Lunar Cycle in Vedic Astrology

New Moon in Purva Phalguni Nakshatra

2-3 September

The next meeting of Sun and Moon will occur at the heart of sidereal Leo, near the brightest star (yogatara) of Purva Phalguni nakshatra. Purva Phalguni, although ruled by Venus and friendly god of alliances, Aryama, is fierce (ugra) and fiery in nature. Combined with the intensity of the New Moon which will be directly aspected by Saturn retrograde, it may bring some storms into our relations - both those close and those more distant. It is in times like that that we are challenged more than ever to stay heart-centered, kind and compassionate (to ourselves and to others) even when it’s hard.

Simultaneously, as Sun and Moon will meet in the nakshatra of Venus, Venus herself will be debilitated in sidereal Virgo and approaching Ketu, which may increase in some people a certain sense of dissatisfaction and result in various compensations - a particular aspect of this fortnight for each of us to be very watchful about. When dissatisfaction with current situation arises, remember to rather step back and take time for yourself to resolve the inner issue rather than enforce your preferences on others or engage in direct confrontations.

Learn more about Purva Phalguni Nakshatra: https://thenakshatras.com/purva-phalguni-nakshatra

On 19th August Moon will reach its fullness in the Aquarius portion of Dhanishta Nakshatra - the star of finding your true rhythm and following your heart. Dhanishta Nakshatra, bridging sidereal Capricorn and Aquarius, the very center of zodiacal root chakra, is all about our embodied wisdom and embodied intuition - about finding wisdom in our bodies, our reactions, our biological impulses and instincts. 

This Full Moon will inspire us to pause for a moment, reach beyond the chatter of the mind and listent to the implicit wisdom of the body, the nature around us and the spirit. This theme will be especially prominent in this fortnight, as during the entire two weeks leading to the Full Moon Mercury will remain retrograde, thus furtherly inspiring us to find what we are looking for within - and learn to communicate and connect beyond words.

The Full Moon itself will be also loosely conjuct with retrograde Saturn which will furtherly increase our need for contemplation and self-reflection. But it may also bring some memories from the past that are unresolved and require healing. It is a powerful time to heal the past, break free from some old habits and find new sources of motivation - and new rhythms within us.

Learn more about Dhanishta nakshatra: https://academy.discoveringyouniverse.com/courses/dhanishta-nakshatra/

New Moon in Ashlesha Nakshatra

4 August 2024

This week Sun and Moon will meet on 18 degree in sidereal Cancer, in the early portion of Ashlesha Nakshatra, where its brightest star (yogatara) is located. Ashlesha Nakshatra is not only about deep transformations, alchemy of change, profound insights and healing our outdated patterns in the same way how the serpents (presiding deities of this lunar mansion) shed their skin. It is also about vishashleshana shakti or our capacity to drink or embrace the poison - to stay with those uncomfortable feelings inside of us and allows ourselves to be vulnerable for a moment. Because without allowing ourselves to visit those uncomfortable places within us, no true healing can really happen. And, as you can imagine, this particular New Moon will be quite powerful for personal healing and deeper transformation.

Learn more about Ashlesha Nakshatra here: https://www.thenakshatras.com/ashlesha-nakshatra/

Upcoming Full Moon is also known as Guru Purnima - the day when the blessings of all the Gurus flow to us and we become more open to receive divine guidance. This year this auspicious Full Moon will culminate with Sun at maximum exaltation degree of Jupiter, while Moon will shine at Jupiter’s maximum debilitation place at the other side of the zodiac. This will inspire us to search balance between positive attitude & philosophical approach and more pragmatic, down to earth attitude. The balance between being fully connected to the Divine while at the same time staying fully grounded in the present moment.

The lunar fortnight leading towards Guru Purnima is also sacred in tantric tradition to Divine Mother in the form of Varahi - the one who helps us overcome pride and attachment to external world, and helps us find value in simple things and humility.

