Forecast for January

Mars in Capricorn until Jan 25th

Mars is at its strongest in the sign Capricorn for most of the month.  Strong for what you may ask?  That depends on what Capricorn represents for you and how well you manage the extra energy.  This strength can be for ‘good’ or ‘bad’ depending on how you utilise it.  If you do not use the extra energy productively you may end up bitting the hand that feels you.  Those with Aries and Scorpio as their rising sign are offered immense power and confidence at this time.  We are all offered this power in the area of Capricorn and in the areas Aries and Scorpio represent for us.  Settings goals and targets, finding the strength to follow through with these, making lists, vision boards and setting intentions; are all ways of expressing this strong Mars.  Other ways could be getting out there and exercising or embarking on something new which has been creating fear in you.  Feel the fear, especially on the 8th and 9th, but do it anyway.   

Those who have this power and discipline strong by nature will be able to access this strength more than others who find it weak in themselves.  A strong Mars is the ability to destroy things which make us weak and we become more disciplined.  If you have some new years resolutions they will be given an extra added strength with this transit.  This offers us the courage to do what it takes in order to overcome our weaknesses.  These may be poor diet, routines, relationships, lack of assertion, lack of drive and ambition or whatever weakness you identify with.  While Mars is strong we have the opportunity to overcome these, at least temporarily.  Again, if you do not have these qualities within i.e. a strong Mars in your birth chart, then you will not gain particularly from this transit, though you may still feel more powerful at this time.  Feeling powerful and actually getting up and doing something about it, produce varied result.  This is the difference between having a strong planet or not.  If it is weak then it may never become more than just a daydream.  If you have a strong Mars, then use this transit productively.  

Venus enters Sagittarius Jan 4th

Venus enters Sagittarius on the 4th, after the holiday period spent in the murky territory of Scorpio.  If you have not been able to express the loyal side of the sign Scorpio over Christmas, you may have had to experience its more vindictive side.  Though there is a loyalty and steadfast nature to Venus in Scorpio, there is a price to pay.  ‘If I love you then I want to control you so you cannot hurt me’, says Scorpio.  Scorpio is all about finding out what makes us weak and imagining the worst case scenario, so that we are prepared to meet it head on.  This is a little scary for love relationships and the sensitivity of Venus.

Now that Venus is in Sagittarius, it is more idealistic in the pursuit of love and pleasure, as well as been a bit more sober post Christmas (Saturn looks at Venus in Sagittarius).  We can take a break from the darker aspects of our love life and step into more idealism and considered expansion in affairs of the heart and of the wallet.  This links the planet of guidance Venus and Jupiter strongly during this transit.  Jupiter is placed in Venus’ sign Taurus and Venus in Jupiter’s sign.  This exchange of signs shows their energies getting mixed up.  Jupiter is more concerned with finding meaning and purpose in life, while Venus is sometimes just about the pleasures we can obtain.  Now that they are exchanging, expect our own personal beliefs to be a source of inspiration and expansion, while our love lives become a more tangible affair, putting in place practices we not only gain from, but enjoy. 

Mercury in Sagittarius

Mercury moved into Sagittarius with Venus on December 27th, creating more of an expression for an expanded view of our world.  Sagittarius is fiery and idealistic.  When we have worked out our weaknesses and gone to the depths of our being, we come back with a story, and ideology to spread as far as we can.  This is focused more through the lens of Saturn, which looks on from Libra, making for a less than ideal communicative environment for Mercury.  However, the ability to concentrate on what is important to say and even think, is there.  The possibility of noticing destructive thought patterns, while addressing these, is enchanced by this position. 

While the Sun has been in Sagittarius over the Christmas period we tapped into this source of our inspiration.  Now that Mercury enters with the Sun, we have something we want to talk about which should benefit others in a more uplifting, yet realistic way.

New Moon in Sagittarius

This new Moon in the New Year occurs in Jupiter's fire sign on Jan 11th at 19.44.  This occurs at 27 degrees of Sagittarius in the lunar sign Uttara Ashadha, which is ruled by the Sun.  The symbol for this lunar sign is an elepant's tusk and takes us from our ideals (Sagittarius) through our practical application (Capricorn) of these.  This symbol relates to Ganesh and the ability to remove obstacles from our path, as we venture forward.  With Mars in exaltation in the sign Capricorn and the Sun (ruling the new Moon sign) now about to enter Capricorn also; use this new Moon to contemplate the plans you have already set in motion, perhaps being more realistic about these before really getting down to the work which needs to be done. 

Sun enters Capricorn Jan 14th

The Sun enters the practical feminine sign of Capricorn on Jan 14th.  This is not as strong a position for our luminary, however, it is receiving the benefit from an exalted Mars.  In Sagittarius we found strength in having a philosophy to live by and a set of beliefs which took us through the dark nights.  Now we have to simply get on with the hard work of living.  This is a very real possibility with Mars exalted as the Sun joins it by the 14th. 

