Monthly Vedic Astrology Forecast

Lunar and Solar Eclipses June 10 - June 24

June 2002 holds a few points of astrological interest. There is a solar eclipse on June 10, also the day of the New Moon, which will be partially visible from most places in the U.S. For more information on this eclipse, click here. In addition, a full Moon lunar eclipse will occur on June 24. It is during eclipses that the much feared and oft misunderstood forces of Rahu and Ketu, the nodes of the Moon, come into play. The nodes of the Moon mark the points in space where the path of the Moon crosses the path of the ecliptic, and when the Sun and/or Moon conjuncts either Rahu or Ketu the possibility of at least partial eclipse is imminent. Rahu and Ketu represent forces in life that are uncontrollable, unexpected and often difficult. Because these points in space, referred to in ancient times as "the dragon's head and the dragon's tail," have the power to "swallow" the light of our two great luminaries, the Sun and the Moon, they represent sensitive points, astrologically. This month will see quite a bit of activity around these sensitive points. Rahu is now found in the sign of Taurus, and Ketu is found in Scorpio, and these nodes are always exactly opposite to one another.

The eclipse of June 10 will transit the 6th house of the United States. This could mean that in some way the "health" of the US may be affected. Perhaps we will see certain medical breakthroughs, a focus by the American public and media on health-related issues, or perhaps even the much threatened acts of bio-terrorism that have been looming at the backs of our minds these past months. The eclipse of June 24 occurs while the Moon is transiting the point where Mars and Ketu were conjunct (in Sagittarius, a very volatile, explosive combination) on September 11, 2001, while at the same time the Sun, Mars, and Jupiter are opposite this point. We could see some sort of repercussions in the social and political realms of the tragic events of 9-11 during this time. Certainly, the triggering of this "sore spot" could make for some discomfort in the US political climate. If I were a political advisor to the men and women in charge of maintaining worldwide political "peace", I would caution them to use all possible care and sensitivity in negotiations. The US could be particularly vulnerable to conflict with foreign cultures at this time.

Bringing this to a more personal sphere, attention to others and to what they are communicating is advised at this time. With many planets in the signs of Taurus and Gemini this month, both communication and relationship are highlighted. The planets Venus and Mercury rule these signs, and so hold some influence on our earthly activities this month. Honor these planets by devoting time to loved ones, partners, and beautifying your surroundings (Venus), as well as spending time reading or learning something new, taking short journeys, or examining your methods of communication (Mercury). Both Venus, who rules glamour and illusion, and Mercury, who is well known to be fickle and dishonest, should welcome the serious, disciplined Saturn into this neighborhood, as his presence in Taurus bestows the power to control what we vocalize, even though exuberant Jupiter in Gemini is causing our ideas and urges for communication to multiply. The message I'm getting from the planets this month is this: Clear communication is the key to relating, and one half of communication is listening to the other, which requires an open acceptance of ideas and desires that are not our own. See what happens if you get a chance to practice this principle this month.