January begins with Moon exalted in Taurus, Jupiter retrograde in Gemini, Ketu in Purvaphalguni, Mars, Sun, Venus, and Mercury in Sagittarius, Rahu in Aquarius, Saturn in Pisces.
January Transits:
Venus in Capricorn on the 13th
Sun in Capricorn on the 14th (Makar Sankranti)
Mars exalted in Capricorn on the 15th
Mercury in Capricorn on the 16th
Magha Navratri begins on the 19th
Vasant Panchami on the 23rd
Saraswati Jayanti on the 23rd
Full Moon in Gemini and Ardra Nakshatra on January 3rd at 03:01 Mountain Time
The new year opens with a roar and a foreboding message for the months to come. Days into January, an Ardra full Moon arrives, which is quite a metaphor for the big waves ahead. I try to be optimistic with transits, but when I looked at what is coming over the next six months, a strong sense of overwhelm struck me. To say the planets are bringing an unusual intensity, is an understatement. I’ll share more about the upcoming transits for 2026 and horoscopes shortly.
January is already offering a challenging mix of big movement, complex energies, and inevitable changes. This is a good time to slow down and get extra rest- knowing that the winds of change are going to be fast and furious over the next six months.
A conjunction of multiple planets in Sagittarius continues to bring heat, inflammation, and intensity. The Mula nakshatra chaos of uprooting and untangling has left its mark, ushering in new changes. The theme of fire and heat continues for the months ahead and it needs your attention. You will need to work with this fire intentionally or you will get burned out, overheated, and quite literally scorched. Sun is creating a combustion with Mercury, Venus and Mars very acutely for the coming cycles.
At the time of the January full Moon, Sun and Venus are in exact degrees, burning up life force energy, causing relationship challenges, and bringing pressure to the surface. Relationship volatility continues for the months ahead- so pay attention to what is being purified and transformed. Your relationships will require more diligence and focus as Sun burns Venus through April. Many relationships will not survive this heat. You’re being asked to release what no longer serves you and upgrade your relations. Purify and burn away the excess and activate new passion. It is very hard for love to live in such an overheated environment. Use this time to get to the core issues so you can upgrade your relationship with love.
Fire planet Mars is within degrees of the Sun also getting scorched in Sagittarius- a fire sign. This intensifies the heat within body and life. Think of this combination of Mars and Sun like a bonfire. Sacred rage needs your attention and intention. Where will you direct this fiery passion? How will you use this fire for dharmic purposes? Sun and Mars notoriously create inflammatory conditions. You will need to be mindful of cooling, calming, and clearing. This fire brings powerful purification if it doesn’t burn you in the process. War, violence, explosions, sudden fires, and aggression are all real concerns with this combination- which continues for the coming months.
Mercury is also part of this heated fiery combination this month. As January moves forward, Mercury ends up in exact conjunction with the Sun and Mars. This intensifies the heat of the mind and mental body burn out. Exhaustion, fatigue, overwhelm, and high tempers are inevitable. Your mind will require more rest, more pause and stillness to get through this inflammatory weather ahead. Meditation, mantra, green foods, time in Nature, wearing green, and making art are good use of time and energy.
This unusual fire dance with Sun, Mars, Venus and Mercury will track each other closely this month through May. They march within degrees of each other for an extended period of time. It will be important to understand their impact on your natal chart so you can navigate these challenges with more grace, ease and preventative measures. The months ahead are not easy. Your relationship with the fire element will be important for the coming six months as Sun scorches everything in its path. Intensifying this heat and pressure is a kala sarpa yoga that won’t end until June, an eclipse cycle, and multiple planets hemmed in by malefics from February to April. Mercury, Venus, Sun, and Mars will feel the direct effect of being squeezed by Saturn and Rahu, creating increased pressure, confusion, and intensity with the already overheated combustion of multiple planets.
A warning and caution is necessary for the coming months. You will need to know what houses and body parts are impacted by Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces in your natal chart in order to navigate this timing with more awareness.
As of January 13th, the procession into Capricorn begins with Venus, followed by Sun on the 14th, Mars on the 15th, and then Mercury on the 16th. Mars goes exalted in Capricorn only intensifying the heat and fire of this volatile conjunction of planets. Sun entering Capricorn marks Makar Sankranti, the return of the light.
Makar Sankranti in the Vedic Calendar marks the movement of Surya (Sun) into Capricorn and the beginning of more light and longer days. Mentioned in the Mahabharata, this solar festival is estimated to be about 5,000 years old. Mark this timing with intention and invite in the return of the light. What are you inviting in and ready to receive?! The return of the Sun is active and charged! Use it!
Full Moon in Gemini and Ardra Nakshatra on January 3rd at 03:01 AM Mountain Time.
The roar of the new year arrives with this powerful full Moon ruled by Rudra, the storm god. Rudra doesn’t do anything gently, quietly or softly. One benefit of this full Moon is the Moon and Jupiter conjunction happening as Moon transits through Gemini. Retrograde Jupiter in Punarvasu nakshatra right now offer some cooling benefits as well as a wiser approach to the storms.
