January, 2018 – Planets in the Vedic Sky

First, an overview of highlights for 2018, and then I’ll touch on the planet moves for January.

Cancer Rising and Moon sign folks will have to make peace with all the changes that Rahu passing through that sign will bring them throughout 2018.  Cancerians enjoy the peaceful pleasures of home life, but Rahu likes to cause chaos and unexpected events. Change is the “constant” for the year ahead, and possible dealings with “foreigners.” Rahu also stands for transformation, so we can visualize positive changes, if we are willing to embrace growth.

Across the zodiac, those with Capricorn Ascendants or Moon signs are experiencing the transit of Ketu, the south node of the Moon, through their sign. It stands for “hindrance and degradation” so there may be much soul-searching going on, some shyness, and even psychicexperiences. Ketu can also bring a sudden mobilization of energy and a sudden manifestation of events. It is the other half of Rahu, the cosmic serpent, so unrest is likely, but again, can be used as a tool for greater understanding of one’s deeper nature, and for growth, if we decide to not resist the experiences it is sure to bring.  In addition, SATURN, ruler of Capricorn, is passing through their 12th house of isolation, seclusion, loss and expenses. This also can bring a focus on spiritual development and enlightenment.

Scorpios are enjoying a nice break now that Saturn finally moved from their sign on 10/26/2017. That is the first time for Scorpios to be free of the heaviness and restrictions Saturn can bring, for the previous 2.5 years. There are more good things to look forward to in the coming year, depending on the transits of Mars, lord of your chart (watch my blog posts, or get a yearly reading with me), and the icing on the cake is benefic Jupiter, friend of Mars, moving into Scorpio on 10/11/2018.

For Libras, Jupiter is not their best planet, based on the houses it rules. Until it moves out of their sign on 10/11/2018, it will bring more work, service to perform, and various projects. That won’t wear you out, but keep you busy, for sure. You’ll have to watch for weight fluctuations if you have Libra Rising or Moon sign.

Sagittarians now have the weight of Saturn on their sign, where it will stay for about 2.5 more years. This brings a more serious disposition to this normally fun-loving sign. It can bring money (rules their 2nd house) but lots of responsibilities and duties, and there’s just no getting around that.  Some may even have bouts of depression, but staying active, finding ways to help others, would be a good remedy for that.

ECLIPSES in 2018: January 31 = total lunar eclipse; February 15 = partial solar eclipse; July 13 = partial solar eclipse; July 27 = total lunar eclipse; August 11 = partial solar eclipse. I will describe each of these more fully, as I get to the monthly blog posts for those months.

JANUARY 2018 Transits: (to fully understand what they mean for YOU, it’s best to book a yearly reading with me. Call 720-448-3742).

1/01/2018 – We begin with a FULL MOON in Gemini. Cancerians (ruled by the Moon) may feel more inward, or even a little lonely or isolated, as this is a 12th house transit for them. On the other hand (a saying Geminis are very fond of…) they may feel a lot of spiritual fullness within as they use this time to meditate or reflect on where they are and the kind of year they’ve just experienced, coming through the challenges triumphantly. A la that song, “I’m still standing!” ♪

1/01/2018 – Both Saturn and Venus go combust the Sun today. This could bring some heightened edginess or easy irritability for the signs ruled by these planets: respectively, Capricorn, Aquarius, Taurus and Libra. Saturn goes non-combust on 1/07/2018.  Venus goes non-combust on 2/19/2018.

1/06/2018 – MERCURY moves into Sagittarius. This is a welcomed position for those with Gemini Rising or Moon signs, as the ruler of their charts now shifts from the house of health problems, to the 7th house of business, partnership and travel. For Virgos, also ruled by Mercury, this is the 4th house of home, friends, vehicles, and self confidence, so it is also a good position.

1/13/2018 – VENUS enters Capricorn.  This is a friend’s sign so Venus is happy there. Good for both signs that Venus rules: for Taureans it will now be in their 9th house of good luck, good fortune, dharma, remedies and Natural Law. For Librans, this is their 4th house of comforts, home, friends, vehicles, self-confidence.

1/14/2018 – now the SUN joins Venus in Capricorn (which is one reason Venus is still combust into February, as they are traveling so close together now) This is not a friend’s sign for the Sun, which rules LEO. It is their 6th house of enemies, rivals, competitors, stress, worries, and health issues for our Leo friends, so they will have to wade through some of the above for a one month period now.

1/16/2018 – MARS happily enters Scorpio, its own sign, filling those who have this Rising or Moon sign with energy, courage, drive, initiative and the like. The only thing to watch for is possible bursts of anger or irritability, if things don’t happen as fast as you would like. Speaking of speed, better slow down, to avoid a speeding ticket during this transit! For the Aries Rising and Moon signs, also ruled by Mars, well…that is their 8th house, so there may be some vulnerability and changes to deal with.

1/26/2018 – MERCURY goes combust the Sun. This cycle in which a planet travels too close to the Sun (which makes a planet grouchy, angry, more reactive than normal) occurs more frequently for Mercury than any other planet, because it habitually travels closer to the Sun than the rest.  You may feel the subtle effects of just being more sensitive or reactive to things you normally would let roll off your back.  It can be helpful to employ meditative techniques to maintain your equilibrium and peace of mind during these cycles.

1/27/2018 – MERCURY enters Capricorn,  joining the Sun, Venus and Ketu in this Earth sign. Capricorn Rising and Moon sign people have a lot to juggle now, with many projects keeping them busy, some vulnerability brought to them by the Sun (ruler of their 8th house) but also some playfulness which Mercury and Venus traveling together generally bring to the party. This is the 8th house for Geminis, which represents vulnerability and transformation. It is the 5th house of education and success for Virgos, the other sign ruled by Mercury, so a better deal for the Virgos.

1/31/2018 – Total Lunar Eclipse, occurring in the sign of Cancer, which is ruled by the Moon. Those with Cancer Ascendants or Moon signs can expect to feel more sensitive than normal, as Rahu tries to “put out the light” of this luminary. Moon represents mind and emotions so can effect the clarity of one’s mental and emotional level now.  This eclipse will be visible in the USA, thus it has more impact on Americans. Here are all the areas of visibility for this one: western North America, North/East Europe, North/East Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, Antarctica,  the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans.  It is interesting that our current president was born during a total lunar eclipse, so I will be watching to see how this one affects him.  It occurs in his 12th house of loss.

This is a perfect time to have your yearly Vedic Astrology reading with me, to see what the year ahead holds for YOU.  Wishing the blessings of the planets to you, from the Sunshine Corner, in Boulder, CO.  Tel. 720-448-3742 (cell); or 928-284-4060 (home).  Thank you for your referrals.

I offer many services such as: natal chart readings, yearly updates, couple compatibilities and astrocartography (location) readings.  If you would like to book an appointment for yourself, or as a gift for a friend, please call me to schedule one of my 90 minute sessions.  Thank you, Mary Stevenson, Vedic Astrologer, healingevents@yahoo.com. vedicstarcharts.com