December 31, 2019

Wishing you a Happy, Prosperous and Safe 2020

The year 2020 is likely to go on the record to be the most eventful year for the first two decades of the 21st century, as three spiritual planets (Pluto, Saturn and Jupiter) converge in sidereal Capricorn during this year.  Some of the top planetary configurations for this year are:

Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto’s entry in sidereal Capricorn

1. Pluto’s ingress in sidereal Capricorn, first (brief entry) on February 22, 2020 and then permanent  on December 28, 2020.
2. Saturn’s ingress in sidereal Capricorn on January 22, 2020.
3. Jupiter’s brief entry in sidereal Capricorn on March 29, 2020 (Mar 29 – July 1) and then its permanent entry in Capricorn on November 20, 2020.

The Pluto-Saturn-Jupiter transit chart for 2020 is shown in the Plot where a lower portion of the y-axis (vertical axis) 250-270 degrees represents sidereal Sagittarius from 10 to 30 degrees and the above portion from 270 degrees is Capricorn.

Pluto’s entry in sidereal Capricorn

One of the important planetary events of 2020 is the transit of the modern planet Pluto from the sidereal zodiac sign Sagittarius to Capricorn. It first occurs on February 22, 2020. Pluto stays in Capricorn till July 3, and then with its retrograde motion returns to Sagittarius and stays in Sagittarius till December 28. After December 28, 2020 it will remain in Capricorn for the following 19 to 20 years (till March 2039).  Although it’s going to be in Capricorn for only about little over 4 months before it returns to Sagittarius, Pluto being the planet of transformation will certainly affect the matters related to Capricorn in a big way. 

Capricorn being the earth sign (material world) ruled by Saturn (spiritual planet) and being the cardinal sign (leader of the earth signs) and Pluto being the planet of transformation (irreversible change), the drastic changes in our collective perceptions of our material world are certainly going to be manifested in the way we never experienced before by Pluto’s transit in Capricorn. 

This era (next 19 to 20 years) will be remembered as the period of material destruction and transformation to a new and very different way of living that would align with our human evolution.  The way we have been used to deal with material world will no longer be our norms.  Although it’s very likely that some of the world business leaders or companies will either become obsolete or transformed into other forms, the material way of living will be greatly influenced by our collective spiritual experiences and subsequent understanding of the world due to Pluto’s transformational transit. 

And in that sense a subtle but most effective transformation of the material world during this unique era of about 20 years is likely to take us to a new level of material living where the norms solely based on spiritual experiences will dictate and guide our lives with a new level of material world understanding. 

Saturn’s entry in sidereal Capricorn

On January 22, Saturn enters the sidereal Capricorn, and it will remain in Capricorn till April 28, 2022.

Capricorn being the earth and cardinal sign, for about the next two and half years, Saturn will strongly influence the world financial markets and economy and material expansion/contraction. Entrepreneurs, business leaders, politicians, philanthropists, philosophers, scientists, reformers and to some extent monks will shape the future of the world. Those who have Saturn in Capricorn (Saturn return) will see their lives transformed to a new settings due to a drastic change (mostly) at material and psychological levels. In my opinion, despite a painful period of frustration due to unexpected drastic changes in life, it’s going to be an exciting two and half years for those who have dominant Saturn in their birth chart and have Pisces, Aries, Leo and Scorpio as their natal ninefold (Navamansha) ascendant. 

In the next two and half years, on a world political scene, countries like Russia, Eastern European countries, Middle East, India and Pakistan will make news headlines. Entrepreneurs, business leaders, politicians, philanthropists, philosophers, scientists, reformers will likely to further transform the world with their successful creative and productive activities.  

Jupiter’s brief entry in sidereal Capricorn on March 29, 2020 (Mar 29 – July 1) and then its permanent entry in Capricorn on November 20, 2020

On March 29, 2020, Jupiter enters Capricorn, it then becomes retrograde in Capricorn on May 11 and with its retrograde motion returns to Sagittarius on July 1, 2020. Thereafter, it stays in Sagittarius until November 20, 2020. While in Capricorn, being a cardinal and earth sign ruled by Saturn, Jupiter in Capricorn has a tendency to enhance material prosperity of those who have well placed and well connected Saturn and Jupiter in their birth charts while others likely to experience their prosperity diminish. 

In general, transit of Jupiter in Capricorn is positive.  For one thing, material prosperity around the world is likely to expand. (It must be noted that despite Jupiter’s positive influence on world material prosperity, influence of other planets should be taken into consideration to assess the net effect for an individual natal chart). In addition, during this period of March 20 – July 1, 2020,  the influence of contemporary philosophers on society will shape the future direction of our social evolution through the philosophical and metaphysical debates. In general, the Capricorn Jupiter is known to be responsible for world economic expansion.

