Ashtami Sunday Jan 11, 2026: Avoid Blue, Black to Ward Off Evil Eye
Ashtami Jan 11, 2026: Rahu Alert & Protection Rituals

In the rhythmic flow of the Hindu lunar calendar, certain days carry a uniquely potent and transformative energy. Sunday, January 11th, 2026, is one such day, marked by the powerful Ashtami Tithi (the eighth lunar day) during the Krishna Paksha (waning phase) of Magha month. This alignment creates a celestial pressure cooker, significantly heightening spiritual and mental sensitivity.

Celestial Alignments and Their Earthly Impact

The sky on this day features a complex dance between the Moon and Mars in the sign of Libra. Mars fuels raw energy and impulse, while the Moon governs our emotions. Their conjunction on Ashtami creates a 'flickering' mind state, leading to unexplained agitation, sudden irritability, and a feeling of being watched or energetically drained. Compounding this is the strong influence of the shadow planet Rahu, the master of illusion and sudden shocks. This combination makes our energetic boundaries unusually weak, marking this period as a high-alert time for Nazar (the evil eye) in Indian spiritual tradition.

Forbidden Actions: The Colour Trap and Mental Agitation

To navigate this sensitive day and protect your luck and mental peace, Vedic experts advise avoiding specific actions. A primary warning concerns colour choices. While shopping for a new outfit for the upcoming week might seem harmless, choosing blue or black is strongly discouraged. These colours, governed by Rahu and Shani, act as 'energy suckers' on this particular Ashtami. Wearing or buying them can attract 'Negative Drashti' (ill-willed gazes), potentially bringing stagnant energy into your life. This may manifest as a lack of motivation, a 'heavy' head, or feeling overlooked at work.

The recommended alternative is to opt for white, yellow, or cream. These Sattvic colours help reflect negative energy and maintain a light, bright aura, keeping harmful gazes at a distance.

The mental state, amplified by the Moon-Mars conjunction, goes beyond typical 'Sunday scaries.' You might find yourself obsessing over past comments or feeling a sudden urge to confront others. This mental turmoil weakens your natural psychic shield (Kavach), making you more susceptible to negative influences. Simply acknowledging this planetary force is the first step in disarming its power.

Powerful Remedies for Protection and Success

Ancient texts like the Lal Kitab offer simple yet potent rituals to counteract these challenging energies and ensure a smooth professional week. One powerful remedy involves almonds, which are ruled by the benevolent planets Sun and Jupiter.

The Almond Ritual for Professional Success:

  1. Take 11 whole, unbroken almonds.
  2. Offer them at a nearby temple or to a person in need.
  3. As you give them away, set a silent intention: "May my path be cleared, and all malicious looks be returned to the earth."

If visiting a temple isn't possible, you can bury the 11 almonds in a pot of clean soil at home. This act of charity shifts the planetary vibration from 'acquisition' to 'contribution,' a principle respected by both Shani and Rahu, thereby grounding their disruptive energy.

The Sunday Evening Nazar Ritual:

Just before midnight, as the new week is about to begin, perform a quick Nazar Utaarna (evil eye removal) ceremony at your home's entrance. Take a piece of rock salt and a lemon. Circle the lemon three times clockwise around your main door. Discard the lemon far from your home (preferably at a crossroads) and place the salt on the doorstep. This creates a 'Salt Barrier,' preventing the restless energies of the weekend from following you into your workplace on Monday morning.

These insights and remedies are provided by Acharya Neeraj Dhankher, a Vedic Astrologer with over 29 years of experience and the Founder & CEO of Astro Zindagi. His mission is to empower individuals through astrological guidance, helping them navigate life's complex energies.