January 2012 Astrocast

Key Events:  

Full Moon (18:26 Cancer): 9 January 2012

New Moon (02:42 Aquarius): 23 January 2011

Retrograde Planets: 

Mars (23:05 Virgo - 03:41 Virgo):  24 January 2012 - 14 April 2012

Easy Reference

Sun   Moon  Mercury   Venus   Mars   Jupiter   Saturn   Uranus   Neptune   Pluto  

1st House   2nd House   3rd House   4th House   5th House   6th House   7th House   8th House   9th House   10th House   11th House   12th House

Aspects     Sign Rulers     Fire-Earth-Air-Water     Cardinal-Fixed-Mutable

Eclipses  Solar Returns  Retrograde Planets

Lunations and Long Term Aspects

First of all note that we begin this new year with no retrograde planets, allowing all of their respective energies to function in an uninhibited manner.  This is great for jump-starting things and getting us off to a good start.  Of all the Signs we are the one who really resonates with New Years Resolution because the new year coincides nicely with our solar return, which is when the Sun returns to the position he was in when we were born, and thus begins a new cycle.  If you have not already done so, make your list today of those things you want to accomplish in 2012.  If you're not familiar with the concept that "thoughts become things" put that at the top of your list.  My favorite author on the subject is Mike Dooley.  I wish I got paid every time I promote him, but I don't; I'm simply an avid fan.

That said, and knowing that nothing lasts for ever, note that on the 24th Mars goes retrograde, something which occurs roughly every two years.  Mars is the zodiacal motivator so you may notice a drop in your energy and drive at that time.  It may also coincide with a crisis or frustration of some description which is likely to relate to your 4th house and thus your home environment, cultural roots, or one or more memory, particularly if it comprises something unpleasant which has heretofore been unresolved.  Since Mars is the traditional ruler of Scorpio, this could also show up in your 11th house of groups, organizations, friends and goals.  Given that Mars is actually transiting fellow Earth Sign, Virgo, this is where things are actually most likely to turn up.  Virgo is your natural 9th house which includes higher learning, legal matters, beliefs & expectations, religion, politics, your philosophy of life, other cultures, and travel to unfamiliar places.  And since our lives are not nearly as compartmentalized as we Cappies would like, it will probably reverberate through all those areas anyway. So isn't that nice?  You just get a list going of what your goals are for the year and then they grind to a screeching halt.  Maybe, maybe not. 

In the infinite wisdom of the Universe retrograde planets perform a very useful function.  At this time their energy is internalized driving us to contemplation, usually at the unconscious level.  During the cycle this part of us will be ruminating on something that requires it that we may not even be aware of at the sentient level.  Then about the time that the retrograde planet opposes the Sun we may have a flash of insight into what is going on as our unconscious and conscious minds merge in what can be a very effective pow-wow.  This pulls in the polar sign from where Mars is, i.e. Pisces, your 3rd house of thoughts, ideas, siblings, neighbors, and local travel which comprises your daily commute and errands.  Polar houses, or those which oppose each other across the zodiac, always have a subtle connection.  In this case, taking two basics from each house, it's easy to see how your thoughts and ideas ultimately evolve into a belief system or your philosophy of life.  This retrograde cycle may bring a conflict between these two areas to your attention.  Awareness is likely to come around March 4, when the Sun-Mars opposition is at its peak. 

Mars typically spends about a month in each sign but when he goes retrograde this stay is greatly extended.  In this case he will be in Virgo until the 4th of July!  Thus, he is giving you plenty of time to get this all figured out, which will probably occur around the time he reaches the position where he went retrograde, which will be right around the Summer Solstice.  The planets move at their own speed and so do the processes their energies stimulate so your best bet is to go with the flow.  However, an awareness of what the lesson may be often helps in not only synthesizing the information but most importantly, not fighting against it.

