June 2023 Vedic Astrology Forecast

Welcoming the Sacred Turning Point of the Year

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.

“And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days.” (James Russell Lowell)

June is the sacred turning point of the year and the first month of summer in the northern hemisphere! It may be a gentler time for us astrologically than in previous months, and how welcome that would be. And also how fitting, as June is the sweetest month most extolled by poets. This is the prime of the year when the spring season’s tide overflows with joyful abandon. The glorious Sun will appear at its height during this month of ripening strawberries, blooming roses, fireflies, diamond showers, warm breezes, and hopeful hearts.

May 29 to June 2: The Sun’s Annual Conjunction with Aldebaran - A Renewed Sense of Clarity and Purpose

Every year from May 29 to June 2, the Sun conjoins the fixed star Aldebaran, the Red Eye of the Bull. This star is the thirteenth brightest in the sky, and its diameter is 45 times that of our Sun! It is located at 15 degrees and 55 zodiacal minutes in sidereal Taurus. Aldebaran is known as the Eye of God, the Eye of Illumination, and the Eye of Revelation.

Significant events often happen around the conjunction, such as the birth of President John F. Kennedy in 1917. The Sun and Aldebaran were also conjunct during the first ascent of Mount Everest by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary in 1953, and the first docking of the Space Shuttle Discovery at the International Space Station in 1999.

Unfortunately, political or economic crises as well as accidents and natural or human-made disasters have often occurred around this conjunction. This conjunction also frequently coincides with Memorial Day Weekend in the United States, the unofficial beginning of summer season which is celebrated on the last Monday of May (May 29 this year).

Aldebaran acts a lot like Mars in astrology. As one of the four royal fixed stars or guardians of the sky, Aldebaran is the abode of Archangel Michael. Michael was the first angel created by God, and is known as the armor of God and the leader of all the heavenly armies.

Carrying a great sword of light, Michael is the embodiment of courage, truth and protection. We can call on Michael anytime and especially around this conjunction to release us from negativity and help us feel a renewed sense of vitality, direction, clarity, and purpose.

May 30: Venus Enters Cancer and Conjoins Mars Through Most of June - Focus on Family, Stability, and Security

Venus will transit in Cancer for an extended transit from May 30 and through all of June. Using a ten-degree orb, Venus will conjoin Mars in Cancer from June 2 to June 30.

In its highest expression, Venus in Cancer is kind, loving, sensitive, emotionally open, and constructive in communication. This combination shows up in the charts of several clients as well as public figures in my database. These individuals are all characteristically conservative, ethical, cautious, frugal, prudent, and dignified.

This is because Cancer is the sign which values safety, tradition, home, and family. Thus, Venus and Mars together in Cancer can be quite passionate about guarding personal, national, and family sovereignty and security. This transit of Mars with Venus in Cancer in June will likely activate some intense reactions and concerns regarding these matters.

In its lower expression, especially when Venus conjoins Mars, which is weak (debilitated) in Cancer, this transit can point to a tendency for emotional upheaval, quarrels, or digestive disturbances. In the mundane sphere, flooding, water accidents, and issues with finances and real estate are also a possibility.

Keep in mind that a thorough assessment of the astrological birth chart would be required to understand more about the unique individual influence of this transit. During a personalized reading, I will provide you with a deep analysis of your chart and an explanation of the potential impact of this transit. You can book a reading with me here:

June 3-4: Full Moon in Scorpio - Opening the Way to Summer Season

The full Moon will occur on June 3 at 11:42 PM Eastern Time (June 4 at 3:42 AM UTC). Use the World Time Buddy to convert the time if it is different where you are. The lunation will occur at 19 degrees in the deep-feeling Scorpio constellation, in the profound and insightful Jyestha nakshatra, and in the playful and aspiring navamsa of Sagittarius. The combination of these two contrasting signs can have a poignant and arousing quality similar to the essence that bubbles forth at the beginning of summer season.

This will be the last full Moon of the spring season in the northern hemisphere (and the last of the fall season in the southern hemisphere). This is the time (in the northern hemisphere) when various berries begin to ripen. Thus, it is known as the Strawberry Moon or the Berries Ripen Moon. Roses are bursting forth in bloom now too, and so it is known as the Rose Moon according to certain European traditions. A full Moon, berries ripening, and roses blooming — who can think of anything lovelier and more magical?

