Engaged Astrology

Happy solar new year! Vedic astrology has a method of labeling years similar to Chinese astrology, except the Chinese years are based on the lunar calendar and Jyotish uses a Jupiter-based (Jovian) calendar to name and sequence them. From a Jovian perspective, 2026 is an interesting (even pivotal) year, and since people are currently in the mode of trying to “frame up” their years to come, this feels like an apt time to explore it. I have also used some ideas from the Jovian Calendar as the basis for a “sign-by-sign” transition guide for the year.

Jupiter takes just under 12 years to circle the zodiac and spends just under a year in every sign (361 days on average). This forms the basis of the Jovian calendar (called Samvatsara in Sanskrit) which runs on a cycle of 60 years. Each of the years has a name. The year we are heading into is called Parābhava, which is the 40th in the 60-year Samvatsara cycle.

As we know, Jupiter — known as “Guru” or the god “Bṛhaspati,” in Sanskrit — represents spirituality and the higher, wisdom capacities of the human brain. I think Martin Luther King’s term, “Soul Force”, is a great descriptor for Jupiter. So even though its calendar is a bit unwieldy and does not line up neatly with our solar-lunar concepts of time, it promises to chart deeper, more nuanced patterns. (By connection, Jupiter is thought to be the “planetary ruler” of Jyotisha which is, at its core, also a calendar system.) This year there will be a lot of focus on Jupiter because on June 1st it will transit into sidereal Cancer, the sign of its exaltation (I wrote another newsletter about this). So how this particular year fits into the broader scope of Jupiter’s calendar is highly relevant.

I have to say, the results are actually a bit concerning. But they also feel true. And there are also caveats.

Parābhava means “destruction”, “overthrowing”, “separation”, or “dissolution”. The symbols for it are a fallen crown (or banner); a broken pot, or a severed staff.

It is very much a turning point year.

For some context, the 60 years of the Jovian calendar are broken up into three sets of 20. The first set is ruled by the god Brahma and is filled with fiery, creative energy. The second set is ruled by Vishnu and is about preservation, expansion, and protection. The third set is ruled by Shiva and is about deconstruction and rebirth. Parābhava is the last year of the second set, so it’s right on the cusp between the expansion of Vishnu and the dissolution of Shiva.

The narrative this suggests is that during that second (Vishnu) stage our need to expand and protect may have overtaken the value of what exactly we are expanding and what we are protecting. In the latter stages of this phase, we may be over-expanding or over-protecting while the root of the matter (i.e. dharma, compassion, fairness, truth, love etc) may have been lost in the shuffle. This has the ring of truth to it in our current world. Parābhava is a necessary course correction — the first step in a return to wholeness.

On a personal (and very general) level the year could bring a humbling of some sort, a release of ego, and the beginning of an important self-realignment. On a societal level Parābhava years are said to bring a turning against established power structures, a stripping away of what isn’t working, and, again, setting the stage for a re-commitment to deeper values. It’s true that the word Parābhava suggests a kind of rupture, revolution or displacement that sounds pretty calamitous. Again, there are mitigating factors here that are important to bear in mind. Yes there are big shifts afoot, but I also think we will be OK.

One of the wonderful things about astrology is that we can quickly check the record on its sometimes highfalutin’ claims. I went back five 60 year Jovian cycles and studied their Parābhava years. Here are some of the major events that took place during, and just after them (I focused on US history to try and limit the randomness):

The Revolutionary War has been over for five years, and though the British are gone, the new “United States” are a mess from a governance perspective. This year sees Shays’ Rebellion, in which armed farmers and ex-Revolutionary soldiers raid courts and government buildings to protest unfair taxation and general dysfunction. This leads to the Constitutional Convention the next year (1787) and the ratification of the US Constitution the year after that: obviously a huge step forward for this young country. (This still young country, it should be mentioned, is having a big birthday this year. I will write more about this closer to July, but it’s interesting that the birthday is falling in a Parābhava year. In 1776 the Jovian year was “Dhātu” meaning, appropriately, “Foundation”. Will Parābhava mean we’ll continue to stand for the People and against monarchy? Or something else …)

The Mexican-American War (1846-1848) begins. The war leads to a massive expansion of US territory, adding California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. This exacerbates the issue of slavery (should it be allowed in the new territories?) and the anti-slavery movement grows exponentially. This escalation in race-based tension leads directly to the beginning of the Civil War 15 years later. Meanwhile, in Europe, due in part food shortages (potato blight), between 1846 and 1848 there are multiple anti-monarchy revolutions including in France, Germany, the Austrian Empire, Italy, Poland and Denmark.

A massive earthquake in San Francisco, and the fire it sparks, kills over 3000 people and leaves 250,000 homeless (it’s the deadliest quake in US history). Industrial (and employment) unrest in the US leads to the Panic of 1907 which wipes out over 50% of the stock market causing tremendous financial misery — and, a few years later, the establishment of the Federal Reserve. The first skirmishes of the Mexican Revolution begin under the leadership of Porfirio Díaz (the full-blown war begins three years later). In Europe tensions between Austria and Germany and the rest of Europe lead to the Algeciras Conference. The conference is not successful and is one of the major milestones in the escalation towards World War I, which starts just 10 years later.

