Monthly Astrological Insights for January 2023

Date Posted: December 31, 2022

The energy of the retrograde Mars in sidereal Taurus will continue to dominate the January news headlines as reflected in violence and unrest occurring not just only in the United States but also in other parts of world, notably in Ukraine, Russia, China and Iran.

While Mars has been retrograde, Mercury becomes retrograde towards the end of December and remains retrograde till January 19. Typically retrograde Mercury means anxieties, communication breakdowns, unexpected delays, frustrations, missing deadlines, unforeseen obstacles and disappointment in daily chores. The details on both retrograde Mars and Mercury are provided below.

One of the most important planetary events of 2023 is going to occur around mid-January thru mid-February of 2023 when simultaneously Neptune will be reentering in sidereal Pisces (Feb 15) and Saturn in sidereal Aquarius (Jan 17). The manifestation of the preview of this early 2023 event has been slowly emerging as it seems to be clearly reflected in the current protests and unrest in authoritarian regimes like China (recent protest in Shanghai), Russia (the new military recruiters and soldiers fleeing Russia) and Iran (niece of Iran’s supreme leader speaks out against his “murderous and child-killing regime” as protest continues).  As a result, it’s very likely that the friction between the Unites States and Russia, as well as that between the United States and China, and United States and Iran will be becoming more severe.

Finally, the Saturn’s reentry in the sidereal Aquarius (Jan 17) may signal the beginning of the end of Covid-19 era.  Also, Covid-19 may be on its way out, albeit slowly by mid-2023. More on this is covered in the 2023 annual predictions and below.

Retrograde Mars (October 31- January 13, 2023)

Mars became retrograde on October 31, 2022 in sidereal Gemini. It returned to Taurus on November 14, 2022 due to its retrograde motion. It becomes direct on January 13 in Taurus and returns to Gemini on March 13, 2023. The transits of retrograde Mars in the sidereal Gemini and Taurus are likely to dominate the news headlines November 2022 through March 2023.

Astrologically speaking, what “the retrograde Mars” means? And what can we expect from the retrograde Mars?

In general, when a planet turns retrograde, the positive energy offered by that planet is expected to slowly diminish. For an individual, any planet can be positive or negative based on its placement in the natal chart. 

The positive side of Mars is: amazing energy, independence and high ego.  While high ego proves to be ultimately negative, it does help in the beginning to provide an individual in utilizing that amazing energy of Mars with total independence. It makes the person feel that he/or she is a master of the universe.  The ego help maintains that momentum of Mars to push forward and conquer more frontiers.  However, if not correctly understood through awareness, the same ego can make person arrogant, dictator, un-empathetic and inhuman.  Thus, a poorly placed Mars can lead to the self-destruction.

Now when Mars is retrograde, a favorably placed Mars is not expected to perform 100% (unless it’s an auspicious Mars) as its speed slows down.  A poorly placed Mars makes things worse during the retrograde period if it’s transiting through the unfavorable house in the transit chart. 

The transit of Mars in Taurus (the earth sign) means significant volatility in financial markets and drastic changes and shifts in international politics.

For those of you who have poorly placed predominant Mars in their birth chart and if its energy is active through your Gochar (transit) chart, then, you are very likely to experience a sudden setback in your professional as well as in other activities.  You may have to repeat things over many times to get it right, or you may have to deal with unfortunate and totally unexpected circumstances, and in general, you may end up in having a very frustrating experience. 

During Nov 14 – Jan 13, the retrograde Mars transits through Taurus. The Taurus retrograde Mars is going to be unfavorable for those who have Taurus, Gemini, Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Aries as a rising sign or ninefold (Navamansa) ascendant. It’s going to be very challenging and frustrating period if you have an active Mars in your Gochar (transit) chart. In particular, business people, politicians, corporations and financial organizations are likely to experience a challenging and trying period.

At a collective level, expect a political tension building among developed nations.  Financial crisis in UK may become very severe during Nov 14 – Jan 13.  Cyber wars and internet communication breakdowns will likely to be more frequent. Destruction of wealth due to natural calamities (fires, flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc.) or man-made accidents (social and/or political unrest) are also very likely.

Retrograde Mercury (Dec 29 – Jan 19) 

On December 29, 2022, the planet Mercury became retrograde in sidereal Capricorn then two days later returned to Sagittarius on December 31. It will stay retrograde in Sagittarius until January 19. Typically retrograde Mercury means anxieties, communication breakdowns, unexpected delays, frustrations, missing deadlines, unforeseen obstacles and disappointment in daily chores. Retrograde Mercury in Sagittarius means more frustrating periods for leaders in general, and particularly for those who are religious leaders, explorers, philosophers, and researchers. This is not a good time to start a new project or venture, but rather reflect on what’s been done so far. Also, this is the best time to cleanup that closet and do other chores that you have been postponing due to lack of time. 

