Lunar Cycle in Vedic Astrology

This dark fortnight is going to culminate with New Moon in transformative Purva Bhadrapada Nakshatra, preceded by the Great Night of Lord Shiva, known as Mahashivaratri. 

This fortnight was always seen by the ancient sages as the time for inner purification, introspection and intensifying our spiritual practice, as it often brings some of our inner demons to the surface of our awareness and thus gives us the opportunity to face our shadows and transform them. This year, in particular, the dark fortnight of Lord Shiva may stir from deep within us many conflicting emotions, as Sun and Moon will be conjuct with Saturn and Venus during the Shivaratri and the New Moon itself - which is a very complex conjunction to experience for every planet involved. This is the time to look deep within and avoid active participation in any external conflict.

Get ready for one of the most powerful Full Moons of the year: Full Moon in Magha Nakshatra, occurring on 24 February 🌝

When Moon shines with its full rays in Magha Nakshatra, which represents the very point between our eyebrows, the third eye chakra of intuition, higher consciousness and our connection with the Divine, our whole consciousness becomes enlightened with its rays. This year it is going to be a particularly powerful one, as it will be receiving aspects from 5 different planets: benevolent Jupiter from Aries, Sun, Saturn & Mercury from Aquarius and exalted Mars from Capricorn. 

This Full Moon is also known as Lalita Jayanti or appearance day of Goddess Lalita, one of the 10 Mahavidyas. While the first 9 days of this Shukla Paksha are sacred to Goddess Matangi, closely associated with Lalita. You can learn more about both Goddesses here: https://academy.discoveringyouniverse.com/courses/mahavidyas-10-mystical-goddesses/

The upcoming New Moon in Dhanishta Nakshatra, in the last degrees of sidereal Capricorn, which is zodiacal root chakra, will bring with itself new dynamic energy, inspiring us to to be bold and move forward in life. Simultaneously as the Moon will be approaching the Sun in Capricorn throughout this dark fortnight, Mars will be also moving there, towards his exaltation place. Entire universe will be pushing us forward and inspiring us to be courageous - especially when it comes to realising our ideas on material level. It is great time to make some real steps towards realising our plans, initiate new things, tackle the postponed or delayed projects and find practical, down to earth solutions to current challenges. 

The Sun and Moon will meet once again in the amsha of Goddess Bhairavi, shakti of fearlessness, inspiring us to go beyond our comfort zone and focus on real life action. The Divine Mother in this form will be teaching us this time to get out of our head and stop overthinking things, but focus on the practical solutions in the present moment.

Here you can learn more about Dhanishta Nakshatra: https://academy.discoveringyouniverse.com/courses/dhanishta-nakshatra/

After recent transformative New Moon, the upcoming Full Moon in Pushya Nakshatra will bring into our lives more nourishing and soft energies, inspiring us to focus our attention on protecting and nurturing that, which is most precious to us. Moon shining at the heart of its own sidereal sign, Cancer, will be inspiring us to get in touch with more gentle side of ourselves, address our feelings, and practice compassion and forgiveness - to ourselves and others. It is a powerful time to heal the wounds of the past and let go grudges. 

Additionally, as Rahu and Ketu will be dwelling during this Full Moon in the amsha of all-embracing Goddess Bhuvaneshwari in the D20 chart, the universe will simultaneously try to encourage us to learn how to accept ourselves and others as they are, and focus more on love and kindness rather than trying to be right. It is a perfect time to cultivate more heart-centered approach to life and get in touch with more spiritual and mature side of ourselves.

Here you can learn more about Pushya Nakshatra: https://thenakshatras.com/pushya-nakshatra

And here you can learn more about Goddesses of Vimshamsha (D20) chart: https://academy.discoveringyouniverse.com/courses/goddesses-of-the-vimshamsha-chart-d20/

The upcoming New Moon in Purvashadha Nakshatra will be of intensely fierce nature. As Moon and Sun will meet in Purvashadha Nakshatra, the fierce star of purifying waters, in the fiery heart of Sagittarius, they will be very near the amsha of Goddess Bhairavi in Vimshamsha (D20) chart, where the lunar nodes currently reside, exactly 90 degrees away from Sun’s and Moon’s meeting point. Yet, the very same transformative energy, will also help us to move some things forward, push us out of our comfort zone and have courage to take on new challenges.

