January Horoscopes

Astrology of January
Current Configurations
Past Months

Aries	Libra
Taurus	Scorpio
Gemini	Sagittarius
Cancer	Capricorn
Leo	Aquarius
Virgo	Pisces

January 2009

Current Astrology

	The Sun is in Gemini
	The Moon is in LibraThe Gibbous Moon is in Libra, Enters Scorpio 4:45 pm
	Moon Void of Course 7:53 am to 4:45 pm
	Next Mercury Retrograde Aug 23 - Sep 15

Current Configurations

by Henry Seltzer

January 1st New Year 2009
At dusk on December 31st the Moon appears in the sky very near Venus in a beautiful display. The Moon in sensitive Pisces conjuncts Venus in Aquarius, bringing both these signs into play for the coming year.

January 4th First Quarter Moon
This phase is traditionally when the rubber meets the road and we are forced by bitter necessity to see what portion of our dreams and schemes from the time of the preceding New Moon will work and what will not survive into the next cycle. The Sun loosely conjuncts Mars while squaring the Moon in Mars' own sign of Aries, increasing the tension of this moment. The Moon also widely conjuncts Eris, indicating that making a courageous stand for ourselves might be in order at this time. Venus enters sensitive Pisces and as a consequence we will be more naturally attuned to each other.

January 10th Full Moon
This powerful Full Moon triggers the still-potent Saturn – Uranus opposition and the Saturn – Neptune inconjunct aspect also, forming a mystic rectangle with Saturn and Uranus. This Full Moon takes place in the evening with the retrograde of Mercury about 12 hours away on the following morning, so the theme of the retrograde is very much part of the symbolism at this Full Moon time. The Full Moon triggers a direly expressive Yod to Saturn from Neptune and Eris, indicating the potential disappointment of dreams deferred, and the ascendancy of limitation over abundance on our emotional horizons these days. On the other hand, Jupiter, recently entered into Aquarius on the 5th, stands quite near Mercury in the sky, signaling an optimistic and eventful last three weeks of the month. Saturn opposite Uranus indicates that the push-pull of going wildly forward ("Yes, we can!") versus staying conservatively behind will be very active once again. This opposition perfects twice more this year, once in February, on the 5th, and once in early September.

January 11th Mercury retrograde
This Mercury retrograde period may be as wild and wacky as recent ones were because this time Mercury aspects Jupiter and Uranus instead of Neptune, but with equal potentially surprising and perhaps brilliant effect. Jupiter has entered the sign of Uranus and is therefore ruled by the cosmic trickster. The retrograde period lasts almost six weeks this time, when you count the period of the retrograde shadow, with Mercury not able to regain his lost zodiacal position in Aquarius until February 21st. Mercury stations direct at the end of the month. One highlight of this period would be the 20th, when the new president takes office, and another would be the 31st.

January 17th Last Quarter Moon
This phase is traditionally the "crisis of consciousness" when we learn from the perhaps painful lessons of the first three weeks of the cycle. Coming near the last degree of Capricorn and Libra, Cardinal signs, this period may signify a last look back at the energy of Capricorn which Pluto is currently transforming right before our very eyes. The Moon sextiles Pluto on this same weekend, after midnight on Saturday.

January 25th New Moon
This powerful New Moon takes place in the late night hours of Saturday and the early hours of Sunday morning, depending on location, and is in addition conjunct Jupiter in the early degrees of Aquarius while Jupiter aspects Uranus. This signals a period of time when the trickster energy and the scientific viewpoint of this somewhat detached sign hold sway. The New Moon and Jupiter conjunct President Barack Obama's Jupiter within a few degrees, and therefore he is experiencing his Jupiter return over this January time frame. Barack Obama himself has Aquarius rising. Even though his Jupiter is in the reticent 12th House, we will see him unusually energized and with his popularity likely to be soaring all during this month.