Vedic Astrology Forecast for 2023

Why the World Will Move at Lightning Speed from January 22 to April 22

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.

Happy New Year! We are about to experience an unprecedented level of new developments and transformation in 2023. My astrological forecast suggests that this could be a year of revolutionary societal change and extensive personal evolution. Multiple astrological factors throughout the year also point to significant challenging geopolitical events. 

Here are some of the main themes that will play out in the beginning months of 2023:

• January will begin at a slow pace, with Mercury, Mars, and Uranus retrograde for much of the month. 

• All these planets will go direct by January 22. From January 22 to April 22, the world will move at a lightning speed.

• As Mars stations direct on January 12, we will need to be extra careful to avoid accidents or arguments. 

• Mars will transit over Uranus in the United States chart in February, and then will move over a sensitive area in Gemini in March. These events may cause upheaval in politics, the economy, the workforce, transportation, and international affairs,

This is a detailed look at the astrological forecast for 2023:

January 1 to 18: Mercury Retrograde Signifies a Slow Start to the Year:

January will start out as a time of quiet and new beginnings, providing the perfect opportunity to reflect on how we want to improve our health and energy, and better manage our lives. January is also the time to refocus our priorities and set new goals. 

Because 2023 begins with a Mercury retrograde cycle, the first two-and-a-half weeks of January will be an opportune period for contemplation, review, and reorganization. It would be better to wait to confront someone or deal with a conflict after Mercury goes direct on January 18. Otherwise, there may be communication breakdowns, or worse.

After Mercury stations direct, we will also be ready to start moving forward. If you want more information about Mercury’s current retrograde cycle, please check out my previous article about it.

January 12: Mars Stations Direct, a Time to Avoid Accidents and Arguments

Mars will station direct at approximately 14 degrees of Taurus on January 12. Mars transited in conjunction with this portion of Taurus all the way back in early September (the beginning of its pre-retrograde shadow). Anyone whose natal chart is directly impacted by this aspect may have been caught up in something demanding or challenging since that time. As Mars finally stations direct and moves forward during the coming two months, any such issues may begin to resolve.

Momentous geopolitical events often occur around the time of a Mars direct station, and such events can also occur in our personal lives. Three to five days before, the day of, and the three to five days after a Mars direct station may be quite “sensitive” or fraught with aggravation or upset. During this time, we should be extra mindful and try to avoid accidents and altercations. 

Those who have Moon, Sun, or Ascendant in Aries or Scorpio, or those who are running Mars planetary cycles, might be most impacted by the Mars direct station. It should provide some fresh new energy to help us face and clear away any pressing inner or outer obstacles. Certain truths may start to come out into the open as Mars goes direct. Difficulties that we have been facing may start to subside and go in a new direction.

January 17: The End of Saturn's Transit In Capricorn Creates a Potentially Sensitive Time

Saturn is also making big moves as it transits through the last part of Capricorn in the coming few weeks and moves into Aquarius on January 17 (please see my previous article about this). The last few weeks of Saturn’s transit in any sign are often associated with violent or disturbing situations. During the last time that Saturn was transiting at the end of Capricorn, in February 1993, the World Trade Center was bombed by terrorists in New York City.

January 22: Uranus Stations Direct: Expect Dramatic and Shocking Eruptions

Uranus will station direct on January 22, at 21 degrees of Aries, after having been retrograde since August 24. When Uranus stations direct (and for about 10 days either side of this event), we should expect the unexpected. Uranus is transiting in warlike Aries in the fierce nakshatra of Bharani, suggesting some potential for dramatic or shocking “seismic eruptions” around this time, both metaphorically and literally.

January 22 to April 22: All the Planets Moving Direct, Causing the World to Move at Lightning Speed

We will begin the New Year with Mars, Mercury, and Uranus retrograde. All of these planets will station direct in January: Mercury on January 18, Mars on January 12, and Uranus on January 22.

After Uranus stations direct on January 22, we won’t have any retrograde planets until Mercury stations retrograde the next time on April 22. This means the whole world will move forward at lightning speed for three months, from January 22 to April 22. In order to harness this energy, we need to remain consistent, clear, and focused on meeting and achieving our goals.

February 9: Mars Transits with Uranus, Possibly Bringing Disruptive Events

Mars will transit in conjunction with natal Uranus in the United States birth chart on February 9, 2023 (and will be in an effective orb of contact for a week or so on either side of that date). This can bring disturbing events related to military matters, mass casualty events, workforce issues (as with mass layoffs), and/or public health matters.

