Get Ready for the Sun's Transit in Aquarius: February 12 to March 14, 2023

Ushering in a Time of Healing and Rebirth

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 some Vedic astrologers. All the astrological charts below are calculated according to the sidereal zodiac and Lahiri Ayanamsa.

The Sun will transit in Aquarius from Sunday, February 12, at 11:14 PM EST, until Tuesday, March 14, at 9:04 PM EST. As this will occur from February 13 to March 15 in some other areas of the world, you can use the World Time Buddy to convert to your own time zone if it is different.

As mentioned in a previous article, the period from Sunday, February 12, to Monday, February 13 is known as the Sun’s monthly sankranti, when the Sun is transiting on the edge or cusp of two astrological signs (known as sandhi in Vedic astrology). The span of the Sun’s monthly sankranti extends from twelve hours or one-half zodiacal degree before and after the Sun’s exact ingress into the new sign. So for example, for those in the EST zone, the sankranti period spans from 11:14 AM Sunday, February 12, to 11:14 AM Monday, February 13.

During the Sun’s sankranti periods, we should be extra mindful to avoid losing our way, either figuratively or literally. We should protect our health during these times, too. We should avoid beginning an action such as starting a job or new program of study, making a significant purchase, establishing a new business venture, getting engaged or married, or so on.

This is because the Sun is the soul of the world and the vitality of everything in life. The Sun needs to be strong when we set anything new into motion if we want that matter to have positive lasting results. Because the Sun's energy during sankrantis is transitional and on the edge of change, it it is considered to be “weak.” What we set into motion on sankrantis may not have the expected outcome. On the other hand, these are great periods for inner reflection and maintaining the status quo.

Mahashivrati: Celebrating the Great Night of Shiva

As the Sun moves into a fixed sign like Aquarius, this is considered an auspicious time when Lord Vishnu comes down and walks among us to bless the world with a fresh dose of new purpose and stability. Aquarius is also the sign of spiritual rebirth. The Sun, representing Shiva, the Divine Self within, will join the Moon and Saturn in Aquarius at the New Moon on February 20.

On February 18-19, the day before the New Moon, we will have Mahashivratri, the Great Night of Shiva. Each month of the year on the night before the New Moon, yogis celebrate Shiva’s Night, known as Shivratri. This is a time for deep contemplation and inner quiet, a time to journey within and bask in the true inner light that exists beyond the world of form. Mahashivratri is the most potent of all the Shivratris. It occurs on the day before the New Moon in Aquarius in either February or March every year.

Shiva is many things to many people. For me, Shiva represents a peaceful spiritual awareness of inner freedom through my personal relationship with Divine Oneness. The Great Night of Shiva takes place in (sidereal) Aquarius because Lord Shiva presides over this astrological sign. Aquarius is symbolized by the Water Bearer who pours forth the “water of life,” known as kundalini shakti, the essence of spiritual power, wisdom, purity,  peace, and rebirth.

The immortal rishis of India understood that the days around the New Moon in Aquarius are a special time for connecting with the inner light of Shiva. Physiological and bio-energetic processes can become activated through spiritual practices like chanting and meditation.

This is related to the Sun and the Moon alignment that takes place not only “up there” in the heavens but also “down here” in our sublime energetic systems. This year, the conjunction will be strengthened and enhanced by the presence of Saturn (the ruler of Aquarius). Saturn worships Shiva, and his presence in Aquarius this year represents an exponential force of transformative power around Mahashivratri and the New Moon that follows.

The alignment of the Sun and Moon (Shiva and Shakti) is profound in Aquarius, the sign of higher wisdom through which kundalini shakti streams so powerfully. It is a brilliant time for contemplation and reflection, when we can tap into deep recesses of spiritual power that can help us clear out any outmoded notions and patterns. This is also a time to recharge your body-mind-spirit to set the stage for new intentions and possibilities for the near future.

Oh you the creator, you the destroyer, you who sustain and make an end,

Who in sunlight dance among the birds and the children at their play,

Who at midnight dance among corpses in the burning grounds,

You Shiva, you dark and terrible Bhairava,

You Suchness and Illusion, the Void and All Things,

You are the lord of life, and therefore I have brought you flowers;

You are the lord of death, and therefore I have brought you my heart—

This heart that is now your burning ground.

Ignorance there and self shall be consumed with fire.

That you may dance, Bhairava, among the ashes.

That you may dance, Lord Shiva, in a place of flowers,

And I dance with you. (Aldous Huxley)