We start the year 2024 with a beautiful dharma trikona with the luminaries, sun and moon, and Jupiter in trine with each other. Along with this a parivartana yoga is taking place with Jupiter and Mars. Jupiter is in Aries, Moon in Leo, and Mars/Sun in Sag. This is an excellent omen for taking initiative and action in your life and you can expect favourable results.

Creation, initiative, birth are all connected to fire as you need fire to start anything, give birth to a project, idea, relationship, so a good year for new beginnings.

Mercury transit in Sagittarius from January 7 till February 1

Mercury turns direct on Jan 2nd in Scorpio. In scorpio, Mercury is not comfortable as the ruling planet Mars is incompatible with Mercury. Though in Scorpio, it will be with friend Venus, so this is a time when you can feel have some serious discussions in relationships.

Whist in Scorpio, Mercury is receiving a close aspect of Rahu from Pisces – now you can have some epiphanies about past events that took place in your life. And then, Mercury moves into Sag on Jan 7th. Now you can move forward with your plans, esp travel plans. It’s a good transit for students as well.

New Moon in Sagittarius in the nakshatra of PurvaAshada on January 11

First big event of the month is the new moon in Sag in PurvaAshada. We also have Mars and Mercury present in Sag now. This could result in some impulsive decisions, ambitious plans at this time. This moon gets the ninth aspect of Jupiter as well, so excellent for travel, immigration matters, studies, and legal matters.

Its an exciting new moon cycle, and can bring travel opps, dealings with foreign places and people. With Jupiter’s aspect from Aries it will be an auspicious moon to embark on a new journey, study a new subject, connect with your father, advisors.

Mars remains in Sagittarius till February 5

Mars is traveling with Mercury in Sag all month. This is an ongoing conjunction and gets exact around the end of the month during the full moon cycle. It gives mental agility and quick thinking. It can also mean that the mind is very stimulated at this time and needs constant connection. In Sagittarius, the conjunction can prove to be good for learning new subjects. Watch for some frustration, fiery speech, and disagreements at times due to the conjunction with Mercury.

Mars remains combust till Jan 11 due to the Sun’s close proximity. This could result in drive and courage being low, and it can also result in suppressed anger emerging till new moon cycle. Combust Mars can give rise to health issues, esp digestion problems. But by this new moon cycle, Mars will start to function in a more healthy way.

Sun transits Capricorn from January 15 till February 13

On January 15, the Sun moves into Capricorn, known as Makar Sankranti. Sankranti is always the movement of the Sun into another zodiac sign. But Makar Sankranti is celebrated especially because it marks the end of winter and is the beginning of the Sun’s movement upward, turning north.

This occasion of the sun’s movement is celebrated every year as Lohri in the North India marking the end of winter, and is celebrated with a bonfire accompanied with dancing and singing. In south india this is known as Pongal. It is considered as the time of light, also known as uttarayan, time of the Gods – when the power of the deities increases considerably. And this is also the movement of the Sun toward exaltation.

Scientifically, this is now considered to be after the winter solstice in late December but we still mark this Sankranti as significant. So practically, we can say that Uttarayan is synonymous with winter solstice. But the movement into Makar Rashi is significant and is still marked as a special occasion due to the Sun’s movement upward.

If you wanted to strengthen your Sun, this is the time to do it by offering a donation. Especially during this 24-hour period when the Sun moves into Capricorn – 12 hours before, and 12 hours after.

Venus transits Scorpio till January 18th and then moves into Sag from Jan 18th till Feb 12th

In Scorpio, Venus has been receiving the aspects of Rahu and Saturn. This is difficult karma in relationships, that could now manifest. It can be endings for some people. It can also mean reconnecting with old relationships to resolve past problems.

Venus in Sagittarius is an easier transit as it receives the aspect of Jupiter. In Sag, Venus will join Mercury and Mars. Venus will continues to travel close to Mars till April creating passionate relationship connections and some drama too.

Full Moon in Cancer in the nakshatra of Pushya on January 25

We have a full moon taking place in Cancer on January 25. Both Rahu and Mars will aspect this full moon. There could be some developments on the domestic front. Travel can come up suddenly as well.

You could also have dealings with foreigners and foreign places as we have Rahu is in Pisces and Mars is in Sag at this time. At this time, we also have Mars and Mercury in exact conjunction, so some disputes can ensue now. Depending on where Cancer is situated in your chart, you will be able to tell where the confrontations can come up.

Excellent time for spiritual practice, as you can see a breakthrough now. Overall, this is a good month for connecting with others and accomplishing a lot. It’s a great start to the new year, with so much focus on Sagittarius, indicating fresh new paths opening up for many of us

Below video will provide annual guidance for each sign: