Aquarius New Moon

 The New Moon at 12° 20' Aquarius occurs just before 1am overnight, early Tuesday, February 1st. This is the start of possibilities for new connections that can help forge solid foundations What does that mean to you? Consider the nature of airy Aquarius, ruled by the ingenious planet Uranus. Air connects ideas through interactions with others, especially in scientific, technological and metaphysical realms.

   The traditional ruler of Aquarius is Saturn, the Lord of Karma who operates through commitment, hard work and perseverance to build solid and long-lasting structures. Interestingly enough, Saturn is currently at home in Aquarius and sitting alongside the Sun and Moon adding great strength  and determination to this New Moon. 

Saturn is also being challenged by Uranus, the modern ruler of Aquarius. These two co-rulers in Fixed signs, have been at it for the past year, pitting tradition and upheaval with each in a way that is growing old. What they need to do is to find a creative way to work together and create something that functions better than the outdated models that only served certain interest groups.

   I asked you above, what new possibilities and foundations you can envision. If you can accept that Saturn gives us boundaries and limitations that allow us to build within a framework containing security and focused on manifestation, and that Uranus offers the freedom to try new things while exploring different avenues of possibility, then perhaps you are ready to think outside of the box and work with this New Moon.

   Take some time today to gather your thoughts and make a list of a few things you can do to initiate a brave new beginning. Your concerns and approach will vary depending on what it is you envision for the near future. Venus' attracting power and Mars' drive are aligned in Capricorn, so if your goals are career or business oriented, you have the fuel you need to work with Saturn. This is not an opportunity you want to bypass. Focus, imagination and determination will move you steadily in the direction you want to go.

   In the ensuing weeks, remember to keep your head in the stars and your feet on the ground.

 

Mercury Retrograde & A Cancer Full Moon

    Mercury came to a standstill at 10°19' Aquarius and turned retrograde on the 14th, continuing to move in apparent backwards motion until February 4th. During this retrograde phase, Mercury re-enters Capricorn on Jan. 26th and conjuncts Pluto at  for the second time on the 28th; the first time was December 30, 2021. Once in direct motion again, Mercury will make it's third and final alignment with Pluto on February 11th. 

   What does that all mean?! Well, we know Mercury is the archetype of the mind and Pluto the archetype of transformation, so when they come together, we have a strong desire to get to the bottom of things. Sometimes, that involves doing methodical research or asking probing questions. In Capricorn, it has to do with authority, business or career concerns. Utilize this next few weeks to scrutinize your plans, fill in the gaps and/or ask the hard questions before you set anything in stone.

   From a broader perspective, it has long been apparent that since Pluto entered Capricorn on January 27, 2008, traditional structures have been decaying worldwide. In the US, we have been dealing with issues around finance, housing and a breakdown in our system of democracy. The US is having it's Pluto return and the power grab for our Republic is in full swing!

   The Full Moon on the 17th of January at 27° 52' of Cancer, highlights the opposition of emotions and practicality, not just opposing the Sun in Capricorn, but intense Pluto as well. Conflicts can result in relationship issues, especially if there are hurt feelings. Resolution comes through flexibility and changing how we view the situation. 

   Neptune lends a helping hand with a compassionate approach to the Cancer(feeling) Moon. Being sensitive to the needs of everyone involved, and what they may be going through, can ease up on a potentially volatile situation. Creativity and intuition are useful tools at this Full Moon, giving you leeway to funnel your efforts into an artistic or spiritual direction. The Ascendant sign for this chart is Leo and Leo wants us to have some fun, or at least schedule some downtime or enjoyment into our lives.

   Doing what needs to be done, then making time for yourself is what Saturn in Aquarius, the ruler of Capricorn, is asking us to consider. There are want-tos and have-tos... take care of the have-tos first and the want-tos will come easy. Remember to keep your head in the stars and your feet on the ground.

New Moon in Capricorn January 2022

    Welcome to the New Year and a New Moon in Capricorn! The Sun and Moon meet at 12° Capricorn 20' in the 8th House of the chart for the New Moon at 1:33pm EST, putting emphasis on the need for pragmatism and responsibility, especially in matters of joint resources, creative projects and financial ventures. Because this is the start of the year, whatever you want to accomplish begins here... now... so if you haven't already done it, today would be a good time to write your Capricorn New Moon Wish list. Take some time organizing your thoughts, then write down 5 to 10 practical steps for the year ahead that you can start to take beginning after the New Moon. 

This is the time to focus on what you want to achieve whether personally or professionally. It may involve some kind of legacy related to your parents that you are tasked with managing or sharing with the world. You may be thinking of your own legacy and what you want to leave for future generations. Whatever you are serious about achieving  for yourself, you want to work on building the foundation now. With the Sun, Venus and Pluto all in hard-working Capricorn, be specific as well as concise.

 Mercury moves into Aquarius today as well, so use all the technological resources and connections available to brainstorm and gather new information. A trine aspect from the Sun and Moon to independent Uranus in Taurus lends a helping hand as it asks you to work with your unique ideas, while giving you the freedom to envision your future in a new and exciting way. Use this opportunity to think outside the box and structure steps to creating your individual reality, the one that reflects what you want to see. Hope is on the horizon.

   Venus is retrograde in Capricorn until January 29th and even after she turns direct, she'll be retracing her steps right through to the beginning of March. This is a time of asking the important questions around money matters and making adjustments to your budget as necessary. But Venus also rules love, so this is an ideal time to focus on what is needed in your personal relationships. If there's an imbalance of harmony or issues of power and control, these two months are devoted to finding some resolution. If another party isn't willing to do their work to meet you partway, then this may the point of parting ways. 

   We are still feeling the effects of the three Saturn/Uranus squares in 2021, the last one culminating on Christmas Eve. Changes to the status quo in government and financial institutions, the pandemic, and massive weather changes resulting from the rapid pace of global warming are issues that aren't going away too soon. Yes, Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius last year helped with new and effective scientific measures that are beginning to get a handle on the virus, but it is likely to be another year before it is consistently applied worldwide. Severe weather patterns are a big problem that are only going to get worse and are reflected in a combination of  Uranus in Taurus and Neptune in Pisces aspects. Unfortunately, it will probably take more catastrophic events for world leaders to finally make headway in lessening the causes of these serious problems.

   However, Jupiter and Neptune in Pisces give me hope for the realization that we are all one planet, even though those realizations come at a cost. Raising awareness, consciousness and the compassionate vibration on the Earth... for the Earth, her atmosphere, the air we breathe and the water we drink and all her inhabitants is the only way forward. We have our work cut out for us and change is in the air.

Remember to keep your head in the stars and your feet on the ground.