Astrolore’s Weekly Astrology Weather: January 19, 2015 through January 25, 2015

Astrolore’s Weekly Astrology Weather: January 19, 2015 through January 25, 2015
This is indeed yet another week of powerfully shifting energies!
The week begins with the seriousness of the Moon in Capricorn again reminding us of the excitement and transformation that is still working its way through our lives and our world, courtesy of Uranus and Pluto.
This week we have several very long periods with the Moon VOC*, giving us a chance to rest and recuperate.
The cycle between Venus and Jupiter culminates with an opposition, which speaks of the expanding nature of love and resources. Look back to mid-August 2014, consider the love or resources expanding at that time. Now we clearly see where that expansion has taken us. Did we expand something worthwhile? How big is that love now… or do you see now that it was a mistake? Clarity should be obvious.
The cycle between Mars and Neptune comes to a close. This begins a new cycle of bringing energy to our spiritual life, bringing confusion or fantasy to our sexuality, or other physical manifestations of our most assertive energies.

The Sun leaves hard-working Capricorn behind to enter the sign of off-beat high intellect that is Aquarius. The New Moon occurs almost immediately following the Sun and Moon’s entrance into Aquarius. As we begin the new lunar cycle, it is important to focus on what we want to develop that is intellectually unusual and of benefit to all of humankind.
On Wednesday, Mercury goes retrograde! Please don’t get nervous about this. A bit of preparation goes a long way. You can simply make a list of what’s been left undone over the last several months and keep your focus on that during this three-week period of time. This is a very productive time if you use your energy to tie up loose ends and complete projects that have already begun.
As we move into the second half of the week, things lighten up. We have a lovely opportunity for stabilization early Friday morning. The weekend provides us with plenty of energy as the Moon travels through Aries bringing lots of activity and motion forward.
We have cycles culminating, cycles ending, cycles beginning, the Sun leaving Capricorn behind to enter Aquarius, and Mercury turning retrograde! This is a big week!
 
Monday, January 19, 2015:
The week starts with significant activity. On Monday, the Moon is in Capricorn making contact with Pluto and Uranus before 6:00 AM! From 5:51 AM EST until Tuesday morning, the Moon is VOC*. This is a very long period of time to have the Moon VOC*. If you could take the full day off from work and simply do routine activities and rest that would be the best way to utilize this day.
This is a very significant day. At 8:43 AM EST, Venus opposes Jupiter. This aspect suggests the ability to see fully how our values, our current love relationship, or our finances are expanding our world. This cycle began in mid-August 2014. Consider what began to expand in your life. Was it love, was it a change in personal values, or did it involve your finances and resources? Now with the opposition between Venus and Jupiter, you can look clearly back at the beginning of the cycle to understand where it has taken you. What adjustments need to be made as you move forward?
At 7:08 PM EST, we begin a new cycle between Mars and Neptune. The last cycle between them began in February 2013. This would suggest something unclear regarding physical expression of assertive energy, the impact of fantasy on physical desire, or bringing spirituality to sexuality. The full illumination of that cycle came in October 2013. Can you see the pattern? Can you see something mysterious, passive, or unclear regarding assertiveness that began in February 2013? The full illumination occurred in October 2013. Now we begin again.
When Mars and Neptune come together there can be a deeply charismatic energy. People who have these two planets connected in their natal charts are often very charismatic on a physical or sexual level; they are often very attractive. This combination can also suggest a high level of fantasy regarding sexuality. Consider what began in February 2013 regarding these issues. Now we let go of what we began at that time, and start a new cycle. Could your sexual relationship(s) be improved through the addition of fantasy and play? This could be a great time to begin a new playful direction in your love relationships.
 
Tuesday, January 20, 2015:

At 4:42 AM EST, the Sun enters Aquarius! This past month the Sun has been shining its light through the sign of Capricorn. Perhaps we have worked hard, our ambition has been high, now it is time to move outside the box! The energy of Aquarius is emotionally detached and highly intellectual. Aquarius does not suggest the simple intelligence of knowledge but a form of genius that is able to open the mind to what has not been seen before. While the Sun moves through Aquarius we have access to a greatly expanded world-view. Our opinions and thoughts can go to places that may surprise us or those who think they know us. We are able to see the bigger picture of humanity. Our attention is less focused on the self and more focused on the collective.
Tuesday also brings us the New Moon at 0° Aquarius. This begins the lunar cycle that will come to full fruition at the Full Moon on February 3, 2015.
Begin an inspired project that somehow breaks with tradition, or moves you beyond a relationship that is too controlling. If you are seeking more independence, take a serious step forward today. This is a time for beginnings; plant a seed that will unfold and bring forth the quirkiest, most interesting side of your individuality. This New Moon encourages us to chart new territory; pursue innovative and experimental ideas and directions. Plant seeds to bring you to a new place of excitement that will display your most unique self.
 
Wednesday, January 21, 2015:
On Wednesday, Mercury turns retrograde. I am delighted to see that the entire culture is finally beginning to embrace a more positive view of Mercury retrograde. I distinctly remember when I first became aware of Mercury retrograde and it’s reflection in our human lives. It was always presented in such a negative light. We cannot totally whitewash it, however, as Mercury retrograde does have a difficult side. Communications seem problematic, relationships feel strained, and everything we touch seems to break down.

