Backburning: Mars, Jupiter and Ketu

Mars enters Leo in November, joining Jupiter and the South Node (Ketu) in a powerful triple conjunction around the middle of the month. This could be a game-changing alignment, with consequences that extend well into the future.Historically, Mars-Ketu conjunctions have often coincided with significant market downturns, and they have also occurred during more troubling events, including terrorist attacks and wars, which then lead to economic downturns. While such outcomes are by no means inevitable, we should not underestimate this alignment’s potential impact on the cusp of Cancer and Leo. This is a particularly volatile juncture (gandanta).Mars and Ketu meet Jupiter at one degree of Leo, just as Ketu prepares to leave the sign. As is often the case with Ketu, there may be a sting in its tail before it’s finished with the sign. Disruptions to and by leaders are possible, as we can already see through many examples throughout the world. It would be wise to prepare for the unexpected in this area of your life, and prepare to say goodbye to something or someone represented here.Ketu's conjunction with Mars and Jupiter requires a sacrifice as you get to the core issue. On their own, Mars and Jupiter are more positive. Even with Ketu involved, Jupiter has the power to prevent it from becoming too destructive. Jupiter represents discernment, which will be needed at this time. However, Jupiter is itself hampered at the edge of a sign, conjunct the eclipse point, challenging us to be clear. When Jupiter is harmed in any way, things can easily fall apart.Adding to the uncertainty around things that keep life feeling good, Venus returns to the last couple of degrees of Virgo, where it stations direct at a particularly sensitive juncture. This could prove challenging, especially as the difficulties associated with Venus’ fallen state have been building beneath the surface. Whatever measures have helped mitigate its weakness until now may be put to the test.This could mean a testing time for both peace and the economy. Personal relationships are likely to feel the impact more. With the two benevolent forces – Venus and Jupiter – moving into precarious positions, as Mars and Ketu come together, there is little to mitigate the situation.The one thing that may help is being communicative, as Mercury also stations direct in Libra during the triple conjunction of Mars, Ketu, and Jupiter. This means it is exchanging signs with Venus in Virgo, helping it out by voicing what is wrong, so it can be improved and negotiated. A few choice words may be all that’s needed.The events and developments of November could have far-reaching consequences, with repercussions that reverberate for years to come.

The Full Moon occurs at 04:12 GMT / 00:12 EDT on October 26, at 8 degrees of sidereal Aries, in the lunar mansion of Aśvinī, associated with unbridled power, swift action and impulsiveness.While Full Moons in Aries are typically invigorating, Mars in Cancer exchanges signs with the Moon, suggesting a need for restraint. This exchange strengthens Mars, but may also encourage us to overdo things. The best use of this energy is to focus on something important you’ve been putting off. With Jupiter preparing to leave Cancer, there may be a sense of resolution, or that something has come undone, allowing us to move on. Yet Mercury and Venus are both retrograde and opposite the Full Moon, alongside a fallen Sun in Libra. Confidence may be lacking. Don’t mistake bravado and bluster for genuine confidence - in yourself or another.The next New Moon in Libra marks one of the darkest periods of the year, not only because of the dark Moon and debilitated Sun, but also because of Jupiter’s and Mars’ conjunctions with Ketu in Leo, as Venus returns to Virgo.November may feel particularly dark, so resist the temptation to use up all your energy during this Full Moon. Keep something in reserve for the challenges ahead.

The New Moon occurs at 16:50 BST / 11:50 EDT on October 10, in Hasta, the lunar mansion of sidereal Virgo, meaning ‘hand’, associated with skill, dexterity, and precision. This New Moon offers an opportunity to refine certain areas of life. Saturn’s opposition to the New Moon brings a more sobering atmosphere, encouraging quiet reflection rather than excessive activity. All New Moons benefit from a slower pace, allowing time to reassess priorities before the Moon begins to wax again.Rather than exhausting yourself trying to accomplish everything now, recognise when to act and when to slow down. Virgo may prefer to perfect every detail, but knowing when to ‘make do’ is equally important. With Saturn and Neptune continuing through Pisces, there are limits to what can be known or resolved at present.This New Moon also marks the beginning of Navarātri, the ‘nine nights’ celebrating Durgā’s battle with the demon Mahiṣāsura. Her eventual victory symbolises the awakening of consciousness and the triumph of awareness over ignorance.Refine what you can, release what you cannot control, and recognise that true clarity comes as much from stillness as from action.

