and anger must be obtained through a spiritual practice, such as yoga and pranayama.
Mercury goes out of debilitation
On May 9, Mercury finally goes out of debilitation, a state it has been in for few months. It is also now finally out of Rahu’s harsh drishti. Here, Mercury will receive the direct aspect of Jupiter from Libra, giving all matters related to study, attaining knowledge, get a boost. In Aries however, it will receive Mars’ aspect till it leaves the sign on May 27, entering its friend sign, Taurus, till June 10, joining Sun. Mercury rules communications, management of finances, and short/quick projects, interactions or travels. This could be a good window for really pushing through tasks that require the power of Mars and the swiftness of Mercury.
Venus enters Gemini
On May 14, Venus moves into Gemini, the nakshatra of Mrigasira, until June 8. Venus does well in Mercury’s air sign, Gemini, and should provide good energy for pursuits that require creative communication, diplomacy and flexibility. Venus will not be feeling the fire of Mars and Ketu at this time, but will come under the gaze of retrograde Saturn, currently aspecting the signs of Aquarius, Gemini and Virgo from his placement in Sagittarius.
While Mercury, Venus and Sun are beginning to roll along on new ideas and vistas, we may encounter some delays and resistance due to Jupiter’s retrograde status in Venus’ sign and Saturn’s retrograde status in Jupiter’s sign. Our heads and hearts may be well in the game, seeing how to move ahead, but our feet and legs may be a few steps behind, as Jupiter and Saturn are deeply concentrated on the roots of growth potential and foundational stability.
This could cause frustration in the sense that our energy, vision and inspiration are focused on creating new scenes while at the same time, we get dragged into addressing practical details and availability of resources that hamper the smooth flow of our creative vision. As always, we are better off slowing down and checking those details, revisiting plans and building strong foundations. Because when Jupiter moves direct in July, we can move forward with our visions, and Saturn moves direct in September, we can implement our plans.
Sun moves into Taurus
Sun moves into Taurus, same day as the New Moon, on May 15. It will stay in Taurus till June 15. The Sun in Taurus is free of any malefic influences. Sun is considered to be in an enemy sign while in Taurus (remember that Venus rules Libra also, where Sun is debilitated.) This plays out as a bit of a struggle between the “me” (Sun) and the “we” (Venus) once again, but its always a good opportunity to learn more about how much to assert oneself in relationship or collaboration situations.
For the first couple of weeks in Taurus, the Sun has a nice position. No malefic influences are coming directly from either Saturn or Mars, with the addition of enjoying a nice yoga caused by Mercury and Venus flanking the Sun in adjacent signs. This spreads out the energetic, positive and inspirational energy of Venus and Mercury, allowing those two planets to function without getting blazed out by the powerful Sun.
New Moon in Krittika Nakshatra
On May 15, the Sun will conjunct the Moon, forming a new moon at 0 degree Taurus, in the nakshatra of Krittika. This will affect anyone who has Libra or Taurus moon/rising sign. And anyone who has personal planets falling in or near the 0 degree of Taurus.
Krittika nakshatra within Taurus is further a perfect ground in which to explore the “Me” vs “Us” theme, as it is ruled by the Sun, and Taurus itself is ruled by Venus. This new Moon moment on May 15 could be the start of a new period in which we can collectively experience the striving for balance between Sun and Venus.
Healthy relationships can thrive when those involved are strong individuals. More specifically, when each member of a relationship is self-fulfilled, they are able to come together to share their whole selves, not as means to fulfill missing parts of themselves. When one has missing pieces and seeks them in another, this affects the harmony of the relationship, or if one person too strongly asserts their individual desires, this could damage the balance in the relationship. Striking this healthy balance requires balancing the Sun and Venus energies.
Full Moon in Anuradha Nakshatra
On May 29, the Full moon occurs in the sign of the moon’s debilitation, at 15 degrees Scorpio, in the nakshatra of Anuradha ruled by the planet Saturn and by the deity Mitra, lord of friendship and treaties.. The lords of Scorpio, Mars and Ketu in Capricorn, will only be four degrees apart from one another, showing a great deal of intensity for this full Moon. With the power potential represented by Mars and Ketu in the hands of the Moon this day, we can hope that Mitra guides us toward finding peaceful and practical solutions.
There are a number of planets that will be in close range by degree, adding intensity. Sun and Moon will be at 15° Taurus and Scorpio. Rahu and Ketu will be at 15° Cancer and Capricorn. This puts an exact aspect of Rahu on the Moon for this day. Additionally, Mars at 11° Capricorn is close to joining forces with Ketu at 15°. Saturn at 14° Sagittarius will be opposing Venus at 18° Gemini.
At this time, with the retrograde status, even Jupiter may be struggling to find the positive in things. Jupiter remains retrograde until July 10, so until then, we may have to fall back on Venus to find creative, compassionate solutions. Venus is strong in Gemini until June 8 after which time Venus gets into Rahu’s territory. It may be a good time to get organized and make moves before mid-June.
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