New Moon in Capricorn
Saturday, December 27, 4:22 am PST, 7:22 am EST
Normally, the New Moon in Capricorn spawns seeds of construction and ambition. However, with potent Pluto and pungent Mars nearby, there may be some serious cleaning up and purging required to clear the way before new projects get off the ground. Spending more time in preparation for your next major activity can be a vital step toward ensuring success. It is vital, as well, to prioritize your time and resources since serious Capricorn will reward efforts applied to an important tasks but penalize those who are easily distracted and spend their time on trivial pursuits.
Saturn Retrograde
Wednesday, December 31
Capricorn's orderly ruling planet turns backward until mid-May to act as a reminder to tie up loose ends, refine systems and gain additional training and experience before the next rush forward. While this may delay the advance of major projects, it provides opportunities to reverse damaging rules and repair weak spots for individuals and within organizations.
Mercury in Aquarius
Thursday, January 1, 1:52 am PST, 4:52 am EST
This mental planet's entry into intellectual Aquarius generally favors fresh perspectives and bright ideas. However, since Mercury will be turning retrograde in ten days think of this as a brief glimpse of the future that will require more seasoning before it's ready to serve.
Venus in Pisces
Saturday, January 3, 4:36 am PST, 7:36 am EST
Romance flourishes with loving Venus in this supersensitive sign. Acute awareness of the needs of others and a willingness to make sacrifices for their happiness creates a richer sense of communion that deepens the connections of our hearts and souls. The propensity to see the best in people may diminish discrimination in relationships and financial matters, making it important to remove those rose-colored glasses when a more objective view of reality is needed.
Jupiter in Aquarius
Monday, January 5, 7:42 am PST, 10:42 am EST
The planet of growth, optimism and philosophy's entry into progressive Aquarius supports collective interests and reinforces the power of communities. Futuristic ideas help us overcome the entrenched interests of rigid institutions that are trying to maintain their old models of operation. Problem solving comes from stepping out of the current paradigm and discovering new pathways of human expression. A spirit of hope arises when we tap into unexplored aspects of creativity that have been suppressed by those who put personal power above the common good.
Full Moon in Cancer
Saturday, January 10, 7:27 pm PST, 10:27 pm EST
This lunation marks the contrast between subjective (Cancer) and objective (Capricorn) aspects of security. The divide between emotional and material needs may not be so great now since Saturn and Uranus make harmonious angles to the Sun and Moon. They provide a framework in which the old (Saturn) and new (Uranus) both contribute to reshaping our lives in constructive ways. We are not required to choose between familiar patterns and untested ones, but will recognize how to connect the two rather than being divided by them.
Mercury Retrograde
Sunday, January 11
There will likely be less fuzzy thinking and confusion with this Mercury retrograde period than most. The challenge, though, is to slow down to assimilate the wave of fresh ideas and new information that we are presently encountering. Mercury's conjunction with Jupiter on January 18 is especially rich with concepts that will stretch our minds. Being more careful to avoid errors of understanding and miscommunication is recommended until the messenger planet begins moving forward again on February 1.
Sun in Aquarius
Monday, January 19, 2:41 pm PST, 5:41 pm EST
The Sun's entry into intellectual Aquarius picks up the progressive theme that began with Jupiter's ingress into this sign on January 5. This passage is not a 30-day wonder of brilliance that will fade when the Sun enters Pisces, but is a harbinger of an enduring cultural shift. We may tap into our individual genius that can be merged with our families, friends, colleagues and neighbors. Conscious awareness that the success of each individual contributes to wellbeing of all of us will reduce the destructive aspects of hyper competitiveness and open a new era of cooperation.
Mercury in Capricorn
Tuesday, January 20, 9:36 pm PST, Wednesday, January 21, 12:36 am EST
It should be easier to find the discipline needed to transform bright ideas into reality when Mercury re-enters practical Capricorn. A tendency to value order more than freedom, though, could inhibit creativity, so only apply the structures needed to reach a goal instead of using fear or expediency to retreat to a more rigid state of mind.
This New Moon in Capricorn is a high-powered engine of productivity that can produce extraordinary results for those committed to a conscious path of action. Balancing the drive to reach one's goals with a sense of fairness and generosity may not be easy for single-minded individuals. Achievement is most likely to come to those who recognize that their happiness is woven into the fabric of our collective wellbeing.
About the Author
Jeff Jawer is the cofounder of StarIQ.com.
