*Vedic Astrology, or Jyotish, is one of the oldest sciences on the planet and considered a relative of astronomy. It is an important and valuable part of the ancient Vedic texts. This complex, logic-based and also intuitive science, has survived thousands of years in India’s Vedic tradition and is still considered a highly valuable tool of guidance and life insight. It is not a religion, but rather a philosophical understanding of human and cosmic existence. In Sanskrit, Jyoti means light. Essentially, the study of jyotish is the study of light and how we interact with the cosmic light—within us and within the cosmos. Vedic astrology, or the sidereal approach to astrology, casts charts differently than Western, or Tropical astrology. The meanings, implications and purpose of jyotish is therefor different, as are the details used for prediction and the indications given below.

 

This waning cycle of the Moon is filled with many movements and changes as Venus, Mercury and the annual transit of Jupiter occur. These planetary shifts bring dramatic, swift momentum to our sense of power and passion.

With so much in flux at this time, staying grounded will be vital.

Venus moves into Leo on July 4th, only days after the full Moon. The planet of beauty, creativity and wealth lands in the Sun’s passionate sign, causing the gentle waters of Venus to stir. He leaves the gaze of Ketu, but now receives the cold stare of Saturn instead.

This transit begins a multi-month escapade of unusual movement for Venus that won’t end until November. As he makes his way through Leo, he will retrograde on July 24th, eventually landing back in Cancer. His movement back through Cancer will take him until the very end of September at which point we will experience yet another transit of Venus in Leo as he moves in forward motion. Finally November 2nd, Venus moves to its debilitation sign, Virgo, ending the wide strides of backward and forward motion in and out of Cancer and Leo.

Venus is responsible for relationships, creativity, artistry and is connected to all things feminine. It offers beauty, fluidity, wealth and life giving powers, most essentially, shakti. Worldly comforts and resources can increase through Venus’s benevolence and help us feel more stable in material ways. As Venus moves through Leo, we can expect passions to increase for relationships and connection, while strong desires may emerge.

Expect intensified strength, determination and power to materialize, while aggression and agitation increase.

The transit of Venus through Leo is the instigation of an unfolding theme that is ripening within the planets right now. Working with power and authority dynamics is vital, especially the masculine energy within you. Notice where you are pushing, using excessive force and using an overactive drive to accomplish and succeed. Take time to contemplate the meaning of success from different angles.

Your ego may feel challenged by this. How can you soften your action steps? Where can you let go and surrender more? How can you be a winner- on all levels of life? As Venus retrogrades, these cautions will be even more vital. When a planet retrogrades, it acts like the shadow nodes, Rahu and Ketu, creating a certain intensification with the indications of the planet. I’ll be sharing much more about Venus and his unusual transits in an upcoming article.

On the heels of Venus’s transit into Leo, Mercury’s moves to its own sign, Gemini, on July 4th as well. Mercury will join Sun and Mars in the sign of communication and co-creation, leaving behind the shadowed gaze of Rahu. Mercury is the indicator of the mental body, the mind, imagination and the stories we create through thought. Though Mercury feels very comfortable and secure in Gemini, the heat of Sun and Mars can cause agitation and aggressive tendencies. As he conjuncts the two hottest planets, the mind heats up and has the potential to get scorched. Are you in warrior mode? Where can you pull back? Too many irons in the fire? It’s really a time to cool off and focus only on the essentials.

You can’t keep running on pure adrenalin or burn out is surely on its way. Remember that the focus of a warrior is highly skilled and very useful for success with clear goals and agendas. However, warriors aren’t trained to think think, they just act and carry out orders. It will take more than actions to get what you really need in this cycle. Reign in your task master and spend more time leisurely enjoying nature, being outside and having simple pleasures.

Just before the new Moon, the biggest transit of the year occurs as Jupiter shifts into the power sign, Leo, July 14th. The year long transit of Jupiter in its sign of exaltation, Cancer, ends. However, like most major transits of this kind, it actually begins weeks in advance. As Jupiter nears the edge of Cancer, becoming sandhi the first week of July, the transitions and changes start. Pay close attention at this time to themes that connect to Leo, the 5th house and the Sun. Simultaneously any final lessons and understandings from the Jupiter in Cancer transit will be intensifying. This is a time of crystalization, where the final offerings of the Cancer cycle are being shared with us. Read more about Jupiter’s transit through Cancer.

Self identity and self awareness will be very prominent themes for this Jupiter in Leo cycle. Finding increased growth, wisdom and nourishment for the ego will be a part of the transit as well. Children, relationships and romance will be important factors at play, as well as creativity and passion. However, the personal effects of this transit will be determine by your own Jyotish chart and how well Jupiter is able to express himself in your chart. The placement of the Sun, your 5th house and other factors in your natal chart will also play a role in the outcome of this year long cycle. Read more about the effects of Jupiter in Leo.

Now is an ideal time to prepare for the upcoming transit with extra jyotish astrology guidance and support, as well as having a Jupiter yagya for a smoother transition.