Since Jupiter will be in conjunction with Pluto during March 27 – April 15, 2020 in Capricorn, the possibility of a severe religious or morality crisis as well as financial crisis are very likely.  Certainly, the way we have the religious and morality based norms today will be challenged by the new forces of human evolution. And the world financial markets will exhibit unprecedented volatility.  The contemporary philosophers, reformers, industrialists, scientists, and all those who have power to influence people with their unique intelligence based talents will enjoy this period to its fullest.

In general, Sagittarius Jupiter is known to be responsible for leading the world towards more spiritual direction through subtle action.  While in Capricorn, being a cardinal and earth sign ruled by Saturn, Jupiter in Capricorn has a tendency to enhance material prosperity of those who have well placed and well connected Saturn and Jupiter in their birth charts. 

Saturn-Pluto, Saturn-Jupiter and Jupiter-Pluto conjunctions in sidereal Capricorn

1. Saturn-Pluto conjunction:
2. December 6, 2019 – February 17, 2020 (+/- 3 degrees orb)
3. December 31, 2019 – January 24, 2020 (+/- 1 degree orb)
4. September 10 – October 13, 2020 (+/- 3 degrees orb)

One of the biggest stories  of 2020 is the conjunction of Saturn and Pluto in sidereal Sagittarius/Capricorn. 

Pluto is a planet of transformation.  The process is irreversible and very subtle.  The old must die for the new  to be born. While these two spiritual planets in conjunction in the spiritual sign Sagittarius ruled by Jupiter makes this planetary event powerful and spiritual during December 6, 2019 – February 17, 2020 (+/- 3 degrees orb), the next conjunction that occurs in Capricorn during September 10 – October 13, 2020 (+/- 3 degrees orb) will bring out the best in these two spiritual planets reflecting the accelerated collective spiritual growth as a result of Pluto’s phenomenal speed of transformation (being in conjunction with Saturn in the sign (Capricorn) ruled by Saturn). 

Thus, this conjunction is likely to bring drastic changes in our collective moral and spiritual perceptions (consciousness), as Pluto breaks away from the traditional barriers of our collective prejudices and conditionings, and Saturn fully supports Pluto in its endeavor. 

However, this wonderful process of spiritual transformational growth is likely to be accompanied by very painful, chaotic and frustrating human experiences (wars, violence, terrorism, social and political conflicts, natural and man-made calamities are some of the few examples) required to completely annihilate our present social norms and our prejudice based conditioning, resulting in drastic changes in our collective moral and spiritual perceptions (consciousness).  

The world financial markets will likely to be very volatile throughout this year. 

In scientific and technological areas, lot of drastic changes and emerging new ideas will find their ways into innovations and discoveries that are aligned with our collective spiritual progress, as those (new ideas) will be more focused in areas that will bridge the gap between the science and morality. The likely areas of research will be in biotechnology, medicine, spiritual healing, and life-force related activities. A new wave of philosophers with their new perspectives on living, in general, will certainly transform our world to a new level of understanding. 

    2.   Saturn-Jupiter conjunction:

1. November 23, 2020 – January 17, 2021 (+/- 3 degrees orb)
2. December 12 – 31, 2020 (+/- 1 degree orb)

Spirituality, in essence, means a quality that helps us improve our ability of direct perception of reality (or truth) through self-knowledge and self-awareness. In that context, both Jupiter and Saturn are spiritual planets.  They will be in conjunction in Capricorn with in 3 degrees during November 23, 2020 – January 17, 2021.  Capricorn being the earth and cardinal sign ruled by Saturn, the manifestation of spiritual transformation is likely to be reflected in the events that begin with interest in material world expansion and then leading to a state of freedom from the the material world while still remaining in the material world.

    3.   Jupiter-Pluto conjunction:

1. March 11 – July 30, 2020 (+/- 3 degrees orb) in Capricorn
2. March 26 – April 16, 2020 (+/- 1 degree orb) in Capricorn
3. June 18 – July 10, 2020 (+/- 1 degree orb) in Capricorn
4. October 19 – December 1, 2020 (+/- 3 degrees orb) in Sagittarius
5. November 5 – 19,2020 (+/- 1 degree orb) in Capricorn

The conjunction of Jupiter and Pluto in Capricorn is more influenced by the energy of Pluto than Jupiter (Jupiter being debilitated in Capricorn). However, the direction in which the manifestation and flow of Pluto’s transformational energy is likely to be dictated by Jupiter’s mode of spirituality.  

Jupiter’s process (or journey) towards spirituality is through knowledge (mind) followed by understanding of the world through self-knowledge and self awareness.  On the other hand, Saturn leads us towards spirituality through actual hard life experiences (usually painful) followed by understanding of the world through self-knowledge and self-awareness. The conjunction of Jupiter and Pluto in Capricorn (a sign ruled by Saturn) is likely to influenced by Saturn’s energy.  Thus all three planets are likely to play a vital role in leading us to spirituality.  

