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 astrologers. All the astrological charts below are calculated according to the sidereal zodiac and Lahiri Ayanamsa.
We are once again in the waning crescent “Balsamic” Moon phase as the Moon is transiting within 45 zodiacal degrees before the Sun. This is the last lunar phase before the New Moon, which is known as Shukla Pratipada in Vedic astrology. The New Moon will occur on Saturday, August 27 at 4:17 AM EDT (8:17 AM UTC). You can use World Time Buddy to convert these times to your own time zone if it’s different
The current Balsamic Moon phase is the darkening “Dreamtime Moon” cycle. This is the period when we are meant to rest, retreat, let go, clean, cleanse, and clear out in preparation for the new lunar month ahead, which begins at the New Moon. Now and in the coming days, we should take some time out to tune in, gather wisdom and support, and create a sense of peace and balance.
The theme of “letting go” is very big this week also because we are in the last week of the meteorological summer season in the northern hemisphere, leading up to meteorological autumn which officially begins on September 1. There is some sensitivity and vulnerability in this movement from one season to another. Our fire energies can be out of balance as they are shifting over into the earth element, creating some potential frustration, aggression, or physical health issues.
The day before the New Moon is called the Amavasya Tithi. It begins around 2:55 AM EDT (6:55 AM UTC) on August 26. and lasts until the Sun and Moon come to their exact conjunction on the New Moon on August 27. Amavasya is the darkest time of the lunar month when our time is best spent in devotional and contemplative practices.
The Amavasya Tithi is ruled by the Pitris, which according to Vedic thought are the spirits of our departed ancestors as well as the divine ones who guide the evolution of humanity. The Amavasya Tithi on August 26 leads into the New Moon in Magha nakshatra, which is also the abode of the Pitris.
So, this is a particularly opportune time to propitiate and pay respect to the ancient ones, our ancestors and teachers who have gone before us and who continue to watch over and guide us now. And in two weeks after the New Moon, from September 10 to 25, the Pitru Paksha will be observed. This 16-day waning cycle of the Moon is when those of the Vedic faith make offerings and prayers to the ancestors.
Shani Amavasya will also occur on Saturday, August 27 in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. This occurs when the Amavasya Tithi is in place at sunrise on a Saturday. However, Shani Amavasya will not occur in North and South America as the Pratipada Tithi will be in place (not Amavasya) at sunrise in these areas.
Nonetheless, Shani Amavasya is a rare and auspicious day in the Vedic calendar when Hindu celebrants flock to temples to perform pujas and abhishekam to Shani Dev, Lord Saturn. Saturdays are always good days to worship Saturn, but this one is very significant.
Shani Amavasya is an extra-special day to honor one's ancestors (shradh or tarpan), and to make offerings and do mantras, pujas, and prayers to Lord Saturn. It is also a wonderful day to offer respect, service, and charity to the elderly and infirm, and to spend time in contemplation, and to commune with Mother Nature.
The New Moon will occur at approximately 10 degrees of sidereal Leo in Magha nakshatra on Saturday, August 27. This is a great time for spiritual and creative rituals that are best practiced at dawn and dusk (on Saturday August 27), at these liminal times when the New Moon rises and sets. This will be a wonderful time to commune with nature, connect within yourself, and set your intentions for the coming month.
The flavor of a Leo New Moon is generally affectionate, vivacious, generous, and inspirational. The Sun and Moon in the New Moon chart occupy the navamsa of Gemini within Magha nakshatra, at the anaretic 29th degree of Gemini! This suggests that it’s a good time for releasing or modifying certain attitudes and assumptions that no longer serve our best and highest good.
A Cardinal Grand Square (Cross) is prominent in the lunation chart formed by Venus in Cancer, Ketu in Libra, Saturn in Capricorn, and Rahu-Uranus in Aries. Variations of this same pattern have been in place since early July. This one will finally start to break up in September, though the less intense Cardinal T-square with Uranus and Rahu, Saturn, and Ketu will continue into December.
The Cardinal Grand Cross (and also to a lesser effect the upcoming T-square) can have an impetuous, aggressive, reckless, combative, and accident-prone quality. It also suggests various ongoing geopolitical crises at play. All of this is even more intensified because of the retrograde station of Uranus on August 24, a classic trigger for economic, social, seismic, meteorological, or political upheaval in the 10 days or so before and after its station.
Uranus will remain retrograde until January 22, 2023. During this time, it will move back from about 25 to 21 degrees Aries, and will be in conjunction with Rahu during the entire period. The results of this retrograde conjunction are typically defined as unstable and problematic. In Aries constellation and Bharani nakshatra, the conjunction tends to distort our fire element energy, which may result in more than the usual trials and tribulations, confusion, agitation, lethargy, and frustration. In order to navigate this “disturbance of the force,” we can benefit from health-promoting habits that cultivate spiritual awareness, clarity and peace of mind, patience, balance, focus, and strength of body-mind-spirit.
Finally, Mars in Taurus is in an exact square aspect with the Sun and Moon in the New Moon chart, which could represent some danger of extreme violence and accidents in the day of the New Moon, and the days around the New Moon. In the US chart, the malefic aspect occurs with Mars in 11th house and Sun-Moon in the 2nd house. This may signify the following in the coming days and month: fluctuations in financial markets; political unrest; and, divisive issues and fervent debate over heavy government expenditures, taxation, and the ongoing waste of public revenue, and so on.
How can we best use the energies of this lunar cycle to help us overcome the negative power of the world? Well, the heart-centered energy of Leo represents the powerful force of loving kindness, which can help us stand strong, create protective vibrations, and overcome our weaknesses.
The late Western astrologer Isabel Hickey said that one of Leo’s keywords is dominion…This does not refer to dominion over others, but rather, it means dominion over our own uncontrolled drives. As sign number ‘five’, Leo shows a need for order and harmony manifested through will and character...the greatest gift a Leo can bring to the world is an understanding heart.
Om. May peace radiate in the whole sky as well as in the vast ethereal space everywhere.
May peace reign all over this earth, in water and in all herbs, trees and creepers.
May peace flow over the whole universe.
May peace be in the Whole Universe.
And may there always exist in all peace and peace alone.
Om peace, peace and peace to us and all beings! (Translation by Swami Abhedananda, Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, India)