As Purim approaches, we're reminded of the ancient story where the Jewish people faced potential annihilation but ultimately triumphed. The mazel of Purim traditionally falls during Adar, a time when "joy increases" according to our sages. Yet looking at the current astrological transits, we find ourselves in remarkably complex and potentially volatile times that mirror historical periods of great transformation.
The Blood Moon on Purim: A Celestial Omen
Astronomers predict a total lunar eclipse—a "blood moon"—coinciding with the first day of Purim. This extraordinary alignment will last for 65 minutes, with the Earth's shadow blocking 97% of the moon's surface. The eclipse will be visible over North and South America, rising over Australia and northeast Asia, and setting over Africa and Europe.
The reddish appearance comes from sunlight passing through Earth's atmosphere, where shorter wavelengths like blue and green are filtered out, leaving the longer red wavelengths to illuminate the moon. This creates the dramatic blood-red appearance that has captured human imagination throughout history.
According to Rabbi Mordechai Genuth, lunar eclipses carry special significance in Jewish tradition. The Talmud (Sukkot 29a) indicates that lunar eclipses are traditionally considered a bad omen for Israel, as the moon spiritually represents the Jewish people. However, since today's Muslim calendar is strictly lunar, Rabbi Genuth suggests this eclipse represents a warning specifically for the Arabs.
"A lunar eclipse in the month of Adar is a sign that there will be war among the Sons of Ishmael who are connected to the moon," Rabbi Genuth explains. "It is also a sign of famine and drought in the West."
Most tellingly, Rabbi Genuth points to the prophecy in the Book of Joel that indicates a blood moon will precede the coming of the Messiah:
"Before the great and terrible day of Hashem comes, I will set portents in the sky and on earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke; The sun shall turn into darkness And the moon into blood." (Joel 3:3-5)
Eclipse Patterns: The Dragon's Shadow Over Israel and Iran
Following this blood moon on Purim, there will be a solar eclipse in Aries on March 29, 2025 (1 Nisan 5785). This eclipse represents the culmination of an eclipse series that has consistently coincided with escalating tensions between Israel and Iran:
- The first solar eclipse in Aries (spring 2024) marked the first time Iran launched missiles directly at Israel rather than operating through proxies
- The Pisces eclipse in September 2024 fell precisely on the day Israel conducted operations against Hezbollah with the pager attacks in Lebanon
- This final Aries eclipse at 8°57' Aries is particularly significant as it closes out the Aries-Libra nodal axis cycle that began October 2023
Rabbi Genuth notes the significance of this solar eclipse occurring on the first day of Nisan: "That is the month of Pesach when the Jews go out to freedom. This is a bad sign for the foreign leaders who will become like Pharaoh; examples of what happens to the nations that mistreat Israel. This is centered on Jerusalem."
Traditionally, eclipses represent times of veiled truths and sudden revelations. The North Node (Rahu, in Vedic astrology) in Pisces and South Node (Ketu) in Virgo create an axis of dissolution and critical assessment. This eclipse occurs with both Mercury and Venus retrograde in Aries, creating a powerful configuration of revision and reassessment in matters of communication, diplomacy, and military action.
Critical House Placements for Israel and Iran
For Israel, the upcoming solar eclipse will activate the seventh house, which governs partnerships, alliances, and open enemies. This placement suggests major shifts in Israel's international relationships, with potential confusion and uncertainty in diplomatic affairs. There are indications of covert operations potentially unfolding in the background.
For Iran, the solar eclipse occurs almost exactly on the Sun in Iran's 9th house, only a few degrees away. The 9th house governs religion, ideologies, legal systems, and international affairs. When a solar eclipse directly impacts the Sun—representing the leadership and spiritual/political core of a country—it can signal governmental instability, sudden disruptions, or major challenges to authority.
With Mars also positioned in Iran's 9th house, the energy becomes tense, aggressive, and conflict-driven. How these forces will manifest remains uncertain, but Iran is undoubtedly entering a critical phase.
The Triple Overlay: Mars, Mercury, and Venus Retrogrades
Mars stationed direct at 17°36' Cancer on February 23, still moving extremely slowly as we enter March. This creates a powerful "shadow period" effect where:
- Mars in Cancer (its fall) represents aggressive protection or defensive actions
- The station occurred over Israel's natal Cancer placements in the Sibley chart
- Trump's announcement regarding Palestinian removal came during this Mars retrograde
Simultaneously, we're experiencing:
- Venus retrograde in Aries (March 1-April 12) at 24°44' Aries
- Mercury retrograde in Aries (March 15-April 7) at 9°12' Aries
This mirrors an extremely rare configuration that last occurred in spring 1945 during the final days of Hitler's regime. Austin Coppock brilliantly connects this to the film "Downfall," noting how this particular Mercury-Venus retrograde in Aries symbolized the complete reversal of fortune and collapse of what seemed an impenetrable structure.
