Moon is waning until Thursday. New Moon is on Friday in the early morning hours- in Gemini and Ardra nakshatra.

Monday, June 23rd

Moon transits Aries and moves from Bharani to Krittika nakshatra at 12:30 CDT, enlivening the Sun and Agni- the fire of life. Internal and external flames intensify, heat and passion, anger and aggression are fanned. These energies are heightened as a result of Mars's direct gaze 8 houses away. With Sun now in Ardra nakshatra in close proximity to retrograde Mercury, the mind is likely to have an edge to it. Have you noticed? Or are you blaming it on everyone else? Is the past haunting you?

Moon will be sandhi the majority of the afternoon, moving to the edge of Aries. It jumps into Taurus at 18:48 CDT, assuming its position and degrees of exaltation. A rare example of how sandhi degrees (when a planet is in the gap between signs) can actually be a strong placement. Read more about sandhi in my recent article: Living in Limbo.

Moon joins Venus in Taurus, who is nicely placed in its own sign right now. Moon is friendly to everyone, however, Venus isn't fond of the Moon. These two, however, are out of the gaze of the other planets right now so this will allow them to share and shine. Look for some strong waves of creativity, inner flow and fluidity, movement and grace. Dance, sing, make art. Let your creative acts stoke your inner flames tonight. Watch how you relate to others and don't lash out. Instead, use your emotions to deepen your inner relationship.

Tuesday, June 24th

Moon is exalted and in Krittika nakshatra enlivening the Sun and Agni. Heat and fire rule the first half of the day. Work with themes of cutting, clearing, purification and transformation.

Just after midday, Moon moves into Rohini nakshatra at 13:48 CDT, having crossed over Venus by this point. In this position, Moon moves from exaltation into mulitrikona, but is still a strong placement for it, out of the gaze of other planets.

Our creativity is intensified. Are ideas percolating and gathering steam? Keep a piece of paper and a pen near by and have your journal handy for doodles, sketches and list making. Take your sketches into dancing, let your dancing become paintings. Move, flow, and let the creativity move you and be moved by you. Sing, communicate, share, connect.

Wednesday, June 25th

The first half of the day, Moon continues through Rohini nakshatra. The creative suggestions from yesterday still apply. Keep a piece of paper and a pen near by and have your journal handy for doodles, sketches and list making. Take your sketches into dancing, let your dancing become paintings. Move, flow, and let the creativity move you and be moved by you. Sing, communicate, share, connect.

As Moon moves into Mrigashirsha nakshatra at 15:28 CDT, instant change occurs. The pace of the deer and its swiftness carries us into action, movement and momentum. Can you feel the shift take place within you? Think in terms of action steps. Soma and Mars are enlivened with this nakshatra, life giving qualities surface and offer their sustenance. What life giving nourishment can you move towards? Pay attention for the messages maybe strong or they may be subtle.

Thursday, June 26th

Moon crosses into Gemini in the early hours of the morning at 04:26 am CDT, though still in Mrigashirsha nakshatra. It joins retrograde Mercury in this nakshatra and Sun in Ardra nakshatra. These three planets receive gaze from Rahu nine houses away, intensifying the mental/emotional edge and our shadow issues.
Moon crosses directly over Mercury around 7:30 am CDT which will likely intensify the mental body tussle with the emotions. Make your daily to-do list over breakfast and if you can start your day with a more gentle approach, do it. Try meditation, gentle yoga, a quiet walk outdoors. This is a good day to count to ten before speaking and to get plenty of fresh air and physical movement. Get out of the head and into the body!

Ready to take action? Join me for my final Cosmic Creative Self workshop today where we explore Mars and action steps.

Venus moves into Rohini nakshatra at 17:08 CDT. Expect creativity to be flowing in the coming weeks! Get out your paints, dance, draw, sing, write. Share your work with others. Be nourished by your creativity and let others nourish you with theirs. This placement of Venus may help our sense of security and thriving. Let the abundance flow towards you and through you.

Moon moves to Ardra nakshatra at 17:29 CDT as it nears the Sun. Emotions intensify with Rudra and Rahu heightened here, so watch yourself and don't let the mind get away with its usual shenanigans. Inner tracking will be important to avoid overwhelm. At this time, Moon is already well into the 15th tithi, the final phase of its waning cycle. Do a three level check in for greater awareness.

