July: The 2021 Cosmic Choice Award

If months were awarded annual “Cosmic Choice Awards” the month of July would be the astrologers’ pick for 2021.  After the galactic tumult of June, we now welcome much calmer stretches and even super fun energy to boot!  July affords us time to let the star dust settle; all that stirred up drama will dispel and disperse so take advantage of the coming cosmic tranquility.  After last month, we can use all the peace and quiet we can handle!

The first week of July, please note that distortion, or the effect of being inside of warped fun house mirrors is still in place as July opens.  It has been pushing us to discern what is real and what is projection from others, that which does not belong to us.  Now, however, the advantage in July is that Messenger Mercury is moving forward motion again.  We’ve seen this rodeo of projection before, twice actually, over that past two months as Mercury jousted with dreamy Neptune.  Chances are, we learned a thing or two and won’t get fooled this time around.  We know what’s up.  Through practice and experience we can tell what is phony baloney, spin and fancy wordsmithing.  Use your knowledge to carefully direct your thoughts and energy rather than getting caught up in naysayers’ noise.

Underlying all of this, there is a jailbreak feeling to the beginning of July.  Our pent up energy from 2020 covid rules and restrictions are ready to pop.  Feel the release?  FEEL the release!  With the Sun in nurturing Cancer the Crab now, it feels so good to feel again…to hug each other, to touch, shake hands, rub elbows at gatherings once more.  And with July 1^st falling on the cusp of our beloved Independence Day in the USA, joy is ripe and ready to be shared.

The July 4^th weekend has all the makings for one fabulous holiday affair as the star coordinates emphasize:   Motivating Mars and Valuable Venus are joined at the hip in festive Leo aligning to healer Chiron in Aries and the Lunar south node in adventurous Sagittarius to form a grand fire trine.  Meaning:  Get your party shoes on!   We can just about taste the freedom this July.  Let the good times roll. You do not want to sit this one out.  Whatever gives you JOY:  do that.  It is no accident that the holiday itself falls squarely on a Sunday, giving many the Monday afterward off from work.  Prepare for a long weekend of play, relaxation and good eats.  What are you bringing to the picnic?

Whether you decide to take the following week off and continue to play or quietly return to work, the week after the 4^th is low key heading into the New Moon in Cancer the Crab on Friday, July 9^th.  In fact, this is one gentle New Moon.  The kindest one I have seen in a long while.  Soft and sweet, both Sun and Moon align with dreamy Neptune. Our intuition is unusually accurate so pay attention to those twinges and vibes you get.  Hanging out on, in or around water is deeply soothing.  Listen to, play or dance to music.  The more water and music you do now, the better. 

Sun and Moon loosely oppose Powerful Pluto in Capricorn at the time of the New Moon, giving us some structure and definition, and reminding us to set boundaries to protect ourselves and loved ones.  You may very well find yourself sticking close to home, vacationing with family, getting those projects done around the house or practicing some very long-overdue self-care.  It is not indulgent to pamper yourself.  Body and soul benefit from the healthy care and keeping of you.  Consider it money well spent.

Be sure to set your New Moon intentions over the second weekend of July, on the 10^th or 11^th, by handwriting 3-5 goals that you desire to manifest over the coming month or season.  Plant in the ground or set safely alight. 

Nurturing Cancerian energy continues by extension on Sunday, July 11^th when Messenger Mercury joins the Sun in Cancer.  This planetary change of sign is most welcome as Mercury, ruling our minds and mouth, toured through communicative Gemini for over two months due to its retrograde cycle.  Now, however, our will, energy and thoughts pair up in imaginative Cancer.  You will feel life downshift into the slow lane. It’s like taking the back country scenic road.  Cancer likes the languid life, to feel its way along. So don’t rush the Crab!  She’ll get everything done, in her own time, in her own way, far more imaginatively than her conventional cosmic cousins.  Her creed is live and let live; let go and let God.  

If you push or rush any Crab, the end result will be spoiled.  The process is not unlike a cake baking in the oven.  If you keep opening the oven door to check on the cake, it will never bake properly.  This principle applies to each of us regardless of our zodiac sign now.   The tender, careful days of summer finds us developing in the universal womb now; it is not a process to be messed with.  So hands off and back off.  Let nature take its course with yourself, your goals and others.  Less is really more now.

You will know when it will be time to act as there will be tests of will, or, whether to jump in and take action especially around Saturday, July 17^th when the Sun opposes Powerful Pluto.  Of course, if the situation warrants, act accordingly, particularly involving setting limits and saying no when necessary.  Planetary oppositions raise awareness regarding how we respond to life and our role in any outcome.  The awareness we gain around July 17^th parlays into the rising energy of the full moon in avant garde Aquarius the following Friday, July 23^rd.  This Full Moon is wedged between heavy hitters Pluto and Saturn. 

Practiced detachment and observation are the watch words with this Full Moon.  The more you remove yourself from emotionally loaded situations, the better as the Sun has now shifted into dramatic Leo on July 22^nd.  Of course it’s easier said than done to detach when you feel people and circumstances are testing you.  And they are.  The Aquarian Full Moon opposite the creative Leo Sun pushes us to invent and innovate our way along, through or out of the quandaries and problems we find ourselves in.  So avoid blaming others as that will only add misery to complexities.

Helping us just before the full moon is Valuable Venus’ shift into analytical Virgo just two days earlier on Wednesday, July 21.  Down-to-earth, practical and pragmatic, Virgo Venus brings all the facts and figures to illuminate better understanding.  More importantly, she keeps our heads level and our energy grounded.  As momentum and emotions invariably build toward the Full Moon, use Venus in Virgo to break apart and break down matters into smaller, more manageable pieces.  The phrase “small steps for self-esteem building” comes to mind this third week of July.  Take each piece and master it, fully grasp its purpose, use and place before moving on to the next part.

On the heels of the Full Moon, Messenger Mercury turns into Leo on Tuesday, July 27th.  We find humor (heaven knows we need it!) and fun creative outlets wherever we look; the optimistic and bright sunny side appears.  In short, we see the glass half full heading into August.   Two days later, Motivating Mars joins Venus in Virgo.  While our minds may be full of mischief and how to have fun, we are imbued with a killer work ethic.  When used well, this energy gives us a global, big-picture outlook combined with applied efficiency and attention to detail for any endeavor you are brewing.  Not a bad way to end the first full month of summer!

 

Of Special Note:

Tune into my podcast Mystical Messages on Friday, July 16^th to hear my conversation with intuitive artist Toni Carbone as we discuss sacred painting, moon cycles, and the spiritual roots of creativity.  You may find Mystical Messages wherever you follow podcasts.

Getting Clear

The month of June begins like a hangover from the end of May.  We find ourselves gulping for air left by May’s wake.  We are smack dab between two eclipses in Gemini with Mercury retrograde having kicked into gear two days before June begins.  With the Sun, Messenger Mercury, Valuable Venus and the Lunar north node all in Gemini, the air is thick and rife with communicative energy. So let’s talk Gemini.

