January ends with a romantically challenged Full Moon, so as the month begins you’re stuck wondering whether you should forego time with your friends in order to make time for love relationships. Ask yourself, ‘What is the responsible choice?’ Expect some arguments about this, because the boys and girls are on opposite sides of this debate, and surprisingly it’s the boys who want more time on the relationships and the girls who want more time out with their friends. By the 11th the discussion improves as Mercury moves into inspired Aquarius and Venus into romantic Pisces, this is the time to be a romantic genius. Watch for the mid-month stock market drop that often happens post eclipse.
The Chinese New Year Aquarius New Moon on the 13th is the most celebrated festival on the planet and the chart influences the entire year. The year of the Metal Tiger is inspired, compassionate, gracious and fair, and remarkably, thanks to Mars retrograde, a year in which violence is muted, but well reported. What makes this CNY chart so good? Jupiter and Vesta are in rulership, and Mercury, Venus and Saturn are in Exaltation (a type of co-rulership). This shows energy and resources flowing smoothly, with shared beliefs, cooperation and equality. This is a year of great inventions and international compassion.
With so many powerful players on the stage it won’t be a boring year, and there will be challenges. But the way that society deals with those challenges will be extraordinary and inspiring. A powerful symbol of this is Vesta, the asteroid of dedicated service. She is at 1 degree Virgo, her natural sign, conjunct the Royal Star Regulus, which is the heart of the Lion, in the constellation Leo: This shows greatness of heart transmitted through purity of service. The Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day celebrations fall on the same date this year, how’s that for symbolism?
March
Surely the Groundhog didn’t see his shadow last month, because March starts off rushing to fulfill the promise of an early spring. This month has plenty of white circle days and the first one on the 4th is packed with potential. The trine of the Sun and Moon following the Full Moon is when the lunar cycle expresses itself. Get involved in your relationships, make your wishes known, but don’t broadcast the news. This is the time to put the right information inside the correct ear without other people listening. So, be careful handling sensitive information.
As the month begins people are going be wishy-washy, but on the 3rd and 4th that Moon in Scorpio wants someone to take charge. Why not you? This is a great period, although brief, to initiate projects or accomplish tasks in cooperation, if you are willing to put your all into the effort. The secret is to tell a good story that inspires your team to follow you.
Starting on the 7th friendships pale and romance rises as Venus moves into Aries and immediately forms a trine to Mars.
He turns around from that thoroughly frustrating retrograde on the 10th and starts chasing Venus. Romance blooms and the war between the sexes enjoys an armistice for a while. Eat lots of root vegetables and essential fatty acid such as those from walnuts and pecans because they feed the hormonal system and the brain and you’re going to need them both in tip top shape this time of year.
Venus and Mercury lead the Sun into Aries for the Spring Equinox, like children running ahead of their parents when they arrive at Grandma’s house, the smell of cookies in the air. A hopeful Spring bursts upon the scene.
April
March ended up fiery but now Venus enters earthy, sensual Taurus, with the marriage asteroid Juno and joined the next day by Mercury. Take last month’s projects that you started with such enthusiasm to the next level. Depend less on adrenaline and more on chocolate, the garden, and make sure you plant enough flowers to make bouquets. Saturn backs into feminine Virgo, so wedding plans and other preparations may dissolve into the details for a while. Be careful not to overdo the shopping. Expect financial rumblings around the 28th from Saturn and Uranus in exact opposition again.
This aspect has been shaking the windows of the financial world since September of 2008.
Early April’s Ram turns into a sheep as white as snow, but lots is going on behind the scenes. Make sure legal affairs are in order, and you are working from a position of power within your partnerships. Chiron enters Pisces on the 19th so resolve to use the power of prayer, visualization and imagination to move your life to a greater level of health. This is when the compassion inherent in the Chinese New Year chart begins to be expressed.
