15 January 2006 – 21 January 2006
Astrologers group the planets into various functional sets. For example, Mars and Venus make up a set that describes our interpersonal relations: how we express our choices (Mars), what we're looking for, and how we react to other people (Venus). The Moon and Saturn relate to our sense of identity, our family and roots and our role in society. Jupiter and Neptune both express the religious and philosophical aspects of our lives. Both Jupiter and Neptune operate to expand our horizons and connect us to larger and larger realms of experience. This week Mars, the expressive agent of our desires, moves from opposite Jupiter into a square to Neptune. This week we consider how to balance our personal desires and freedom with the need for social rules and commitments.
Our individual choices are taking place amidst a conflict already underway in society itself. Jupiter and Neptune are in a square angle and will make that angle exact late next week. But they both move so slowly, that their square angle tension is already in effect and has been in effect for some time. Jupiter is in Scorpio and Neptune is in Aquarius. Scorpio and Aquarius are signs that naturally conflict with one another. Scorpio is the experience of being in control and emotionally committed. Aquarius is about individual freedom and unemotional objectivity. Jupiter tends toward a paternalistic approach to problem-solving, i.e. we look to Big Daddy to save us. Neptune, especially in Aquarius, can make social uniformity seem attractive but resists authority's control. When we read headlines about personal privacy versus the state's need for security we are seeing this conflict acted out. When the U.S. Supreme Court is changing with its power over social rules, we can see Jupiter and Neptune in tension.
These complex tensions will not end next week when Jupiter squares Neptune. In fact they will remain at right angles through March, so we can expect the battle for control of society's rules and over the role of sectarian morality in politics to continue through then. These issues will still be unresolved and will surface again in September when the square forms for the last time at the Equinox. With Jupiter, Neptune, and Saturn all in fixed signs that naturally form tense angles, we can expect politics in 2006 to act out intense struggles for power and moral dominance.
This week these expansive tensions can affect us personally since Mars is connected with Jupiter and Neptune. Every time we assert ourselves, go after something, or get “fired up” about an issue, we use our Mars energy. In fact we use Mars energy everyday just to do the routines of our lives. When Mars connects with Jupiter and Neptune his energy can expand and escalate if we don't pay careful attention. Mars and Jupiter in stress activates our passion for ideas and our sense of righteousness. We're eager to convince others of the value of our point of view. This can be in a spirit of sharing, but it's easy under these conditions to go too far, mount a soap box, and find oneself sermonizing to a room of glazed eyes and mutterings.
Mars and Neptune in combination have a definite Don Quixote flavor. Like Don Quixote, there's something noble and dashing about the valiant charge – even if it's at an illusory windmill. But sometimes Neptune can overpower Mars and a tiny obstacle can inflate into a giant windmill, too intimidating to confront. Bottom line: our imaginations are working in high gear. This is a rich time for creative workers to develop ideas, and so many ideas may surface that none are fully realized. Mars and Neptune can also suggest that the most effective action may be done in secret or behind the scenes by setting up conditions rather than direct control.
The impact of all this, as always, depends on the connection between your horoscope and the planets in the sky this week. If you're born around the 6th or 7th of February, May, August, or November you can expect to be in the thick of this energy. Life will have brought you into situations where you're making choices about goals and direction. You'll be choosing the ways your life will expand and how you'll connect with your world.
Keeping us grounded this week, are the Sun, Mercury and Venus all in earthy (and political) Capricorn. Venus continues in retrograde and the cautions about new partnerships remain in effect. But on Tuesday, Mercury aligns with Venus, and this combination encourages diplomacy and grace in communication. There's a better chance for compromise amid the other tensions.
And on Thursday, when the Sun enters Aquarius, we'll feel released from the restless feeling that often comes when the Sun is at the end of a sign. Our thoughts will turn more toward the future and begin to let go of the past.
Notice for Los Angeles area readers:
Ongoing Classes:
Beginning January 21st:
1:00pm– Intermediate Class in Predictions. Using the charts of well-known people, the effects of progressions, transits, and solar returns will be taught and explored. The class is open to people who know the basics of astrology.
3:00pm – Beginner’s Class. All are welcome. There are no prerequisites except an open mind and curiosity. This class will cover the signs, planets, and houses and show how to interpret these symbols and analyze birth chart patterns. Call the New Age Bible and Philosophy Center, 1139 Lincoln Boulevard, 310-395-4346 or me, 818-316-0702, for details.
Long Range Forecast:
On the website: A look at the high energy dates for 2006.
December 24th – Venus turns retrograde until February 3rd. Second impressions may be the most reliable during this time. This is not a good time to form partnerships unless you are “re-forming” them. The time is suited to review and re-organize your finances and wardrobe.
Long-Long Range Forecast:
January 14, 2009 – August 21, 2010 - Saturn makes a series of squares to Pluto newly in Capricorn. The end of business-as-usual politics. The nationalistic dinosaurs will enter their twilight times. The transition to organic regional government will not be smooth…the result may be some corporate feudal mixture.
June 24, 2012 – March 17, 2015 - Uranus in Aries forms his first major hard aspect to Pluto, a square angle, since they were aligned in the second half of the 1960’s. Hippie dreams may come true when the ecology and/or petroleum-based economies fail. Plan to live where there is food and water and you don’t need a car. Plan to live where you’ll know your neighbors…maybe even love them. What a thought! We may have to choose between eating grain on a commune or growing very thin in the city.
Daily Forecasts
Moving in slow motion, the Leo Moon makes a cross out of the Mars, Jupiter, Neptune T-square. We may feel trapped and held in check. We're pushed to know exactly what we want and what matters to us.
The pressure relaxes through the day and we can let go as the Moon goes Void connecting with Pluto at 4:35pm/7:35pm.
More earth today with the Virgo Moon and Mercury aligned with Venus. A good day to make plans, detailed plans, in cooperation with others. But keep grounded since Mars is moving into square with Neptune. If you find yourself imagining outcomes far in the future, you've probably entered “windmill land.”
The useful energy continues and we're on more solid ground. People are eager to work together. Personal gain is an effective motivator.
Finish up last minute details today before 2:12pm/5:12pm when the Moon goes briefly Void. She enters Libra at 2:49pm/5:49pm and the Sun enters Aquarius a few hours later.
With both the Sun and the Moon in air signs, expect a lighter, freer atmosphere today. It's a good day to flatter a self-inflating boss, if that will work in your favor. And if you're that boss, take praise with grains of salt.
Again, we find that last minute cleanup is in order. Mental pursuits continue to be favored and we're all naturally more graceful with Mars and Venus coming into harmony.
Visit the Celestial Weather Web Site at http://www.celestialweather.com
Copyright 2006 Rich Humbert