Date Posted: November 30, 2023
On December 13, the planet Mercury becomes retrograde in sidereal Sagittarius. It will stay retrograde in Sagittarius till December 28, then with its retrograde motion it will enter back in Scorpio till it becomes direct on Jan 2. Typically retrograde Mercury means anxieties, communication breakdowns, unexpected delays, frustrations, missing deadlines, unforeseen obstacles and disappointment in daily chores. Details for this event are outlined later.
On December 15 and 27, Sun and Mars respectively enter sidereal Sagittarius, and on December 24, Venus enters sidereal Scorpio. These planetary events are important as Sun and Mars ae on their way to make trines with the spiritual planet Jupiter. Almost about the same time the Scorpio Venus makes trine with Pisces Neptune. From spirituality standpoint, although short in duration, these times are extraordinarily remarkable. The latter part of December and the early part of January may prove to be very positive for those seeking answers that are not possible using logical mind. Furthermore, by the end of the year Jupiter turns direct, and as a result, Jupiter’s energy certainly becomes responsible for speeding up the process of realizing of our spiritual potential.
After being retrograde, Neptune turns direct on December 6 in sidereal Pisces. Neptune, being the spiritual planets of our solar system that deal more with heart than mind, it has been affecting the matters related to Pisces in a significant way. Neptune becoming direct after being retrograde and stagnant for last 4 to 5 months means matters signified by Neptune will begin to accelerate. For instance, the Ukraine-Russia war will certainly become more active going forward.
On a collective level, presently Neptune is in Pisces and Neptune loves Pisces, the most favorite zodiac sign for Neptune. But Rahu’s presence in Pisces for next 18 months is certainly going to be challenging for Neptune to create and maintain its positive energy. As a result, our collective spiritual progress through awareness and understanding of what has been going on around us is likely to take backstage losing its momentum to attend to new challenges emerging from Rahu’s transit in Pisces. Some of the outcomes might be listed as: rise in fake spiritualism disguised under illusionary circumstances, temporary gain in holding on to the power by authoritarian regimes like Russia and China, more violence originated from power grab, hate and racism and increased occurrences in man-made and natural calamities.
However, the good news is earth will be gaining more than average speed in orbiting around the Sun reaching its peak by January 3 or 4. For sure, it’s a period of lot of activities on earth. Usually it’s a period of growth at all levels of our collective life. Some of it will certainly be challenging, but it’s a period of finding solutions and marching ahead.
Retrograde Mercury (Dec 13 – Jan 2)
On December 13, the planet Mercury becomes retrograde in sidereal Sagittarius. It will stay retrograde in Sagittarius till December 28, then with its retrograde motion it will enter into Scorpio till it becomes direct on Jan 2.
Typically retrograde Mercury means anxieties, communication breakdowns, unexpected delays, frustrations, missing deadlines, unforeseen obstacles and disappointment in daily chores. Retrograde Mercury in Sagittarius means more frustrating periods for leaders in general, and particularly for those who are religious leaders, explorers, philosophers, and researchers. And that in Scorpio means more trying period for military personnel, politicians, athletes, terrorists, and people involved in secrecy and covert operations. This is the time not to start a new project or venture, but rather reflect on what’s been done so far. Also, this is the best time to cleanup that closet and do other chores that you have been postponing due to lack of time.
In addition, if you have dominating Mercury in your birth chart and if Mercury is currently your active planet, then you are more likely to experience the pronounced effects of retrograde Mercury during this period with respect to matters signified by the house it’s currently transiting through in your progressive chart.
Neptune becoming direct in sidereal Pisces
After being retrograde, Neptune returned to Pisces on February 15, 2023 and continues to transit through Pisces for the following 13 years (till mid 2036). Neptune being the spiritual planets of our solar system that deal more with heart than mind, it will certainly affect the matters related to Pisces in a significant way.
Neptune becoming direct after being retrograde and stagnant for last 4 to 5 months means matters signified by Neptune will begin to accelerate. For instance, the Ukraine-Russia war will certainly become more active going forward.
Pisces being a water and mutable sign ruled by Jupiter some of its significant characteristics are: Divine, fruitful, fertile, emotional, honest, outspoken, religious, spiritual, nonviolent, polite, modest, moody, affectionate, hermit, psychic, water, compassion, love, heart connection, non-verbal communication and introvert. These qualities complement very well with qualities of Neptune that include: spiritual, intuitive, divine, psychic, magical, highly emotional, moody, clairvoyant, inspiration, imaginative, love, compassionate and mystical.
