Vedic astrology for February, 2016

Have you felt some personal or professional shifts recently? While February is the shortest month of the year it may be the most dynamic one of the year.  Jyotish, or Vedic astrology for February, 2016 brings us two noteworthy events.  There’s the recent movement of the nodes Rahu and Ketu, stirring things up.  And we will have Saturn and Mars together in Scorpio for approximately six months.

A key theme in Vedic astrology for February, 2016 is looking at your yearnings. Where you do want to be personally and professionally? What are you willing to do to get there? What will you give up?  It’s also a time to set your prioritizes. You may be pulled by multiple external factors. Trying to satisfy every whim which comes to mind will not serve you well.  Be flexible with your pursuits.  Fixed agendas won’t be met without harm to yourself.

Rahu just entered sidereal Leo on January 29, joining a retrograde Jupiter.  This creates a Guru Chandal yoga.  It can be a time when you may meet a foreign teacher or decide to pursue an alternative field of study.  Depending on your own chart, it may be you who becomes this teacher.  Don’t be so busy smelling the roses that you neglect to notice the thorns. Such a teacher may have a not so noble agenda.  We can expect to see more powerful but aberrant world leaders arise. See my previous blog for more on this topic.

New Moon

The new Moon in Vedic astrology for February, 2016 is on the 8th at 6:35 AM Pacific time. This is known as Pausha amavasya.  The new Moon is in Capricorn in the nakshatra of Dhanistha.  Dhanistha means “complete wealth”. It’s a time when you can have a wealth of riches – material and spiritual.  The symbol is a drum or flute, symbolizing the emptiness that these individuals may feel inside.  This is a day to lay low, play music, worship your ancestors, and be charitable.  It’s also appropriate to worship Krishna or Lord Shiva this day.

The Sun joins Ketu in Aquarius on February 13.  This can create enhanced but unexpected career opportunities for Taurus ascendants, particularly with foreign companies.  You can chant the Gayatri mantra to propitiate the Sun.

Saturn and Mars

The second major event in Vedic astrology for February, 2016 is Mars’ movement back into its own sign of Scorpio.  Fiery Mars joins icy Saturn in Scorpio for a six month stay starting February 20.  Like Rahu and Jupiter, this is another pairing of opposites.  Each will push its own agenda and no one wants to compromise. Mars acts rashly; Saturn strategizes.  Mars carves leadership; Saturn needs security.  Mars is adventurous, while Saturn is cautious. You may be polarized by conflicting agendas. There is also the need to do things your own way, all the time.  Don’t push yourself to the point of exhaustion. Learn to honor other viewpoints. Individuals in Mars and Saturn cycles will really feel the pressure.

Full Moon

The full Moon in Vedic astrology for February, 2016 is known as Magha Purnima. It happens the morning of February 22, so it’ll be best visible the previous night. The Moon is full in the nakshatra of Magha. It’s a day to spend time with family, honor your cultural heritage, and also pay homage to your spiritual teachers.  It’s a strong day for networking as well.

Due to these significant transits in Vedic astrology for February, 2016 and the coming months, it’s important to understand your own astrological dynamics and what may arise in the coming months. You may wish to listen to mantras for the nine planets.  You can wear a mala (necklace) which containing the astrological gemstones for each of the nine planets.  Remember you can always exercise your free will to make healthy choices which will benefit your long term.