Waxing crescent Moon rising at Dawn signals end of Maha Shiva Ratri. In 2018 it was on February 14th (Photo by Sadman Sakib on Unsplash).

At the current point in the Earth’s precession (which is approximately a 26,000 year cycle), the Aquarian month occurs between February 13^th to March 14^th : the Sun appears to be in the Aquarian zodiac during this time. The Indian Almanac adjusts to account for this slow but steady precession, and accordingly adjusts the sky maps. These coincide with the sky maps drawn by NASA. Vedic Astrology uses these sky maps to assess impact of the configuration of gravitational fields implied in such maps, at any particular time, on individuals.

The Sun appears to transit from one zodiac sign to another as the Earth rotates around the Sun (every 12 months), in the Sun’s gravitational field. The Sun also appears to pull planets which are close to it: Mercury (revolves around the Sun in 88 Earth days), Venus[1] (224 Earth days) into the zodiac zone it is transiting in. So, for example, Mercury will be seen in Aquarius between February 15^th and March 2^nd, while Venus will be seen in Aquarius between February 6^th and March 1^st in 2018.

Meanwhile during the 2018 Aquarian month, Jupiter (16 years to  orbit the Sun) continues to appear in Libra (until mid-October 2018), Saturn (29 year orbit) in Sagittarius (until late January 2020) and the eclipse generating nodal axis (19 year orbit) in Cancer-Capricorn (until late March 2019). Mars (22.5 month orbit) will be seen in Scorpio until March 7^th, when it moves to Sagittarius.

Some Predictions for the Aquarian Month

The period between February 13^th and March 14^th will be generally positive for most ascendants. The ones who would need to be on the alert and take the opportunity to grow:

Cancer: There may be a combination of obstructions and chances for endings in this short period. Be patient and persistent to get over the obstructions. It is like being on an obstacle course, use it as practice for the longer term. You may also get a sense of some things that you may want to end, and that generally means time to explore opening new doors.

Virgo: A mix of conflicts, disturbances and health issues may arise. It may present an opportunity to learn how to respond best to the conflicting situations you find yourself in, even as you are feeling low energy or a bit unwell. Slowing down and yet being agile helps at these times to focus on what is happening.

Pisces: There is a potential for losses, if you find yourself in conflicting situations. This month is an opportunity to be low profile and inward facing. Spend more time on chanting, meditation and solitary walks, contemplative diary writing.

Astro Weather Watch

There is a small Astro squall likely from February 16^th to 23^rd, as Mars goes through a disturbed force field still present, and created around the nodal axis (I had indicated earlier here that this disturbance would be in place from mid-January to mid-March 2018, along the Cancer-Capricorn axis). Gemini, Libra and Aries may wish to keep a watch during the short period from Feb 16^th to 23^rd:

Aries: There may be a sense of mental tension and confusion during this short period, potentially giving rise to impulsive harmful actions. Exercise, meditate, sleep and try not to act in a way that you may regret in the longer run.

Gemini: Mentors may not be available when you feel you need support. Also, there may be some investment related losses. Slow down, be patient.

Sagittarius: Expect distance from children, creative pursuits and romance. Be patient, be available, especially to help children.

Do you know the Vedic Astrology ascendant in your birth chart? For a free birth chart, write to jayantkalawar@gmail.com with birth details (date, time, location).

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[1] Venus is the odd planet in the Solar system: the only one that rotates clockwise, around its own axis (all other planets, including Earth rotate anti-clockwise). Venus rotates very slowly – its takes 243 days to rotate around its own axis, which is greater than the 224 days it takes to revolve around the Sun.