Astrology of Joy

Newsletter: 28/April/2025 Jupiter, Saturn, Purpose, and Meaning

Written by

David

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Astrology Monday! Life Purpose! Saturn and Jupiter Dance! 🥳
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This Week’s Focus

Purpose and Meaning
Issue 18 Volume 8          28 April 2025
Your own Self-Realization is the greatest service you can render the world. Happiness is your nature. It is not wrong to desire it. What is wrong is seeking it outside when it is inside. Self-Realization is not acquisition of anything new nor is it a new faculty. It is only removal of all camouflage”.
~~ Ramana Maharshi (1879—1950), one of modern India’s greatest sages







© 1999 Charles Schultz (1922 — 2000); American cartoonist, creator of one of the world’s most popular comic strips, Peanuts
 

Dear Friend;

Many of you come to astrology seeking answers to the purpose and meaning of your life… yet, there is no purpose to life!!

Your task is to simply be yourself. This is all life is about. Surprised? Shocked? Depressed? Perhaps you feel relief from all those years of seeking purpose and meaning. If so, count yourself as one of the lucky ones for now you can go about the business of actually living your life as Life intended – joyful, exuberant, and fulfilled.

Vedic astrology offers a simple path to living joyfully: in whatever sign and house your Rahu (North node) is located, make those areas of your life shine like the brightest star. As you do this, the constrictions you placed upon yourself lifetimes ago (Ketu — South node) begin to dissolve. An enlightened you is the you who remains after the conditioned mind has been bathed in the waters of authenticity — an authenticity found through Rahu. As I always remind you when you have a reading with me, your Rahu is the door through which everything you seek will be found.

But what about “purpose”? Don’t we need one?

The spiritually wise tell us that “it is not what you do, but how you do it.” Do you live your life as an expression of love, bliss, and joy? If yes, then you need no purpose to your life; you are living it. Charles M. Schulz, the creator of the Peanuts comic strip once pondered, “My life has no purpose, no direction, no aim, no meaning, and yet I’m happy. I can’t figure it out. What am I doing right?” ☺️

The reason we seek purpose in life is simply because we are not happy. Yet, happiness is not even what we really seek. Happiness arises when a desire is fulfilled which brings on a pleasurable satiation, but just like leaving the table satisfied and three hours later you are raiding the fridge, there is always another desire waiting in the queue for its chance to agitate your mind. Can we call such a life living?

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev puts it this way: “Your experience of life itself has not become grand and worthwhile enough. That is why you are trying to find a meaning. If just sitting here and breathing was ecstatic for you, you wouldn’t ask, ‘What is the purpose of life?’” 

Though usually associated with John Lennon of the Beatles, it was cartoonist Allen Saunders who wrote in 1957, “Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans.” So true! We are so busy doing, doing, doing and thinking, thinking, thinking, we miss out on the bounty of life all around us and within us in every moment. Indeed, we ARE Life!

Surveys taken from people in hospice care during the waning days of their lives reveal overwhelmingly a regret of not having taken “the other road”. According to Bronnie Ware, a palliative nurse who wrote The Top Five Regrets of the Dying (2011), the most common regret was “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, rather than the life others expected of me.” I hear this in many of my astrology sessions along with her other four:

  1. I wish I hadn’t worked so hard ( i.e., missing their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship due to their focus on work).
  2. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings (i.e., realising too late the importance of expressing their love in close relationships).
  3. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends (i.e., letting friendships slip by due to the demands of their busy lives).
  4. I wish I had let myself be happier (i.e., they had stayed stuck in old thought patterns and habits and missed out on the joy in front of them).
In one of the world’s great epics from Vedic India, the Mahabharata , the protagonist, Yudhishthira, is asked many questions by his father disguised as the Lord of Death to test his understanding of dharma, right action. One of the questions he asks is this: What is the greatest mystery? Yudhishthira correctly answers, “Though he is surrounded by death, the greatest mystery is that man believes he will live forever.”

Life is short. Let us not leave this world with regrets, but understand, too, that the only way to fully do this is by removing the limitations you have placed upon yourself as an individual. As an individual, how can you leave this world without regrets for will there not always be a “road not taken”? The key, then, is to realise your unbounded nature which has no limitation. Perhaps more than he realised, astronomer Carl Sagan once observed, ” The cosmos is within us. We are made of star stuff. We are a way for the cosmos to know itself.”

