The Astrology of the Great North American Eclipse and the 2024 Vedic Lunar New Year

What the Solar Eclipse and the Vedic Lunar New Year Can Tell Us About the Next Twelve Months

The Vedic Lunar New Year will begin on April 8 this year. This is a special day that celebrates the creative power of the Universe and the divinity within all of life. Among certain sects and traditions of Hindu culture, the beginning of the Vedic Lunar New Year is known as Ugadi or Samvatsaadi. Vedic Astrologers cast a special horoscope at this time, which can tell us about some of the themes and events that may impact us during the year to come.

When Does the Vedic Lunar New Year Occur?

The Vedic Lunar New Year horoscope is one of a multitude of New Year charts used in Vedic Astrology. It is calculated for the exact time of the New Moon in Pisces, when the Sun and Moon conjoin in the same celestial longitude in the Pisces constellation. 

This event is known as the Lunar New Year, or Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. It marks the first synodic lunar day (tithi) of the waxing Moon (shukla paksha) in the Vedic month of Chaitra. This month occurs on different dates in either March or April every year.

According to Vedic tradition, Lord Brahma created the universe on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. Simply, every year we celebrate the beginning of the Vedic Lunar New Year at the same astrological point where Lord Brahma created the universe!

What Does the Great North American Eclipse Mean in Vedic Astrology?

Every 18-19 years, a Rahu/North Node solar eclipse coincides with the Vedic Lunar New Year, when the Sun, Moon, and Rahu conjoin at the New Moon in Pisces. This year, the Vedic Lunar New Year will occur coincidentally with a Rahu solar eclipse.

This will be a total solar eclipse visible from many parts of North America, which is why it is being called the Great North American Eclipse. This will be a significant astrological event, in part as it will be the most visible and longest total solar eclipse for the United States in 100 years, with a central duration of 4' 28". You can read all about it on the Great American Eclipse website.

The statements I make in this article about the Vedic Lunar New Year horoscope will also apply to the horoscope for the Great North American Eclipse, as they are one and the same. As these two events occur concurrently, this suggests a year of dramatic events, and a good deal of turmoil and tumult throughout the world, and especially in North America where the eclipse will be visible.

In my research of previous Rahu solar eclipses occurring in Pisces (at the Vedic Lunar New Year), I noticed a trend of terrorist events, mass casualties and disasters (especially involving floods, drowning, ships, waterways, and oceans), political upheaval and assassinations, rebellions and riots, militarization and wars, and financial crises. These events may occur within a time range of six months before or after the solar eclipse.

Entering the Krodhi Year: A Difficult Time for Humanity 

The classic text known as Brihat Samhita by Sage Varahamihira states that there are 60 samvatsaras or lunar years that continue to cycle throughout time. These 60 years are organized into 12 groups of five. The current group of five years spans from 2022-2027, and the upcoming third year within this group of five is known as Krodhi Nama Samvatsara. The Krodhi year is the 38th of 60 samvatsaras. It will be in place from April 8, 2024, until March 30, 2025. According to Sage Varahamihira, humankind will experience great misery during a Krodhi year.

Each samvatsara carries a particular essence that correlates with its Sanskrit name. Krodhi translates as “angry and wrathful.” The Krodhi year is thus associated with aggression and violence, as well as lust, deceit, self-righteousness, arrogance, and greed. Previous Krodhi years were in 1964, 1904, 1844, and so on. In all these years, humanity experienced the usual spate of disasters, conflicts, and difficulties, but also made some significant advances, as well.

It’s interesting to look back and see what was happening during the last Krodhi year in 1964. This year was marked by dramatic changes, disasters, war, and political and cultural upheaval. Yet, on a more constructive note, the Civil Rights Act and President Johnson’s War on Poverty were initiated in 1964. 