Friday, June 27th

Moon transits Gemini with retrograde Mercury and Sun. All receive drishti from a very sandhi Rahu.

New Moon is at 3:08 am CDT while in Gemini and Ardra nakshatra. Ruled by Rudra and Rahu, Ardra nakshatra brings with it a certain intensity- whether through the emotions or through physical movement and change; think forcefulness. Rudra is connected to storms, storm energy, as well as prana as he is the father of the Maruts, or inner winds. Externally he manifests as a storm god; internally he manifests as the five types of Prana within the body. Harnessing the winds can be powerful for inner change or outer change. His association with anger and intense emotion is an example of his abilities with power. Anger after all is extremely powerful and is a form of passion and strength. How will you use this strength?

This New Moon is not the silent, soft and quiet kind. For there is immense power available to us at this time. It is quiet and inward as any empty new Moon is, yet be mindful of the power available within this silence. What are you creating? Cultivating? And inviting in at this time? What is your relationship to the inner and outer winds?

Start your day off with meditation, pranayama and yoga. Get the inner prana moving and in this new waxing cycle upon us, attend to the needs of the inner winds. Emotional well being is intimately related to physical well being. Use this coming cycle to attend to your inner dynamics. Work with emotions directly and note where the challenges arrive. Are you attending to your needs? Letting the mind run the show? Bypassing the emotions? Does the body have a message for you that you have been neglecting to listen to? Listen closely for clues and your inner wisdom. Do a three level check in for greater awareness.

Moon moves to Punarvasu nakshatra at 19:49 CDT, enlivening Jupiter and Aditi energy.

Saturday, June 28th

Mars moves from Hasta nakshatra into Chitra nakshatra at 6:36 am CDT. Mars and Rahu are nearing each other as we prepare for their exact conjunction in the coming weeks. This is a very intense and charged time so be mindful of these energetics in general with regard to your Self, life and relationships. Mars will be in Chitra for roughly a month (through the end of July). This nakshatra is ruled by Mars (heat, passion, aggression, action) and the deity Vishvakarma. He is the "cosmic architect" who loves to create, build, plan and orchestrate. The action oriented association to the planet Mars (both within the nakshatra and by Mars's transit through Chitra) insures that foundations will be laid, steps will be taken and changes will be amplified. Par for the course as we look at the grande planetary shifts happening right now and in the coming weeks! Change is here!

Moon transits Gemini with retrograde Mercury, and Sun and is in Punarvasu nakshatra. Aditi, mother of all goodness and unity is enlivened as well as the planet Jupiter. Perhaps you can feel the expansion and a greater smoothness enter your mind as a result of the Moon's shift. As it nears the gap midday, the softness heightens and offers an opening to us. What is coming through the portal for you? Jupiter is a sign away, exalted in Cancer, and can offer some awareness. Are you inviting it in yet?

Are you in Houston? Join me at Bayou Bliss Yoga for my Jupiter workshop. Need a virtual workshop instead? Join me for my final Cosmic Creative Self workshop online tomorrow instead.

Moon moves into Cancer, its own sign, joining exalted Jupiter there at 15:45 CDT. Both receive drishti from retrograde Saturn in this position. Jupiter has gained strength at this point and is now over the two degree mark which helps our sense of stability, expansion and wisdom. Jupiter and Moon basque in each others radiance as Moon crosses over him. They both offer a gentle awareness to us through heart, emotions, and expanded wisdom. Let it flow.

Look for sweet balms of the heart and emotions today. What soothes, nurtures and flows toward you? Feeling restricted and collapsed? This can be from Saturn's gaze. Be easy with the opening. You don't have to force it. Just be willing to invite in, expand and grow.

Moon moves into Pushya nakshatra at 22:26 CDT.

Sunday, June 29th

Moon transits its own sign of Cancer and Pushya nakshatra with exalted Jupiter. Both receive drishti from retrograde Saturn in this position. Jupiter has gained strength at this point and is over the two degree mark which helps our sense of stability, expansion and wisdom. Pushya provides nourishment from Brihaspati (a personified Jupiter) and the planet Saturn. The symbol is the udder of a cow, who offers nourishment to her calf. This is the nourishment palpable with Pushya nakshatra. What is flowing towards you? Away from you? What are you inviting in? Where is the flow being obstructed?