Seeking purpose is not the answer. We only seek purpose and meaning because we forgot who we are and where we came from; all we need do is remember. Seek, instead, your authentic nature. You’ll know you have found it when the question of purpose never arises, and if, by chance, someone should ask, you’ll simply smile and ask them back, “Does the apple tree need a purpose to blossom? Does the wind need a purpose to blow? Does a star need a purpose to twinkle?”

There is no purpose, but there is Love, the fabric of Life… what more do we need?

 🤗

David 🔆

astrologyofjoy.com

In this issue:
  • Weekly Planning Forecast
  • Eye on the Globe
  • Hero’s Journey: Free App
Suggested Reading
Do you know of anyone in their twilight years or in hospice care? A friend or family member? For a wonderful book on supporting those nearing the end of their life journey, I recommend Leaves of Love by Scotland’s own Lucy Aykroyd, a published writer, artist, and yoga enthusiast who is also a life-enhancing care-giver and end-of-life doula.

From the back cover:
“Leaves of Love is a simple yet essential guide for both layman and expert to keep by your side as you learn the beautiful and ancient art of accompanying another over these final transitions… Laced with inspiring real-life stories that depict the rich gleanings and unexpected opportunities that can reveal themselves when we embrace the reality of our dying, Leaves of Love ofers a toolkit of ideas and practical tips to empower the carer within all of us.”

You can find Lucy’s book and rave reviews on Amazon (US) and Amazon (UK) or contact her here. 

Astrology Monday

Weekly Planning Forecast
Suggestion: match the significations of the following dates to what you wish to accomplish. To plan important events further into the future, contact David for a Muhurtha reading which finds the best date(s) for your specific tasks or goals.

Sun in Taurus
20 APR — 20 MAY

The Sun in Taurus highlights an individual who is loyal, grounded, connected to the earth element, and who seeks security in their life. Since the Sun relates to your self-expression and identity, you tend to identify yourself through Venus, the ruler of Taurus. This means art, beauty, relationships, and win-win situations are important to you.

The Sun can never be inimical to our existence in astrology, but it can be troubled. Venus, ruler of Taurus, is an enemy to the Sun and can indicate too much identification with the world of objects whether it is a person or a thing.  Venus hijacks Sun’s emphasis on self-expression and attempts to define itself through the accomplishments of others.  A wayward Venus is not easily recognisable. As the ruler of external comforts and pleasures, it can become dependent upon another person’s creativity, their lifestyle, even their looks. As always, this is not about living a spartan existence; rather, it is about being aware of the tendencies and making adjustments. Depending upon another person or object may work while you have access to them, but sooner or later, that access is denied either by their choice, circumstance, or simply the passage of time. To this end, it is always best to embrace your own worth and greatness first — then bring others into your ‘bubble’. 

Fun Fact: Zodiac comes from the Greek zodiakos (kyklos) which literally means “circle of little animals” and is one indication of how astrological knowledge was shared between the cultures of Greece and India beginning in the time of Alexander the Great. For thousands of years before the Greeks, the Vedic culture used a 12-part circle which represented 12 aspects of the Sun (Adityas) and offer us some fascinating insights not gleaned from the Greeks.
 

Sun in Aditya Mitra (Taurus)…

The Aditya that corresponds to the Greek zodiacal sign of Taurus is Mitra which symbolises the dawn, i.e., the birth of the cosmos. Mitra highlights friendship and along with the Aditya Vivasvan, Mitra relates to the throat chakra underscoring the quality of beneficial communication inherent in friendships. Mitra also works closely with Varuna as the upholder of truth as an expression of unconditional love. When we are established in unconditional love, truth is automatically protected because nothing can be taken or added to unconditional love.

When the Sun is in Mitra, God is directing your attention to your capacity, or lack thereof, for the art of diplomacy, truth, childhood, friendships, and the creative potential of physical reality as a medium for learning what you need to develop fully. The stronger and less afflicted your Sun, the less work you will need to do to express yourself authentically in a constructive way. The Sun in Taurus can become enamoured with its own opinion which creates a stubborn resistance to hear other views… stay loose and nonjudgmental and simply do what’s needed. 🤗
 
