Vedic Astrology Forecast for May 14 to 21, 2023

Mother's Day, Mercury Stationing Direct, Exalted New Moon, and Other Exciting Events

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.

May 14: Happy Mother’s Day - Celebrating Mothers and the Mothering Principle in All of Nature

Mother's Day is observed in America every year on the second Sunday of May, and this year it will occur on May 14. This is a time to honor mothers and all mother figures — those who are still with us and those who have gone to Heaven.

Mother’s Day is also a time to celebrate the receptive and nurturing qualities that allow us to care for one another and our world. According to a Buddhist concept, we should honor all beings on Mother’s Day because all of us have been reincarnating as mothers to one another throughout eons of lifetimes.

I always choose to honor the Divine Mother on Mother’s Day. She represents the mothering principle in all of nature, the power of love and the nourishing force that creates and sustains all of life.

The Divine Mother is so beautiful! But remember, in Her higher manifestation even that beauty is formless. She is in everything. Her divine, compassionate love is expressed in the raindrops. Her beauty is reflected in the colors of the rainbow. She offers fresh hope to mankind with the rose-tinted clouds at dawn. Above all, be ever conscious of Her presence in your heart. (Paramahansa Yogananda)

”Art by Josephine Wall, "Earth Angel"

May 14-15: Mercury Stationing Direct - Time to Begin Creating Something New in Our Lives

Mercury will station direct at 11 degrees and 40 minutes of Aries on Sunday, May 14 in North and South America (at 11:17 PM Eastern Time), and on Monday May 15 throughout the rest of the world. Use the World Time Buddy to convert this to your time zone if different.

This marks a time to begin creating something new in our lives, though it may be best to wait until the New Moon on May 19 to actually set your new project in motion. When Mercury stations direct, it will be transiting at the midpoint of Saturn and Venus. This can suggest a turning point related to an interpersonal or financial matter. This may be a reality check or some other kind of reckoning, a need to answer the call of duty, or a decision to take up a pressing new responsibility.

May 15 to June 15: The Sun Transits in Taurus - Celebrations and Spiritual Significance

On May 15 at 2:14 AM Eastern Time (6:14 AM UTC), a few hours after Mercury stations direct, the Sun will transit into Taurus. The Sun will remain in this sign until June 15.

Every three months, the Sun transits into one of the fixed signs (sthira rashi), which are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. According to Tamil astrology, the day when the Sun comes into one of these signs is called Vishnupati, the embodiment of Lord Vishnu who upholds the divine creation and all the laws within it. Lord Vishnu and the fixed signs share similar qualities of stability, perseverance, and sustenance.

Vishnu Surrounded by His Avatars, By Raja Ravi Varma

The Sun represents our confidence, will, life force, determination, and purpose. On the day when the Sun transits into a fixed sign, Lord Vishnu is said to come down among us to offer a stabilizing force in the world. It's a good time to pray for more of what we want to see within ourselves and in our life.

In Vedic astrology, the day when the Sun enters the Taurus constellation is also known as Vrishabha Sankranti. It is an important celebration in many parts of India and within Vedic culture.

On this date, prayers will be offered for ancestors and family members, and propitiation made for a prosperous and happy life. Pujas will be performed in temples according to specific muhurta times, holy baths will be taken, many will observe fasts, and cows will be offered to Brahmins for donations (this is known as godan).

The symbolism of Vrishabha Sankranti is connected to fertility and abundance (the cow). This day is also associated with the divine bull Nandi, Lord Shiva's vahana (Shiva’s mount or vehicle). Nandi represents spiritual protection, blessings, power, virility, joy, and delight.

Murti/statue of Shiva's sacred bull, Nandi, at Haidakhan Babaji ashram, Chilianola

Note that Vrishabha, the Sanskrit name for Taurus, means "bull", which is a symbol deeply related to solar energies. Vrishabha Sankranti is thus associated with determination, strength, and, of course, life-giving power. Thus, great spiritual significance is associated with this holy day when devotees pray for the eternal Light of God to bring salvation.