A powerful, cranky New Moon on the 14th is a good time to speak your beliefs. Squeaky wheels get the grease. The male and female energies are balanced at this time so air out sticking points in relationships in an equitable way. Relationships improve when both people work on them. Mercury turns retrograde on the 17th so expect communication glitches for the next three weeks. Expect interpersonal turbulence on the 24th. Men may feel overwhelmed and fighting to get a word in edgewise.
By the 28th the sky looks like the final act of a Shakespearian romantic comedy, with the planets and asteroids paired in a circle around the stage. The preceding drama resolves with couples arm in arm and ready for love.
May
This month has lots of focus and less wasted time leading to a very industrious period. Focus on the basics; be thrifty and practical until the 11th when Mercury goes direct. Plant a garden with vegetables, recycle clothes from the back of the closet. You may feel like splurging but be frugal now and you will feel financially confident when summer arrives.
During the first three weeks it’s easy to become complacent, but the continuing oppositions of Saturn and Uranus shake the financial sectors again, focused on entanglements between the governments and banks. Spend more time gardening and less time listening to the news. The media noise won’t serve you well. When Mercury turns Direct on the 11th move your projects forward, but with thrift. Resist the grand gesture.
Let’s speak of romance; the high season for flirting is from the 2nd to the 15th with Venus and Mars reaching from flirtatious Gemini to passionate Leo. With the Sun in Venus-ruled Taurus and Jupiter in romantic Pisces love is in the air. When flirtatious Venus enters Cancer on the 19th remember that the Chinese say “I love you” by saying “I feed you”. Now is the time to show off your cooking. Bake brownies and invite special people over for dinner, whether family, friends or lovers.
There is plenty going on from the 27th to the 31st so prepare for some outrageous behavior and unusual events; Uranus enters Aries, Saturn turns Direct and Neptune turns Retrograde. What’s the message these three players are sending? As much as we see government officials in the news, it is not governments that create progress and solutions. Real benefits for humanity are created by human imagination, inventiveness, sometimes genius and action.
June
The Full Moon on May 27th when Uranus also entered Aries was a major shift, and amid all the global chaos marked by the Uranus Saturn oppositions the scent of hope suddenly appears like the fragrance of an exotic flower blooming. This time will feel quite electrical and then supercharged as Jupiter enters Aries joining Uranus on the 5th. A sign that luck has changed for the better. Individuals will feel empowered to create beneficial change, but watch out for some unpleasant surprises and outbursts.
On the 6th expect a burst of productivity as supercharged Mars enters Virgo conjunct the Royal Lion Star Regulus, and dedicated Vesta, Asteroid of service. This was Vesta’s location on the Chinese New Year, and together with Mars they re-energize our leaders’ drive and dedication to create practical benefits for the common people.
With three white circle days and four black box days this is a month of challenges and opportunities in almost equal measure, although it is an industrious and focused month. When Mercury enters its ruling sign Gemini thought processes and communications accelerate. Then Mercury dashes through June and into nurturing Cancer on the 25th catching up with the Sun in time for the Lunar eclipse on the 26th. The 25th and 26th are challenging days.
Do you rely on traditions or grasp the future? Do you fulfill the role of the nurturer or the authority? At this time it is hard to decide. The interaction of planets makes them look like a mob, without a leader. Only Venus has the good sense to stay out of the mix. Expect people to be outspoken about long-buried grievances. Take a lesson from Venus; be gracious, compassionate with a lovely smile, a kind word and let the trouble pass you by. Transits pass!
July
We begin July between the two eclipses; an emotionally difficult time. The second eclipse on the 11th is conjunct the marriage asteroid Juno, in her favorite sign Cancer. Eclipses are never boring, but these two weeks will be very feminine, practical, nurturing, and jealous, especially around the 11th. Watch out for cattiness, gossiping and money disappearing under mattresses. The battle of the sexes that started with the eclipse on June 26th is going to the ladies in the first round.