After many years of working carefully with Mercury retrograde and speaking to many clients about their experiences, it has become clear to me that Mercury retrograde is truly a powerful time. If we learn to work with this energy, it can benefit us greatly.
The best thing to do is prepare ahead of time. Although, you can still use Mercury retrograde to your advantage even if you haven’t prepared. Schedule time on Wednesday (or sooner if you read this beforehand) to prepare for the coming three weeks. Make a list of all the projects that you have started, communications that have begun but not been completed, and emails and phone calls that have slipped through the cracks since Mercury’s last retrograde period in October of 2014.
Once you have completed this list, you can confidently accomplish a great deal over the coming three weeks. Focus on your list. Do not start anything new. Focus on the completion of what has begun before. You can safely expect people, situations, and communications from the past to reappear to be dealt with once again. Making excellent use of Mercury retrograde is a very powerful change that you can bring to your life with even a small amount of understanding astrology.
 
Thursday, January 22, 2015:
The Moon enters Pisces at 7:48 AM EST bringing with it a need to let go of some structure and allow for a bit of dreaminess. Focus may not be easy to maintain but this can be a productive day nonetheless. Allow yourself to move steadily forward and you may be surprised what gets accomplished. Honoring the energy of Pisces periodically throughout the day will help you maintain focus. Take time for meditation, sit quietly listening to music, read, or write poetry.
There is a Sextile between the Sun and Saturn that forms just after midnight Thursday night. It will surely impact both Thursday and Friday. We will talk more about it in Friday’s post.
We are deeply aware of the path that we committed ourselves to in November. What commitment did you make in mid-November? The Sun has pulled far enough away from Saturn so we can see what a long journey we have begun. We now have the opportunity to deeply explore and investigate the way forward. This is an opportunity to deeply stabilize the serious commitment we have made to this path.
 
Friday, January 23, 2015:
Friday presents us with the opportunity of deep emotional healing. The Moon Sextiles Pluto as her final aspect in Pisces at 6:13 AM EST. The remainder of the day is spent with the moon VOC*. If it is at all possible this is an excellent day to go inward, allow yourself to freely dream, follow your heart to explore its deepest quiet desires.
Thursday’s post talked a bit about the Sextile between the Sun and Saturn. That aspect impacts today as well. Think back to the time right around November 18, 2014. At that time there was something of a serious nature that was very highly activated in your awareness. Consider what that was; what began in mid to late November? Whatever it was, it has taken you a step in the direction of maturity, responsibility, and integrity. Now, approximately 2 months later, the Sun has moved far enough from Saturn to have some perspective on the path we now find ourselves upon. We begin to get perspective regarding the reality of what we have taken on and where we are going. This is a step of curiosity and exploration along this path. We see the potential and we know the risks. The only thing that is set in stone is that we are on this path; how we follow it, what the detours are along the way, and how long it takes us to get where we are going is being negotiated now. Anticipate the pleasure of this process.
 
Saturday January 24, 2015:

After Friday’s very long VOC* Moon, we are relieved when she enters Aries at 8:31 AM EST, this is a day to get a great deal done on your own. If you attempt to work with others on Saturday, you may find yourself cranky and irritable. Spend the day alone, enjoy your own company, and utilize your physical energy. If you notice others being impatient, cranky, or aggressive; do not engage! Everyone needs alone time.
On Saturday, many of us are going to simply want our own way; we do not want to compromise; we do not want to share. That is fine. Take the time to cater to your own needs on Saturday. If you’re not able to do this, it will be a practice in patience and kindness. Saturday would be the perfect day for solitary physical activities such as skiing, snowboarding, or running; really any kind of physical activity where you only have yourself, your own body, and your own energy to account for.
 
Sunday January 25, 2015:
Sunday is likely to have the same kind of strong independent energy as Saturday. The Moon continues through Aries throughout the day. Early in the morning (EST) , the Moon makes contact with both Uranus and Pluto encouraging us to look at what is behind any irritability we may have. Why are we struggling against the transformation and change required in our lives? Do not try to please others or make social situations work on Sunday. Again, allow yourself time alone to physically express yourself. Individual physical activities are once again highlighted. By evening, you may be a more able to connect with others. Keep kindness as your focus and allow yourself to look directly at the areas of transformation in your life. What is the cost of this transformation? Now look at all the ways that it is worth the hard work to get there.
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This week: The VOC* Moon!
*VOC (void of course) refers to the period of time between the final aspect that the Moon makes while in one sign until she enters the next sign. This can consist of several minutes or many hours. These periods are best handled with little expectation of accomplishment; times ideally suited for rest and contemplation.
Block off these times in your schedule and avoid making significant decisions or working on important projects during these times. During VOC* Moon, focus on routine tasks. You will be surprised at how this one change will smooth the edges of your life!
Do you have questions about what is appropriate to do or not do during the VOC* moon? A simple way to think about it is to ask a simple question. Do I hope that this activity will amount to something? If the activity does not need to amount to anything go ahead with it! If you have an expectation or desire that this action is going to amount to something, do not do it while the moon is VOC*. Think about the time you bought a book you were certain you were going to love and you never could finish it! Think about the time you bought the perfect article of clothing that you ended up never wearing; that is the moon VOC!
Monday, January 19, 2015 the Moon is VOC* (in Capricorn) following a conjunction to Pluto at 5:51 AM EST and ending Tuesday morning at 8:00 AM EST when the Moon enters Aquarius.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015 the Moon is VOC* (in Aquarius) following a conjunction to Venus at 8:44 PM EST and ending Thursday morning at 7:48 AM EST when the Moon enters Pisces.
Friday, January 23, 2015 the Moon is VOC* (in Pisces) following a Sextile to Pluto at 6:13 AM EST and lasting until Saturday morning at 8:31 AM EST when the Moon enters Aries.
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* In these weekly reports, I am exploring 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 are often fleeting moods. I will consider the final major aspect formed by the Moon prior to it’s VOC* time, as that aspect holds it’s influence throughout the VOC*.
The Aspects I consider: Conjunctions, Sextiles, Squares, Trines, and Oppositions.
The Planets I am working with: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.