New Moon in Punarvasu Nakshatra

5 July

New Moon culminating with complete conjunction of Sun and Moon in Punarvasu Nakshatra will inspire us to give ourselves a chance for new beginnings in various areas of life. Punarvasu, after all, means “the return of light”. With Moon and Mercury experiencing Parivartan Yoga on the day of New Moon itself we will be inspired to feel more rather than trying to intellectualise things - to bridge mind’s understanding with understanding through feeling and experience. This entire dark fortnight will keep inspiring us to look at various aspects of our life with a new, fresh perspective, and a healthy dose of curiosity and positive approach. It is a powerful time for self-work, introspection and changing some of our existing habits.

Learn more about Punarvasu Nakshatra: https://www.thenakshatras.com/punarvasu-nakshatra/

Full Moon in Mula Nakshatra

21/22 June 2024

This bright fortnight will culminate with Full Moon in Mula Nakshatra in sidereal Sagittarius, which will occur just one day after Summer Solstice on Northern Hemisphere and Winter Solstice on Southern Hemisphere. The fierce energies of Sun in Ardra, the star of Rudra, will combine with Full Moon in the star of Nirriti or Kali, which will result in result in a very transformative fortnight. 

Throughout the entire fortnight Venus will remain combust, which will make it a challenging time for our relations, as we will have a tendency to prioritise ourselves more. It is a very important time for conscious practice of compassion and kindness, rather than gravitating towards more forceful approach.

Learn more about Mula nakshatra here: https://academy.discoveringyouniverse.com/courses/mula-nakshatra/

After recent transformative Full Moon in Anuradha Nakshatra, we are going to experience in a few days one of the most powerful New Moons in this year: New Moon in Rohini Nakshatra, at the heart of sidereal Taurus, culminating with 5 planetary conjuction - the New Moon, which is also known as Shani Amavasya.

With all 3 sattvic planets conjuct with 2 rajasic ones in Taurus, and preceded by a sequences of 3 tamasic grahas, we may expect that our tamasic & rajasic qualities may temporarily overshadow our sattvic qualities, such as peacefulness, compassion or rational thinking. We will be much more inclined to listen to our selfish desires and stormy emotions, than to the inner voice of insight. It is a very good time for intensifying our spiritual practice, so that we may stay more centred in the heart during this period.

Learn more about the Three Gunas: https://academy.discoveringyouniverse.com/courses/three-gunas-workshop/

One of the most complex Full Moons of the year is fast approaching. This fortnight, beginning with Jupiter’s transit into Taurus and auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya, will culminate with Full Moon in Anuradha Nakshatra, at the heart of sidereal Scorpio, where Moon experiences its debilitation. 

In opposition to the Moon, Sun will be experiencing a complex conjunction with Venus and Jupiter, both of which will reach the state of planetary war during the Full Moon day itself. In times like that, when luminaries & sattvic grahas struggle, being overpowered by Venus, the planet of desires, we too may experience our own temptations to do the “easy thing” rather than the “right thing”. 

Full Moon shining in Anuradha nakshatra may also bring to the surface of our awareness many suppressed emotions and desires, while simultaneously it will inspire us to review our commitments and priorities. An incredibly powerful time for honest introspection.

Learn more about Anuradha Nakshatra: https://thenakshatras.com/anuradha-nakshatra

Learn more about Matangi & other Mahavidyas: https://academy.discoveringyouniverse.com/courses/mahavidyas-10-mystical-goddesses/

Upcoming New Moon in Bharani Nakshatra will be inspiring us to let go of some outdated parts of ourselves, release the grip from our desire to control the flow of life, and surrender a little more. With Sun exalted throughout this entire dark fortnight, it is a perfect time to look within and confront our shadows, as we will be seeing them more clearly right now, while simultaneously being inspired to transcend them. It might be a little tense time when it comes to our relations with other people, though, which happens often when our own shadows come on the surface. Try to avoid judging yourself to others in this time period and practice conscious compassion.

Learn more about Bharani Nakshatra: https://thenakshatras.com/bharani-nakshatra

In a few days we are about to experience a particularly powerful Full Moon in sidereal Libra (symbolic of our heart chakra), aspected by Jupiter and exalted Sun, with Libra’s dispositor, Venus, shining in full exaltation. Both Venus and Sun will be at maximum exaltation during the Full Moon itself, which makes this fortnight a particularly powerful time for creative endeavours and opening our minds and hearts for new waves of energy.

Learn more about Swati Nakshatra: https://thenakshatras.com/swati-nakshatra