The beginning of the week, Moon is in its last three tithis of Shukla Paksha (waxing phase) before it is full (purnima) and then begins its Krishna Paksha phase (waning) mid week. Moon transits Gemini, Cancer and into Leo this week.

Moon will be at its fullest point on 1.15 at 22:51 CST while in Cancer (Full Moon). It will have just entered Cancer and will be slightly sandhi (in the gap) in Punarvasu nakshatra. Punarvasu is ruled by Aditi, the universal mother of goodness and expansion of consciousness, as well as the planet Jupiter. In the coming weeks, expect some new assistance to be coming to you, helping with your overall expansion, fulfillment and desires for change. Aditi brings us nourishment, protection and abundance- the offerings of a kind and loving mother.

For a jyotish Moon-centered approach to your day, follow my daily Moon Mind posts via Face Book.

Mars makes a shift on 1.14, moving from Hasta nakshatra (ruled by Savitr, expansion of consciousness) to Chitra- ruled by Vishvakarma and the planet Mars. Vishvakarma is the "celestial architect" and brings us his divine building skills. Whereas Hasta prepares us mentally and creatively, Chitra puts the plans into action and brings visions into reality. The symbol for Chitra is a shining jewel which exemplifies the fruits of our labors being powerful and directly relates to the ornamentation this nakshatra adores. Resources come with Chitra as well as much creativity as its connected to artisans and those who manifest their visions into reality. Mars will be a prominent player in the many "planetary dances" of 2014. All the major planets will be changing signs this year (expect an article on this) while Mars moves between Virgo and Libra until September with some unusual movements- directly effecting our "action" steps. Use this time to start building your empire.

Sun makes a sign change from Sagittarius into Capricorn on 1.14 at 01:19 am CST. This marks an important movement towards a more auspicious time of year (spring and a time of growth) in the Vedic calendar. This day of the Sun's movement into Capricorn is named Makar Sankranti. Interestingly, unlike the majority of Vedic celebrations which are calculated by the placement of the Moon, this celebration is calculated by the position of the Sun. Sun is connected to father, knowledge, power, the Soul and the light within. As Sun will be in transition and considered sandhi (in the gap/the in between realms) until Thursday we may notice a slow start to the week as well as some frustrations with our action steps. Thinking vs. doing might be in a tug of war. Get organized and be methodical in your approach to work and your own shining. Sun is pleasant to Capricorn, and Sun and Mercury (also in Capricorn currently) work efficiently together. Play your cards right (intention, good deeds, abiding by Natural Laws, using good character and good will) and progress will be made in the coming weeks. This is a powerful time to set intentions and goals for the 2014 in order to have a rich harvest.

Perhaps the most noteworthy change of the week comes via Jupiter. His retrograde movements have been pushing him back into the belly of Gemini giving us ample opportunities to re-evaluate, re-calculate, re-communicate, re-assess- with creativity, action steps, effort, courage, mental processing and the like. He has been moving through Punarvasu nakshatra (ruled by Aditi- mother of nourishment as stated above) and then began his retrograde movement (which has kept him in Punarvasu) since 9.1 of last year. The theme for many months has been a general trend of "nourishment" and support which has provided many of us with some new underlying sense of stability and growth.

This week there is a shift as retrograde Jupiter moves back into Ardra nakshatra for the next few Months. Jupiter goes direct on 3.6 but then must re-trace his steps in forward motion through Ardra until he steps once again into Punarvasu on 4.24. The next 3.5 months of Jupiter's movements through Ardra nakshatra will bring trends of expansion of a different kind. Whereas Aditi has provided a lasting type of assistance and expansion, Ardra is ruled by Rahu and Rudra energy. There is great power and momentum available with this nakshatra, however it is more worldly and destructive. The symbol is a teardrop and perspiration which points to both extreme emotion (especially anger) as well as effort. Rudra is storm energy which can be harnessed for grande movement, epic changes, travels and moves in general (think harnessing storm winds or sails used for powering ships) while the Rahu rulership of this nakshatra elicits worldly motivations, directions and desires. A powerful position for expansion in a different direction.