This first of the three air signs, Gemini and its planet Mercury rule communication.  Its glyph is the TWINS, a dominant and passive twin of information exchange.  The dominant twin we know and love. It rules information sharing or dissemination:   the talker, speaker, social media maven posting multitudes on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  The passive twin, however, we have a less developed relationship with (at least in western cultures).  This twin deals with information gathering and collection:  listening, hearing, meditating, cogitating on and processing all the data that crosses our awareness, which the dominant twin shares.

When managed well, Gemini energy is like an electric switch with which we take equal turns, on and off. Equal parts listening and integrating to sharing and posting.  Given that Mercury is retrograde until June 23^rd, it is especially vital that we slow down and take our time processing and reviewing what crosses our radar.  I cannot emphasize enough the trickster energy at play during the first ten days of June. Miscommunication leading to misunderstandings are at peak torque this month.  So be very clear in your messaging; and if you are uncertain about another’s intent or meaning, ASK.  Do not hesitate to check twice if you do not fully understand what you are getting into. Last, by all means, if you can hold off on signing major contracts or significant documents, and delay purchasing big ticket items such as cars, homes, appliances as well as technology devices like phones and laptops, try to wait.

Between June 1^st and 10^th is as much a cosmic dead zone as there could be.  The stretch between the first eclipse on May 26 and June 10^th, coupled with Mercury retrograde is a red flashing light:  stop, look, review, wait, research, think and think again.  This is NOT a time to advance or proceed with much of anything.  As I advise my clients:  you have to live your life.  Because life does not come to a screeching halt, each of us must continue with our day-to-day decision making.  Live your life.  But for anything of key importance now, it is best to do so on or after June 23rd to sign on the dotted line or run the credit card.

While otherwise dicey, we do have help during this stretch.  From Tuesday, June 1^st to Friday the 4^th, the Sun and north node duo in Gemini align with Saturn in Aquarius.  Use this time for connecting the dots, ideas, experimentation, networking, knowledge building, research and data collection, reviewing and writing.  On a positive front, this is a HIGHLY creative and innovative time.  Think of the eccentric artist or scientist working in their studio or laboratory.  Breakthroughs R-US.  Meditation, journaling, as well as employing all of the retrograde RE words:  rest, restore, review, reclaim, renovate, research are your guideposts.

On Tuesday, June 2^nd, Valuable Venus enters nurturing Cancer the Crab, where she draws us to dote on our loved ones and practice radical self-care, what FEELS good and emotionally accurate.  This is the time to invest in yourself, your home and family (whether blood relatives or those who feel like family).   With all the sound and fury generated by planets in air signs, you may be very well want to withdraw into Cancer’s nurturing energy and cuddle up under the covers with a good book.

Withdrawing entirely from life is usually not an option for most of us; but as much as you can, take a beat and hit the pause button especially as Mars in Cancer opposes Powerful Pluto on June 5^th and 6^th.  We are shown in stark contrast boundaries that must be set within our household, family and diet.  Planetary oppositions poke our attention to raise our awareness.  If you have been giving and giving and giving and not saving any time for yourself, THIS dynamic will make you stop, stand up and take note.  Wherever your feelings, home life, family or food related relationships have run amok, Mars-Pluto draws a line in the sand and says:  stop in the name of love, for yourself and others.  It is high past time to get a grip on food, house, home, and family matters.  Mars in Cancer is also concerned with the homeland, our country or nation where we live.  Issues involving our nation’s border are keenly highlighted, the families being reunited or those still yet to be and how to create an immigration policy the majority can agree on.

Honest, clear messaging is all important as we head into the second eclipse of the year on Thursday, June 10^th.  Messenger Mercury is closely tied to both the Sun and Moon, all in Gemini at the time of this New Moon Solar eclipse.  Gemini is known as the “salesman of the zodiac”; our minds, emotions and energy each challenge dreamy Neptune at eclipse time, making for one super slippery smoke and mirrors effect.  Things seem not to be as they appear; something doesn’t quite add up but you may not be able to put your finger on exactly what it is.  Think of this as a test:  to trust yourself, your intuition and gut feelings rather than being swept up in the moment or popular thing to do.  It is imperative now to say what you mean and mean what you say.  If someone is pushing an idea or product on you, or to get you to commit before you are ready, do not be afraid to stand in your power and hit the pause button.  Ask for more information and definitely more time to make your decision.  Time is on your side. 

Be sure to harness the power of three key inner planets, along with the north node aligning to Saturn in communicative air signs, to set your New Moon intentions on June 10^th.  Hand write 3-5 goals you desire to manifest over the coming month or season.  Either plant in the warm spring earth or set alight and release their ashes to the wind.

Two days later, on Saturday, June 12^th, Motivating Mars shifts into Look at me Leo for the next six weeks. The planet of action is much more comfortable in this creative and festive sign.  Mars in Leo is ready to ROAR.  It wants to get the party started already; especially as many people are now vaccinated against Covid 19 and most of us are now living more outdoors with warmer temperatures.   Over the next month, gregarious Mars in Leo gradually aligns to the lunar south node in Sagittarius and healer chiron in Aries.  Time to let your freak flag fly.  Let loose and let it all hang out.  Pick your pleasure. 

After a looonnnng cooped up and pent up year of pandemic rules and restrictions, the healing afforded in this grand fire aspect abounds.  Take advantage.  It’s time to play again, to plan gatherings with friends and family; think about fun activities like music concerts and indoor events, sporting or otherwise.  Summer upon us now, as the Sun makes its annual passage into Cancer the Crab, marking the longest day of the year via the summer solstice on Monday, June 21^st.   The star coordinates make for one lovely solstice as Valuable Venus aligns with its elder sibling dreamy Neptune.  Our feelings, emotions and intuition guide us accurately.  Follow your internal GPS as it knows the way and will never steer you wrong.

The very next day, Tuesday, June 22^nd, Messenger Mercury turns direct motion.   Thank goddess!  Time to proceed with any plans you have been brewing.  Go ahead and put money down on travel and entertainment.  Buy the tickets, sign the contract and seal the deal.  Mercury conjoins the lunar north node in Gemini aligning to Aquarian Saturn.  Our words pack a heavy punch especially under the spotlight of the waxing full moon in Capricorn on Thursday, June 24^th.  If you have a message to get out, June 23^rd-25^th are THE days for heightened visibility and impact.  You will be seen and heard.  Connections are made and ideas exchanged, accepted and even acted upon. 

The final Sunday of the month, June 27^th, Valuable Venus joins her brother Mars in Leo.  Our energy AND our values now seek creative outlets through fun and festive engagement, relationships romantic and otherwise, as well as how we apply our skills and talents to earn a living.  For the next month, the passage of these two interpersonal planets in fun-loving Leo, mark a distinct gateway through which we say hello to enjoying life again and goodbye to Covid confinement.  We certainly learned a huge amount over the last year or so.  Most certainly, we’ll never take for granted the ease of walking out the front door without a mask, having dinner with others inside, or hugging far-flung relatives.  I know I’m more than ready to travel and play.  I bet you are too.

