2016, a MARS cycle

dharma-ksetre kuru-kshetre samaveta yuyutsavah
mamakah padavas caivakim akurvata sanjaya

Assembled on the field of Dharma,
on the field of the Kurus,
eager to fight,
what did my people and the Pandavas do?
~ BG 1.1

This is the opening stanza of the Bhagavad Gita, a universally loved Hindu classic describing the war within. It describes Krishna and Arjuna standing on the battlefield of Kurushetra, in what is described as dharma-ksetre, the field of dharma.

2016 has arrived! A number nine year.The completion of an era for humanity. The 2016 number 9 MARS cycle, comprised of the number of the Moon (2), the 0 - or great Void - the number of the Sun (1) and the number of Venus (6). Added together a number nine arises: the number of MARS. Now MARS is ever present! MARS is a planet of fire and heat, blood red, rules over surgery, explosive in nature, ambitious, combative and reacts violently when challenged.

MARS is exalted in the cardinal earth sign of Capricorn. MARS rules over real estate, so a force to watch when buying or selling property. Due to his hasty impulsiveness MARS is often the prominent culprit in accidents. This cycle will create an intense energy within and without that is not easy to handle, because MARS is strong, forever busy and power oriented, restlessly impatient, propelled to dynamic action. MARS is known as the “anger” planet.

Descriptive, prescriptive and evocative new strategies need to be engaged in 2016 as this is a closing cycle of the old paradigm reality. This requires for us to honor and acknowledge the presence of MARS in our personal and collective psyche, a war Lord and activist, not given to endless negotiations or lofty mindfulness notions. Walk your talk is his credo. Act, express yourself. You want change, progress, equality for all, show me the goods in your thoughts and deeds, instead of slumbering along in misdirected selfish actions that have just about destroyed this planet and all of its inhabitants. This is the year of understanding how we got here, together! Time to revisit our collective Ego agendas, everyone touting new age flagships - this alternative, that meditation, this wonder food, that quick-fix treatment, and yet the apparent selfishness is unparalleled, and we are at a level where we absolutely must move beyond wishful thinking and positive verbiage unsupported by dharmic action. Unless we have warrior like self-worth, grounded in dharmic principles of the yamas and niyamas, the wars will perpetuate in our existence and the small healing fields generated by a few individuals are insufficient to turn this ship around. By now we must realize that our vitality is depleted, our immune responses are weakened, our interpersonal skills awkward at best, as the 2015 Saturn cycle was a harsh endurance test and reality check confronting the established order in every realm. Now, limping along with battle fatigue, we need to re strategize as MARS is the general of the cosmic pantheon and knows how to reassemble a weary army into combat that will actually produce humanitarian results. Time to release the old archetypes and clarify onto ourselves what precisely we are after in terms of our joined resources, getting along, climate control, global food and water supplies, and the whole territorial drama that has been playing out seemingly forever. This is Muladhara, root chakra time! Restructuring from the ground up. If we are warriors of a new world order what does that constitute? And who will show up now that this game changer manifesting as a Martian force has announced itself globally? Will we truly proceed from love and not from fear? Has enough happened yet to get our attention to be awake/conscious and vigilant in our self responsibility?

MARS is respected by the other planets which are facets of the same divinity. MARS is a masculine energy with a deep sense of purpose, duty and order. Foremost MARS is about action. He is brave, yet short tempered, contrarian and his nature is rough, cruel and destructive, in order for something new (in the upcoming 2017 # 1 cycle) to emerge. MARS rules over courage and this is why on MARS day, Tuesday, we propitiate Lord Hanuman who is the epitome of devotion and courage. This will be a charged year with constant violent undercurrents, requiring much deterministic fortitude and dharmic action from each and every one of us. We gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which we really look Fear in the Face. We are able to say to our aggravated self: "I have lived through this horror. Now I am at the center of the power, ready for action. I can choose the higher vibration, find and implement ways to build a more sustainable planet. I can take the next thing that comes along to a “dharma-aligned” reality. We will need to learn that we must do the thing we think we cannot do (this is the celestial advice of Lord Krishna to Arjuna throughout the whole discourse of the Bhagavad Gita). The time for complacency and procrastination is over. MARS will see to that. 2016 will be a no frills year for the planet. So much re mobilizing, moving, shedding, shredding, and releasing all this with alertness and at lightning speed. MARS has no time to waste and he will drive that home to us. He will mow down the spiritual wannabe's and demand that we stop depending on our accustomed societal straitjackets, or be so self-absorbed with our story that we are losing sight of the full picture and the global dynamic at work. MARS is the warrior commander-in-chief of the cosmic assembly, and although hard on the outside he is conscious of the entire pantheon and our inter-connectivity, which can render him compassionate and humanitarian. This is a year when we will all get more organized, authoritative and determined to make the changes we've been announcing over and over, yet did either not fully commit to or lacked in will and personal power to see them thru. Our major obstacles, gratuity of MARS, will be our arrogance, anger and aggression. Everybody will want to be in control of power at large.