While there is possibility for calamity, chaos and misery, there is also great potential for monetary gains, new fame and notoriety, worldly desires manifesting, and great changes to transpire- moving us forward towards goals and aspirations. Specifically we may notice cravings and shadows develop with regard to our relationships- business, friendships, romantic and how and who we relate. A note of caution is necessary as we will be dealing with shadows and the veil of illusions in general; be mindful of your intentions, motivations and purpose. Are they aligned with a higher purpose? Natural Laws? Beneficial to others as well as your Self? Greatest support and sustainability will come when our actions are aligned with the greater good. Putting some effort into our shadow Self, the illusions of life and being aware that the serpent energy will be alive and well as a learning lesson, can help put this time period into perspective. Read more about this movement of Jupiter and his transit through Gemini here.

If you have been uncertain about seeking guidance and support for the coming year, I urge you to reach out and get help refining your vision for 2014. Intention is potent! It is a big year with multiple {major} planetary changes. We will experience the changes of Jupiter, Rahu and Ketu, Saturn and unusual movements of Mars all in the next eleven months. Big changes are in store for each of us! Feeling uncertain about your action steps? What needs to change in order for growth? What kind of support you need? Schedule a yearly progression with me in order to make your New Year a truly transformational year.

Utilize my jyoti/creative arts activities as a healing & awareness tool for your week. This week's activity has to do with steppings towards our New Year, and closing doors to the past.

*Horoscopes are based on your Vedic rising sign. You can also check your Moon and Sun signs for further insight. Do the same with your Navamsa signs for further clarity. Do not use these horoscopes with your “Western Sign” as there is likely no correlation. These horoscopes are meant to be used as a broad overview of the current transits and obviously do not address the specifics of an individual’s unique chart.

Aries: Use mental courage with career and what may feel like initial setbacks. Trust that the outcome will prove valuable and provide forward momentum in the long run. You are getting a chance for increased comfort, support and nourishment right now. Celebrate your gains but watch for relationship tests and lessons- especially in the coming weeks. The courage you have been cultivating recently will be required for boundaries and clearly stating your needs. Don't put up with sharks, but try not to become one either.

Taurus: Take in new knowledge and guidance for increased comfort and support. Don't get over powered by ego and big personalities. You should be able to see through that by now. Trust your gut instincts. You are still digesting rocks and must watch your diet- avoid overly rajasic and heavy foods. Keep it simple and fresh. Meditation is an excellent use of your time. This is a period of purging and letting go of old relationships and people/things that don't bring lasting comfort and support. Start a rummage pile.

Gemini: Relationships continue to provide expansion, awareness, and growth as you re-trace your steps, going over very old, familiar territory. Perhaps it is helping your career, but feeling bittersweet in other ways. As Sun moves to your eighth house, courage may be in hiding for the coming weeks. Use this opportunity to gain a fresh perspective, to dig deep into your past for insights- but don't get taken advantage of while you sit on the bench thinking things through. Start working with your shadows and illusions, you'll need the insights once your Sun emerges from its hiding place.

Cancer: Full Moon in Cancer this week gives you a moment of glow, inspiration and new awareness. You need courage right now to deal with friendships that may feel more like enemies- aka frenimies. Boundaries and intuition will prove useful for being clear about needs and wants; take affirmative action to protect your Self. Relationships will either help or hurt your forward momentum with career, home and heart; be intentional with your motives. What pieces are you missing? Gain clues this week into finding new and more harmonious ways to co-exist.

Leo: Use your efforts to courageously power forward and harness the changing winds for a new direction. You are in a digestion phase which will prove useful to assimilate and integrate pieces of your Self and your ego. The insights will prove valuable for finding clarity and increased comfort and support. Speak your needs/wants and make sure your relationships are aligned with these. Use intuition and creativity to dive deep. Turn these golden nuggets into new offerings with career and artistry. Listen to your gut.

Virgo: Cleaning and clearing the heart is a good use of your efforts and time right now. Art may prove a powerful resource for this. Check in with emotions- especially anger. There is great power here and a need to roar and find your voice. Connect your career with education, learning, creativity and childlike wisdom. Remember when you were a child? What pieces were missing and what do you still need for wholeness? Cultivate that presence and awareness now and focus on getting the nourishment and support that was missing from your early childhood. This will prove valuable with regard to relationships and emotions.