This is a very focused and industrious month but there is plenty of turbulence to go around. On the 5th previously planned, possibly over-optimistic projects may suddenly appear foolish in retrospect. The 9th and 10th relationship priorities shift and romance suddenly turns into helping with chores and starting great summer time, home improvement projects. Go with it! Resistance is futile. Although you dreamed of a summer spent in idle relaxation, this isn’t that month. Get those projects going early because on the 21st Saturn enters Libra, followed by Mars on the 29th which is a great time to complete what you started. Libra inspires cooperation but also indecision, so avoid second-guessing your original plans.
The full Moon on the 25th is a bell ringer. Expect some arguments between the enthusiastic and risk takers and those promoting a balanced and patient approach. Make sure your voice is heard in decisions regarding how to use resources. In the final week of July, after all of that rigmarole feel free to coast up to Saturday the 31st which deserves a great party or at least a barbecue, but be careful with the matches and lighter fluid, Uranus and Jupiter are both in fiery Aries and they love surprises.
August
With 4 black box days and no white circles this August would seem difficult, but that’s not so. You should keep chocolate handy and use it liberally on those black box days, but the ‘bad’ in this month isn’t that bad and the overall complexion is pretty good. Only two planets change signs and one turns Retrograde, so it is calmer than normal. The Sun is in Leo, his ruling sign until the 22nd. Mercury in efficient Virgo keeps things organized. Venus enters her ruling sign, Libra on the 6th joining Mars there, and they spend the rest of the month together. Sounds passionate! By the time Mercury turns Retrograde on the 20th Venus and Mars are hooked up, so no one is going to notice if any information goes astray. When romance is in the air that is all anyone cares about.
High profile legal cases from the past will be highlighted, related to the financial crisis, partnerships, or government abuse of human rights will come to the fore. If you are on vacation don’t watch the news because it will be contentious, unless you’re a legal news junkie, in which case, enjoy.
Expect surprises on the 24th with the Full Moon at the first degree of Virgo, a time for generosity and socializing. Expect issues related to commitments, partnerships, marriage, and the future. People are going to want concrete expressions of other people’s intentions. This should be a good time for the jewelers and the makers of diamond rings. The final week of the month runs smoothly, but double check the school supplies and back to work details.
September
After dashing through July, Mercury spends August and September in his ruling sign of Virgo. Pay attention to the practical issues and details in the rush. The month starts calm but on the 5th and 6th push for big, cooperative accomplishments. The New Moon on the 8th shifts gears as Venus steps into sensual Scorpio, and Jupiter Retrogrades into mystical Pisces. This hormonal dive into deep desire is intense so expect power struggles and possible deception.
Take time for shared pleasure. Mercury turns Direct on the 12th so communication improves, and Mars enters his ruling sign Scorpio on the 14th, hot on the heels of lovely Venus. Together they provide lots of know-how and juice to get projects moving. Give your life a push at this time and by the 17th you should be sailing along.
Autumn is when society shifts from the needs of the individual to those of the group, and this year’s transition over the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd will be dramatic, like walking through a door and finding yourself on stage in front of an audience. On the 21st expect some polarization and frustrated anticipation. On the 22nd it feels like a balancing act; delay decisions. On the 23rd the Full Moon at the first degree of Libra may recall the financial crisis that started on September 15th of 2008.
The lesson here is to accept shared responsibility for your decisions and actions. Then, and for the rest of the month, work in cooperation, contribute to others and accept their help. On the 30th the Sun conjuncts Saturn so ground yourself through practical, physical actions to establish your sense of balance and harmony.
October
The month starts off with the pragmatists and visionaries butting heads; Mercury in Virgo opposing Jupiter and Uranus in Pisces. Saturn, the Sun, Mars and Venus are entangled, so this is a stubborn time. Convincing people to see things your way will be difficult; be determined but patient. There is a lot going on behind the scenes that you may not be aware of so find some good spies. On Saturday the 2nd social events may lead to heated disagreements, be prepared to divert them because good friends are hard to find!
