Sidereal Transits Venus enters Sagittarius Jan 3 Mercury enters Capricorn Jan 4 Jupiter enters Śravaṇa Jan 6 New Moon in Sagittarius (Uttarāṣāḍhā) Jan 13 Uranus stations Direct Jan 14 Sun enters Capricorn Jan 14 Saturn enters Śravaṇa Jan 22 Mercury enters Aquarius Jan 25 Venus enters Capricorn Jan 27 Full Moon in Cancer (Puṣya) Jan 28 Mercury stations Retrograde Jan 31 Venus in Sagittarius Jan 3 - 27 As soon as Venus makes it through the sensitive juncture between Scorpio and Sagittarius, a period of uncertainty leads to a period of further change, and further uncertainty. That is because all the planets are now on one side of the nodes, including all the outer planets. This makes for a dramatic couple of months, with things seeming more fated than before. While this was indeed the case in early 2020, this time we have a more potent for of this combination. But change in the current climate is welcome, is it not? Venus in Sagittarius is clearer in its need for love and connection. Sometimes, it can be a little too clear, in that their is a higher ideal and expression of love, which may not always be met in reality. Speaking of reality, Jupiter, which plays host to Venus in Sagittarius, is currently in Capricorn with Saturn. This is a new dawn with regards to Venus issues, but it is also a rude awakening. At least Venus is out of the way of the nodes, their past and future agendas, as well as Mars' influence, which tends to decrease its potency, either through excessive passions or a lack of accord. Venus in Sagittarius is fired up and inspired, more hopeful, as we look forward to what is possible in 2021. Mercury in Capricorn Jan 4 - 25 & Feb 4 - Mar 11 Mercury joins Pluto in Capricorn by the first week of January, and we can expect some things to be revealed at this stage, more insights into the power dynamics on the world stage and in hidden structures of all kinds. Mercury in Capricorn is joining Jupiter and Saturn as well, and although its relationship with Jupiter is strained, Mercury gets on better with cold, hard facts, i.e., Saturn. This favours waking up to a reality that we may have up to this point wished were another way. There is no denying the facts of Mercury in Capricorn, no matter how much we would wish it were otherwise. By Jan 13, during the new Moon in Capricorn, Mercury will move past the point to which it will return in February, bringing Mercury back into the sign again by Feb 4, and until Mar 11. This means Mercury has a lot of work to do in Capricorn, a lot of paperwork, I imagine, with all of the changes that are taking place in January and February. We will be focused on this area of our lives until the spring, so be mindful of keeping an open mind to the possible turnarounds and a sense of humour throughout. And while a sense of humour about these serious topics may sometimes seem appropriate, it is a very necessary coping strategy in times of change. Jupiter enters Śravaṇa Jan 6 Śravaṇa, the 'star sign of listening', is about to get a lot more attention as Jupiter, the planet which represents our ability to listen, makes it to the sign, before Saturn enters here later in the month. While Jupiter is weak in Capricorn, it finds a strength in the Taurus division of the sign, from Jan 21 until Feb 4, as seen from the 9th divisional chart. Both Taurus and Capricorn are earth signs and work well together, focusing on practical matters in relation to the economy. This all-important division casts a deeper light on the chart, to see hidden strengths that are always available. The section between 13 degrees and 20 minutes and 16 degrees and 40 minutes of Capricorn is where we also find a Pushkara division. This represents a healing potential, which may be hidden from view. In order to tap into it, we must go within and listen, carefully, which is actually one of the hardest things to do when Jupiter is in Capricorn; when the planet which rules our ability to listen is weakly placed in another sense. Jupiter represents our inner voice, our intuition, which guides us in our true purpose. This is why when Jupiter is weakly placed by transit or in a natal chart, the individual may lack a sense of faith that they are indeed doing exactly what they need to. Saturn rules Capricorn and questions everyone and everything. Now, I'm not saying you should listen to just anyone, because that is the other possibility of this transit. It's an overcompensation for Jupiter's weakness. But neither should you not listen to anyone. There's a balance to acheive, obviously. But more importantly, this represents a need to listen to our inner voice. A still voice which can only be accessed through stillness. Be still and know. New Moon in Sagittarius (Uttarāṣāḍhā) Jan 13 The new Moon occurs at the very last degree of Sagittarius, as the Sun and Moon both move into Capricorn by mid-month, and start the New Year in earnest. This is where Saturn and Pluto came together last January, the beginning of the pandemic and lockdowns. This new Moon in Sagittarius is a new page in this story. The day after the new Moon, we have nearly all the visible planets in Capricorn, except for Venus and Mars, which are in Sagittarius and Aries. Venus and Mars have enough on their plates, housing Rahu and Ketu, as they deal with the shadows of the eclipses. This new Moon begins the Kala Sarpa Yoga proper, with all these planets lined up on one side of the nodes. This is a shaky start to the year, no doubt. But things need shaking up, I think you'd agree. The new Moon in Uttarāṣāḍhā, the 'latter victorious' star sign is symbolic of the kinds of victories that are hard one, which are more poignant because of it. Starting the year and this new lunar month at the very end of Sagittarius and this latter victory suggests we are starting the year with a sense of endings. But again, we would probably prefer to end many of the things that currently stand. The next new Moon in February is actually at the very last degree of the next sign, Capricorn. Another indication that the