Monthly Vedic Astrology Forecast

New Moon in Sagittarius/Purvashada January 2
Sun in Capricorn January 14 – February 13
Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn January 14 – February 3
Mars Transits Sagittarius January 16 – February 26
Full Moon in Cancer/Pushyami January 17
Venus Direct in Sagittarius January 29

The scene has been set when the western calendar year rolls around on January 1, 2022 at midnight. Happy New Year 2022!

• with retrograde Venus having just returned to Sagittarius
• with Sagittarius' lord Jupiter moving quickly through Aquarius, which is ruled by Saturn and Rahu
• with Rahu aspecting Saturn and Mercury in Capricorn
• with Mars from Scorpio aspecting both Rahu and Jupiter in Rahu's sign

We will attempt to make sense of this complicated scene, as it will be the prevailing influence of the first two weeks of January.

In addition, we are beginning to see all of the planets falling into the bottom of the bowl whose top is currently the nodal axis. When all of the planets crowd to one side of this axis, we are experiencing the dramatic astrological combination referred to as Kala Sarpa Yoga. Yoga = combination, sarpa = snake, kala = time. While not mentioned in the classic texts of jyotish, it is undeniable that these type of combinations create a palpable astrological weather pattern.

The true form of the combination does not manifest if any of the planets are either conjoined the nodal axis or transiting the "empty" side, which the Moon will reliably do every two weeks. However, when there are planets conjoining the nodal axis, the combination can be activated and the planet conjoining the node acts as a powerful force that can overcome the squeeze of destiny that may manifest with this combination.

At this time, Kala Sarpa Yoga is formed, as the planets crowded to the one side of the zodiac are progressing toward the north node, Rahu. When the planets are progressing toward the south node, Ketu, a variation of the combination appears, Kala Amrita Yoga.

When Mars moves to Sagittarius on January 16, the window for the powerful true form of this combination opens but can only be complete when the Moon enters Sagittarius and transits through Aries. We will have pulses of this powerful combination through April, when the Sun joins Rahu in Aries for the first eclipse pairing of 2022.

The first pulse begins January 28 when the waning Moon moves to Sagittarius. Expect some shifts toward the end of January, as this Kala Sarpa Yoga kicks in strongly, Venus resumes direct motion on January 29 and the new Moon joins Saturn in Capricorn Feb 1.

When the Moon joins Rahu in Taurus from February 8 – 10, the Moon gains some power to break the hold of the serpent and when the Moon moves to Gemini on February 10, we get a break until the next round starts with Moon entering Sagittarius February 25 and ends with Moon entering Gemini on March 10.

When Mercury, Sun and Rahu enter Aries around mid-April, the full form of KSY is broken as we will see multiple planets with Rahu. By April 24 when Mercury moves to Taurus, the Kala Sarpa game will be totally over until Rahu enters Aquarius in May-June 2025. We could be seeing events at this time that will push us forward for the next few years.

This is a powerful combination in our current astrological weather. Since its indications align with allowing fate to step in and surrendering to rising tides, it seems the best strategy is a relaxed preparedness, alert to rapidly changing and receding situations.

If something has been knocking on your door and you've been afraid to open that door due to potentially scary or difficult consequences, these pulses of Kala Sarpa Yoga may help you make the decision to open the door or to backtrack to an earlier decision point.

Full Kala Sarpa Yoga (all visible planets in Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries):

• January 28 – February 10, 2022
• February 25 – March 10, 2022
• March 24 – April 6, 2022

New Moon in Sagittarius/Purvashada January 2

The new year sees a waning Moon that gives in to the Sun at 19º Sagittarius on January 2. Sagittarius is Jupiter's fire sign and is currently providing a rather safe space, free from the gaze of villains but feeling the adjacent squeeze of Mars + Ketu in Scorpio and Saturn + Mercury in Capricorn. The new Moon is close to retrograde Venus, who like the Moon, will be out of sight completely as she is in the midst of her retrograde costume change. This new Moon pairing with retrograde Venus brings forth themes of sprouting new creations that were inspired and kindled with the seeds formed in warmer days.

For the creators among us, this could feel at once like an insanely inspired and expansive streak paired with extreme unreadiness to share it with the world. Go with this feeling. Gently close the door and keep pouring out that creativity. The world can wait and the warm, quiet vibes can continue to raise your creative spirit.

