GPS for Life
Navigating  the Cycles

As the planets travel their orbital paths in our solar system, they move through the constellations represented by the signs of the zodiac. When planets shift into new signs, it signals a time where the energy can change and something new becomes available in us and in our world.

January 2009 – Part I

“One world at a time.”

Henry David Thoreau

Anticipation of the New Year often brings with it hopes of a chance to refresh and begin life anew. With Mars still sticking close to Pluto in Capricorn early in the month, we’ve got the strength and the will to keep change in motion. Meanwhile, clever Mercury commences a coveted fellowship in eclectic Aquarius on Jan 1^st, with a retrograde clause into Capricorn later this month. This extended Aquarian stint should highlight everyone’s intellectual prowess, while the practical pieces can be filled in during the retrograde period Jan 11^th until Feb 1^st.

Then Venus, dressed up as lovely Rita Meter Maid for her advent into Pisces fromJan 3^rd through Feb 2^nd, adds her touch of romance, fantasy and compassion to our interactions. Next, her sextile to powerful Pluto from Jan 1 - Jan 11^th, exact on Jan 4^th, gives concrete impact to our dreams and our ability to manifest them in waking moments.

On Jan 5^th, Jupiter leaves the structural boundaries of Capricorn to expand into the vast possibilities of Aquarius into January, 2010.

“Harmony and understanding.
Sympathy and trust abounding.
No more falsehoods or derisions,
Golden living dreams of visions,
Mystic crystal revelation,
And the mind’s true liberation.
Aquarius.
Aquarius.”

Well, not exactly like that. It sounded good in the sixties, but not so much smoke and mirrors and smoke today. What is likely is an era ripe for innovative concepts and collaborative groups that can revision models for a more sustainable world. The future is here now and we are charged with its recreation.

The Moon in Gemini from the afternoon of Jan 7^th to the same time on Jan 9^th keeps communication lively and interesting, especially with all of the answer-seeking backup from a bevy of planets exploring Aquarius.

Despite Mercury’s slowdown, the energy stays pretty stoked, as the Sun sextiles Uranus from Jan 5^th through Jan 16^th, exact on Jan 9^th. This dynamic combo stimulates lots of curiosity and the desire to live free and provide the same for others.

Enter the first SuperMoon (closest to the Earth) of 2009 on Jan 10^th, in all her Full Moon gravitational glory. Active all month, worldly and personal events also continue to reflect the unexpected and disruptive nature of Saturn opposing Uranus, beckoning ongoing change into our world. Fortunately, at this time, the aspects from these change agents support the Full Sun/Moon opposition for new perspectives on old issues. Just as childhood may explain some of our adult behaviors, so past economic and ecological choices reflect upon our current global conundrums. In the same context, this is the moment in which past understanding neither condones nor blames, but gives us the clarity to choose wisely right now. For the true seer merely reads what is and traces the connecting lines, both backward and forward, for all possible options.

Here comes Mercury, doing cartwheels retrograde in Aquarius from Jan 11^th to Jan 21^st, when he retrogrades right into the Capricorn goat until he finally goes direct on Feb 1^st. While he’s sojourning in the Aquarian territory, it can be quite interesting to reconnect with old friends and explore the more unusual projects. Then the Capricorn period will better suit checking out the nuts and bolts of things and solidifying communications. Just be sure to review the Mercury Retrograde rules of the road to avoid any common communication or technical snafus.

Even with the retrograde influence, from Jan 7^th through Jan 16^th, exact on Jan 11^th, the Sun trine Saturn provides much stabilization and productivity to an otherwise unpredictably active time.

From midday on Jan 11^th until the same on Jan 13^th, the Moon in Leo playfully urges us to feed our creative fires and express ourselves in a new way. Then, as she moves into demure Virgo from Jan 13^th through 15^th, the skills and tasks needed to organize and ground our artsy side will be ready and willing to give form to the expression of our high spirit, while abiding by the tenets of our retrograding Mercury.

©2009 Barbara Hamilton

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