beginning of 2021 is full of endings. Uranus stations Direct Jan 14 January is likely to be a very explosive and fiery month. Mars is transiting in Aries alongside Uranus, which is stationing direct, just about ready to move forward in unexpected ways. It's likely a month when things happen quite quickly. And while not everything that happens is necessarily explosive, in any obvious way, there are changes afoot when Uranus' turnaround coincides with Mars' conjunction and the Kala Sarpa yoga. Uranus stationing direct, as Mars moves closer, suggests external events are indeed possible, as the energy builds into a crescendo by Jan 20/21. Mars joins a stationary Uranus, along with the Moon, at that time, and just in time for the US presidential inauguration! All eyes will be on this event, and a possible explosive new beginning in US politics. But we must make sure we are not too distracted from our own personal events and feelings during this conjunction. We must notice how we react to events or feelings, and if we are indeed reacting or being proactive. This combination may be explosive for many, but for many others it may be more implosive. It depends on your own relation to Mars. Mars and Uranus in Aries can be used all the more productively once it is channeled and tamed a little. Think of it as taming a wild horse. Uranus stations in Aśvinī lunar mansion, symbolized by a horse, literally meaning 'horse woman'. Aśvinī is ruled by the Aśvinī Kumaras, the physicians to the gods in Vedic myth, and suggests some swift action taking place in January, with Uranus moving forward in the coming weeks. Healing is the number one priority. It's now time to take all those readjustments we've made in private, and do something with them. Ordinarily, I would say that this is the prefect fresh start to a year, as Mars and Uranus in Aries is all about new beginnings, no matter how explosive. However, because of the current pandemic and Saturn's s square aspect to Mars and Uranus, we have to negotiate our newfound energy with current restrictions. The best way to do so would be to focus our energy on a task and stick with it. Uranus' station conjunct Mars requires movement of some kind. If not, we are likely to get very tetchy and frustrated indeed. If we don't have a good handle on it, we may explode in frustration and lash out at others, which will likely be the case for many. Sun in Capricorn Jan 14 - Feb 12 The Sun entering Capricorn is always a time of year when we get a wake-up call. Nothing new about this year, I guess. There is always a sense at this time of year that we must get real. New Year's resolutions may be set in the ideals of Sagittarius, but they are worked on in Capricorn. This year, we have the added pressure and restraint of Saturn in Capricorn, as well as Pluto, Jupiter and Mercury. It's a bit crowded, for sure. The Sun meets with Pluto as soon as it enters the sign, bringing up some power struggle from mid-month. The Sun is the leader, those in charge, while Pluto is out there, a small 'planet' or 'dwarf planet' with an ego problem! Pluto may be small, but it packs a punch! January is volatile. There's not getting away from that. But how we use this release of energy, whether through lashing out in frustration, or directing all of our focus on making some very real changes, is up to us. Globally, we can see the potential for the more destructive expressions of these combinations. That's just how it works when multiplied in the population. There is also the possibility of seeing into hidden realms and the secrets that are likely exposed as the Sun's conjuncts Pluto. The Sun then conjuncts Saturn on Jan 24, and then Jupiter on Jan 29. This means both planets are combust at this time, burnt up in the rays of the Sun. This weakens the outer significations of both planets, which is another, more obvious power struggle and resistance to changes that are taking place in power structures. This will likely be expressed in issues related to the economy, and not necessarily in a positive way, although the changes that are taking place are necessary. While Saturn may be strong in its own sign, Jupiter is weak. It's combustion by the end of the month does not bode well for Jupitarian significations, including the financial situation, and growth in general. This period requires us to tap into the inner strength of the planets, when all else seems lost in the world around us. In Saturn's case, this is the ability to persevere, while Jupiter asks us to look to what's more important, beyond the current chaos and sense of lack. The world is challenged in so many ways, and we may lose hope until the spring, when Jupiter moves out of debilitation and combustion, as the Sun moves from Saturn's signs. Saturn enters Śravaṇa Jan 22 Listen. Can you hear. No? Listen harder. Saturn is calling us. Although its cries are weak, as if weary from a long and arduous journey in Uttarāṣāḍhā, Saturn has something important to communicate in Śravaṇa. It's like the scene in the movies when someone lies dying and has one final thing to say. Lean in. Listen carefully. Saturn may indeed have the most important message to share with us. Some of us will lean into it, while others will wish to pull away. What is that? Saturn has spoken, simply asking you, 'What are you doing?' If we were asked this question by someone who was dying, we would all take it differently, I imagine. Picture it now: a dying relative's last words and this question. What would you think it meant? Perhaps you think it means, what are you doing with your life? Or perhaps you think about what you have done wrong in the past? Saturn is keeping account of everything we are doing. Collectively, we can think of it as a species on the planet and what we are doing. Nature may be letting us know something is off. We can hear its shrieks. But nature will has its own corrective measures which we as a species are no match for. What are you doing with your life, with the time you have left? Perhaps it's time to take