In addition, if you have dominating Mercury in your birth chart and if Mercury is currently your active planet then you are more likely to experience the pronounced effects of retrograde Mercury during this period with respect to matters signified by the house it’s currently transiting through in your Gochar (transit) chart. 

Neptune’s reentry in sidereal Pisces (Feb 15)

With Neptune’s return to the sidereal Aquarius on September 17 we have witnessed a temporary but a sudden shift in our collective consciousness and it was well reflected in a turnaround in Putin’s behavior. With decline in support for war both internationally and domestically, he shifted his position in maneuvering the war. This shift has proven to be so far favorable for Ukrainians as they have been on offensive and has taken back the territory held by Russians. However, due to unpredictable and irrational behavior of Putin, heavy civilian casualties and destruction of vital infrastructure for water and power supply continues in Ukraine.

With Neptune reentering sidereal Pisces on Feb 17, 2023, and Pisces being a sign that is considered to be unfavorable for dictators and authoritarian regimes, it will certainly affect the matters related to authoritarian regimes in a significant way as explained in 2022 annual predictions.   The manifestation of the preview of this early 2023 event has been slowly emerging, as it seems to be clearly evident in the latest protests and unrest in authoritarian regimes like China, Russia and Iran.  As a result, it’s very likely that the friction between the Unites States and Russia, as well as that between the United States and China, and United States and Iran will likely to continue to be more severe.

Saturn’s return to sidereal Capricorn (July 14 – January 17, 2023)

On July 14, Saturn with its retrograde motion returned to sidereal Capricorn and it will stay in Capricorn until January 17, 2023.

On January 17, Saturn returns to the sidereal Aquarius and will stay in Aquarius until March 29, 2025.

What does Saturn in the sidereal Aquarius mean?

Aquarius being the air (intelligence) and fixed (perseverance) sign, Saturn’s energy will likely be strongly reflected in the scientific research that deal with information technology which help us collectively bring us together at a phenomenal rate leading to a new level of understanding of this world as a part of the process of our spiritual growth.

Thus, philanthropists, social reformers, philosophers, scientists, spiritual leaders (not religious leaders) and peace-makers will shape our world with better clarity and purpose.

On the downside, some of the prominent social media and internet related companies likely to go under and replaced with new companies as a part of Saturn/Pluto’s transformation process.

Those who have Saturn in Aquarius (Saturn return) in their natal charts have already been experiencing Saturn’s energy as their lives transformed to a new settings due to a drastic change (mostly) at mental and psychological levels. In my opinion, despite a painful period of frustration due to unexpected drastic changes in life, it’s going to be an exciting period for those who have dominant Saturn in their birth chart and have Aries, Taurus, Virgo and Sagittarius as their natal ninefold (Navamansha) ascendant. 

Is Russian-Ukraine war and senseless killings… going away?

Since last couple of months, the momentum of the war between Russia and Ukraine continued with unprecedented casualties on both sides.  Ukraine continued to have an upper hand in this war. Until Saturn completely returns to Aquarius (January 2023), the Ukraine war is likely to continue its course of devastation and destabilization of the country. After January 2023, however, the war between Ukraine and Russia will still continue, but at a different level. It is likely to be more intense in Cyber-space. 

President Biden’s challenges in January

Overall, the first half of January looks to be very favorable for President Biden. He is very likely to find a way to successfully advance his political agenda. Success and recognition will follow him during that time.  His patience and courage is likely to help me achieve that success. On the international front his efforts to deal with Ukraine-Russia war will continue to be pointing towards success.

As it was pointed out several times in the past few months, according to his current Dasa in Vedic astrology, he has been in a Saturn’s major cycle of 19 years since September 8, 2022. This is a major cycle shift, and since then it has been slowly but certainly reflected in his achievements as a commander in chief. Things look to be slowly falling in place for him.

In my opinion, it is because in his natal chart, the Taurus Saturn rules the third and the fourth house, and occupies the 7th house.  It sextiles Pluto within three degrees, a very favorable aspect, especially when Pluto being in the Nakshatra (constellation) ruled by Saturn becomes a very important and active planet for him for the next 19 years. During the next 17-18 years the transiting Pluto will be in the 4th house of his transit chart, thus making it an extremely powerful planet of politics for him going forward. 

