Ardra New Moon, Jupiter Combust and June 2025 Squares
Notes from Moon & Transits gathering 21 June 2025
This past Saturday, our Moon and Transits Patreon group gathered on a day that was astrologically and spiritually significant as, not only was it Solstice but it was also Yogini Ekadashi, (an 11th Lunar day - a sacred lunar day associated with purification, healing, and karmic release). We’ve been studying Tithis in our Moon Investigation Patreon group, so the overlap brought a sense of stillness and sacredness to our meeting. And this is all happening during one of the most dynamic periods of the year—the June 2025 astrology transits, which include Jupiter’s exalted transit through Cancer and Saturn’s new journey through Aries.
We began by reviewing the planetary movements of the last several weeks (you can view the presentation slides here), and then checking-in on each others’ lives and our our personal experiences of the many ‘square’ aspects happening right now:
9 June – Mercury square Saturn, Venus square Pluto, Mercury square Neptune
13 June – Sun square Nodes
15 June – Mars square Uranus, Jupiter square Saturn
18 June – Jupiter square Neptune
22 June – Sun square Saturn
23 June – Sun squares Neptune
The response was a gentle but clear yes. Many of us shared stories of events happening ‘to’ us that we had to respond to - we had not changed, the situation had changed and it was forcing us to respond. This is a classic ‘square’ transit - forcing change, often from a hidden source.
The Ardra New Moon - Myth, Effort & a Triple Conjunction
After checking-in, we spent time discussing the New Moon taking place in Ardra. This isn’t just a regular lunar reset—it was a triple conjunction of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter, all in Ardra nakshatra. And while Jupiter in Cancer is considered exalted, its combustion by the Sun during this lunation means that its usual wisdom and sense of purpose might be hidden from view.
We reflected on what it means when Jupiter—the planet of dharma, wisdom, and expansion—is agitated. When combust, Jupiter may push us toward goals that feel urgent or meaningful in the moment, but which ultimately don’t align with our deeper truth. And yet, in the failure of those pursuits, we may finally glimpse what is.
Ardra’s mythology supported this theme. We shared the story of the crying child, unnamed until Brahma asked why he wept. “Because I don’t have a name,” he said. And so he was named Ardra—the moist one, the teardrop. This nakshatra is ruled by Rudra, the stormy form of Shiva, and its shakti is Yatna—the power to make effort. It’s not about ease. It’s about striving, often through emotional intensity, to become known.
Ardra is also ruled by Rahu, the lunar node and shadow planet. And Rahu’s influence can be seductive. It amplifies fascination, ambition and the hunger to make a mark—often without awareness of the full cost. Given the current transits of June 2025, with Jupiter combust, the Sun recently squaring the nodes (including Rahu) and Mars recently squaring Uranus, Ardra can tempt us into bold, decisive action that seems purposeful in the moment, but which may carry far-reaching consequences. It is not a gentle nakshatra. It asks for effort, yes—but also discernment. Because what we do under Ardra’s influence may not be easily undone.
Global Reflections & the Cost of Action
We looked at the chart for the recent Israel–Iran conflict, noting the presence of Mars square Uranus and Sun square the Nodes. The group looked at the upcoming transits for the following days and noted that while many of the squares had already played out, there were still some squares to come (22 June, Sun square Saturn, 23 June, Sun square Neptune) and wondered aloud: If no action is taken before the New Moon, might there be grace? But if action is taken while the squares are still active, what might the cost be?
Later that same day, the U.S. dropped bombs.
It was a sobering moment. The astrology had spoken clearly, and the unfolding events mirrored the themes we had explored: bold action taken under pressure, with high risk and unclear purpose.
What We Took Away
Despite the intensity, the group left with a sense of reverence. We are in a time of square pressure, yes—but the sky is beginning to shift. As we move toward trines (27 June, Mercury trines Saturn, 28 June, Mercury trines Neptune, 7 July, Venus trines Pluto), there is the promise of grace. We spoke about the importance of breathing, waiting, and not acting under the delusion of a “silver bullet” or of “making a name for ourselves”.
We closed by sharing memories of Jupiter’s last transit through Cancer (2013–14), reflecting on what may now be returning in new form. We are all looking forward to exploring that more.
Right after Moon and Transits, I hosted “Grow your business with Vedic Astrology” for my patrons and we explored how to work with Ardra productively, especially in the context of business and creativity. We also examined Mars and Ketu in Virgo, and how their combination can stir perfectionism and frustration.
Looking Ahead
I’ll be writing more soon on:
How to work with Ardra’s efforting energy
Navigating Mars and Ketu in Virgo
What Jupiter in Cancer in 2025 really feels like
And how to soften the edges of Saturn’s transit through Aries
In the meantime, you’re warmly invited to our next Moon and Transits gathering on Saturday, 28 June, followed by our Moon Investigation Circle.
We are going to be looking specifically at planetary influences to your Natal Moon including:
What planets are conjunct your Natal Moon (especially nodes or malefics)?
What rāśi aspects does is the sign the Moon is in receiving?
What lajjitādi avasthās is your Natal Moon giving and receiving? Is it delighting or starving any planets—or being starved itself?
This will lead into upcoming Moon Investigation gatherings, where we’ll explore how the Moon can offer insight into the first year of a person’s life.
In the meantime, let me know which of these topics interests you most and how your own experience of the Ardra New Moon June 2025 was!