In the Vedic tradition, this full Moon is known as Jyestha Purnima, and is celebrated as Vat Savitri Vat in South India. This event is a fasting, bathing, and puja period of several days in which wives make propitiation for the benefit of their husbands and their families.

In the days around a full Moon, we need to take care as our mental and emotional processes can become agitated. During this time, we should focus on perfecting, integrating, analyzing, contemplating, and tying up loose ends in preparation for the completion of this lunar cycle. Light will be increasing now, so we can access a good deal of courage and power for healing, love, manifestation, and creation.

June 4: Mercury Conjoins Uranus in Aries - Creative Insights and Revolutionary Ideas, or Disputes and Rash Behavior

Mercury conjoins Uranus every year, but the sign position of their conjunction changes each time. This year they will come together at 26 degrees of Aries in Bharani naksahtra and Scorpio navamsa, where the energy can be intense or aggressive. This can lead to disputes, upsets, or rash behavior, so this might be an especially good day to “mind the mind.” On a higher note, this conjunction can activate new perceptions, creative insights, and even revolutionary ideas and actions.

June 7 to 24: Mercury Will Transit in Taurus - Increased Creativity, Focus, and Energy

Since March 9, Mercury has been transiting in Aries , the sign of its enemy Mars. In this sign, Mercury has been caught up in the eclipse axis. It was also retrograde from April 21 to May 14.

We will start to see some improvements once Mercury finally leaves Aries and moves into Taurus (June 7). However, first it will need to pass the unstable cusp of Aries and Taurus, which it will have done by June 8. Mercury will remain in Taurus until June 24. Mercury in Taurus is in the sign of its friend Venus. Here, Mercury can be quite creative, intelligent, focused, happy, balanced, generous, refined. In this sign, Mercury also has excellent communication skills.

Mercury’s greatest western elongation occurred on May 29. This was when Mercury was furthest from sunrise. After this, Mercury will begin to brighten quickly so that you will be able to see it in the eastern sky before sunrise. It will be moving very fast in June, close to its maximum speed (over 2 degrees a day). At this point, Mercury will appear to move much faster than the Sun.

As Mercury is speeding along, our minds will be more energetic, eager, inspired, full of vision, and future oriented. This is so especially in the first three weeks of June. After this point, Mercury will start to come closer to the Sun again, after which Mercury will slip away from view in the early morning sky during its combustion cycle, when we may encounter some aggravations with travel or communication.

June 15 to July 16: The Sun Will Transit in Gemini - A Time for Fun, Creativity, and Connection

The Sun will transit from Taurus into Gemini on June 15 at 8:46 AM Eastern Time (12:46 PM UTC). It will remain in this sign until July 16. The half-day on either side of the Sun’s Gemini ingress is a sensitive time (sankranti) when we should be mindful in order to avoid losing our way. The sankranti is not a time to initiate any new actions, but is a good time to focus on staying steady.

The Sun in Gemini can be playful, versatile, curious, creative, and communicative. Although the exact effect of this transit depends on the house in which Gemini falls in a natal horoscope, in general this can be a lighthearted time. During this transit, many people can become very busy and more interested in having fun, traveling, socializing, learning, or engaging in business matters. The downside can be a tendency for restlessness, impatience, or criticism.

The day that the Sun enters Gemini is called Mithuna Sankranti in the Vedic tradition. In certain parts of India, Mithuna Sankranti marks the start of the joyful monsoon season. In the Odisha area, it is a celebration for the worship of Mother Earth.

June 17 to November 4: Saturn Will Retrograde - An Important Time to Reevaluate, Modify, and Refine Our Commitments

Saturn will station retrograde on June 17 at 1:28 PM Eastern Time (5:28 PM UTC). It will remain retrograde for almost five months, until November 4. It will be transiting at 13 degrees Aquarius when it stations retrograde, and will be transiting at 6 degrees Aquarius when it stations direct on November 4.

Saturn is the lord of Vayu, the wind or air element, and in the ten days before and after Saturn stations retrograde or direct, we may experience extreme mood shifts, anxiety, shocks and surprises, intense meteorological (air and weather) patterns, or seismic events. The latter are also most common near solstices (around June 21).

Saturn represents the focus, discipline, and determination we need to face problems and reorganize our lives in order to make improvements. As the planet of Truth, Saturn (especially when retrograde) helps us face the truth which includes the karmic consequences of our past.

Saturn’s lessons are not always easy, but Saturn is of great benefit when we are open to learning from our mistakes, working hard, and overcoming our personal weaknesses. Saturn’s retrograde cycle is an important time to reevaluate, modify, and refine our commitments.

