January Forecast

The practice of Yoga and Astrology (Jyotish) has been linked together for hundreds of years. In this column we will look at the month ahead astrologically and see what we can learn about our yoga practices, life choices, and how to align and connect ourselves to the cosmic cycles.

This monthly column uses the science of Vedic Astrology (which differs from Western astrology in reckoning the sign position of the planets) as it gives the best results for people on a yogic or spiritual journey. The highlights below reflect the Vedic Astrology sign positions for this month.
    

Planetary Highlights

MOON
January 3, 3:03 AM NEW MOON
January 19, 3:21 PM FULL MOON

VENUS
January 1 – Enters Scorpio

MARS
January 8 – Enters Capricorn

SUN
January 4 – Solar Eclipse

This month:

Sun in Capricorn: January 14 to February 14
Capricorn is ruled by the planet Saturn. The Sun in Capricorn is influenced by the attributes of Saturn.

The Capricorn Sun Person
If you were born between January 14 to February 14, you are a Capricorn Sun according to Vedic Astrology. People with the Sun in Capricorn are intelligent and may have great ideas but don't like to be rushed. "Slow but sure" is an accurate description. They are capable in business and generally good with math. They are extremely independent, like to rely on their own ways of doing things and do not like to be told what to do. These are not the most optimistic people in the world and often are interested in philosophical concepts beyond the here and now. These people may get into important positions by perseverance, or may have associates that are in elevated positions. They are honest, compassionate towards others, have a sharp sense of humor and are not generally loud or boisterous, indeed, usually quite the opposite.

The Capricorn Yogi
The Capricorn Sun Yogi is practical, responsible, patient, and hardworking about their yoga practice. Sometimes they may also be a little overly cautious or rigid about their relationship to yoga. They enjoy a disciplined yoga practice that allows for steady achievement through hard work. They do need to watch for an inability to change a yoga routine or try something differently. Occasionally they may put obstacles in front of themselves that prevents them from progressing a their yoga. If they teach yoga, they do need to be extra considerate of their students' feelings and realize that not everyone will be as hard-working as they like to be.

Happy Solar Eclipse!
The New Year comes in with a partial Solar Eclipse on January 4th. The eclipse occurs in the Vedic sign of Sagittarius which means that changes over the next 6 months will be initiated in the area of your life affected by Sagittarius.

So folks with their Sun or Moon in Sagittarius, or who have Sagittarius as their rising sign, will also get a good charge of the Solar Eclipse energy (remember we are talking about your Vedic sign, not Western). If these planets or your ascendant are near the 20th degree of Sagittarius where the eclipse occurs, expect a possibly dramatic change or opportunity. This is not a time for worry or concern, but a chance to use these changes for deep transformation.

In general Sagittarius rules over the house of spirituality, teachers, good fortune, legal matters, and long journeys. We all may see some interesting events in these areas and simply need to bring consciousness to these concerns.

As regards health and the body, the eclipse in Sagittarius brings attention to the hips (the sign Danu) and the feet (the nakshatra Mula), two critical areas in the practice of yoga postures. Take care of these two areas of you body – invest in "sensible" shoes and work on those hip openers in yoga class!

Mighty Mars
On January 8th, Mars enters Capricorn for several weeks. This is the best, or exalted, sign for Mars and it is joined by the Sun there as well after mid-month. These to fiery planets will bring a lot of positive energy to this sign and the area of your life it represents. It is very easy for this energy to be overbearing in its intensity. If Capricorn for example was in your second house, your speech might be very forceful even when you think you are being diplomatic. If Capricorn is in the seventh house, your partner may feel that you are running over their feelings. If Capricorn is in your tenth house of your birth chart, your career will surely rise in status, authority and responsibility.

All of us, however, can use the passion, energy, and initiative of Mars this month to push through blocks – just don't run over anyone when you do so!

Finally, Mars represents our ability to do a physical practice or daily sadhana. If you have been waiting to jump into a strong physical regimen, this is DEFINITELY the time to go for it. Just watch for over pushing or impulsiveness but bring Mars into your yoga practice now.

Sexy Venus
Venus spends almost all of January in Scorpio in the sign of Mars. With an exalted Mars happening as well, physical passion and sexual escapades will come easily so watch who is watching you! Folks with Taurus or Scorpio rising will be especially attractive, and if you have Aries rising do be careful in your choice of partners this month and practice "safely."