UPAYAS

HANUMAN CHALISA

The Power in our hearts and consciousness needs to be cultivated in the form of Lord Hanuman. Let us call upon Him as the Greatest Bhakti Yogi, we bow to Lord Hanuman! This way you are assured to start the sacred year of 2016 off in the most auspicious way possible.

The mighty Hanuman rules the planet Mars and is also worshipped for pacifying Saturn. In the Ramayana it is mentioned that Hanuman saved the Navagrahas (nine planets) during the mythological war to rescue Sita from the clutches of King Ravana. As a favor for saving them, the Navagrahas blessed Lord Hanuman by saying that any malefic effects of the nine planets can be averted by praying to Lord Hanuman.

Lord Hanuman is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Conceptually, Hanuman is the personification of complete mastery of the senses. It is complete control of senses that infuses warriors with siddhis and awakens the third eye of Enlightenment. 

Budhir balam yaso dhairyam nirbhayathwam arokadha,
Ajadyam vak paduthwancha hanumath smaranath bhaveth.

He who meditates on Lord Hanuman,
Would be blessed with knowledge, strength,
Fame, courage, fearlessness, health,
Tirelessness and mastery over words.

The Hanuman Chalisa is a poetic work written by rishi Tulasidas enumerating Lord Hanuman's virtues, his role in the Ramayana and his praises. Chanting this 9 to 108 times will benefit the devotee immensely and he can gain the blessings of its empowering vibration. The highest upaya for a number 9 MARS cycle is the recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa daily. Widely available on Music channels and many temples offer Hanuman puja Tuesdays and Saturdays. Get busy. You’ll feel so much more enabled, noble and encouraged when offering this prayer.

Other Upayas:

Fasting on Tuesdays will appease MARS and propitiate his "higher frequency", curtail his aggression and impulsiveness, as food too can be an act of violence. It is recommended to fast from sunrise to sundown with devotion.

If you know your horoscope and natal chart sufficiently, with the help of a skilled astrologer you may use the beneficial rays of a pure red coral gemstone, in either jewelry, planetary homeopathic remedies or in gem powders.

Additionally, to continue to heal yourself, others and the environment, the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra is recommended. This is a mantra to Lord Shiva, and is taught in the Rig Veda (7-59) as well as the Yajur Veda (3-60) showing that it is a śruti(oral tradition) having been received by Mahārishi Vasiṣṭha. If you cannot chant it, at least play it daily on your stereo. The recitation of this mantra is believed to cure mental afflictions and sufferings, one is liberated from the fear of death. It is considered to be a moksha mantra which bestows longevity and immortality. Victory over Death. 

The Maha Mrityunjaya mantra:

त्रयंबक्कंयजामहेसुगन्धिंपुष्टिवर्धनम्।
उर्वारुहमिवबन्धनान्मृत्योर्मूक्षीयमामृतात्॥

trayaṁbakkaṁ yajāmahe sugandhiṁ puṣṭivardhanam|
urvāruhamiva bandhanān mṛtyormūkṣīya māmṛtāt ||

Simple Translation: I implore you, the Source of the cycle of birth, life and death, to free me from its bondage, make me fearless, and lead me to the absolute truth and bliss. 