Important upcoming dates (2025)
JAN 12 thru summer 2026: Rahu enters Pisces joining Saturn and Neptune
     — Loss of boundaries; heightened creative expression
APR 18 — JUN 16: Mars enters Leo
     — Aggressive work scenarios; energises authentic work and projects
MAY 25 — AUG 31: Saturn enters Aries, its sign of debilitation
     — Weakening of foundation; supports taking calculated risks
JUN 17 — AUG 6: Mars in Virgo
     — Taking on too many responsibilities; supports fitness programmes
SEP 1 — FEB 13 2026: Saturn in Pisces
     — Tendency towards fear-based decisions; loss of boundaries; strong creative ideas
FEB 14 2026— APR 12 2028: Saturn in Aries
     — Weakening of foundation; supports taking calculated risks
 
Astrology of the World
It can be useful to examine world events from the perspective of the astrology of the players involved, not just in understanding the forces behind occurrences, but in understanding the tendencies of our own mind. Human beings have similar inner challenges which mundane astrology can help us understand…

Disclaimer: I hold no party affiliation. I aim to offer you an unbiased perspective of world events through the lens of archaeology, astrology, and yoga.

This Summer’s Matinee!
Saturn and Jupiter make their move…

A rare treat? Deft handling makes it so


From 10 June through 1 September, Saturn will be in its sign of debilitation (Aries) while Jupiter moves into is exaltation (Cancer). Not since 4/March/1967 thru 22/May/1967 has this occurred. Before that? I’m not really sure to tell you the truth: my planet calculator crashed after processing 250 years worth of data… At the least, this event did not occur through the late 18th century.

If you liken the system of planets in Vedic astrology to a kingdom, the Sun is King and Jupiter the wise Prime Minister who offers sage advice when the King needs it most. Saturn is the castle walls which keep wild animals at bay and repel enemy attacks. Both are needed for peace in the kingdom, but if only one is operating fully, the situation becomes a bit trickier.

In Vedic astrology, Jupiter and Saturn are neutral to each other. This designation by the sages hints at how they actually work together to create balance. Saturn is the foundation. When strong, Saturn is our capacity to resist the trials and tribulations of life. Even if we must go through a trial, we stand firm and come through the ordeal even stronger. It was Friedrich Nietzsche who said “What does not kill me makes me stronger”. He undoubtedly had a strong Saturn.

Jupiter, on the other hand, is our capacity to love unconditionally. From this simple quality, everything else falls into place. For this reason, a good Jupiter indicates abundance, creativity, children, community, and spiritual knowledge. Jupiter is what makes life joyful and fulfilling. Yet, Jupiter needs a strong foundation (Saturn) upon which to stand in order to fully realise the bounty that is possible just as Saturn needs a strong Jupiter to prevent itself from becoming self-absorbed and narcissistic.

This summer, Saturn will be in Aries, a sign where the will of Mars clashes with Saturn’s more prudent manner leading to frustration. Saturn here indicates a certain amount of floundering that can be offset by encouraging your Jupiter. Over in Cancer, Jupiter is feeling the brightness of the Moon indicating expanded emotional connection, abundance, and a sense of being at home within your own mind. 

Read your own chart!
Consider the following a “public service announcement”. 😄

What you personally experience will depend upon several factors, most notably the condition of your Saturn and Jupiter. To really understand fully how these planets will work in your life, you can have your horoscope read. However, let’s have some fun! Below is a very, very, very simplified way to at least get an idea of what to expect: 
  1.  Determine how “friendly” Jupiter and Saturn are in your horoscope as follows:
    1. Consider your Sun sign.
    2. Jupiter is especially friendly to Aries, Cancer, Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Pisces Suns and neutral to the others. Saturn is friendly to Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Capricorn, and Aquarius Suns and inimical to the others. 
    3. If your Jupiter is friendly, expect opportunities to come, but be on guard for over-optimism that distracts you from seeing the possibility realistically.
    4. If your Saturn is friendly, expect to achieve what you want after much effort and be on guard for greed and coveting others accomplishments or abundance.
  2. Determine the areas of life affected as follows using the chart images below:
    1. Whatever sign your Sun is located in becomes “house” number one.
    2. For Jupiter: Using Image 1, beginning at your Sun sign, count the number of houses until you reach Jupiter. Now look up that number in Image 2 and read what it is about. These are some of the areas Jupiter is affecting during this time.
    3. For Saturn: same as above except that you count from your Sun sign to Saturn and look that number up in Image 2.
Example: for a Taurus Sun sign, we consult Image 1 and count the number of “houses” to Jupiter which equals 3 (Taurus is 1, Gemini is 2, and Cancer is 3). Next, we consult Image 2 and find the “house” labeled “3” and read what it says. For Taurus, Jupiter will be influencing younger siblings, competition, skills, sales, mechanical ability (and desires, courage, and creative performance!). When we do the same with Saturn, we count 12 “houses” from Taurus Sun which means Saturn will influence 12th house affairs like enlightenment, far-off travel, hospitals (and ashrams, expenses, charity, and solitude!). Since Saturn is friendly for Taurus and Jupiter is neutral, then Taurus Sun signs can expect to work hard for what you want (desires) and will find success as long as you remain realistic and focused on benefitting everyone (not just yourself).

