Vedic Astrology Forecast for May 7 to 14, 2023

Mercury Retrograde, Waning Gibbous Moon, Mars Enters Cancer, U.S. Pluto Return, Remedial Measures to Balance Our Fire Energy, and Other Exciting Updates

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 7 to 14: Mercury Retrograde and A Waning Gibbous Moon - Time for Realignment, Inspiration, and Visions

Mercury will continue its retrograde cycle for one more week, during which time we will be completing the inner alchemical realignment that began when Mercury stationed retrograde on April 21. The week also begins with a waning gibbous Moon occurring in the wake of the full Moon/lunar eclipse of Friday, May 5. The intense and potentially violent energies of the full Moon and eclipse will continue to resonate through Monday.

On a positive note, this lunar phase can be an opportune time to access and express our inspiration and vision. The less positive manifestation of this phase can be a feeling of cognitive dissonance, conflict with others, or alienation.

As the Moon continues to wane throughout the rest of this week, we will move into the disseminating lunar phase. This is a good time to share our knowledge and ideas, or to take a stand for ourselves or for an important cause. However, some can become fanatical or aggressive during this lunar cycle.

May 6 to 8: The Debilitated Moon in Sensitive Scorpio

Conflict and alienation are more likely to become themes as the Moon will be transiting in its debilitated sign of Scorpio from May 6 to 8. Other effects could be hypersensitivity and heightened emotion.

May 9: Uranus Conjoins the Sun - Shocks and Surprises are Possible

On May 9, Uranus and the Sun will conjoin in the action-oriented sign of Aries at around 25 degrees. They are in a three-degree effective orb of influence from May 6-12. When Uranus and the Sun are in conjunction, and depending on other influences, their effect can suggest willfulness, a lack of caution, attention-seeking behavior, unconventional action, breakthroughs, or dramatic turning points.

Every year in April or May, the Sun and Uranus conjoin, but their sign and nakshatra positions change year to year. This year they are coming together in Aries (where Uranus is transiting from 2016-2025). Uranus in Aries, especially when triggered by aspects with the Sun or other planets like Pluto, Mars, or the lunar nodes, represents rugged individualism, a sense of daring and adventure, but can also be temperamental, explosive, impulsive, or fanatical.

This year, the Uranus-Sun conjunction occurs in the intense Bharani nakshatra in Scorpio navamsa. Here the energy can be extreme or aggressive. It can also be creative, though erratic at times. We might experience shocks and surprises around this conjunction, possibly some unexpected news regarding an important authority figure, or a violent or warlike event. The last time the Sun and Uranus came together in this exact area of the zodiac was on May 10, 1940, when Germany invaded Western Europe during World War II.

May 10: The Moon Conjoins Pluto - Activating Events Related to the United States Pluto Return

The transiting Moon will conjoin transiting Pluto on May 10. When the transiting Moon conjoins Pluto each month, it also conjoins Pluto in the United States chart. This is because Pluto has returned to its natal place in the United States chart, known as the Pluto Return, which is in place throughout 2023 and 2024. I wrote about this event in a previous article, and will be speaking about it more at the Future of Astrology Conference in Dallas next month in early June.

The Pluto Return points to the growing intensification of political, economic, and social upheaval in the United States and elsewhere around the world. The monthly transit of the Moon with Pluto activates developments related to the Pluto Return.

Besides the monthly lunar trigger to the Pluto Return, a more complex astrological pattern is also occurring involving Pluto and the United States Rahu-Saturn dasha, both of which are being activated by the transiting lunar nodes (and current eclipses), and by the concurrent transits of Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury, and Mars.

This astrological pattern speaks to the fallout from detrimental geopolitical, social, and monetary government policies. This has led to the economic chaos unfolding now, with more and more regional bank failures (which will likely continue for some time), along with mounting debt, out of control spending, growing inflation, a looming credit crunch, and a cycle of de-dollarisation in which the rest of the world is reducing its reliance on the the United States dollar as the reserve currency.

Some suggest that the bank failures which began in early March are part of a sinister agenda of central bank consolidation, which will eventually open the door to a government issued and surveilled CBDC (central bank digital currency). This could be issued as part of a “government debt jubilee” and would then be used as a form of greater control, because as Henry Kissinger once said, “Who controls money controls the world.”

May 10 to June 30: Mars Transits in Cancer - More Potential to Feel Frustration, Powerlessness, and Guilt

As I explained in my monthly forecast, Mars will transit in Cancer from May 10 to June 30. The entry of Mars into Cancer will break the current agitated planetary exchange (mutual reception) between Mars in Gemini and Mercury in Aries, which has been going on for some time.

Mars transits in Cancer every two years, and this is one of the weakest sign transits for Mars. As Mars moves through this sign, we may experience imbalances in the fire element. For some, this can express itself as a sense of powerlessness, frustration (or even anger), and loss of confidence.

This transit can also bring up inertia, difficulty concentrating, low energy, obsession, impulsivity, forcefulness, digestive issues, and unresolved shame or guilt. Some will experience these issues more than others during this transit. It depends on the birth chart, progressed cycles, the house where the transit is occurring, and also on one’s natural tendencies and current life situation and condition.

In the mundane sphere, Mars transiting in its weakest sign of Cancer may point to serious economic woes, including new concerns about the cooling commercial and residential real estate markets. This is because Mars rules the economy as well as real estate.

Mars in Cancer may also suggest intense political subterfuge, as well as fires, heat waves, severe storms, and catastrophic flooding. The last time that Mars transited in Cancer was from June 1 to July 20, 2021, during severe flooding disasters in China and Europe, an exceptionally severe fire season in California, the hottest June on record in the United States, and the hottest July on record in the world.