That said, 1964 was quite a troubled time, just as we are seeing again now in 2024:

The most pivotal year of the 1960s, arguably, was 1964. That’s the year the American Dream fell apart, when American culture fractured and eventually split along ideological lines — old vs. young; hip vs. square; poor vs. rich; liberal vs. conservative — establishing the poles of societal debate that are still raging today…everything called into question, from our relationship with our government and the military to our notions of free speech and individual freedom…It was a year of remarkable transition that prefigured 50 years of tumultuous change. (Simons, Tad. 1964: The Year America Lost It. Next Avenue, January 7, 2014.)

The Year of Krittika: Potential for Conflict and Illness

Another point of emphasis in the Vedic astrology tradition is to note the Jovian (Jupiter) year. On May 18, 2024, the Jovian year will change from Asvina to Krittika. The Jovian year will change again to Margasirsa in the following year on June 24, 2025. According to Brihat Samhita, “Chapter VIII: Jupiter’s Course,” we will see “a clash of arms and outbreak of disease” during a Krittika year.

Dominant Mars and Saturn Energy Throughout the Year

Mars and Saturn will have an especially strong impact on the world during the next year. Mars will be the King of the Year. Mars is King because it is the lord of the day (Tuesday) on which the first tithi of shukla pratipada appears before sunrise after the New Moon in Pisces. Mars as the Lord of the Year is associated with wars, fires, crime, suffering, and heated conflict among the people and also among their leaders.

Saturn will be the Prime Minister of the Year, also known as Mantri. The Prime Minister of the Year is the planet that rules the day when the Sun enters Aries (Mesha Sankranti). This event will occur on April 13 this year, which is a Saturday (Saturn’s day of the week). Keep in mind that in the Vedic Astrology system, the day extends from sunrise to sunrise. This is the chart for Mesha Sankranti in the United States (Washington, DC):

With Saturn as Prime Minister of the year, and Mars as the King, this suggests sociopolitical and economic instability, increasing crime rates, disasters and wars, the growing mental and physical public health crisis, and general unrest.

Vedic Lunar New Year Charts for the United States and the World at Large

Different parts of the world will have their own Vedic Lunar New Year horoscopes based on their unique coordinates and time zones which change from place to place. This means that the planets will be in the same signs, but will move into other houses as we move from one location to another.

The chart for each country is calculated at the time of the New Moon in Pisces and at the location of its capital. For instance, we use Washington, D.C. for the United States, where the New Moon will occur on April 8, 2024, at 2:21 PM. We can also cast a Vedic Lunar New Year chart for the entire global community, set at the location of the Greenwich meridian, on April 8, 2024, at 6:21 PM UTC. Below are these Vedic Lunar New Year charts in sidereal wheel format and North and South Indian style:

In the Vedic Lunar New Year chart for the United States, Saturn and Mars will be conjoined in Saturn’s sign of Aquarius in the cathartic eighth house. Synchronistically, Mars and Saturn are also the main rulers of the year. Unfortunately, according to Vedic Astrology, Mars and Saturn have an unfriendly relationship. Their conjunction it its lower manifestation can be quite tense and negative, representing tyrannical, explosive, incendiary, violent, and chaotic energy. This is known as Agni Maruti Yoga, in which the fires of Mars are fanned by the winds of Saturn.

Saturn, a highly malefic lord for this chart, is casting its third aspect onto Jupiter, the dispositor of Pisces where the eclipse is occurring. This is an affliction to Jupiter, and also to the eclipse, and it adds fuel to the fire, suggesting the possibility of deepening political battles, economic troubles (inflation and burgeoning debt), and possibly, a banking and real estate crisis. As Mars is the lord of the tenth house in conjunction with malefic Saturn in the eighth, this might not bode well for the candidate and party in power in the November election (Jupiter being afflicted by Saturn’s aspect in the tenth house also suggests the same).

In the chart for the world at large, which is created at the location at the Greenwich meridian, it’s quite meaningful that the lunar node Ketu is exactly conjoined the Ascendant, suggesting instability and radical changes throughout the world. The Rahu eclipse exactly conjoined the descendant (seventh-house cusp) points to the possibility of multiple international conflicts, including an exploding global migration crisis, disasters, and economic depression.