The upcoming Full Moon will stir many emotions within us and cause some inner churnings, as Moon will be shining in transformative Ardra nakshatra, while Sun will be aspecting it from equally intense lunar mansion, Mula. Additionally, the peak of the Full Moon will happen with both Sun and Moon occupying transformative ashtamamsha padas of their respective Nakshatras. Channeling the powerful energies of Shiva and Shakti, this Full Moon will present us with many opportunities for our spiritual growth and transformation, but at the same time will challenge our attachments to comfort zone and limited beliefs. Not without a reason this particular Full Moon of the year is also known as Bhairavi Jayanti - the day of Bhairavi, Goddess of Fearlessness, who challenges us to move beyond our limitations towards the unlimited divine consciousness within.

New Moon in Jyeshta Nakshatra, in the heart of sidereal Scorpio, is usually one of the most transformative ones in a year. Moon, the significator of our mind, goes through inner churning while residing in Scorpio, which is additionally amplified by combustion experienced by it during the New Moon time. Pushed far away from its comfort zone, mind in such a state can be more prone to irritation, frustration, finding fault in things and negative attitude. With Mars being closely conjuct with the New Moon, we might be additionally prone to anger - while Saturn’s aspect upon it can easily challenge our fears and limits. The conflict between those two inimical and tamasic planets experiencing mutual aspect will significantly intensify the tensions around the New Moon time.

And yet, a New Moon so powerful, can be an incredible opportunity to truly transform our shadows, face our fears and rise above our limitations with courage. After all, Jyeshta Nakshatra is all about growth and strive for perfection - also on spiritual level. A challenge is, after all, just an opportunity to grow. Additionally, during this New Moon, Sun and Moon will be conjuct in the amsha of Goddess Bhairavi in the D20 chart, who does not only challenge use to rise above our fears, but also inspires courage to grow and evolve.

This Full Moon in Rohini Nakshatra, although spiritual charged, will simultaneously challenge us on many levels and inspire us to grow, as the very power (rohana Shakti) of this lunar mansion indicates. With Venus (disposition of the upcoming Full Moon) heading towards Ketu and her max debilitation place in Virgo, and Mars combust during the entire fortnight, we may experience that many of our desires, wishes, hopes and expectations in the external world might end up in disappointment - and the resulting dissatisfaction may influence many to become more prone to frustration and anger outbursts. But if we utilise this time instead to turn within towards the inexhaustible source of happiness and love inside our hearts, independent from external factors, we may find out that even if we feel dissatisfied, there is a part of us which always remains full. It is a beautiful time to practice gratitude (instead of focusing on what we lack) - especially in the sphere of relationships, which might be particularly challenged those days.

Every year, when New Moon occurs in Libra, Sun’s debilitation place and zodiacal heart chakra, we celebrate Diwali, a festival of light, to bring illumination into our homes and into our minds; to remind ourselves of our inner light, when the external light of the Sun is temporarily dormant.

This year Moon and Sun will conjoin in Vishakha nakshatra, just a degree away from deeply combust Mars. This can make us feel particularly impulsive, impatient and also a little volatile and nervous - especially those natives who are sensitive to this placement. Yet, Jupiter’s auspicious aspect upon this combination ensures us that if we make our effort to channel this fiery energy into our spiritual practice and strengthening our commitments, we may actually find this period support us both in things we are passionate about, and in our devotion to the Divine.

This year the Devi Paksha, the fortnight of the Goddess, will culminate with partial lunar eclipse in Ashwini nakshatra - the lunar mansion of new beginnings, which inspires us to look at things from a new perspective and embrace the innovation rather than cling to the old structures.

Above everything else this eclipse will be inspiring us to explore new ways of healing ourselves. Not only this Full Moon will take place in Ashwini nakshatra, the lunar mansion of divine healers, but both Sun and Moon will also dwell during the culmination in divisions of Goddess Tara in the D20 chart (Vimshamsha) - the Goddess who neutralises all the poisons and liberates us from negativities, as well as grants us wisdom necessary for our personal healing process.