The Moon is full at 9° Pisces at 17:49 BST on September 26, in Uttara Bhādrapada. Uttara Bhādrapada is associated with the “serpent of the deep”: an image of slow change beneath the surface. This may describe shifts within the psyche, but it also brings to mind changes in the oceans, including concerns about the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Saturn returns to this lunar mansion in October, while Neptune continues its transit there. To me, the Saturn–Neptune conjunction here earlier this year marked a tipping point in the ocean temperatures. This Full Moon may help you recognise what is changing in your own life and what must give way. Pisces speaks of endings that make room for something else. Look at Pisces from both your rising sign and Moon sign. As the tides shift, something long buried may come into view. With Jupiter, ruler of Pisces, exalted and aspecting the Moon, there is an opportunity to see what is real more clearly, beyond fear (Saturn) or fantasy (Neptune).

In the latest episode of Maps of Consciousness, Kishori and I explore Maghā, Pūrva Phalgunī and Uttara Phalgunī, the three nakṣatras of sidereal Leo. We consider the journey from ancestral power and inherited authority to pleasure, creativity, and the commitment that sustains our relationships.

In this episode, I'm joined by Darinka Maja as we explore the volatile conjunctions of Mars, Jupiter and Ketu as they gather in Leo and eventually backtrack into Cancer. We consider what this unusual alignment could mean for each sidereal sign, as well as for conflict, politics, the economy and global security.The practice of backburning—deliberately burning the land ahead of an advancing fire—offers an important metaphor. Can a controlled crisis prevent something worse, or might an attempt to contain the flames cause them to spread? These transits suggest that actions intended to protect, correct or regain control could produce unforeseen consequences.

The Moon reaches the Sun’s degree on September 11 at 04:27 BST/ 23:27 EDT. This New Moon occurs in Pūrva Phalgunī, the lunar mansion ruled by Bhaga, the god of enjoyment and creativity. It is one of the zodiac’s most pleasurable and creative spaces. Those with the Moon here often delight in artistic expression, romance and pleasures of the bed. Procreation is itself a form of creativity, although this energy can find expression through many creative pursuits.Whatever Leo represents for you is where you’re likely to find greater enjoyment. Although the Sun and Moon have passed the South Node, some uncertainty may remain. Yet the Sun is now far enough beyond it to bring greater clarity and confidence. With Mercury and Venus strong in their own signs, and exalted Jupiter supporting this New Moon, this may be one of the most auspicious lunar months of 2026.However, this is the calm before the storm, both literally and figuratively. Make the most of it by planting seeds for a creative endeavour. This New Moon is more likely to inspire new ideas, especially with both Mercury and Jupiter exalted. Venus in Libra adds to the month’s potential rewards. Whatever you begin, however, keep Venus’ retrograde in October in mind. You may need to revisit your plans and reconsider where you compromised too much to get started.In the coming lunar month, creativity may mean tearing up the original plan and beginning again.

In this podcast, I examine the recent eclipses and planetary transits surrounding the devastating floods in Nepal. Using these events as a case study, I explore an important distinction in Indian astrology: the difference between general aspects and dṛṣṭi, the particular “sight” or influence cast by a planet. Although the terms are often treated as interchangeable, understanding their differences can add greater precision and depth to chart analysis.

The Full Moon in Aquarius is a partial lunar eclipse, reaching its maximum at 05.12 am BST/ 00.12 EDT on August 28. This is (almost) the last eclipse in this sign until 2035. There will be another lunar eclipse on the cusp of the sign in August 2027. Rāhu continues to transform this area of your life.Collectively, Aquarius represents AI technology and its impact on society. Personally, whatever Aquarius represents in your chart is undergoing a similar upgrade. This can bring growth, but may prove too much, too soon, unless approached consciously. There can be an ‘all-or-nothing’ approach. You may obsess about it and then dissociate. We tend to rush forward wherever Rāhu transits, and a lunar eclipse can accelerate this. Change is necessary, but greed inevitably creates losses later. Both lunar nodes are transiting lunar mansions associated with them in Indian astrology: Rāhu in Śatabhiṣāj and Ketu in Maghā. Rāhu is stronger in Aquarius, encouraging experimentation and innovation. Meanwhile, Ketu in Leo can diminish confidence or prompt us to reject what Leo represents as we pursue something in Aquarius. We can see this play out in mob mentality. The eclipse occurs in Śatabhiṣāj, meaning “one hundred healers”, symbolised by an empty circle. Healing is possible, but unexpected developments must also be considered. It may feel like taking medicine that cures one condition while creating another. Whatever Aquarius represents for you, this is where you are evolving, consciously or otherwise.

In this episode of Maps of Consciousness, Kishori and I explore the three nakṣatras spanning sidereal Gemini and Cancer: Punarvasu, Puṣya and Āśleṣā. We trace the movement from renewal, through nourishment and belonging, to the deeper entanglements and transformative wisdom.