Just a note to those of you with birthdays between December 29 - 31, you probably are already acutely aware that Pluto is parked on your natal Sun.  Pluto transits are usually rather intense so you are probably feeling rather put upon.  As a fellow Cappy who has experienced Pluto for the past few years, the first analogy that comes to mind is that of a colonoscopy, which I have also experienced numerous times.  Those of you who are in the throes of it or been there, done that and got the T-shirt, know what I mean.  The rest of you, brace yourself, your time will come.  I recommend the book "Alive and Well with Pluto" by Bil Tierney who explains things very well and certainly in vaster detail than I could address here.  However, reading it in advance really doesn't help that much.  The whole point of a Pluto transit is to dredge up old stuff which has not been resolved because you buried it.  Thus, if it's buried you're not likely to be aware of it, eh?  However, reading the book after the fact is very helpful.  If nothing else, rest assured that this, too, shall pass.  And I won't even go there with the colonoscopy analogy.

The Full Moon on January 9 is in your polar sign, Cancer, and will be right in your headlights if your birthday is within a day or so of that day.  And guess what?  That also means it will be part of your solar return and thus in effect for the entire year.  A Full Moon is at its peak of reflecting the light of the Sun which in this case reflects on you personally, while the Moon, being in the 7th house of close relationships, is reflecting that light back at you.  In other words, the close relationships in your life will be staring you in the face.  Any problems with these individuals could be a reflection of yourself.  Thus, expect an emphasis on relationships in the coming year, particularly those of you born January 9, give or take a day.  For other Cappies it will be of the usual duration and last until the next one.

The New Moon on January 23 is in Aquarius, your 2nd house of income, finances, possessions, self-worth, needs and pleasures.  As always the New Moon is an excellent time to start a new endeavor associated with the house in which it occurs.  The New Moon is at the apex of a T-square, however, which is also worth noting.  But let me also mention that at this time Mercury is on your natal Sun if your birthday is right around January 13 and trining Mars.  This is the day before Mars goes retrograde so he is stationing and thus very powerful.  Thus, there is likely to be a connection between this New Moon and Mars so give that some thought as well.  As far as the T-square is concerned, the planets involved include your sign ruler, Saturn, who is exalted in Libra, and Jupiter who's in Taurus.  (For those of you who know a little about astrology you may have noticed that Libra and Taurus are not polar signs and thus not usually considered in opposition.  However, Saturn is in the late degrees of Libra and Jupiter in the early degrees of Taurus so they are nonetheless in orb.) 

Saturn in Libra is a good thing, where his malefic energy is typically less apparent.  Rather, the positive traits come out such as discipline, responsibility and organizational skills which will be manifested through fellow Cardinal Sign, Libra, your 10th house of career, reputation, status and public image.  He is also accidentally dignified in this sign for you as the natural ruler of Capricorn which is the zodiacal 10th house.  Jupiter, a natural benefic who seldom does harm, is in Taurus, your 5th house of creativity, children, romance, entertainment, ego expression and speculation.  An opposition can be a tug-o-war or a point/counter-point situation.  Thus, look for a dialog of some sort which is hopefully friendly and involves your status and something in your 5th house.  Once you figure out what that happens to be, then figure out how it affects your 2nd house.  A T-square is typically a bit stressful and represents conflicts between these different parts of your life.  The New Moon suggests that this is something new.  However, these kinds of conflicts are what motivate you to action.  With Mars stationing, you may have to go through a period of where you are redefining something related to your thoughts and how they affect your beliefs before you can move forward.  Or perhaps this conflict associated with the New Moon will actually reveal or at least throw a significant hint regarding what Mars' mission is.  Give it some thought and see what you come up with.

Neptune is tied into Saturn and Jupiter as well, but in an aspect pattern known as a Triangle of Potential.  With Neptune at the apex the implication is that he can mediate the opposition.  Neptune is all about enlightenment which will be reflected in your 2nd house of income and so forth as defined earlier.  Thus, if you seek inspiration with regard to whatever dilemma you may be facing it stands a good chance of taking you by the hand and revealing where to go from here.

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What will 2012 bring? 

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