All Times Pacific: Astrology Report Jan 8-Jan 15
Friends, we have before us a relatively quiet week astrologically speaking. However, Pluto is still in Capricorn, and Uranus is slowing down to stationary direct on Jan 22. Since 2008 we’ve been under the clouds of Saturn/Pluto, especially in 2020 when they were conjunct at the beginning of the pandemic. Don’t let the weight of the last 14+ years depress you with pessimism and exhaust you with apprehension. In Spring we get three months of Pluto in Aquarius. That’s a big shift. Pluto returns to Capricorn for the rest of 2023 then Pluto in Aquarius takes over for 20 years. It may seem impossible from the viewpoint of the current malaise but this too shall pass. We must not allow ourselves to be merely haunted by the suffering, when it has made us more soulful. As F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote so poignantly, “No amount of fire or freshness can challenge what a man will store up in his ghostly heart.”
Sun Jan 8 Mercury retrograde trine Uranus is exact in the mid-afternoon. This aspect favors creativity, especially writing. Conversations can bring clarity and refresh perspectives. Browse new technology to liberate communications. Where would you like to have more freedom in your life? Make a point out of visualizing moments in the future you would like to experience. But don’t forge ahead just yet. As Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
Mon Venus trine Mars is exact in the early morning. Traditionally associated with attractions of love and lust, it’s time to find harmony between the genders. Work to beautify our surroundings or ourselves is favored. Beauty may re-energize us after so much struggle, angst and anger over the state of the world.
Tue Jan 10 only lunar aspects are exact. Some good advice from Hermann Hesse, “It is not for me to judge another man’s life. I must judge, I must choose, I must spurn, purely for myself. For myself, alone.”
Wed Jan 11 Mercury square Chiron is exact after midnight. Chiron can indicate crisis in the area of health, especially public health. We can expect some news this week about pandemic spread. With Venus sextile Chiron tomorrow perhaps the surge will not be as severe as expected. Taking precautions and doing what we can to minimize unnecessary risk this week can help us avoid harm to self and others. Try not to waste time arguing about the details of the situation. Research ways to heal what troubles you.
Thu Jan 12 Venus sextile Chiron is exact in the late morning, with Mars stationary direct at 12:56 PM. As mentioned above we can hope that this means the news about the pandemic is not as severe as experts are expecting. However, we have seen that sometimes these aspects seem to favor the pandemic. The consequences of socializing recklessly could become obvious in the statistics. In our own lives creativity, beauty, romance, the arts, can help us find healing. Creative people may find ways to infuse their work with a power to heal.
Mars stationary direct means we are entering the last leg of an epic Mars challenge that began on Aug 20, 2022 when Mars entered Gemini and was exasperated with Mars stationary retrograde Oct 30. Stagnation is the word most astrologers are using to describe the period from Oct 30 to Jan 12. If you’ve been feeling stuck and stagnant relief may be on the way. For natal Sagittarius planets and angles the sense that life seems to oppose the usual flow, and a time of extra irritation for Pisces and Virgo natal placements, will finally come to a close when Mars enters Cancer near the end of March. One of three big changes that month, the other two being Saturn’s entry into Pisces, and Pluto entering Aquarius.
Fri Jan 13 sun sextile Neptune in the early morning is usually a dreamy and languid aspect but it can cause apprehension as Neptune’s imagination is let loose on the last three years of challenges. The Friday the 13th apprehension may be stronger than usual, but remember in numerology 13 is the number of change. Take it easy. Follow intuition and the flow of events.
Sat Jan 14 Venus square Uranus is exact in the late afternoon, as the dark of the moon begins about an hour later at 6:10 PM. This square can indicate opportunities for fun, romance, creativity, especially when we try new things or update our tech. But with the square there can sometimes be a struggle with electronics, but also with relationships, especially romantic. The urge for the new is strong. We want to break out of the doldrums of Pluto in Capricorn. We can consider how to do so, but Mercury is still retrograde and with the dark of the moon it’s better to finish than start. With this aspect it’s always good to ask ourselves is there some way we could help to liberate the creativity of the females in our lives? As Virginia Woolf wrote, “For most of history, Anonymous was a woman.” The dark of the moon is a good time for seeking insight by introspection, especially with Mercury retrograde.
Sun Jan 15 only lunar aspects are exact. Emily Dickenson, who named her favorite writing implement “Spirit Pen” wrote, “The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience.” She reminds us that the miracles of life surround us even now. Let’s take some time to appreciate the beauties of nature and of art. Cherishing the humble details of our lives we can replenish our ragged emotions. By remembering to see with the eyes of the soul we can find wonder amid sorrows. Express love without expectations if you wish to receive it.
The following week Mercury is stationary direct on Jan 18 and Uranus is stationary direct on Jan 22. Expect some surprises individually and collectively. After that, and especially after March, we may want to keep in mind Victoria Woodhull’s quote, “I endeavor to make the most of everything.”
