The new calendar year starts with Jupiter moving away from Saturn in Capricorn, and Venus moving away from Ketu, the South Node, in Scorpio. This separating aspect for both benefic planets away from malefic influences is a hopeful start. It suggests a re-engineering of our resources and a return to optimism, and a hint of progress toward career and relationship matters.
Separating Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
Jupiter is now starting to move away from this conjunction with Saturn in Capricorn. We will see the two planets still occupy the same sign till Jupiter finally pulls ahead to a new sign, when Jupiter moves to Aquarius on April 5, 2021. When Jupiter reaches Aquarius and Saturn remains in Capricorn, this should feel a bit more expansive as Jupiter is free of Saturn’s conjunction or aspect. It should be noted that Saturn is still the ruler of Aquarius, and will have some influence over Jupiter.
Jupiter will be moving rapidly through Capricorn for the first quarter of 2021. After the conjunction with Saturn in the nakshatra of Uttarashada on December 21, 2020, Jupiter will move to Shravana nakshatra on January 6. Jupiter in Shravana, which is entirely contained within Capricorn, runs from January 6 till March 3, 2021. This will be an improvement for Jupiter, helping us to be receptive to the news of the world and finding a positive angle toward building new structures.
Rahu shifts to Rohini nakshatra on January 27
One of the factors that continues to amplify the dichotomy of the rigid Saturn in Capricorn pressuring the expansive nature of Jupiter is that Rahu is aspecting Capricorn and all planets therein through April 2022. Rahu and Ketu are just settling into these positions that really are fertile environments for the nodes.
Rahu is happy in Taurus, which is Venus’ earth sign. Venus and Rahu share passionate affinity and Taurus provides a fertile environment for Rahu. Meanwhile, Ketu is intense and firmly seated in his own sign of Scorpio, co-lorded by Mars. This entire transit is supportive of inner work, retreats, meditation practices and radical transformation of all kinds. This is a good 18-month period to solve puzzles and bring resolution to what has been unclear.
The global pandemic known as Covid-19 developed when Rahu was extremely strong, exalted and placed in his own nakshatra of Ardra. Rahu will switch nakshatras again at the end of January, while still remaining in the sign of Taurus. The mean node of Rahu shifts from Mrigashira to Rohini on January 27, which may modify the nature of the ingenious use of chaos and noise that comes along with Rahu. It takes about eight months for the nodes to move through a nakshatra, or lunar mansion. Rahu naturally reverses through Rohini till October 5, 2020.
During this time, all of the visible planets except Jupiter and Saturn will move past Rahu in Taurus. Mars leads the way, followed by Venus, Mercury and Sun, who all clear Rahu by July. The Moon will do this monthly through its sign of exaltation, Taurus, and through its own nakshatra, Rohini. This is a sensitive, caring, emotional and artistic environment. When the Moon moves through Rohini each month, passing by Rahu, we could feel excited states of emotion.
Venus Transits Sagittarius from January 4 till January 27
Venus moves from the cold, quiet, and intense environment of Scorpio on January 4 for a quick transit through Sagittarius. This is a short window where, like Mars, Venus will be free of aspects from all planets. Most importantly, Venus moving to Sagittarius takes Venus out of range of Mars’ aspect. This is especially good for relationships, that may have had fiery endings in late December. Though because Venus remains in a fiery environment, you may not get the resolutions necessary to make amends.
Mercury Transits Capricorn from January 5 till 25
Mercury leads the way into Saturn’s sign on January 5 and passes through Capricorn rapidly, moving past Saturn and then Jupiter. By January 25, Mercury has blasted into Aquarius.
Mercury does well in Saturn’s signs due to their natural friendship. This brief transit may actually be quite helpful as Mercury has well-defined relationships with Saturn, Jupiter and Rahu, who is really creating some big changes in all of the earth signs. Mercury’s presence here could help us sort out and manage what seem like conflicting stories and unstable financial situations.
Having Mercury hover around Saturn’s signs for a few months may be positive, as he can make sense of the chaotic energy from Rahu while leveraging the determination of Saturn and the positivity of Jupiter. Due to the upcoming retrograde cycle, Mercury will be hanging around the region of Capricorn-Aquarius through March 2021.
Generally, this is a good time to organise business plans, gather materials, build networking platforms and exercise discipline in all of Mercury’s pursuits: communication; health regimes; and educational programs.
New Moon in Sagittarius in the nakshatra of Uttara Ashada on January 12
After the full Moon in Gemini on December 29, we see the Moon waning as the calendar year turns. On New Year’s day, the Moon will be strongly placed in its own sign of Cancer, opposite the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction. Perhaps an indication that looking at our situations with plenty of light and from a different angle is needed to understand what needs to change.
The Moon continues to wane, moving past Ketu and into Sagittarius, joining with the Sun for the new Moon at 30 degrees of Sagittarius, in Uttara Ashada nakshatra, which bridges the signs of Sagittarius and Capricorn. Uttara Ashada has been strongly activated by the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, which will still be occupied by Saturn.
