New Years Eve

The end of 2009 features a Full Moon partial lunar eclipse in the sign of Cancer at 19:12 Universal Time.

This Christmas holiday season has been rather a potent one for many - strong aspects all around ending with this eclipse.  The Full Moon is a time of culmination and fullness.  As a partial eclipse this is enhanced somewhat and promises to be an eventful evening for many.  In Cancer, powerful feelings could emerge - a time when we may be introduced to our shadow natures - we may bring them forth ourselves or meet them in the disguise of others during the evening.  It may feel rather like a rug being pulled from under us - the rug symbolising the place we go back to - our comfort zone.  We therefore may encounter situations where we are out of our zone and irrationality could ensue.

With a plethora of planets in Capricorn all opposing this Cancer Moon eclipse (these being Pluto, Venus and Mercury) the light shines on our pleasure and desire natures and the wish to extend them - to project these values in the glare of transformation - to release, to communicate this 'fullness' and potency and ultimately to find some peace within it.  It may be a time of endings, which of course in themselves are times of beginnings.

Hotspots for all this energy are family and relationships.  In family scenarios the question of control and authority may arise, but of course the real questions we need to be mindful of at this time are tuning into our own sense of authority and emotional condition.  Similarly with relationships, a desire to 'let go' and release perceived restrictions should cause us to question how we hold ourselves back from relating.

A time of astrological oppositions and squares such as this might feel like straddling a boat that is tipping back and forth; the boat being a metaphor for the dynamic of emotional release/control.

Considering the nature of New Years Eve it would be wise to go forth with caution on this evening - especially in large crowds, and to watch our consumption of alcohol.  A perfect way to spend it might be in intimate settings, perhaps with loved ones, family and close friends.  A place where intimacy with people we know and trust can illuminate the end of 2009 and bring light into a new year.

Picture copyright Ibon San Martin

The Business Plan

Mercury went into retrograde motion on December 26th where it will backtrack through the sign, stationing direct again on January 15th 2010.

Mercury moved into Capricorn on December 5th marking a period of 'quid pro quo' - crystallising thinking and talking over deals and agreements.  The previous Mercury retrograde period was in September in Virgo.  That period was concerned with the craft of our communications and how we go about it; helping us streamline, make ourselves more efficient and evaluating whether our routines served us.

In Capricorn this retrograde theme is similar, it is earth bound and concerned with practical detail.  It is a time to double check figures, rethink and rework plans and work through the fine details and small print.  In relationships we may like to assess the level of give and take.  In work we might be inclined to think of our projects and commitments.  Capricorn is a target oriented sign and this period of review is perfect for setting our sights - what we work on now will take form and be presented.  Mars is also retrograde which further accentuates review of all kinds - this is NOT a stage to sign important communications.

Mercury stations into direct motion on January 15th at the time of a solar eclipse and is conjunct Pluto - we might receive a powerful and transformative communication breakthrough (or breakdown) at that time.  The ground work laid now will pay dividends.

Picture copyright Laura Levell

The Marble Statue

Venus moved into Capricorn on December 25th where she will stay until 18th January.

Joining the Sun, Mercury, Pluto and the Moons North Node in Capricorn, this ingress brings a mutual reception with Saturn in Libra.  This amplifies themes of relationship and relating in general, transforming finance and our goals and plans.  The framework is one of securing ourselves whilst retaining emotional and familial ties and expression with others within the confines of relationship - both in love and in business.

This then might be a period for 'doing the math' or 'trimming the verge'.  Getting serious with partnerships and making commitments, or alternatively dropping them if they do not fit how we wish to represent our lives.  This is also the best period for assessing our financial situations, pruning excess or planning for future expenses.

Venus in Capricorn is rather like a marble statue, beautifully crafted, smooth and with no rough edges.  It is a creative statement of form, boundaries and structure.  Like the Venus de Milo we now have the opportunity to shape and craft our futures.

Picture copyright Marcio Duarte

The Mountain Goat

The Sun moves into the sign of Capricorn today at 17:46 UT joining Mercury and soon to be followed by Venus on Christmas Day.

Capricorn represents one of the 4 angles in the horoscope (along with Aries, Libra and Cancer) and is a cardinal sign - it begins things and marks the beginning of the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere.  Ruled by the planet Saturn, Capricorn is concerned with public presentation - it is austere, businesslike, organised and practical - there is a tendency to be very serious about how they portray themselves.

The Capricorn mountain goat stands at the top of the chart rather precariously.  Sure footed and adept, Capricorn fears the drop into the abyss below - this drop leads them into the watery emotional depths of Cancer and is hence very self protective - if you really know a Capricorn you are very fortunate indeed as they do not give themselves away easily.