a different route? Saturn in Śravaṇa will let us all know what that route is. But it will probably do so by removing all other options. Mercury enters Aquarius Jan 25 Mercury begins to break up the pack in Capricorn as it enters Aquarius, pushing things further into the year - oh wait, sorry, I take that back! Mercury is actually not going anywhere new just yet - it's about to station retrograde at the very beginning of Aquarius, before backtracking into Capricorn in February. Whatever has been put in place in January, whatever plans we have made, must go through a review process in February. So, keep an open mind in January with what you are planning. Mercury will enter its shadow phase, passing the point to which it will return by Feb 21. This occurs around the new Moon in Capricorn, on Jan 13, while Mars meets with a stationing Uranus in Aries. This means whatever new plans are made in January, are better made with an open mind and require a lot of patience on our part. Once Mercury re-enters Aquarius in March, new ideas and innovations worked through from the beginning of the year can move ahead. Venus enters Capricorn Jan 27 Venus enters the fray in Capricorn and joins Pluto as soon as it does so. Venus-Pluto connections may bring with them hidden dynamics we would prefer not to deal with, especially if we would prefer to keep things nice. Pluto is not interested in nice. It's only concerned with what's hidden beneath the surface, removing something on the surface as it does so. This may mean a less cordial and nice period; a stark time in late winter as Venus then moves into combustion in February, further challenging feeling good, in favour of doing what's right. Venus will remain in Capricorn during Mercury's retrograde here, until Feb 20, and remains in combustion until the end of April. Just as with Saturn and Jupiter, Venus' combustion challenges the outer significations of the planet, in favour of purifying our inner experience of Venus in Capricorn; that is, a deep sense of beauty in doing the right thing, in helping others, and a poignancy in loss, of giving to those in need. Pluto initially removes the veneer from Venus, before the Sun then makes it more transparent. Venus will meet with Saturn and Jupiter in Capricorn in February, highlighted the relationship between these two opposing philosophies, between a need to remain stoic in the face of financial challenges, while hoping against all hopes in a better outcome for all. Full Moon in Cancer (Puṣya) Jan 28 The Moon reaches Cancer for the full Moon, in the auspicious lunar mansion, Puṣya. This sign's association with Saturn ties it back to Capricorn, where the Sun, Saturn, Pluto and Jupiter are all transiting. There's no getting away from the themes of Capricorn in January. This full Moon in Cancer will see us trying to balance all the outer changes with our emotional need to nurture. Some downtime at home is needed at this full Moon juncture. When this is combined with Mercury retrograde in the coming days, there is a real sense of having to slow down and pay attention to how we are feeling and what we are thinking, and whether this is helpful moving forward. Saturn has just entered Śravaṇa which is itself associated with the Moon. Mental health and healing will be to the forefront. As always, the Moon's transit in Puṣya gets us to ask the question: What are we feeding our minds? Is it wholesome? It is helpful? And most of all, is it true? Mercury Retrograde Jan 30 - Feb 21 The month of January sees Mercury begin to slow in its transit, moving past the point it will return to by mid-month. Whatever plans we put in place for the New Year require us to review, assimilate and integrate them and what we have learned in the process. While any given Mercury retrograde requires this, its transits from the beginning of Aquarius, back into Capricorn, suggests the new ideas that are experimented with will have to be tested in the field first. Aquarius may test new theories, but Capricorn requires is a more rigid structure and rulebook we must adhere to. All Mercury's retrogrades in 2021 begin in the air signs and move back into earth, suggesting that the whole year has this theme of thinking ahead of practical circumstances before reviewing these plans in the field. The mid-point in Mercury's retrograde, its inferior conjunction, occurs on Feb 8, which is itself only a hint as to what may transpire subsequently. It won't be until the beginning of March when whatever works begin to move forward. As always, Mercury's retrograde requires patience. And because Mercury represents how we think, it's backtrack requires us to do the same in all practical matters. When we do so, we can use the energy most effectively. If we attempt to push things ahead in any new endevaours, we must at last be mindful of making mistakes, or even changing our minds about it completely once Mercury has stationed direct. This is why you will hear advice from astrologers not to start anything new during it's retrograde. It's not that it's inherently bad, but that there are too many things to negotiate, too much on our minds as we grapple with the past, present and future, for us to be truly effective in anything new we do. The energy just isn't there. It's moving back to something previously done. If we redo things, review things and generally keep an open mind about things, it tends to work out so much better. Use February to redo something in your own life, particularly in relation to what the sign Capricorn represents for you. And be mindful of what you are planning in January and for the year, as you must factor in Mercury's turnabout. Keep an eye on the bigger picture always, as this is what Capricorn is best used for, as well as what Mercury rules in your chart. Look to the signs Gemini and Virgo, and their house positions, to see what you will be reworking throughout this period, and then Capricorn to see where this will occur. - As always, I wish you the best of what the month has to offer. OM TAT SAT |