While the new Moon moment quickly passes as the Moon bravely makes her way through the gamut of planets, retrograde Venus is going to stay awhile in the studio; Venus resumes direct motion in Sagittarius on January 29. The first half of January is a great time to really hunker down and get some projects moving. Mars moving in to join Venus could spice things up a bit, starting January 16.

The Sun and Moon's moment together on January 2 is in the nakshatra Purvashada, ruled by Venus and really pulling in that theme of creation and rejuvenation. This is a great New Year's opportunity to make a vision board for the upcoming calendar year. Major shifts are coming in April 2022, with Jupiter moving to Pisces and the nodal axis moving to Aries/Libra.

Sun in Capricorn January 14 – February 13

The scene holds as the Moon waxes, with the first major shift coming on January 14, when the Sun exits Sagittarius and enters Capricorn, joining Saturn. The relationship between Sun and Saturn is complicated, hot and cold, with themes of superiority and rejection, self-definition and selflessnes, pride and shame. This day is celebrated as Makar Sankranti each year, which is marked by the Sun's transit into Capricorn.

Mercury will be in Capricorn near Saturn when the Sun enters and shortly after will assume retrograde motion, heading back toward the Sun. As the Sun approaches Saturn, we may feel ourselves having to lean into issues that involve negotiations between these two opposing forces.

Sun rules the East, Saturn rules the West. Sun says, What about me? Saturn says, What about everyone? Sun says, I am me! Saturn says, You are nothing! The two planets meet once per year as the Sun moves past the much slower Saturn. This year, the exact joining comes on February 3-4 at 21º Capricorn. The run up to this brief interlude could bring up the themes of personal entitlement vs. social responsibility very strongly in January.

Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn January 14 – February 3

As the Sun enters Capricorn, Mercury's apparent motion shifts to retrograde on January 14, setting Mercury's controls for the heart of the Sun, as he travels back to the early degrees of Capricorn, resuming direct motion on February 3.

Mercury is natural friend to Saturn, Venus and Rahu and will perform well in the signs of any of these friends. Capricorn is Saturn's earth sign, currently receiving the aspect of Rahu. With the Sun entering the scene, there is no better planet to manage the inevitable collision than cheerful, multi-faceted Mercury.

Mercury reliably does a retrograde phase three times per year; in 2022, he does this routine while transiting the earth signs.

• Mercury Retrograde 1 January 14 – February 3 (Capricorn)
• Mercury Retrograde 2 May 10 – June 2 (Taurus)
• Mercury Retrograde 3 September 10 – October 1 (Virgo)

We tend to see Mercury-related mishaps during retrograde phases due to the strength and instability of the retrograde planet. It's a good idea to slow down and triple check your communications, transactions, purchases and preparations during these times. In addition, it's a good time for editing, reversals and re-doing things. It is not recommended to begin ventures with long-term prospects during Mercury retrograde periods.

With the first half of the month marked by the scene described above, and with Mercury's buddy Venus enshrined in a volcano of creativity and rejuvenation, the latter half of January could be similar, but even more intense, with retrograde Mercury plying between Saturn and Sun in an apparent effort to smooth over negotiations in order to avert conflicts and misunderstandings.

Rahu, whose super power is destabilization, will continue to amplify this situation where he sits in Taurus and also in Capricorn (Saturn's earth sign) and Virgo (Mercury's earth sign.) This "upheaval and retrograde" in the earth signs theme is getting an imprint early in 2022. Let's contemplate the pros and cons of being a rolling stone as we try to slow down and track the quickly changing environments in which we find ourselves.

Mars Transits Sagittarius January 16 – February 26

Mars with Ketu was the power to break the Kala Sarpa Yogas that have been brewing; when Mars moves to Sagittarius on January 16, we begin to prepare for our three pulses of the full form of the combination, as mentioned above.

In addition, when Mars and Ketu joined in Scorpio as the two co-lords of that sign, that could have felt quite intense in the realm of life that is affected by this transit in personal horoscopes. This was in effect from December 4, 2021 – January 16, 2022.

Next station for fiery Mars will be Jupiter's fire sign, Sagittarius, which coincides with that first pulse of Kala Sarpa from January 28 – February 10. Mars joins retrograde Venus here, which changes the mood for Venus, no doubt.