Of Special Note:

Enjoy my interview with Reiki Master and writer Liza Lentini on my next episode of Mystical Messages.  Liza specializes in animal and distance Reiki as well as teaching the modality via zoom.  Tune into our conversation on Friday, June 11th.

Can't You Hear Me Knocking?

The balance of super strong, sturdy earth energies greet us at the gates to the Merry month of May.  We feel anchored and grounded.  Six out of ten planets cycle through earth signs, four of them in cultivating and sensual Taurus.  The ground is warm, soft and fertile.  The first week of May is prime planting season.  Any seeds, whether your thoughts, words, ideas or actions will grow into exactly what you intend now.  Choose wisely.

Taurus is primal building block energy.  The first earth sign of the zodiac, it offers endless possibilities to cultivate and shape our lives.  From outermost Uranus to interior planets Sun, Venus and Mercury, we are invited to play with opportunities.  For Taurus rules value, worth, our skills and talents.  She asks, how should we make the most of our talents when opportunity comes knocking?  Will you recognize it?  Seize it?  Or refrain, fearful of what might happen if you dare say yes?  If you say no, will you regret your decision later on?  What is the worst that could happen? 

The only constant, guaranteed for sure thing in life is change.  The ongoing challenge between Radical Uranus and Taskmaster Saturn pushes us out of our comfort zone.  Uranus rules Aquarius, the sign Saturn currently cycles through.  Their message is clear:  change and change now.  If you refuse to change, or grow, the alternative is stagnation, like a flower wilting on the vine for lack of water.  So better to tend to your garden.  If you are uncertain, stick a toe in.  Check the water temperature.   Try gradual shifts.  Experiment.  Observe what does not work; then pivot.

Adaptability is just around the corner. On Tuesday, May 4^th Messenger Mercury shifts into its own sign of Gemini.  Our minds flip a switch, become quicker, wittier and increasingly versatile over the next three weeks.  Flexibility is heightened that much more a few days later on Sunday, May 9^th when Valuable Venus joins Mercury in communicative Gemini.  We meet arising problems arising with every variety of solution as we succinctly connect to ideas, people, and resources.  Anything we planted in late April or the first days of May are skillfully tended with ingenuity and alacrity.  The base is established.  We are ready to go and grow as the New Moon occurs in Taurus on Tuesday, May 11^th.  

Aligning to Powerhouse Pluto, we are afforded prime time, heart-centered structural energy with which to build.  Capricorn Pluto asks:  what do you desire?  What are your goals, aims, hopes for achievement?  For this is THE New Moon to plant your intentions in the earth, water regularly and watch them sprout and blossom.  Messenger Mercury tied to the Lunar North Node in Gemini align with airy Aquarian Saturn, also making this a highly innovative and inventive New Moon.  We are blessed with materials (money and more) from the prodigious planets in earth signs as well as sharp-as-a-tack communications connectivity from the air sign planets.  Meaning, we have at our disposal a master manifestor wand.   

There is a magician like power to this New Moon.  The question is, will you use your magic manifestor wand wisely, take it for granted or misuse its power?  Think Harry Potter.  It is vital to focus clearly on your New Moon intentions, to understand your reasons, motivation, the WHY far more than the how, of your desires.  If your reasons are unclear, hit the pause button and contemplate precisely why it is you want to achieve a certain goal.  If your answer resonates with a ping of truth in your heart center, proceed.  Hand write 3- 5 goals and plant in the softening, rich earth.  Eleven is a master number and the May 11^th New Moon means business.  Achtung!!  Be ready to go when it arrives.  You do not want to miss this ripe chance for growth.

Growth and abundance of a different kind surface three days later when Generous Jupiter rolls into inspirational Pisces on Friday, May 14^th.  For a few brief months of 2021, the titan of abundance gives us a taste of its upcoming 2022 cycle through dreamy Pisces.  Water, water everywhere.   You can either surrender to the flow or swim against the tide and get pulled under.  Believe, trust your intuition or drown in fear laden woe. Maybe you will paddle back and forth between the two.  Oceanic Jupiter in Pisces seduces us to dream BIG.  Music and water in ANY form will be of great benefit with this placement.  Use both generously.

For the next two and a half months, until the end of July, Jupiter floods us with divine guidance.  Tune in.  Listen.  Is it your imagination or reality?  Perhaps, a bit of both.  This window of late spring through early summer affords us a peak into how we may craft our dreams into reality.  For if we have learned anything from our pandemic reflections, we create our own reality forged from our imagination and intent.  Necessity is the mother of invention.  Look back for just a moment.  Where were you one year ago?  How has your life changed?  What was your state of mind?  How did you spend your days? 

I know my mind and situation last May were dramatically different than this year.  Have you stayed the course, steered the boat of your life carefully, harnessing the winds in your sails. Or, have you run aground?  Pisces is imagery, visualization, a camera and film projector.  Jupiter cycling through Pisces projects the movie of our life on to a larger than life screen.  It reflects back to us all that we were, are and could possibly ever be.  Use this ten week stretch from mid-May to July’s end to dabble and dip into what might be as we resurface from the pandemic. 

One week later, the Sun joins Mercury and Venus in Gemini on Friday, May 21^st.  Through the end of May, the Sun gradually aligns to Taskmaster Saturn, which turns retrograde motion on Sunday, May 23^rd for the next several months.  This is the first of two planetary retrogrades as we wind down the month of May. There is a noticeable gear shift as we head into June, a turning of the tide and mood swing of energies. 

While we may not feel it so much with Saturn’s retrograde, we surely will when Messenger Mercury turns retrograde on Saturday, May 29^th.  Expect communication and technology snafus galore especially as Mercury’s retrograde occurs on the heels of the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse on early on Wednesday, May 26^th in Gemini and Sagittarius.  Mercury-Venus in Gemini challenge Neptune, making this one very slippery eclipse.  Pay particular attention to your thoughts, words and language in general.  Say what you mean and mean what you say. Use language carefully and LISTEN intently to others’ messaging:  not just what they are saying but how they are speaking and even more critically, pay attention to what is NOT said.  Read between the lines.  Watch for body language and facial cues. There is far, far more than meets the eye than what you see or are aware of now.

The end of May is really tricky and chock full of prankster energy.  Smoke and mirrors, spin, spin doctors and con artists.  You may be stunned at manipulative twists from otherwise above board people; double talk is rife now.  Use caution and care.  THIS is the time to ask for more information and time, time to think about a prospect overnight, or longer; to do more research, to ask a trusted partner or friend for their opinion. 

Given the signs involved with both Mercury retrograde (Gemini/communication) and the Lunar Eclipse (Gemini/Sagittarius), you may very well experience prolonged delays or difficulties with products and travel plans purchased at the end of May.   If you need to make buy electronic, technical devices or secure travel plans, be sure to do so no later than May 16^th or prepare to wait until late June. 