Capricorn is an authority - a figure of authority in a chart (often represented by the father figure) and much like Cancer with their mother - there is a strong father dynamic often at work with this sign.  This parental axis shows itself in the businesslike manner - a need for assertion (but not aggressive) and detachment.  The detachment and sure footed nature can show itself as a wonderfully black or dark sense of humour - as if they know the position they are in, understand it could all be lost at any moment and the sense of irony/fear produces humour.

But, not everything is bleak.  This sign is a fabulous organiser - practical, very hard working, refined, direct but not overly forceful - they can make strong allies with their strong sense of commitment and dedication.

The Sun is in Capricorn until 20th January so this period is perfect for attending to details, plans and work - anything that requires patience, dedication and sure footedness!

Picture copyright Salatrixx

Platform 9 and 3/4

Jupiter and Neptune come together in Aquarius on December 21st at 08:50 UT.  These two, along with Chiron have formed the triple conjunction whose essence has been with us most of this year.  This energy is slowly dispersing with this conjunction and Neptune and Chiron in late February 2010.

This alignment has brought social cohesion and a desire to connect with others of like mind.  In Aquarius this has been evident through the bubble of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.  It has also been involved in the political sphere - the credit crunch and other scandals have been 'rounded on' by the collective - demanding a more just, fairer, open style of politics.

Jupiter and Neptune in Aquarius are about big idealisms.  It is an aspect that has huge faith and large open arms - it is open minded and broadminded.  It is romantic - it has big dreams.  As 2/3 of the triple conjunction these two planets have led us to question where we are and envision a brighter and better future - one that encompasses ourselves into a bigger picture - that surrounds, protects and connects us.  It is a utopian ideal. 

This then is the aspect of the 'Great Believer'.  But it is also the aspect of the 'Great Deceiver'.  If envisioning a better future is the great gift here, then being hopelessly deluded and deceived is the curse.  We must be mindful of that as we take our plans forward.  Are we being suckered or are we suckering ourselves?  Is this just some silly pipe dream or can this idea really take shape and form?

For Harry Potter of course, his step involved envisioning the belief that he could walk through platform 9 and 3/4 and what lay on the other side was worthy of the leap of faith. 


Picture copyright Jenny Rollo

Mars Retrograde in Leo

Mars turns retrograde today, Sunday 20th December at 13:26 Universal Time where it will traverse back through the sign of Leo until March 9th 2010.

This is a period to consider our manner of expression - how we act and a time to re-express an intent.  This is also a nice time to 're-energise'; not by any outer method, but rather by stockpiling, by building up an inner core of energy and vision - a chance to repair, redo.  Taking definitive action on an outer level is not the meaning of the time - taking action on an inner level is.

Getting in touch with our creativity again is well starred, particularly if it may have dwindled of late - repairing relationships with children and becoming in tune with our own 'inner child' - questions such as what drives you? What makes you feel alive? How do I express my will and intent? are all valid ways of using this time.

As mentioned this is not generally a fortunate time to take definitive action, particularly with areas of importance.  It is perhaps a time when repressed anger might surface and powerful forces may get re-activated (particularly around the station points - today and in March).  We may receive less attention at this time - there might be a re-focusing of group activities such as our involvements in the workplace, or our hobbies and social involvements which might leave us 'in the shade' somewhat.

Mars last went retrograde through Leo from January to March 1995 and it might prove useful to look back at that period - it may in some way parallel what might be ahead for the next few months.  On a mundane level an excellent article has been written on Mars Retrograde cycles at the Political Astrology blog concerning involvement in conflicts and wars at these times and is well worth a read.

So...for three months it might be best to consider that Mars is in your hand.  The time is asking you to bring him close into yourself and to learn what makes him, and you tick.

Picture copyright Karl Mooney

Let our hair down

Wednesday 16 December brings a New Moon in Sagittarius at 12:02 UT.  A New Moon is when the Sun and the Moon are conjunct and is a time of coalescence of inner and outer energy - the shining light and the receptive.  It is a time of planting seeds and beginning projects.  In Sagittarius themes of optimism, largesse, faith, fun, learning and socialising with others from different backgrounds are to the fore.  As Christmas is upon us this very nicely starts the party season!

This particular New Moon is quite nicely aspected.  Venus is in the picture bringing harmony and grace and Mars is also nicely aligned painting a picture of creativity and motion.  It also Sextiles the Aquarius triple conjunction which bodes well for connecting with others and with Neptune involved - romance might not be far from the agenda.

The Sabian Symbol this time around is 'A chubby little rich boy rides upon a hobbyhorse'.  This conjurs the image of a child who is having fun, playing and enjoying himself without really getting very far.  So...take the opportunity while the sky paints this picture for us, have fun, let your hair down, mingle and enjoy the company of others - for no other reason than it feels good to do so.  It might not last for ever so enjoy it while you can.

