January 2012 Astrocast

Key Events:  

Full Moon (18:26 Cancer): 9 January 2012

New Moon (02:42 Aquarius): 23 January 2011

Retrograde Planets: 

Mars (23:05 Virgo - 03:41 Virgo):  24 January 2012 - 14 April 2012

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 all of the known planets proceeding along their orbits in forward motion, something Virgos can appreciate, I'm sure.  That way their energies are expressed clearly and openly through the filter of the sign they're traversing, allowing us to proceed accordingly.  However, on January 24 Mars messes things up by going retrograde, something which only occurs about every two years.  Actually two years and two months.  (Forgive me, for a moment I forgot I was talking to detail-oriented Virgo.  Most the other signs wouldn't give a flip.)  Since this doesn't happen every year like most of the other planets it has more significance.  It's not something we get used to like the other outer planets.  Furthermore, Mars is what provides our drive and motivation, which is going to drop off a cliff as well as his energy goes subterranean and starts working on your unconscious.  Mars' usual stay in a sign is a little over a month but guess what?  He's going to be in your sign for nearly 8 months thanks to this retrograde cycle. 

One more thing, given that you're detail-oriented.  If your birthday lies between August 26 - September 18 then Mars is going to make a triple pass over your natal Sun.  One will have already occurred by the 24th.  Then there will be one in retrograde and then a final one when he goes direct again.  This back-tracking is of course the reason he'll be in your sign for so long.  When conjunct your natal Sun you are likely to feel it for a few days.  You may be or perceived to be more aggressive than usual.  Mars in Virgo tends to make breakdowns or malfunctions more annoying than usual, also.  You may as well accept the fact that over the next few months you are likely to be more irritable and cranky than usual so you should warn your close friends and family accordingly.  You are already fairly self-critical and this transit can make it worse.  Make an effort not to beat yourself up, okay?

For the week or so before Mars stations and reverses you are likely to encounter a nice burst of energy and motivation.  Since this is right after the start of a new year you will probably take a close look at your goals and the steps to get there, writing them down then if not before.  Actually, New Years' Resolutions work best for Capricorns, whose solar returns coincide with the new year.  The best time for you and all the other signs to do so is your birthday.  But I digress.  Take advantage of this time where you're all fired up because as noted above, it's probably not going to last.  Once he goes retrograde his energy will be internalized.  If you are already a worrier like most Virgos you can expect an increase there.  You may be more edgy and nervous than usual as well.  Frustration is another possibility.  Any sense of direction you may have thought you had in the beginning of the month is likely to diminish, too.  If you find yourself feeling like that rest assured that it is only Mars RX and that this, too, shall pass.  You just need to get past the bridge troll in Monty Python's Holy Grail.  I'm only partly kidding.  Identifying what you really want, e.g. your "quest," is much of what this is all about.  If you are unable to make forward progress it may be because you were heading in the wrong direction.  The good news is that this transit will help you figure that out.

Right around March 4 the Sun will oppose Mars which can precipitate an "Aha!" moment as your unconscious and conscious minds merge.  Put that on your calendar like a good Virgo and watch for it because it will be important.  At that time the Sun will be in your polar sign, Pisces, which comprises your 7th house of close relationships including your significant other, business partners, close friends and relatives as well as competitors and open enemies.  This implies that one of these individuals may be part of that "Aha!" moment.  This is also a time to consider your relationships, the state of their health, whether they're functional or dysfunctional and whether you enable it.  As Mars works on you personally it won't hurt to pay attention to input from those close to you who probably have an entirely different view of you than you do yourself.  This can be a very useful time for improving how you relate to others, particularly if you've encountered problems in the past.  If you think you're surrounded by idiots it may be because you attract them.  If you're an avid perfectionist and are as hard on yourself as you are others, maybe even harder, then you may purposely avoid those whom you feel are superior because it further erodes your self-esteem.  Cut yourself a break, accept who and what you are, forgive yourself for not being perfect, and associate with those who are truly worthy of your friendship.  If you've been wasting your time on losers now is the time to move on.  Take advantage of this retrograde period in your 1st house in any way you can.  It won't happen again until 2027.

The Full Moon on January 9th occurs in Cancer, your 11th house of friends, groups, organizations and goals.  Vedic astrologers also consider it the house of big gain.  A Full Moon typically brings a culmination or shift to a new phase as the Sun illuminates the Moon at its fullest in a specific house.  The reason it is often a culmination or ending is because at that point we learn something significant.  Of course the Moon is only reflecting the light of the Sun, which is coming from fellow Earth Sign, Capricorn, your 5th house of ego definition, creativity, children, romance, entertainment and speculation.  This is supposed to be a "fun" house which is a bit of an oxymoron with Capricorn, especially with Pluto residing there for an extended stay.  This is a favorable time to look to how you're mirrored by your friends and group associations as well as a time when you may see the fruits of any networking activity.  Note that Mars hasn't gone retrograde yet at this time so you aren't yet driving with the brakes on.

The New Moon on January 23 occurs as Mars is beginning to station retrograde.  Therefore definitive action may be inhibited or delayed.  The lunation occurs in Aquarius, your 6th house of work, service, health and pets.  This implies that something new will come along in this part of your life.  The Sun/Moon conjunction which is by definition a New Moon, is at the apex of a T-square, however, which implies some complications.  The other components are Saturn in Libra and Jupiter in Taurus.  (If you know much about astrology you are aware that these are not the expected signs for an opposition.  Saturn is in the final degree of Libra and Jupiter is at a little over 1 degree Taurus, so they are still in orb.)  Saturn is exalted in Libra which mitigates his energy to a more positive range.  In other words, his discipline, sense of responsibility and ability to impose structure will be expressed in a friendlier manner.  Libra, of course, is your 2nd house of finances, income, possessions, self-worth, needs and pleasures.  If there is anything amiss in this part of your life Saturn will bring it to your attention.  Virgos tend to be fairly good with their money as a rule, but you may not relax enough to maintain optimum energy, so give that some thought.

Jupiter is in Taurus, your 9th house of higher learning, legal matters, beliefs and expectations, religion, politics, relocation, other cultures, long-distance travel to unfamiliar places and your philosophy of life.  This is a rather nice placement as well because Jupiter tends to expand what he touches and is also accidentally dignified in this house as the ruler of Sagittarius, natural ruler of the 9th.  However, expanding your activity in this part of your life is likely to be competing with or in flat-out conflict with whatever is going on in your 2nd house.  For example, you may want to go back to school but it's not in your budget.  Considering the New Moon in the 6th, maybe you see an opportunity at work to progress but it requires relocating.  Do the mix and match routine for the 2nd, 6th and 9th houses and see which one reflects what you're dealing with.  (Or "that with which you're dealing," if you're a grammar freak.)

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What are Your family Gatherings like?

Holiday get-togethers can be heavenly or they can be hell.  Ever wonder why?   Our Family Dynamics report not only explains who gets along with whom but WHY!  

Just because you're related doesn't mean you're compatible.

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