Our nourishment and sense of nourishment is directly connected to how able we are to receive. This is a vulnerable position, unlike the position of giving, which is the power position. Today, think in terms of balancing both the give and receive and notice how vital they are to each other. They are truly interrelated functions required for getting our needs met from life, relationships and our environment. Using the metaphor of inhale and exhale, the dance of the life force can be a potent tool of awareness. Use my Jupiter expand/contract workshop for more insights. 

Ready to take action? Join me for my final Cosmic Creative Self workshop today where we explore Mars and action steps.

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Moon is waning (Krishna Paksha) and transits Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and into Sagittarius this week.

For a jyotish Moon-centered approach to your day, follow my daily Moon Mind posts via Face Book.

Libra (and the planets in and connected to Libra) continues to demand our attention. Rahu, Retrograde Mars and Retrograde Saturn are all there, receiving drishti from Jupiter and Ketu. This puts three planets in backward motion in Libra. Remember that Libra is Saturn's place of exaltation, however, it is retrograde currently, which makes it debilitated. Saturn is also sandhi and at the edge of Libra (near Scorpio) which weakens it, turns it more inward, slows it down, and requests that we pause, listen and be more quiet. Read more about Saturn's dance through Libra.

Mars is also nearing the edge of Libra this week, but edging back towards Virgo. Mars weakens as it goes sandhi this week and may cause "fuzzy brain" syndrome for us. Expect slower reaction times right now with communication, action steps and plans. Relationships delays and all things Venus require patience and pause as well. Read more about Mars and his movements here.

We are nearing the spring sandhi "gap"- expressed during the time of Navaratri where the veil is thin and we are asked to pause, be still and sync more closely with the Divine Mothers, Nature and her wisdom. The portal is opening now. Let the slowing take over and resist the urge to force actions, outcomes and agendas. Use surrender as your modus operandi.

Mercury moves from Dhanishta nakshatra to Satabisha on 3.18. He moves from a Mars ruled nakshatra to a Rahu ruled nakshatra on Tuesday (the day of Mars). Satabisha is ruled by Varuna who is connected to "unseen obstacles" as well as health calamities, judgement, punishment and the rules created by the Gods. His main objective is to keep us connected to the Laws of Nature. Mercury is mind, intelligence, communication, finances, marketing and such, so be aware of Varuna's connection to these affairs in the coming week and a half.

This nakshatra change for Mercury is in keeping with the need for surrender, the continued focus on Libra (it's ruled by Rahu which is transiting Libra) and a reminder not to force actions. We may feel as though we "aren't doing enough" or need to force our hustle when things don't seem to be coming together very well. As things fall apart and crumble at this time, remember that it is a time of dismantling what is not working in your best interest. As we clear the decks, we make space for what is in fact more ideal in the long run. The coming week will show us where we need to let go. Are you continuing to cling? Force? Push? Look for your own resistance and remind your Self to surrender. Avoid over working right now. Keep mental health at the forefront.

Spring "officially" begins here in the Northern hemisphere on the 20th as we celebrate the spring equinox. This coincides with Holi which happened on the 16th and 17th here in the US and leading us into Vasant Navaratri on the 31st. Use this time to plant your seed of desire for the coming year. How will your garden grow?

For increased awareness, utilize my jyotish inspired Body-centered Expressive Art Therapy articles. Each week I post a new Creative Engagement Activity to help inspire your own unique creative process, Self-tracking, and to enrich your cultivation of presence. This week, we are planting gardens.

It is a big year with multiple {major} planetary changes. We will experience the changes of Jupiter, Rahu and Ketu, Saturn and unusual movements of Mars all in the next eleven months. Big changes are in store for each of us! Feeling uncertain about your action steps? What needs to change in order for growth? What kind of support you need? Schedule a yearly progression with me in order to make your New Year a truly transformational year. I still have some sessions available for April.

*Horoscopes are based on your Vedic 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” 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: This is not your time to shine. A better use of your energy is to rest and restore while Sun is in your 12th house. Take time for meditation, relaxation and rejuvenation. Re-examine relationships and what is needed to make them more doable, lasting and comfortable. The same goes for children, education and romance. Don't push, just surrender.  