And as with all Mercury retrogrades, REmember to practice the RE words:  reflect, revisit, restore, renew, reclaim, review, research, etc.   From the May 26^th eclipse through the end of Mercury retrograde on June 23^rd, make the most of this nearly month long period by clearing out the old to make way for the new.   This is an excellent time for a thorough, top to bottom spring cleaning as well as taking a vacation.  Schedule a grown up play date.   Take a few days off, an afternoon or staycation, simply to get a change of scenery.  The prevalence of Gemini energy shines with variable uses of time; the more you take time to BE, the more you will DO.

Of Special Interest:

Please tune into my podcast Mystical Messages on Friday, May 14th to hear my conversation with  Certified Tarot Master and Astrologer John Marani.  We dive into John's depth and breadth of experience with the Tarot and how it may be used for guidance and direction.  John is the author of In Their Own Words: The Major Arcana of the Tarot and lectures widely on the subject.

 

Meteor Shower or April Showers: Shine Bright like a Diamond!

 April is the customary time for bursting forth on all fronts in life.  With our push forward, up, out and onward, there may often be rush to judgment or impulsive action that catches up with us later on.  After a languid winter made infinitely worse and more confining by the Covid pandemic, we are rarin’ to go straight out of the gate.  Fortunately, the cosmic energies offer tremendous support to move forward with every aspect of our life now.

Why?

On April 1^st, we are just past half way through an unusual astrological phase where all ten planets in our galaxy are direct motion.  Unusual in the prolonged length of time the planets are direct, over two months.  This phase will end during the final days of April when Transformer Pluto turns retrograde for the next several months.  Until then, we enjoy fairly unfettered cosmic motion.  So take full advantage!

As you hit the gas pedal of your life, it is a good thing to remember that there is little to hold your horses, cosmically speaking, as April begins.  So it is on us to hit the pause button if we come to a cross roads or key decision.  Not only are all of the planets smoothing our path forward, but several key alignments and planetary placements offer energy enhancement.

Such as you might ask?

As April opens, Motivating Mars in Gemini aligns with both titans Generous Jupiter and Taskmaster Saturn, in Aquarius.  We connect on all cylinders, to ideas, to people both groups and individuals, using technology as we go.  Our information gathering, sharing and disseminating is at peak performance; so if you have a message to broadcast, the first week of April is the time to release what you have to say; especially Sunday and Monday, April 4^th and 5^th when Messenger Mercury enters fiery Aries at an attention-getting degree.  Time to speak your piece and how!

As Mercury joins Valuable Venus and the Sun in Aries, our get up and go feels super charged.  Mercury rules our thoughts, mind, language and words.  Loosely paired with the Sun, our will and Venus (relationships) we have no time to waste.  Get ON with it already!  The long winter months with planets in Cautious Capricorn and Dreamy Pisces are over.  Enough considering, evaluating and reflecting. It is time to act and now.  S/he who hesitates is lost, right?  Of course right!

So hopefully you have finished your research and analysis by the end of March; because the impulse to pull the trigger between Sunday, April 4^th and mid-month is at peak torque.  Our minds are made up and suddenly we’re racing from 0-100 in 2.5 seconds flat.    Where is the dotted line so we can sign?   How fast can we get it or get there, or make something happen, whatever that is, and ask ourselves why did we wait so long to do this?  We want to know it, do it, or live it now.

Yes, this is the rapidity of the triple Aries energy at play.  So in your rush, especially with large purchases and investments, remember to take a minute to check your calculations.  Trust me:   you do not want to live with buyer’s remorse or any I TOLD YOU SO of the up-coming Taurus energy later this month.  It won’t hurt anyone to run the numbers on a prospective purchase or sleep on a decision for just one night.

April is the customary time for bursting forth on all fronts in life.  With our push forward, up, out and onward, there may often be rush to judgment or impulsive action that catches up with us later on.  After a languid winter made infinitely worse and more confining by the Covid pandemic, we are rarin’ to go now straight out of the gate.  Fortunately, the cosmic energies offer tremendous support to move forward with every aspect of our life.

Why?

Well, on this coming Thursday April 1^st, we are just past half way through an unusual astrological phase where all ten planets in our galaxy are turning direct motion.  Unusual in that this is a very prolonged length of time for the planets to be turning direct, over two months all together.  This phase will end during the final days of April when Transformer Pluto turns retrograde for the next several months.  Until then, we enjoy fairly unfettered cosmic motion.  So take full advantage!

As you hit the gas pedal of your life now, it is a good thing to remember that there is little to hold your horses, cosmically speaking, as April begins.  So it is on us to hit the pause button if we come to a cross roads or key decision.  Not only are all of the planets smoothing our path forward, but several key alignments and planetary placements offer favorable energy enhancement.

Such as you might ask?

When April opens this Thursday, Motivating Mars in Gemini aligns with both titans Generous Jupiter and Taskmaster Saturn, in Aquarius.  We are connecting on all cylinders, to ideas, to people both groups and individuals, and using technology as we go.  Our information gathering, sharing and disseminating is at peak performance; so if you have a message to broadcast, the first week of April is the time to release what you have to say; especially Sunday and Monday, April 4^th and 5^th when Messenger Mercury enters fiery Aries at an attention-getting degree.   This is THE Time to speak your piece and how!

As Mercury joins Valuable Venus and the Sun in Aries, our get up and go feels super charged.  Mercury rules our thoughts, mind, language and words.  Loosely paired with the Sun, our will and Venus (relationships) we have no time to waste.  We want to Get ON with it already!  The long winter months with planets in Cautious Capricorn and Dreamy Pisces are over.  Enough considering, evaluating and reflecting. It is time to act and now.  S/he who hesitates is lost, right?  Of course right!

So hopefully you have finished your research and analysis by the end of March; because the impulse to pull the trigger between Sunday, April 4^th and mid-month is at peak torque.  Our minds are made up and suddenly we’re racing from 0-100 in 2.5 seconds flat.    We want to know Where the dotted line is so we can sign?   How fast can we get what we desire, or get where we’re going already or make something happen faster, whatever that is, while we ask ourselves why did we wait so long to do this?  We want to know it, do it, or live it now.

Yes, this is the rapidity of the triple Aries energy at play.  So in your rush, especially with large purchases and investments, remember to take a minute to check your calculations.  Trust me:   you do not want to live with buyer’s remorse or any I TOLD YOU SO regret of the up-coming Taurus energy later this month.  It won’t hurt to run the numbers on a prospective purchase or sleep on a major decision for just one night.

This is especially important During the dark phase of the moon, Friday, April 9-Sunday, April 11, right before the New Moon very late on the 11^th.  This is one catalytic New Moon as fiery Sun, Moon and Venus in Aries aligns with Jupiter in Aquarius:  meaning, we are FULL of ideas and how to get them done and the energy to accomplish it all.  The trick with this New Moon is taking measured turns, alternating cautious pragmatism with impulsive energy. 

The Aries trio challenges transformer Pluto in Capricorn.  Our will and emotions have a great big foot on the accelerator while Pluto says not so fast:  If you’re going to do anything, do it right.  Build what you want but build it to last.  Otherwise, impulse decisions will get the better of you now, like pouring gasoline on a bonfire.  However, when managed effectively, this New Moon energy can accomplish anything and quickly.  So set your intentions on Monday or Tuesday, the 12^th or 13^th.  Remember to handwrite 3-5 goals you seek to accomplish over the next month or season.  Then plant in the ground or carefully set alight.

