2014 Overview

2014 can be broadly divided up into two halves.  The first six months continue in much the same vein as 2013, and the issues you have been dealing with for the past year still influence strongly for the first half of the year.

The nodes of the Moon continue their transit in Aries and Libra, bringing the next round of eclipses in April in these signs.  The main karmic events in your life in the past year still have some kinks that need ironing out, but these will be more apparent by April and into the summer, before the nodes move signs in July. Looking back to the last eclipses in April/May and October of 2013 will give you an indication of the changes which continue to take place in your life. 

Mercury's retrograde periods in air signs (along with earth signs) also points to last years retrograde periods when it did so in these signs around the same time.  The first Mercury retrograde period in Aquarius occurs in February, just as it did in 2013 and then goes on to retrograde in June and October, once again in Gemini and Libra in 2014. 

Mars continues to move through Virgo and, apart from a volatile period in February and March spent in Libra, it remains in the more calculated Virgo until July; a month which sees a lot of volatility as major changes take place.  Mars plays a pivotal role in this years transits.  The need for analysis and reassessment out weights the need for immediate action.  By September Mars moves into strength and continues to increase its strength for the last few months of the year, leading a more productive period from September.   Until then the spring and summer months create upheavals so that we can reassess  and move forward once the details have been dealt with. 

The second half of 2014 sees some major shifts occurring for us all, as the nodes of the Moon move in July, and both Jupiter and Saturn are placed in exaltation once Jupiter moves into Cancer in June.  Jupiter's transit to Cancer is a particular highlight of the year, bringing us to a more philosophical space as feelings of connection deepen. 

The second round of eclipses occur in October, and though the signs Virgo and Pisces begin to experience the changes going forward, Libra still has an October eclipse to experience and the resulting changes.  After all of the intensity in Libra in these years, we can see things easing considerably once Saturn moves out of the sign by November. It still must experience the aftermath of these transits as both Saturn and Rahu will be either side of the sign keeping things tense in this area of our lives, but it is at least a welcome reprieve. 

In November Saturn moves into Scorpio and is another big shift for 2014 at the tail end of the year. 

Before this occurs the late summer and autumn months are relatively quiet after the upheavals of the first half of the year. 

We can look forward to some positive changes, especially Jupiter's transit to Cancer, in the second half of the year.

January

The year starts off relatively calmly despite the weather and in many ways we have experienced the eye of a storm in December and continue to do so in January.  This is of course relative to the upheavals which have occurred throughout 2013 and in a general sense, throughout this entire period of change, spanning many years. 

January is a month for reassessing more subtle areas of our life, as we forge ahead with practical concerns for the New Year.  The year starts off with two new Moons in the month of January: the Sagittarius new Moon is on New Year's day and Capricorn's new Moon is on January 30th.  This gives the month an overall feeling of new beginnings and a pause before more eventful periods follow.  

February

February begins a more challenging period which brings us to the more positive changes occurring in the summer.  However, we will not see another relatively calm month until August because of the many changes which are to occur between now and then.  If you are experiencing are inordinate amount of challenges in your life at present, then take heart that all will change soon. 

One of the challenges in February is that Mars moves into Libra alongside both Rahu and Saturn, placing all three of the most malefic planets in the same sign (Libra).  Mars will be in a very close conjunction with Rahu which is explosive.  Liberation may be fought over more vehemently from February.  Pay careful attention to the sign Libra and your relationships in general.  Venus is the morning star by this time and asking us to take account of what we hold dear moving forward in 2014. 

Mercury's retrograde period in Aquarius shows we will be revisiting the same area of our life which was prominent in our lives at this same time last year.  This adds to the tense environment as misunderstandings are more probable. 

March

March sees both Mars and Saturn station retrograde at the same time and in the same sign (Libra), creating a lot of tension as a result.  Heels will be dug in.  Though we have had three gentle planets move retrograde until now; Venus in January, Mercury in February and Jupiter's continued retrograde since last November, we must now experience the harshness of Mars and Saturn as they backtrack together in the sign Libra.  Saturn continues to retrograde in Libra until July but we must pay particular attention to its initial turnabout when it does so with Mars. 

Mars backs up into Virgo by the end of March and continues to retrograde until May, leaving Libra alone with the fallout for a while.  The next time Mars moves back into Libra in July it will cross over Rahu's degree which itself changes to Virgo.  The signs Libra and Virgo become important in terms of your goals and perceived set backs during this time.  It all has a place in the grand scheme of things.  Remember this if this volatility and change seem difficult to handle.  

The philosophical Jupiter stations direct in Gemini for its last gallop to its place of exaltation by June.  This allows us to tap into a more sublime and hopeful state when needed as we move forward into 2014. 

April

April brings the eclipses in Aries and Libra but now they are the opposite position to where they occurred in October.  There is a total lunar eclipse on the 15th and a annular solar eclipse on the 29th.  What this means, apart from the changes occurring in these areas of our life, is that we now experience the other side of the coin as it were - the chance to see someone else's perspective or to view a situation in a new light.

This month creates many changes in the world and in all of our lives, and may be felt as exasperating after the intense months of February and March.  Thankfully the following few months have some positive changes and we can look back at the past few months with a sense of the perfection of it all. 

May

May continues with Saturn and the north node, Rahu, together in Libra, but now we have its ruler Venus placed in exaltation in Pisces.  A strong Venus makes us feel better in May.  We can be happy without the need for external events to be a certain way, and in fact, we cannot depend on external events with so many changes taking place this year.  Venus will improve things in May, though Mars's retrograde motion and direct station in opposition in Virgo will keep things passionate. 

Mars stations direct on May 20th, creating a turnaround in a slow and detailed manner.  Be patient with the second half of May. 