The Jupiter (expansion) – Saturn (contraction) theme continues with the cautionary hopefulness of this new Moon. We choose carefully from here where to push and where to release.
Sun Transits Capricorn from January 14 till February 13
As the Sun moves closer to the Saturn / Jupiter pairing in Capricorn, we lose sight of them in the evening sky after sunset. By mid-February, we should again begin to see Jupiter and Saturn but in the pre-dawn eastern sky.
Combustion is when a planet comes too close to the Sun’s position in the zodiac. From our Earth perspective, we can no longer discern that planet which gets lost in the strong orb of the Sun. It is said that the planet loses its unique expression due to the overpowering light of the Sun. In some cases, perhaps it is a relief that the combust planet loses expression, for example, when that planet is a strongly dignified and highly pressurised and restrictive Saturn.
As the Sun moves through Capricorn, he completely combusts Saturn on January 24 and then moves on to combust Jupiter on January 29. This gamut has mixed implications, as the Sun is relatively weak while in Capricorn. At any rate, this could be a rather notable Sun in Capricorn due to the excitement caused by having both Saturn and Jupiter present while being tightly aspected by Rahu from Taurus.
The Sun-Saturn struggle has much to do with the individual agenda (Sun) vs the collective requirements (Saturn). The Sun teaches that ‘I am.’ Saturn teaches that ‘I am nothing.’ Both are true, and striking the healthy balance between those two concepts is what leads us into navigating life on Earth with a healthy and unassuming sense of self-definition and regard. This month from mid-January to mid-February will be a good period for establishing our stance in order to express our individuality without causing harm to others.
The Sun, combined with Saturn and Rahu’s influence, will challenge the integrity of Jupiter through the end of January and into the first week of February. Have faith that the truth shall always prevail.
Saturn enters Shravana Nakshatra on January 22
Just as Rahu shifting nakshatras within the same sign can provide different influences, the same can be said for any planet in any sign. With the slower-moving planets, these nakshatra transits are more evident, and can give us insights into how the planets will actually function with respect to our perception, since nakshatras have a subtle yet powerful effect on the mind.
On January 22, Saturn moves into Shravana nakshatra until February 17, 2022. Shravana is ruled by the Moon and is associated with receptivity and public approval. Saturn in Shravana and Rahu in Rohini from February till October 2021, enliven these two nakshatras, both ruled by the Moon. All nakshatras ruled by the same planet fall into an exact trine with one another. This creates a special focus on the mind, the feminine principle, the public and what we all consider ‘home.’ With Saturn and Rahu occupying these nakshatras, this may show up as restlessness in the mind and thus, an imperative time for spiritual practices. This will also have an impact on our relationship with our environment, many people may experience challenges at home, and even change residence.
Jupiter will be joining this dynamic in Shravana with Saturn and Rahu via Rohini from January 6 till March 3.
Venus Transits Capricorn from January 28 till February 20
Venus moves out of her relatively safe place in Sagittarius and into the crowded environment of Capricorn on January 28. Venus increases speed, moving through Sagittarius, Capricorn and Aquarius with some force.
For the few weeks that Venus is moving through Capricorn, this may be a soothing and compassionate energy that helps us to adjust to new paradigms and finds beauty and comfort in a harsh environment. Traversing Capricorn is like a long, uphill trek; having the good cheer and sustenance that comes with Venus inspires one to keep going.
Beyond the Capricorn transit, Venus will be combust from February 23 till April 10. By end of April, we will again be seeing Venus, but this time in the western sky after sunset, the “evening star.” Since Venus is the main ruler of appearances, this combustion period will be a good time for re-engineering a new way forward, we may need to alter the way we present, relate and connect with others.
Full Moon in Cancer in the nakshatra of Pushya on January 28
The Moon moves past Rahu on January 25. As the first month of 2021 closes, the Moon becomes strong and bright, getting into exact opposition with the Sun on January 28. The Moon will be at 15° Cancer, its own sign, in the nakshatra Pushya, which is ruled by Saturn. The Sun at 15° Capricorn will strongly combust both Saturn and Jupiter.
With the many other astrological influences swirling at this time, this bright Moon at January’s end may bring a collective moment of peace and universal understanding. With the strong Sun obscuring Jupiter and Saturn, its light reflected by the full Moon, we can get back to the root reasons that push us into action.
Powerful Mars will tightly aspect this full Moon, which could bring in the energy of anger or frustration. Pushya nakshatra is considered auspicious for most actions excluding marriage. It carries the energy of spiritual creation and nourishment. Cancer is ruled by the Moon while Pushya has Saturn as its planetary ruler. The combination makes this environment both emotionally rich and mature. From this vantage, we can make decisions that are aimed at fulfilling the requirements of both the individual and the collective.
If you are interested in a reading, please make a selection by visiting the Consultations page.