The temperature begins to lower noticeably a few days later when Venus, Mercury and the Sun shift into earthy Taurus like dominoes falling into place.  From Thursday, April 15^th through Monday, the 19^th, the hot Aries engine turns over into a gentle purr.  The Garden Party is ON!  Valuable Venus leads the energy shift as she rolls into her own sign of Taurus on the 15^th.  Here, she feels at home taking her time, creating what is beautiful and sensual yet practical.  How does Taurus procure her triple threat creations:  effective, efficient and luscious?  Venus wastes neither time, money nor resources producing; she knows what everyone can use or relate to, especially the impossible-to-buy for…she has exactly the right, just the perfect little gift.  For Taurus, Life is art; living an art form, Venus says. Designing, cultivating, planting, growing and harvesting, Venus in her ruler sign Taurus comforts us as only Mother Earth can.

By the following Monday, April 19^th, both Messenger Mercury and the Sun join Venus in Taurus, gradually joining Radical Uranus.  We cannot help but feel life slow down into a more even-keeled, methodical pace, remarkably different from the fire-brand, nearly manic first weeks of April.  With four planets in Taurus now, we find ourselves moving gradually, even gracefully, tasting what life has to offer, feeling textures and, yes, smelling the roses too.  Taurus is primordial building block energy.  She is both the farmer, sowing seeds of nourishing food, master craftsman and designer, building a lovely and functional home, with a garden, of course.

As the Sun (our will), Mercury (our minds and words), and Venus (our relationships) all converge with the Great Awakener Uranus over the last half of April, our values may shift.  Taurus is the “show me the money” sign.  It rules worth, and yes our self-worth, our skills and talents, how we apply these to earn money.  As it cycles through Taurus, the change agent planet Uranus turns everything upside down as cycling through super stable Taurus makes for an uncomfortable fit.  We have seen the results of this pairing rendered through economic uncertainty borne out of the Covid pandemic.  Uranus asks:  what are your time and talents worth?  Are you using them wisely?  To the most effective benefit?  If not, should you be cultivating different skills?   Then it sets about changing things up, to intentionally push us out of our comfort zone, to awaken us to our greatest Self.

How? 

Uranus awakens us through change, sudden events or surprises, what we know as plot twists or life’s unexpected bends in the road.  When each of the interior planets, Sun, Mercury and Venus first pair then move past Uranus, we may feel mini- earthquakes.  These may take one of many forms, such as “ah-hah!” moments, flashes of insight and realization such as, “why did it take me so long to understand this…?” or much greater, unpredictable events that can shake and shock us.  FYI:  Uranus rules lightning, electricity and earthquakes.  This is breakdown and breakthrough energy.  For some, it may feel like a make or break time.  So it is helpful that Motivating Mars rolls into compassionate Cancer the Crab on Friday, April 23^rd.  Our actions are softened as we are drawn toward how we feel, or can best nurture our family and ourselves. 

Emotions may be running a wee bit high as Mars enters emotional Cancer, under waxing Full Moon energies.  The last weekend of April looks particularly turbulent heading into the Full Moon in Scorpio on Monday, April 26^th.  The energy that weekend is intensified as Powerful Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio, prepares to turn retrograde the very next day on Tuesday, the 27^th.  Suffice to say, it is enough to have one of these events in and of itself; having them paired together is well, loaded.   So TAKE CARE.  Pluto and its sign Scorpio reveal what has been hidden, especially hidden with intention.  Under the blazing light of the Full Moon, old secrets come out of the woodwork; karma comes a-calling. If you have anything to own up to, this week is the time for complete accountability.  If not, please do your part to minimize any drama that typically roils around a Full Moon.

The very long stretch of direct motion planets now comes to an end with Pluto’s retrograde on the 27^th.  We will not see another forward thrust of all ten planets until February 2022.  So make the most of April’s fiercely brave first weeks by planting seeds of value and worthiness, even if that means breaking out of what holds you back, or break away from what keeps you from pure soulful living. If Covid taught us anything, it certainly drove home:  to thine own self be true.

Of Special Note:

Tune into my podcast Mystical Messages for my astrology forecast and interview with groundbreaking healers.   Friday, April 2^nd my April astrology forecast drops, to be followed on Friday, April 16th by my discussion with the remarkably talented Erica Lee, internationally recognized medium.  If you are interested in the spirit realm or learning how to connect with to those who have passed, you will not want to miss this episode of Mystical Messages with Erica Lee.  To learn more, please visit:  www.ericaleemedium.com

 

 

 

 

 

Is this the real life or is it just fantasy?

 Without hyperbole, the kindest weeks of 2021 occur during the month of March.  All of the planets are moving forward as March opens, creating calmer days with much less cosmic activity stirring the ether. And while there are occasional periods where all the planets in our galaxy turn forward together, it is rare indeed to have them direct motion for such a long time:  between February 21^st and April 27^th, just over two months, every single planet will be turning forward. 

In concert with this, the balance of March lends a particularly unifying energy.  The Sun, our will and how we engage with the world, along with mystical Neptune and Valuable Venus all cycle through inspirational Pisces now.  Imagination, dreams, divine guidance and trusting our beliefs, soak into our beings.  Feel the waves of life or actual water lapping up around you.  Listen to music drifting you into another frame of mind. 

Pisces and its planet Neptune rule consciousness itself, our soul and spirit.  It is the energy of a thousand souls singing the same verse together at a concert.  It is transcendental.  During March, you cannot DO water and music enough.  Whether you are on, in, around or near, ANY kind of water will do:  vapor/steam, balmy ocean, frozen ice, tranquil lake.  Same with music:  pick your pleasure.  What makes you come to life?  Make your heart and feet THUMP?! 

The final sign of the zodiac, Pisces is a deeply cleansing, healing and unifying energy.   Right now, we need every single drop of this water sign to wash away the anger, grief and discouragement so prevalent now.  Fostering this gentle go-with- the-flow energy is planetary ruler Neptune in its own sign, Pisces, along with its younger sibling Venus, which shines in emotional Pisces; here she is imbued with super powered grace and love for all, helping us reach across our perceived divides and differences to bridge the gaps.   Venus and Neptune remind us that we are all children of the universe; we share more in common than not.  How can you be a force for unity?

Just a few days into the month, on Thursday, March 4^th, Motivating Mars turns into communicative Gemini, sharpening our minds and our words.  Gemini is the salesman of the zodiac; when switched on, it is powerfully persuasive using focused attention and intimate contact of the moment.  Mars moves into Gemini the exact same day that Generous Jupiter pairs up with Messenger Mercury, ruler of Gemini; so expect strong or particularly noteworthy messages on or around March 4^th.   Gradually through the month, Mars joins the lunar North Node and both align to three planets in Connective Aquarius:  Taskmaster Saturn, Jupiter and Mercury.  Our minds, ideas, thoughts and words synchronize like a well-oiled machine.  We link up to the right groups and teams, networking our message to those who need to hear it most and for the greatest collective benefit.

