January is setting the stage for a year of upheaval and change. Mars is agitated, so it is important to work on uplifting our energy.
Toward the end of the month, Venus will transit into the water sign Pisces, and a cluster of planets will be gathered in this sign during the next couple of months.
What else can Vedic astrology tell us about January 2025?
As we enter January, Mars is transiting the sign of his debilitation: Cancer.
Mars is not at his best in this sign. Cancer rules our domestic and emotional well-being, and Mars is not comfortable with the emotional nature of Cancer.
Furthermore, Mars is now retrograde, moving towards Gemini.
Mars (Kuja) motivates us. He governs our desires and passions. His nature is fire. Mars gives us energy, willpower, independence, and the courage to accomplish something.
Mars is competitive, technical, and strategic. He will defend and protect, but he can also attack and conquer.
Fire is quick and can get out of control. Similarly, an out-of-control Mars can manifest anger, violence, accidents, and war. Mars also rules over earthly calamities such as fires, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis (Kuja means “born of the earth”).
The retrograde Mars in Cancer and Pluto in Capricorn are in exact opposition on January 3 - 4. Mars/Pluto oppositions can manifest anger and destructive energy.
The United States Congress will open during the exact opposition of Mars and Pluto on January 3. The last time Mars was in close opposition to Pluto was during the US election on November 5th. But Mars was then going direct. Now, Mars is moving retrograde over the same degree as on November 5th. Whenever a planet retrogrades, it stirs up the energy from its previous transit.
Moreover, both Lunar Nodes reveal this is intense karma: Rahu in Pisces aspects Mars to a degree on January 3, and Ketu in Virgo aspects Pluto.
Mars also aspects Saturn, the Moon, and Venus in Aquarius. On January 3, Mercury is Gandanta between Scorpio and Sagittarius, which makes communication confusing.
Mars will continue retrograde until February 23. Then, on April 27, he will be opposite Pluto again.
The United States is experiencing a Pluto return.
This is according to the astrological birth chart for the United States, which was set at the time of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776, at 6:30 p.m. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Kelleher).
A Pluto return does not occur often because it takes Pluto 248 years to make a complete orbit. The Declaration of Independence was written 248 years ago. A Pluto return in Capricorn indicates shifting realities and structural change.
On January 20, Inauguration Day, the Sun is conjunct Pluto, showing the powerful shift in leadership. Retrograde Mars is now 0 degrees in Cancer, transiting Donald Trump’s natal Saturn. Later that day, Mars retrogrades back into Gemini.
While Mars is in Gemini, we can expect a lot of energy around communication and technical innovation. Mars's difficult side will likely cause conflicts and disagreements in these areas, especially regarding AI. He leaves Gemini on April 2 to be in Cancer again until June 6.
A few hours after the full Moon, which occurs in the last degree of Gemini, on January 13, the Sun moves into Capricorn. The day when the Sun moves into Capricorn is auspicious, celebrating the light as the days get longer.
On January 27, Venus leaves Aquarius and moves into Pisces, the exaltation sign for Venus. Pisces is a sign ruled by Jupiter. Jupiter is in Taurus, a sign ruled by Venus; the two planets exchange signs. This strengthens both planets.
Venus will stay in Pisces for a long time, until May 31, and will be retrograde throughout March and into April. Many planets will join. This cluster of planets in Pisces will create some commotion.
When a difficult side of a planet is being expressed, it is good to consciously emphasize that planet’s positive qualities. Right now, it is helpful for us to work with Mars in this way.
Mars has energy and enjoys physical activity such as
On a mental level, Mars enjoys
I leave behind me both my failures and accomplishments.
What I do today will create a new and better future,
Filled with inner joy.
–Swami Kriyananda
Peace and Blessings in the coming year,
Lina
November 2024 is, not unexpectedly, a very intense month. We will see that Mars in Cancer is a major contributor to the drama.