Year: 2026

“in Tibetan, the term for discipline is “tsul trim.” ‘Tsul’ means “appropriate” or “just” and “trim” means “rule” or “way.” So discipline is to do what is appropriate or just; that is, in an excessively complicated age, to simply live our lives.” Sogyal Rinpoche

“Through a spiritual discipline we prevent the world from filling our lives to such an extent that there is no place to listen.”Henri J.M. Nouwen

The other day when I was listening to a call in a show on the radio, a woman called in and spoke about  her experience being disciplined by a nun at a Catholic school. It made me laugh, having had a similar experience at the convent school I attended.

We had a study hall every afternoon. Silence was required and strictly enforced. If you dropped a pencil, you received a demerit and had to work for a nun for an hour. I remember being so nervous every day about this.

I am grateful for my years there. The boarding school was in an old,  rambling  turn of the century mansion in NY near the New Jersey line. Part of the school held the classrooms, library, office and dorm rooms.The other half of the building held “community,” where the nuns lived. The doors to “community” were always closed, with a lit votive candle on a table nearby. If you entered “community” you were expelled immediately.

One of the important things I learned there are there are lines that cannot be crossed. Imaginative excuses would lead to further trouble.

The New Moon on January 18 tells a cautionary tale about boundaries and limits. Initiatives started under this influence need to follow the rules – they need be well founded in fact with pragmatic planning and with a commitment to perseverence built into the structure. The Moon is at 28 degrees of Capricorn. Capricorn is a no-nonsense sign.

Within that kind of structure there is room for innovation and creativity.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”An ancient pottery bowl filled with fresh violets.”

Sabian symbols from Lynda Hill

“To fall in step with the poetry of your unfolding, first there must be a clearing away; a temenos of simplicity in which to dwell.” Toko-Pa Turner

“Chiron in Aries points us inward, towards the sacred fire which warms, heals and enlightens.” Melanie Reinhard

Chiron, the centaur planet of wounding and healing, is strong in the sky  this week – as the Sun, Mars and Mercury move up to meet it in a square alignment.

Chiron in mythology was a healer and took injured centaurs into his care. He was renowned for his healing ability and associated with homeopathic medicine and the process of restoring wholeness.

With Pluto now in Aquarius and with  Uranus in Taurus we are entering a new era. There can be considerable disruption during this process.

The times in which we are living requires constant adjustment to the ways in which life is changing here on planet Earth. It is wise this week to provide some down time for the integration of information and the strengthening of courage. It’s best to avoid rash and hasty decisions and to move in a direction which represents a process of moving towards or restoring  wholeness. Chiron is associated with the healing of fragmentation.

it’s a good time to entertain new perspectives on old problems.

A temenos is a place – inner or outer –  that can provide calm and a sense of peace  in the busyness of everyday life.

Also this week Mercury will oppose Jupiter. This alignment is good for big ideas but will need more grounding to put them into action.

Venus will conjunct Saturn and trine Uranus. This can help mature relationships grow and thrive.

Mercury will conjunct Mars towards the end of the week. Words can be sharp under this influence but it can be beneficial for  very focused thinking.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A person traveling a narrow path seeks illumination.”