The Sun in Capricorn is where we need to keep the faith, as it were, because life is for living, not just for wishful thinking.  So many of us pinned our hopes on great changes happening all of a sudden in the lead up to December 21st, but now that the Sun enters Capricorn we once again realize we have to the do the work internally.  This is the expression of Saturn’s more receptive sign and the inner work we do in order to reach a goal.  We have to make the changes within.  We have to put the hours in.   Use this time in a constructive way, as you have the backing of the planets in January to set your intentions and to follow through. 

As the Sun continues on its northern route for us on the northern hemisphere, we are getting a sense of a lengthening of the light in our days.  This process takes time.  The hero in this story opened his eyes on Christmas day and we cheered and raised our glasses.  He has yet to fully make it to his feet so that her can stand face to face with the villain.  That occurs on the spring equinox, when both the forces of light and darkness stand head-to-head.  After that the hero begins to win the battle and overcomes the villain, bringing him down by the summer solstice.  On that day the villain then opens his eyes once again and stumbles to his feet to take his place once again by the autumnal equinox and overcoming the hero completely by the next winter solstice. 

Mercury enters Capricorn Jan 15th

Mercury joins the Sun and an exalted Mars in the sign Capricorn on Jan 15th.  This leaves little time for the frivolous planet to play around, but must instead get down to business.  While it is transiting Saturn's sign and Saturn is currently being exalted, we can expect this to be an easy endeavor for the planet of business and communication.  We may find ourselves interacting in a more pragmatic way, acknowledging that we have work which needs to be done at this time. 

We must not forget the planet Saturn is now housing the Sun, Mercury and an exalted Mars, creating an environment which is conducive to work, but keeping others needs in mind.  With Mars getting together with Mercury there is always the possibility of a blow-up within communications or at the very least, a little harshness when it comes to communicating what we perceive to be truth.  Though Saturn is the planet of truth, regardless of your point of view, there is always the possibility of knocking heads with others who just do not see it as we do when Mars gets in on the act.  Again, the strength of Saturn and of these planets gathering in Capricorn is to get your head down and get on with it. 

Rahu in Libra & Ketu in Aries

Though we could look at the nodes as having moved on December 23rd last year, we can also look to Jan 13th to see the change of position.  This is because of the difference between the calculation based on the mean and true nodes of the Moon.  The mean nodes are calculated to move at a certain rate which does not change, and are what are classically applied in Vedic astrology.  The true nodes tell a slightly different story and can be seen to physically change direction at times, creating a wobble in their transits.  In any case by Jan 13th they will have moved out of Scorpio and Taurus and into the signs Libra and Aries for the next year and a half. 

Rahu in Libra

Rahu exaggerates whatever in comes in contact with.  This can be a good or bad thing depending on what it transits.  It is well placed in Venus’ sign Libra, though you would have to be aware of this area of your life to know how this transit will affect you personally.  If this is your rising sign then you will expand beyond where you have been before to a greater extent.  This will be a very personal journey for you and one which can be very exciting at times, bringing a new element and life experiences for you to devour. 

If you have any planets placed in Libra then Rahu will whip these up as it opens them out.  This is more beneficial for Venus and Mercury placed in Libra.  It is usually a good transit for gaining power if the Sun is involved, however, the Sun in Libra is at its weakest so there will be an expanded version of this lack of confidence or an over compensation, leading to arrogance. 

It is not as easy a transit for Mars or the Moon in Libra in your birth chart, as Rahu is an enemy to these.  That is because the more inert and selfish planet Mars does not like to open too much; or be told what to do!  Mars likes to keep pedictable and safe.  Rahu is never predictable and sometimes not very safe.  To move beyond where you have been before can have hidden dangers involved.  The Moon in Libra is not an easy transit, as Rahu creates an exaggerated environment which when positive is great, but when negative is challenging. 

It will be a very interesting transit for Saturn in Libra, which is itself  transiting the sign throughout Rahu's visit. This will enhance the exaltation of Saturn and add to us all being more accountable in our relationships with each other.  Even though Rahu and Saturn are friendly by nature, as they are both similar in many ways, and both being Tamasic (dark) in nature; Saturn does not like things to be opened out as much as Rahu would have it.  We will see many changes in our lives in the area of Libra in the next year and a half.   The ability of both Rahu and Saturn is that we can become more detached from our emotional reactions in order to do what needs to be done.  The downside of that is an aloofness which does not do our relationships any favours while these changes are taking place. 

Ketu in Aries

While Rahu is in Libra bringing about new Karma to be dealt with in the future, Ketu is wishing to remove any effects of our stamp on the material world.  This means the area of life Aries represents for you will be one of disillusionment and dissatisfaction over the next year and a half.

Ketu is that part of us which wants to cut away the imperfections of living an earthly existence and everything is seen as an imperfection when it comes to our spiritual nature.  This is a very forceful placement for dealing with our weaknesses.  Mars rules Aries which is likened to Ketu.  Mars is like a fire which wants to burn a path through a stalemate and Ketu is like a laser beam, cutting peoples heads off along the way.