The cazimi (exact conjunction with the Sun) of Venus on March 22 at 2°29' Aries and Mercury on March 24 at 4°15' Aries represent critical turning points during this retrograde cycle, occurring precisely between the two eclipses.
Iran's Chart: Warning Signs in the Aries Ingress
The Aries ingress chart (moment the Sun enters Aries) for Iran in 2025 shows Mars conjunct the Ascendant degree—a powerful indicator of potential conflict. This configuration has only appeared once before in Iran's post-revolutionary history: when Iraq invaded in 1980, beginning their devastating eight-year war.
Iran's post-revolution chart features:
- An Aries Sun directly affected by these eclipses
- A Leo Ascendant (ruled by the Sun)
- Saturn transiting over these sensitive points
The death of senior Iranian leadership following the previous eclipse cycle aligns with these placements, suggesting continued vulnerability in leadership structures.
Neptune Enters Aries: The Dissolution of Boundaries
Perhaps the most significant shift occurs on March 30, 2025, when Neptune enters Aries for the first time in approximately 165 years. This transition happens immediately after the solar eclipse, creating a powerful symbolic doorway:
- Neptune last entered Aries in 1861, coinciding exactly with the outbreak of the American Civil War
- Neptune in Aries historically correlates with heroic but potentially violent collective dreams and ideologies
- Neptune dissolves boundaries while Aries asserts individuality—a potentially volatile combination
What makes this transit particularly potent is that Saturn will enter Aries on May 24, 2025, forming an extremely close conjunction with Neptune throughout summer 2025. They remain within 1° of each other but don't precisely conjoin until January/February 2026.
This Saturn-Neptune conjunction in Aries creates the energetic conditions for:
- Structural collapse (Saturn's forms meeting Neptune's dissolution)
- Revolutionary idealism hardening into new structures
- Potential for both inspired heroism and dangerous fanaticism
Historical Patterns and the Mazel of Purim
The story of Purim reminds us that what appears to be random chance (pur) is actually divine providence. Similarly, these astrological patterns reveal deeper cycles at work:
- The Saturn-Neptune conjunction aligned with the North Node last occurred in 1773, timing the Boston Tea Party revolt
- The previous Saturn-Neptune conjunction (late 1980s/early 1990s) coincided with the fall of the Berlin Wall and Soviet Union
- The Aries-Libra eclipse axis has historically correlated with wars involving Israel and significant assassinations.
The mazel of Purim teaches us about the reversal of fortune—v'nahafoch hu—where what was intended for destruction becomes salvation. The Mercury-Venus retrograde in Aries speaks directly to this theme of profound reversal. What appears strong may suddenly reveal weakness; what seems permanent may dissolve.
Rabbi Genuth's warning that "entire governments are shaky and can fall quickly and easily at this time" aligns perfectly with this astrological signature of sudden reversals and structural collapse.
The Earthquake Before the Tsunami
The metaphor of an earthquake triggering a tsunami resonates deeply with traditional Jewish perspectives on destiny. The March eclipses represents the initial events, but their effects will cascade through subsequent months as Neptune and Saturn form their conjunction in Aries.
This cascade may affect multiple regions simultaneously, creating interconnected crises that mirror the domino effect described in the Fukushima disaster: earthquake → tsunami → nuclear plant damage → radiation leakage.
Rabbi Genuth notes that "since both eclipses will only be seen in the West and not in Israel, it is a warning to them that they will be judged in how they treat Israel." This geographic specificity adds another layer of meaning to these cosmic events.
Conclusion: Navigating the Mazel
As we celebrate Purim under a blood moon, we're reminded that even in times of hidden divine presence, salvation emerges in unexpected ways. The current astrological mazel suggests we're entering a period of profound transformation where old structures may collapse to make way for new possibilities.
For Israel and Iran, these configurations suggest March-October 2025 will be a critical period where long-standing tensions may reach a decisive point. The eclipse on March 29 followed by Neptune's ingress into Aries the next day creates a powerful portal of change.
We would do well to remember an important disclaimer from the Talmud: "When Israel does the will of God, they have nothing to fear from all of this." As the prophet Jeremiah counseled: "Do not learn to go the way of the nations, And do not be dismayed by portents in the sky; Let the nations be dismayed by them!" (Jeremiah 10:2)
In times like these, we're called to embody both the wisdom of Mordechai and the courage of Esther—discerning the signs of our times while taking principled action when needed. May we navigate these complex planetary energies with wisdom, and may what was intended for harm ultimately become a source of blessing.
Leah Luria researches astrological patterns and their connection to Jewish wisdom traditions. This analysis is based on traditional and modern astrological techniques applied to current planetary positions. Special thanks to Efraim Palvanov, Rabbi Genuth, Chris Brennan, Austin Coppock, and Silvia Suryodaya for their astrological insights. Leah is a painter living in Israel, and loves sharing new art by artists in Israel on IsraelFineArt.com.
Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel