The beginning of the month has Ketu and Rahu at the very end of their transits through Pisces and Virgo respectively, and the night sky filled with general aspects that are far from being perfect. Thus Saturn and Venus are close but not in conjunction, and Jupiter trines the Sun but not to the angle. The influence of Jupiter on the Sun while the Sun transits Jupiter’s sign Sagittarius is auspicious for promotions, fame, advertising, political work, and anything which would allow you to increase in name and rank. Saturn and Venus in Scorpio together doesn’t bode well for relationships or governments. In relationships be wary of unclean sexual partners, lying and physical health, and in governments there will be espionage, assassinations and executions. The positive Sun-Jupiter influence is good for promotion and titles, but the increasingly closer Venus-Saturn conjunction probably keeps this from manifesting in government situations. In other words government workers may not see the same generosity as the private sector regarding such things as promotions and pay-raises.

On January the 9th an important celestial event occurs: Rahu and Ketu enter into Leo and Aquarius respectively. Those interested in studying the ingress chart should find the moment this ingress occurs and study the chart at that moment as a prediction for how Rahu and Ketu will operate while in their new signs. Generally when Rahu and Ketu enter into a new sign they affect things on a global level. This particular placement of Rahu and Ketu occupying Leo while in squares to Saturn in Scorpio (now conjunct Venus) has historically proven to be quite bad for global peace and stability, often spawning large wars. I will write more on this combination in an article soon. On a personal level, any of the governments that become destabilized by this combination will likewise adversely affect their citizens. In more politically stable countries the effects of this combination will not be felt as strongly, while in countries with much political unrest conditions will likely deteriorate even more. It is worth noting that Jupiter’s presence (soon to be gone) in Leo will stave off some of the negative effects of this combination for a while until Jupiter leaves Leo and enters into Virgo, placing the two slowest planets (Jupiter and Saturn) on the same side between Rahu and Ketu, setting the stage for multiple kalisarpa yogas over the next few years. A “kalisarpa yoga” is a combination that causes great distress and often severe restriction in life choices.

Venus and Saturn are in full conjunction the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th of January, and are in Kendra (square) to Rahu and Ketu which could cause a good bit of distress in relationships, sexual health issues or even car troubles, though Scorpio as a sign tends to indicate health problems and lies/secrets.

Mercury Retrograde

The oft-dreaded Mercury Retrograde (Rx) will begin on the morning of January 5th for those in East-Coast USA. This will continue until January 26th, by which time Mercury would have worked its way back from Capricorn into a more auspicious Sagittarius. The typical rule for any Mercury Rx is “Do Not Make Important Decisions!”. It leads to all sorts of miscommunications and bad ideas. On a personal level this will manifest in its typical way, making large decisions on a split-second notice without any planning. On the global scale this is actually an unusually dangerous retrograde due to the hostility already apparent in the planets, thus world leaders (Venus conjunct MercuryRx) may be prone to bad decisions, but by the time the retrograde ends hopefully some cooler heads will prevail.

Sun Ingress into Capricorn

The Sun enters into Capricorn on January 15th, depriving it of both bad and good planetary aspects. This may lead to a sense of stagnation that could agitate the Mercury RX and lead to a silly decision that hind-sight will have a few words with you about afterwords. In general Capricorn is a time of hibernation and digestion for the Sun. It is a time to be humble towards the universe and be grateful for what you have, living in simplicity and humility. Preserve your energy by turning it inwards instead of outwards.

Ascendant Forecasts

Aries: Take advantage of the trine from Jupiter to the Sun before the 15th of January, as it is a great time for promotions, pay-raises, and general success. The entrance of Ketu and Rahu into the 11th/5th houses shouldn’t be felt while Jupiter is still in Leo alongside Rahu for this month. The ascendant lord in the 7th could lead to selfishness in relationship troubles, so it is best to either avoid relationships altogether and work on yourself, or go out of your way to cultivate patience and understanding with your partner. Saturn and Venus in the 8th is dangerous for both health and relationships.

Taurus: The opposition of Saturn and Venus upon the ascendant for the first half of the month will likely be bad for your partner but good for you, and if you are single it should just be good for you, and you may even meet an important person either professionally or personally. Later in the month however Venus will leave Scorpio and Rahu and Ketu will change signs into your cardinal houses. This creates a nasty sarpa yoga with 3 malefics in the kendras that is only alleviated by Jupiter’s placement in Leo. Thus participating in Jupiter activities such as charities, donations, social work, religious services and seeking advice from elders will help mitigate any negative influences substantially. Also educational activities or even just going to school or college may shelter you, and thus students won’t be as severely affected by this combination.

Gemini: The movement of Rahu and Ketu from the kendras (quarters) of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces ascendants will be good news, bringing to an end what was undoubtedly a difficult year under their sway. For Gemini, troubles with career aspirations and home life/house that have plagued the last year will finally ease and the ascendant will be relatively free of the negative afflictions predicted about rahu and ketu that many will experience this year. In fact, Ketu’s movement into the 9th house is a great opportunity for spiritual growth and reflection, while Rahu’s movement into the 3rd is a good chance to learn new skills. Note that if your relationship with your family is stressed or if your 9th or 3rd house are badly aspected in the natal chart then these otherwise positive influences could actually turn sour and the native my experience problems related to their father or even their convictions of faith, and ensuing difficulties with siblings. The Sun in the 8th house from the 15th onwards may give health issues with yourself or with your father, which would be marked as usually happening around this time of year. Stay inside and stay warm!

Cancer: Ketu’s motion from the 9th (where it has been causing plenty of changes to ideology and convictions) to the 8th house won’t be particularly strong. It will make you more health conscious, and this can be positive or negative. Bad health could lead to greater health consciousness and this can be used to change your habits and diet to improve health. Rahu’s movement into the 2nd house will likely stress family relationships or cause a change to the family dynamic. An unhappy mars in the 4th house could cause problems related to fire or accidents upon the house, but it also can give a positive influence on the 10th by giving energy for change for initiative with your career. The trine of Venus from the 5th house is good for organizational or bureaucratic work.

Leo: This is one the ascendants affected the most by the transition of Rahu and Ketu into Leo and Aquarius. Jupiter in the ascendant will likely make the next few months a little easier in this regards, but eventually Jupiter will leave and Rahu will be left alone in Leo. This will lead to a great deal of personal change and evolution, usually facilitated through struggle. Rahu and Ketu take the energy of the chart and direct it at the “self”, the ascendant. If the ascendant is strong in the natal chart then the effect of Rahu may actually be quite uplifting and evolutionary, especially if the 7th house Ketu becomes self-control and discipline. If the ascendant is weak then this month may begin a long period of introspection and change that at times will feel simply overwhelming. The solution is to cling to the Sun, the planet of personal destiny and Dharma.

Virgo: Much relieved by saying “good-riddance” to Rahu this month, things will start to return to normal in the life of a Virgo. Rahu in the 12th may lead to an excellent year for foreign travel. The Sun moving into the 5th house supports the ascendant in terms of physical health as well as personal ideals and mental well-being. The ascendant lord Mercury goes retrograde through the month though, so keep away from any big decisions. If a decision must be made then consult others who you respect and try to go with their advice.

Libra: Mars transiting the ascendant isn’t great and could lead to injuries. If mars is well placed in your natal chart it could also bring a sibling near to you or even lead to a new relationship (especially in the chart of a woman). Any long-running family issues should be temporarily appeased by the transit of Venus for most of the month (so if legal action is required do it earlier in the month), but once it transits into the next sign the difficulties will return. Ketu’s transit into the 5th house will make it tempting to drop out of college if you are a student, but this is likely not the best way to utilize this energy. If you are not a student then Ketu will challenge your ideals and beliefs, which is often a good thing.

Scorpio: Obviously the conjunction of Saturn and Venus in Scorpio will be pronounced for Scorpio ascendants. This could cause sexual health issues, relationship issues, etc. Neither planet is happy about being in Scorpio, though they do enjoy being near each other. It is possible that a very traditional courtship could occur, or a relationship with an older person. Saturn’s placement in Scorpio while being locked between Rahu and Ketu is going to make the upcoming year particularly trying. Many changes are likely to occur, especially in regards to your self image and your career, and this will begin this month and then really kickstart once Jupiter leaves Leo and Rahu has free reign there in a few months.

Sagittarius: Another sign that is very happy about breaking free of Rahu and Ketu’s aspect. The difficulties in career and any mental health issues or stresses that have plagued the last year should definitely and clearly begin to ease up. Rahu’s placement in the 9th could cause obstacles to your relationship with your father or spiritual teacher, though if the 9th is naturally strong in your chart it could also lead to spiritual practice and self exploration. The Sun in the ascendant with a positive aspect from Jupiter is very good for career, relationships and status.

Capricorn: The Sun’s transit as lord of the 8th house into the ascendant will likely fatigue, stress or other similar health issues. It is best to reduce physical activity until around the middle of february, avoiding any strenuous physical exercise and stressful environments as best as possible. The ascendant lord in the 11th house is good for finances and the prognosis for the whole year in this regard is pretty good. Don’t make any investments while Mercury is retrograde this month. Mars in the 10th may lead to some drama or even violence in the workplace.

Aquarius: Though this sign definitely detriments from the Rahu/Ketu change in the middle of the month, it suffers the lesser of the blow compared to Leo it’s counterpart. Ketu in the ascendant may lead to some physical debilities or weaknesses, but is also a great chance for introspection and meditation. It is possible that during the next year Rahu in the 7th will bring an important relationship or partnership into your life, though the relationship may be volatile (which is typical of Rahu). Saturn in the 10th is good for developing skills and succeeding at work when it is the ascendant lord, and Mars the lord of the 10th in the 9th gives a decent raja yoga even if it is weak in Libra. This should help with both career and personal life, though it might afflict relationships with the father or fatherly figure. The Sun as lord of the 7th moving into the 12th could cause a newer or unstable relationship to come to an end.

Pisces: Relieved at Rahu and Ketu leaving its 7th/1st houses, Pisces can be happy that some stressful or toxic relationships as well as some health issues should begin to clear up, and they can also be happy that Jupiter will soon move into the 7th house and try quite hard to replace any such toxic relationships with fresh and beneficial ones that encourage positive outlook and self-image. Mars in the 8th could make you prone to an injury this month, so don’t do anything too risky!