Date Posted: December 31, 2023
As we enter January, the good news is Mercury turns direct. Although it will take about 10 days for Mercury to gain its average speed, we will feel our anxieties subsiding and communications getting back to normal. The other good news is Jupiter becomes direct in sidereal Aries on January 1, and as a result, Jupiter’s energy certainly becomes responsible for speeding up the process of realizing of our spiritual potential.
Another important planetary event that began just before January is about a simultaneous transit of Venus, Mars and Mercury. While Venus entered sidereal Scorpio on December 24, Mars ingress sidereal Sagittarius on December 27 and the retrograde Mercury returned to Scorpio on December 29.
The transit of benefic Venus invokes auspicious and spiritual energy as the water sign Scorpio Venus makes trine with another benefic water sign Pisces Neptune through the first three weeks of January. The ingress of Mars in the fire sign Sagittarius is very auspicious as mighty Mars loves fire signs. In addition, Sagittarius being ruled by friendly Jupiter the trine of Mars with Jupiter becomes extremely powerful and positive. And finally the transit of the retrograde Mercury from the fire sign Sagittarius to water sign Scorpio minimizes the negative intensity of the retrograde Mercury. Therefore, from spirituality standpoint, January may prove to be more positive for those seeking answers that are not possible using logical mind.
Retrograde Mercury (Dec 13 – Jan 2)
On December 13, the planet Mercury became retrograde in sidereal Sagittarius. It remained retrograde in Sagittarius till December 28, then with its retrograde motion entered into Scorpio till it becomes direct on Jan 2.
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. And that in Scorpio means more trying period for military personnel, politicians, athletes, terrorists, and people involved in secrecy and covert operations. This is the time not 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 transit chart.
Neptune in sidereal Pisces
Pisces being a water and mutable sign ruled by Jupiter some of its significant characteristics are: Divine, fruitful, fertile, emotional, honest, outspoken, religious, spiritual, nonviolent, polite, modest, moody, affectionate, hermit, psychic, water, compassion, love, heart connection, non-verbal communication and introvert. These qualities complement very well with qualities of Neptune that include: spiritual, intuitive, divine, psychic, magical, highly emotional, moody, clairvoyant, inspiration, imaginative, love, compassionate and mystical.
As a result, a subtle and slow change in our collective moral and spiritual perceptions has certainly been going to be manifested in the way we never experienced before. This era (next 13 years or so) will be remembered as the period of spiritual inspiration and transformation. Interestingly, this era also complements well with the era of Pluto’s transit in sidereal Capricorn (a sign ruled by spiritual Saturn) that runs in parallel during the same time. The way we have been used to deal with religions will no longer be our norms. Our moral codes will be greatly influenced by our collective spiritual experiences. And in that sense a subtle but most effective transformation of world morality during this unique era of the next 13 years is likely to take us to a level where the norms solely based on spiritual experiences will dictate and guide our lives with new level of understanding.
Pisces, being the sign for poets, musicians, singers, monks, religious leaders, spiritual leaders, nurses, nuns, social workers, caregivers, saints, psychics, actors, sailors and ship captains, these respective fields will go through significant transformations. And these transformations will be reflected in the new norms of morality and ethics, expansion of our collective psychic abilities and mystical experiences keeping in line with steady progress in our ability to directly perceive truth. Also, creativity in areas of music will likely complement our spiritual progress.
In scientific and technological areas, a lot of drastic changes and emerging new ideas coupled with mystical experiences will find their way into innovations and discoveries. However, it will be the first time the scientific and technological research will be more focused in areas that will bridge the gap between the science and morality. The likely areas of research will be in spiritual healing, and life-force related activities, looking for ways to tap new sources of energy without disturbing global climate (recent news about the possibility of harnessing energy from nuclear fission and minimizing the usage of fossil fuels will very likely be materialized in next 13 years). The return to the holistic and Ayurvedic practices and alternate medicines are also very likely. The availability of inexpensive generic drugs for those who cannot afford the expensive brand name drugs is becoming reality. A new wave of philosophers and philanthropist with their new perspectives on living, in general, will certainly transform our world in next 13 years with a new level of understanding of life.