Picture copyright Charlotte Na

The Heroes Quest

Astrology horoscopes in magazines and newspapers are usually based upon a persons 'Star sign' or more accurately, 'Sun sign' with the premise that this is what and who you are.  The assumption is that we arrive into our Sun sign, its nuances fully integrated into our psyche when we are born - we arrive!

The Sun is a luminary and as the planets orbit and make aspects it throws light upon them.  It could almost be said that the planets are the Suns children.  I've often heard Mercury described as the 'mouthpiece of the Sun' - it communicates the solar vision in a way that can be understood and assimilated by others.  This parental influence is depicted in the horoscope as the father archetype.  Aspects to the Sun speak of your paternal relationship and along with Saturn, speak of your own inner authority, the authority figures in your life and how you might relate to them and also how you may act as such a figure yourself.

This legacy shows itself in our chart patterns and in the charts of our families.  The story of Luke Skywalker and his relationship with his father Darth Vader in the Star Wars movies is a perfect illustration of solar inheritance.  The vision he receives while facing his fear in the tree of life while training (he is told you receive that which you take with you).  The profound anguish being confronted and then hurt with the truth.  The subsequent insight during his final battle in Return of the Jedi when he stares at his fathers injured hand and then his own - realising he is perpetuating the cycle.  "I'm starting to sound just like my mum and dad" is a phrase most parents utter!

The Sun and its rulership of the 5th house in the horoscope are also concerned with happiness, joy, recreation and play.  When we are young we may not show any overt characteristics of our Sun sign at all.  As character develops and we begin to mature we 'grow into it'.  This growth initially comes through play amongst other things.  Having an interest in something and exploring it.  As adults this emerges as a hobby or  pastime; something that defines what we are about and through that expression we find something that makes us tick, that illuminates our inner child.

Our Sun sign expression is in a state of becoming, it is your quest.  You are the hero and you undertake that journey throughout life, growing as you travel.

Consider your own vision, your quest.  Luke Skywalker stepped off the negative inheritance wheel and in so doing stepped into his true self - an act of such courage and vision that broke the cycle, healing not only himself but his whole family line.

Star Wars Picture Copyright Lucasfilm Ltd

Exposure

Jupiter and Chiron come together in Aquarius on Monday December 7th at 21:10 UT.  The final exact phase of the three Aquarians is now happening (as mentioned in the article titled 'Leap of Faith').  As these planets form exact conjunctions for the final time we will begin to see resolution, action for change, and in this case exposure.

Jupiter and Chiron represent fleshing out wounds - exposing pain for the healing process to occur - sucking out the poison as it were.  We may feel like taking a step away from a group, collective involvement or 'other people' with the intention to lick these wounds and in doing so may encounter a difference of opinion and ideology.  This difference we have no doubt been aware of for some time - however, on this occasion it might be vocalised and brought to the surface for examination.  Saturn currently squaring Pluto which is conjunct Mercury brings investigation and examination to our doors - serious conversations and insights may erupt bearing the flag of change and 'rooting out' disorder and chaos.

Added to this we also find Mars is in opposition to the 3 Aquarians which could find us severely tempted to get on our soapboxes, to crusade our flag of truth, our 'rightness'.  We must be careful with this energy and seek to balance out forthrightness with aggression as we could expose ourselves to further pain and injury.

The lesson here is of the development of higher philosophy, wisdom and faith.  As well as confrontation and challenge, the sky is offering us this if we choose to embrace it - and this embracement necessitates letting go, not allowing the battle without to become a battle within - have faith, hope and confidence.

Picture copyright http://outbreakmonkey.org

Quid Pro Quo

Mercury moved into Capricorn on December 5th at 17:24 UT for an extended stay until February 10th 2010.  Capricorn is a sign of status, authority, structure and realism and Mercury here denotes a serious tone to our communications.  Being guarded and careful with words, Mercury in Capricorn seeks to crystallise our thoughts in the hope that deals can be struck.  It is the position of the businessman, making a deal and watching over the detail of the small print.

Status, in the respect that making sure everything is in order and there are no 'rough edges' is important - Mercury in Capricorn will want a polished, stable and strong public image and will not appreciate disorder - there is no emotional rhythm or depth here - everything is out front - or at least, it will appear to be.  With Saturn (the ruling planet of Capricorn) currently in Libra - dealings and agreements of all kinds are highlighted and until February 'Quid Pro Quo' or 'give and take' is in order.

This unusually long stint in Capricorn is because Mercury stations retrograde on 26th December (Boxing Day) and turns direct again on 14th January.  This whole Mercury in Capricorn period could prove quite potent - the station direct coincides with a Solar Eclipse.  Mercury travels over the station direct point this Wednesday 9th December - we should watch our communications and dealings this week as the theme may be revisited at the Eclipse.

Picture copyright Jeff Hire