So far the through-line here indicates that Parābhava years are transitional or “hinge” years, just as their place between the Vishnu and Shiva cycles suggests. The resistance against a troubled, unpopular or dysfunctional government system is also a theme. There is a sense that, after a Parābhava year, there is no turning back — the situation is irreversible.

As I read about them, I found the turmoil and violence these years seem to lead disturbing. It feels close to home as we are also currently dealing with a problematic regime — one prone to violence — and a there is significant amount of resistance, and societal stress.

First of all, the Jovian years change when Jupiter changes signs. This doesn’t happen until June 1st this year when Jupiter enters Cancer. So the beginning of this year is actually still the previous Jovian year “Vishvāsu”, which means “universal benefits” and is symbolized by a full pot or bowl, ready to be shared. Symbolically the transition between this Jovian year, a full pot, and the next one, a broken pot, couldn’t be starker! It indicates that perhaps the “benefits” of Vishvāsu may be, at best, short lived — or, at worse, false. The “universal” aspect of Vishvāsu is interesting, as it does seem that the US is not the only country dealing with some kind of mounting insecurity. The situation is global. Also, in terms of timing, in fact Jupiter already briefly entered Cancer (on October 18th) — then backed up out of it a few weeks later. Currently retro in Gemini, on March 11th it will go direct and head back into the purifying waters of Cancer. So the transition is very much underway.

As mentioned, when Jupiter enters Cancer, it will become “uccha”, exalted. In Vedic Astro terms, Jupiter exalted is one of the best, luckiest things that can happen. The spirituality, higher wisdom and protective “soul force” that Jupiter brings all become exponentially more so.

So, I was curious to know how the exaltation might affect the ominous sounding Parābhava year. I started to look for Parābhava years in which Jupiter was also exalted. Luckily I did not have to look further than … 1966.

In 1966, Jupiter doesn’t change signs until August 18th. So that’s when Parābhava actually starts, and Jupiter becomes exalted (interestingly, Saturn was also in Pisces at this time, as it is today — here’s another post where I talk about this). The Vietnam War, which had started a couple years earlier, is rapidly escalating — as are the protests against it. The Civil Rights Movement is also in full bloom. The Voting Rights Act had passed the year before and Stokely Carmichael is now popularizing the slogan “Black Power”. The Black Panther Party is founded this year as well, and the tension between protestors and law enforcement seems to be heading towards a breaking point in terms of violence. There are major riots in Cleveland, San Francisco, and Chicago to name just a few. Internationally, the Cold War is in full swing, as is Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution which is estimated to have killed two million people.

I pulled these photos from an Atlantic Magazine photo feature about 1966 — the images are incredible and very much give a feel for the year. It must have been an intense, highly polarized, and violent period to live through — much like the one we’re in today. As is the case now, there were also huge technological advances (space! computers!), cultural expressions (Beatles!), as well as racial shifts going on in ‘66. This is the heart of the iconic, swinging ‘60’s before things got out of control — and pretty dark …

This did not happen until AFTER Jupiter leaves Cancer — and loses its exaltation — in September of ’67. At this point the Jovian year changes to the one after Parābhava, which is called “Plavanga” and means “leaping forward”. And the mood turns deadly. The Tět Offensive is a bloodbath and the anti-war protests swell in intensity, and become violent. The assassinations of both Martin Luther King (April ’68) and Robert F. Kennedy (June ’68), both of whom represent alternative, highly moral visions for the country, take place in the period right after Jupiter loses exaltation as well. Internationally there was a stepping up of intensity in protests against the Soviet Union notably in Czechoslovakia (the Prague Spring of 1968) and similar things happened in Central and South America (Mexico and Brazil in particular).

Based on this, as well as the classic shielding effects of exalted Jupiter, I don’t believe that we will experience a fully calamitous Parābhava this year. Though I do think we will see regime-sanctioned violence (Venezuela, ICE, etc); popular resistance; and a potentially unhealthy amount of societal instability, just as in 1966, I don’t think they will boil over — yet. The suggestion is that this will be procrastinated until after Jupiter leaves Cancer (and enters Leo) on June 27th 2027. It’s at this point that I would be much more worried, though the hope is that by buying us some time, we will be able to organize ourselves and proceed with as much preparation as possible.

I think this bodes well for our midterm elections which Jupiter should protect and should happen in relative peace. I am a bit more concerned about the general election in November ’28.

On a personal level, the transition of Jupiter from Gemini to Cancer will change the philosophical underpinnings of our lives. Gemini is a male sign ruled by Mercury, given to frivolity and opportunism — a great sign for commerce and capitalism. Cancer is a female sign ruled by the moon. It’s a much more serious sign, capable of deep thinking, and with a drive to nurture, support and grow. The planet Ketu is in Leo (the King) most of this year, also challenging its masculine energy. When Jupiter goes into Cancer (the Queen) I would look for an increase in female leadership and a more generous, compassionate framing of affairs. But how exactly the transition will affect us, and how we handle the ramifications of Parābhava, will very much depend on our individual charts.