On the heels of this, we enter one of the loveliest passages of the entire year!  Make no mistake, this is one beautiful stretch of time.  So wherever you are and whatever you a doing, plan to make the most of the second week of the month, between Friday March 5^th and the New Moon on Saturday, March 13^th.  Why, you may ask is this period so especially harmonious?  The Sun and Venus gradually converge, tightly joining Neptune for a Piscean lovefest.  Dance along the divine wavelength offered to us now.  Sink into and soak up mystical feeling, windswept inspiration, unparalleled intuitive perception, divinely guided actions.  If you are planning to get married, this week is it!  It gets my pick for 2021!

The magical energy continues unfolding through the New Moon on Saturday, March 13^th, marking new beginnings just one week before the Spring Equinox.  Remember to handwrite 3-5 intentions, prayers or goals that you seek to manifest in the coming season.  With the abundant water energy this New Moon, cast your goals into a moving body of water or water them generously after you plant them in the softening spring earth.

Three days later, Messenger Mercury **FINALLY** moves out of Aquarius, where it has been since early January.  Shifting into Pisces, it gradually challenges Mars and the lunar north node in Gemini, marking the trickiest part of March.   The Gemini Mars-North Node can spin, sell and persuade their way (meaning YOU) into or out of anything; while Piscean Mercury wants so much to BELIEVE.  Our challenge here is to discern:  what is real, clarifying fact from fiction and truth from illusion.  The stretch from Friday, March 19^th to the 26^th is particularly slippery.

 It is ESPECIALLY important that you have all relevant information so you may make informed decisions; that you listen to integrate and learn rather than to listen to merely reply; so remember to hit the pause button and reflect, to ask more questions if you are uncertain or if your gut/intuition tells you something is awry.  Do not be afraid to dig deeper if necessary.  Most importantly, do not let anyone else hold a metaphorical gun to your head… suggesting that you may miss out on something if you do not ACT NOW.  Sleep on whatever is being proposed, the choice you are facing.  Trust your instincts more than others’ agendas. 

It will be particularly important to hold your horses around the 3^rd week of March.  The urge to act, our impulses are racing as the Sun shifts into brazen, fiery Aries on Saturday, March 20^th, marking the Spring Equinox; followed by Valuable Venus the very next day.  We are rarin’ to go, to get a move on now with the fearless Aries energy lighting a fire underneath us. This is classic Spring Fever energy.  We feel there is nothing we cannot do if only we try. Aries is The Great Initiator.  Just keep in mind that you will need a plan to finish what you start.

We feel the momentum build toward the Full Moon in Libra on Sunday, March 28^th.  This is an especially helpful Full Moon as it forms a grand air trine (SUPER FLOW) between Mars-North Node in Gemini and Aquarius Saturn.  We are connecting on all cylinders:  to people, ideas, resources, groups, technology, teams and networks to manifest our goals.  Supporting this hyper connectivity, Mercury-Neptune heighten our intuition:  we simply know and feel the right direction to move.  Venus-Chiron-Sun tightly pair in Aries emboldening our courage to try what has not been done, to go where no man has gone before, to heal in a whole new way, with new methods and means.  In short, the powerful potential of this Full Moon, bringing fruition to our accumulated efforts is second to none.  March 28^th truly marks New Beginnings.  How will you make the most of your fresh start?

Of special note:

Please join me on Friday, March 19th for my podcast Mystical Messages as I interview guest Nicole Henley, spiritual midwife, life coach, energy alchemist and creator of Moksha Moon Alchemy.  Nicole and I discuss her energy work with clients, using a variety of modalities including sound healing, crystals, herbal remedies and more.  To book a session with Nicole or to explore her herbal oil products, please visit her on Facebook or Instagram:  Nicole Henley-Moksha Moon. To tune in to hear my interview with Nicole, you may find Mystical Messages wherever you subscribe to your podcasts:

https://mysticalmessages.libsyn.com

 

The Great SHIFT Show

Let’s call this month what it really is:  THE BIG SHIFT.  We are witnessing and living history now.  February 1st marks Imbolc, laying the ground work for spring and new growth.  We tend to much subconsciously, beneath the surface of ourselves, at a deep soul level.  Such a momentous time seldom occurs on a collective scale; and there is both immense chaos and ripe opportunity for those paying attention.

How do we manage or muddle through this passage?  Manage your expectations, of what is feasible, reasonable and possible.  A top priority is to take care of ourselves, our loved ones, our health and well-being.  Rest assured, the rest will take care of itself.  Ask: Where are your efforts best concentrated?  Make small goals to move yourself forward each day.  Rely on and use creative and innovative thinking.  Keep an open mind.   I cannot stress this enough as everyone seems to have an opinion and think theirs is the only one that matters.

Mid-winter is deeply upon us now, and we are inclined to, supposed to, turn inward.  It is a time of reflection and taking stock to prepare for the growing season ahead.  Aligning with our reflective mood, is Messenger Mercury’s retrograde cycle that began last month, at the end of January, and continues in reverse gear for the next three weeks, until February 20^th.  This is a natural part of the planetary cycle, especially helpful for Mercury which rules our mind, thoughts and communication.  For if we were always pressing forward, we’d mentally exhaust ourselves, fizzle and burn out. 

Take advantage of this mental rest phase of Mercury retrograde by employing the RE words:  Research, rest, review, renovate, relax, revisit, reclaim…  It is an excellent time to clean out and take stock, whether a closet or your health habits. Until February 20^th, refrain from major purchases (cars, appliances, homes); avoid purchasing technology products such as new phones, laptops or tablets; and hold off on signing significant contracts or documents.  Do your REsesarch for planned projects or potential products you need to purchase.

Now is the month to dive into innovation as we have loads of help on this front:  As February begins, five, yes, FIVE out of ten planets in our galaxy are in the inventive air sign of Aquarius.  These planets will be in Aquarius for the first three weeks, the balance of the month.  That is a whole lotta air.  So let’s talk Aquarius:  what you need to know about its upsides and challenges.

The second to last sign of the zodiac, Aquarius is a fixed air sign, meaning it has tremendous stamina, perseverance and strength around ideas and knowledge.  The air signs communicate.  Aquarius explores the information that Gemini gathers and shares and that Libra designs and mediates.  As a fixed sign, the buck stops with Aquarius:  it takes collected data and connects the dots, cementing it into knowledge. Aquarius’ key phrase is:  I KNOW.   

Just how does Aquarius know so much?

Through trial and error, inventing, testing theories, and experimenting, whether with humanitarian solutions or tangible products, or both, such as a vaccine to help eradicate a global pandemic.  Aquarius links together, ideas or people.  It is the collective and collective consciousness.