Libra: The heart doesn't lie. What is the emotional residue that remains- keeping you from trusting and embracing relationships fully? As the losses continue to feel like they are piling up, check in with anger and the mental/emotional balance within; try to recalibrate. Courage with relationships is necessary right now as well as your creativity and artistry. There is great ability to learn and grow with these tools however so keep moving towards possible gains. Meditation will help cultivate more presence with your mental/emotional bodies so don't neglect your spiritual practices.

Scorpio: Watch what goes in and out of your mouth right now. You may be having a reaction to relationships and mental/emotional issues. Your courage is in transformation while intuition and digestion seem to be working in reverse- causing some upsets. Watch for flare ups and indigestion. Get support on some of the old issues that may be creeping back in and don't neglect the red flags along the way. You have a chance to make some lasting changes right now so listen up and face the facts. Who and what angers you and robs you of your power?

Sagittarius: Some tension exists between you and your career. Losing your momentum and desire? Friction with relations at work and with friends? This is a chance for you to work on your emotions- especially your needs. What type of support and comfort do you need and who do you need it from? Try to get clear on needs and wants in order to lessen the tension. This may be about your boundaries and speaking directly to others about what you are willing to offer and what is beyond your comfort zone. Speak up.

Capricorn: Sun moves to your first house this week, moving you out of some reclusive months of introspection and hiding. The lights are turning back on. What will you do with your new vision, power and momentum? There's a lot flickering in your heart fire and still much cleanup and transformation with relationships in general. Career fluctuations and changes continue; align with older and established enterprises for more sustainability and support. The notoriety will come when your feet are more firmly planted.

Aquarius: As Sun moves into Capricorn this week, you move into a month of hiding, regeneration, transformation and endings. Don't worry, this can be a metamorphosis that brings renewal on the other side. Use this time for strengthening intuition and digestion; the mind/body connection. You continue to work on themes involving relationships, lessons with your heart and emotions, home and mother as well as siblings and friendships. Though courage feels hard to find at times, keep stepping- one foot at a time. 

Pisces: As you continue to clean up the residue within your heart, much of the current relationship woes will mend themselves. There's a general restructuring happening around relationships- most appear to be effecting career and work agendas as well as your courage and creativity. Use this time to digest and process the gains and setbacks you've been experiencing with strong personalities and your own passion. Rewind. What pieces of that passion are alive and well within you? What passion is being stoked within you as a result of these encounters? Anger is powerful, so use it for forward momentum and gain. Don't stuff it.

New Moon, New Year

Moon in Krsna Paksha (waning) until the New Moon on 1.01.14 when it begins its Sukla Paksha phase (waxing). Moon transits Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn and Aquarius this week.

New Moon is on 1.01.14 at 05:14 am CST while in Sagittarius- in exact conjunction with Sun and in very close conjunction with Mercury- both in Sagittarius as well. All three will be in PurvaAshada nakshatra- ruled by the water goddess Apas and the planet Venus. The symbols here are the tusk of an elephant, winnowing basket, and a fan- hinting at change, movement and separating the savory and unsavory parts from each other. A time for sewing good seeds, letting the unnecessary and unhelpful parts fall away while feeling and searching- moving towards renewal and change.

This New Moon is obviously exciting because it marks the "new year" for the Gregorian calendar- used by the majority of the world. In this vein, collective consciousness is identifying this as a time of "newness", ushering in a fresh start with a new year. Coincidentally this New Year celebration will also offer a New Moon as well as excellent symbolism. However, unlike the Tropical astrological approach which states the New Moon will be in Capricorn with retrograde Venus at this time, the Sidereal approach (Vedic) system gives a New Moon in Sagittarius. These speak to different experiences, yet some overlap occurs due to Venus's ownership of PurvaAshada nakshatra.

Venus as ruler of PurvaAshada nakshatra, currently transiting Capricorn (ruled by Saturn) gives concentration, structure and a "work hard" attitude. Work hard, play hard- but don't over do it. As Venus is retrograde currently, it makes us let go of the reigns, moves us towards inevitable rewind, retrospection and ultimately renewal on the flip side. Read last week's horoscopes for more on retrograde Venus.