In terms of remedies (“Upāya” in Jyotish), anything we can do to boost Jupiter in our lives, and the world, will be of service. So the color yellow, Thursdays, the number 3, prayer and wisdom in general, are called for. Jupiter thrives on positive energy! This is clearly very general, and again what Jupiter is doing in your chart will offer clues as to what might help you (and us) in a more specific way.

Following, I have prepared sign-by-sign thoughts (and questions) re. how we might accomplish these things. I have tried to boil these down to their essence, so (hopefully) we can still remember them in June when the transition really kicks in. Also, look for positive changes when Jupiter turns around and begins its final approach to Cancer around March 11th.

With regard to the below, if you know your Vedic ascendant, I would suggest focusing on that sign. If not, focus on the sign where your vedic moon is. If you don’t know that, then I am also including Vedic “sun signs” by date. These are not, strictly speaking, part of traditional Vedic Astro, but there will be some Jupitarian potentialities held for each, especially ones to do with creativity, growth and fame (solar things).

This year will see you shift from a more wild, free-spirited mindset to something much more grounded and home-based. From this space you will be able to be more in touch with your heart (a new love?) and also be in the position to be more sharing and generous. Others may not be so lucky, and people may come to you looking for shelter in one way or another. A question to ask yourself this year: whom can I invite in?

This year will see you make choices that might not make sense practically (or financially) but will make sense creatively, or in terms of the freedom to do what you want, when you want. You will contact reserves of courage you did not know you have, and people — many of whom might feel trapped in some situation — will look to you as an inspiration. A question to ask yourself this year: are the things I’m putting into the world also serving it?

This year much of the hard work you’ve done to prepare yourself will pay off, if not financially (which is likely), then in terms of the support you feel from the world around you. Unexpected people will suddenly be at your side (while other people you know might be more alone than ever). A question to ask yourself this year: how can I extend the support I feel to others in my life?

This year you will regain agency over aspects of yourself may have felt out of reach recently - notably things related to your health or reputation. People, or things, that you thought were out of your life will return, and you will feel protected, even as so many around you may be experiencing hardship. A question to ask yourself this year: if I had unlimited powers to help others through difficult times, what would I do? (PS: you just might.)

This year you will shift from a more conservative mindset to one of adventure and transcendence. You will end up in places, with people, and in states that you never imagined. Some people in your life might need your help. A question to ask yourself this year: if I could relate to all people as though they were part of me, how would I behave?

This year, just when you were about to give up, the things you do will finally bear fruit - especially related to your work or career. This could feel privileged since many people in your community might be on an opposite trajectory. A question to ask yourself this year: if I could express gratitude to all the people who have helped me get to where I am, how would I do it?

This year things you may have been waiting for will finally start and you will find yourself with “Good problems to have”, such as not enough time. You may wonder why you are blessed to be busy, while so many seem to not be so lucky, and may come to you looking for help. A question to ask yourself this year: can I make time in my busy schedule to also do things for others?

This will be a year of “waking up” spiritually, and for living into a sense of your higher purpose on the planet. You will feel blessed to have these feelings (even if the material world has not quite caught up with you) and certainly there will be suffering people in your life who will want to know how you do it. A question to ask yourself this year: if I could teach something, what would it be, and whom would it be for?

This will be a year of changes — some super positive, others less so — but you will abide by the mantra “Change is good”. You may be amazed that you can hold space for these shifts, especially in relationships, while others around you may be suffering, unable to adjust. A question to ask yourself this year: if I could give advice to someone facing steep adversity, not only what would it be, but how could I live by example?

This year will bring new people into your life and you will also let go of relationships that do not serve you. In terms of new relationships, you may even be spoiled by choice and feel strangely privileged as so many around you feel isolated or unsupported. A question to ask yourself this year: if I could start a movement to combat loneliness, what would I do?

This year will see you shift from a mindset of self-protection and over-thinking, to one of service and action. You will respond to the stress you see in the world around you, and will do your best to heal those less fortunate than yourself. You might not feel sure or about these choices, but you will make them anyway, because that is your nature as an Aquarius! A question to ask yourself this year: how can I take care of myself, and those close to me, so that I may be of better service to the wider world?

This year will see you come out of your shell and present some of your findings to the outside world. This process might not happen as quickly as you had hoped, but you will be pleasantly surprised that people will want to hear what you have to say; and in a darkened world it will be deeply fulfilling to feel you are being of service to your fellow humans. A question to ask yourself this year: if you could do something you always dreamed of, but just had to be a little more patient, would you be OK with that … and what would it be?

I considered putting these small readings behind some kind of Substack paywall, but it doesn’t feel right. Instead I am going to try a “Buy Me a Coffee” model in case anyone feels moved to contribute something!

Buy Me a Coffee

Also, please think of me for your Vedic Astrology needs! I am running a special on “year-to-come” readings in January (ask me about this). I am also offering a free “year-to-come/ birthday” analysis as part of your next reading — if you refer me to someone else who also gets a reading!

Thanks for reading! I will be chiming in with Notes over the course of the month (and year ahead).

May the Soul Force be with you!

~JG