Importance of Paush Month

As the winter deepens, people pray for the Sun to come back with its bounty. Imagine a time, when the modern luxuries such as electricity were not present and people had to rely on the cycles of the nature for their needs. The bleak winter months were especially challenging, the day was short, the soil was unyielding, everything that a common person relied on. Hence the Paush month rituals were focussed on keeping alive the hope and the survival instinct in us, denoted in astrology through Sun and Mars respectively. You will also see an emphasis is on the usage of yellow and red colour, such as through the use of copper vessels or usage or kumkuma.

According to the Hindu calendar, the month of Paush is the 10th month of the Hindu calendar. The month of Paush is also considered very auspicious for worshipping Pitris or the forefathers, hence people observe Shraaddh Karma and Pind daan. This year, the month of Paush is going to last from December 24, 2022, to January 22, 2023 of the Amanta calendar. 

Festivals

Sun Worship

In Hinduism, Sun is worshipped in the month of Paush. During this month, after taking bath early in the morning, offer water to the Sun. Give water from a copper vessel. Put roli and red flowers in the water. After this, chant the mantra of the Sun "Om Adityaya Namah".

Other Observances

This month also marks festivals of harvest such as the Shakambhari Navratri which concludes on Paush Pournima. Other observations include Vaikunth Ekadashi, one of the most religiously observed fasts of the year. Worship Lord Shiva on Monday and offer bel patra.

Food Practices

Excessive eating should be avoided during this month as our metabolism is low. Use dry fruits in food. Use jaggery instead of sugar. Minimise the intake of salt this month. Consuming celery, clove, amla, and ginger is beneficial. Using too much oil and ghee this month is also not beneficial.

Cleansing Rituals

Bathing in the Triveni Sangam during Paush month is said to be a blessing. Use cold water for baths if possible, and not skipping baths is essential.

Remedies for Paush month

Donate tur dal and rice khichdi with ghee during the month of Paush. New work should not be started in the month of Paush. If you have to do such work under compulsion, then take special care of some things. 

Wear red clothes this month. 

Tie the root or wood of betel leaf in a red thread and wear it around your neck. 

Donate a copper vessel.

Eclipses 2022 Aries-Libra New Karmic Cycle

Rahu has moved into Aries and Ketu into Libra. Rahu creates Karma, Ketu cleans it. And Rahu moving into the first sign means we will be starting a new karmic cycle.  Around 1994, the conditions were flipped, Ketu was in Aries and Rahu in Libra. Ketu has been cleaning up this half of the axis and although the world looks more in trouble then ever before but things are changing for the better. 

Remember a time when people believed that there destiny being controlled by a king was the "natural order of things". But slowly people have been experimenting with and understanding the concept of individual rights. 

Only a while ago that elections were won on the basis of race and religion. And most places are being ruled by extremely divisive leaders. It always plays out in this manner, things reach a high point before imploding. And given our track record so far it is not going to be pretty. 

The solar eclipse will be visible only in Antarctica which probably is a sharp focus on the theme of climate change. Our attention should really be on important things like coming up with permanent eco-friendly solutions for our fuel needs. We are already late on controlling pollution. Even the Saturn moving into humanitarian Aquarius indicates the same thing. 

Another big indicator of things to come is the solar eclipse in Ashwini in Aries followed by the lunar eclipse in Libra. Ashwini is the sign of healing and Swati is the sign of social good. It is likely these are the themes to play out for the next six months.