The themes that come to us for the coming weeks will have to do with learning through communication and letting the ego get a few lessons as a result. These communication lessons can be on the level of speech, but more importantly in the way we communicate through and with creativity, the creation process, fertility, energetic exchanges- mentally, monetarily, and through relationships. Watch for an increased business focus as well with regard to relationships, agendas and finances.

Moon in Sagittarius in tight conjunction with Mercury and Sun can give a focused edge, acute goal setting and clarity. However, there is simultaneously drishti from Jupiter, Saturn and Mars. This gives a certain exactness and passion for the process of expansion, however, the need for balance is essential with the stop/go, yes/no, now/wait energies. Don't get derailed, burned out, or set your Self up for failure in the coming weeks. You may come on strong with goals (New Years resolutions) and fizzle out if you don't prepare properly. It is essential to set small, doable goals with attainable "by-whens" for completion, while simultaneously setting up a supportive infrastructure and relationships that help you succeed. Get others on board with your actions. Celebrate small victories. Don't put the cart before the horse.

As Sagittarius is a sign permanently poised and ready to take action, yet not always great at follow through, being able to take action steps (especially small ones) and seeing how the little pieces add up (eventually), will be the best way to hit the target over the long haul. Essentially, the big dreams and desires are attainable, but may pan out more slowly than you'd like.

The overall essence of this New Moon and what it says about our weeks to come is directly connected to how you decide to maximize this period of focused, goal centered clarity. The planets are offering us a window of support, and a bit of drive to accomplish the tasks we want to tackle, but channel this energy effectively for a longer, more sustainable outcome. (Bottle it and parcel it out slowly in other words).

For now, make your to-do lists, give your goals a tangible date of accomplishment, then step forward with action. Pull your arrow back and let it fly! Find support in the process and look for nourishment, rejuvenation and a bit of perspiration with your process. Routine and mindful eating are important right now. Find moderation, balance and power in a "less is more" attitude. The winds of change are blowing right now- expansion and momentum are inevitable now as we move into the rest of winter and then into spring. Use your time and energy wisely right now.

For a jyotish Moon-centered approach to your day, follow my daily Moon Mind posts via Face Book.

Utilize my jyoti/creative arts activities as a healing & awareness tool for your week. You can find all of my posts from 2013 here.

*Horoscopes are based on your Vedic rising sign. You can also check your Moon and Sun signs for further insight. Do the same with your Navamsa signs for further clarity. Do not use these horoscopes with your “Western Sign” as there is likely no correlation. These horoscopes are meant to be used as a broad overview of the current transits and obviously do not address the specifics of an individual’s unique chart.


Aries: A less is more attitude and approach to life is really going to serve you right now as well as in the long run. See what you can get away with by scaling way back on obligations, work details and relationships. In a way, you are being offered a time of re-negotiation with life. Find any and all opportunities for working smarter, not harder. It's time for assistance, extra help, a new support network in place. Find your deservability button and press it. Your health and well being will thank you for months to come.

Taurus: Your depths are speaking to you, are you listening? There's learning and growth to be had right now if you silence the outer chatter and distractions. Healing, growth and a new sense of personal power will reveal themselves in time, but you must crawl through the darkness and the mire in the meantime. The portal to your past is open- haunts and emotional wounds may feel gaping and overwhelming. Trust in this process of rawness and stand in your fire. You are in a purification process. Meditate and devote your energy to healing and being healed.

Gemini: Relationships appear to be causing you the most room for growth right now. They are really pushing you and helping you create a new reality for your Self. Some of these lessons are really old and bring up emotional wounds from the past. Use this time to get clear on boundaries. What is helpful and what is not? Who is supportive and sustainable for you and your life and who needs to be cut once and for all? You will only get something new and better if you are willing to make some changes to your old ways. You've been handed this lesson on a silver platter. Now what?

Cancer: If you're paying attention, you've probably noticed some of your old patterns creeping in. This can be a great time to nip it in the bud and finally move forward with a different set of action steps- specifically in regard to relationships. Bad habits are coming up around your needs for comfort and support; being careful of who and what you attract is essential. Are you acting from a place of desperation? Old woundologies? Childhood fears and haunts? Or just being lazy with boundaries? Alone time will serve you right now Cancer. Don't be afraid of your Self.

