January 2008
A HUGE month astrologically with some truly mammoth planetary movements in store…biggest of all is the Pluto ingress into Capricorn.
Mars Pluto Opposition
3 January 2008
The month starts with a BANG as Mars opposes Pluto for its second of three hits. Tempers frayed? Feeling angry? On the receiving end of an unprovoked verbal attack? With Mars in Gemini making an opposition to Pluto all these scenarios are possible. The first hit of this opposition aspect took place at the end of September. Unresolved issues from that time may resurface now. On the up side, this is an excellent opportunity to let go any bad habits, or discard unwanted or unnecessary baggage. Literally and/or figuratively speaking a good time to purge and eliminate. The lesson to learn here is to be more aware of our own “stuff”. Confrontations like this can help us to become more self aware and teach us new ways to deal with our anger and frustration without projecting it onto others.
Capricorn New Moon
8 January 2008
Many people will be heading back to work around the time of this New Moon. This is a good time to make preparations for the working year ahead. Professionally, this is also a good time to start a new job. On Monday make an effort to sort and clean up. Prepare and think before putting the nose to the grindstone on Tuesday. Full steam ahead by Wednesday.
Venus and Mars Opposition
20 January 2008
The Moon links up with Mars in late Gemini while opposing Pluto and Venus signalling some intense emotional encounters. Sexual and/or emotional tension is thick in the air. The Sun and Pluto are both at anaretic degrees (29) now, suggesting this is a pivotal time of endings and beginnings. Doors open widely while others firmly close. This is a time of transition as new relationships and connections are established, while others will conclude.
Leo Full Moon
22 January 2008
Potentially, another intense Full Moon looms this month with several major planetary aspects converging in late January. Mercury joins Neptune on the 23rd bringing potential insight, but just as much confusion in its wake as the two tricksters join forces bringing about some misunderstandings. Meanwhile Venus joins Pluto on the 24th when the love goddess gets down and dirty.
Pluto ingress into Capricorn
27 January 2008
Well here it is; the BIG ONE. The cycle everyone has been talking about and dreading. Will this be the end of the world as we know it?
The last time Pluto moved into Capricorn was 248 years ago, so this is an epic time of change which will especially be felt in large scale overhaul of the world’s systems, business, corporate world, money markets and government.
The last time this transit took place we witnessed the Industrial Revolution which completely transformed the civilised world. Now we look set to experience a new kind of Industrial Revolution as obsolete technology must be overhauled in the wake of climate change. With Pluto it’s a matter of survival. There are no ifs or buts about it. Reform or perish. (My in depth feature on Pluto in Capricorn appears in the 2008 edition of Wellspring Astrolog, currently available at newsagents.)
On a personal level, those born circa 1972 are now experiencing their Pluto square. This cycle is associated with profound psychological changes and transformation. External and internal aspects of life are equally affected. Powerful and/or fated events can unfold.
If you are one of those experiencing your Pluto square, as this cycle begins, you may feel a sense of being stuck, or that your life is out of control. Alternatively you might feel powerless, or subjected to pressure of one kind or another that forces you to remain committed to something which you would rather let go of. Another common scenario is that you might be forced to let go of an aspect of your life which you feel reluctant to forego.
Deep psychological change is associated with this cycle, which ushers in the mid-life transition, which is ultimately a time of empowerment and growing self-awareness.
Mercury Retrograde
28 January 2008
The universe seems to be conspiring to create havoc at present. Travel plans may be thrown into chaos. Just as the new school year begins, Mercury, the planet of communication and transport, education and learning, stations and turns retrograde for the first time in 2008. Disruptions, delays, and/or misunderstandings are all potential problems when Mercury retrogrades, particularly the case now as it will be making a conjunction to Neptune, plant of deception and mystery. Do you have all the information at hand? Have you been paying attention? Is your computer under attack from a new virus? Will there be a snap transport or teachers strike? All are possible now. To minimise potential hiccups, double check everything is in working order, but even then there may be some gremlins lurking about.
Mars Direct motion
30 January 2008
Just a few days after Mercury moves retrograde, Mars moves direct after a long retrograde passage through Cancer and Gemini. Since mid-November when Mars first retrograded, many people have felt they were running up and down on the spot. But with hindsight, one can more easily see that in fact quite a lot has been accomplished. Interruptions will now be less noticeable or indeed less frequent, and allow us to forge ahead in implement our personal desires. Renewed enthusiasm brings an energy boost.