On the 3rd Mercury enters Libra and Mars and Venus make an exact conjunction, a passionately delightful Sunday. Take advantage of it, because Monday involves disorganization and power struggles in the hierarchy. After that it’s an easy coast to the New Moon on the 7th when Venus turns Retrograde and Mars continues on towards Sagittarius, so the two planets separate after their lengthy tryst. Venus functions well during Retrograde periods, encouraging self-love, social relationships, and the dissolving of barriers between ourselves and those we cherish. Venus retrogrades into Libra on November 7th and turns Direct on the 18th of that month. Use the Retrograde period to flex your emotional and social muscles. Libra and Scorpio are about commitment, Libra agrees to the union and Scorpio invests in the partnership.
The week of Monday the 11th goes well but on Saturday watch for power struggles and people pushing their weight around. Go out with friends and be prepared to compromise on what you do. The week of Monday the 18th starts well leading to a surprisingly productive Full Moon on the 22nd. The month’s final week will be intense as Venus enters a profound time, her inferior conjunction with the Sun, exact on the 28th. If your projects run into overwhelming opposition be prepared to punt for the three point field goal.
November
This is a very intense, productive month. The inferior conjunction of the Sun and Venus on October 28th is when she plunges into the fires in search of her lost love. Now she emerges with the message that love transcends death. Filled with that energy we arrive at a powerful New Moon on the 5th packed with planets in Scorpio and Pisces, the signs of passion and romance. Fiery Mars in Sagittarius hovers near the red giant Star Antares, known for its war-like nature. These conjunctions spark violence around the globe. The New Moon conjunction with Vesta wants to know if you are fulfilling your greater purpose.
This New Moon period with Venus, Moon, Sun, Vesta and Mercury in Scorpio, can be an obsessive and introverted time. Keep an eye on those who have issues with alcohol, drug abuse or obsessive relationships. Although this can be an isolating time, the energy of Venus emerging from the fires, bright and strong, helps us to reach out and make those deeper connections.
While this month has few days packed with bad aspects, it’s not a light weight. This is an intense November with powerful messages, a strong purpose and drive. Don’t bowl people over in a single-minded rush to get things done. And watch out that you’re not the one caught in front of that celestial express. Mercury enters Sagittarius on the 7th and dashes through that sign moving into Capricorn on the 30th so this will be a month of big ideas and big talk. Jupiter supports that by turning Direct on the 18th kick starting the economy with optimism.
By the Full Moon on the 21st Venus has turned Direct, she is the morning star transformed from lover to warrior Princess. This is a more balanced lunation than the previous, packed with brilliance and perspective, although it may have an emotionally difficult dimension, but being a Lunar aspect that will pass quickly like clouds from in front of the Sun.
December
The month starts energized from the Sun conjunct the Fixed Star Antares. On the 5th get an idea of where you want to go and how you’re going to get there, be open to inspiration, and use that to build momentum. Get projects moving before Mercury turns Retrograde on the 10th, as it backs up look for hidden issues and quell disagreements, peaking on the 13th; deal with them quickly. From the 10th to the 15th drive carefully and avoid road rage.
Mercury retrogrades into Sagittarius on the 18th conjunct the asteroid Pallas and the Sun near 26 degrees Sagittarius, the Galactic center, a point of spiritual learning. The next few days there is an eclipse and the Sun enters Capricorn marking the Winter Solstice, a powerful time that encourages you to integrate your basic beliefs and your study of spiritual technologies that extend your knowledge. Expect challenges that illuminate your path.
This eclipse highlights philosophical partnerships and polarities; optimism and ambition, expansion and restriction, immediate need and collective efforts that benefit future generations. It’s location at the last degree of Gemini, the Twins, and Sagittarius, the Centaur, sends the message that both sides of your life are important; mental and physical. Use the power of this eclipse on the 25th, Christmas day, a day of beautifully profound aspects about the great and the humble coming together.
Mercury finally turns Direct on the 29th and information runs smoothly again. The year begins and ends with an eclipse and this pair is completed on January 4th 2011 with a chart filled with deep determination, ambition, and compassion. This is a deeply feminine lunation emerging from the depths of the winter night with every planet moving Direct and Venus leading as the Morning Star.
© 2009 Ralph & Lahni de Amicis www.spaceandtime.com