Overview
The energy of the retrograde Mars in sidereal Taurus will continue to dominate the December news headlines as reflected in violence and unrest occurring not just only in the United States but also in other parts of world, notably in Ukraine, Russia, China, and Iran.
One of the most important planetary events of 2023 is going to occur around mid-January thru mid-February of 2023 when Neptune will be reentering in sidereal Pisces (Feb 15) and Saturn in sidereal Aquarius (Jan 17) simultaneously. The manifestation of the preview of this early 2023 event is slowly emerging now as it seems to be clearly reflected in the current protests and unrest in authoritarian regimes like China (recent protest in Shanghai), Russia (the new military recruiters and soldiers fleeing Russia) and Iran (niece of Iran’s supreme leader speaks out against his “murderous and child-killing regime” as protest continues). As a result, it’s very likely that the friction between the Unites States and Russia, as well as that between the United States and China, and United States and Iran will be becoming more severe.
On an individual level, the Mercury-Venus conjunction (within 5 degrees or so) in sidereal Sagittarius is going to bring the explosion of creativity in the fields of art and in the entertainment industry in general. Some of the unknown yet future famous artists will be exploring new areas of art and entertainment as they begin their journey of creativity starting this month.
Finally, the Saturn’s reentry in the sidereal Aquarius (Jan 17) may signal the beginning of the end of Covid-19 era and Ukraine-Russia war. More on this will be covered in the 2023 annual predictions.
Retrograde Mars (October 31- January 13, 2023)
From the planetary energy standpoint, one of the major events of 2022 is the retrograde Mars; on average this occurs once every two years.
Mars became retrograde on October 31, 2022 in sidereal Gemini. It returned to Taurus on November 14, 2022 due to its retrograde motion. It becomes direct on January 13 in Taurus and returns to Gemini on March 13, 2023. The transits of retrograde Mars in the sidereal Gemini and Taurus are likely to be reflected in the news headlines November 2022 through March 2023.
What “the retrograde Mars” means astrologically speaking? And what can we expect from it?
In general, when a planet turns retrograde, the positive energy offered by that planet is expected to slowly diminish. For an individual, any planet can be positive or negative based on its placement in the natal chart.
The positive side of Mars brings amazing energy, independence and high ego. While high ego proves to be ultimately negative, it does help in the beginning to provide an individual in utilizing that energy of Mars with total independence. It makes the person feel he/she is a master of the universe. The ego helps to maintain that momentum of Mars to push forward and conquer more frontiers. However, if not correctly understood through awareness, the same ego can make person arrogant, dictator-like, un-empathetic and inhuman. Thus, a poorly placed Mars can lead to self-destruction.
Now, when Mars is retrograde, a favorably placed Mars is not expected to perform 100% (unless it’s an auspicious Mars) as its speed slows down. A poorly placed Mars makes things worse during the retrograde period if it’s transiting through the unfavorable house in the transit chart.
The transit of Mars in Taurus (the earth sign) means significant volatility in financial markets and drastic changes and shifts in international politics.
For those of you who have poorly placed predominant Mars in their birth chart, and if its energy is active through the Gochar (transit) chart, then, you are very likely to experience a sudden setback in your professional activities as well as in other. You may have to repeat things over many times to get it right, or you may have to deal with unfortunate and totally unexpected circumstances, and in general, you may end up in having a very frustrating experience.
Retrograde Mars transiting through Taurus (Nov. 14, 2022 – January 13, 2023) is going to be unfavorable for those who have Taurus, Gemini, Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Aries as a rising sign or ninefold (Navamansa) ascendant. It’s going to be a challenging and frustrating period if you have an active Mars in your Gochar (transit) chart. In particular, businessmen, politicians, corporations, and financial organizations are likely to experience a challenging and trying period.
At a collective level, expect a political tension building among developed nations. Financial crisis in UK may become very severe during Nov 14 – Jan 13. Cyber wars and internet communication breakdowns will likely to be more frequent. Destruction of wealth due to natural calamities (fires, flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc.) or man-made accidents (social and/or political unrest) are also very likely.
