Vedic Astrology Forecast for January 2024 and the Year Ahead
Get ready for a fiery and intense year as we say hello to 2024
January, the month of new beginnings and fresh starts, holds the key to unlock your biggest dreams. (Anonymous)
Happy 2024 to my dear friends and followers! In this article, I am going to share my Vedic astrology forecast for January 2024 and the New Year as a whole. First, I will share my forecast for 2024. Next, I will provide a detailed description of the major astrological events that will occur in January 2024.
What to Expect in 2024
Vedic astrology uses several charts to create a forecast for the New Year, with the two most important ones occurring in the springtime of the northern hemisphere. These include the chart calculated for the New Moon in Pisces (the Vedic Lunar New Year, which will occur on April 8, 2024); and the chart created for the Sun’s entry into Aries (Mesha Sankranti, which will occur on April 13, 2024). Stay tuned, as I will be writing about these charts in April.
I also like to look at the horoscope created for the date of the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere. I previously analyzed this chart in depth in my recent article titled Why We Celebrate the 2023 Winter Solstice: How the Shortest Day of the Year Can Give Us a Glimpse of the Events that Await Us in 2024. In this article, I also discussed the numerology for the year 2024, so please check it out if you have not already.
We can also cast a chart for midnight on January 1, as this is the agreed-upon moment that establishes the beginning of the civil New Year throughout the world. It is also meaningful that we celebrate the beginning of the civil New Year when Earth is closest to the Sun (perihelion), and when both our Earth and the Sun are directly aligned with the mystical fixed star Sirius. Please see my previous article titled New Year Sirius Alignment about this fascinating topic.
Here below are the dual charts for January 1, 2024, in the United States (set in Washington, DC), and for the world at large (set in Greenwich, England).
A Fiery, Intense and Volatile Year Ahead
Both the January 1 charts shown above have a high amount of mutable fire energy. This type of energy is also indicated in the winter solstice charts that I discussed at length in my aforementioned solstice article. The mutable fire signature can be revolutionary, dogmatic, fanatical, restless, quick-tempered, erratic, overextended, aggressive, and explosive.
Additionally, the United States chart (the bottom-left chart shown above) reveals a Kite pattern, which can suggest volatility, drama, and intensity (as we would expect in an election year, too). The oppositional line between the MC/medium coeli (midheaven) and the IC/imum coeli (bottom of the sky) forms the spine of the Kite.
The MC is in Gemini in the tumultuous Ardra nakshatra, and the IC is conjoined Mars and the Sun in Sagittarius (and the IC and Sun are in the fervent Purva Ashadha nakshatra). This lineup indicates political upheaval as well as other crises and major transitions in the homeland and in the government of the nation.
This particular chart also forms a variation of a pattern known as a Black Dragon (or Black Kite), in which the line marking a stressful 90-degree square aspect transects the spine of the Kite at its base. The square occurring between Venus and Saturn suggests the possibility of national emergency with economic or other serious implications.
Interestingly, the 2024 Chinese Lunar New Year will usher in the Year of the Dragon on February 10. Just as a Black Dragon horoscope pattern tends to suggest unstable conditions and disruptive events, a Dragon Year in Chinese Astrology signifies intense energies and dynamic changes, and also explosive events.
Jupiter in the eighth house forms a trine with the IC-Sun-Mars in the fourth house. The fourth house represents the opposing political party, and this house placement of the Sun (the leader) reveals the possibility for a significant change within the executive branch of government in 2024.
The Capricorn Solar Ingress Chart in Mundane Astrology: A New Year Chart Used in the Analysis of Economic Matters
Astrologers also use the chart that is created when the Sun enters Capricorn to forecast events in the New Year. The Sun's entry into Capricorn is one of the cardinal solar ingresses. These occur when the Sun enters the sidereal signs of Capricorn, Aries, Cancer, and Libra (the four cardinal signs), and they establish the four quarters of the solar year.
