Well, here we are in a new year and new astrological cycle. People always ask, “when will things get better?” My interpretation of the cosmic vibe says that the first two and a half months are a bit rocky but by the end of March the energy gets more stable and concerned with a course correction. All the planets are fairly close together now and well into July, occupying 6 signs of the zodiac and hemmed in between the nodes so it’s a time of intensity, focused energy and some tunnel vision. However, it is still energy that can be put to good use if you use the highest intentions for good.

We begin the year with a new Moon in Capricorn on the 2nd, which skews the energy towards that feminine, cardinal, earthy energy with four planets occupying that sign. Capricorn is a care taking sign so it would be wise to use this energy to take stock of what you have and what you want to grow and preserve in the new year.

Venus will be retrograde in Capricorn until the 29th when she goes direct at 11 degrees. She is separating from the recent conjunction with Pluto so there should be less drama in relationship matters, which is always welcome.

Mercury enters into forward thinking Aquarius on the 2nd but then goes retrograde on the 14th and moves back into Capricorn on Jan 27th. He goes direct at 24 degrees of Capricorn in early February, which is close to Pluto’s position of 26 degrees so late January and early February may have global tension or threatening situations happening in the world.

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The month begins with Neptune going into direct motion at 20 degrees of Pisces on December 1 after being in its apparent retrograde motion since late June of this year.

This planet’s effect can be subtle as it takes so long to move through a sign. One can be totally unaware of anything going on but it is associated with the sign of Pisces and is involved with inspiration, delusions, mystical states, spiritual and religious fervor, new cultural concepts and medical discoveries so that gives a clue to the areas of life under its domain.

If one has Neptune aspecting a planet in your natal chart, one can feel like a stranger in a strange land during the transit, very detached or appear confused in fact. Neptune was last in the sign of Pisces from 1847-1861.

Next up, we have a Solar eclipse in the early morning hours of December 4 at 12 degrees of Sagittarius. Mercury is also very close to the eclipse degree so the mind is very much involved with this eclipse as the Moon rules the unconscious and emotional mind and Mercury rules the conscious intellectual mind.

This eclipse energy can help one become aware of negative unconscious patterns that are running things under the surface, a “face your demons” kind of energy. Much understanding and wisdom can be gained if you embrace those unconscious patterns and heal those wounds.

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November will be a challenging but empowering month as we have some potent planetary aspects and ingresses occurring within the next 30 days.

Mars enters Scorpio on Oct 31st and so does Mercury on Nov 5th and those two planetary energies combined can be tenacious, argumentative and confrontational. Let’s just say it is a great aspect to have if you are a lawyer and leave it at that.

Venus begins the month at the Galactic Center which can impart cosmic wisdom. Venus is very visible after sunset in the west so you can identify the area of the sky that is known as the Galactic Center during the first 4 days of November. That’s pretty cool. She enters the sign of Capricorn on Nov 5th where she will remain all month. Earth signs find enjoyment and stability during this time.

Jupiter moves between the degrees of 22 Aquarius and 25 Aquarius and will square the Lunar eclipse degree of 27 Taurus on Nov 19th. This aspect is not negative if you do the Jupiterian thing of taking the high road in any situation.

Saturn also plays a big part of the challenging energies as its position of 7-8 degrees of Aquarius will square the Mars/Mercury degrees in Scorpio between Nov 5th and the 13th. One must be impeccable with their words during this Mars/Mercury conjunction aspect. Actually, always if you really want to get ahead. No shortcuts or dodgy deals.

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The month begins with six planets in retrograde motion. That’s a lot folks, but the good news is that four of them will be going direct this month.

First, we have Pluto on October 6th going direct at 24° Capricorn 19′. That same day there will be a new Moon along with Sun and Mars, close to the Mercury retrograde for major Libra action. This is a very dynamic day so watch out for things that can trigger you into an anger situation as Mars in Libra is testy. Shift your response energy so you diffuse the situation.

Next, we have Saturn going direct on October 12th at 6° Aquarius 52′ and then Jupiter at 22° Aquarius and Mercury at 10° Libra will go direct on October 18th. Air signs get a boost from these planets with their transition from retrograde motion to direct.

