Date Posted: November 30, 2022
The energy of the retrograde Mars in sidereal Taurus will continue to dominate the December news headlines as reflected in violence and unrest occurring not just only in the United States but also in other parts of world, notably in Ukraine, Russia, China and Iran.
One of the most important planetary events of 2023 is going to occur around mid-January thru mid-February of 2023 when Neptune will be reentering in sidereal Pisces (Feb 15) and Saturn in sidereal Aquarius (Jan 17) simultaneously. The manifestation of the preview of this early 2023 event is slowly emerging now as it seems to be clearly reflected in the current protests and unrest in authoritarian regimes like China (recent protest in Shanghai), Russia (the new military recruiters and soldiers fleeing Russia) and Iran (niece of Iran’s supreme leader speaks out against his “murderous and child-killing regime” as protest continues). As a result, it’s very likely that the friction between the Unites States and Russia, as well as that between the United States and China, and United States and Iran will be becoming more severe.
On an individual level, the Mercury-Venus conjunction (within 5 degrees or so) in sidereal Sagittarius is certainly going to responsible for the explosion of creativity this month in the fields of art, music, acting and in general the entertainment industries. Some of the unknown yet famous future artists will be exploring the new areas of art and entertainment as they begin their journey of creativity starting this month.
Finally, the Saturn’s reentry in the sidereal Aquarius (Jan 17) may signal the beginning of the end of Covid-19 era and Ukraine-Russia war. More on this will be covered in the 2023 annual predictions.
Retrograde Mars (October 31- January 13, 2023)
From the planetary energy standpoint, one of the major events of 2022 is the retrograde Mars which on average occurs once every two years.
Mars became retrograde on October 31, 2022 in sidereal Gemini. It returned to Taurus on November 14, 2022 due to its retrograde motion. It becomes direct on January 13 in Taurus and returns to Gemini on March 13, 2023. The transits of retrograde Mars in the sidereal Gemini and Taurus are likely to dominate the news headlines November 2022 through March 2023.
Astrologically speaking, what “the retrograde Mars” means? 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. For an individual, any planet can be positive or negative based on its placement in the natal chart.
The positive side of Mars is: amazing energy, independence and high ego. While high ego proves to be ultimately negative, it does help in the beginning to provide an individual in utilizing that amazing energy of Mars with total independence. It makes the person feel he/or she is a master of the universe. The ego help maintains that momentum of Mars to push forward and conquer more frontiers. However, if not correctly understood through awareness, the same ego can make person arrogant, dictator, un-empathetic and inhuman. Thus, a poorly placed Mars can lead to the self-destruction.
Now when Mars is retrograde, a favorably placed Mars is not expected to perform 100% (unless it’s an auspicious Mars) as its speed slows down. A poorly placed Mars makes things worse during the retrograde period if it’s transiting through the unfavorable house in the transit chart.
The transit of Mars in Taurus (the earth sign) means significant volatility in financial markets and drastic changes and shifts in international politics.
For those of you who have poorly placed predominant Mars in their birth chart and if its energy is active you through the Gochar (transit) 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 Nov 14 – Jan 13, the retrograde Mars transits through Taurus. The Taurus retrograde Mars is going to be unfavorable for those who have Taurus, Gemini, Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Aries as a rising sign or ninefold (Navamansa) ascendant. It’s going to be very challenging and frustrating period if you have an active Mars in your Gochar (transit) chart. In particular, business people, politicians, corporations and financial organizations are likely to experience a challenging and trying period.
At a collective level, expect a political tension building among developed nations. Financial crisis in UK may become very severe during Nov 14 – Jan 13. Cyber wars and internet communication breakdowns will likely to be more frequent. 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.