In the chart calculated for the United States, Cancer rises. This is the sign that occupies the most difficult eighth house in the United States Kelleher birth chart, further signifying a great deal of commotion.

The New Moon/eclipse will occur in Revati nakshatra in the ninth house of the chart set for the United States. This may point to political plots, attacks by inner and outer enemies, setbacks in business and commerce, nuisance antisocial behavior, politically motivated misuse of the justice system, conflicts with foreign adversaries, difficulties with transportation and travel (such as continuing concerns with the airlines), and the current immigration crisis.

Additionally, the New Moon in Pisces will occupy the fourth house of the United States Kelleher birth chart. This emphasizes potential disturbances involving subways/transportation matters, infrastructure, land, real estate, agriculture, mines, minerals, illegal immigration, seismic events, and explosive and shocking events related to politics, government expenditure and policies, and the November 2024 election.

Mars and Pluto occupy Pisces in the New Moon navamsa chart, again suggesting a possible real estate crisis, fires, and weather disturbances, including a good deal of rain indicated by the placement of Venus and the Moon in Pisces.

Navaratri: A Reason for Hope at the Beginning of a Potentially Difficult Year

Though the Vedic Lunar New Year energies seem somewhat grim this year, we have the blessing of the Divine Mother coming just at the right time to help us alleviate some of the negative energy. Vasant (or Chaitra) Navaratri always begins at the start of the Vedic Lunar New Year. This is the nine-night spring festival of Devi Durga, who is worshiped as the deity of power, energy, and wisdom. She comes to bless and cleanse the world and all her devotees at this important turning point, to help us set off on the right foot as we begin the year anew.

Navaratri is a very auspicious period and time of growth and transformation for those who observe it. Navaratri celebrations will begin on April 9 and will extend through April 17. Prayers and pujas are performed to help remove misery and sorrow, and to bestow peace and well-being. On the ninth day, the celebration of Ram Navami will cap it all off. This is the precious day of Lord Ram’s birthday, which is celebrated as the victory of light over dark.

The great yoga master Paramahansa Yogananda gave many important and inspirational teachings to help assist us along our earthly journey. Here’s one that I never tire of, which helps me when I grow weary of the world and its endless problems, which have clearly grown more pronounced in the past few years:

Be not afraid of the frightening dream of this world. Awaken in God’s immortal light! There was a time when life, to me, was like helplessly watching a terrifying movie, and I was giving too much importance to the tragedies being enacted therein. Then, one day while I was meditating, a great light appeared in my room and God’s voice said to me: ‘What are you dreaming about? Behold My eternal light, in which the many nightmares of the world come and go. They are not real.’

What a tremendous consolation it was! Nightmares, however dreadful, are merely nightmares. Movies, whether enjoyable or disturbing, are merely movies. We ought not to keep our minds so absorbed in the sad and frightening dramas of this life. Is it not wiser to place our attention on that Power which is indestructible and unchanging? Why worry about the unpleasant surprises in the plot of this world movie! We are here for just a little while. Learn the lesson of the drama of life and find your freedom.

I desire neither earthly kingdom, nor even freedom from birth and death.
I desire only the deliverance from grief of all those afflicted by misery.
Oh Lord, lead us from the unreal to the real; from darkness to light; from death to immortality.
May there be peace in celestial regions.
May there be peace on earth.
May the waters be appeasing.
May herbs be wholesome and may trees and plants bring peace to all.
May all beneficent beings bring peace to us. May your wisdom spread peace all through the world.
May all things be a source of peace to all and to me.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti—Peace, Peace, Peace (M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence)

Please note that this and all my other forecasts are based on the sidereal zodiac used in both Vedic and Western sidereal astrology, not the tropical system used by most Western and a small number of Vedic Astrologers. All the astrological charts that I work with and share are calculated according to the sidereal zodiac and Lahiri Ayanamsa.