Flood of the Geul in the centre of Valkenburg aan de Geul, Netherlands, July 2021

May 13: The Moon Conjoins Saturn - Time for Caution and Duty

On Saturday, May 13, the waning Moon will conjoin transiting Saturn in Aquarius in Shatabhisha nakshatra. If you are up before daybreak, look for the Moon and Saturn which will appear together low in the southeast sky.

The psychological tone of a Saturn-Moon conjunction may be introverted, cautious, serious, focused, and dutiful. These celestial bodies conjoin in Aquarius and Shatabhisha, and as it will be Saturn’s day (Saturday), this should represent an especially productive time to get organized and attend to important matters and projects.

It may be a pleasant time to work or study in seclusion, or to attend to one’s elders. This day can also be an especially opportune time for studying Jyotish (Vedic astrology) or for practicing a healing system. You may also decide to stargaze on Saturday night. I say this because Shatabhisha nakshatra is the main nakshatra ruling astrology, healing, and stargazing.

Some Remedial Suggestions (Upayas) to Help Balance Your Fiery Mars Energy

Here follow some of my recommendations to help balance Mars and enhance the fire element during the Mars in Cancer transit. Of course, these are general recommendations. The exact remedies that work for you will depend on your birth chart, the dasha you are currently in, your constitution and living environment, and many other factors.

I offer personalized birth chart readings. During a professional consultation, I can provide you with detailed recommendations that are tailored to your exact situation, including herbal remedies, supplements, mantras, and other lifestyle tools that might be best for you.

One: Perform Moderate Exercise

As Mars loves physical activity, any type of moderate exercise can help balance its energy. This includes martial arts, aerobic exercise, or strength training, including energizing exercises like Hatha Yoga, Tai Chi, or Qigong (Chi Gong).

In regard to the latter, my friend Sue Ann McKean recently shared her Spring Qigong video with me. She is a fellow Jyotishi and an Aikido Sensei, and very generously and freely shares her Qigong videos with the public, so feel free to check this one out! In the beginning of the video, she speaks about how the fire energy can go off balance as the yang energy rises in the spring season, which we are in now in the northern hemisphere.

With respect to Hatha Yoga, I find asanas that twist the midsection to be very helpful for the fire element.

Revolved Easy Pose, Yogapedia

Additionally, the Polarity Yoga exercise known as the Wood-chopper can balance the third chakra (manipura), the seat of the fire element where our Mars energy resides. This exercise ignites the fire principle and also offers a healthy release for anger, stagnation, or frustration.

You can see how to do the Wood-chopper here on the Digital Dr. Stone website. Ten or fifteen repetitions would be good to do at one time. Make sure to bend your knees and make the loud “HA” sound from deep in your abdomen as you swing your arms down between your legs. Avoid doing this exercise if you have lower back issues.

Two: Honor Yourself, Embrace Self-Worth, and Create Healthy Boundaries

You can also balance Mars' energy by honoring yourself, embracing your self-worth, and creating healthy emotional boundaries. Mars represents the “courage of our convictions,” so it is also important in this cycle to make sure that we are acting in alignment with our values and commitments.

Three: Go Outside

Spend a lot of time outdoors enjoying the beautiful scenery of nature.

Four: Arise Early in the Morning and Take in the Early Morning Sunlight

Rise early every day to watch the sunrise and take in the vitality of the Sun, and if you can be outside in it for at least 20 minutes, that is the best. Early morning unfiltered full-spectrum sunlight can rejuvenate the eyes and improve brain function, which can improve the overall nervous system, hormonal regulation, muscle function, and immune health. These benefits are in large part an expression of a balanced and healthy fire element.

Five: Light Incense and Candles

Burn fires, or incense and candles. I find that naturally scented eucalyptus, rosemary, and citrus oils or candles are especially beneficial to activate and balance fire energy. I also like frankincense, juniper, cedarwood, or camphor incense for this purpose.

Six: Use Impatiens Flower Essence

You may decide to use Impatiens Flower Essence if you feel frustrated, impatient, or irritable. Or even better, consult with a flower essence practitioner and receive a special combination formula for your unique needs.

Eight: Use Red Coral Gem Elixir

Red Coral Gem Elixir is very helpful for enhancing and balancing Mars and the fire element. I am a distributor of Planetary Gem Elixirs made by Dr. Lilli Botchis and do highly recommend these particular elixirs as agents of lasting change.

Taking the Red Coral Planetary Gem Elixir is a very gentle way to balance Mars' energy. You may benefit from taking it if you are experiencing mistrust or are lacking focus and the ability to follow through.

This elixir may also help you if you are experiencing procrastination, fear, sadness, depression, ungroundedness, worry, or an absence of joy. You may also decide to take this elixir if you feel a strong lack of love, support, self-worth, and abundance. You can read all about all the Planetary Gem Elixirs and buy them on my website.

Nine: Mantras, Prayers, and Pujas

Mantras, prayers, and pujas may be recited and offered to the planet Mars, or to Shri Bagalamukhi, Tripura Bhairavi, Lord Hanuman, or to Lord Narasimha, all of whom represent Mars. Additionally, prayers may also be made to Archangel Michael who corresponds with Mars according to Vedic astrology.

Ten: Meditation is the Ultimate Remedy

Finally, meditation is one of the most important astrological remedies for all times and all astrological conditions. My guruji Paramahansa Yogananda taught a system of Kriya Yoga meditation that begins with bodily relaxation to bring stillness, which is then followed by concentration techniques to remove the restless motion from the mind. Meditation will eventually lead to a deep connection with divine consciousness, which offers the greatest power of energization, protection, harmony, grace, and blessing in the whole Universe.