Venus and Mars combinations can be passionate. For some, this is a fabulously fun springboard into creative design. For others, this can be an uncomfortable situation of attraction and repulsion that reveals division and difference. Either way, it may be wise to make room for this new paradigm, as Venus and Mars will be traveling in tandem through March as they traverse Sagittarius and Capricorn.

Mars is powerfully enabled by transiting through both Sagittarius and Capricorn. Jupiter is a natural friend to Mars and generally pushes Mars to use his powers for good. This is the case in Sagittarius and with Venus close by, we may see some positive results from this combination, especially affecting the Sagittarius – Gemini axis. Mars' special aspects will also push his fire power into Pisces and Cancer during this Sagittarius transit.

Full Moon in Cancer/Pushyami January 17

The Moon waxes during the first half of January and just after the Sun moves to Capricorn, the Moon becomes full while occupying the early degrees of her own sign, Cancer. The Moon is strong and auspicious when full and any planet is bolstered by occupying a sign that they rule. This is positive and should be a moment of inspired clarity that brings healing to difficult situations.

Opposite the Moon will be the Sun and Saturn, who have their own tension building, as well as retrograde Mercury. The Moon will be in the nakshatra Pushya, which is ruled by Saturn and contained entirely within the sign of Cancer. Saturn is currently transiting through his own sign of Capricorn, putting him into dignity similar to the Moon.

More specifically Saturn is in the nakshatra Shravana, which is ruled by the Moon, putting these two powerful and well dignified planets (Saturn and Moon) into a nakshatra parivartana, which occurs when planets exchange position in one another's ruled nakshatra. Overall, this creates a strong dynamic between the signs of Cancer and Capricorn, highlighting the relationship between Saturn and Moon, which is a study of pressure and vulnerability.

Add to the story that Sun and Saturn are on a collision course to debate the merits of self vs. other, this could be a rather dramatic full Moon. At this time, the Moon will be the lone planet on the side of the zodiac that stretches between Taurus and Scorpio. When the Moon is waning into Sagittarius on January 28, that will kick off the first round of hard core Kala Sarpa Yoga.

Take the last two weeks of January to prepare for gravity to take hold. When things are bound to move around in transit, it is wise to place things where they would fall anyway. This may be valuable as we prepare for the possible appearance of slippery slopes.

Venus Direct in Sagittarius January 29

Venus began a retrograde cycle on December 19 and fell back into Sagittarius on December 29, 2021. The month of January 2022 sees Venus in retrograde motion while in Jupiter's fire sign until January 29, when she resumes direct motion at 17º Sagittarius.

Venus moves in direct motion through the last half of Sagittarius in February, exiting to Capricorn on February 27. It is safe to say that Venus may have something to teach us for the first two months of 2022, especially in the Sagittarius-Gemini axis, where she will be transiting (Sagittarius) and impacting by aspect (Gemini.)

During the retrograde phase, which is most of January, we may be revisiting, revising and reconnecting with Venus related matters, which is a broad field. As the ruler of relations, this could be anywhere from personal relationships to political maneuvers. Additionally, Venus indicates art, beauty, creativity, attraction, fashion, femininity, rejuvenation and vitality.

The plot thickens mid-January as Mars enters Sagittarius to meet up with Venus. As mentioned above, Mars and Venus will be traveling together for some time, moving through Sagittarius and then Capricorn together. By late March, Venus pulls ahead of Mars and takes some space, but in the meantime, we all have this rather dynamic pairing to fuel our progress for a couple of months.

Watery Venus and fiery Mars just love trying to make it work. The attraction is always there, but the practical reality of meeting diverse needs can be challenging. Working together on creative projects, Mars and Venus can produce some amazing things. The process can be both dramatic and messy, but often worth it!

Remembering that Moon's entrance into Sagittarius January 28 kicks off a stint of the serpent of time squeezing us for a bit through February 10, we may be inspired to make things work in any which way we can, forcing Mars and Venus to work together in good faith, engineering creative solutions for the good of all.

Walking forward into our new year 2022, many are tentative to invest in hopes of prosperity, peace and healing based on the extreme difficulty presented to us collectively through the past two years. The world has changed. Now its your turn.