May 15-19: The Deeply Waning Balsamic Moon Phase - Time To Pause, Reflect, Let Go, Heal, and Reconnect with the Inner Light

The Balsamic Moon phase begins late on May 15 when the Moon begins transiting within 45 degrees behind the Sun. The term "balsamic" refers to the healing energy generated in this lunar period. This is the time of the month when we are meant to pause, reflect, let go, and heal. It is an opportune time to clear our energy systems and our physical environments (including clearing clutter).

The Balsamic Moon phase is also quite conducive to meditation. The inner Light is highly accessible now and has the innate power to bring us back to harmony in body, mind, and spirit. This will prepare us for new beginnings that will come around the New Moon on May 19.

May 19: Saturn Jayanti, Vat Savitri Vrat, and the Exalted New Moon - A Time for Spiritual Rituals, Rapid Changes, and New Beginnings

May 19 is Shani Jayanti, the birthday of Shani Dev (Saturn), the lord of truth and karma. Prayers, pujas, and other rituals are traditionally performed in honor of Shani Dev on this special day, according to a variety of Vedic traditions.

May 19 also coincides with the Vedic tradition of Vat Savitri Vrat. On this day, married women in North Indian Vedic culture perform prayers and rituals on behalf of the well-being and long life of their husbands. In South India, Vat Savitri Vrat is celebrated 15 days later at the full Moon (June 3 this year).

The New Moon will occur on Friday, May 19, at 11:53 AM Eastern Time (3:53 PM UTC). New Moon prayers and rituals may be performed at this time or afterward. (Convert this time on the World Time Buddy if you are in a different time zone). The New Moon is a cosmic reset that happens every month, a time to reconnect with our inner creative power and sow new seeds of intention that we want to see growing in our lives.

The New Moon will occur in conjunction with the Sun at four degrees of Taurus in Krittika nakshatra, where the Moon is exalted (strong). The Moon in Krittika nakshatra means it is an especially favorable time for fire ceremonies. This is also a good time to make rapid changes, such as deciding on and beginning a new course of action.

The New Moon in Taurus gives the capacity for great courage, and it supports all kinds of efforts and new beginnings. The Moon will also occur in the Aquarius navamsa which is altruistic, visionary, and futuristic. This adds an extra nice touch to an already lovely New Moon on the occasion of Shani Jayanti.

May 20: Mars in Opposition with Pluto, Potential Upheaval and Revolt

On May 20, Mars in Cancer will oppose Pluto in Capricorn. Using a three-degree effective orb of influence, the opposition will be in place from May 15 to 26. These two planets aspect in this way every two years but not in the same area of the zodiac. This time may be more significant than usual as Pluto is in conjunction with natal Pluto in the United States birth chart (Pluto Return).

This combination of Mars in Cancer opposite Pluto in Capricorn can have a violent, warlike, ruthless, or brutal expression, and can represent upheaval and revolt. This combination last occurred in June 2021 in the axis of Cancer and Capricorn. Before that, it occurred in the 1700s during the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolution. Before that, this combination occurred in the 1500s during the Protestant Reformation.

Conclusion and a Personal Note

As you can see, we have another exciting week ahead. The end of Mercury's retrograde period and the Sun's transit into Taurus may provide the world with some calm and uplifting energy. In addition, the exalted New Moon will give us an opportunity to begin new projects and move forward in our lives. 

On a personal note, I wanted to update everyone about the impersonator issue that I was dealing with a few weeks ago. As I described in a previous post, a bad actor created a fake Instagram account using my name and photographs. This person was contacting my followers and asking them to schedule readings. 

Once I described this issue on my Substack, many of you sent me kind messages and reported this account to Instagram. I am so touched and honored by your support! At this point, I believe that this account has been taken down, and the impersonator is no longer using my name and images to contact people. If you would like to follow me, this is my real and authentic Instagram account:

astralharmony

A post shared by Juliana Haynes Swanson | Vedic Astrology (@astralharmony)

I wish you a great week ahead! May the Divine Mother bless the entire universe with unconditional love and compassion. And may this week’s beautiful New Moon bring positive energy into the world for all beings.

You are what your deepest desire is. As is your desire, so is your intention. As is your intention, so is your will. As is your will, so is your deed. As is your deed, so is your destiny. (Wisdom from the Upanishads)