January starts with the ominous Kaal Sarp yoga, which sets the tone for the upcoming year. We continue with the venus retrograde cycle, urging us to re-connect with others and propelling us to reflect on our values, relationships, and money matters.
New Moon on Jan 2nd in Sagittarius in the nakshatra of Purva Ashada
To start the month, there is a new moon on Jan 2nd in 18 degrees of Sagittarius in the nakshatra of Purva Ashada at approx 6 pm UTC. The Moon and Sun are in Venus’ nakshatra and Venus also occupies Sagittarius in the Sun’s nakshatra, Uttara Ashada. Purva Ashada will bring themes of cleansing, purifying, and clearing old blocks, especially with relationships.
So, here we can see some positive developments in relationship matters – perhaps the return to an old relationship or beginning of a new one. But either way, it’s a happy moment as we have Uranus in trine to the sun and moon, suggesting pleasant surprises.
The moon’s dispositor is Jupiter, which is placed in Aquarius, and connecting with Rahu vis a vis nakshatra in exact degrees, meanwhile Rahu is in Venus’ sign so we go back to Venus’ condition in retrograde, which becomes the key in the new moon placement. Venus, at the moment, is vargottama and pushkara, implying fulfilment in relationships. But there may be something complicated about them at the moment being Venus is still retrograde, close to Pluto and aspected by Rahu as well as Saturn in D9.
Mercury transits Capricorn from December 29 till March 6, 2022
Mercury had begun its transit in Capricorn on Dec 29th and will spend quite a bit of time here since it goes retrograde from Jan 14th till Feb 3rd.
At this time, Rahu is exactly aspecting Mercury as well showing that we can feel a strong sense of vision for the future. Mercury turns retrograde as it approaches Saturn but before reaching a conjunction with Saturn. This is a similar pattern that we saw in December with Venus suggesting that we are not ready to make firm or irreversible decisions quite yet in relationships or money matters.
But in March our hand will be forced to do so as both Mercury and Venus make a conjunction with Saturn. At the moment, a reflective and serious mindset is still in the backdrop with Pluto and Saturn in Capricorn. So, this can bring some contemplative and serious moods till March. It’s a good time to return to the matters that are associated with Mercury in your chart and give them another glance. See Mercury’s lordship as well as where Cap falls in your chart. There will be lots of time to do this as Mercury will not enter Aquarius till March 6th.
It is best not to make any impulsive decisions when a planet is retrograde, especially with those matters connected to its natural significations. So for instance, Mercury is associated with money, commerce, travel, education, learning new skills, etc. But it doesn’t mean all these things halt in your life, its just better to go back and revise. So you can still travel but if you are making new travel plans during the retro, check and double check everything
Sun transits Capricorn from January 14 till February 13
On Jan 14th the Sun makes its annual stay in Capricorn till Feb 13th. Here, it will receive the aspect of Rahu, while approaching a conjunction with Saturn, which goes exact in February.
Sun moving through the sign of Saturn, its arch enemy, can feel a bit draining, particularly with the aspect of Rahu. This is especially the case if you are experiencing a Sun dasha period or if you are a Leo.
Mars transits Sagittarius from January 16 till February 15
On Jan 16th Mars moves into Sagittarius and is approaching Venus in a conjunction, which will not take place till a month later on Feb 15th.
Mars is in a friendly place in Sagittarius, and stronger here than Venus is. As Mars moves into Sagittarius, the Moon moves into Gemini and breaks the Kaal Sarp yoga for the time being.
So the matters connected to Scorpio and Mars should now be resolved to some extent. This is an excellent transit for Mars. And especially for Aries and Scorpio signs.
Full Moon on January 17 in Cancer in the nakshatra of Pushya
On Jan 17th, we have a full moon in approx. 3 degrees of Cancer in Pushya at nearly midnight UTC. This new moon is directly aspected by Saturn, and further, there is a very strong connection to Saturn as there is a parivartana yoga taking place with Saturn and Moon – each in the other’s nakshatra.
There is a close aspect from Mars on this Moon. Being the 8th aspect, we know there is some sudden, perhaps unexpected change happening now. This will depend on what Cancer represents to you and whether you have planets here. Mercury is also aspecting the full moon but in retrograde state so you may have been contemplating deeply about an issue, that is again connected to Cap/Cancer angle and what Mercury signifies for you.
It could be connected with your domestic situation and if its not to your satisfaction, you could see some shifts here. Mercury close to Saturn can also lead to negative thinking and thus, depression and difficulties in communication. Harsh or critical words can lead to relationship problems such as coldness, isolation, or rejection at this time. This may be the case since we are talking about a full moon that is connecting with Saturn vis a vis nakshatra exchange.
But at the same time it can be a productive time for making long term plans. The month ends with four planets in Capricorn, including Sun, Moon, Mercury as well as Saturn.
Kaal Sarp Yoga continues till April
The Kaal sarp yoga will emerge again on the same day that Venus goes direct on Jan 29th. Once again, suggesting we can see events that manifest in our lives, where we have little or no control, connected to the significations of Venus. This could be connected to finances, or relationships.
Being that the Moon is offsetting this yoga every month, it suggests that we keep going back and forth with these matters due to the waxing and waning nature of the moon. So there is some confusion and indecision here.
The real break of this yoga will happen on Apr 24, 2022 when Mercury moves into Taurus and by this time, Rahu will have also moved into Aries. There are many shifts taking place in April 2022. So by the time April brings big landscape changes, the matter that came up when the Venus returned to Sagittarius at the end of Dec will be resolved one way or another.
This could possibly be connected to the matter that came up around the November eclipse too. We know that monumental changes can be expected this year as the first day of the year we are in full throttle with the ominous kaal sarp yoga. This is also supported because of the big shifts taking place in April when the nodal axis changes to Aries/Libra and changemaker Rahu will meet the rebellious Uranus. And both Jupiter and Saturn change signs in 2022.
Wishing everyone a healthy, happy year.