As a result, a subtle and slow change in our collective moral and spiritual perceptions is certainly going to be manifested in the way we never experienced before. This era (next 13 years) will be remembered as the period of spiritual inspiration and transformation. Interestingly, this era also complements well with the era of Pluto’s transit in sidereal Capricorn (a sign ruled by spiritual Saturn) that runs in parallel during the same time. The way we have been used to deal with religions will no longer be our norms. Our moral codes will be greatly influenced by our collective spiritual experiences. And in that sense a subtle but most effective transformation of world morality during this unique era of the next 13 years is likely to take us to a level where the norms solely based on spiritual experiences will dictate and guide our lives with new level of understanding.
Pisces, being the sign for poets, musicians, singers, monks, religious leaders, spiritual leaders, nurses, nuns, social workers, caregivers, saints, psychics, actors, sailors and ship captains, these respective fields will go through significant transformations. And these transformations will be reflected in the new norms of morality and ethics, expansion of our collective psychic abilities and mystical experiences keeping in line with steady progress in our ability to directly perceive truth. Also, creativity in areas of music will likely complement our spiritual progress.
In scientific and technological areas, a lot of drastic changes and emerging new ideas coupled with mystical experiences will find their way into innovations and discoveries. However, it will be the first time the scientific and technological research will be more focused in areas that will bridge the gap between the science and morality. The likely areas of research will be in spiritual healing, and life-force related activities, looking for ways to tap new sources of energy without disturbing global climate (recent news about the possibility of harnessing energy from nuclear fission and minimizing the usage of fossil fuels will very likely be materialized in next 13 years). The return to the holistic and Ayurvedic practices and alternate medicines are also very likely. The availability of inexpensive generic drugs for those who cannot afford the expensive brand name drugs is becoming reality. A new wave of philosophers and philanthropist with their new perspectives on living, in general, will certainly transform our world in next 13 years with a new level of understanding of life.
However with Rahu’s (the north lunar node) transit in sidereal Pisces, the going is likely to be stalled as new challenges emerge that must be dealt. In that sense, the downside is likely to become more significant than normal. On the downside, the religious leaders and social reformers may tend to form cults and spread cult like activities, rise in organized religion scandals, deceptive activities under the disguise of promise of spiritual experiences are likely to be on rise in certain parts of the world. The scandals of the secretive collaboration between the medical doctors and pharmaceutical industries will continue to be exposed. The increase usage of mind altering drugs, disregard for social and to some extent moral responsibility, rise in mental disorders, and losing the touch with reality are some of the likely symptoms of the negative side of Neptune. One of the prominent fall-outs of the Piscean Neptune will be a significant decline of authoritarian regime’s influence around the world. Russia, China and other authoritarian regimes will continue to lose their hold as they face the forces of our collective spiritual transformation.
On individual level for those who have water sign (Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces) as their ascendant in their natal ninefold (Navamansh) chart should get ready for a brand new and long lasting (13 years) cycle of change, especially a very pronounced cycle for those who have Neptune as a dominant planet in their birth charts. The changes that might occur would be very subtle and would deal with new or renewed interest in spirituality, openness, psychic abilities to perceive truth, divine experiences, transformed perceptions and beliefs, and the way of living.
Russian-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas war and senseless killings
The intensity of Russian-Ukraine war has been steady at a remarkable speed with both sides incurring severe human tolls and destruction of wealth. The war continues with Ukraine likely gaining more ground. Going forward, due to Rahu’s transit in Pisces, the Russian president Putin, although for a short term, is likely to become successful in expanding his control in dealing with the uprising in Russia as well as the ongoing war. However, until the Russian president Putin loses his grip and becomes powerless this war is not going to end and so will be killings of innocent civilians.
For Israel-Hamas war, although it’s going to lose its momentum and continue to subside through December, it’s not going to go away. It’s a perpetual conflict that is likely to remain for a long time unless until there’s a spiritual awakening in that region of the world transcending religion based conflict.
President Biden’s challenges in December
For President Biden, after 16th of December, it looks to be a favorable period as he finds courage to deal with situations around him and enjoys recognition, popularity, prestige, even feeling better health-wise, and happy.
As for this month, with Saturn’s major and intermediate cycles and Venus sub-cycle, the planets that fall in the constellations ruled by Saturn and Ketu become active. They are: Pluto, Venus and Sun for the entire month.
Presently the transiting Pluto is going to be in the 4thhouse, and in the 5th house of his ninefold transit chart. Despite being nonstop challenged by his adversaries, he still will slowly continue to pave his way by figuring out the political solutions.
