Feeling sick? Or sick of the fear? So far, 2020 has been a rollercoaster ride of chaos and uncertainty, from the bush fires in Australia to the Coronavirus pandemic. It’s no coincidence that all this turmoil should arise now, given the current astrological conditions.

But rest assured, some of the rougher spots will soon pass, and after next month, we’re turning a corner into a new era of social responsibility, sustainability, and self-awareness.

Let’s start with the current situation, though. Since the emergence of the novel Coronavirus at the beginning of 2020, Rahu, the head of the eclipse snake, has been in the stormy star of Ardra, while Ketu, the tail of the snake, has been in Mula, a fierce star of destruction. On top of that, Mars joined Ketu in February, notching up its destructive potential; not surprisingly, that was when the Coronavirus spiked in China, and its threat spread across the globe.

At the same time, as I said in my previous blog post, a planetary formation called the Kala Sarpa Yoga, or Serpent of Time, is amplifying fears, creating unusually stressful situations, and stirring up chaos. In fact, a contagion of fear seems to have spread faster than the Coronavirus itself. Combined with the strange and distorting influence of Rahu and Ketu, Kala Sarpa Yoga is making it hard for people to keep things in perspective.

Still, the formation has positive aspects. Kala Sarpa Yoga supports radical innovation and revolutionary discoveries, which means that while the challenges may be steep, we can find solutions to our collective problems.

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At the end of this month, on March 30, there’s a few big astrological conjunctions, and then things will start to shift. Most importantly, Jupiter will make a rare transit, joining Saturn in the stoic sign of sidereal Capricorn, where it will stay for about a year (not including time spent in other signs) Jupiter and Saturn will exactly conjoin in December, for the closest Great Conjunction the earth has seen in hundreds of years.

Saturn’s grounded power in Capricorn has been locking down borders and shutting down events, but when Jupiter meets it there, its expansive influence will inspire hope, and a renewed drive to meet the challenges we face.

Historically, the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn marks economic slowdowns, readjustments of the stock market—particularly after times of growth—and political and societal upheavals. In the year 1345, the Great Conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars was said to have heralded the Black Death plague. Lucky for us, in 2020, this Great Conjunction appears to be far milder in its effects.

If anything, this Great Conjunction can inspire new, more sustainable alternatives to outdated systems, and transform socio-economic trends. It can also up our level of self-awareness, asking us to turn inward and tend to our own garden before we judge others. Taking personal responsibility is of utmost importance at this time.

March is an extremely volatile month, and in the second half, there are more surprises to come. Hold on to your seats, because the cosmic rollercoaster has not stopped coasting. To make it through the rest of March, it’s vital to focus on self-care. If you’re working from home, use the opportunity to slow down and appreciate your alone time—or, perhaps, time with your family. When was the last time you read a good book? Or studied a new subject?

Learn more about how the Great Conjunction of 2020 affects you on a personal level.  Sign up for the Jupiter/Saturn in Capricorn Webinar Class with horoscopes for your Vedic sign.  Live Q&A.

By focusing on the positive aspects of social distancing, like turning inward, and by not caving in to the fear mentality that has gripped our planet, you can evolve your consciousness. Spend time in prayer and meditation, and take long, soothing baths with Epsom salts. My spiritual teacher, Ammachi, has suggested saying this mantra now:

Om lokah samastha sukinoh bhavantu

The Coronavirus pandemic, when seen from divine perspective, can also serve a higher purpose, inspiring acts of selflessness and compassion, and helping to break down barriers between nations and people. Viruses do not discriminate based on race, gender, national origin, or religion. Why should we?

In 2020, the Great Conjunction offers a prime opportunity to release old patterns of fear and anxiety, and uplift your consciousness by taking more personal responsibility. By turning inward and focusing on yourself, rather than the flaws of others, you will make the best of these uncertain times.

To learn more about how these influences affect you, book a Vedic Astrology Reading.