Pausa (Poush) Month

Pausa (Poush) Month

Pausa or Poush is a Hindu lunar calendar’s tenth month normally observed between December and January. The month is significant due to its relation to the winter season and other important Hindu festivals and rituals. Therefore, it is also considered a period of religious purpose, farming actions, and community celebrations.

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Pausa Month's Importance

Harvesting Time:

• Pausa is the farming season in most areas of India, especially rural areas. This is the period when food grains such as rice and pulses are harvested which often signals the start of harvest festivals.

Religious Observances:

• Pausa is a time of religious devotion whereby many people practice fasting, giving alms, and other rituals that are directed to gods.
• For example, at this time special prayers and offerings are made to Surya with his energy being particularly significant due to winter solstice.

Makar Sankranti:

• Amongst the significant festivals during this month is Makar Sankranti which usually falls around January middle. The festival represents when the Sun enters Capricorn (Makara Rashi), thereby signifying longer days.
• To celebrate Makar Sankranti people fly kites, prepare traditional food like tilgul (made from sesame seeds mixed with jaggery), as well as perform ritual bathing in holy rivers.

Poush Mela:

• This is a major cultural fair in West Bengal which occurs every year in the town of Santiniketan. It was started by Rabindranath Tagore, an eminent Bengali poet, as an event to honor Bengali culture folk arts, and traditional crafts.
• Music and dance mark this time of togetherness for many people thereby drawing thousands from throughout the entire area.

Festivals and Rituals During Pausa

• Paush Purnima: The full moon day of Pausa month is considered highly auspicious. Devotees take a holy dip in rivers like the Ganges and perform religious rituals. Also, this day marks the beginning of the Magh Mela at Prayagraj (Allahabad).
• Annapurna Puja: In some regions, Annapurna the goddess of food and nourishment is worshipped during this month to ensure prosperity and abundance of food.
• Sankranti: Apart from Makar Sankranti there are other Sankrantis that occur during Pausa which are also observed with fasting and charitable acts as they are viewed as holy transitions in the Hindu calendar.

Customs of the Culture:

• Special winter food preparations from various communities include tilkut (sweets of sesame and jaggery), pitha, and makar chaula (rice dish during Makar Sankranti).
• It is usual to wear woolen clothes and have firefires at night to keep warm since this month is characterized by extremely low temperatures.

Importance of Pausa (Poush) Month in Astrology

Pausa (Poush) is one of the most significant months in the Hindu lunar calendar; it holds a lot of astrological and spiritual meanings. Below are some of its astrological significances:

Sun’s Travel:

• Solar Positioning: During Pausa, the Sun transforms from Sagittarius (Dhanu Rashi) and moves into Capricorn (Makara Rashi) around mid-January marking the Makar Sankranti festival. This transition is called the Uttarayana period which means when the days start increasing and the end of winter solstice.
• Develop Positive Energy: The Uttarayana period is auspicious and believed to attract positivity and opportunities. It marks a time when daylight begins to expand, signifying prosperity, progress, and intelligence.

Makar Sankranti:

• Astral Movement: Makar Sankranti falls under Poush month when the sun enters into the Capricorn sign. In astrology, this phase represents a cosmic energy shift in its entirety; hence one can say it has great significance. It’s thought that this period brings balancing forces making life stable.
• Stars Horoscope: Most people indulge in special rituals at Makar Sankranti to align with such celestial bodies that emit good vibes for their existence on earth while others include starting off with something new by having personal goals for development recommendable by astrologers during this moment in time too.

Full Moon (Pausha Purnima):

• Lunar Cycle: The full moon day of Pausa known as Pausha Purnima, is a very famous and auspicious day according to Hindu astrological practices.
• Spiritual Significance: It is a time of making offerings to deities, performing tarpan (offerings to ancestors), and bathing in holy rivers. The full Moon increases the energy of spirituality; therefore it becomes a good period for meditation as well as contemplation

Influence on the Zodiac Signs:

• Capricorn and Sagittarius: People having Sun in Capricorn or significant placements in their natal charts would be affected by the transition of the Sun into Capricorn period. It is considered a period for practical achievements, hard work, and laying down foundations for success in the future.
• Influence on Individual Charts: The presence of the Sun or other important planets at the position of Capricorn may manifest itself through concentration and determination increase. On the other hand, if Sagittarius happens to have these planets then one might come across opportunities for expansion and growth.

Seasonal Impact:

• Winter Solstice: Pausa coincides with the winter solstice, which signifies the least length of day and maximum duration of the night in a year. This time can be seen as a season for self-examination and growth within oneself. Astrologically speaking, it is thought that this season brings a time when one should pause and reflect before the dynamic change at the beginning of each year.

Summary

• In Pausa or Poush month, there is much joy, reflection, and harvests. Many important festivals like Makar Sankranti, Paush Purnima, and Poush Mela will take place; as well as religious observances to the Sun God for agricultural abundance. It is a season when we express our appreciation to nature for the gifts she gives us and get ready for the spring season’s arrival.
• Astrologically speaking, the month of Pausa (Poush) has great significance, particularly in connection with Makar Sankranti which falls at the time when the Sun enters Capricorn. The period signifies spiritual growth new beginning opportunities and an increase in positive energies. Pausa therefore creates an opportunity to align yourself with cosmic energies, do charity work, and set intentions concerning your personal development both spiritually and otherwise.

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Frequently Ask Questions

What is Pausa (Poush) Month?

Pausa (or Poush) is the tenth month within the Hindu lunar calendar and it typically falls between December and January. The beginning of winter is marked by this month characterized by several religions’ ceremonies and farming activities associated with it. It’s an auspicious period for spiritual practices, harvest festivals, and celebrations.

What Festivals Are Celebrated During Pausa Month?

Key festivals celebrated during this period include,

• Makar Sankranti: This festival is celebrated around mid-January marking the transit of the Sun into Capricorn sign. It has a lot to do with kite flying, charity work as well and preparing some special foods like tilgul (sesame-jaggery sweets) among others.
• Pausha Purnima: The full moon day falling on Pausa is regarded as the best day to perform religious admission rituals, offer prayers, and take holy baths in sacred rivers.
• Poush Mela: Shantiniketan, located in west Bengal is home to a popular cultural fair known as Poush Mela that celebrates Bengali traditions, arts, and crafts founded by Rabindranath Tagore.

What Is The Astrological Significance Of The Month Of Poush?

The month of Poush has astrological importance since, during Makar Sankranti, The Sun enters the Capricorn(Makara Rashi) sign marking the Uttarayana period which brings out good positive energies from space. These encounters provide new beginnings and opportunities for personal development through introspection happening coincidentally with winter solstice