The primary cardinal ingress for the new civil year is established when the Sun enters Capricorn. This can be understood astrologically by the fact that the Sun represents the soul of the world, and Capricorn is the action-orientated and initiating (cardinal) sign of the earth element, which organizes matter in harmony with the laws of the physical realm.
The Capricorn ingress chart sets up the mundane atmosphere for the whole year. This chart is calculated and analyzed to evaluate what will unfold in various locales for the New Year ahead, especially in regard to economic matters.
In the United States Capricorn ingress chart shown above, the tempestuous Ardra nakshatra rises and squares the lunar nodes, while the Sun occupies the eighth house. These placements signify economic upheaval and transformation. The other New Year charts, as well as the occurrence of the United States Pluto Return throughout all of 2024, also indicate the same.
For all of us in the United States, we will need to remain balanced, disciplined, and grounded during the potentially challenging year ahead.
Vedic Astrology Forecast for January 2024
I hope that my generalized predictions about the upcoming year are useful. Next, I will take a look at some of the most significant astrological events that will occur in January 2024.
January 1-2, Mercury Will Station Direct in the Tail of the Scorpion: Time to Mind the Mind
Mercury will station direct at 28 degrees of Scorpio on January 1, at 10:08 PM EST. This will be January 2, at 3:08 AM UTC. Mercury will be in the poisonous tail of the Scorpion as it stations direct, where it has already been transiting two other times during the past five weeks.
This indicates the potential for mental instability, strain, and depression for some. It may point to mysterious problems in all areas of life, including communication and technology, physical health, travel, finances, and business, trade, and commerce. Around the Mercury station, and then as it begins moving forward in this noxious area of the zodiac, we might expect to see major accidents, some dramatic turnarounds and developments, or heightened storm or seismic activity.
January 1 to 20, Mercury’s Post-Retrograde Period: Time to Make Adjustments and Complete Unfinished Business from the Previous Month
Mercury’s post-retrograde shadow period will last from January 1 to 20. During this time, we should make adjustments and complete any unfinished business from the previous month. Additionally, during the first nine days of January, there could be a tendency for some to feel emotionally insecure, somber, sluggish, or cloudy. This is because Mercury will be moving very slowly through the vulnerable and unstable one-degree edge (gandanta) between Scorpio and Sagittarius.
During this time, communication systems and travel plans can break down, and we may experience some big storms, both literal and metaphorical.
January 6, Epiphany: A Great Day to Perform a House Clearing and Blessing
January 6 is the Christian “Day of Light” known as Epiphany or Three Kings’ Day. Epiphany commemorates the manifestation of the Christ child before the Three Kings, also known as the Wise Men or Magi, who came from the East bearing special gifts. This magical day closes the door on the Christmas season and is traditionally celebrated with home blessing, spiritual cleansing, meditation, and prayer.
In The Second Coming of Christ, Paramahansa Yogananda shared the allegorical meaning of the story of the Magi:
When the Wise Men saw a star intimating to them the birth of Christ, they were beholding through the wisdom star of infinite perception in their spiritual eye where the Christ Consciousness was newly manifested in the body of infant Jesus.
January 7 to February 1, Mercury Will Transit in Sagittarius (Again): Time to Revisit Previous Ideas and Plans
Mercury will move back into Sagittarius on January 7, and will remain there until February 1. As Mercury will retrace its steps taken from November 26 to December 28, 2023, we may revisit some ideas or plans that we considered but left unresolved during that period. Just keep in mind that in order to harness the inspiring, optimistic, and creative energy of this transit, we need to be practical, focused, and well-organized.
At its Sagittarius ingress, Mercury will square Neptune within an effective orb (for several days from January 6-11). This detrimental square aspect already occurred twice in the recent past, in late November and again in the last week of December. This final hit suggests ever more confusion, deception, and misconception, as well as lies, propaganda, and disinformation being disseminated to the public. Travel, transportation, technology, business matters, and various communication systems are likely to go haywire. It’s also a time when we will be more susceptible than usual to negative energies and entities.