However with Rahu’s (the north lunar node) transit in sidereal Pisces, for next 15 months, the Neptune’s positive energy is going to be countered by Rahu and gets stalled as new challenges emerge that must be dealt. In that sense, for a short term Neptune’s downside is likely to become more significant than normal. As a result, the religious leaders and social reformers may tend to form cults and spread cult like activities, rise in organized religion scandals, deceptive activities under the disguise of promise of spiritual experiences are likely to be on rise in certain parts of the world. The scandals of the secretive collaboration between the medical doctors and pharmaceutical industries will continue to be exposed. The increase usage of mind altering drugs, disregard for social and to some extent moral responsibility, rise in mental disorders, and losing the touch with reality are some of the likely symptoms of the negative side of Neptune. One of the prominent fall-outs of the Piscean Neptune will be a significant decline of authoritarian regime’s influence around the world. However, with Rahu’s transit in Pisces, Russia, China and other authoritarian regimes may temporarily get upper hand for next 15 months or so as Rahu’s energy counters Neptune’s energy creating a favorable period for authoritarian regime.
On individual level for those who have water sign (Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces) as their ascendant in their natal ninefold (Navamansh) chart should get ready for a brand new and long lasting (13 years) cycle of change, especially a very pronounced cycle for those who have Neptune as a dominant planet in their birth charts. The changes that might occur would be very subtle and would deal with new or renewed interest in spirituality, openness, psychic abilities to perceive truth, divine experiences, transformed perceptions and beliefs, and the way of living.
Russian-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas war and senseless killings
The intensity of Russian-Ukraine war has been steady at a remarkable speed with both sides incurring severe human tolls and destruction of wealth. The war continues with Ukraine slightly losing more ground. Going forward, due to Rahu’s transit in Pisces, the Russian president Putin, although for a short term, is likely to become successful in expanding the war and his control in dealing with the uprising in Russia. However, until the Russian president Putin loses his grip and becomes powerless this war is not going to end and so will be killings of innocent civilians.
For Israel-Hamas war, it seems that it has been losing its momentum and continues to temporarily subside. However, it’s a perpetual conflict that is likely to be around for a long time unless until there’s a spiritual awakening in that region of the world that transcends religion based conflict.
President Biden’s challenges in January
For President Biden, January looks to be somewhat favorable, especially the first half of the month as he finds courage to deal with situations around him and enjoys recognition, popularity, prestige, even feeling better health-wise and happy. But later in the second half of the month, he may have to deal with some health issues, unanticipated delays and disappointments, difficulties dealing with people in his administration as well as with democrats in Congress.
As for this month, with Saturn’s major and intermediate cycles and Venus sub-cycle, the planets that fall in the constellations ruled by Saturn and Ketu become active. They are: Pluto, Venus and Sun for the entire month.
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 still will slowly continue to pave his way by figuring out the political solutions.
As for Venus, until January 18 she will be in the 2nd house of his transit chart, he will enjoy material life and likely to have a good family life. After January 18, he will get recognition and prestige for his current accomplishments.
From the Sun’s energy point of view, until January 15 he will find courage to deal with situations around him and enjoy recognition, popularity, prestige, even feeling better health-wise and happy. However, after January 15th till the rest of the month, he may have to deal with some health issues, unanticipated delays and disappointments, difficulties dealing with people in his administration as well as with democrats in Congress.
As for the transiting planet’s interaction with his natal chart, the transiting Pluto continues to sextile his natal Sun and Venus, and opposes his natal Jupiter. Given the Sun’s current transit, it’s favorable till mid-January. But afterwards, politically it’s not so favorable for the rest of the month.
Thus, in summary, for him January looks to be somewhat favorable, especially the first half of the month as he finds courage to deal with situations around him and enjoys recognition, popularity, prestige, even feeling better health-wise and happy. But later in the second half of the month, he may have to deal with some health issues, unanticipated delays and disappointments, difficulties dealing with people in his administration as well as with democrats in Congress.
Global Insights……..