Thus, this conjunction brings drastic changes in our collective moral and spiritual perceptions (consciousness) though material life experiences, as Pluto breaks away from the traditional barriers of our collective prejudices and conditionings of material living. Some of these experiences may deal with scenarios such as: while enjoying the comfort zone of material life, we could suddenly be faced with crisis by losing that comfort zone.  During that period, only through self awareness we have an opportunity to transform our life by understanding the crisis. And if we succeed, we would be able look back and understand that the real life is not in being stagnant ( in that desire base comfort zone) but in becoming free from those desires.  A truly free person enjoys regardless of being in a comfort zone or being in crisis zone.

Retrograde Venus

On May 13, 2020 Venus becomes retrograde and remains in sidereal Taurus till it becomes direct on June 25.  Venus stays in Taurus all the time while retrograde. Venus becomes retrograde about once every 19 months, and stays retrograde for about six weeks.  On the 1st of August Venus enters sidereal Gemini. Venus transits through Taurus from March 28 through August 1, 2020.

In general, a retrograde Venus in Taurus (a sign ruled by Venus) means a very challenging period for women, marriages, home life, lovers, entertainment industries. During the retrograde period, expect the divorce rates to peak, fighting between spouses to intensify, and delays, frustrations, and misunderstandings to take a center-stage in domestic matters. Taurus being the earth sign (money matters, hard work) the retrograde Venus in Taurus also means challenges for entrepreneurs, blue class workers, small businesses (especially owned by women), restaurant and hotel owners; and also precious stones and jewelry business owners.

If you have a dominating Venus in your birth chart, and if your current planetary cycle influences your life via Venus then you are more likely to experience the effects of the retrograde Venus during May 13 – June 15. The entertainers like actors, actresses, musicians, comedians, movie directors and producers, entrepreneurs, blue class workers, small businesses (especially owned by women), restaurant and hotel owners; and precious stones and jewelry business owners may find themselves in a miserable situation during the retrograde Venus period especially if they are currently being influenced by Venus through their current progressive cycles.

Retrograde Mars

From the planetary influence standpoint, one of the major events of 2020 is the retrograde Mars which on average occurs once every two years.  On September 10, Mars becomes retrograde in the sidereal zodiac sign Aries. With its retrograde motion it returns to the sidereal Pisces on October 4.  While in Pisces Mars becomes direct on November 14, and then with its direct motion enters Aries again on December 24, 2020. Astrologically speaking, what does the retrograde Mars mean? And what can we expect from the retrograde Mars?

In general, when a planet turns retrograde, the positive energy offered by that planet is expected to slowly diminish.  In case of Mars, being a planet of total independence, amazing energy, high ego, and less maturity usually make things worse with incredible speed. 

For those of you who have predominant Mars in their birth chart and if it’s influencing you through the current progressive chart, then you are very likely to experience a sudden setback in your professional as well as in other activities.  You may have to repeat things over many times to get it right, or you may have to deal with unfortunate and totally unexpected circumstances, and in general, you may end up in having a very frustrating experience. 

During Sept 10 – October 4, while in Aries the retrograde Mars is likely to be unfavorable for those who have Aries, Taurus, Virgo, Libra, Capricorn, and Pisces as a rising sign or ninefold ascendant.  It’s going to be very intensive and frustrating period if you have Mars influencing you through the current progressive chart.  Staying low key and riding this challenging period out may be way to go.  If you must take a risk, be on guard. In particular, politicians,  fire fighters, metallurgical, electrical and computer engineers, designers, construction workers, people who work in military, leaders, managers are likely to be more affected than others.  

During October 4 through November 14, the retrograde Mars will be transiting through Pisces. The Pisces retrograde Mars is going to be unfavorable for those who have Aries, Leo, Virgo. Sagittarius, Aquarius and Pisces as a rising sign or ninefold ascendant. It’s going to be very challenging and frustrating period if you have Mars influencing you through the current progressive chart. In particular, activists, social reformers, religious leaders, hospitals, doctors, psychiatrists,  psychologists, people in asylums and charity organizations are likely to be more affected than others.  

At a collective level, expect a political tension building among developed nations.  Destruction of wealth due to natural calamities (fires, flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc.) or man made accidents (social and/or political unrest) are also very likely. Other possibilities include a sudden rise in terrorist activities, escalation in a warlike climate between Israelis and Palestinians, and of course increased covert activities among nations.

In summary, besides Retrograde Venus and retrograde Mars, the year 2020 will be significantly affected by the subtle but very powerful energy of Saturn-Pluto, Saturn-Jupiter and Jupiter-Pluto conjunctions spiritually transforming our world to a new level, a necessary step as a part of our collective spiritual growth.