Interestingly, on the day of eclipse itself, 3 planets (Mars, Mercury and Jupiter) will be simultaneously dwelling in the amsha of another Mahavidya in the D20 chart: Goddess Bagalamukhi, who purifies our speech and pacifies our inner chatter. This strongly indicates that the “wild horses” of our mind may become quite impulsive around eclipse time and we may have tendency to speak rashly or behave in a self-righteous way. Around this particular eclipse it might be more important than ever for all of us to make a conscious effort to control our minds and speech, withdraw more frequently into silence and avoid temptation of speaking everything that comes to our mind - no matter the justification. It might be a good idea to wait with expressing any of our strong opinions until the eclipse is over. And above all: avoid trying to prove that you are “right”, even when provoked.

Here you can also learn more about 10 Mahavidyas: https://academy.discoveringyouniverse.com/courses/mahavidyas-10-mystical-goddesses/

You can also learn more about the Goddess of the D20 (Vimshamsha) chart in the workshop: https://academy.discoveringyouniverse.com/courses/goddesses-of-the-vimshamsha-chart-d20/

On 14th October, at the culmination point of Pitri Paksha (fortnight of the ancestors) and beginning of Navaratri (nine nights of the Goddesses), Sun and Moon will have a close meeting in proximity of Ketu in Citra nakshatra, which will result in annular eclipse, which will be visible in the sky as a powerful “ring of fire”. This significant meeting will occur in the division (amsha) of Goddess Bhairavi in the D20 (vimshamsha) divisional chart, while Rahu and Ketu will be dwelling the transformative portions of Goddess Kali. 

Bhairavi is the Goddess of fearlessness, who helps us transcend the fears holding us back and rise above the limitations of the past. We can all expect in the coming days that many of our fears will be challenged and we will be forced to look at various issues from a new, innovative perspective, rather than holding onto the old structures. Since the eclipse will occur in most tamasic nakshatra, Citra, during a powerful period known as symbolic Mahalaya, or great dissolution, we may see some of our darkest qualities re-emerging on the surface of our awareness and life will be pushing us with greater force than usual towards their transformation.

At the end of September Full Moon will shine in Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra - the star, which inspires us to look deep within and review the our foundations, or core beliefs on which we build our life. The entire fortnight leading up to it is sacred to Lord Ganesha, who helps us remove any obstacles which obstruct our minds - while the day before this Full Moon is known as Ananta Chaturdashi, sacred to Lord Ananta, the great serpent on which Lord Vishnu is reclining and who represents the limitless potential of our consciousness, once it’s freed from the shackles of the limited mind. While Moon will be enclosed by two retrograde grahas on both sides, it is a perfect time to review our past lessons, learn our mistakes and allow ourselves to drop the karmic luggage which has been holding us back. A beautiful time to introspect and meditate.

Yet, as Full Moon will be aspected this time also by Mars, who is partially combust and starving in the sign of Virgo, the upcoming days may also bring some volatile energy. We all may have tendency to speak and act more impulsively, especially when it comes to bringing the issues from the past or long suppressed emotions and judgements. At the same time, while receiving judgements, we may have tendency to immediately turn defensive or combative, rather than taking a moment to digest the feedback and see which parts of it are true and can help us to grow.

This month New Moon is going to shine in Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra, near the end of sidereal Leo, or zodiacal third eye chakra, the seat of our higher self. It is a powerful time to re-align with our true life purpose and identity, as well as to reflect if we are truly, right here right now, in the right place and right position, and if we are making the right choices. With the aspect of Saturn retrograde and Jupiter retrograde, as well as conjunction with retrograde Mercury, this New Moon calls us for deep self-reflection on whether we maintain the right ratio between inspiration and hard work in our life, and do we stay true to who we truly are and what our goals are.

When Moon shines with its full rays in Shatabhisha Nakshatra it is a powerful time of healing  - both inner and outer. It is a time to consciously move towards the direction of becoming “whole again”, as the symbol of this lunar mansion, full circle, silently indicates. This year Full Moon in Shatabhisha nakshatra is going to be additionally conjuct with retrograde Saturn, which will make it into a powerful time of healing our past, especially its most regretful parts, and move forward with a little bit more open, forgiving heart.