Whew, what a relief that will be for any situation in your life that feels stagnant as progress is possible after this happens.

Venus enters Sagittarius on October 8th but will be close to the transiting south node for a few days so some things may not work out as you want them too. Wait a few days to make major aesthetic decisions or buy big ticket items.

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Ah, the summer is ending once September is here and the days are getting shorter. The planetary action is interesting this month as all the planets from Jupiter on out to Pluto are in retrograde motion, which can give on a feeling that is like waiting for the red light to change. Is anything really moving forward? It is but there is a bit of a lag for progress at present.

Three of these planets — Pluto, Saturn and Jupiter — are all very powerful, as they will each go direct in October, bringing more action and visible changes in everyone’s life at that time.

Mars in Virgo is involved in an opposition with Neptune in Pisces, bringing a fogginess to our reality, as well as the potential for heavy rains and flooding. This aspect is exact on September 2nd.

Mars also makes an inconjunct aspect with Jupiter in Aquarius. I don’t often reference that aspect but it has a health overtone to it and today’s headline about the EU restricting American’s travel there made me think that this connection has something to do with those proposed restrictions. So, there is some downshifting coming regarding travel abroad due to health concerns.

While this shows up as global in my example, we should all take precautions for our health and wellbeing during this month. On a positive note, Venus, beautifully visible in the western sky at dusk, is in her home sign of Libra, along with Mercury. This is a nice easy aspect and can bring in many social opportunities and pleasantries with it. Enjoy it all.

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The month begins with the Sun at 9 degrees 38’ of Leo and Mercury at 9 degrees 45’ of Leo which makes Mercury within 15’ of the Sun. This combination was known in traditional astrology as cazimi, “having the ear of the king”.

This conjunction is opposed by Saturn so what is false and not of the highest intention will be revealed. Watch to see what interesting information comes out at the beginning of the month. How you personally relay information matters now, as well as to whom.

Mercury moves into the sign of Virgo on 8/12, a sign it rules so pay attention to the details in everything you do. Venus and Mars are also currently in Virgo, though Venus enters her sign of Libra on 8/17 and Mars remains in Virgo all month.

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This month starts out with quite a bit of volatility as Mars at 12 degrees Leo is opposite Saturn at 12 degrees Aquarius and they both square Uranus at just under 14 degrees Taurus.

This creates a dreaded fixed T-square in astro-speak. Mars, in any hard aspect to Uranus, is what I call an accident-prone time, as moving too quickly can create an undesirable effect.

That Saturn is also involved in this combination can slow things down if one can remember to back off and take some time to understand and focus rather that rush into a situation unprepared.

The fixed energy of this T-square makes it hard for people to back down from their positions, creating stalemate situations and frustrating stubbornness. Resist the urge to smack them upside the head!

This T-square aspect has many ongoing triggers of this month beginning with the Moon in Taurus on July 3 and 4. On July 6 and 7th, Venus enters the zone of conflict at 10 degrees of Leo and activates the same energy.

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Nothing like beginning the Gemini month with a Mercury in Gemini in retrograde motion! We are now in the cosmic blender of changes, missed messages, inaccurate information and general disarray in regards to communication and travel.

However, because this Mercury Rx is moving very close to its planetary friend, Venus, this one won’t be too bad at all and most people will be able to flow with it pretty well. Smile and be nice.

Mercury goes direct 6/22 at 16° Gemini. Things start to straighten out after then. An aspect that is more troubling is the opposition of Mars in Cancer to Pluto in Capricorn, in effect from May 30 through June 7th.

Mars and Pluto’s energies are volatile, can cause explosions, attacks, and angry confrontations that devolve into violence. If you have any planets or angles around 25 degrees of the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn) this can affect your personally.Keep your wits about you and avoid dangerous places or risky behavior. Do something physical to relieve tension and frustrations.

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The month of May always seems positive by its very nature of springtime growth and the awakening of Mother Earth from the winter’s dormancy, plus it is my birth month!