The important challenging planetary configurations for January include: Neptune-Saturn (Jan 20-27) ninefold opposition; Pluto-Jupiter (Jan 21 – Feb 1) and Neptune-Rahu (Jan 30 – Feb 6) ninefold quincunxes; Rahu/Ketu-Mars (Jan 29-31) squares; Pluto-Uranus (Dec 26 – Jan 7) and Uranus-Rahu/Ketu (Jan 28 – Feb 8) ninefold squares; and Pluto-Rahu (Jan 15-22) ninefold conjunction.
The energy of the Neptune-Saturn (Jan 20-27) ninefold opposition will be reflected in rise in covert activities and natural as well as man-made calamities. Places like Russia and China are likely to experience political or social turmoil. Non-democratic countries are likely to see shift of power from one faction (or dictator) to another. Religious activities around the world will likely to appear more secretive than open.
The Pluto-Jupiter (Jan 21 – Feb 1) ninefold quincunx may become responsible for some significant changes in religious, academic and to some extent in social fields.
The energy of the Neptune-Rahu (Jan 30 – Feb 6) ninefold quincunx would likely to become responsible for economic turmoil in Russia and China. Covert activities around the world may find a new momentum (but because of Neptune’s secretive character we may never know) with regard to terrorism and other international conflicts.
The manifestation of the energy of Rahu/Ketu-Mars (Jan 29-31) squares is likely to be reflected in both natural and man-made calamities causing destruction and loss of lives during these few days.
The energy of the Pluto-Uranus (Dec 26 – Jan 7) ninefold square could bring a unique change in the way the current US administration deals with other nations with respect to its war against democracies and also with its domestic matters. There will be a transformation of political strategy that might become responsible of a change in the current political agenda, and foreign policy matters of this administration as the planet Pluto with its tremendous energy has a power of irreversibly transforming the field of politics to a new level or setting with a new set of norms. Expect some serious issues that the current administration could get tangled with.
The Uranus-Rahu/Ketu (Jan 28 – Feb 8) ninefold squares may become responsible for likelihood of terrorist activities in the United States besides the volatile region of Israel-Palestine area. President Biden and his administration may end up taking extra precaution in dealing with foreign matters.
The energy of the Pluto-Rahu (Jan 15-22) ninefold conjunction is likely to become apparent with an eruption of new waves of violence in the Palestine-Israel region. In addition, world religions, in general and religious leaders in particular, may experience themselves having to go through some type of crisis that demands changes. In other words, the orthodox religious leaders may come under social and moral pressures to change the way they handle their responsibilities
The important auspicious planetary configurations for January include: Uranus-Jupiter (Jan 5-17) and Neptune-Uranus (Jan 20 – Feb 16) ninefold trines; Saturn-Jupiter (Jan 24 – Feb 19) sextile and Uranus-Saturn (Jan 23-28) ninefold sextile.
The Uranus-Jupiter (Jan 5-17) ninefold trine may become responsible for positive changes in spiritual, religious, academic and social fields.
The energy of the Neptune-Uranus (Jan 20 – Feb 16) ninefold trine may become responsible for an extraordinary collective spiritual growth, technological discoveries and inventions. Expect some new important technological breakthroughs during this period. For the United States, in general, it’s going to be a remarkable and very successful period.
The manifestation of the Saturn-Jupiter (Jan 24 – Feb 19) sextile maybe reflected in positive experiences religions and religious leaders around the world likely to enjoy. People will likely to be convinced with the importance of moral values and have no difficulty in maintaining their religious faith.
The energy of the Uranus-Saturn (Jan 23-28) ninefold sextile maybe reflected in expansion of religious activities all around the world with new vigor and energy. Conservatives in the United States may find ways to compromise with liberals on sticky issues. Democrats and Republicans may agree on more matters than the ones they disagree. This maybe a good time to get those lingering bills passed in U.S. Congress and Senates. China and Russia are likely to experience some mild setbacks in their foreign policies, especially the ones that deal with the United States.
The countries that are more likely to be affected during this month are: Ukraine, Russia, China, the United States, Europe and Israeli and Palestine regions.
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 almost through the entire month, more specifically, during January 15-27.
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 and possible locations: 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