Plenty of action this month, as Retrograde Mars prepares to turn Direct on the 30th, even as nimble Mercury slows in approach of its own Retrograde motion around the same time. The Sun in Capricorn (Happy birthday, Caps!) will have some competition, when Venus and Pluto move into Capricorn toward the end of the month, where ponderous Pluto will remain until 2024. Yup, it's a whole new cycle, so let's get prepared! (Finals are over; I scored two As, an A- and a B. Definitely coming up on a new personal cycle here!) :D
On January 1, the Moon will move from Scorpio into Libra at 5:30 p.m. PST, briefly forming Trines with Mars and Neptune, and a Sextile with Pluto.
The new Moon in Scorpio is a time for beginning things involving endings. I know it sounds contrary, but it's really not -- time to start cleaning up and clearing out!
Wednesday, 1/2, will be a busy astrological day, with a Sun/Moon Sextile a little before 6 p.m. PST. By far, this day's big deal will be the Opposition between Retrograde Mars in Gemini, and powerhouse Pluto as it moves through the latter stages of Saggitarius, which will be exact at 1:22 p.m. PST.
These two powerful planets will have a powerful effect on everyone, but Scorpio natives may tend to feel this a bit more intimately, with their co-Rulers in opposition! This is a time where conflicts and power struggles may rear their heads. When passionate energies clash, sweeping changes may be on the horizon.
The key to success at this astrological time is to remember that some battles are worthy of fighting, while others ... not so much. Remind yourself not to sweat the small stuff, then take a good, close look at the "big stuff." Actions undertaken at this time will have an extra "oomph" to them, if the planetary conflicts can be overcome. Think before you act -- then stop and think again -- then dive right in! If your interest is in transformative activities, or deep and abiding inner changes, the time is ripe. Just don't dive blind!
On Friday, 1/4, the Scorpio Moon will form a brief conjunction to Lady Venus, before moving into Sag on Saturday. Maybe "burning off" some of that passion in a sexual or erotic manner is the way to go this evening, leaving you less tense for the upcoming weekend's heavenly activities.
Saturday the 5th finds the Moon entering Sag, and briefly squaring Saturn and Ouranos before continuing its fast-paced journey through the Zodiac.
Sunday, 1/6, will be another busy astro-day. The Moon enters the Sign of Capricorn, briefly opposing Mars and conjoining Pluto, as well as forming a Sextile with Ouranos. This Sextile will be a period of new experiences, new enjoyments, new goals. If things get too chaotic, rely on your intuition. This aspect often equates to surprises, large and small, so be prepared to be caught unprepared from time to time. Again: Don't sweat the small stuff!
Also on Sunday, a Square will form between harmonious Venus and ye olde Disciplinarian, Saturn. You may find conflicts, from both within and without, relating to matters of love, money, and personal pleasure cropping up at this time. Use the energy of the Square productively, by weeding out unproductive ties or focuses that have been holding you back in your life. Pay your debts before incurring more of them -- financial and emotional both.
On Monday, 1/7, Mercury enters Aquarius, 8:45 p.m. PST. Social and group communications are highlighted during this period, as well as communications regarding broad societal themes. Quick Merc will be hanging around Aquarius longer than usual, BOING!ing through Retrograde and Direct motion in the Sign till February.
Thursday, 1/8 finds a new Moon in Capricorn conjoining the Sun in Cap, indicating a new cycle in your life is ready to begin. Look back over your life, and finish up projects begun earlier. Discipline and reason will be the watchwords for beginning new things -- check your work, then double-check it. Then jump! :-)
A few days to complete the unfinished biz and contemplate, then Satirday the 12th is another busy day. The Pisces Moon will form an Opposition to Saturn, Conjunction to Ouranos, and briefly Square Venus before transiting on.
Also on the 12th, Venus forms a Square to Ouranos, indicating ups and downs, pushes and pulls, in the areas of love, pleasure, and fun. The challenge during this time is to seek out new forms of pleasure and fun, perhaps a bit unconventional, maybe a little off the beaten track. This doesn't necessarily mean kinky or weird -- just outside your usual norm. One person's unconventional experiment is another's daily rut, after all!
Sunday, 1/13. Luna enters Aries at 4:20 p.m. PST, bringing a Sun/Moon Sextile in its wake. A little break for you: energy levels should be high!
Tuesday the 15th will feature a Square between the Sun and the Moon as it moves through the latter stages of Aries, 11:45 a.m. PST. Sun/Moon Squares, while short-lived, can be rough sometimes: the astrological Sun represents your core nature, with the astrological Moon representing your emotions and beliefs -- a conflict between the "inner you" and the "outer you" to some extent. Slow and steady Capricorn tries to calm and rein in impulsive Aries.
When Luna enters earthy Taurus just after 8 p.m. PST, you'll feel the pressure begin to break up.
Wednesday the 16th brings a Sun/Venus Quincunx. The issues will generally involve influences which must be overcome to some extent, and in learning to "work around," compensate for, or overcome these issues, which can hamper and drag you down. The up-side (of course there is one!) is that these areas of tension can be overcome, and learning to work within or beyond one's "circumstances" can be an exciting, adventurous period. Have you learned to balance work and play yet? If not, get hopping!
Venus will also form a Sextile to Neptune this day, highlighting dreams, visions, and intuition in matters of love, pleasure and harmony. This is a creative aspect, dreamy and a bit other-worldly. As long as you don't get lost in your daydreams, enjoy them, and see if you can bring some of your dreams and hopes into reality.