As for this month, with Saturn’s major, intermediate and sub-cycle, the planets that fall in the constellations ruled by Saturn become active are: Pluto, Venus and Sun.

Presently the transiting Pluto is going to be in the 4thhouse, and in the 5th house of his ninefold transit chart. Despite being nonstop challenged by his adversaries he will continue to pave his way by figuring out the political solutions and  effectively govern the country.

As for Venus, it’s very favorable for him from recognition, fame and happiness in general standpoint. From the Sun’s energy point of view, politically, the first half of the month may prove to be really favorable period for him bestowing him with success, prestige, recognition and popularity. But the second half of January may turn out to be very difficult period for him as he must face the unforeseen and uninvited challenges both at home and abroad

Thus, in summary, the first half of January looks to be very favorable for him. He is very likely to find a way to successfully advance his political agenda. Success and recognition will follow him during that time.  His patience and courage is likely to help me achieve that success. On the international front his efforts to deal with Ukraine-Russia war will continue to be pointing towards success.

Global Insights……..

The important challenging planetary configurations for January include:  Pluto-Rahu (Jan 29 – Feb 3) ninefold opposition, Neptune-Saturn (Jan 2-9), Neptune-Jupiter (Jan 13-17) ninefold squares and Uranus-Saturn (Jan 21-26) ninefold conjunction.

The manifestation of the Pluto-Rahu (Jan 29 – Feb 3) ninefold opposition maybe reflected in an eruption of new waves of violence in the Palestine-Israel, Syria and Afghanistan-Pakistan regions. And perhaps, towards the end of this period due to Pluto’s transformation process, the resulting changes are likely to become irreversible. In addition, world religions, in general, and religious leaders in particular, may experience themselves having to go through undesirable situations that require changes. In other words, the orthodox religious leaders may come under social and moral pressures to change the way they handle their responsibilities. 

The energy of the Neptune-Saturn (Jan 2-9) ninefold square may be reflected in a chaotic and uncontrollable period that both Russia and China must deal with.

The Neptune-Jupiter (Jan 13-17) ninefold square may become responsible for crisis in religious world. World religions are likely to be challenged with earthshaking ideas that they must attend to. Those religious leaders, who are willing to be open minded and ready to listen and act on new and fresh ideas, are the ones that going to be responsible to transform our religious world to a new level. Others are going to fade away with time. 

The energy of the Uranus-Saturn (Jan 21-26) ninefold conjunction may become cause for political or social turmoil in the United States, Russia or China. In addition, the rise in tensions among these nations cannot be ruled out.

 The important auspicious planetary configurations for January include Pluto-Uranus (Jan 12-30) and Pluto-Saturn (Jan 22-29) ninefold trines and Neptune-Rahu (Jan 6-14) ninefold sextile.

The manifestation of energy of the Pluto-Uranus (Jan 12-30) ninefold trine maybe reflected in an extraordinary time for technological discoveries and inventions.  Expect some new important technological breakthroughs during this month. For the United States, in general, it’s going to be a remarkable and successful month.

The Pluto-Saturn (Jan 22-29) ninefold trine means a good period for European economy. This period is also good for progress in technical fields (new innovations and discoveries) and religious reconciliation.

The energy of the Neptune-Rahu (Jan 6-14) ninefold sextile is likely to be reflected in a favorable period for Russia and China from political stability point of view. Also, most of the technological areas are likely to make significant progress via inventions and discoveries. Spiritual and religious activities are likely to impart positive energy and create a very healthy atmosphere around us.

The countries that are more likely to be affected during this month are:  Russia, Ukraine, China, Europe, United States, the Middle Eastern countries, especially Israel and Palestine region.

Natural and Man-made Calamities……..

The natural calamities like extreme weather conditions, wildfires, hurricanes, heavy rains, snow storms, air crashes as well as manmade accidents are likely to occur during January 1-9.

Earthquakes: Based on a new Earthquake prediction model (the work is still in progress), the earthquake(s) of magnitude 6.9 or higher, if occur, are likely to occur on following dates and Times: Earthquake Predictions 2023. Please note that these hourly predictions refer to the Universal time (GMT).

While man-made calamities may manifest themselves in terrorism, unrest, violence, accidents, and air crashes, the natural calamities are likely to include extreme weather conditions such as severe cold winters, and equally intensive droughts, hurricanes or typhoons, thunderstorms, earthquakes and fires