Whatever area you experience the sign Aries will be one where you are going to want to cut things out of your life, whether you are conscious of it or not.  Sometimes it may feel like there are hidden forces at play which are doing the job for you, and you may feel like things are being taken away.  However, you are doing it all.  You may never fully express this to even yourself over the course of the following year and a half, as Ketu operates behind the scenes, leading to all kinds of secret manoeuvrings on your part. 

If you have any planets placed in Aries then these will experience the laser beam affect of Ketu during this time.  No planets particularly benefit from this transit in a material sense, as Ketu is that part of us more intimately connected to spirit.  However, all of the planets and the parts of you they represent will ultimately benefit from this transit from a spiritual perspective.  That may be all very well and good but you still have to feel the pain of loss before you can become philosophical about it.  This is where Ketu leads us eventually. 

Mars enters Aquarius Jan 25th

Mars marches from its place of exaltation in Capricorn and into Saturn's air sign Aquarius on January 25th.  Though it is now moving away from its position of exaltation it is still afforded a lot of power with Saturn currently in its place of exaltation at this time.  However, Mars does not like to be told what to do, least of all by the old man Saturn!

We may see the effects of this in our lives as an impatience and general sense of touchiness which may be set off at any moment.  The fire represented by Mars is always likely to be blown out of proportion by the air sign Aquarius. 

Globally we may see more uprisings taking place as Mars moves into the sign of humanitarianism, which is in direct opposition to those in power i.e. the sign of Leo.  Though Mars found Saturn's earth sign Capricorn a good place to express a practical footing in its endeavors, in Aquarius we see our warrior-like energy become more unstable.  We may have a rigid approach to the ideas we uphold which is what makes this transit of Mars a more challenging one.  Without a willingness to move on our opinions or to see others points of view we must, at times, expect that others rigid views are going to clash with our own. 

Be patient with this transit and tune into the strength of these times which is not actually accessed through our own personal goals alone, but instead through a willingness to work with others in achieving something greater than we ever could on our own.

Full Moon in Cancer

The full Moon occurs on Jan 27th at 04.39 in the sign Cancer.  The Moon is exactly full at this time at 13 degrees of Cancer in the lunar manshion Pushya, an auspicious lunar sign ruled by the planet Saturn.  Though this full Moon falls on our calendar day Sunday, it is actually before sunrise, so it is the Vedic weekday of Saturday.  As an exalted Saturn is the ruler of this lunar sign and is aspecting from Libra, we can expect a more sober full Moon, putting in place very real sense of celebration for the form that is life. 

Venus enters Capricorn Jan 28th

Venus roles up his sleeves and gets down to work with Mercury and the Sun who are both already hard at it in Capricorn.  I say ‘his’ because although we associate Venus with being a female character in this play, in Vedic astrology all of the planets are seen as male and either more masculine or more feminine.  That is because the planets themselves assert their will upon us by these transits, which in itself is a more masculine thing.  Venus is seen as more feminine, as it does so by appealing nicely to you in order to achieve his objectives.

So as he transits the sign Capricorn, the area of life you experience this sign will be one where you can draw on the power of Venus to attract things into your life.  In Capricorn this is achieved more practically of course.  Venus is comfortable in its friends sign (Saturn), who is himself in great strength in Venus’ sign.  This exchange is the second exchange Venus is moving through, having just exchanged signs with Jupiter.  Yes Venus is a very busy boy these days!

Those with Taurus or Libra as their rising sign will benefit from this transit, bring a real sense of beauty and measurable pleasure into their lives.  We should all reap the rewards of a job well done while Venus is in Capricorn and enjoy the fruits of our labour, and after Mars has cleared the path in Capricorn for us to dance down. 

Jupiter stations direct in Taurus Jan 30th

After a period of four months moving backward against the backdrop of the fixed stars, Jupiter, the planet which gives us depth and meaning to life, is about to move forward once again.  It is doing so in the sign Taurus, where we are being asked to bloom where we are planted, as it were.  Taurus represents the very practical elements of our lives which bring comfort.  The area you experience these will depend on the area of the chart Taurus represents for you personally. 

Finding meaning in those simple pleasures has been a very real sense of most people during this time (or at least from what I am hearing).  Jupiter expands were ever it goes, so this transit has been a very practical expansion.  It has not necessarily been as expansive as the planet of hope and idealism would like it.  Our material possessions can only fulfil us so much (and in fact not very much), but if we can see them as means to an ends, then we can appreciate them all the more.   

Jupiter in Venus’s sign has been one where our beliefs have had to become more grounded in a practical approach.  Anything which previously brought us a sense of amazement at the possibilities will have had to become more of a ‘get on with it’ approach.  Now that Jupiter is moving forward once again by February, we can indeed get on with it once more. 
 
OM TAT SAT