This mantra is highly beneficial when courage or determination are blocked, it rises up to overcome obstacles. It awakens a healing force that reaches deep into the body and mind.

Bringing it All Together

“The future is not what it used to be.” YOGI BERRA

As the philosopher Richard Tarnas remarked, “late modern man”– that is, ourselves — is “the incongruously sensitive denizen of an implacable vastness devoid of meaning,” living in a world in which “gigantism and turmoil, excessive noise, speed and complexity dominate the human environment.” Things, many believe, cannot stay this way much longer. As Yeats said long ago, “the center cannot hold.”In what Jung called an enantiodromia — that is, a reversal of values when one’s conscious attitude becomes lop-sided and the unconscious steps in, sometimes via a martian war, to restore the balance — our hyper left brain view may trigger a resurgence of the right. Yet the idea is not to merely to jettison the left brain and return to an earlier, right brain mode of consciousness. That would merely push the pendulum back to the other side. Our left brain consciousness was not a mistake, or “fall,” but an experiment on the part of the right, out of which it emerged. Hindu philosophy speaks of the three gunas, which are characteristics or tendencies of being. Left to themselves, tamas, the guna of inertia and rajas, the guna of agitation, lead to ill health and disturbances, unless they are balanced by sattva, the middle guna of bliss. Jung spoke of the “transcendent function,” brought about by the union of the conscious and unconscious mind, which produces some new, unexpected development that can help an individual break free of a psychic deadlock. May it be so.

yatra yogesvarah krsno yatra partho dhanurdharah
tatra srir vijayo bhutir dhruva nitir matir mama

Wherever there is Sri Krishna, the Lord of Yoga,
and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer,
there will be goodness, victory, glory and righteous action,
such is my conviction.
(BG 18.78)

Major Astrological DATES for 2016

Mercury Retrogrades

• January 5th to January 25th
• April 28th to May 22nd
• August 30th to September 21st
• December 19th to January 7th (2017)

Other Retrogrades

• Mars, 16-Apr to 30-Jun
• Jupiter, 7-Jan to 9-May
• Saturn, 25-Mar to 13-Aug

Eclipses

• March 8th (total SOLAR eclipse)
• March 23rd (penumbral LUNAR eclipse)
• September 1st (annular SOLAR eclipse)
• September 16th (penumbral LUNAR eclipse)

Three Key Astrological Events

• Jupiter Changes Signs, 11-Aug enters Virgo
• Lunar Nodes (Rahu and Ketu) Change Signs, 9-Jan (True node) or 30-Jan (Mean node)
• Mars-Saturn conjunction, 23-24 Aug

You will find more details about the dates and implications of these events below.

RETROGRADES for 2016

A planet going retrograde in motion, as seen from the Earth, represents an area of life that comes into magnified focus. The part of the sky where a planet retrogrades, can tell what themes will become prominent during the retrograde phase. In retrograde motion a planet will be re-visiting and re-evaluating, until finally it comes along to a stationary position for a few days and resumes normal forward movement, bringing to completion and integration the lessons and insights of that period.

In Vedic astrology, the Sign and nakshatra where the retrograde takes place, as well any other conjunctions happening simultaneously during the retrograde phase of a given planet, provide clues to the themes that will be important during that period.

In 2016, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn will have retrograde periods. Venus will not retrograde in 2016.

What can we expect from the RETROGRADE periods in 2016?

• Mars, a period of gaining understanding and transforming the biggest dharmic blockages in our personal/collective evolutionary journey.
• Mercury, successive opportunities to reconsider our goals, relationships, creativity, and health. 2016 is a year of focused work on ourselves, exploring what we truly want out of life. It will pay off in 2017!
• Jupiter, a time of understanding where we have not walked our talk. Where we have been less than truthful, pure hearted or genuine.
• Venus, no retrogrades in 2016.
• Saturn, will show where we are most stuck. Where we cling to worn-out attitudes that we think empower us, when they actually prevent us from finding real meaning and satisfaction. There will be a breakthrough and we will get past it all, after plenty of sincere inner work.