Taurus: Communication seems to be a valid use of your efforts right now. How are you connecting? Who are you communing with? Why are you reaching out? Find a sense of purpose with your communications and upgrade your networking skills. This is more than speech. Commerce, intuition, writing, singing and the healing arts are involved as well. Heal and be healed. Start with your gut.

Gemini: Creative energy soars, but not in familiar ways. You may be feeling confused about the messages coming to you, unless you are taking time to pause and listen. Intelligence, knowledge and learning are all coming at you but in very unusual and different ways. Children, romance and passion may feel off. Remember that this is not a time of pushing, but of letting go and surrender. Let go of the gas and the brakes and see if you can catch some air time.

Cancer: Heart and emotions may feel all over the place. Home, land, and issues with your mother and father may feel overwhelming. Same old issues resurfacing? Confusion about where to go next? Leading with your heart and feeling vulnerable? Let the transformations have their way with you. Continue to surrender and let go of what you are clinging to.

Leo: You may be feeling mixed messages with your action steps. Stop or go? Yes or no? As much attention as your third house of action and courage has been getting lately, you should be learning a few things about how to balance your efforts more effectively. Work backwards. Pause more. Listen to the physical body's needs. Sun is still in your 12th house which is a time of transformation, solitude, rooting through the past, and a need for more silence and stillness. Find new ways to meditate and transcend. Art is a great place to start.

Virgo: Communicating differently is highly important right now in order to create more effective relationships. Digest and assimilate words; yours and others. Use this information to upgrade your offerings to others and spark some career support. Communication of all sorts (intuitive, energetic, monetary, mentally, and with speech) can offer you a strong creative edge right now and bring a heightened awareness to you. What are you listening to? What is your response? Download an upgrade, and rewire your hard drive.

Libra: Feeling pulled in multiple directions simultaneously? Remember that less is more right now. You are digesting some very old pieces of life. These experiences can bring a heightened sense of awareness right now which may make you feel extra emotional. Consider this a "cleaning house", a "spring cleaning" of sorts, in order to move you forward on your Path more effectively. Let the purging begin: from inside out.

Scorpio: This is a time of endings and losses. A time of cutting and chopping life to bits and pieces that feel more bite sized, digestible. Little pieces are easier to burn, compost, shred, let the wind carry off with its wings. It's also easier for us to hold onto the most important scraps, put them into our satchels, pack them up and ride off into the sunset with less baggage. What pieces are you keeping with you in your life? What pieces are you letting go? Don't look back. Surrender them to the wind.

Sagittarius: You may be offered a chance to revisit some old gains, relationships and experiences. Weigh and measure the options before jumping in with two feet. Make sure it's not your own flattery that is saying yes. Remember, your physical, mental and emotional bodies need to be supported in order for the answer to be yes to any new projects or endeavors. Create, communicate, sing, and expand your intelligence right now. Think outside the old boxes in order to upgrade your relationships, career, and romances.

Capricorn: You may be feeling wildly creative with a renewed sense of career vigor. But before you start amping your Self and your efforts back to 200%, remember that you are still in a time of grande change in directions. Your career is asking you to re-visit some of your old efforts and re-imagine them. Right now, slow and steady will help you win the long term race. Even if you feel like pushing, stop your Self. There will be plenty of time for your Capricorn ways; now is not one of them. Put your energy into working smarter not harder. 

Aquarius: Mental acuity or mental cravings? Mind control or mind taming? You are in a phase of Mercurial communication that can afford you some new, powerful, personal growth. Intuition, intelligence, speech and heightened creativity abound. But don't look for the old ways to bring new responses. You are stepping into uncharted territory so embrace the change and look for innovation.

Pisces: It may appear to others that you are glowing. Perhaps the transformation you have been going through has given you a new golden hue. Enjoy your luster, but the inner work is far from complete. In fact, you are still in the thick of a rich purging of old goo. Start chipping away at the hardened chunks still clinging to your innards. Upgrade your tool kit for maximum shifts to take place and more mental/emotional support. Hint: you will be looking in very different places for this support.

Moon Mind :::

2.04

Mars moves to Libra at 1:22 am CST and joins Saturn and Rahu there. See this week's horoscopes for further details on this.

