Venus in Sagittarius January 21

   Venus is currently transiting the Mutable Fire sign of Sagittarius, joining Retrograde Mercury. Venus is very well placed in Sagittarius, as the ruler of the sign, Jupiter is in Planetary Friendship with the Planet of Love and Beauty. The time of this transit is beneficial for creative and artistic pursuits, especially as right now the whole sign is aspected by Jupiter. Even though Jupiter is Retrograde at the moment, it still casts some of its benefic energy on Venus in Sagittarius.

   The mutable nature of the sign promotes "big picture" ideas, a flexible approach, and a generally free spirited way of dealing with relationships. There is a lot of opportunity for growth and development in the areas of relationships, art and creativity during this transit.

   Mercury, also in Sagittarius, is still Retrograde, so investments and financial dealings will not benefit from this otherwise favorable planetary position until Mercury resumes its forward motion on the 26th of January.

   As Mars, the Warrior Planet is in Libra, this is also an excellent time to solve disputes, as Mars in Libra is focused and strong, but without its often unnecessarily aggressive edge.

Unless otherwise indicated by the Birth Chart, Diamond, White Sapphire and White Topaz will enhance the beneficial effect of Venus for Love, Relationship, and Art during this transit.

Diamond, the Primary Gemstone For Venus

   Red Coral or Carnelian can be very helpful for focusing efforts and increasing stamina. Be mindful that natural (untreated) Red Coral is a very hot gemstone. Regardless of the position of the planets, Red Coral should not be worn on very hot days. (Like right now here in Malaysia!)

Red Carnelian, the secondary gem for Mars

Natural Red Coral, the gemstone of Mars

Natural Red Coral

   The best gems for hot and dry weather are Blue Sapphire, Gomed, Diamond, Emerald and Pearl. These are Planetary Gems, so before you put them on, you need to check whether these gems are suitable for you as per your Birth Chart, or not. (On my website www.tarotgems.com there is a page on explaining the suitability of gemstones in details.)

   Other than the Planetary Gems, there are other very safe gemstones that have the ability to considerably lower body temperature. Clear Quartz, Kyanite, Fluorite and Smoky Quartz, Blue Zircon, Blue Topaz and Amethyst are perfect for anyone for cooling the body on a hot day.

Clear Quartz, also known as Rock Crystal is a very cooling stone

Amethyst, basically a purple Quartz is cooling and calming

Blue Zircon is a rare, but wonderful gem with a cooling, calming effect

Smoky Quartz is probably the most "manly" of all the cooling stones

Kyanite comes in many colors, the most spectacular is a strong blue

Sun in Capricorn January 16th

   Yesterday the Sun entered the Cardinal Earth Sign of Capricorn, ruled by Saturn. Sun in Capricorn is giving us structure, groundedness and security. This period is a very good time for planning and starting buildings and constructions. As this sign is ruled by Saturn, there should be an emphasis on discipline, punctuality and meticulous planning.

   Waxing Crescent Moon is in Fiery Aries, also a Cardinal sign, and it is aspected by the Sun, further enhancing the "starting" "initiating" energies of today's Sun-Moon combination. Time to take romantic situations to the next level, or simply giving structure to an existing relationship.
Mercury is still Retrograde in Sagittarius, and is still in Combustion with the Sun, so this time is not auspicious for financial transactions and business negotiations
.
   Venus and Saturn in the Fixed Water sign of Scorpio don't give adverse effect, as they are on "friendly terms" with each other.

   Mars in Libra allows for reasonably peaceful resolutions of conflicts, as the Warrior Planet's aggressiveness is under the control of the harmonious nature of Libra, but it's natural strength is intact.

   Retrograde Jupiter in Leo together with Rahu gives some benefit for growth and achievement in the fields of education and wealth, but this beneficial effect will be at its maximum strength only after Lucky Jupiter resumes it's forward path.

    Ketu in the Fixed Air sign of Aquarius may give some tendencies to withdraw from people and enjoy solitude, but don't give in to the temptation, this is the time for community, family, planning and enjoying and reaffirming our place in society.

 Ruby is the traditional gemstone recommended by Vedic Astrologers to channel the life giving energy of the Sun.

 Rhodolite Garnet is a wonderful and affordable secondary gem for the Sun.

Red Beryl, although rare and pricey if it is untreated, is also a superb gem to wear to attract invigorating Solar Energy.
Unless otherwise indicated by the Birth Chart, the first few days of the Solar Month (When the Sun "actually" enters a new sign, which roughly corresponds to the 15th of the Western Calendar Months)
wearing Rubies or other red translucent gemstones can be very beneficial!

Retrograde Mercury Enters Sagittarius January 13th

   Today Mercury exits Cardinal Earth Capricorn on its retrograde cycle and reenters the Mutable Fire Sign of Sagittarius. Speedy Mercury is in conjunction with the Sun, tomorrow Mercury will be in exact Inferior Conjunction. This means that Mercury's energy is completely annihilated by the Sun, so for the these three days all financial transactions and business communications should be avoided.