During its transit in Sagittarius, Mercury will be in a trine with Jupiter. The effective orb will be in range from January 13 to 24, and exact on January 19. It will bring optimism and some positive news. For example, this will be an especially great month for Bitcoin!
Sky watchers will want to note that Mercury reaches its greatest elongation from the Sun in mid-January, when we will be able to see it at its highest point in the sky in the East before sunrise.
January 7 to 11, Balsamic Moon Phase: A Time to Pause, Listen Within, Clear, Detox, and Heal in Preparation for the New Moon of January 11
The Balsamic “Dreamtime” lunar phase will occur from January 7 to 11. This is the time to pause, listen within, clear, detox, and heal in preparation for the upcoming New Moon. Pay attention to dream messages and everyday oracles and notice how much easier it is to meditate and tune in during this time.
January 11, The New Moon Will Occur in Sagittarius: Bringing a Boost of Wisdom, Hope, and Inspiration
The first New Moon of 2024 will occur on January 11 at 6:57 AM EST (11:57 AM UTC). The Moon (in conjunction with the Sun) will occupy 26 degrees and 32 minutes of Sagittarius in the buoyant nakshatra known as Purva Ashadha.
The New Moon will form a t-square with the lunar nodes, suggesting some significant tension and a challenge that must be faced and overcome at this time in order to move forward. It may be an important time to review and renew your objectives and commitments to make sure they are in alignment with your highest values and aspirations. As you have examined your goals, you can begin to initiate your new intentions. In the mundane sphere, the New Moon in square to the nodes is often considered a climactic event or turning point
Mars and Jupiter will also be in a close trine (and in mutual reception) in the New Moon chart (they will be in an exact trine on January 12). Jupiter and Uranus will also be in a trine to the New Moon. All this should give a boost of energy and some good fortune, especially for those with Ascendant, Sun, or Moon in the sidereal fire and water signs of Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. I wrote about this aspect between Mars and Jupiter (which is in place from December 27, 2023 to February 5, 2024) in my previous December forecast. (For my fellow Bitcoin fans, these transits are looking very positive in the next five weeks and onward).
January 14, The Sun Will Transit into Capricorn: A Celebration of the Sun’s Growing Light and Mother Nature’s Bounty
The Sun will transit in Capricorn from January 14 to February 13. The Sun’s Capricorn ingress (when it enters Capricorn) establishes the Vedic harvest festival known as Makar Sankranti. This event will occur on January 14 in North and South America, and on January 15 elsewhere in the world.
Makar Sankranti is a traditional time of celebration and thanksgiving in honor of the awakening Sun god (known as Lord Surya), who is now rising northward in his annual declination cycle. Makar Sankranti is also a celebration of Mother Nature’s bounty.
Now the Sun will begin its annual two-month transit in the signs of Saturn (Shani)—first in Capricorn, and next in Aquarius from mid-February to mid-March. Normally, Shani and Surya (Saturn and the Sun) are enemies who don’t vibe well together. However, Saturn is the shadow of the Sun, and the two can work well together when we are willing to accept and embrace our shadow issues, by examining and addressing the blind spots and self-defeating patterns that hold us back.
January 18 to February 11, Venus will transit in Sagittarius: Time to Broaden Your Horizons
In January, Venus will shine brightly in the morning sky, rising several hours before the Sun in the southeast, and reaching an altitude of 25° before disappearing at daybreak. From January 18 to February 11, Venus will transit in the sign of Sagittarius. Here, Venus indicates optimism and a love of adventure, truth, and higher meaning. Be aware that Venus will square Neptune from January 18 to 21, an aspect which can heighten emotional sensitivities and lead to misunderstandings or confusion.