Moon transits Pisces and Revati nakshatra until 16:57 CST when it moves to Aries and Ashwini nakshatra. This will likely create a noticeable shift in the day. Things begin swiftly today and Pushan brings his guidance and treasures to us on the path. Give gratitude and let him show you the easiest route to the reward.  Time management will be very helpful. As Moon moves into Ashwini, the day shifts towards an edge of accomplishment, goals and action steps. Healing and new awareness take center stage. Look for insights and illumination as Moon nears Ketu. Moon in Aries receives drishti from Saturn, Rahu and sandhi Mars. Take action carefully and if you feel "out of step" the effects will be from sandhi Mars. Careful driving and traveling. Use your evening for rejuvenation and relaxation.

Watch emotions for the next few days as Ketu and Moon conjoin in Aries. Anger, rage, frustration and impulse reactions are likely.

Before enlightenment, chop wood and carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood and carry water.
- Zen Proverb

I.

I often have clients say to me "I've been through that already. I'm done with that work now!" Which always causes me to say "Think again." Let me explain my Self.

The short answer is, the work is never done.

In terms of karma yoga (action for the sake of unification with Source) the yogi's work is never done. This is the work of the spiritual warrior, the kshatriya. This is true for actions and the process of life; whether it be on the level of the mental body, emotional body, physical body or spiritual body.

I have come to realize that the biggest mistake we can make (or that our egos tell us) is that we have moved on and are "done" with something. I am particularly referring to our individual emotional/mental work and how we "move through things" but I do think this can be applied to other parts of our spiritual life process as well.

True. We are always moving. Moving towards. Moving away. Moving with or against. The movement is constant even if the pace shifts or the momentum waxes and wanes. We can not not move. As my guru would say, "the nature of life is to grow and progress."

And progress we do. But some things stay the same.

We can not change our past. We can't change our early childhood imprinting nor the karmas we brought to this life. We can not change our past experiences. That all stays the same. This is evident from one's jyotish birth chart (rasi). The karmas you come in with are set and do not change. These karmas created you and caused you to birth into this lila for the purpose of transformation and evolution. What we do change is our response to these experiences. We do change; we grow and progress. It is our karmas (actions) that allow us to walk this path of change. And it is the navamsa (a specific and particularly important divisional chart in jyotish) that shows how an individual works with their karmas and how they are able to use them for change and growth in the life process. In jyotish terms, there are four different types of karmas as well as three levels of intensity for these karmas that we must also take into consideration when determining how hard or harsh the actions/reactions will be for an individual and how hard it will be to work with and change the karmas.

To think that you are "done with something" on an emotional/mental level, however, should require one to hit the pause button. The process of life continues to unfold and causes one to change one's responses to life. Mars, the planet of action, the doer, the agni of life and the transformational power planet, shows us in a jyotish chart how an individual takes their action. Mars is the ultimate warrior- for better or worse! Mars also likes conclusions, finality, endings and can take a decidedly egoic slant on finishing tasks or "getting the job done". Perhaps he is the one that tells us "we have finished" our emotional/mental work and have some how "moved on"?

In any case, the emotional/mental/spiritual/physical work continues. It is all part of the process of life that continues to unfold.

I come from a yogic tradition where many feel the rush to get to enlightenment. Enlightenment is the ultimate destination- for us all according to some. I question this destination often. The need and desire to be anywhere beyond this moment, clearly causes some issues. But this human need to have a destination, to get past a certain point, to know that you have made it to the top of the mountain so to speak, is also a metaphor for fooling ourselves into thinking we've "done the work already". But the work continues. The chopping of wood and the carrying of water continues; even after realizing what needs to shift inside of you in order to have a more fulfilling life. Even taking the necessary actions to make the shift. Even after no longer making the same, tired, out worn choices. The work is the same. The karmas you are working with are the same. And you have to keep walking. You keep chopping. You keep carrying. Though you may be getting different results as you change your responses.

I liken this ongoing journey to a suitcase. It's like packing a bag for a trip. Once you've worn all the clothes you've packed, you start to get really bored with what's in your suitcase. You begin to wear outfits in new ways, combinations that you wouldn't normally put together. You may decide to add some new pieces to your wardrobe out of "desperation". New options arise. As we work with our past karmas (the suitcase that we've packed), we are forced out of necessity to begin to rearrange the pieces, change the combinations we put together, rearrange some things. We begin to make new choices, desire new things, add, subtract, change, cut sleeves off, buy a new pair of shoes at times, but we are still hauling around the same suitcase; don't be fooled. By the end of the journey, many pieces have been rearranged, changed, incorporated, shifted and moved, but we still find ourselves clinging to our favorite T-shirt or longing for the shoes we had to throw out or perhaps realizing the important lesson in giving away the sweater no longer needed.

We are all still working with the same bag we packed at the moment of our birth- the one we chose to travel with for this life time. And so the emotional/mental work continues to evolve and shift but is based on the original map you came in with. And you must act and be in action (karma) to be alive. You must chop your wood and carry your water now, and even once you've walked the same ground over and over and over again there's still more wood and more water. And every log you chop and every bucket you carry will offer a new opportunity for awareness and awakening in a new way. Whether you had a rotten child hood or a parent die, or some other chaos and fragility, joy, pain or sadness; it all informs your life process and your actions. Always. And when you finally wake up and see it for what it is, there's another layer to go. Always another layer to go. And rather than have this be daunting, I prefer to see it as comforting in some strange, endless, consistent way. The way that Saturn might encourage, or Kali, with their connection to the wheel of time.

I believe T. S. Eliot says it well:

"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." - T. S. Eliot

II.

Let us never be fooled by our egos into thinking that there is not another layer of our Self process to unfold, to unshadow, or unveil ourselves from. Life requires the very actions of chopping wood and carrying water which is a metaphor for karma and being in a human body among other things. Astrologically speaking "chopping wood and carrying water" is a reference to both Saturn (sustained, consistent and repetitive action that provides one with enlightenment) as well as the action itself and the transformational quality of the action (Mars). These two planets can greatly inform our life process and how we let it unfold, or resist its unfolding.

Which gets me to the upcoming transits of Mars and his unusual movements this coming year. (You can read about Saturn's transits here). It is a year of expansion (due to Jupiter entering its sign of exaltation, Cancer, mid June) and at the end of the year a shift in structure (Saturn moves to Scorpio in November for the next 2.5 years) however Mars will inform us of our actions within this expansion process until September so it is good to be aware of his effects.


Mars is the fiery planet of action (karma) and is connected to agni and transformation. He is a powerful warrior always ready to fight, but only carries out the orders of the general (the Sun); he doesn't think much for him Self. Because of his action-oriented energy, he can get us into trouble if we let him tell us to leap before looking. The anger and rage that he brings us are proof of his power, but going more deeply into the emotional outburst will give us food for thought and deeper insights into our needs and wants that have gone unmet.


Normally Mars moves through a sign in roughly two months time which takes him through all twelves signs in about 24 months or two years. That is a rough estimate because his retrograde motion throughout his transits may or may not prolong his time in any given sign.

Currently Mars is in Virgo- a sign ruled by Mercury, who he is not friendly with. (Mercury is the thinker, and Mars is the doer). Soon Mars will move into Libra (on February 4th) where he will be moving forward for several weeks until he begins his retrograde motion (March 1st) when he has only just passed the 3 degree range. Saturn then begins to retrograde through Libra on March 2nd while Jupiter goes direct on March 6th in Gemini. Since there will be a lot of retrograde activity (including multiple retrograde planets simultaneously) it is important to know that certain past desires will intensify as a result at these times. The indications of the planet will determine which cravings will strengthen during these periods. (Note: retrograde planets are acting like the nodes, Rahu and Ketu, who always move in retrograde motion and indicate our worldly cravings and desires of various kinds).

Mars slides back into Virgo on March 25th. He continues his dance backwards through Virgo until May 19th when he goes direct and then begins to move forward once again- retracing his steps all the way back through Virgo. Mars enters Libra yet again on July 13th where he continues to move in forward motion until September 4th when he enters Scorpio.

Incidentally, Mars will be in exact degrees with transiting Rahu/Ketu on July 12th as the nodes move into Virgo and Pisces respectively. Mars and Rahu will be crossing each other in exact conjunction at this time. This is not a time to be foolish. Actions will be shadowed and the forces of Rudra (chaos/storms/calamities/power) will likely be at an all time high.  Be cautious at this time and in the weeks/days before and after these transits. Remember Saturn will also be retrograde at this time, bringing an emphasis to Libra as well and all things Venus. Expect chaos during these planetary shifts.

What does all this "action" of Mars in and out of Virgo and Libra mean? What can we expect from these transits?