The caution with Aquarian energy is that it is so focused on its mission that it can completely forget about the rest of the world.  Think of an eccentric, mad scientist.  Like Uranus, the ruling planet of Aquarius, it does its own thing in its own way.  Uranus is the only planet in our solar system that rotates vertically instead of horizontally.  It is known as the change agent and the Great Awakener.  Its purpose you ask?  To redirect us when we are off path or heading in the wrong direction; such as when life suddenly redirects us.  And yes, it uses shock, surprise, sudden events to shake us up and down.   Think of lightning strikes and earthquakes, both ruled by Uranus. 

Aquarians march to their own drummer; their theme song might as well be “Don’t Fence Me In”.  Its essence is:  different, non-mainstream, avant garde, unusual, and its favorite words are the three Rs:  Radical, Rebellious, Revolutionary.  This is where Aquarians can run into trouble, especially as a collective, a disorderly mob.  We have certainly seen this with the storming of the Capitol in Washington DC.

However, the highest use of this energy is for the benefit of the collective.  Think of noteworthy Aquarians who worked for the common good:  Thomas Edison, the record holder for patents; Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt.  Innovators all and professors of the human experiment.  The latter two stepped into the arena during huge times of national crises and delivered solutions to end human suffering.  Lincoln ended slavery while Roosevelt put people to work.

Deep into our current time of crisis, we can certainly use Aquarian innovation now.

This February, if we manage the dominant Aquarian energy for our collective, highest good, solutions abound. Think of it like playing an instrument within a band.  The other band members need you to do your part as much as you need them.   So let’s take a closer look at the five planets energetically weighing in most of this month, the Aquarian Fab Five.

First, the Sun, our will and identity, how we engage with the world cycles through Aquarius until the 18^th.  Supporting the Sun is Messenger Mercury, the ruler of our mind and our mouth.  Mercury has super powers in Aquarius, delighting in the playground of connecting ideas.  It is spending an especially long time in this sign, from January 9 to March 15^th, due to its three week retrograde cycle.  This lengthy stretch is an enormous help to us for solving stubborn problems through technology or innovative strategies.

Likewise Valuable Venus, brings people together, connecting us.  Aquarius is detached and emotionally removed; so Venus, the planet of love and relationships is particularly cool and reserved in this sign.  The higher use of her Aquarian passage is to observe how people may best collaborate.

The interior planets closest to the Sun are vastly strengthened by the two Titans Generous Jupiter and Taskmaster Saturn which shifted into Aquarius last December 2020. Together, we are concerned with the Greater Good; Aquarius is humanitarian, and wants what’s best for everyone, the common man most of all.  Aquarius treats everyone the same whether the garbage man or the CEO. 

As we approach mid-month, the New Moon joins the Aquarian Cadre on Thursday, February 11^th, giving us six planets in the air sign for two days from late Tuesday, February 9^th through Thursday, the 11^th.  An Aquarius Moon is unemotional; the upside of this is that it allows for cooler heads to prevail.  Such detachment cannot be overvalued in such tumultuous times and will be greatly needed now as Saturn and Uranus square off exactly for the first time on Tuesday, February 16^th.  Think of this as father and son, or brothers, in a stand-off, really dug in, or going at it with all their might in a boxing ring.

Uranus in Taurus demands we change our values, how we earn a living, the use of our skills, talents, and how we use our resources including Mother Earth.  Up against Uranus, Saturn in Aquarius resists, pushing back hard by asking exactly how we are going to meet the needs of so many people? The hungry, the unemployed, the uninsured.  It is helpful to watch out for surly My Way or the Highway attitudes.  Remember:  there are many ways to tackle a problem.  All roads lead to Rome.  The crux of this planetary clash between Saturn and Uranus forces us to work together to solve our common problems.  When we form a human bridge and unite to solve what plagues us we triumph.  Such as now, literally, during a pandemic, with the development of a Covid vaccine in record time. 

If we stubbornly refuse to budge, as many will, then disorder and disruption inevitably prevails.  Change is a coming whether we like it or not.  Uranus and its sign Aquarius rule change.  One thing is for sure:  the only constant in life is change.  And we are pushed like crazy to change and change now.

This may result in many of us feeling stretched really thin, perhaps beyond our breaking point.  Sometimes, it is said, you have to breakdown to breakthrough.  So as a kindly mental health suggestion, it is the perfect time to slow down and rest; especially given that the first three weeks of February,  Mercury is retrograde.

The planetary Fab 5 converge in Aquarius until February 18^th, after which the Sun rolls into dreamy Pisces.  The final sign of the zodiac, Pisces is the sign of faith, to believe, of dreams and inspiration.  Pisces is the soul itself and seeks to unite us further where Aquarius left of collecting and gathering us together. With the Sun in Pisces, it is imperative to focus on what is possible, what you do want to manifest, not what you do not want in your life.  As John Lennon sang, “Imagine all the people, living life in peace.”

Two days after the Sun moves into Pisces, Messenger Mercury turns direct motion, continuing forward in Aquarius.  Its cycle through this airy sign of ideas and invention is most welcome and highly favored as Mercury is considered exalted in Aquarius.  Meaning, it shines so well in this intellectual sign.  Our minds are sharper, our words land better, and we connect to the right people and ideas while Mercury cycles through Aquarius.   Common sense AND ingenuity prevail.  Mercury’s lengthy passage through its favorite sign of Aquarius is one of the blessings of 2021. Count on this window to help you solve problems and find answers to stubborn questions. 

Rounding out February is the Full Moon on Saturday, February 27^th in Virtuous Virgo.  Dream and go with the flow of the Piscean Sun, just as long as you remember to take a bath and brush your teeth, wags this health conscious Moon.  And don’t forget to do the dishes before you leave…

Of Special Note:  Two new episodes of Mystical Messages, my podcast are out this month!  If you prefer listening to my monthly astrology forecasts, my February forecast released Friday, January 29th. On Friday, February 12th, I'm thrilled to host the AHMAZING Lara Jaye, Light Language Pioneer, energy worker and international best selling author and speaker.  Tune in to hear us discuss her healing journey and how all energy is connected.  Tune in wherever you subscribe to your podcasts:

https://mysticalmessages.libsyn.com/the-great-shift-show

 

Same as it ever was...or not?

A lyric from a Talking Heads song came to mind when I began writing January's astrology message:

“Same as it ever was, same as it ever was, same as it ever was”.  Although is it?

After all, the Age of Aquarius is fully upon us now.  Yet even as I say the words that the up-coming months will be completely different, the New Year will feel like a full on hangover from last year.

The astrology for the New Year is about forming something useful out of the rubble of the past.  Anyone who as ever survived a natural disaster or big personal crisis knows what I’m talking about.  2020 was a year to be gotten through, of managing and surviving rather than accomplishing goals and thriving. For many, it was an exhausting year due to the virtual siege of cosmic events and alignments in one calendar year; more than any astrologer can remember.  Just for starters, I note six eclipses, the grand conjunction of heavyweights Pluto-Jupiter and Saturn last March in austere Capricorn, as well as Mars 6 month long challenge to this power house trio made for a daunting twelve months. 