As for Venus, for the entire month Venus being in the 1st house of his transit chart, he will be enjoy material life and likely to enjoy good family life.
From the Sun’s energy point of view, until December 16 he is likely continue to experience betrayal, worries, acute stress, and friction with people around him. However, after December 16, till the rest of the month, he will find courage to deal with situations around him and enjoy recognition, popularity, prestige, even feeling better health-wise, and in general happy.
As for the transiting planet’s interaction with his natal chart, the transiting Pluto continues to sextile his natal Sun and Venus, and opposes his natal Jupiter. Given the Sun’s current transit, it’s not favorable till mid-December. But afterwards, politically it’s very favorable for the rest of the month. In addition, the favorable transits of Venus and Jupiter further increase his success rate and satisfaction.
Thus, in summary, for him after 16th of December, it looks to be a favorable period as he finds courage to deal with situations around him and enjoys recognition, popularity, prestige, even feeling better health-wise, and happy.
Global Insights……..
The important challenging planetary configurations for December include: Uranus-Mars (Dec 20-22) quincunx; Pluto-Neptune (Nov 9 – Dec 2), Neptune-Saturn (Dec 3-14), Pluto-Jupiter (Dec 17-28) and Saturn-Jupiter (Dec 19-24) ninefold quincunxes; Saturn-Rahu/Ketu (Dec 11-16) and Pluto-Uranus (Dec 26 – Jan 7) ninefold squares.
The energy of the Uranus-Mars (Dec 20-22) quincunx maybe reflected in both the natural and man-made calamities causing destruction and loss of lives, especially in the United States.
The manifestation of energy of the Pluto-Neptune (Nov 9 – Dec 2) ninefold quincunx may be reflected in an outbreak of violence and terrorist activities in Russia, Ukraine and Middle East, especially in Syria, Iraq, Israel and Palestine region. Also, the occurrences of natural as well as man-made calamities are likely. Some of the east-European countries, Russia, and China may experience political as well as social turmoil.
The energy of the Neptune-Saturn (Dec 3-14) ninefold quincunx maybe reflected in a rise in covert activities among the leading nations. Possibilities of natural as well as man-made calamities are very likely during this period. Places like Russia and China are likely to experience political and social turmoil. Non-democratic countries are likely to see shift of power from one faction (or dictator) to another. Religious activities around the world will likely to appear more secretive than open.
The Pluto-Jupiter (Dec 17-28) ninefold quincunx may become responsible for noticeable changes occurring in religious and academic and to some extent in social fields. This is an important planetary event for people who deal with religion, religious and academic institutes. This quincunx could become responsible for a unique stalemate in the field of religion as the planet Pluto with its tremendous energy has a power to oppose and eventually transform religion and academics to a new level or setting with a new set of norms.
The energy of the Saturn-Rahu/Ketu (Dec 11-16) ninefold squares may become responsible for increase in barbaric activities all around the world. Terrorists are likely to be successful in creating confusion and chaos. Social turmoil in Europe and Russia is likely. Religious activities could get stalled for no apparent reason.
The energy of the Pluto-Uranus (Dec 26 – Jan 7) ninefold squares could bring a unique change in the way the current US administration deals with other nations with respect to its war against democracies and also with its domestic matters. There will be a transformation of political strategy that might become responsible of a change in the current political agenda, and foreign policy matters of this administration as the planet Pluto with its tremendous energy has a power of irreversibly transforming the field of politics to a new level or setting with a new set of norms. Expect some serious issues that the current administration could get tangled with.
The important auspicious planetary configurations for December include: Uranus-Jupiter (Nov 27 – Dec 9), Neptune-Rahu (Dec 13-23) ninefold trines; and Pluto-Saturn (Dec 13-27) ninefold sextiles.
The Uranus-Jupiter (Nov 27 – Dec 9) ninefold trine may become responsible for positive changes in spiritual, religious, academic and social fields.
The energy of the Neptune-Rahu (Dec 13-23) ninefold trine may become responsible for expansion of religious activities all around the world with new vigor and energy. Conservatives will have upper hand over the liberals, and China and Russia are likely to see positive developments occurring in the social and economic fields.
The manifestation of the Pluto-Saturn (Dec 13-27) ninefold sextile may mean a good period for European and Russian economy. This period is also good for progress in technical fields (new innovations and discoveries) and religious reconciliation.
The countries that are more likely to be affected during this month are: Ukraine, Russia, China, the United States, Europe and Israeli and Palestine regions.
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 almost through the entire month, more specifically, during December 3-14, 20-22 and 6-31.
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 2023. 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