Mars is the "doer" and pushes us to act. He won't take "no" for an answer. When in balance he provides our momentum- helping us reach goals, productive outcomes and nurturing our path with progress. When out of balance, Mars brings forced action, anger (because healthy boundaries have likely been crossed), aggressive agendas, and not being in tune with the need to slow down (Saturn). This will be an important time to notice where we are forcing rather than allowing.

The tendency with these upcoming Mars transits will be to push our goals and agendas to a fault, causing imbalances, frustrations and disappointments ultimately. The mental body and emotional body may be imbalanced as a result. (The mental body always has an agenda and likes to remind us of it constantly!) This can bring "upset" to the emotional body. Listen and stay alert to the fluctuations of these two. They will bring clues if you are Self-tracking your experiences and can offer insights into what shifts are necessary in order for more balance.

Being able to surrender and let go will be an important part of the process during Mar's transit through Virgo as well as in Libra. Putting action towards only what is absolutely necessary will ease some of the tension. Watching for the "critic" and its judgement is also necessary. This will be especially important within our relationships- both personal and business. Being very aware of anger and frustration will be paramount as these emotions are the "red flag" that we have pushed too hard, or are feeling that a need or boundary has been over-stepped or somehow unmet.

This Mars cycle will give us a very good chance to evaluate and re-evalute our personal actions. What actions were previously unable to manifest? What tasks previously went unaccomplished or unfinished? Themes may surface around "being in step" or "out of step" with life and what we need to shift in order to find more balance on the mental/emotional levels of our lives. This may bring up issues with boundaries and speaking needs/wants clearly within our relationships. We may also feel anxious and hyper critical of ourselves and others, this can also help us Self-track where needs are not being met. Movement is inevitable with these transits as the nakshatras will enliven Vayu's winds of change, Vishvakarma's building/planning and Indragni's transformational qualities.

Use this time for personal progress and conscious action steps. Surrender to the chaos rather than resist it. Take one step at a time and prepare to work with Mars and your karmas in ways that will help you awaken mentally and creatively as you relate to Self and others in new ways. We are each getting an opportunity to retrace our steps thanks to Mars, which can bring us an opportunity for healthy growth and positive change that moves us in a forward direction. Use this time of action wisely and track your emotions for best results. Mars is insistent and persistent, so try not to be a bull in a china shop as you take action.

Here are possible themes for this Mars transit based on each rising sign. Remember that these trends 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: Healing relationships and bad habits. Expand your courage and creativity. Allow your Self to be nurtured and ask for support.

Taurus: Educate your Self and trust your gut instincts. Use your inner awareness as a tool of service and healing. Mind your health. Meditate.

Gemini: Your heart and intuitive intelligence are deeply valuable to listen to and follow. You must listen to them in new ways and start trusting your emotions more than your head.  The mental/emotional bodies will offer great insights, so be vigilant with them.

Cancer: Use courage to work on heart and emotions and expand your emotional work in bold ways. Love in bigger ways and use it to inform your actions and artistry.

Leo: Say what you mean and mean what you say. Your words will take you places so be intentional with them. Create and step into your creation process boldly. Let your Self be surprised.

Virgo: It's time to take bold action for your Self, regardless of relationships or past experiences. Start trusting your Self and your needs as valuable. Seek comfort, support and nourishment.

Libra: Take necessary time for meditation and rejuvenation; your Self work and Self care are essential. Find your balance as you surrender to the flux and flow of expand/contract energy.

Scorpio: Your metamorphosis is working its magic on you. Gains will be healing but don't let the losses keep you in the dark. Use it for inspired creative action. Grow from your depths and stand tall.

Sagittarius: Take action with career but use your inner guidance for checks and balances. Work with a clear agenda and take methodical action. Use money as incentive for your action steps and follow through.

Capricorn: What you offer, how you offer and who you offer to are paramount. You are in a bold career transformation. Be powerful and take a stand for your gifts.

Aquarius: Take what you are learning from your depths and transform it into a dharmic offering. Use your vulnerability as a strength and listen to your intuition more closely- it will inform your process.

Pisces: Relationships are transforming and transforming you. The past is dictating a lot of your responses so be aware that personal clean up is in order. Work with vulnerability in new ways. Seek emotional comfort and support.