January 2009 Astrocast

Key Events:  

Full Moon in Cancer:  January 11, 2009

New Moon in Aquarius: January 26, 2009

Retrograde Planets: 

Saturn:  December 31, 2008 - May 16, 2009

Mercury:  January 11 - February 1, 2009

Long-Term Aspects

I assume, hopefully correctly, that most of the people who read these horoscopes not only are looking for some insight into what’s happening in their lives but also want to learn a little bit about astrology and how it works.  Thus, it follows that you won’t mind a little astrological tutoring from time to time as I explain what planet is doing what and where, which is how astrologers come up with their predictions.  It’s much more of a science and art than most people realize; we don’t just conjure this stuff up out of thin air, though granted, air is mighty thin out there in space where the planets and asteroids reside.  So, without further ado, let’s see what’s going on out there as the New Year starts.

Pisces’ is ruled by Neptune, whose slow movement is only exceeded by Pluto and various asteroids such as Sedna (whom I’ll talk about next month being as most people have never heard of her).  Neptune is currently in Aquarius, which is your 12^th House of dreams, inspiration, transcendence and hidden enemies.  The 12^th House is home ground for Pisces as the zodiacal 12^th House, making this an important and comfortable place for you.  [NOTE:--If you’re confused about Houses, that’s understandable because they’re not static, but shift around depending on various factors.  For more detailed information, see our Houses page, but the Readers Digest version is that Pisces is the zodiacal 12^th House; the 12^th House for Pisces using Sun Sign astrology, which is what I use here, is Aquarius; and the 12^th House on your personal Natal Chart is going to depend on your Ascendant, which defines your 1^st House.  There is a plethora of different House systems that is mind boggling, even to astrologers, so I won’t even go there.  But hopefully that helps a little. 

So, moving right along, for the purposes of these horoscopes Neptune is in your 12^th House and will be until April 2011, when he enters Pisces (putting him in your 1^st House).  That will last until August 2011 when he returns to Aquarius due to retrograde motion.  He comes back to Pisces to stay in February 2012 and will be there until April 2025.  Needless to stay, that’s a ways out there, so we’ll deal with that when the time comes.  Neptune in your 12^th House will be quite comfortable for you.  As a rule, Pisces thrive on experiences and events that take them where they haven’t been before. 

I’m not talking about geographical places, but mental and spiritual places, though of course foreign cultures can provide that kind of stimulation for some.  The word is transcendence.  Some Pisces find it through adrenaline rushes such as extreme sports or high-risk jobs; others through living in a fantasy world they find through movies or other forms of fiction; for some, drugs and alcohol; and others, spiritual experiences found through religious involvement, meditation, and so forth.  The main point is to escape the mundane and find something beyond the hum-drum existence of normal life.  Sometimes you can tolerate it and sometimes you can’t.  This month if you’re a Pisces whose birthday lies between March 12 – 15 it’s going to be a big “can’t.”  You’ll be restless and dissatisfied, but may not know why.  You need a break, a glimpse of something beyond your normal existence.  Acknowledge it and find it in a socially acceptable, non-destructive way.  This is a need instilled in you by the Universe and cannot be denied.  Seek and ye shall find.  (Those with an Ascendant between 21:00 – 24:00 Pisces will encounter the same thing.  If you don’t know your Ascendant, send Whobeda your birth information and she’ll send you a free birth chart.  Your time of birth is required to determine the Ascendant, as that is determined by what Sign was on the eastern horizon when you were born.)  During the month as the faster moving, inner planets make aspects to Neptune you’ll find various hints regarding what you should be looking for.  These will be identified below.

Another long-term aspect is Pluto, who slipped into your 11^th House of friends, coworkers, group associations, and hopes and wishes in late November.  He’ll be hanging out there for a long time, i.e. November 2024, so between now and then he’ll be doing some major house-cleaning and remodeling on this part of your life.  All dirt and secrets will be exposed during this time as it goes through a complete transformation.  No hurry, obviously, but as events transpired that point in this direction you’ll at least know what it is, i.e. Pluto, the zodiacal roto-rooter.

Saturn is currently grinding away on your one-on-one relationships, particularly between now and mid-May while he’s retrograde.  Saturn is all about responsibilities, obligations, delays, and authority, which are obviously issues that affect relationships.  Thus, these are going to be something you need to identify during that time.  By the time he returns to direct motion on May 16 you’ll have the problems at least defined, after which you can move toward resolving them in one way or another.  During January and February, Uranus is in opposition to Saturn, stirring things up with unexpected events, surprises, and disruptions which will help identify where some of these problem areas lie.  Uranus is in Pisces so if your birthday is between March 9 – 12 he will contact your Natal Sun during this time and you’re likely to really see some serious action you won’t be able to ignore.  Things are likely to be crazy this month and next, so brace yourself.  More than ever you’ll need to find a way to deal with the stress, so remember what I said about Neptune and find some means for responsible escape, even if it’s no more than “Take me away, Calgon” in a warm tub accompanied by soft music, candlelight and incense.  During this month the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter are also in your 11^th and/or 12^th Houses, so the majority of action is going to be related to those parts of your life.  Knowing and understanding what is stirring all of this up should help.  Hopefully!