Neptune’s temporary return to the Sidereal Aquarius (Sept 17 – Feb 16) and reentry in sidereal Pisces (Feb 15)
With Neptune’s return to the sidereal Aquarius on September 17 we have witnessed a temporary but a sudden shift in our collective consciousness and it’s well reflected in a turnaround in Putin’s behavior. With decline in support for war both internationally and domestically, he shifted his position in maneuvering the war. This shift has proven to be a confusing one as Ukrainians have been offensive since the last month has taken back the territory held by Russians. Being cornered, humiliated and isolated, Putin may become irrational and resorted to tactics that resulted in far more civilian casualties and destruction of vital infrastructure for water and power supply of Ukrainians.
Noe when Neptune reenters on Feb 17, 2023 in sidereal Pisces, a sign that is considered to be unfavorable for dictators and authoritarian regimes, it will certainly affect the matters related to authoritarian regimes in a significant way as explained in 2022 annual predictions. The manifestation of the preview of this early 2023 event is slowly taking place now, as it seems to be clearly reflected in the current protests and unrest in authoritarian regimes like China (recent protest in Shanghai), Russia (the new military recruiters and soldiers fleeing Russia) and Iran (niece of Iran’s supreme leader speaks out against his “murderous and child-killing regime” as protest continues). As a consequence, it’s very likely that the friction between the Unites States and Russia, as well as between the United States and China, and United States and Iran will become more severe.
Saturn’s return to sidereal Capricorn (July 14 – January 17, 2023)
On July 14, Saturn with its retrograde motion returned to sidereal Capricorn and it will stay in Capricorn until January 17, 2023.
Capricorn being the earth and cardinal sign, Saturn’s energy has strongly been reflected in the volatility and changes in the world financial markets, especially the energy (oil) markets, 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) in their natal charts will be experiencing Saturn’s energy as their lives get 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 period for those who have dominant Saturn in their birth chart and have Pisces, Aries, Leo and Scorpio as their natal ninefold (Navamansha) ascendant.
Furthermore, the Saturn’s return to the sidereal Capricorn on July 14, joining Pluto will certainly not let up the destructive and fearful period, war like atmosphere, effect of the climate changes, future uncertainties, senseless killings and chaotic situations all around the world, especially in the United States.
Is Russian-Ukraine war and senseless killings… going away?
Since last couple of months, the momentum of the war between Russia and Ukraine continued with unprecedented casualties on both sides. Ukraine continued to have an upper hand in this war. Until Saturn completely returns to Aquarius (January 2023), the Ukraine war is likely to continue its course of devastation and destabilization of the country.
President Biden’s challenges in December
Overall, for President Biden the second half of December and especially the last week of the month look to be great. He may find a way to successfully advance his political agenda. On the international front his efforts to deal with Ukraine-Russia war will continue to be pointing towards success.
According to his current Dasa in Vedic astrology, he has been in a Saturn’s major cycle of 19 years since September 8, 2022. This is a major cycle shift, and it will certainly be reflected in his activities going forward.
In his natal chart, the Taurus Saturn rules the third and the fourth house, and occupies the 7th house. It sextiles Pluto within three degrees, a very favorable aspect, especially Pluto being in the Nakshatra (constellation) ruled by Saturn becomes a very important and active planet for him for the next 19 years. During the next 17-18 years the transiting Pluto will be in the 4th house of his transit chart, thus making it an extremely powerful planet of politics for him going forward.
Pluto being the planet of transformation and a total change, expect drastic changes occurring on the political landscape. In the next few weeks it may seem to be a very chaotic political climate in the USA, but it will all fall in place (a much needed transformation) when we look back few years from now.
As for this month, with Saturn’s major, intermediate and sub-cycle, the planets that fall in the constellations ruled by Saturn become active are: Pluto, Venus and Sun.
Presently the transiting Pluto is going to be in the 4thhouse, and also in the 4th house of his ninefold transit chart until December 24 and then in the 5th house. Until Dec 26, he will continue to be challenged with strong political head winds and there will be a drastic change in the way politics being played.