MERCURY retrograde

Mercury will retrograde four times in 2016: January, April/May, August/September and December/January 2017.

Notable points for the Mercury retrograde:

• Mercury will retrograde in Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius).
• Mercury will retrograde most of the time in nakshatras ruled by the Sun (Uttara Shada, Krittika, Uttara Phalguni) and Venus (Purva Shada, Bharani, Purva Phalguni). This brings about themes of ego, self and personal power (Sun), and one’s own values, desires and relationships (Venus).

Dates for Mercury retrograde:

5-Jan to 25-Jan, Capricorn (6deg) to Sagittarius (20deg)

• In Uttara Shada, 1-Jan to 16-Jan
• 14-Jan, crosses back from Capricorn into Sagittarius
• In Purva Shada, 17-Jan to 25-Jan
• Mercury retrograde is about re-considering everything past to current. Here one should re-evaluate the practical aspects of one’s life, around work, responsibilities, organization (Capricorn), re-assess some of one’s own certainties, such as belief systems, and even intuitive insights. Once this cycle is completed, THEN make your New Year’s resolutions!

28-Apr to 22-May, Aries (29deg to 20deg)

• In Krittika, 28-Apr to 6-May
• In Bharani, 7-May to 22-May
• Mercury will be with Venus in Aries during the whole retrograde. This is a time to re-visit Venusian affairs in one’s life, relationships, romantic love, art, music, what make us tick, what make life worth living. Aries energy will provide exciting new creative ideas for us to implement once the retrograde is over.
  
  

30-August to 21-September, Virgo (5deg) to Leo (20deg)

• In Uttara Phalguni, 30-Aug to 12-Sep
• 9-Sep, crosses back from Virgo into Leo
• In Purva Phalguni, 13-Sep to 21-Sep
• The first 10 days, Mercury will be exalted in Virgo, with Jupiter and Venus. This will be a time to pay attention to fine tuning our health routines, particularly around fat intake and sugars (liver, Jupiter) and caffeine and stimulants (kidney, Venus). Basically, a great opportunity to ditch junk from your diet. Nice enough, it comes at the end of summer! The final part of the retrograde, with Mercury in Leo, will be about our self, our confidence, where and what our loyalties, creativity, personal power is directed towards.

19-Dec to 7-Jan/2017, Sagittarius (21deg to 4deg)

• In Purva Shada, 19-Dec to 28-Dec
• In Mula, 29-Dec to 7-Jan/2017
• This will be an auspicious retrograde. Mercury will retrograde all the time in Sagittarius, a sign of optimism and generosity, our core belief system, and a truth lover. It will be ideal to have a balance of what 2016 brought into our life, and to entertain plans for 2017. 2017 will be a banner year – so follow Sagittarius, the celestial archer, and set your aim high!

MARS retrograde

16-Apr to 30-Jun, Scorpio (14deg) to Libra (28deg)

• In Anuradha, 16-Apr to 3-Jun
• In Vishakha, 4-Jun to 30-Jun
• 17-Jun, crosses back from Scorpion into Libra
• Mars will have been in Scorpio, its own sign, since mid-February. This traditionally produces good outcomes, as Mars works best when it feels empowered. However, in 2016 Saturn is still in its long transit in Scorpio. Where Mars is fast and active, Saturn slows and delays. Power trips, power disputes, negativity. The first go of Mars in Scorpio metaphorically does not succeed, it doesn’t have enough momentum to go past Saturn obstacles. This will happen to us in the area of life highlighted by the placement of the house where Scorpio is in your natal chart. Mars then initiates a long retreat, retrograding out of Scorpio into the safe space of Libra, in order to find balance and perspective. Fortunately, during this two-months plus of retrograde, Mars will be able to draw from the energy of Mercury in Aries, the other Mars ruled sign. Mercury will have a long sojourn in Aries, staying there for almost two months – matching closely the Mars retrograde period. This will enable Mars to use Mercury’s intellect, rational mind, adaptability and discrimination, to first understand why it didn’t succeed with the Scorpio-Saturn challenge the first time around. We should take this time as well as late Spring and early Summer to revisit the Scorpion puzzle in our own lives. Armed with the insights gleaned during this time, Mars will succeed with the next go at Saturn-Scorpio in August.

JUPITER retrograde

7-Jan to 9-May, Leo (29deg to 19deg)

• In Uttara Phalguni, 7-Jan to 17-Feb
• In Purva Phalguni, 18-Feb to 9-May
• Jupiter will be close conjunct Rahu (North Node) during the whole retrograde period. Rahu being a planet of desires, to the point of obsession, delusion and deception, will negatively impact Jupiter. The qualities of optimism, truth and high ideals of Jupiter will be distorted. The result will be demagoguery, half-truths, fanaticism. Particularly in the realms affected by Jupiter – such as law and judiciary, religion and religious institutions, universities and teachers. This transit happening in Leo will bring a certain arrogance to the Jupiter-Rahu behavior, making finding compromise a hard to attain goal. In our own lives, we should look to the house where Leo is in our natal chart, as it will indicate areas we might go out on a delusional limb of “I know best”, when in fact we will be acting out of arrogance, not wisdom. Keep flexible and open minded.

SATURN retrograde

25-Mar to 13-Aug, Scorpio (22deg to 15deg)

• In Jyeshta, 25-Mar to 8-Jul
• In Anuradha, 9-Jul to 13-Aug
• Saturn’s retrograde key mark will be its conjunction with Mars in Scorpio. Read more on the Saturn-Mars conjunction in a section below. The other important factor are the nakshatras that Saturn retrogrades in. Scorpio by nature is power-hungry, secretive, hyper-sensitive to criticism, and negative. Saturn is fixed in nature, and related to long standing institutions and societal norms. Jyeshta nakshatra has a connotation of being related to the “elder”, as in being the eldest sibling. All this suggests a time of great reactionary drive by conservative forces. Saturn is oppressive, and we can expect the powers that be, particularly the tyrannical ones, to be striving to stamp out the democratic and popular voices that raise up during the earlier part of the year. They might even seem to succeed, as Saturn will retrograde all the way into Anuradha, a nakshatra it rules. The “quietness” achieved by the suppression will be short-lived though. Mars, our power of initiative, after regrouping and strategizing in Libra, will come charging back into Scorpio, and have a faceoff with the Saturnine forces of the status quo on 23-24 Aug. In our personal lives, we should be prepared to work long and hard in 2016 on the areas of life indicated by Scorpio in our natal chart. We might not succeed in breaking through the worn out patterns on the first go, rather it may be a break down, retreat, regroup scenario. Let’s take the Summer to think why it didn’t work out, and equipped with insights and renewed disposition, we will succeed in breaking through the second time around in August-September.

VENUS

There are no Venus retrograde in 2016.

PROJECTING INTO THE FUTURE: How will it look for each number:

Calculating your birthday and cycle # for 2016 use the following method. Add together:

the number of the month
day of birth
year for which prediction is made ( 16 ) using the last 2 digits only
day of the week your birthday falls on (check below).

SUNDAY = 1 SUN
MONDAY = 2 MOON
TUESDAY = 9 MARS
WEDNESDAY = 5 MERCURY
THURSDAY = 3 JUPITER
FRIDAY = 6 VENUS
SATURDAY = 8 SATURN

Add all of this together and the number that results from this addition becomes the number of the projected year.

-double check your additions- or maybe use our convenient online vedic year calculator.

NOTE: As this summary is very general it can only provide an overall idea of what is to come. For more precise possibilities one should consider having ones personalized chart done and consult a competent numerologist or astrologer, experienced and gifted in such matters.

Year cycle #1, ruled by the SUN

Important year of significant changes. Difficulties and problems that have existed for many years will vanish. One develops a new outlook. One hones down to the essentials and shines bright like a sun. One will feel lucky, special and receives help from people, especially people in authority and the government. One feels more healthy, robust and progressive about all ones involvements. There will be easier success in business if one gets focused, organized and plans ahead as it is a cycle of new beginnings, so sowing seeds. One will meet interesting people that provide impetus for new directions. One will be less fearful, anxious or insecure. One will work hard however experience less stress.  One will achieve name and fame, especially in competitions. This is also an excellent cycle for buying something new, starting a new venture or investment scheme. For artists/musicians this will be a superb year to make a significant societal contribution and or composition.

