January 2014 Astrocast

Key Events:  

New Moon (10:57 Capricorn): 1 January 2014 (11:15 GMT)

Full Moon (15:58 Cancer): 16 January 2014 (04:53 GMT)

New Moon (10:55 Aquarius): 30 January 2014 (21:40 GMT)

Retrograde Planets: 

Venus (28:58 Capricorn - 13:37 Capricorn): 21 December 2013 - 30 January 2014

(Shadow until 5 March 2014)

Uranus (12:31 - 8:35 Aries): 17 July - 17 December 2013

(Shadow until 3 April 2014)

Jupiter (20:30 - 10:26 Cancer): 7 November 2013 - 6 March 2014

(Shadow until 2 June 2014)

Pluto (11:35 Capricorn - 08:59 Capricorn): 12 April - 19 September 2013

(Shadow until 10 January 2014)

Neptune (05:22 - 02:34 Pisces): 7 June - 13 November 2013

(Shadow until 5 March 2014)

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

The New Year begins with a cosmic bang on January 1st with a New Moon in Capricorn that involves not only the Sun and Moon but five planets which combine to form a Cardinal Grand Square.  If the chart for the December 2012 solstice had looked like this one, which you can see at the link near the top of the page, I would have been seriously worried.  Fortunately, this is a generic New Moon, NOT an eclipse which would have more staying power, and is actually occurring on a day that essentially means nothing to the Universe since the date, thought meaningful to us, is based on the ego and whims of ancient Roman emperors rather than the relationship between the Earth, Sun and Moon.  The Cardinal Grand Square is likely to be most troublesome for those born under Cardinal signs such as Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.  The other signs have some advantages in that what may appear hostile in the lunation chart get mitigated to softer aspects when compared to their Natal Sun.  For example, if you're a Pisces born right around March 1 your natal Sun forms a sextile with the lunation which suggests an opportunity.  Nonetheless there's some interesting and complex energies in play that bear close examination.

The lunation itself is accompanied by both Mercury and Pluto who are conjunct the Sun/Moon pair.  I'm not talking about a wide conjunction, either, but at most only two degrees for Mercury and less than a half degree for Pluto.  Thus, their energy is also being projected and concentrated in Capricorn, your 11th house of goals, friends, organizations, group activities, networking, hopes and wishes.  Mercury is the natural ruler of communications, information, thoughts and ideas, suggesting your friends or group associations may be the source of something in this area.  Pluto is the natural ruler of transformations, control, power, elimination, corruption and its exposure but also healing as corruption is purged.  Needless to say that gives this lunation quartet some interesting potential.  Also note that Venus is still retrograde in that same sign and house which typically relates to identifying what you value and need most.  She also becomes the warrior goddess who will go after it with a vengeance.  This could be serving as background music to everything else going on, where it's really about finding what's most important to your happiness.

The lunation quartet, however, is but part of the story due to the Cardinal Grand Square.  For one thing, Cardinal signs have a strong propensity to action and thus likely to put something into action.  Uranus in Aries, your 2nd house of income, finances, possessions, needs, comforts, pleasure and what you value, including your physical body, has probably been stirring up a variety of upsets, disturbances and other surprises for the last year or so.  Then consider that he's in square aspect with the Sun, Moon et al in your house of friends and goals.  This has the potential for surprise expenses or requests for loans, for example.  Uranus is opposed by Mars in Libra, your 8th house of transformations, sex, death and rebirth, shared resources, things you suppress, debt and intense, life-changing experiences.  Mars in the 8th bears watching as it is since it can predispose you to accidents, though perhaps not as much as having him there natally.  Nonetheless, when you think of this opposition in simple terms such as unexpected expenses due to 8th house matters it likewise isn't exactly friendly.  This is probably not a good time to make a major purchase, especially on credit.  Mars is also square the lunation quartet, also suggesting impact or additional challenges related to achieving your goals.

The final member of the Grand Square is Jupiter who's retrograde in fellow Water sign, Cancer, your 5th house of ego definition, creativity, children, romance, entertainment and speculation which is sometimes considered the "fun house."  Jupiter, which is expansive by nature, considered benefic and you traditional sign ruler, is possibly the only friend you've got out there in an astrological sense.  Being retrograde internalizes his energy and often makes him quite introspective with regard to philosophical issues.  This is a transit that contributes to further defining who and what you are and seeing yourself more clearly.  The implications with this tied into those other planets suggests that you may not see yourself clearly if you're currently besieged by trouble of one sort or another.  This, of course, is bullsh*t.  Sorry, but I want to get your attention on this one.  Trials and difficulties do not mean you're a bad or inferior person.  How you value yourself cannot be based on such things but must spring from within.  Numerous trials can certainly erode your confidence and it's usually a good idea to confront what your part was in bringing them into your life, but don't let it demean your self-esteem.  If you messed up, then correct it and move on.  I know that's easier said than done, especially for a sensitive soul, but do all you can to build yourself up.

Jupiter is trining Saturn in fellow Water sign, Scorpio, your 9th house of beliefs, expectations, higher learning, other cultures, long-distance travel, legal matters and relocation.  Saturn is all about building, organization, responsibility and yes, even karma.  Maybe your philosophy of life needs a few repairs and strenthening.  When combined with Jupiter this can help you develop a stronger framework to support you when things get rough.  Even if you got yourself where you are it doesn't mean self-flagellation is in order, only recognizing how you got there and avoiding it in the future.

The Full Moon on January 15 is also in Cancer, suggesting an ending, culmination or shift to a new phase which can help you leave that part of you behind that you may not approve of.  The Full Moon also aspects Saturn in a favorable way that reinforces rebuilding your belief system to be more supportive and positive.  Mercury has moved into your 12th house of inspiration, spirituality, enlightenment, seclusion, confinement, institutions, hidden enemies and self-undoing which can open upon communications with your subconscious and enhance your ability to access your higher self.  Mercury is sextile Uranus in your 2nd house of what you value which can bring opportunities there as well.  Challenges are still out there but so are some guideposts.  Venus is still retrograde and squaring Mars which suggests some of your goals or friends may be contingent on personal transformation.  Ask yourself what is holding you back?

This month has a second New Moon, thanks to our honked up calendar which is based on the whims and ego of ancient Roman emperors as opposed to celestial mechanics and the Earth's relationship to the Sun and Moon.  It occurs in your 12th house, Aquarius, and can bring new insights, particularly if you make an effort to seek them out.  The quincunx from the lunation to Jupiter suggests a change of direction is possible, but it's going to require effort, mostly because you'll have to overcome resistance from the conjunction between Pluto and Venus that may tie you too much to the past.  This could also be related to a confidence crisis and self-doubt related to achieving your goals.  Be sure to find time for contemplation during this lunation, which occurs on January 30, and connect with that invisible cosmic lifeline that will help you conquer any foe, including when it comes from negative self-talk.

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