Astrological Placements for 2014

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We begin 2014 with a new Moon in Sagittarius in Vedic Astrology.  This is a very infrequent occurrence for the New Year.  New Moons are considered as weak placements in Vedic astrology, or Jyotish.  While the Moon and Sun will be in the star of Purva Ashadha, which is connoted with new beginnings, it may not be the best day to implement your New Year’s resolutions.  Moon (the emotions, or manas in Sanskrit) and Mercury (the intellect, or buddhi in Sanskrit) will be at the exact same degree in the morning.  This pairing can cause conflict about whether to follow your head or your heart. Mercury will be totally combust by virtue of being two degrees from the Sun on January 1, 2014.  A planet (excluding the nodes and the Moon) that is within 10 degrees of the Sun is unable to express its true qualities, as it’s lost in the Sun’s effulgence.

Saturn and Venus continue their house exchange, or parivartana, as Saturn occupies Venus’s sign of Libra, and Venus inhabits Saturn’s sign of Capricorn.  This is particularly beneficial for Saturn, as it can exhibit more of Venus’s harmonious qualities.  Venus has been retrograde in Capricorn since December 21.  It’s currently moving at half its normal speed. Venus moves into Sagittarius on January 6 and remains retrograde till month end. This is powerful for those in a Venus cycle.

Another parivartana taking place has been between the two education planets: Mercury and Jupiter. Mercury has been in Sagittarius, which is also a sign of higher education.  Wise Jupiter has been in dual minded Gemini for half of 2013.  Intellectual and analytical Mercury moves into Capricorn on January 8, 2014. This is beneficial for those in a Jupiter or Mercury cycle.

One of the strongest astrological placements for 2014 is that Saturn continues to be an exalted natural malefic in Libra. My Jyotish teacher compared a strongly placed natural malefic to a storm; one does not know the type of havoc it can leave its path.  Saturn will be exalted until November 2, 2014. Then, Saturn will leave Libra and reside in Scorpio until 2017.  Those with Virgo Moons can breathe a sign of relief, as their 7.5 year Saturn transit over and on either side of their Moon (known as their Sade Sati) will conclude.   People with Libra Moons will experience the last third of their Sade Sati, with hopefully the worst part being over.  The deepest impact of Sade Sati is contingent upon what the composite of the planetary placements in a natal chart indicate.  Individuals with their Moon in Sagittarius will mark the beginning of their Sade Sati and slowly feel the change that Saturn brings as it teaches us our great lessons.  These lessons are often the ones that we may not have fully completed 28-30 years ago during Saturn’s last transit over your Moon.

Saturn will be both exalted and retrograde in Libra from March 2, 2014 to July 20, 2014.  This renders Saturn even stronger. A revisiting of old, challenging patterns can occur, as determined by what Libra signifies in your Vedic astrology chart by house placement.

Saturn and Rahu continue to be together in Libra for half of 2014.  Historically, this conjunction this has been a time of great change in the world. 

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The biggest bumps of the year are likely to be when fire and ice collide, with the element of unexpectedness.  The powerful astrological placements for 2014 will be Mars, Saturn and North node Rahu will be together in Libra from February 4 to March 24.  This brings conflict both on an individual level as well as on a global level.  This placement is taking place in President Obama’s house of career, while he’s in his Saturn dasha.  Mars and Saturn bring a “my way or the highway” phenomenon and a push to accomplish their  agenda at any given cost. 

Mars is retrograde in Libra from Mars 1, 2014 to March 24, 2014. This can be a particularly intense period. Mars will be retrograde in Virgo from March 25, 2014 to May 19, 2014.

Rahu enters Virgo for 1.5 years on July 12, 2014 and Ketu enters Pisces.  This is based on the calculation of Rahu and Ketu using the mean nodes.  Lest you think that Libra’s planetary conflicts are over, Mars re-enters Libra the next day.  This Mars/ Saturn pairing should be somewhat lighter as Rahu won’t be a factor and Mars will not be retrograde.  Mars remains in Libra until September 4, 2014, when it moves into its own sign of Scorpio.

For those who like to plan ahead for the times when Mercury is retrograde, it occurs three times in 2014.  Mercury is retrograde from February 6, 2014 in Aquarius to month end, at which time it will be in Capricorn.  Next,  Mercury is retrograde in its own sign of Gemini from June 7, 2014 to July 1, 2014.  Vedic astrology considers retrogression as a sign of planetary strength, thus those in a Mercury cycle may feel this doubly strong planetary presence to their benefit with this second retrogression.  The third time Mercury is retrograde is from October 4, 2014 in Libra to October 22, 2014, where it will be in its own sign of Virgo.

Before you fall into despair about the astrological placements for 2014, there is good news as well. The first is the aforementioned retrogression of Venus.  More importantly is that Jupiter will be exalted in Cancer, for the first time since 2002.  Jupiter is the great benefic. It is the teacher, adviser, and planet of discernment and spirituality.  Jupiter inhabits sensitive and nurturing Cancer from June 18, 2014 to July 15, 2015. 

Currently, Jupiter is  strong in Gemini, as it is retrograde from November 6, 2013 to March 4, 2014. And it will be powerfully placed again, a few days after Saturn enters Scorpio.  Jupiter’s placement in Cancer can be an ideal time for spiritual practices, education, and teaching.

Specific astrological predictions will be covered in a future blog. A personalized Vedic astrology reading will provide you with detailed insight into how to best plan for the astrological placements in 2014.