Current Transits for January 2013 Current Transits for January 2013Here's some of the important astrological news this month ...
Happy New Year
Pallas enters Aries, 1-10
New Moon at 21Cp45, 1-11
Jupiter Square Chiron, 1-15
Inauguration Day, 1-20
Vesta Direct Station at 9Gm50, 1-26
Full Moon at 7Le24, 1-26
Jupiter Direct Station at 6Gm19, 1-30
Hindsight
An online ephemeris for the month is available.
Happy New Year! The subtle, but powerful energetic shifts that kicked in around the solstice are still quite active, but they are starting to mellow out some as the new year starts. The double Yod pattern of outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Chiron, Pluto) remains the dominant structure for the next few months, but is weakening as the planets move past their exact aspects. When Jupiter goes direct (on Jan 30), followed by Saturn's and Pluto's direct stations (Feb 18 and Apr 12, resp.), the Yods will begin to reform once more, with some serious fireworks in March. It's not until late spring that we move to something new. In the short term, it's time to recognize that underlying realities of our situations have fundamentally changed somehow. This requires a new direction in the way we act in the world, letting go of some old bad habits, acquiring new skills, learning to view the world from a different, more unified perspective than before. I've had many discussions with friends since the solstice about what changed. There's a growing consensus that things feel quieter, calmer, cleaner and clearer than before, like the "static" has gone away. Further, issues that seemed "spiritual" or intangible before feel more solid and grounded now, as if the spiritual realm is more connected with the down-to-earth here and now. Much of what is required of us is simply to ground this energy more deeply in our everyday lives, in preparation for the transitions yet to come. I know that all this sounds vague and airy-fairy in the extreme, but it often happens that when big energies first come in, we have little idea what they are good for or how to manifest them. It's only in hindsight that the transitions make sense. Be patient with this process -- it's hardly begun. We've got a long journey ahead of us...
In terms of traditional astrological events, January is relatively quiet. Jupiter and Vesta both go direct this month, while Pallas moves back into Aries. There's one "big aspect" to consider.
Since the new year starts at local midnight, pretty much the whole world sees the same chart, except for the position of the Moon. The first thing that stares out at you from this chart is the intense Sun-Pluto conjunction right at the bottom of the wheel. If you throw in Mercury and Juno, that's 4 planets in Capricorn, all in close proximity. Sun and Pluto indicate a deep concern with change throughout the world in 2013, change that is preceded by a lot of the old, existing structures teetering and collapsing first. (This conjunction is even closer in the 2014 chart, so this is a long term trend.) Pluto is capable of unleashing dark, even violent energies if it's not dealt with wisely. In this case, that means really good communication (Mercury) and an attitude of cooperative partnership (Juno) are vital to avoid having situations blow up in our faces. With the Sun on Pluto, that means the double Yod is very active as well. Even though the Yods dissipate by late spring, their effects linger the entire year, hinting that the typical patterns of letting go of the old and moving on to new ways of living are getting to be an everyday thing for us. These shifts are on both the personal level and more visibly on the broader social or global scale. (For instance, the final "fiscal cliff" negotiations were still going on at this time.) Uranus in Aries, still square Pluto, appears prominently near the western horizon. The 7th house is associated with partners as well as enemies. It's a cliché to see this as an omen of wars somewhere, as if the world hasn't had its fill of wars, but I suspect this only fans the flames in places like Syria that are already bleeding. With Jupiter (in the 9th) nearing a station in coming weeks and Saturn and the North Node in the 2nd house, there's still a great stress on financial matters. Saturn says we need to get money matters in order before the rest of life improves, but progress will be slow and painful. It's interesting that the next round of financial decisions before Congress come due in February and March, as the double Yod returns. The solutions of yesteryear are pointless when it comes to today's problems, an insight that most politicians seem incapable of realizing so far, so really creative leadership from more enlightened leaders is our best hope. So, I guess 2013 is a big dose of let go what doesn't work, replace it with some "crazy solutions" you haven't tried before, and put in order whatever remains. It may not sound like much fun, but we're building for a sounder future. I'm hopeful in the long run...
Pallas moves from Pisces back into Aries on the 10th, following a 4 month long retrograde cycle across this border. She'll be in this sign until Mar 30, when she moves into Taurus. Pallas has been dancing back and forth across the border since last May. She's often an indication of your ability to make plans and see into the future when some kind of action or work is required. Pisces is slow and unfocused, unable to fully commit to any course of action. Aries, on the other hand, is all get up and go, wanting to burst forth into getting things done without a thought of how she's going to do it. Vacillating back and forth between these two extremes certainly hasn't helped -- big projects need a slow and steady hand. Perhaps as Pallas reenters Aries, you'll get your second wind concerning some task that's been on the back burner for some time now. Lay the groundwork for future progress and chart out where the obstacles might be. You won't get everything done now, but the next sign, Taurus, is really good at the slow and steady stuff. Your future is calling...