We begin this month with 4 planets (Sun, Mercury, Venus and Uranus) in earthy and sensual Taurus so comfort and beauty reign for the first 2 weeks anyway.

Mercury goes retrograde in Gemini on the 29th of the month, there is a Full Moon Lunar eclipse in Sagittarius on the 26th and Saturn goes into its retrograde phase on the 23rd. The plot thickens as things must be reviewed or re-visited with the Gemini influence at that time…details, details, details.

Mars continues forward in the sign of Cancer and Jupiter enters watery Pisces on the 14th, creating a compatible blend of energies to accomplish your tasks. It is a sensitive energy, however, so gear your expectations to accommodate other’s needs in the equation.

There are difficult aspects with Mars and Uranus in the quincunx aspect to the south node from the 10th-15th, and also Saturn and the south node with Mars in the quincunx aspect as well.  This is also known as a Yod, finger of God, aspect that can trigger events that can alter one’s fate.  With Mars and Uranus, this can be an unexpected violent event that changes something essential in one’s life.  Be aware of your surroundings during this time.

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This month will be an interesting cosmic ride as we move from Aries high energy to placid Taurus but with a twist as Uranus, the great awakener planet is in Taurus.

All the planets are in direct motion with Pluto going retrograde later in the month but not until April 27th. Mercury moves into Aries on April 3rd, making everyone more decisive and direct in their ideas and actions.

To complement this, Mars is in Gemini until April 24th so that mutual reception of planets in each other’s signs supports this energy. Mercury joins Venus, already in Aries until April 15th, and since they are friends, this bodes well for more social interaction and good times.

Jupiter continues its movement through Aquarius from 23 degrees to 28 degrees expanding innovation and out of the box thinking, while Saturn trails a bit behind, also in Aquarius, from 11 to 13 degrees.

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The general cosmic mood is lightening up this month with Venus in its exaltation sign of feminine, mystical Pisces and Mercury now direct and conjunct Jupiter in air sign Aquarius.

This combination brings in ideas for artistic expression and beauty as well as many ideas for the practical improvement of life, for the many as opposed to just the few.

Mercury moves into the sign of Pisces on March 16th, where is shares the space with Venus and Neptune giving it a more artistic experience, even though Mercury is considered to be weak in Pisces.  Make your big decisions before March 16th, if possible.

Mars moves from its detrimental placement in Taurus into Gemini on March 5th, which may scatter our energies as we will feel the release of pent-up desires over the last two months surging for expression.

Jupiter, in forward thinking air sign Aquarius, will help prioritize that expression from trivial to those of a more universal appeal. Mars breaks out of the entrapment of the north and south nodes placements on March 26th, which will free up more energy for progress in all ways.

Saturn moves from 8 degrees to 11 degrees of Aquarius, separating somewhat from the recent square to Uranus at 7 degrees of Taurus. They will continue that square dance throughout the year, meeting by exact square again in mid-June for their 2nd time and again for the final square in this act at the end of December, 2021.

Neptune keeps its cosmic vibe going in Pisces and gets a lovely kiss from transiting Venus from March 10th-18th. This is a great time for mystical inspiration as well as personal beauty enhancement or photography. Take advantage of that vibe of pleasure in any way that brings you joy!

Pluto moves a half degree at 26 Capricorn to 26.5 degrees. Transformation takes time, folks, we all know that but with all the planets in direct motion for the next 8 weeks, lots of progress can be made.

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Oh, the joys of starting a new month with a Mercury retrograde!

My keyboard and mouse are not communicating with my computer today and I am not feeling like going through the troubleshooting protocol to try to patch it.

Tomorrow is another day, to paraphrase Scarlet O’Hara but it has made me late with this column and I apologize for the delay.

Mercury will be Rx until February 21st when the little dude goes direct at 11 degrees of Aquarius.

During this retrograde cycle, he will be conjunct Venus on February 14th and also Jupiter around the same time and so will be influencing the houses those two planets rule in your chart as well as the two houses Mercury rules.

That makes 6 houses that will be affected so it is, indeed, a month to double check things twice. At least the planets involved are not malefic ones!

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