Coronavirus, Yagyas, and the Mars / Saturn transit (March 2020)

Hey everyone!​

I’m sure you haven’t heard enough about the coronavirus, so let me tell you how to wash your hands! Just kidding, this will just be a quick astrological timeline of this virus :) 

Around Christmas last year, there was a solar eclipse in the constellation Mula. This constellation is symbolized by roots, and so is related to natural therapies and health. As eclipses spoil the energy of a constellation for about 6 months, this gives us the first clue of how long the virus is likely to be a disruption. The eclipse was visible mostly in central Asia and surrounding areas, which also marks the place of origination of the virus on December 31st. Mula’s shakti or energy is the power to destroy or damage, and this is an apt description of what is happening in many communities and economies around the world. 

On February 8th and 12th respectively, Mars and Ketu entered Mula. During this time, the death toll in China surpassed the number SARS killed worldwide in 2003, and the virus began its spread outside of China. Mars is a war planet related to the military and police force, and symbolizes the government response to the virus, while Ketu is a shadow planet that hides the true nature of things, making the spread of the virus harder to trace. 

Ketu only leaves Mula on Sep 19th 2020. My interpretation of this is that the disruption will probably begin to go away closer to July 2020 (6 months from the December 2019 eclipse), but appropriate vaccines will only begin to appear after September 19th, after which the coronavirus will be a more normal occurrence, just like the common cold.

Yagyas (Fire Sacrifices)

Over the last few months, I have been working on a new project - to learn to perform a fire sacrifice. These ancient sanskrit ceremonies can be dated back to the Rig Veda, the oldest of the Vedas, and forms the basis of many spiritual ceremonies performed across the world. By sacrificing rice, fruit, and oil into the fire while chanting the appropriate (and extensive!) set of mantras, we channel our desires up to the higher beings, and their grace flows into our lives.  
I am planning on performing a group Mahamrityunjaya fire ceremony on April 26th. At the heart of the ceremony is the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, also known as the death-conquering mantra, which forms a verse in the Rig Veda. The origin of this mantra is found in the story of Markandeya. 

Once upon a time, sage Mrikandu and his wife worshipped Shiva to bring them a son. Shiva gave him the choice of receiving either a spiritual son that lived 16 years, or a child of low intelligence that lived a normal lifespan. Mrikandu chose the former, and was blessed with an amazing son named Markandeya. On Markandeya’s 16th birthday, the god of death came to carry him away, but Markandeya said the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, causing Shiva to intervene. Shiva then blessed Markandeya with eternal life. 

How is this story relevant to you? In the Vedic tradition (and in many others), there is a belief that your last thought or desire carries you towards your next birth, and so if your last thought is a regret that you didn’t accomplish something in your life, you will be born again to fulfill that specific desire. The idea here is that you die at peace without any desires so you can move onwards on your journey. 

Well, you can imagine it would be an advantage to die in a controlled setting (perhaps as you are meditating), and you aren’t surprised by a sudden death. The Mahamrityunjaya mantra, and the accompanying ceremony, guard against sudden death, so hopefully when our time is up, we are better placed to continue our journey in a positive direction. In addition to the health benefits the ceremony brings, it also carries a spiritual blessing, as the last part of the Mahamrityunjaya mantra is a request to Shiva for enlightenment. 

If you choose to participate, during the ceremony, I will read your name and pour oil on your behalf into the fire, and you will receive the fruits of the ceremony. To limit numbers, the cost will be A$30 per name (~US$19). If this interests you, please send me an email before April 12th, and I will reply with more details :)

Mini-Predictions

On March 23rd 2020, Mars joins Saturn in Capricorn, forming what my teacher calls the rush hour traffic combination. This lasts till May 5th 2020, when Mars exits Capricorn. When you’re stuck in traffic and aren’t conscious of your mind and emotions, there is a tendency to get frustrated at the endless delays. Probably a better way to handle this is to just relax - you’ll get to where you’re going in your own time. Applying this analogy to our lives, if we just surrender to our own divinity and relax, we won’t feel frustrated at the obstacles and delays that may come throughout this month and a half.

I’ve written out some mini-predictions to help you see the area of the life that may experience some delays during this transit. Bringing the light of consciousness into that area of life may be enough to save you from expending unneeded energy. Of course, there are many other things that fill out the picture of your life (most of it individualized from your birth chart), but this transit will show one small perspective. I have arranged these mini predictions according to your Vedic Sun signs; you can find your Vedic Sun sign by finding which date range includes your birthday. Please read the birth times carefully as your Vedic Sun sign can be different from your Western one (reason here). If you know your Vedic Ascendant sign or your Vedic Moon sign, the predictions corresponding to those signs are also applicable to you.

Aries (April 14th to May 14th): During this time, you may experience some frustration related to your career. At the same time, Capricorn is Mars’ sign of exaltation and Saturn’s home sign, so in between periods of frustration, you may notice that you are slowly being put in a position of leadership. 

Taurus (May 15th to June 14th): Mars and Saturn are transiting your house of long-distance travel, so it may be a good time to avoid any unnecessary traveling. If you must travel, expect some delays so remember to bring a book to read!

Gemini (June 14th to July 16th): If you are trying to make changes in your life, you may experience some delays and obstacles. This transit may also result in your relationships becoming over-complicated. Just take a step back and communicate calmly. 

Cancer (July 17th to August 16th): This period may result in some frustration in relationships. Mars is in your house of relationships with Saturn, so you may experience some inhibition related to the physical aspects of your relationship.

Leo (August 17th to September 16th): This is a good time to be more disciplined with your exercise routine. Maybe invite your partner (if you’re in a relationship) to join you in your yoga session. Doing competitive sports or focusing on your health together may help both of you have a happier relationship during this period.

Virgo (September 17th to October 16th): During this period, don’t rush into speculative investments, take things slowly and do your research thoroughly. If you are thinking about starting a project during this period, you may find it is more productive to wait till this transit is over.

Libra (October 17th to November 15th): Mars and Saturn are transiting your house of the home. If you are working on a property project, whether its renovating your home or looking for a new office lease, you may encounter some delays and frustrations during this transit. Just take it easy and go with the flow till the transit ends. 

Scorpio (November 16th to December 15th): During this period, you may experience some frustrations related to your communication, and you may get into some arguments. Sometimes it’s good to just take a step back and walk away. 

Sagittarius (December 16th to January 14th): Be more aware of your diet during this period. There is a tendency to stress eat during this period, and may cause health issues in the future.
Capricorn (January 15th to February 12th): Be a little bit more careful as you may be more prone to accidents during this period. This is a good period to be more disciplined towards your diet. 

Aquarius (Feb 13th March 14th): Be a little bit more careful as you may be more prone to accidents during this period. This is a good period to be more disciplined towards your meditation practice, and practice surrender and letting go. 

Pisces (March 15th to April 13th): This is a period where you may be frustrated about your salary from work, or maybe your goals aren’t being achieved according to your schedule. Relax, things will happen in their own time. Practice surrender and meditate.