As for Venus, it’s very favorable for him from recognition, fame and happiness in general standpoint. From the Sun’s energy point of view, during the first half of the month he may have to deal betrayal and deception by his open and hidden adversaries. And in the second half of the month, it’s really favorable period for him bestowing him with success, prestige, recognition and popularity.
Thus, in summary, the second half of December and especially the last week of the month look to be great for him. He may find a way to successfully advance his political agenda. On the international front his efforts to deal with Ukraine-Russia war will continue to be pointing towards success.
Global Insights……..
The important challenging planetary configurations for December include: Pluto-Saturn (Nov 29 – Dec 13), Pluto-Rahu (Dec 19-26) and Pluto-Jupiter (Dec 25 – Jan 1) ninefold quincunxes and Saturn-Rahu (Dec 14-18) ninefold conjunction.
The energy of the Pluto-Saturn (Nov 29 – Dec 13) ninefold quincunx may become responsible for an outbreak of violence and terrorist activities in Middle-East, a strong possibility of natural as well as man-made calamities, and further escalation of Ukraine-Russia war. Tension between Israelis and Palestinians will remain unabated. Some of the east-European countries, Russia, Ukraine and China may experience political as well as social turmoil.
The manifestation of the Pluto-Rahu (Dec 19-26) ninefold quincunx maybe reflected in an eruption of new waves of violence in the Palestine-Israel, Syria and Afghanistan-Pakistan regions are likely. And perhaps, towards the end of this period due to Pluto’s transformation process, the resulting changes are likely to become irreversible. In addition, world religions, in general, and religious leaders in particular, may experience themselves having to go through undesirable situations that require changes. In other words, the orthodox religious leaders may come under social and moral pressures to change the way they handle their responsibilities.
The energy of the Pluto-Jupiter (Dec 25 – Jan 1) ninefold quincunx can become responsible for drastic changes in religious, academic and social fields affecting the way we live.
Social or political turmoil in Russia, China and to some extent in Europe may be due to the energy of Saturn-Rahu (Dec 14-18) ninefold conjunction. Also, for the Republican Party in the United States and for republicans, it may prove to be prudent to stay on guard to avoid embarrassment during this period.
The important auspicious planetary configurations for December include Neptune-Uranus (Nov 23 – Dec 11) ninefold trine; Neptune-Jupiter (Dec 4-16), and Uranus-Jupiter (Dec 3-11) ninefold sextiles.
The manifestation of the Neptune-Uranus (Nov 23 – Dec 11) ninefold trine maybe reflected in an extraordinary time for collective spiritual growth, technological discoveries and inventions. Expect some new important technological breakthroughs during this period. For the United States, in general, it’s going to be a remarkable and very successful period.
The energy of manifestation of the Neptune-Jupiter (Dec 4-16) and Uranus-Jupiter (Dec 3-11) ninefold sextiles maybe reflected in the activities that all world religions might get engaged in helping us expand morally, socially as well as materially. As a result, religious, academic, and social fields are very likely to enjoy the new and positive changes occurring in their respective fields.
The countries that are more likely to be affected during this month are: Russia, Ukraine, China, United States, the Middle Eastern countries, especially Israel and Palestine region and Europe.
Natural and Man-made Calamities……..
The natural calamities like extreme weather conditions, wildfires, hurricanes, heavy rains, snow storms, air crashes as well as manmade accidents are likely to occur during December 1-13, 19-25.
Earthquakes: Based on a new Earthquake prediction model (the work is still in progress), the earthquake(s) of magnitude 6.9 or higher, if occur, are likely to occur on following dates and Times and possible locations: Earthquake Predictions 2022. Please note that these hourly predictions refer to the Universal time (GMT).
While man-made calamities may manifest themselves in terrorism, unrest, violence, accidents, and air crashes, the natural calamities are likely to include extreme weather conditions such as severe cold winters, and equally intensive droughts, hurricanes or typhoons, thunderstorms, earthquakes and fires