Astrolore’s Weekly Astrology: December 30, 2019 through January 5, 2020 
 

2020 begins with the shock of Saturn and Pluto finally coming to a full confrontation. This conjunction is the banner event of the year.
The last time these two joined together was in 1982.
Saturn is the planet of restriction, reality, and hard work, while Pluto represents empowerment, destruction, and control. As these two planets meet in the no-nonsense sign of Capricorn, you must face a painful reality.
In astrology, a conjunction is always a beginning. A new cycle springs from the ashes of the old. For a new season to begin, an old one must die. That is the hard reality. On the other hand, you have an opportunity now to start something fresh, powerful, and new.
Look to the house that holds Capricorn in your chart (using whole sign houses) to understand how this conjunction is impacting your life. An old order is ending. Your job is to release the past as you grow a compelling new story. Saturn and Pluto only come together once this time, so don’t delay. Take action now to release the past and step upon a newly conceived path forward.

Please keep in mind that transits to your natal planets can override these more universal ones. A personal consultation offers deep understanding.

 
A NEW PATH FORWARD – Monday, December 30, 2019
The day begins with the Moon still in quirky, friendly Aquarius. If you are at work, expect a fun social morning with little actual work accomplished.
When the Moon enters Pisces at 10:42 AM EST, dreaminess overtakes the workplace. Your mind may be far away.
At 5:21 PM EST Mercury trines Uranus, opening your mind to exciting new developments and possibilities. You may receive unexpected news or have an unusual encounter with folks who stimulate new perspectives or ways of viewing the world. Engaging with exciting people will open your mind to the existence of a different path.
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The Aquarius Moon is void-of-course from 5:24 AM EST until she enters Pisces at 10:42 AM EST, suggesting that what occurs during this time will not have much impact.
 


THE END OF A DECADE – Tuesday, December 31, 2019
The year ends on a soft note with the Pisces Moon supporting sensitivity and intuitive awareness.
Pisces is a mutable water sign which moves your focus toward intuition, dreamwork, meditation, solitude, and self-care. The Pisces Moon may also bring a lack of clarity and a desire for escapism. Keep that in mind if you are somewhere the booze is flowing. The problem with escapism is that you always have to wake up to yourself in the morning.
If you are going out for end-of-year festivities, make sure you have a designated driver to get you home safely.
Don’t let others’ expectations determine how you enter 2020. Set a plan in place for the evening rather than letting the wind blow you where it may. An evening of silent meditation and contemplation may appeal to you more than the expected social scene on this last night of 2019.
 


A NEW DECADE BEGINS – Wednesday, January 1, 2020
The Pisces Moon holds us in dreamy imagination throughout the day. Don’t put expectations of accomplishment on yourself or others. Keep the day simple. Go for a walk in nature, listen to music, or watch a long, slow movie.
Welcome this new decade with a mystical understanding of the world around you and compassion for others.
As the Moon passes through Pisces, she makes lovely aspects to Saturn, Pluto, and Mars. These contacts suggest that you put your spiritual understanding to creative use. Make music or write poetry rather than being a passive observer. Bring a creative vision to life. Put words, images, and colors on paper.
At 11:01 PM EST, the Moon’s entrance into Aries dramatically shifts the energy, bringing assertive determination to the next few days.
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The Pisces Moon is void-of-course from 9:14 PM EST until she enters Aries at 11:01 PM EST, suggesting that what occurs during this time will not have much impact.
 


A JOYFUL STATE OF MIND – Thursday, January 2, 2020
The day begins with Mercury conjunct Jupiter, bringing good news, optimism, and joy. Open your mind to new ways of thinking and share your knowledge and understanding.
Today may feel like the first day of the year as the Aries Moon brings a strong desire to start something new. Aries offers an opportunity for a fresh start, a time to step forward with a new idea as your pioneering instincts kick into gear.
You may feel quite impulsive and act with hasty spontaneity. You want immediate results on whatever challenge you undertake. Today is not a day to make plans, but a good day to take a bold step forward that requires courage and enthusiasm.
Shortly before midnight, we come to the First Quarter Moon. This phase implies both difficulties and opportunities. Pay attention to challenges that arise this evening and look for opportunities within the problem. The choices and decisions you make now can change your path forward. Be sure to take the high road.
 


PLAN AN ACTIVE EVENING – Friday, January 3, 2020
In the wee hours of the morning, action-planet Mars enters Sagittarius. This shift brings much needed and enthusiastic fire energy to the skies. 
With such an overwhelming concentration of Earth energy in recent weeks, we’ve been stuck in a severe, even depressed state of mind. Mars in Sagittarius (until February 16) will help. We want to assert ourselves in a more spontaneous, optimistic, social, and fun manner. Expect to be motivated by your ideals, a love of adventure, and a need for freedom.
The evening brings challenges to the Aries Moon, leaving you prone to explosive anger or shut-down. Keep yourself physically active, even as you maintain caution. Don’t take a dare or play the daredevil, but a good hike or a game of tennis will help keep crankiness at bay.
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The Aries Moon is void-of-course from 8:19 PM EST until she enters Taurus tomorrow morning at 11:16 AM EST, suggesting that what occurs during this time will not have much impact.
 


HOME-BASED PLEASURES – Saturday, January 4, 2020
Any agitation you feel at the breakfast table will pass as long as you don’t engage with the aggressor. If someone is pushing your buttons, don’t take the bait. The challenge will fade as soon as the Moon leaves Aries and enters calm Taurus at 11:16 AM EST.
At 4:31 PM EST, a conjunction of the Moon and Uranus offers the most exciting moment of the weekend. Make it an early date night and try something new. Go to an ethnic restaurant you haven’t been to before, a different museum, or a unique performance. Expose yourself to something unfamiliar and novel. Afterward, settle in for slow and sensual home-based pleasures.
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The Aries Moon is void-of-course until she enters Taurus at 11:16 AM EST, suggesting that what occurs during this time will not have much impact.
 


NOURISH AND COMFORT YOUR SOUL – Sunday, January 5, 2020
The first Sunday of 2020 shines bright with simple pleasures. The Moon drifts through comfort-seeking Taurus, making harmonious aspects to Jupiter, Mercury, the Sun, and Neptune.
Don’t waste today on anything outside the realm of contentment, pleasure, and personal choice. Today is not a day for diets or restrictions. Indulge in whatever brings comfort and peace. 
Make art, sit with tea and a good novel, create beauty, listen to lovely music. Don’t allow complications to distract you.
A long hot bath, warm pajamas, and a good movie will leave you fulfilled and calm. Nourish your body, your mind, and your heart with beauty, comfort, and love.


Photos by Vika Fleisher on Unsplash

* In these weekly reports, I explore the major aspects formed by transit between the planets. I do not consider every aspect that the Moon makes each day as they can be numerous and give rise to fleeting moods. I will consider the final major aspect formed by the Moon prior to its VOC* time, as that aspect holds its influence throughout the VOC*.
The aspects under consideration: conjunctions, sextiles, squares, trines, and oppositions.
The planets I work with: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.