 I wish I could wave a magic wand and say 2021 will be miraculously better.  Alas, while I have the gift of astrological foresight, I cannot guarantee that next year will be completely different.  What I can promise is that 2021 will pick up where the old year left off.  The crisis is over; yet the battle is not won.  In the coming months we begin sorting through the remains and pick up the pieces, what to salvage and put to good use, planning our next steps in the wake of the disaster.

2021 will not barrage us with nearly the onslaught of cosmic triggers.  In this sense, the year will be calmer and gives a reprieve for us to gather ourselves together.  Or get our SHIFT together as we say in my line of work.  There are remarkably fewer major cosmic events in 2021:  there are 4 eclipses instead of 6, Mars and Venus stay direct all year, and the titans Pluto-Jupiter and Saturn are separating as we speak and moving on, the latter two giving us breathing room in airy Aquarius.  All to say, with much less stirring of the celestial pot so to speak, we are able to move about our business with less interruption. 

I like to describe 2020 as the game board being thrown up to the sky and all the player pieces flung hither and yon.  In 2021, some may feel there is a whole new game on, with new rules. Some will try to play the old game even with the player pieces missing.  Yet we all know:  the Game of Life must still be played, with the stalwart, standard rules that never change:  truth, honor, integrity and responsibility.  Cosmic Law and Earthly law are akin to Macro and Micro.  Remember:  as above, so below.  As the game board player pieces begin coming back down, we sort through them to find what’s available and workable. 

January’s practical Capricorn energy is invaluable for assessing our situation and making a plan.   Now with Saturn firmly in Aquarius, it begins a year-long showdown with Uranus.  This sets the tone for the entire year.   Mythologically, these two planets were father and son who battled it out for dominance.   We take a cue from this dynamic:  the old versus the new, the struggle is REAL I tell you.  Old versus new is the dominant theme for all of 2021 and particularly January.

Both Uranus and Saturn are in FIXED signs:  Saturn is in Aquarius, a fixed air sign and Uranus is in Taurus, the earth fixed sign.  Fixed astrological signs are different from their cousins the cardinal and mutable signs in that their perseverance and stamina are second to none.  Never say die is their motto.  They stick to their beliefs, their work, or relationships like glue and see something through to the finish.  That said, the fixed signs are notable for their stubbornness, inflexibility and in some cases, rigid orthodoxy.  So you can probably guess what’s coming.

Saturn the Taskmaster, ruler of structure, karma, dharma and responsibility, is now in Aquarius.  This paradoxical sign rules innovation and invention, the radical, rebellious, the revolutionary, technology yet the humanitarian, the unique individual yet groups, networks, friends, teams.  In Aquarius, Saturn mandates the NEW, anything new, whether products, approaches, methods, strategies, tactics, processes.  Different, unusual, alternate and alternative, non-mainstream, out of the box, avant garde are Aquarius’ favorite words.  It is the Salvador Dali of the zodiac.  For the first half of the year, Generous Jupiter is closely paired with its Titan partner Saturn, marking the entrance into the Age of Aquarius.

Meanwhile Uranus has been cycling through Taurus.  Now, hang on a second:  isn’t Uranus the ruler of Aquarius?  Why, yes it is. And it is not so comfortable in earthy, sensual Taurus, the SHOW ME and SHOW ME the money sign.  Uranus is the only planet that cycles vertically instead of horizontally.  And here in Taurus, the sign of natural resources and Mother Earth herself, our values are turned upside down.  Uranus has us looking at how we utilize our resources, skills and talents, our worth, the money we earn in a whole different way.  You only need to look at the climate crisis to see how this is playing out in real time.  You think money is valuable?  Wait til you don’t have any water to drink says Uranus.

So we can see how, boxing with each other, especially in January, there is some real pushing and shoving of the old up against the new.  Saturn sets the tone, agenda and current events while Uranus counters:  well, we’ll just see about that. In fact, both are saying the same thing but in different languages.  And like the planets, we are each human beings trying to get along while doing our own thing.  Saturn is demanding we try new approaches; while Uranus has us prioritizing what we value, changing whom and what we value and assign worth to; while task master Saturn says you’ll need to come up with something new to manage your new value system.

With this primary theme as the backdrop, let’s look closer at the cosmic events of January:  first up on Wednesday, January 13^th, just after midnight, there will be a New Moon conjoined to transformer Pluto in austere Capricorn.   Remember to hand write your intentions and goals for the new month and coming season as this is a particularly strong New Moon. Plant your goals in the ground or set alight.

The very next day, Uranus turns direct motion on Thursday, January 14^th.  This gear shift can often stir up extremely unpredictable and unexpected events.   Take it easy this particularly stretch of the January; especially through the 21^st of the month as Mars approaches Radical Uranus, both challenging the Titans Jupiter-Saturn duo.  You will feel the cosmic wheels grinding against each other, resistance of the fixed signs chafing against one another.  It is no accident that the Inauguration of Joe Biden occurs this week.  The reluctance to pass the baton of power over and the insistence it must be done, is palpable. 

The good news is that we have a two week window from January 15^th-29^th where the all ten planets are cycling forward.  This takes a bit of the edge off the friction, enabling us to navigate and accomplish our tasks more easily, even if others are reluctant or have an attitude.  Keeping an open mind and heart during this two week stretch is key as we head into the Full Moon in Leo on January 28^th opposite Jupiter, Sun and Saturn in Aquarius, with Uranus challenging both in the middle in Taurus. YIKES!  Watch for massive resistance and deeply entrenched positions where each person or group believes their way is the ONLY way.  Power plays and power struggles abound at month’s end.  Find areas of common ground and compromise where possible.  Ask:  Is this the hill you want to die on? 

Because if everyone got over themselves and got out of their own way, the innovation and creativity of this Full Moon is AHMAZING!  The problem is perception:  our opinion of the opposing viewpoint is big as we want to imagine; when really, if each was willing to give a little, our problems would solve themselves.  Transformation is possible leading into the full moon on the 28^th if we are willing to share power, resources, information. 

If not, then we will just have to sit with our problems a little while longer until we are willing to be more agreeable as Messenger Mercury turns retrograde the very next day on Friday, January 29^th.  Our thoughts turn inward for the next three weeks in the sign of Aquarius, the Great Connector and Inventor, problem solver extraordinaire.  For the next three weeks, until February 20th, Mercury reverses gear, backing over ground it has already covered and encouraging us to do the same. So remember to practice the Retrograde RE words:  rest, restore, review, relax, renew, renovate, revisit. 

Mercury retrograde gets a bad rap for the obvious reasons:  communication snafus and more.  Yet really it is part of divine timing; and this Mercury retrograde period could not occur at a better moment while we are in the thick of winter, nature’s time of withdrawal, retreat and hibernation. 

Where do you need to hit the pause button in your life?  Something to meditate upon in the New Year.

Of Special Note:

The second episode of my podcast, Mystical Messages, is released on Friday, January 1^st, 2021 covering the astrological overview of the New Year.  The worst is over, I assure you; that said, much work from the fall-out from this past year lies ahead with some key surprises.  Tune in wherever you get your podcasts!

https://mysticalmessages.libsyn.com/mystical-messages...