Leo: Decisions, choices, momentum and moving forward may feel unclear and unfocused. Too many irons in the fire? Lack of clear goals and time frames? Thinking too big and/or too small? For now, hold the visions and the desires. Write them down, get clear on goals and objectives, but don't expect them to make sense right now- or even feel doable. There's too much energy in your 5th house of decision making for the clarity to be available to you at the moment. For you right now, best practice is not seeking clarity (yet) but making your intentions known to the Universe. The rest will fall into place when the smoke clears. Trust the process.

Virgo: Your heart is in a tug of war and confusion seems to be mounting. What is right and what is wrong? The root cause of this turmoil is your need for support and comfort. The only problem is, you are looking to others for finding this nourishment, rather than resourcing your own strengths and power. If you choose to, now can be a time of Self expansion, spiritual growth and increased self confidence. The only catch? You have to boldly go where you have not yet gone. You must step out of your comfort zone in order to find a more lasting, pure comfort- sourced deep within your Self. Start small if you have to.

Libra: Be mindful of what you put into your Self- whether it is food, ideas, thoughts, relationships or environments. It's too easy right now to get derailed, get out of focus, lose the big picture. Relationships are probably bringing some woes- anger, lack of support and feelings of betrayal may be up right now. These are all lessons in your self-reliance and self-love. When you are ready to put your own Self needs first, your boundaries will get a lot clearer. Yes, it's a time of boundaries, finding new feelings of emotional safety, and the courage within your Self to do so. You have the permission now.

Scorpio: The lack of clarity and momentum is due to your need for support, sustenance and nourishment and wondering if you really can have it all. You may be stuck in a binary thinking pattern- the either/or mentality that keeps you paralyzed from moving forward and finding solutions. You want the expansion, but only "if" and "when" X, Y, Z happens. This type of action/inaction will ultimately end in your old patterns of self-deprecation. Let's prevent some of this now by moving forward with some clear action steps. Goals, intentions, and desires need to be written out and given due dates. You are going through great transformations as well and need to let your Self off the hook a bit. Don't judge your future by what is happening for you right now. Avoid the rabbit hole. 

Sagittarius: The cravings for a "new year, new you" are strong for you Sagittarius, yet there may be confusion about how to go about this desire for big change. What direction to go? How to get there? What to do once you arrive? Slow down and hit the pause button. Super tiny steps are going to be your best option. Celebrating small victories will help encourage momentum. Goal setting is uber important for you. You will need a support team in place to help cheer you on when the going gets tough. The momentum is here now, ride this wave and move your Self forward while it lasts. The tricky part will be sustaining this energy in the months to come.

Capricorn: Passion, courage, creativity all seem to be in rewind. There may be confusion about relationships vs. spending precious alone time with your Self; going on retreat vs. working hard at new endeavors. Feeling pulled in too many directions? Goals and by-whens are essential right now. Use a Sharpie and make sure you have time for your Self written in bold, black ink on your calendar. You will find that your greatest creativity and "work time" comes with this sacred space. You are in need of healing and some restructuring of the heart- don't let this desire get lost in the busy shuffle of life.

Aquarius: There is great craving around income right now and perhaps confusion about how to increase it while doing what you love. Is it possible to do both? Right now, it may feel as though you're having to take a few steps in reverse in order to make that happen. Use this time for some intentional alone time and meditation. You may find the answers come to you unexpectedly. Relationships with older siblings and friends bring lessons and some old gripes. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, here it is: these are lessons, your mirror and some old reminders that can bring great growth. Don't push them aside or become reactive. Instead, find the golden wisdom in these relationship experiences.

Pisces: Too many irons in the fire? You are an example of having too many options and plenty of ideas bubbling forth! Career focus is taking precedence right now and there is much energy to harness here. Be diligent with your focus in order to achieve results. Relationships however may be causing friction still. Feeling like you are being held back or accosted by others? There is opportunity here for you to re-evaluate how you "do your business". Essentially, what is not best practice. Our biggest teachers are often the ones who show us what not to do. In the meantime, charge forth with your visions and planning and don't get distracted by the mosquitoes.