March 12: Transiting Mars Crosses into Gemini, Potentially Activating Meltdowns and Reversals

Mars will transit into Gemini on March 12. Back on October 30, 2022, Mars stationed retrograde in the same area of early Gemini. I wrote extensively about this topic in a previous article. From March 1-24, transiting Mars will be within an effective orb of conjunction with the United States chart’s natal Mars, which occupies 1 degree and 26 minutes of Gemini in the 7th house.

As we have already seen recently, this transit of Mars could activate shocking meltdowns, revelations, debacles, and reversals in any of the following arenas: politics; stock markets; border issues; air and rail transport; auto industry; trade and commerce; economic affairs; educational institutions; international affairs; and media, journalism, communication systems, and information exchange.

With all that’s going on in the first four months of the new year, I think it is especially appropriate to offer salutations and prayers to the navagraha, the nine planets of Vedic astrology! May they be auspicious for all beings everywhere in 2023.

Namah Suryaya, Chandraya, Mangalaya, Budhayacha, Guru, Shukra, Shani, Raahave, Ketave Namah! — Salutations to the Navagraha — the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu!

Japaa Kusuma Sankasham, Kaashya Peyam Maha Dyutim, Tamo Arim Sarva Paapagh Nam, Pranatosmi Divaa Karam — I pray to the Sun, the day-maker, destroyer of all sins, the enemy of darkness, of great brilliance, the descendant of Kaashyapa, the one who shines like the japaa flower

Dadhi Shankha Tusha Raabham, Kshiiro Dhaarnava Sambhavam, Namaami Shashinam Somam, Shambor Mukuta Bhushanam — I pray to the Moon, who shines coolly like curds or a white shell, who arose from the ocean of milk, who has a hare on him, Soma, who is the ornament of Shiva’s hair

Dharani Garbha Sambhuutam, Vidyut Kanti Samaprabham, Kumaram Shakti Hastam Cha, Mangalam Prana Maa Myaham — I pray to Mars, born of Earth, who shines with the same brilliance as lightning, the young man who carries a spear

Priyangu Kalikaa Shyamam, Rupenaa Pratimam Budham, Sowmyam Sowmya Guno Petam, Tam Budham Prana Maa Myaham — I pray to Mercury, dark like the bud of millet, of unequaled beauty, gentle and agreeable

Devanaam Cha Rishii Namcha, Gurum Kanchana Sannibham, Buddhi Bhuutam Trilo Kesham, Tam Namami Bruha Spatim — I pray to Jupiter, the teacher of gods and rishis, intellect incarnate, lord of the three worlds

Hima Kunda Mruna Labham, Daityanam Paramam Gurum, Sarva Shastra Pravak Taram, Bhar Gavam Prana Maa Myaham — I pray to Venus, the ultimate preceptor of the asuras, promulgator of all learning, who shines like the fiber of snow-white jasmine

Neelaan Jana Sama Bhasam, Ravi Putram Yama Grajam, Chhaya Martanda Sambhutam, Tam Namaami Shanaish Charam — I pray to Saturn, the slow moving, born of Shade and Sun, the elder brother of Yama, offspring of the Sun, who has the appearance of black collyrium

Ardha Kaayam Mahaa Viiryan, Chandraa Ditya Vimar Dhanam, Sinhi Kaa Garbha Sambhutam, Tam Rahum Prana Maa Myaham — I pray to Rahu, having half a body, of great bravery, the eclipser of the Moon and the Sun, born of Simhikaa

Palasha Pushpa Sankaasham, Taarakaa Graha Mastakam, Rowdram Rowdraat Makam Ghoram, Tam Ketum Prana Maa Myaham — I pray to Ketu, who has the appearance of a palaasha flower, the head of stars and planets, fierce and terrifying

Iti Vyaasa Mukhodgiitam Yah Pateth Susa Maahitah, Divaa Vaa Yadi Vaa Raatrau Vighna Shaantir Bhavishhyati — Those who read this song by Vyaasa will be joyous, sovereign, and powerful, and will succeed in appeasing obstacles that occur by day or by night

Iti Shrii Vyaasa Virachitam Navagraha Stotram Sampoornam — Thus ends the song of praise of the nine planets composed by Shri Vyaasa muni.