   The Waxing Crescent Moon is in Aquarius, the Fixed Air Sign ruled by Saturn is giving wonderful opportunities for socializing, spending time with friends and family. Don't stay alone, these couple of days are ideal to be around people. If your Birth Chart doesn't indicate otherwise, wear pearls and moonstone to be fully in tune with the growing energy of the Moon. New ideas, new ways of seeing the world, friendships, relationships are the major influences presently available for us from as the Moon transits Aquarius.

   This social and relationship aspect is enhanced by Venus, as the Planet of Beauty, Wealth and Love is leaving Saturn behind. Still in Scorpio, but no longer in conjunction with Saturn, Venus is now fully functional and exuding sexual attraction and strong magnetism. If you have romantic plans, this is a good time for wearing diamonds, white topaz, white sapphire!

 Diamond, the primary gemstone for Venus.

 White Sapphire, the traditional secondary gem recommended by Vedic Astrologers for channeling the energy of Venus.

White Topaz, a relatively inexpensive, yet very effective gem for attracting Love, Romance, Beauty and Wealth.

New Moon in Sagittarius

Today is the New Moon in the Mutable Fire Sign of Sagittarius. Moon is in excellent position in Sagittarius, as it is in 'Planetary Friendship" with Jupiter, the Ruler of Sagittarius. The combination of the growing and expanding energy of the Waxing Crescent Moon and that of Jupiter is very powerful. As Jupiter right now is in its Retrograde Cycle in Leo, this combined effect is not quite as strong as it could be, nonetheless it is an excellent time for growth in the romantic and emotional arena.
As Retrograde Jupiter and Rahu are occupying together the Fixed Fire Sign of Leo, for individuals with Rahu and Jupiter in favorable position in their Birth Chart it is a very auspicious time for expansion in other matters as well.
Retrograde Mercury is in Combustion with the Sun, best to delay financial dealings, as without the energy of Mercury fully functional, communication and financial transactions won't get the necessary planetary boost.
For increased artistic creativity, and romantic success, today is a very good day to start wearing natural pearls or moonstone.

 Moonstone and natural pearl channels the energy of the Moon, wearing these beautiful gems is particularly effective during the Waxing Moon.

Worn as rings, or around the neck pearls and moonstones transmit the essential vibration of the Moon, tuning the subconscious mind into perfect harmony with the cyclical nature of Lunar energy, enhancing creativity, mental clarity and original thinking. Indirectly, moonstones and pearls also attract romance and admiration for women.
 

   Today we are in the midst of a full blown Planetary War between Venus and Saturn in the Fixed Water Sign of Scorpio. The consensus of ancient and modern astrologers is that Venus will emerge victorious, as it is brighter. No matter which planetary force will "win", during planetary war (Graha Yuddha) the energies of both planets involved are rendered ineffective. In this case, neither Venus's, nor Saturn's energy function in its usual strength and manner.
   The best thing to do today is to put on hold romantic plans, and everything that you need Venus or Saturn energy for. Planetary Wars are powerful events, but their effect is as short lived as the duration of the "close encounter".

   Today is the last day of the Waning Crescent Moon, relax, rest and don't start any new venture today. As it is Saturday, you can use the day for meditation, reading, a nice relaxing walk in the park.

   Today the two Lunar Nodes (Rahu and Ketu) are transiting into Leo and Aquarius respectively. For the duration of their transit, all eclipses will happen in the signs of Leo and Aquarius. Rahu and Ketu have a naturally retrograde path. As these Shadow Planets will be transiting the same signs for the next year and half, this is a very significant event. The exact effect of Rahu and Ketu in Leo and Aquarius is determined by the Birth Chart of each individual.
   On a broad, general note one can say however, that Rahu in Leo might be problematic, as Rahu is not in "planetary friendship" with Fiery Leo's ruling planet, the Sun. The obsessive nature of Rahu remaining in the house of Sun for a year and half is bound to cause some trouble. On the other hand, Ketu in Aquarius is very well placed, as the ruler of Airy Aquarius is Saturn, a planet in "friendship" with Ketu.

 Hessonite Garnet, also known as Gomed, the gemstone associated with Rahu in Vedic Astrology.

 Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye, the gem that represents and channels the energy of Ketu.

Caput Draconis (Head of the Dragon) is the Latin name used in traditional Western Astrology for Rahu, and Cauda Draconis (Tail of the Dragon) is the Latin name for Ketu. As with almost every astrological concept, the imagery is identical in Western and Indian Astrology.

Planetary War

Screenshot of the Sky January 8th. Notice the planets Saturn and Venus close together in the Fixed Water Sign of Scorpio. A Planetary War (Graha Yuddha) between Saturn and Venus will occur tomorrow.