(According to the principles of Vedic Astrology, using the sidereal zodiac)

 

The month of January begins with a continuation of planetary positions from last month, a chaotic pile up of 6 planets in Sagittarius. We already know how that feels and I won’t write about it here.

Rahu, the North Node of the Moon, who wants to fulfil desires right now and at all costs, has not been able to express itself very well due to the direct drishti (aspect) of Saturn all last year, putting more emphasis on its counterpart Ketu in the sign of Sagittarius. This gave rise to a slow burn frustration all of last year.

Mars, from its strong Scorpio position, is now aspecting Rahu, making for some unexpected, sudden and even secret action towards getting what Rahu desires. What Rahu desires for you will depend on your birth chart. After the 24^th this month, when Saturn finally moves into Capricorn, its own sign, these restrictions will be taken away from Rahu.  We may see some explosive bids for freedom on a personal level and on the World stage then. Luckily there is also an aspect from Jupiter. This will give some protection and wisdom to Rahu.

Never the less, be careful with your actions this Month, make sure they are not driven by illusion, desperation or obsession.

The Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse on January 10^th falls in the Nakshatra of Punarvasu, indicating second chances and renewal. We may get another go at an old project, get together with someone from the past again or perhaps an opportunity to start over again in some aspect of our life will open up. This Full Moon will also activate Rahu’s desirous and impulsive nature. As there are so many planets involved in this eclipse, all of them in fact except Venus, there could be much confusion, people giving wrong or conflicting advice, we may be bewildered or act out of compulsion. Caution is advisable, but at the same time don’t miss an opportunity where it presents itself. It could change your life, it could be part of the new plan.

The Saturn/Pluto conjunction is on the dot on the 7^th, the effects of this conjunction have been felt for a good while now. This conjunction sets the stage for irreversible changes in the old political and religious power structures of this world. The Sun, a representative of political power, joins this conjunction exact on the 13^th, but is already generally involved from mid December until mid January. We will see (are seeing) some destructive shows of ego and strength in the political arena.

Both the Sun and Mercury will move into the sign of Capricorn by mid month, lightening the load of Sagittarius.

For the Sun, the indicator of individuality, power, authority, status, fame and vitality, this is not the happiest transit. Capricorn will give the Sun a reality check and take excessive ego down a notch or two. Political figures that have made some show of power a while ago will now have to deal with consequences.

For us as individuals we may find we have to work harder than we anticipated for recognition or status. Our vitality may suffer a little too.

Mercury (after 13^th) will be happy in Capricorn to organise the office, the websites, sort out and catalogue any paperwork and writing and structure all communication methods. So the second half of this month is an excellent time for getting things ready for publication, sorting your information, setting your travel itinerary, sending formal messages, boosting your logic and writing that paper for your school or course, or preparing a speech. Or maybe you will just be re-organising your kitchen cupboards, who knows, it all depends on your birth chart of course.

The Big Celestial change this Month is on the 24^th when Saturn moves into its own home, the sign of Capricorn .

This is the beginning of a new cycle, the planet of karma is strong and happy here and will start to organise, set new disciplines and boundaries. For all of us the coming 2 and a half years will not be a time to be lazy. The work we will do during this time will pay off in the long run. Saturn is not afraid of austerity, patience or service, and neither should we. ”As we sow, so we shall reap” is Saturn’s motto. You will have to know your Vedic birth chart to see in what area of your life this is going to play out.

The Sun, Mercury and the Moon are waiting in Capricorn to welcome Saturn home, with a new Moon occurring within a day of Saturn’s ingress.

The New Moon (24^th) is always a new beginning, setting the trend for the month to come. This time it will fall in the Nakshatra of Shravana, good for listening and learning, getting together with people for discussion and education. As this Moon coincides with the ingress of Saturn, let’s hope this New Moon will inspire people to instigate citizen’s forums and discussion groups, so that the ordinary people may have an input of ideas during the 2 and a half years of restructuring that will take place with Saturn in Capricorn.

Venus, the planet of pleasure, beauty and love, is happily sitting on her own in a friendly sign this month, not involved in all the drama that is going on elsewhere.  Whatever is going on around us, it is not spoiling our feeling of happiness. After the 9^th of January, when she moves from Capricorn to Aquarius, we will feel quite free and spontaneous with our expressions of luxury, beauty and love.

The last week of this month will have some very nice astro weather with Mars, Jupiter and Saturn all working well, feeling at home in their own zodiac signs.

The sign of Sagittarius is breathing a huge sigh of relief now, with only Jupiter and Ketu (and Pluto) left.  Although this combo might inspire some religious fanaticism in people with less flexible minds, it is a wonderful combination for inner work, perhaps finding hope and inspiration in ancient belief systems, or remembering teachings and teachers from our past. It can certainly lead us to true enlightenment through a meditation practice. On the other hand this trio may indicate a complete letting go of old beliefs. Churches and other religious institutions may not survive the revelations of the coming year. These kind of issues will start to become clear after the 24th.

This month is one of Big changes, setting the stage for the year ahead. Enjoy and Be Happy.

 Greetings from Ireland.

 Best Wishes,

~Madhuri~