Rahu-Ketu, the Karmic Axis, 2020 Planets in Retrograde, World Healing Mantra

As an astrologer with very little toilet paper I’ve often wondered - could I have predicted the Covid crisis? With 2020 hindsight, it makes perfect sense that the crisis arose when Rahu, significator of diseases, was extremely strong in the Nakshatra of Ardra.

Nakshatras are the 27 Lunar Mansions of Vedic astrology. The twelve houses and twelves signs of Western astrology are further refined by the Navamsha which divides each of the twelve signs into nine sections.
Rahu and Ketu are the north and south nodes, the places where lunar and solar eclipses occur. Since antiquity they’ve been associated with events on Earth in both Vedic and Western astrology. They’re malefics, associated with worldly suffering, yet they act to spiritualize consciousness. Rahu is karaka of future karmas and Ketu is karaka of past karmas. Covid arose during a time when Rahu occupied the Nakshatra Ardra, whose symbol is a tear-drop; and Ketu occupied Mula, whose symbol is Nritti, Goddess of Destruction.

It’s easy to see the malefic results of Rahu-Ketu in the covid crisis. People around the world have lost loved-ones or become sick. Many face financial calamity. How can this suffering lead to spiritual evolution?
Rahu is always opposite Ketu and they work together as an axis of past and future. Ketu in the Nakshatra Mula shows the destruction of old structures. In the USA, the covid crisis has forced us to acknowledge the failure of old structures we previously depended on, such as the Federal Government. We’re observing new structures arise as coalitions between states struggle to deal with the crisis amidst a vacuum of national leadership.

Still, 2020 has some powerful benefic placements in spite of great suffering. Nearly all the planets occupy positions of strength in their own signs. We’re witnessing a powerful fusion of both malefic and benefic forces.

It’s easy to lose hope when confronted with the malefic forces that cause death, sickness, loneliness, isolation, and poverty. Even the great benefic, Jupiter, worked to expand covid into a global pandemic. This is an example of malefic and benefic forces working together. If the pandemic remained regional, it would be easy for those lucky places unaffected by it to ignore the situation. It’s expansion into a global experience forces humanity to consider the question of global access to healthcare and social safety nets.

During the age of Nuclear Proliferation, the spectre of nuclear annihilation colored human consciousness. Between 1968-1970, most nations signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty when it became obvious that no one could win a nuclear war. This was perhaps the first time in history that world governments acted together to ensure survival of the human species. The covid crisis may be leading us to a similar opportunity for awakening consciousness. Going beyond the resolution not to destroy ourselves with nukes, humanity now faces questions about caring for all human beings. Benefic Jupiter and Venus are in their own signs for much of 2020. The great malefic Saturn is in its own sign of Capricorn. On a global scale, these strong placements offer an opportunity for evolution in positive directions.

The Retrogrades and Covid

Retrograde is when a planet appears to move backward in relation to the Earth. Of course, they’re not really moving backward, but the planet’s energetic effects on Earth change during retrograde periods. Retrogrades invite do-overs, periods of introspection, and correcting past mistakes. Delays and hang-ups are common with retrograde energy.

Today, May 11, Saturn goes retrograde, followed by Venus on May 13 and Jupiter on May 14. Although all these planets are positioned well, it’s remarkable that so many planets retrograde at once. During the dates June 18 – June 25, Mercury will join the party giving four planets in retrograde. Venus goes direct on June 25, but slow-moving heavy hitters, Jupiter and Saturn, remain in retrograde through September.
When Rahu left Ardra on April 22, we experienced some lessening of the crisis and discussion of releasing social restrictions. Yet with so many planets in retrograde, it will be difficult to move forward until after September. Between September 9 – September 13, Mars joins Jupiter and Saturn to create another three-planet retrograde. By September 29, Saturn goes direct and the extreme retrograde energy is gone.
If you follow politics, although most planets go direct by September, Mars, planet of aggression will be in retrograde September 9 – November 13; and Mercury, planet of communication from October 14 – November 3, which is during our elections here in the USA.

Out of the woods yet?

Predicting the course of a disease is best left to doctors. Astrologically speaking, it’s important to prepare yourself emotionally for the extreme retrograde energy affecting the planet from May – September. The energy is best used for introspection and cultivating patience. Understanding the larger planetary energies affecting your personal reality can help weather this storm and hopefully find the silver lining in its clouds. My prayers go out to anyone who’s lost a loved-one. I’m praying that the blessings of health and prosperity shelter you in divine grace.

Mahāmrityunjaya MantraMantra for World Healing

oṃ tryambakaṃ yajāmahe
sugandhiṃ puṣṭi-vardhanam
urvārukam iva bandhanān
mṛtyor mukṣīya mā 'mṛtāt