As if that’s not enough to think about, note that Mercury goes retrograde this month between January 11 – February 1.  This is a favorable time to re-think, re-plan, edit, and reconsider things or make repairs of all descriptions.  It’s an unfavorable time to buy anything electronic or mechanical or try to move forward with a new idea.

Daily and Short-term Aspects

[For missing days refer to the Daily Astrocast.  Aspects delineated below have a one day window, give or take a day.]

January 2:  Mercury is teasing Pluto today, which will start stirring things up regarding your friends, coworkers, or any group affiliations you maintain.  Doubts, suspicions, or finding something out that’s been hidden in the past is likely.  Give some serious consideration to whether these people or this organization is serving your needs or whether it’s strictly vice versa.  Do you need them or not?  Or do they need you, which makes you feel important? If the latter, is it worth it?

January 4:  Today one of your friends or those same groups may be just what you need to give yourself a much-needed break.  Think positive.

January 5:  Unexpected annoyances of either a physical or mental variety are out there today.  Keep your mantra handy.

January 6:  Someone is going to get in your face today in one way or another and disturb your peace and tranquility that you’re trying so hard to maintain.  Keep your mantra handy today along with some good music and your headphones.  Try to avoid the Happy Hour solution, except maybe as a last resort.

January 8:  Thoughts and insights will come your way today specifically regarding your relationship with someone close to you.  They’ll probably be irritating in some way.  Rather than being angry or defensive, seek to understand where the other person is coming from.  If they’re being unreasonable, tell them.

January 9:  An opportunity will come your way out of the blue today relative to one of those group associations.  It will be a good thing so give it serious consideration.

January 10:  Don’t be too hard on yourself or slip into martyr-mode, particularly if it has to do with money or your appearance. No one’s perfect.  Mantra time again.  H-u-u-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m...

January 11:  Full Moon today in your 5^th House of children, lovers, creativity, entertainment and speculation, indicating a culmination in one of these areas.  You’ll either finish something or enter a new phase.  Mercury goes retrograde today, so moving forward with your plans to escape go on hold while you reconsider.  Those group associations or friends are going to shine some light on those relationship issues, so listen with an open mind and heart.

January 12:  Maybe finding Nirvana isn’t going to happen until you sever some ties, either to coworkers who bring you down or organizations that keep you too occupied to pursue the path.  If you keep on doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep on getting what you’ve always got.  Hints are out there.  What needs to change?

January 15:  Close relationships are under scrutiny again today.  Rethink the situation from a different angle and/or level.  Is it him/her or is it you?

January 17:  A surprising revelation is coming your way.  Take time to listen carefully.  Meditating is even better.

January 18:  A big revelation, perhaps building on that breakthrough yesterday, is out there for the asking.  The answer is out there, it’s just a matter of how far.

January 19:  The Sun goes into Aquarius today, bringing more light to that path to Nirvana.  Give some more thought to those groups associations or coworkers and what needs to change.  Find something to change about yourself to improve your self-image.

January 20:  A brilliant flash regarding what needs to be reworked or repaired is out there, so listen carefully.  Meditating is good for this as well, though it might be so blatant you couldn’t miss it if you tried.

January 21:  Being too self-centered or conceited is likely today and may cause you to take a step backwards if you’re not careful.  You’re probably not going to save the world, so don’t make promises you can’t keep, even to yourself. 

January 22:  Throwing yourself into some group interactions will bring a pleasant surprise today.  Get in there and make a difference.

January 23:  Something unexpected such as some positive recognition or other personal benefit is out there.  Others will see you in a very positive light today, so exploit it.

January 24:  This will be a busy, eventful day with lots of things going on.  Getting a good glimpse or maybe even a brief excursion to Nirvana is on the agenda, so bring along your camera, either literally or figuratively, to capture the image.  Throwing yourself into your group activities may start some flack in your relationships, but this will help you understand those issues in that area that Saturn is trying to bring to your attention.  If you’re getting too much attention or are perceived in a very positive light, it may be creating jealousy or insecurities with those around you.  Also consider carefully whether you tend to be a bit conceited and expect more than you give; good relationships are based on an even exchange.  Your groupies may think you walk on water but those who know you well may think you’re covered with mud.  Think about it and if the shoe fits, wear it.  If you want to change your world, change yourself first.

January 26:  New Moon today in your 12^th House.  This may be just the help you need to find your true path, particularly if you figured out a few things yesterday.  Those relationship issues are as uncomfortable as ever; again, is it him/her or you?  Solving a problem at work will bring you some positive attention and make you feel good.  Perhaps that group involvement is more beneficial than you thought.  Nothing worth having comes without effort, so maybe you’re getting back more for your hard work than you realized.

January 27:  Whatever needs to be reworked on the job or in some other group will get your attention like a firecracker today.  This will once again throw a roadblock between you and Nirvana.  This will take you by surprise, but shouldn’t.  Look again, maybe it’s actually showing you another path.  Then again, maybe not.  Your call.

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