January

Astrology
For those of us experiencing January as winter, there is a level of duality that comes with Capricorn season. Capricorn is grounded, ambitious, hardworking, creative, thoughtful, enduring, and not afraid of a challenge. The short days of winter ask us to prioritize rest, reflection, and healthy boundaries with productivity. All of nature is taking this time to recoup and it is only human hubris that makes us collectively behave as if we are separate from nature.
 
So where do we find the balance between these seemingly competing energies? I think it starts with reflection. Can you look back at 2024 and list your highs, your lows, the things that you’re proud of, what you wish you had accomplished, how you could have been more gentle with yourself… maybe you actually write these down in a journal or in a list format. Maybe you take a less structured approach by going back through your photos from the last 12 months, or the appointments in your calendar and then sit with your general impressions. 

From here we have the opportunity to let our reflection be fuel for change. I don’t mean new year’s resolutions (those could be an aspect of this, though!) so much as small, measurable things you can sustain and build upon. If you want to read more books this year, you don’t have to commit to reading every single day if that task will just become a chore. Could you hold yourself accountable to reading every week instead? 

If the Capricorn part of you is invigorated by this planning and list making, allow yourself to go wild, but don’t implement all of your plans at once. Leave yourself room to embrace the stillness and quiet of winter. A great way to lose momentum is through burnout, and we don’t want to give up on everything we planned when aquarius season begins on January 20th. 

Aquarius is unique, innovative, curious, humanitarian, and opinionated. This is not a season where you are likely to hold the same level of enthusiasm for structure that you did in Capricorn season, especially if that structure doesn’t feel at least somewhat intuitive and flexible. As you move through the end of January, continue reflecting and assessing how your goals are serving you. If you want to enhance this practice, consider integrating some herbs associated with Aquarius into your day on January 29th for the Aquarius new moon. You may choose to have them as tea, burned in incense, or as part of a meal. A few common herbs/spices associated with Aquarius are listed below. The new moon is a beautiful time to plant seeds and set intentions. Consider the energy of Aquarius as you decide how you want to work with this lunation.

The quick and dirty details 
    Capricorn season runs through January 19th
    Cardinal earth sign ruled by Saturn
    Herbs & Spices: thyme, nettle, hemp, milk thistle, henbane
Aquarius season begins January 20th 
    Fixed air sign ruled by Uranus and Saturn
    Herbs & Spices: valerian, cacao, catnip, skullcap, cinnamon

Ayurveda
January is a tricky month when it comes to Ayurveda. As autumn has recently come to an end, and particularly in dryer climates, vata may still be affecting your days. True winter embodies the kapha dosha, as it tends to be cold and wet and many animals (humans included!) find themselves consuming heavier foods and come to a hibernation of sorts. While kapha and vata both share the quality of coldness, they are essentially opposite in nature in every other quality. Vata is irregular, moving, dry, rough, and subtle whereas kapha is steady, stable, unctuous, smooth, and overt. These qualities can be observed not only in your environment, but within your body as well. By noticing that your skin is overly dry and cracking (vata symptoms), you may favor warm unctuous foods like cooking root vegetables with sesame oil. If you notice that you tend towards congestion this month (kapha symptoms), you may favor lighter, drying foods like incorporating more cooked bitter greens in your meals. Regardless of your dosha, favoring freshly cooked meals over raw foods is recommended to support your digestive fire. Soups, dahls, and other simple and easy-to-digest foods are recommended. Spices that will support digestion and warmth include – but not limited to – ginger, cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, black pepper, and cloves. Ice water aggravates both vata and kapha and will slow down your digestive fire no matter what season, but especially in the winter. To stay hydrated, drinking room temperature, warm, or even hot water is recommended (those with more pitta constitutions, be careful not to overdo the heat! Self-referral will guide you to the right temperature for your body). Of course, tea is a lovely option for this time of the year! Those same spices you’re cooking with can be steeped in a yummy tea! If you don’t feel like putting in all of the work, we have blends with these spices like Cosmic Chai and Night Sky Chai. 

With the holidays ending, this is the time to turn inward and do as many hibernating activities as we can within society. Prioritize rest and don’t be afraid to say “no” to overcommitting! One self-love practice that will also support your dry winter skin is abhyanga. The Sanskrit word, Sneha, is the same word for “oil” as is it for “love”. While diet, lifestyle, and even the choosing of body oil is dosha-specific and highly individulized, the balancing oil for winter is usually sesame oil. This is a gently warming oil that most doshas can tolerate; however, if pitta is predominant and/or you experience too much warmth, ghee is also recommended. 

As much as you can, spend some time outdoors every day. If walking and/or exercising outdoors is not an option due to the cold, even a few minutes in the crisp air, sunshine, and connecting with Mother Earth supports your mind, body, and soul. Support your mental and emotional health with gentle asanas, breathwork, and your favorite mindfulness practices. New Years resolutions are usually broken and people feel guilty for not being consistent. Instead of a resolution, focus on one way you can consistently love on yourself. Take a minute to take deep breaths. Close your eyes and savor that sip of tea. Look yourself in the eye and say “I love you” while washing your hands. Find micro moments each day to love on yourself while being compassionate about not overdoing it and giving yourself grace when you don’t stick to those resolutions. If you’re really looking to create a solid routine, try habit stacking. This is where you take a new habit (for example, placing an energetic shield around you each morning to set better boundaries) and attach it to a habit that is so ingrained, you don’t have to think about doing it (like brushing your teeth). 
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Love on your nervous system this time of year. The holidays are hard for many, and seasonal affective disorder is also creeping her head around. While resting, call on adaptogens and nervines to support your body in coming back into a parasympathetic state. Herbs like ashwagandha, holy basil, turmeric, and mushrooms such as reishi, are considered adaptogens, which help the body adapt to stress and support recalibrating your body back to homeostasis. Herbs like chamomile, lavender, catnip, and passionflower are nervines, which help to calm the nervous system. ​