Year cycle #2 ruled by the MOON

This cycle will bring an increase in personal happiness, richer magnetism, and feeling attractive to others. As well as new friends, who will be helpful in the future. Overall there will be less worry and stress, yet deeper emotionality superseded by more practicality.  One will experience benefit from real estate and find a new house/home/apartment and an overall improved living situation through patience and good planning. One will experience profound changes in the way one thinks and perceives. The most important factor will be to observe the necessity of worrying and hurrying less and thereby becoming more conscious of each moment.

Year cycle # 3 ruled by JUPITER

Year cycle #4 ruled by RAHU

This year will bring success with difficulties. There will be strength, undisturbed by unforeseen troubles and obstacles. There is alertness, hard work, and calm. There are also financial gains, increased sources of income, and financial stability. You will experience new ventures, such as a new house or apartment. This year will also be auspicious, for one may get married, but if one does not want to marry officially, one gets a life partner. Married people with no children get a child. This year is good for relationships with friends and life partners. It is not successful for love affairs and romance. It will be good for relations with government officials and men of authority. This year will be good for traveling, spiritual pursuits and religious activities.

Year cycle #5 ruled by MERCURY

This year will be a year of success and financial stability. It brings an increase in one's circle of friends. It is also good for business and businessmen. It will be good for traveling and for going abroad on business or for enjoyment. It will be good for partnership in business. It is a time to be conscious while talking, and also to be conscious while signing a deal or a contract. It is good for those employed in the media and communications business: writers, poets, actors, entertainers, radio artists, and journalists. It will be good for appearing in competitions and taking risks. It will be a memorable year.

Year cycle #6 ruled by VENUS

Year number 6 is good for family relationships, free from the problems of household affairs. It is also good for romance and conceiving a child. It is good for interior decorators, actors, musicians, poets, and painters as well as for filmmakers, theatre people, and those involved in show business. Good for jewelers and people involved in the perfume business. It will be good for spending on decoration, entertainment, and enjoyment. It is a time to get employment, for those who are unemployed. It is a time to deal with items of beauty, sensual enjoyment, worldly pleasure, and gifts. This year also brings the chance of getting unexpected wealth and a raise in salary.

Year cycle #7 ruled by KETU

This year will hold misunderstandings and difficulties. There will be difficulties in business: more work, less profit. Success in such things as court cases and law suits. It will also be a year to test friends and helpers and to avoid unnecessary discussion. Devote energy to the healing arts, astrology, practice of Tantra, magic, and hypnosis. Take fewer risks and be conscious in love affairs and romance; there are chances of getting a bad name. Remain optimistic and undisturbed if one desires success in jobs undertaken. A patient and optimistic attitude will solve problems and remove obstacles. The difficulties are only a test. This will also be a good year for healers, astrologers, and those involved in occult sciences.

Year cycle #8 ruled by SATURN

This year will be good for politicians, social workers, and people involved in the iron and steel industry. It brings the opportunity tot start a new venture. it will poor in the area of health. Precautions are needed; for example, avoid stress, excitement, and anxiety. Use more juices and spices, which clean the blood and strengthen the heart. Use pearl powder (mukta pishti) and powdered blue sapphire (neelam pishti). It is a time to gain success in worldly matters; one should use one' energy to become more creative. The right use of energy will bring good luck. It is good for gaining victory over enemies, and in lawsuits. It is a time to become independent, to rely on one's own resources and judgment. It is good for social work.

Year cycle #9 ruled MARS

This year will be a year of completion, success, and good fortune. It is a time for fulfillment of desires, for organizing oneself and a year of gaining favors from men of authority and government officials. It will also bring slight disagreements - a harmful exchange of harsh words with an officer is possible. There will be success in combat and competitions and honor by society. There is a chance of unexpected financial gains, through a lottery, inheritance, or other source. During this year, one should also avoid doubting and perfectionism. By devoting more energy to spiritual pursuits, the year will bring good results.

Christina Richã Devi