You can also repeat these steps for your Moon sign and your Rising sign (ascendent). Your Sun sign relates more to your self-image, self-worth, public projection, and physical health. Your Moon sign is more about your emotions and emotional needs. The rising sign is more about circumstances and opportunities.

Obviously, this is a very simplistic technique, but I hope it gives you an idea. There are many nuances and determining factors as to how these planets will work for you, but this requires a reading.

Next week, I will highlight Jupiter and Saturn’s influence from a global perspective.

☺️
      
Global Revolution Special! If you would like to go over in detail the potential and possibility of the next six months for you personally, I am offering an hourly special on Varshaphala readings (in-depth look at current period): £45/hr online; audio recorded. Contact me here.
Hero’s Journey
The journey of the hero is about the courage to seek the depths; the image of creative rebirth; the eternal cycle of change within us; the uncanny discovery that the seeker is the mystery which the seeker seeks to know. ~ Joseph Campbell, 

Free and low cost programmes and discounts…
Miracle of Mind! FREE Meditation App!

Recent science shows that even a short amount of time is enough to spark positive neuro-physical changes in your brain. Stick with it, and these quick sessions build up, boosting your mental resilience and overall happiness.

Launched by Sadhguru this past Mahashivratri, Miracle of Mind is a free app to download that empowers you through a daily 7 minute meditation. For more information, follow this link.

 
Consultations

Become an Astro Affiliate! Receive 20% cashback on any referrals.

Visit astrologyofjoy.com/special-offer for more information.

What is the Astrology of Joy? It’s a tool for finding your bliss and living a joyful life. It’s a gentle “push” to get you back on the right track. Based upon the time-honoured system of astrology practiced in India for thousands of years, Astrology of Joy is inspired by David’s four decades living in ashrams, seeking truth, and learning from enlightened beings who taught, “You are more than a body and a mind. You are That!” 
 

Recommended Schedule

1. One-time Natal in-depth overview:
£95… 2hr online reading. Optional: £29 add on eBook.
 
2. NEW! Varshaphala (6-month Solar return)
£95… 2hr online reading. Optional: £29 add on eBook.
 
3. Rahu/Ketu Elemental Reading
£79… 2hr online reading. Optional: £29 add on eBook.

4. Specialised Consultations:
£79… 2hr online reading. Optional: £29 add on eBook.
  • Relationship/Compatibility
  • Career/Finances
  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Spiritual Development
  • In-depth examination of any area of your choosing
5. Muhurta Consultation
Auspicious date determination for wedding, pregnancy, business start up, surgery, etc
£29 per month analysis; £60 for three month analysis. Months do not need to be successive.
 
All readings are recorded as an MP3 file for your continued reference.
Financial concessions available.

For more information, visit astrologyofjoy.com/consultations.


AstrologyOfJoy.com
About David: Personally certified by Dr. David Frawley, author and founder of the American Institute of Vedic Studies, David has been a professional astrologer for over 30 years. David learned the art and science of Indian astrology while a ten-year resident in the ashram of a realised spiritual master. David guides clients throughout the world on achieving everyday fulfilment in their spiritual and personal goals, relationships, and wellbeing.

David served as editor of Isha Yoga’s European newsletter for two years, was Vice President of the Rosia Montana Cultural Foundation in Romania, and has a Masters in Archaeology (with Distinction), studying the challenges and issues facing contemporary society from the archaeological perspective. He also wrote and published a parent-child picture book with his brother, Steve (illustrator), about the life of Adiyogi, the first yogi. He currently resides in Burntisland, Scotland, where he serves on the board of the Burntisland Harbour Access Trust helping maintain public access to the historically significant harbour.
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