For most of Saturn’s retrograde period, it will be transiting in Shatabhisha nakshatra, which spans from 6 degrees 20 minutes to 20 degrees of Aquarius. If you have any important chart points in this area, they are being activated and awakened by the manifestation power of Saturn this year.

The retrograde period of Saturn in Shatabhisha may reveal disgraceful information related to the corruption within the medical-industrial complex. It can also point to significant reforms and new developments in organizations and networks within all areas of industry, society, and government.

June 18: New Moon in Gemini and Mrigashira Nakshatra - Searching for More Nectar

The new Moon will occur on June 18 at 37 minutes after midnight Eastern Time (4:37 AM UTC). It will occur at 2 1/2 degrees of Gemini in Mrigashira nakshatra and Libra navamsa.

The theme of this new Moon revolves around the search for more fulfillment. Because Neptune will square the new Moon, this further suggests a time when we may need to release illusions, outworn ideas, and false expectations, and also to come to terms with disappointment or hurt about past events. Healing the heart chakra will be an especially beneficial practice during this lunation.

There could also be some strong sense of emptiness or uncertainty at this time, and an impulse to seek meaning or satisfaction outside oneself. But, new Moon periods are the time for recharging and focusing inward via healing and contemplative practices. In other words, we must connect within to find what we are seeking, especially during this particular new Moon season.

According to Vedic astrology, the day leading into this new Moon is called Ashadha Amavasya, and it occurs on Saturday, June 17 this year. It is a day particularly suited to ancestral healing rituals. Check the Drik Panchang for more about it.

Wednesday, June 21: The Solstice - A Time for Spiritual Attunement and Communion with Nature

The solstice will occur on Wednesday, June 21, at 10:58 AM Eastern Time (2:58 PM UTC). This will be summer solstice in the northern hemisphere, and winter solstice in the southern. According to meteorologists, June 1 is the first day of summer and August 31 is the last. But astronomically, the first day of summer is on the summer solstice.

In classical Muhurta (Vedic electional astrology), we are advised not to initiate anything that we want to be of lasting value three days before, the day of, and three days after a solstice. This is instead a very special time for deep spiritual attunement, time spent in nature, and rituals that support inner growth, healing, and transformation.

I will be writing much more about the solstice later in June. It looks to be a beautiful Midsummer Night with a brilliant conjunction of Venus, Mars, and the waxing crescent Moon.

June 24 to July 8: Mercury will Transit in Gemini - Challenges with Communication, Travel, and Business

From June 24 to July 8, Mercury will be speeding close to the Sun (combust). Mercury and the Sun will come to their exact superior conjunction (known as Cazimi) on July 1. Mercury’s combust cycle can hamper communication, the mind’s rational thought processes, travel, trading, and commerce.

When Mercury is combust in Gemini, we may experience conflict, indecision, arguments, restlessness, breathing ailments, anxiety, and poor decision making. Retrograde Saturn in Aquarius will trine Mercury during this transit which can contribute to occupational difficulties but also may add some helpful counterbalance to the potential impulsiveness and erratic thinking of the combust Mercury in Gemini.

Other important dates:

• On June 14, the Moon and Jupiter will conjoin at 11 degrees of Aries in the magical Ashwini nakshatra. This conjunction can indicate an action-oriented day and a particularly festive mood.

• On June 16, the Moon will conjoin Mercury at 16 degrees of Taurus conjunct the fixed star Aldebaran. This can point to a public health matter or various kinds of personal or national upheaval or even calamitous events.

• From June 30 to August 18, Mars will transit in Leo. It will cross the potentially fiery and tumultuous gandanta (the one-degree edge between the water sign of Cancer and the fire sign of Leo) from June 29 to July 2, so these days may be especially sensitive and could indicate big storms or other various kinds of upheaval.

As you can see, June is shaping up to be a gentler month, with the Rose Moon, the Sun's transit into Gemini, and many other positive astrological events. Like many of you, I have felt the challenging energy of May, and I am looking forward to a more peaceful and lighter month. Are you particularly excited about any of the events that I've described? Let me know in the comments!

Glad, mad, and a bit sad too —
Face o' the rose in the eye of the sun;
God has dreamed and his work is done —
June's on the world, heigh-ho! (A Song Of The Sixth Month By William Stanley Braithwaite)

Please stay tuned for my Astral Harmony monthly calendar/planner that will be released on Thursday, June 1!