“Don’t surrender you loneliness so quickly. Let it cut more deep. Let it ferment and season you as few human or even divine ingredients can.”
– Hafiz
The Gregorian new year begins like a lion. Fierce, big energy, and with a powerful roar. This full Moon asks you to clear, purge and release stagnant emotions and lingering grief from the previous cycles. Expect big waves and inner storms. Big gains may be likely, but make sure you are grounded or you will get destabilized.
Ardra is Rudra’s domain. There is nothing small, silent or still when it involves Rudra. He comes with big energy and powerful, often forceful, change. The domain of Ardra is particularly connected to big emotional body waves and overwhelming grief. The symbol of this constellation is a tear drop. Wherever there has been a build up of undigested emotion, Ardra will force the release. This is a potent time to do your grief work, attend to your inner waters, and support the release of stagnant emotions. Spend some time with your emotional body and be diligent with your inner waves. What are you still processing from this past year? What needs to be closed and released so you can move forward?
Slow down and get silent so you can hear your grief. The momentum and power of this cycle is a force to be reckoned with. You will need to surf the waves and ride the choppy waters ahead. Be the eye of the storm as much as possible. Find presence, quiet, and stillness so you can awaken more clarity with your direction, focus, and life path meaning. Don’t get lost in the stormy weather or you will miss the potential of this timing. The best use of your time is to digest the grief that still needs your attention from previous cycles. Don’t carry this with you into the coming seasons.
What is the wisdom of your emotional body sharing with you? What needs to be digested and integrated from this year? What feels too big or overwhelming still? What are you moving away from? What are you moving towards? What is your relationship with the emotional body helping you discover and awaken?
New Moon in Capricorn and Uttarashada Nakshatra on January 18th at 12:51 PM Mountain Time
The parade of planets shifts from Sagittarius to Capricorn mid month, creating a fiery, passionate mess in this earth sign. The new Moon highlights this powerful combination of multiple planets tightly conjunct and combust in Capricorn.
At the time of the New Moon, Mars and Mercury are in exact degrees, creating tension and overthinking. The planet of action (Mars) does not enjoy the planet of thinking (Mercury) and together they create challenges with action and clarity. Mars is exalted in Capricorn, however, which strengthens his tendencies. Action will win! Make sure that it is aligned with your dharma and stay one pointed in your focus during this time.
Mercury, Mars and Venus continue their combustion with the Sun as they navigate close proximity with the hottest planet in our solar system. Sun burns all he touches and with Mercury, Mars and Venus within several degrees of the Sun, this new Moon brings overwhelm, exhaustion, burn out, and complexity. This theme continues for the months ahead and will gain intensity so prepare your body now with extra rest.
Mercury, Mars, Venus, Moon and Sun all navigate UttaraAshada nakshatra at the time of the new Moon. This constellation is ruled by the Sun, only intensifying the effects of the solar heat and fire. Sun problems are awake! Heat and fire are at an all time high. It may feel hard to rest, settle down, or slow your pace with this new Moon, but do it anyway. Your body needs extra rest to navigate the challenges ahead. Rest now so you have the energy to get through the coming pressures.
New Moon in UttaraAshada Nakashtra on January 18th at 12:51 PM Mountain Time.
The intention of UttaraAshada is right action. Ruled by the Vishva Devas, goodness, truth, and purity are their desire. The “all gods” will support righteous behavior and choices, but adharma will not be tolerated. Are you in right-relationship with your dharmic path, your souls purpose? This constellation can be a powerful boon for the dharmic path, but if you are misaligned, you will be asked to clarify and refine your actions and choices. If you aren’t getting the support you would like, it’s time to take a different course of action. You are off path somehow. What needs to shift in order for more right-action?
The constellation of UttarAshada is fixed- which gives stable, lasting results that offer great benefits. Vishvadeva rules this portion of the sky and provides integrity and alignment with ones highest purpose. Adharma (that which goes against dharma) is not tolerated here. Integrity is key with this constellation. The all-gods who rule this domain remind us of virtue, goodness, truth, determination, talent, time, enjoyment, firmness, sight, fame and leadership. These are non-negotiable attributes of one’s dharmic path. Where are you aligned with your purpose? Where are you misaligned?
UttaraAshada is ruled by the Sun, increasing the solar impact at the time of the new Moon. This increases the impact of heat and fire. Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars are all tightly conjunct within UttaraAshada at the time of the new Moon. With five planets navigating this constellation simultaneously, the impact of the Vishva Devas is immense. Dharma is the nonnegotiable focus for the coming cycle. There will be a forceful impact from this new Moon on your dharmic path. Changes are necessary so pay attention and don’t hesitate. Take action and move towards your desires.
Clarify your direction and where you are putting your energy. What action steps move you closer to your goals, your dharmic path? What action steps are wasting your time and energy? Now is the time to get the lasting results you truly desire for your path and purpose. Don’t hesitate and don’t delay.