Saturday, 1/19 will bring us a Venus/Mars Opposition, at 7:10 p.m. PST. You may feel as though you're being pulled in different directions, and in a way you are: fascination/disgust, love/hate, pleasure/pain. Remember that great stressors equate to great energy, and seek your own solution to the "Resolution of Opposites." Passionate, heated sex is (IMHO, of course!) a most excellent way of accomplishing this, hopefully without breaking any hearts or furniture. ;-)
On Sunday, 1/20, the Sun enters Aquarius at 8:45 p.m. PST. This begins a time when group work, humanitarian concerns, and activities done with other people will operate more smoothly than previously.
On Monday the 21st, Jupiter will form a Trine with Saturn (exact at 1:14 a.m. PST). Now is the proper time for you to act, act, act! Expand your goals and focus, expand your horizons, your image, your philosophy. There could be a focus on work or career at this time, or perhaps on what you consider your "vocation" -- this may not be your actual job. If you're a "musician/waiter" or "artist/office assistant," it's more likely that your music or art -- your "true vocation" -- will get a boost. If you're a workaholic, you'll be in your element, and may get recognition for your skills and projects on the job -- so be sure you've crossed all your Ts and dotted all your lower-case-j's! ;->
Tuesday, 1/22 sees the full Moon enter Leo around 2:20 a.m. PST. Projects begun around the time of the new Moon will be winding down and coming to fullness at this time.
The 22nd also sees Mercury forming a Conjunction with Neptune. This is a dreamy, genial, and easy-going time, but you'll need to avoid a tendency to exaggerate -- deviation from the truth at this time could come back to bite you, and I don't mean in a good way! Imagination and fantasy will tend to take precedence over logic. If you can avoid escapism or rose-colored-glasses syndrome, your creative urges should be fed, tended, and listened to. You can make your dreams reality at this time, but that will take action on your part, as always,
Lady Venus will be busy on Thursday, 1/24, forming a Conjunction to Pluto in the latter degrees of Sag close to midnight on Wednesday before entering Capricorn just after midnight, a few minutes into your Thursday. The effects of the Venus/Pluto Conjunction are strong enough to continue even when Venus changes Signs. You may find yourself struggling with feelings of urgency and intensity, a touch of "cabin fever," so to speak. You may be plagued by feelings of jealousy, possessiveness, and guilt. You know the drill: if you start guilt-tripping, look dispassionately at the things bugging you. Are they your fault, are they under your control? If not, remember that feelings are transient, and simply lay the burden of things-not-under-my-control down. If, on the other hand, there are valid reasons for you to feel guilty, the trick is equally simple: change your own behavior. Hey, I said simple, not easy!
Physical and emotional passions come to the forefront. Issues of import from the past month will be concluding and wrapping up at this time. Tie up your loose ends, then decorate them with a bow. The Luna/Saturn Conjunction at 8:15 p.m. PST will help you find a better balance with this month's conflicts between self-indulgence and self-discipline.
On Friday, 1/25, 6:35 p.m. PST, Pluto enters the Sign of Capricorn, where it will remain until 2024. An entire phase of life has now come to a conclusion, with a whole new phase about to begin -- a looooong phase, at that!
Pluto represents upheavals, secrets, and sudden change, as well as having a strong relation to finance, organized labor, and organized crime. Its transition from freewheeling Sag to disciplined, detail-oriented, hardworking Capricorn represents a generational transformation, from a time when we've been making hay while the sun shines, into a time of working, tending our metaphorical gardens. Those gardens have gotten a bit out of hand over the past decade plus, so it's time to yank up those weeds and give the flowers room to grow. What happens when the Planet of Revolution meets up with the Sign of tradition, control, and hard work? Well ... we'll start finding out real soon here, and we'll have plenty of time to observe how this powerful new cycle plays out intimately, in our own lives. Pluto tells us to tear down the old; Capricorn urges us to honor it. It's definitely possible to respect tradition, while not being enslaved by it. That's what the next 15 years will be showing us. It should be quite a ride!
Monday the 28th brings us our very first Mercury Retrograde of 2008, with Mercury turning retro in Aquarius at 12:30 p.m. PST, reDirecting in the same Sign on February 18. Communications involving groups will need extra-careful attention right now. If you're sending out party invitations -- or calling a last-minute meeting at work -- take the time to ensure accuracy, and be ready to remind folks what's expected of them. There could be delays and quirks in communication related to groups, organizations, and volunteer work. We may find ourselves looking back to the past, at our relations with others and with ourselves. Look at what's worked well for you, and what hasn't. Begin preparations for tasks to be completed after Mercury returns to Direct motion. Check your preparations, and be willing to make modifications where necessary.
The month goes out with a bang. On Tuesday, 1/29, the Moon will enter Scorpio at 1:30 a.m. PST, forming brief Sextiles to Pluto, Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter.
Also on the 29th, Venus forms a Trine to Saturn, which should bring increased harmony to your relationships and pleasurable pastimes. Some of the earlier stresses of the month will start to ease up, and you'll find it easier to walk the "line" that's gotten so much attention this month, that between indulgence and discipline. Whew -- we're gettin' there! :->
Wednesday, January 30 sees a brief square between the Sun and the waning Moon in Scorpio. This is yet another time to put our old tasks to bed and prepare for a whole new cycle.
And -- w00t!! -- at 2:30 p.m. PST, Mars will once again begin its Direct motion. While minor, lingering effects of Mars' Retrograde period may still be felt until April, when Mars reaches the same degree it was in when turning Retrograde, for the most part, it's time to get busy, active -- get stuff done! Any impediments to your actions will begin to fade away. Communications will flow more easily than usual with Mercury Retrograde. Your thoughts will un-jumble. Your mind will be quicker, your tensions and stresses begin to ebb away.
