At the outset, I want to send greetings to all in the auspicious Guru Purnima day. The world has been waiting with bated breath, if things are going to get better. Instead of a yes or no, let me take you through the journey of the planets. But one thing is clear that everyone must believe that there is hope. Write down positive things, say positive things, it is not over yet! Things will get only better. But keep your expectations realistic. The best time to find solutions is now- even though you may implement it at a later day. Why? Read on.

1. Jupiter is retrograde and is in Sagittarius: On June 30^th, Jupiter moved into Sagittarius from Capricorn and will be there till November 20^th.  Jupiter is in his own office where he is the boss! He is in the bhagyasthan. The past months have been very trying and a great number of people are in hopelessness, but with Jupiter in his house indicates that this is not the end. Jupiter’s transit in Sagittarius is auspicious this time and a good time to make a positive wish for one’s life. Till now it was getting a lot of malefic impact from Saturn and Ketu in Sagittarius. However, Saturn has now moved out of the house. But Jupiter will be still hemmed between Ketu and Saturn, but this Jupiter is very strong and will be there in Sagittarius till November. Jupiter that is retrograde is strong and is much closer to the Earth. On 13^th September, it goes direct and Ketu will also move out of Sagittarius (Mula Nakshatra) after 22^nd September. After that Jupiter will be itself in Sagittarius for two whole months. In this period, it is an auspicious time that helps you out of any problem you are in. It is not for nothing that Jupiter is your wise friend, a guru and takes the place as a father. This retrograde energy can help you internalise and understand problems. A fabulous time to introspect but perhaps not implement. Astrologers say that just feeling positive and feel the abundance causes the strengthening of our individual charts. And the reverse is also true. The next two months (July and August), are indeed important. Positive thinking is so important and we could adopt any path that leads us there. It is a time to ‘think before we think’. It is also important that we keep our expectations realistic and keep our hopes alive. The planets tell us that any path of spirituality will make our Jupiter strong. September will start giving results of your planning.

2. Guru Purnima / Full moon/ Lunar Eclipse: There was a lunar eclipse too on 5^th of July. The event was a penumbral eclipse, not a total lunar eclipse, meaning part of the moon will pass through the outer part of Earth’s shadow. The eclipse was visible from parts of North and South America, West Europe and parts of Africa.

Due to the Earth’s axial tilt, in the northern hemisphere the duration of the day increases in the first half of the year, gradually increasing the levels of sun’s rays available to the planet. As a result, the sun’s radiance reflected back by the moon also increases. This peaks during the summer solstice and then starts to decrease ushering in the winter season. This brings in the first full moon night after the longest day which is brightest.

As a consequence of the impact of the moon, the water element of the body – a major component of our physical constitution and aspect of our mind called Manas that is directly co-related to the moon are in a heightened state of receptivity. The spiritual significance of the day is immense as it is believed that it was on this day that Lord Shiva – who is also known as the Adi yogi transmitted the science of yoga to his seven disciples.

This full moon is also Guru Purnima or Vyasa Purnima. It is when Veda Vyasa who codified the four Vedas was born. The festival is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Ashadha (June–July) as it is known in the Hindu calendar. The Sanskrit root gu means darkness or ignorance, and ru denotes the remover of that darkness. So, a good time to remember the wise people in your circles. It is good to go outdoors and imbibe the energies and contemplate.

P.S:  It cannot be a coincidence that Guru Purnima falls when Jupiter is back in his own house!

ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय ।
तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।
मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

Om Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya |
Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya |
Mrtyor-Maa Amrtam Gamaya |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih |

From the Unreal lead me to the Real

From Darkness lead us onto light

From Death Lead us to Immortality.

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

3. Other transits : Mercury will go direct on July 12^th and Sun will start its Dakshinayana journey from 15^th July. Mars in Pisces may result in impulsive behaviour amongst people – and with Mercury in retrograde may result in explosive communication. So any ‘mercurial’ behaviour has to be avoided. But like mentioned earlier, it is a good time to introspect till and with the eclipse energy, it is better to delay important things till atleast the 12^th July. Confidence and our ability to navigate through a difficult time is paramount and guard against depression.