January 2008 Astrocast

Key Events:  

New Moon:  01/08/2008

Full Moon: 01/22/2008

Mercury Retrograde: 01/28/2008

Other RX Planets:  Mars until 1/30; Saturn until 05/03 

During the majority of the month (until the 28th to be exact) Jupiter is in a somewhat scratchy aspect called a semi-square with Neptune.  Jupiter is in Capricorn, your Natural 3rd House, which comprises your thoughts, early education, neighbors, siblings and short journeys, implying an expansion of some sort in these areas.  This is all well and good, except for that interference from Neptune, King of the Deep, who you can't entirely trust.  While he can inspire in various ways or help us transcend our humdrum existence, he can also create delusions and dissolve what we thought was real.  If you've ever chased a rainbow you'll know what I mean, i.e., just when you think you know exactly where it is and are moving in on that pot of gold, it moves or disappears entirely.  So, what you need to watch out for with this combination is something that may sound way too good to be true because chances are that's exactly right, it is too good to be true so it's not.  Therefore be wary of any ideas, opportunities, or promises because they could very well be more substantial than that rainbow, beautiful though it may be.

Fortunately, there are various other aspects at work during that same time that will help keep your feet on relatively solid ground.  From January 1 - 3 the Capricorn Sun will trine stuffy Saturn, over there in Virgo, your 11th House of friends, groups, hopes and wishes; in many cases this also applies to your coworkers as well.  With both in practical Earth Signs, there won't be much dreaming going on.  This is likely to represent a major sanity check of sorts that is likely to be directed toward your friends, any organizations you're affiliated with, or any long term hopes or wishes you've been entertaining.  A trine is a generally favorable aspect, so this is likely to bring something to your attention in one of these areas that will ultimately be to your benefit. 

Practicality is likely to prevail and have a message that will be on very solid ground, so you'd do well to pay careful attention to any nudges you get in that direction the first few days of the New Year.  Since Saturn is also retrograde (RX), it's likely that there are some issues related to your 11th House that could stand some renovation.  Whatever they happen to be, they'll be rumbling around in your subconscious until Saturn goes direct early in May, at which time you'll know what it is and have a good idea what needs to be done.  Once Saturn to returns to the point where he went RX, which will be August 8, you should be able to implement these changes and attain a more stable foundation in this area.  Saturn is a great task master, though sometimes he's pretty harsh and certainly far from a party animal.  Nonetheless, his practicality, discipline and ability to create a firm foundation is beneficial.  Therefore, you would do well to pay attention and see what it is about your 11th House activities that could benefit from remodeling.

About the time that aspect fades away, Jupiter will step in and trine Saturn as well, which will last from January 10 - February 1.  While the Sun will call your attention to something, Jupiter is likely to expand it in some manner.  As a generally benefic planet, this should be a good thing.  Keep an eye out for something to ramp up in a beneficial way and then act on it accordingly.  The New Moon on the 8th is also in Capricorn, implying something new in your 3rd House.  This could be a new idea or short trip that relates or originates with your group of friends or neighbors and may be related to whatever first gets your attention those first few days of the month.  Note also that with Saturn involved, it could also be your boss or some other authority figure.  And speaking of bosses, the Full Moon on the 22nd is in your 10th House of career and reputation, which could imply the culmination of something in that area.  It might not mean a new job necessarily but possibly the completion of a project or phase of something.

For the first half of the month, i.e. until January 13, Mars, who's currently RX in Gemini, your 8th House, will be faced off with Pluto in Sagittarius, your 2nd.  This is likely to be of particular interest to Scorpios since before Pluto was discovered, Mars was your sign ruler and of course Pluto is now, though Mars still hangs in there a bit for old-time's sake.  Naturally when the god of War and god of the Underworld confront one another there's likely to be some crap.  If for the last week or two you've felt as if you had a little black cloud following you around, this is probably the cause.  Your 2nd House comprises your possessions, finances and pleasures while your 8th, which is Scorpio's domain anyway, includes sex and intimate relationships, transformations, and shared resources.  Since Mars is RX, this particular encounter may be only the beginning of something, but you need to keep an eye on it because when Mars goes direct on the 30th, he will pass this way again around the first part of March, and at that time something is bound to happen.  Mars RX usually stirs up any suppressed anger we may be toting around related to the resident House.  Pluto, of course, is about power, hidden elements of just about anything, and death and regeneration, i.e. transformation, as already noted.  So, put these together and you could have something resembling a nuclear explosion.  In a nutshell, bear in mind that the suppressed anger thing is likely to go very deep and have transformational effects with Pluto involved.  It will be cleaning house much more than Mars alone, but your likelihood of resolving it once and for all is quite good.

Pluto has been hanging out in Sagittarius, your 2nd House, for 12+ years and will slip into Capricorn on the 26th.  While in your house of possessions, finances, and pleasures, you have probably encountered various incidents of hidden flaws, things disappearing, or a covert taste for things Plutonian, if you know what I mean.  Plumbing and electrical problems are one example, or car malfunctions or damage of unknown origin.  Mars in unfavorable aspect often causes accidents, especially when in cahoots with Pluto, so be particularly careful during this time.  Don't take any unnecessary chances or put yourself in harm's way.  Don't leave that coffee pot or curling iron plugged in, and be alert to anything that might indicate a plumbing or electrical problem.  Keep your cell phone charged and make sure emergency numbers are programmed in just in case you need them.  Keep away from places that aren't safe, especially after dark.  Keep your house and car locked at all times.  Keep an eye on your purse or wallet.  You get the idea.  Deploy that Scorpio radar in all its glory and listen to your instincts.  If you think that Mars and Pluto are planets to mess with, think again, because they were in unfavorable square aspect for all of the NASA accidents.  Enough said.

Something generally favorable this month is the fact that Venus will spend most of it (until the 24th) in your 2nd House.  Since she's generally a benefic planet, she may throw some luck your way, so even if you have something unfortunate occur, hopefully she'll step in to soften the blow in some way.  From January 4 - 9 she'll be squaring Saturn, which isn't particularly fortuitous, but by the month this will become a favorable trine, so whatever conflict comes along that first week or so should have a happy ending by month's end.

Take note that on the 28th, Mercury once again goes into one of his obnoxious RX cycles, which he does about three times a year.  Thus, from then until February 19, communications, electronics, and mechanical devices will be all honked up.  Whatever you do, don't buy anything related to these functions during that time or it's more than likely going to be a lemon.  Either do without or rent something, if need be.  Definitely don't buy something major like a car or you'll definitely live to regret it.  Since this is a good time to re-do and re-plan, hopefully any repairs conducted during this time will be okay.

At least the month ends on a fairly positive note as Jupiter and Venus come together in Capricorn between January 30 - February 4.  These two benefics should provide some definite luck and good fortune over there in your 3rd House.  Even their trine to Saturn should be of a positive nature, perhaps providing an idea that has concrete potential for you to achieve some of your hopes and wishes, which you'll certainly deserve after dealing with that Mars - Pluto crap.