January 20, Pluto and Sun Conjoin: Some Powerful Energy But Caution Advised
On January 20, Pluto will exactly conjoin the Sun near six degrees of Capricorn, but their conjunction will be within an effective orb from January 10-30. For some (depending on how it activates a birth chart), this can trigger interesting realizations and enhanced self-assertiveness; but on the downside, it can also point to dangerous events.
The annual conjunction of the Sun and Pluto has previously been associated with increased seismic activity, economic crises, political plots and power plays, and accidents. As they come together, the Sun and Pluto will also be conjoined natal Pluto in the United States’ birth chart.
Therefore, this transit will be another intense activation point in the ongoing United States Pluto Return, which has been resonating through 2023, and which will be exact beginning in February and lasting through all of 2024 (which I have written about before and will write about again soon).
January 25, Full Moon in Cancer: New Insights and Realizations May Occur
The first Full Moon of 2024 will occur on Thursday, January 25, at 12:54 PM EST (5:54 PM UTC). Use the World Time Buddy if your time zone is different. Please note that the best time for Full Moon baths and other lunar rituals will be the night before on January 24.
The Full Moon will occur in its own sensitive sign of Cancer, and in the spiritual Pushya nakshatra. We should have more than the usual amount of vitality in the days around this Full Moon. We may also experience some hypersensitivity, stress, or a conflict which could lead to new insights and realizations.
January 27, Mars and Mercury Will Conjoin in Sagittarius: Chaos and Meltdowns
On January 27, Mars and Mercury will exactly conjoin at 23 degrees of Sagittarius. Even though their exact conjunction will take place on January 27, Mars and Mercury will be within an effective orb of conjunction from January 18 to 31.
As Mars and Mercury come together, we may experience anxiety, chaos, or meltdowns in our thought processes and communication, or with technology, travel, trade, and commerce. This is an especially important time to avoid aggressive or impulsive actions and words.
January 27, Uranus Will Station Direct: Moving Forward with New Inspiration
After having been retrograde since August 29, 2023. Uranus will station direct at 25 degrees of Aries on January 27 at 2:36 AM EST (7:36 AM UTC). As Uranus stations direct, we may experience some new inspiration, revolutionary events, and some surprising announcements, discoveries, connections, events, and revelations.
Note that these events may occur during the ten days before and the ten days after the day of the exact direct station. As Uranus will station in a trine to Mars and Mercury in Sagittarius, this can indicate a breakthrough moment for some, or a powerful urge to move beyond certain restrictions or limitations.
And please keep in mind, as mentioned in previous articles, that from November 21, 2023 to March 5, 2024, the Moon’s South Node/Ketu in Virgo will be in a quincunx (6/8 relationship) with Uranus in Aries. Depending on how this transit interfaces with a natal or mundane horoscope, it may indicate a tendency for forceful, erratic, or rash behavior. It may also signify intolerance, impatience, or accidents. This period could suggest a heightened chance of uprisings and violence. On the plus side, this aspect between Ketu and Uranus could awaken new interests in the metaphysical realm including alternative healing.
As you can see, the New Year will bring us some optimism and positive energy, as Mercury moves into Sagittarius and the New Moon occurs in the same sign. As we move through the month, the Sun in Capricorn, and Venus and the Full Moon in Cancer will continue to bring us new insights, optimism, and strength.
On a broader level, the charts that I cast for the New Year suggest that the United States will continue to experience a great deal of political, economic, and societal upheaval and other challenging problems including the likelihood of at least one major national security event during the next twelve months.
That said, I also envision some positive breakthroughs and amazing new opportunities and developments during the upcoming year. In general, we should expect the unexpected and be prepared for drama, intensity, and powerful transformations. To make the most of this year, we should work on staying true to ourselves, being resilient, and embracing change.
I wish everyone a joyful, peaceful, and prosperous New Year!
So comprehensive. Thank you for giving us this valuable insight. You are a blessing to all of us.
Thank you, Juliana! You are so knowledgeable and generous!