by Lina Elisabeth Preston 3 min read

The New Year begins with a full super Moon in Gemini. This is the biggest full Moon of the year and hopefully you have the opportunity to go out and see it. It is a good time to make New Year's resolutions and commitments on this first day of the year. The full moon takes place in the Ardra Nakshatra and the special shakti (power) of Ardra is the power of effort. Saturn aspects the Moon by opposition and Saturn is a planet that can follow through on serious commitments. Both Venus and Jupiter are also influencing the Moon making this a rather pleasant day.

Mercury Gandanta January 6th

Mercury moves from Scorpio and into Sagittarius on January 6th and is in Gandanta during this day. Mercury joins the many planets in Sagittarius: Sun, Saturn, Venus and Pluto. With such a number of planets in Sagittarius, and a conjunction between Mars and Jupiter at 23 degrees in Libra, we may see legal and ethical issues playing a major role during this time. On a personal level you may want to take action and enroll in a study program. Sagittarius often makes us want to expand our knowledge.

Kala Sarpa Yoga Ends January 13

We have been experiencing the Kala Sarpa Yoga on and off since September 17, 2017. This Yoga occurs when all planets are hemmed in between the lunar nodes Rahu and Ketu. The planets have all been transiting between Rahu in Cancer and Ketu in Capricorn and it is only the Moon that has intermittently broken the Kala Sarpa Yoga. This yoga will often manifest a divisiveness and imbalance.

Venus moves into Capricorn and joins Ketu on January 13th. This ends the Kala Sarpa Yoga for this year and will hopefully help to manifest less divisiveness and more balance.

A Powerful Mars

Mars moves into Scorpio, its sign of rulership, between January 16th and March 7th.

On the same day, January 16th, there is a new moon in Capricorn. Mars in Scorpio expresses energy, determination and will not back away from conflict. This planet can go to great length in order to examine hidden realities and will express great stamina in this sign.

Mars will be powerful most of this year. Between May 2nd and November 6th Mars will be in Capricorn, the sign of its exaltation. Mars is a fighter and its qualities of courage, energy, and desire will be evident in these signs.

Total Lunar Eclipse on January 31

On the last day of January there will be another full super Moon. There will also be a total lunar eclipse taking place on January 31st.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the earth's shadow, blocking the light that the sun normally reflects off the moon's surface — the light that makes the moon appear to glow. Eclipses have an impact on the masses sometimes foretelling world events. It is not the right time to begin something new during an eclipse. The Moon will be in Cancer, its sign of rulership. The Sun, Venus and Ketu are in Shravana, a nakshatra that is ruled by the Moon. This is a very mental and emotional time. Some people are affected by dark emotions and act irrationally. Try to stay in a calm and uplifting environment.

January 2018 Dates to Remember:

Jan 1st   Full Moon in Gemini
Jan 6th   Mercury in Sagittarius
Jan 6th   Jupiter and Mars conjunction in Libra
Jan 6th   Sun and Venus conjunction in Sagittarius
Jan 13th  Venus in Capricorn
Jan 14th  Sun in Capricorn
Jan 16th  Mars in Scorpio
Jan 16th  New Moon in Capricorn
Jan 31st  Total Lunar Eclipse in Cancer

Many blessings for 2018,
Lina

Lina Elisabeth Preston
Lina Elisabeth Preston

Lina Elisabeth Preston has been doing astrological consultations for 20 years. She is a certified Jyotish Visharada and member and practitioner with the Council of Vedic Astrology. Lina also works with vedic gemstones. A long time meditator and disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, Lina lives with her husband Binay at Ananda Village, a spiritual community in Northern California. Lina and Binay founded their business Northern Lights in 1990.



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