Mercury Stations Direct Jan. 8 Wait for it. Wait for it! The New Year gets off to a slow start thanks to Mercury's retrograde in Sagittarius. It takes us a little longer to get moving with our big plans for the year, as Mercury stations direct on January 8, moving forward again in the coming days. Mercury does not pick up any great speed for the month of January, leading to a less than optimal time for quick decisions. Those New Year's resolutions may have to go through some editing! Full Moon in Gemini Jan. 12 The Moon reaches its fullest at 11.33 GMT on January 12, passing through the turbulent sign Ardra within the sign Gemini, reaching the more hopeful sign Punarvasu for a readjustment. Storms clear the air, whether meteorological or emotional, as we expand our hearts to express the fullness of whatever we are feeling. Pluto's opposition in Sagittarius alongside the Sun, highlights the stark contrast between the beliefs we hold and the way in which we live our everyday lives. This type of polarization can seem hypocritical. With this full Moon's ruler, Mercury, now moving slowly forward, there is an electricity in the air and we feel full of new beginnings and possibilities. However, there is much we need to let go of in order to begin afresh. Sun in Capricorn Jan. 14 - Feb. 12 It truly begins to feel like the New Year once the Sun reaches the sign Capricorn, marking a period after the solstice when the Sun changes signs, starting its northern route, and heralding brighter days to come for those on the northern hemisphere. We still have a lot of work to put in before we make it to the light, as the Sun transits through Saturn's signs, but its time for the inner work that is required to overcome our fears. Mars in Pisces Jan. 20 - Feb. 28 Mars leaves devastation in its wake in Aquarius and jumps into the depths of Pisces, leading to a lack of direction, but connecting our energy with the natural flow of life which includes many possibilities. While Venus reaches great strength in Pisces, Mars is a little out of its depth, beautifully depicted in Botticelli's painting (pictured). Mars will meet with Venus later in the month; a passionate mix, but one which can make us feel a little spent. Pisces represents endings, expenditure, rest and sleep. Our individuality may have to take a back seat to a connection we have with all, as we ponder the wonders of life and its many seemingly abstract twists and turns. Saturn in Sagittarius Jan. 26 - June 21 2017 & Oct. 26 2017 - Jan. 24 2020 Saturn moves into Sagittarius by the end of January, a key shift in 2017, transiting the sign for most of the next three years. This is a period where we must sift through all those limiting or inflated beliefs that do not represent a realistic way forward. Saturn demands truth. It is sometimes too astringent for the passionate flavours of Sagittarius, but this astringency also preserves its gems, making our goals last longer than they would have otherwise. If you have a vision, Saturn's hard work ethos will not be lost on it - it's just that the reality of making your dreams come to pass may not be as sweet as the vision you held in your mind's eye. There is work involved and patience required. . Saturn in Sagittarius also aspects Jupiter, while Jupiter transits Virgo until June 21 2017. Saturn's aspects represent areas of life which must feel Saturn's cold stare. If we try to avoid the reality of the situation, it only makes it more difficult in the long run. Saturn aspects Gemini, Virgo and Aquarius while in Sagittarius. All Saturn wants is to do is the responsible thing. In other words, Saturn represents a part of us which knows the right thing to think, say and do - in any given situation. But even if we were to begin thinking, saying and doing the right thing from this moment, we still have to accept that we have not always, and that we must experience the repercussions of this at some time. Saturn shows the timing. Beyond that, everything has its limit, and Saturn will make us aware of where those limits lie. In 2017, Saturn moves back and over the section of the zodiac between the water sign Scorpio and the fire sign Sagittarius. This is a sensitive juncture and an unstable year, as a result. And even though Zodiac signs are not marked out in the heavens with clear lines - there is a blurring from one into the other - we will be very conscious of how these two signs connect with each other in 2017. In a general sense, Scorpio represents our fears and insecurities, while Sagittarius represents a way of living which lifts us out of our fears, giving us hope. This can mean a religion for many, but ideally it represents a set of unique beliefs which govern our lives. Our minds need structures to lift us out of our insecurities. We need guidance in the form of laws, religions, teachers and counsellors. When setting off on a long journey, whether externally or internally, we benefit from the rules of the road; by those who have laid the path before us, whatever form these guides may come in. Saturn's transit in Sagittarius is a good time to follow a particular path which can guide us to the true freedom we seek. You can read an article on Saturn in Sagittarius here. Venus in Pisces Jan. 27 - May 31 Venus moves into its sign of exaltation by the end of January. This balm is needed due to other, more intense, transits. Venus offers some sweetness to a bitterness that is sometimes hard to swallow. Without Venus life would be unbearable. A softly spoken, reassuring word is sometimes all that is needed to get someone through great difficulty. Sweet thoughts lead to a better life experience. When Venus is strong and unobsructed, life is not to be beared, but to be rejoiced, to the celebrated, just as it is, without needing to make any adjustments. Venus in Pisces offers us a chance to be happy, no matter what the circumstance. Granted, this is easier for those who are more influenced by Venus at this time: for those in a Venus cylce, as well as for those who are more influenced by Venus from birth and who have a happy disposition. For those more influenced by Saturn, or a Saturn cylce, for example, Venus can only offer some relief, making life a little more pleasurable for the first half of the year. Venus usually spends only a few weeks in a sign, but due to its retrograde transit in March and April, it will stay in its sign of exaltation until the end of May. This is a balm we need to apply frequenlty, as we experienced the unsettling transit of Saturn through the early degrees of Sagittarius, and its aspect on Jupiter in Virgo, opposite to Venus. Jupiter in Virgo creates a conflict at the other end of the spectrum, representing all of the details of our lives. This makes us think that if such and such were in such a way, then we would find meaning in life. How can we be happy with what is going on in the world, with all of the wrongs which need to be made right? Venus in Pisces offers us a way out, at least, one way or another. For some, there is only one way out, while for others, surrender comes in many forms, including prayer, meditation, alcohol, drugs, sex, sleep and death. New Moon in Capricorn Jan. 28
The Moon reaches the Sun's degree just after midnight on January 28. This new Moon marks a new beginning and a period of renewal. However, this is not a new beginning in any obvious way. Rather, it is an initiation in silence; a promise to ourselves. There are no major aspects to this new Moon by any of the planets, only a stark sense of what now lies before us, without the noise of recent transits to distract us. Now we can see further from our new vantage point. OM TAT SAT
Tanya
1/1/2017 12:24:14 pm
Many Thanks and wish you a very Happy and joyful New Year 2017 ! Comments are closed.
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