January Horoscopes

Astrology of January
Current Configurations
Past Months

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

January 2011

Current Astrology

	The Sun is in Gemini
	The Quarter Moon is in VirgoThe First Quarter Moon is in Virgo: All day
	Next Mercury Retrograde Aug 23 - Sep 15

Current Configurations

by Henry Seltzer

January 4th New Moon
This New Moon in mid-Capricorn conjuncts Pluto and squares Saturn while making aspects to the other outer planets. Neptune and Chiron are conjunct, as they have been all year, and semi-square the Sun and Moon eclipse degree. Uranus is featured since it is exactly conjuncted by Jupiter, to the minute, and the eclipse degree is quintile. Mercury, still climbing out of its retrograde shadow, remains in Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius. A subtle and spiritual dimension rules this chart, but with the cynical and darkly conservative undercurrent represented by Saturn-Pluto. We have a choice, as we always do, only perhaps more simplified and more stark. We can rise to the occasion and live out our dreams – or else succumb to despair and negativity, of which there is plenty to go around. Since Venus also squares Neptune we are also very aware of relationship ideals and potential illusions along with some sense of our deeper motivations in that area.

January 12th First Quarter Moon
This is traditionally a time of trial as we seek to understand both the limits to growth and the chance for a positive outcome. With Jupiter, Uranus and Saturn in the picture of this New Moon cycle, these considerations are greatly emphasized. A push-pull is set up: possibility versus staying static, reigned in by fear. The warrior energy of Eris, the newly named planet beyond Pluto, is also strongly constellated now and lends courage for the task at hand. This energy however must be for the highest purpose that we can find within us or it will be wasted in triviality.

January 19th Full Moon
This Full Moon takes place in the last degree of Cancer and Capricorn, so just a half degree off from the humanistic energy of the Leo-Aquarius axis. The Sun being about to enter Aquarius brings Uranus more fully into the picture, while Uranus is still conjunct Jupiter. This means that there are powerful positive forces at work in this chart, just as we leave Saturn-ruled Capricorn behind. The exciting and potentially disruptive energy of Uranus is mellowed by the culmination of the Full Moon phase and the sign position of the Sun, as well as by the trine and sextile made to it from the Moon and Sun respectively. This is a time of fulfillment as well as forward motion. Mercury is out of its shadow and conjunct Pluto, meaning that we can each clearly see the writing on our wall. The time for forward motion with all your issues has arrived and all the familiar excuses ring hollow.

January 26th Last Quarter Moon
This is traditionally a time when we reflect and absorb the accumulated wisdom of the preceding three weeks. There is potentially tension in the air now, although the primarily positive energy of the preceding Full Moon also sets the stage for this phase. The Sun conjuncting Mars in Aquarius provides plenty of feisty energy and also go-power for actualizing the remainder of our dreams. We are symbolically planting the seed, mentally and emotionally, for the next cycle to come during February. Jupiter has entered active Aries while Saturn has stationed just the day before and is therefore more powerfully felt as well. Again the push-pull is activated of forward motion versus dragging our heels and remaining stuck in a largely dysfunctional past, both individually and collectively.