By Samantha Orthlieb | Source

I hope you have been having a restful and peaceful January?  I have been dipping in and out of writing and being on social media this month, focusing on self-care.  As mentioned in my latest Ascension update- this is a month for clearing clutter, detox, reset, grounding and nurturing. Self-care January is needed as we incubate for very bold, forward movement by the end of March/April!

Self-care and not pushing ourselves allows us to return to ourselves and ground so that we are well prepared for 2026.

The fiery energy for this year is building slowly, and inner processing continues from 2025 until Feb 16 (Year of the Fire Horse starts on Feb 17).  Deep reflection, digestion, grieving the past, combing through your belief system. It may feel like you are wrestling with a type of frustration, anxiety, depression or malaise, possibly peppered with lethargy and feeling unmotivated.

This can also be a time for spiritual / personal development, individuation, finding hidden opportunities, and long-term planning.  All that is not in alignment with the next stage of our soul’s journey and purpose is also falling away and the new is trickling in.

Even if we cannot see it yet our Divine Blueprint is unfolding, the energetic template is forming into 3D reality, and we are attracting what is needed. Wholeness, empowerment, courage, neuroplasticity/mental flexibility, universal attunement are integrating with our soul’s destiny.

One by one, certain planets are aligning with the new fiery energy, with the next being Jan 26th, Neptune moving in Aries, signaling courageous, conscious engagement. Neptune in Aries (2026–2039) merges spiritual idealism with pioneering action, urging humanity to become the Spiritual Warrior Archetype, to embody courage, compassion, and bold, intuitive action. This planet transit transforms passive dreaming into active manifestation, pushing for personal growth through courageous, self-directed spiritual self-mastery practice, breaking old limitations, and initiating new, conscious ways of being.

The Aries’ boldness can help us take small, practical steps toward dreams/goals to avoid getting lost in dreamy, Neptunian “fog”.  This helps us keep moving forward and plant seeds for a co-creative and abundant future.

The chakras of the body being shifted and cleared most at this time are the 2nd, sovereignty increasing(reproductive/kidney), 3rd, self worth/power shifts (digestion), 5th, finding your truth (Throat/Higher Heart), 6th, honing intuition  (mind/brow) and 7th, surrendering ego (pineal).

So you may be experiencing various shadow Ascension symptoms including fatigue, emotional ups/downs, checking out /disassociating, headaches, easily distracted, unfocused, unable to finish tasks, couch potato syndrome, feelings of uncertainty, refining boundaries, anxiety, indecision, sleep disturbance, frustration, despair, general inflammation, skin issues, gritty eyes, addiction issues, lower immunity, and more (see my Jan Update).

If you are feeling like you are swimming against the current and are frustrated with nothing happening or working out, try surrendering and being in the flow.  This allows one to align with Divine Will and ease into 2026 with less effort.

Trust and have faith. Find joy where you can. Chop wood, carry water, rinse, repeat…things will change soon enough!

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