By Debra Infante
Mars, planet of action and assertiveness, is prominent the entire month of June, especially the last few days of the month when Mars reaches total debility in the sign of Cancer, and transits through the intense gandanta degrees between Cancer and Leo. Jupiter and Rahu conjunct exactly at the beginning of June, amplifying our financial situation. Saturn, the planet of discipline and focus, goes retrograde mid-June, a time of reviewing your responsibilities.
Jupiter, planet of spirituality, prosperity, and opportunity, conjuncts the north node Rahu in Aries exactly on June 1, 2023, at 9 degrees Aries. Both of these planets amplify while bringing a focus on material life. Jupiter tends to help and calm Rahu, but Rahu is not as helpful to Jupiter. It is time to be realistic and ethical with finances while uncovering our true values in life. Rahu will be with Jupiter in Aries until November 28, 2023.
Mars, planet of action, courage, and confrontation, has been transiting Cancer, its weakest sign, since May 10. Mars remains in Cancer until June 30, 2023, and will transit its exact degree of debility at 28 degrees Cancer on June 27 and 28. When planets are debilitated, they can act differently or contrary to their natural tendency.
We can experience less energy or become more frustrated or combative around this time. This is a period to practice neutrality and patience and be less reactive with others. When Mars is weak, we can feel our actions just don’t produce the results we expected, and we become disappointed, argumentative, or blame others. Especially with Mars in Cancer, old emotional wounds that center around family relationships can surface to be acknowledged and healed. This is a positive time to help families or loved ones in need to balance Mars in the emotionally sensitive sign of Cancer.
Then from June 29 to July 1, 2023, Mars transits the sensitive gandanta degrees of 29 Cancer to 0 Leo, the cusp between a water and fire sign, indicating a time to let go of old habits or patterns related to challenging Mars energies. This creates an opening for deep changes and a shift of perspective connected to old ways of working with conflicts, power, and control that just don’t work and harm others. This is a time to neutralize arguments and aggressive actions and instead focus on peaceful means to settle conflicts and disagreements. We have to rise to a new level of understanding and tap into a deeper sense of courage that involves our hearts. Mars in Cancer is great time to practice ahimsa, or non-violence, respecting all living things.
Saturn, planet of focus, responsibility, and discipline, goes retrograde on June 17 until November 4, 2023. While Saturn is retrograde it is a good time to review your personal responsibilities in life and make changes if need be. It may be easier now to access our inner strength and practice greater self-discipline and self-reliance. Don’t be so hard on yourself, and connect to supportive and encouraging people during Saturn retrograde. Meditation and being in the present moment are wonderful practices now.
Debra Infante is a practicing Vedic astrologer and teacher. She began her studies of Vedic astrology in 1995, and was certified by The American College of Vedic Astrology as an approved teacher (Level I) in September 1999. She has taught Vedic astrology to the students in the yoga teacher trainings at 7 Centers Yoga in Sedona, AZ from 2002 to 2020. Debra can be reached at (928) 639-0623 or dinfante108@gmail.com for astrological consultations by phone or in person. Contact her to receive her monthly Vedic astrology article. You can also find her at https://ayurveda-sedona.com/yoga-and-vedic-astrology/about-vedic-astrology/
