A rare event: Jupiter and Saturn’s great conjunction

from VegaStarC Liard Photography https://earthsky.org/earthsky-community-photos/entry/35819
Jupiter and Saturn come within 0.1 degrees of each other on Solstice December 21, 2020. The last time this occurred was in the middle ages in 1623 in the time of Galileo. And the last time they were observable in the sky and this close was March 4, 1226.
The next time the planets will be in this range again will be in March of 2080. That is why this is such a rare event; likely once in a lifetime for most of us.
Jupiter and Saturn are the two largest planets in our solar system. In Vedic Astrology, these two planets represent sometimes opposing themes on our collective minds. Jupiter represents the ‘rulers and those in power’ and Saturn represents ‘the workers and the people’ of a nation.
Observing the planets:
The two planets Saturn and Jupiter are bright in the night sky appearing just after sunset.
In Vedic Astrology, it is said that it is a difficult time when Saturn or Mars are observable in the night sky. So Vedic Astrology does not see this as a time to be ‘setting intentions’, rather it is a time to create rituals of release.
Moving forward with global change after Dec. 27
Keep reading for more information on what Saturn in Capricorn means in vedic astrology.
It’s true, this is a rare event in astronomy and our lifetimes. And… but I do not see this crossing as a “Cosmic Portal” as many are calling it. I think that puts too much pressure on each of us at a time of strain and stress when the two large planets are pulling on us boldly.
Please take the next few days and nourish yourself and stretch your body – build muscle and flexibility.
Check-in with yourself and see how you have been feeling since Dec 17. It is a time to let go, clear, eat easy to digest food and create sacred ritual of release. It’s a time to prepare to come out of this season very, very soon. In days, you will feel the desire to move forward but keep your actions focused on small projects even then (Dec 23 – 27).
Hope will Ignite our hearts soon
In just one week, hope will ignite our hearts! I just want to share the truth of how vedic astrology sees these energies of Jupiter crossing Saturn and not set you up for disappointment if you don’t feel amazing or inspired the week of the Christmas holiday or the end of Hanukkah (Dec 18).
Jupiter and Saturn in Capricorn
Jupiter and Saturn cross the same constellation every twenty years, but where they meet is a different constellation every 20 years. For instance, Jupiter and Saturn were both in Taurus in 2000.
The last time Jupiter and Saturn were in the constellation of Capricorn was in 1961. To understand the impact that this is having on the world, you can revisit some historical events like the election of JFK, Jr to the U.S. presidency, the beginning of the race to the moon, and a social justice movement that tried to bring light to continued segregation in the south of the U.S. and racism that persisted across America.
Saturn in Capricorn brings both challenges and contraction of economies while it sets up greater long-term change for a Sustainable future. Saturn and Jupiter in Capricorn stimulates global change from government investment in infrastructure and farming. Renewable energy and food sovereignty are just a few themes that Saturn in Capricorn brings during its 2.5 year stay in Capricorn.
If you would like to know more about what Jupiter and Saturn in Capricorn bring – join the Intro to 2021 Course with Kathleen Whalen M.S. and Vedic Astrology
Jupiter and Saturn cross in the skies on solstice December 2020
Jupiter crosses Saturn (from our point of view) so closely that the two planets will almost touch each other in the sky on December 21, 2020. Many are referring to this as a ‘cosmic portal’, but according to Vedic Astrology principles, this is a time of pressure and strife, a battle between those with power and the people of nations (those who ‘work for a living’). The public will benefit in the long term, but it will be a long term road to recovery. Jupiter and Saturn’s crossing bring about a ‘squashing of intensity’ to force some world events from December 17 – December 23, 2020. The two planets just happen to be closest ON SOLSTICE December 21!
Pre-Holiday Crunch – Dec 17 – 23
Restrictions arise when two major planets like Jupiter crosses Saturn (a second time this year). The restrictions can help keep people healthy (like stay at home orders), and cause concern (if someone works in the restaurant service industry) but the same restriction puts pressure on lawmakers to come to an agreement like with Brexit and Covid relief funding in the United States.
In the U.S., the pressure will bring about some funding for those out of work with a Covid relief bill, but not as big as many people would have hoped. It will keep people from bein evicted, but it will not stop the food insecurity that Saturn in Capricorn brings.
December 13 – 29 is the greater period that we look to Jupiter and Saturn creating some pressure around the holidays according to Vedic Astrology. Keep life simple and use this time to continue to keep things quiet at home. No need for fancy gifts, celebrate the gift of life this season!
NOT A COSMIC PORTAL – IT’S A TIME TO WITHDRAW AND CONSOLIDATE YOUR ENERGY, HEAL AND DISCARD WHAT NO LONGER SERVES YOU
This is NOT a time to overextend yourself and buy big programs in hopes of meeting your challenges for next year. Wait until the end of December to work with Green Day energy to create your plans and move forward in life! As early as December 23 and 24th, you will begin to feel a desire to move forward and things will start to become more clear. It’s still an intense time with the Moon and Mars inspiring you to get SHORT tasks completed, not big long projects from Dec 22 – 26, 2020. All of this is seen with the Mars-Moon symbol right on the Conscious Calendars with a note helping you to work with the energies.
Kathleen Whalen, Vedic astrologer indicated that Jupiter and Saturn are crossing in the skies on the December Conscious Calendar with Purple Stars from December 17 – 21 and gave you guidance at the bottom of the calendar that significant events around work, energy, and oil industry (letting you know about the event since December 2019).

Michael Teoh of Heng Ee Observatory in Penang, Malaysia https://earthsky.org/todays-image/jupiter-saturn-photos-drawing-closer-conjunction-dec21-2020
Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn – past and present
1623 – Galileo first observed the moon through a telescope in 1609, and made his famous moon drawings. There are no written reports of the Saturn and Jupiter conjunction in European documents, but since the two planets are so bright in the night sky, they might have been seen as ‘stars’ in 1623.
2020 – The two planets Saturn and Jupiter are bright in the night sky appearing just at sunset.
Astronomy of Jupiter and Saturn
“Jupiter and Saturn are actually 456 million miles (734,000 million km) apart. Saturn is nearly twice as far away as Jupiter.” Earthsky.org