Neptune’s temporary return to the Sidereal Aquarius (Sept 17 – Feb 16) and re-entry in sidereal Pisces (Feb 15)
With Neptune’s return to the sidereal Aquarius on September 17 we have witnessed a temporary but a sudden shift in our collective consciousness, and it’s well reflected in a turnaround in Putin’s behavior. With decline in support for war both internationally and domestically, he shifted his ways in maneuvering the war. This shift has proven to be favorable for Ukrainians as they have been on offensive and has taken back some of the territories held by Russians. However, due to unpredictable and irrational behavior of Putin, heavy civilian casualties and destruction of vital infrastructure for water and power supply continues in Ukraine.
With Neptune reentering sidereal Pisces on Feb 17, 2023, and Pisces considered to be a sign unfavorable for dictators and authoritarian regimes, it will certainly affect the matters related to authoritarian regimes in a significant way as explained in 2022 annual predictions. The manifestation of the preview of this early 2023 event is slowly emerging now, and it is clearly reflected in the current protests and unrest in authoritarian regimes like China (recent protest in Shanghai), Russia (the new military recruits and soldiers fleeing Russia) and Iran (niece of Iran’s supreme leader speaks out against his “murderous and child-killing regime” as protest continues). It’s very likely that the friction between the Unites States and Russia, as well as between the United States and China, and United States and Iran will become more severe.
Saturn’s return to sidereal Capricorn
(July 14 – January 17, 2023)
On July 14, Saturn with its retrograde motion returned to sidereal Capricorn, and it will stay in Capricorn until January 17, 2023.
Capricorn being the earth and cardinal sign; Saturn’s energy in Capricorn has strongly been reflected in the volatility and changes in the world financial markets, especially the energy (oil) markets, economy and material expansion/contraction. Entrepreneurs, business leaders, politicians, philanthropists, philosophers, scientists, reformers and to some extent monks will shape the future of the world. Those who have Saturn in Capricorn (Saturn return) in their natal charts will be experiencing Saturn’s energy as their lives get transformed to new settings due to a drastic change (mostly) at material and psychological levels. In my opinion, despite a painful period of frustration due to unexpected drastic changes in life, it’s going to be an exciting period for those who have dominant Saturn in their birth chart and have Pisces, Aries, Leo, and Scorpio as their natal ninefold (Navamansha) ascendant.
Furthermore, the Saturn’s return to the sidereal Capricorn on July 14, joining Pluto will certainly not let up the destructive and fearful period, war like atmosphere, effect of the climate changes, future uncertainties, senseless killings, and chaotic situations all around the world, especially in the United States.
Is Russian-Ukraine war and senseless killings… going away?
Since last couple of months, the momentum of the war between Russia and Ukraine continued with unprecedented casualties on both sides. Until Saturn completely returns to Aquarius (January 2023), the Ukraine war is likely to continue its course of devastation and destabilization of the country.
Global Insights
The important challenging possibilities for December include:
Nov 29 – Dec 13: An outbreak of violence and terrorist activities in Middle-East, a strong possibility of natural as well as man-made calamity, and further escalation of Ukraine-Russia war. Tension between Israelis and Palestinians will remain unabated. Some of the east-European countries, Russia, Ukraine, as well as China may experience political and social turmoil.
Dec 19 -26: An eruption of new waves of violence in the Palestine-Israel, Syria and Afghanistan-Pakistan regions. Perhaps, towards the end of this period due to Pluto’s transformational process, the resulting changes are likely to become irreversible. In addition, world religions, in general, and religious leaders in particular, may experience undesirable situations that require changes. In other words, the orthodox religious leaders may come under social and moral pressures to change the way they handle their responsibilities.
Dec 25 – Jan 1: Drastic changes in religious, academic, and social fields affecting the way we live.
The important auspicious possibilities for December include:
Nov 23 – Dec 11: An extraordinary time for collective spiritual growth, technological discoveries and inventions. Expect some new important technological breakthroughs during this period. For the United States, in general, it’s going to be a remarkable and very successful period.
Dec 4 – Dec 16: All world religions might get engaged in activities that help us expand morally, socially as well as materially. As a result, religious, academic, and social fields are very likely to enjoy the new and positive changes occurring in their respective fields.
Jagdish Maheshri
Professional Vedic Astrologer
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