Need some extra guidance and clarity for the big planetary transits ahead? Schedule a Jyotish Astrology coaching session with me.

*Horoscopes are based on your Vedic (sidereal) rising sign. You can also check your Moon and Sun signs for further insight. Do the same with your Navamsa signs for further clarity. Do not use these horoscopes with your Western sign (Tropical) as there is likely no correlation. These horoscopes are meant to be used as a broad overview of the current transits and obviously do not address the specifics of an individual’s unique chart.

Aries: Be courageous with communications and creative endeavors. Work with your hands and make art and music. Passion for children and romance increase as you step into your power center, moving from your heart wisdom to activating it now. This is an important time to shine and express, while learning a lot about yourself in the process. Increase your knowledge and skills. Learn to trust your gut instincts.

Taurus: Speak and share your words of wisdom, but avoid spewing fire and venom. Is there a way to speak the sweet truth? Work with your boundaries very carefully. Anger and agitation are reminders that your needs are not being met on some level. Home, heart and emotions will be heating up in the coming months. Do what you feel, say what you mean and get clear on what you need for your own well being- inside and outside of your relationships.

Gemini: The warrior mind will help you get a lot accomplished, but at what costs? Get your goals, lists and agendas clear and prepare for action steps. Accomplish tasks effectively and efficiently, but don’t burn yourself out in the process. Balance your work with creativity, art and joyful excursions and let this rejuvenate your mental and physical bodies. How can you work smarter and more creatively, not harder? Work from home and let the internet be your greatest work ally.

Cancer: Head congestion begins to dissipate and your voice requests to be heard. Speak the sweet truth and share from your heart. There’s a passion stirring within you, making you crave travel, rest and alone time. Can you bridge this with your work and share your discoveries along the way? Take time for relaxation and meditation to help you find clarity and strength, but make sure you aren’t hiding from your anger. Where is the agitation coming from and what does it tell you about your needs?

Leo: Rise and shine lions and lionesses! Seize the days ahead as expanded passions take hold within you. There will be no stopping your magnanimous and dynamic personality and self expression as the Venus and Jupiter cycle in Leo unfolds. Gains come through self expression, writing and communications. Keep focused on your strong desires, but only move towards what deeply nourishes and serves you and your dharmic path.

Virgo: Career gains come from your consistent, clear and tenacious action steps. Are you on auto-pilot or are you able to listen deeply to the messages arriving? Use this time to get focused on the bigger plan and long-term goals. Write, create, communicate and share your message with a larger audience. Channel your passion and step into your power. Deep grounding is coming for you as you commit to landing in your heart more and more. Open your wings and heart wide to receive.

Libra: Gains continue to arrive with your consistent action steps. Get clear about who you are and what you offer to the world that is unique, special and valuable. Communicate your message and speak your truth, even if it is hard to do or expresses a challenging experience. People want to connect with you, so let them in. Gains are coming and your efforts will be paying off. You’ll have to close some doors in the process. Get clear on which ones to close. Only open the doors that really fill you with passion, joy and enthusiasm.

Scorpio: Some change will do you good. How can you balance work and rest a bit more? Find a way to take a break from life yet still get your work done. Is there a way to do both? You need the rest and alone time to find clarity and deeper purpose right now. Harvesting from your depths will help you work smarter and more effectively, not harder. Simultaneously, work life is stepping up and providing passionate expansion for you and your dharma. Keep your hand on the pulse of what matters most to you and your path.

Sagittarius: Communicating clearly and effectively will benefit your relationships. Non-violent communication is essential for preventing challenging confrontations. Skillfully express your self and your needs. Don’t back down. You are developing necessary skills to articulate yourself in more powerful ways. Speaking is an art form, explore its nuances. Dharma is passionately provoked in the coming weeks. Take from your depths and turn it into an offering.

Capricorn: Rest and recycling are coming to you. You’re embarking on a time period of diving deep, going inward and discovering new territory while traveling very familiar old ground. Transformation is inevitable, but make it intentional. The ego will be going through a metamorphosis as well. Discomfort is a necessary part of the change process, but our suffering is optional. How will you dance with inner depths in new ways?

Aquarius: Passion and relationships are about to become your main focus. Are you ready for a big dose of dopamine? Get your priorities straight or you may find yourself being led by your sexual desires and fantasies, rather than truth and intuition. This warning may be moot as the flames intensify and the embers flare. Put this passion into all areas of your life. Channel it wisely and let it fuel you for many months to come, rather than burn you out.

Pisces: The cutting and releasing continues, but with an new edge of tenacity and passion in the heart. Speak from your heart wisdom and share yourself thoughtfully. As Venus, then Jupiter, move into Leo, your sixth house becomes a prominent force in your life. Healing and transforming the ego will be a major theme for you, providing you with a lot of new nourishment in the process. The deeper the release, the more available space you will have to hold the bounty of life.

 

Need some extra guidance and clarity for the big transits ahead? Schedule a session with me.

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Author: Saraswati J. 

Editor: Renée P.

Image: astragony at Flickr