June

June sees the next Mercury retrograde period, this time in Gemini.  It is an strong position for the inquisitive planet, as it moves back over the section of the zodiac Jupiter has been transiting for the past year.  Again you may look to the last Mercury retrograde period a year ago to see similar patterns in your life at that time.  

The first big shift of 2014 occurs in June when Jupiter moves into exaltation in Cancer.   This places both Jupiter and Saturn in their signs of exaltation.  This is good news for us all and we can look forward to a sense of connection to something more profound than we have of late.  You will be aware that for the past few years it has all been about the economy and very little in the way of anything else.  Practical concerns have taken over and other, more philosophical ones have been left high and dry.  Now that Jupiter moves into great strength in Cancer, we can look forward to more meaningful connection. 

Look to your own chart and the signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces, as well as the opposite sign Capricorn, to see where you experience the great benefit of Jupiter for the following year. 

July

July begins with Mercury stationing direct and creating a surge of energy in its own sign Gemini.  The next big shift of 2014 occurs when the nodes of the Moon move into Virgo and Pisces by the middle of the month, creating a need to change these areas of our lives over the next year and a half.  The nodes are well placed in these signs overall, as we deal with our worldly ambitions and balance these with other worldly concerns. 

Mars moves back into Libra while the nodes are moving, thus the exaggerated Rahu (Moon's north node) will meet with fiery Mars, creating the possibility of an explosive period in July while these changes are taking place. 

Saturn stations direct in July at this time also, so we must be patient with this month as a result.  Saturn's shift marks it's final transit through the latter part of Libra and its subsequent move into Scorpio in November.  Jupiter's influence on Scorpio until then eases the sign into a more detached view of themselves and their place in the world by the end of the year.  For now the sense of connection is of great benefit.  However, Libra no longer has Jupiter's benevolent influence during the next few months of Saturn's residency. 

Jupiter and Saturn's simultaneous influence on a sign creates a pulsating effect (expansion and contraction) and this has been the experience in Libra and Sagittarius until now.  With Jupiter moving to a thankful Cancer (creating a pulsation there), Saturn's influence on Aries, Libra and Sagittarius will be more limiting on these signs from July until November. 

August

August is a quieter month after the many changes which have been experienced throughout the year thus far.  We are able to move ahead in all areas of our life as all of the planets move in a direct motion at this time. 

The Saturn and Mars conjunction in Libra takes place towards the end of the month so we must still be cautious of the sign Libra as Saturn and Mars move closer together throughout the month.  This conjunction will be the most challenging aspect of the month, especially for our goals and our established patterns. 

September

In September we see Mars in Scorpio, a strong position for the planet as it moves away from the restrictive influence of Saturn in Libra.  The Sun will also be strong in Leo, leading to a more dynamic month overall. 

Venus moves into Virgo by the end of the month, a place of weakness for the planet of love and harmony.  September and October may be a good time to set goals and stick to them, not necessarily for pleasing others who have their own agenda.   We may feel like we have more control over our life experience by the autumn. 

October

October begins with Mercury stationing retrograde in Libra and moves back into Virgo - two signs with an inordinate amount of attention in 2014.  Mercury will be backing up over the degree at which we experience the solar eclipse by the end of the month.  We are still paying particular attention to Libra and the changes which must occur now but we must also include Virgo in this analysis for 2014.

We can revisit Mercury's retrograde period of a year ago in Libra to gain perspective at this time.  Venus continues to be weak in Virgo in October, with the Sun also transiting alongside Rahu. 
This means we have another set of eclipses. 

There is a second total lunar eclipse, this time in Pisces on the 8th and a partial solar eclipse in Libra on the 23rd and into the 24th (UT).  The solar eclipse occurs alongside Venus which is placed in its own sign.  This points to final changes which have to occur at this time in our lives.  These changes may be in the way we interact and connect with one another, as well as how we do business with one another. 

November

The big move in November is Saturn's transit to Scorpio - a sign it will cover and recover for the next two and a half years.  Saturn is placed in an uncomfortable environment for these years, as Mars is concerned with strength and Saturn represents our weakness.  One way to deal with this transit is to have the strength of your weaknesses.  Know your fears and address them.  Saturn allows you to see them objectively, and though at times it may be a frustrating time, we must tackle them and persevere.

There may be a lot of maneuvering behind the scenes while Saturn is placed in Scorpio.  Secret works are a useful way of expressing this transit, but one must be aware of ulterior motives of others also.  

We must deliberately experience the slow transit and pressure of Saturn in this area of our lives.  Gurdjieff used to tell is followers to 'suffer voluntary...and work consciously'.  This may be a good time to take this on board in relation to this area of your life.  Look to the house position and by the planets affected in this sign in your horoscope.  Whatever Saturn represents for you (which houses it rules) will be the cause of the pressure that is felt here. 

The initial ingress of Saturn into Scorpio is eased considerably by already having Jupiter's influence for the past few months, balancing expansion and contraction.  This influence continues until the summer of 2015, by which time Jupiter's influence moves on the next sign. 

November also sees the Sun, Venus and Mercury all enter the sign Scorpio, like a parade of planets hailing Saturn's long transit through Scorpio until the beginning of 2017. 

December

Saturn settles itself into Scorpio in December as Mars enters Saturn's sign Capricorn.  This powerful exchange of signs between an exalted Mars and of Saturn, gives strength to Scorpio, but is not without its complications. 

Jupiter's strong influence on both Scorpio and Mars in Capricorn all adds to the strength.  The year ends on a strong note as a result. 

Jupiter begins its retrograde period in Cancer, reaching the end of the sign by December 8th, before stationing and moving back in its exaltation sign for the next few months.  This is another strong transit for the year's end, as we find strength and courage from Mars to face our fears, as well as hope and meaning from Jupiter to carry on regardless. 

OM TAT SAT