This Full Moon may temporarily reopen some of our old wounds or remind us again of life lessons from some distance past - but not for us to dwell on them or become bitter, but rather to reassure us why those were necessary and how they made us who we are today. Needless to say, it is a powerful time for introspection and meditation, as well as healing practices.

On 16 August, shortly after the disappearance of Venus, Moon will also join Sun in Ashlesha Nakshatra during a New Moon, which will take place in the last degrees of sidereal Cancer, near transformative gandanta zone. As this New Moon is approaching, it is a perfect time to reflect on our attachments, what binds our mind and things which still keep us in our comfort zone - for all those things will be challenged in this dark fortnight. Some of our desires and attachments may intensify and influence us with double power, so we can see them more clearly and understand where do we stand in relation to them. But it will be also an incredibly powerful time for healing and finally letting go of those things, which may have held you back for years to experience a more true, more real version of yourself. It is an incredibly powerful time to dive deeper within, in the very core of our hearts, reconnect with our soul and with the Divine within us.

After the intensity which recent transits brought into our lives, the upcoming Full Moon will be very soothing and nourishing, channeling healing energy for our body and mind. While Sun will be shining as Varuna Aditya in the heart of sidereal Cancer, in nourishing Pushya nakshatra, Moon will shine in its fullness in Shravana. With both luminaries shining in those deeply receptive and peaceful nakshatras, we will become inspired to turn more frequently within and listen to the voice of our intuition - to find our own answers within, rather than depending on external sources of knowledge. This Full Moon will especially inspire us to cultivate receptivity, sensitivity and compassion, taking every life situation as an opportunity to learn and grow. Along with Venus retrograde, it is a beautiful time to strengthen our connection with the Divine, meditate, introspect and consciously work on expanding the horizons of our minds and hearts.

Upcoming New Moon in Punarvasu Nakshatra will inspire us to divorce our outdated habits and patterns and make space for new beginnings. It will inspire us to move beyond the paths we are used to tread, beyond judgement, fear and prejudice, and meet the new with openness, peace and compassion. Although this New Moon might be quite emotionally charged, as it will appear in the first degree of sidereal Cancer, it will at the same time bless us with an opportunity to move beyond the past with lightness and optimism. 

Remember that the influence of this New Moon might naturally make you a little more withdrawn in the coming days and more inclined to spend some time alone or in contact with the Divine within you - and that is perfectly fine. Give yourself time to withdraw into your “cave” and heal what needs to be healed, so later you can move on with new enthusiasm and hope.

Upcoming Full Moon in Purvashadha Nakshatra (3 July), in the heart of sidereal Sagittarius, will be one of the most auspicious Full Moons in this year. Whenever Full Moon shines in Sagittarius it is also known as Guru Purnima. This year the Moon will be additionally receiving a benevolent aspect from Jupiter. This makes this entire fortnight and incredibly opportune time for cultivating our connection with the Divine through meditation and diving into spiritual teachings. This Full Moon will also help us expand the horizons of our consciousness and look at many things from different perspective.

The only thing that can stop our growth in this period is our mind, clinging to its old emotional patterns and attachments. We can experience those with greater strength at the moment, due to disturbing transit of Venus and Mars through Cancer. But if we choose to let go of our comfort zone for a moment and let go of the need to always “be right” and have things our way, we may learn some profound life lessons during this fortnight.

Upcoming New Moon (17-18 June) in Mrigashira Nakshatra, the star of searching, can amplify in us a certain sense of dissatisfaction, which has been already rising in many of us since Venus joined Mars in Cancer. But this very dissatisfaction can lead us to new answers and discoveries within ourselves. If we dare to question the status quo and look beyond the boundaries of our comfort zone, it may turn out that some of our outdated desires and attachments cause us more suffering than joy - and letting go of them can prepare a space in us for something new. 

Mrigashira Nakshatra inspires us introspect when feeling of dissatisfaction arises rather than trying to numb it or search for distraction. And even though some attachments might be hard to let go of, especially with Venus and Mars conjunct in Ashlesha, if you find the courage to do that, you may suddenly discover that what you were longing for was all this time present inside of you.