Despite the wimpy looking waveform, there are some really interesting details in the new moon chart. This is one of those rare times this month when the double Yod is mostly quiet. In fact, you can effectively narrow down the outer planets to just Jupiter, Saturn, Chiron and Uranus, all of which are closely connected with the new moon point. Venus is just beginning a stint as a trigger planet but has yet to reach her full influence. Saturn, the new moon and Uranus form a relatively rare quintile fan, perhaps the most vital pattern in the whole chart.
Quintiles are a funny aspect. Most aspects that astrologers use can be divided into good and bad influences, helpful or "challenging" (as the modern euphemism goes). Quintiles work differently. When faced with a problem, the best approach is simply to redefine the situation, looking at it from a different perspective, so it's no longer a problem. It's called "reframing the situation" -- a remarkably useful approach. So many of our problems and issues are really self-induced dilemmas and gotchas. When you aren't thinking clearly or have mixed feelings, it's easy to create no-win situations based on conflicting goals that can't possibly all be satisfied. Quintiles let you stand back from the mess, decide what's truly important, tinker with your actions so goals are reconciled, or become less invested in the outcomes. In fact, one of the great "aha!s" of a quintile is to realize that "winning" is not the goal, solving the problem is -- your ego and self-importance are not on the line. With the new moon in Capricorn, this focus on effective problem solving at a practical level is quite natural. Also in the fan, on one side is Saturn and the other is Uranus. Saturn is known to be stodgy and conservative, wanting to hold onto old, established habits and patterns, sticking with the same old, same old. It's easy to get stuck in a rut when Saturn is active. But stirring things up is radical and chaotic Uranus. I often think of Uranus as a lit dynamite stick -- he never saw a status quo that he didn't want to blow up. Obviously, these two have a tempestuous relationship! They would be hard to reconcile if it weren't for the quintiles. Look where that stuck feeling crops up in your life, look where you're impatient and ready to change things for the hell of it, bring them together and stand back. From a removed distance, all these elements blend together into a novel configuration you may have never noticed before. You need to have patience with such a process, as it unfolds on a timeline of its own choosing and frequently takes unexpected detours you'd never have imagined. The other lesson I see in this chart stems from the Jupiter-Chiron square (exact on the 15th). As these changes unfold in your life, it will effect your relationships with the people around you. The urge is to try to smother or hide your shifts, especially if they might appear strange or weird to others, but you should probably resist that response. People are less likely to be judgmental of you if you're honest and forthright about what you're feeling -- they're probably going through much the same thing themselves. If they don't see things your way, it's no reflection on your worth. In short, the coming lunar month is a time when all this vague talk of big changes due to the double Yod takes on some tangible form and substance, giving you something to actually work with. Insight is more valuable now than hard work. See how much you can stir up your old habits, particularly if you're feeling boxed in. It's a good time to head off in new directions...
Jupiter is square Chiron on the 15th, the second of 3 such contacts. They met previously on 2012-7-24 and their last contact will be on Mar 27. Jupiter is our ability to connect up with society at large, join forces and work together for the common good of all. He represents all the goodies and benefits of being part of the herd and not having to go it alone. Chiron is all the ways we pull back from this communal activity, whether for fear of not being accepted or a sense of not being good enough somehow. Particularly since Chiron is moving through Pisces, a sign where emotions can overwhelm any feeling of competence or adequacy, it's easy to want to pull back from the world and hide out where it feels safe. This is a square, an aspect of tension and conflict, so obviously these two tendencies are working at cross purposes. The effects of this aspect can be subtle and non-obvious, since so much of this confrontation goes on inside the person, away from the public view. The person just pulls away from the crowd and disappears quietly into the background. As frequently happens with Chiron issues, all this emotional baggage simply holds you back and prevents you from being the person you are meant to be, but without any benefits other than this illusory sense of safety. The struggle is to let go of this need to protect yourself from the very thing that will liberate you in the end. This particular contact is unique in several ways. First of all, it's part of the larger double Yod configuration, with the powerful Uranus-Pluto square looming in the background. The urge to change, grow and overcome limitations is overwhelming, putting Chiron on notice that emotions like fear and shame have no future here. Jupiter is an integral part of these Yods as well, so the need to step out into the world is powerfully emphasized. The other clue is Jupiter's upcoming direct station on the 30th. Jupiter has been backing up the last 4 months, a time when his normal outgoing nature is cramped and restricted. At the direct station, these restrictions slowly lift and Jupiter can go back to being his jolly, friendly self. It's time to move past these self-imposed limitations. Don't hold onto a bad thing any longer...
January 20th, the day the president is officially supposed to be sworn in, falls on a Sunday this year. From what I've heard, President Obama will take the oath of office in a private ceremony on Sunday, to conform to constitutional requirements, followed by public ceremonies on Monday. (He'll be the first person since FDR to be sworn in 4 times.) The chart for his second term contains many challenges (as if that weren't obvious), but in some ways, there are fewer obstacles in his way.
In either chart (the 20th or the 21st), Obama is breaking a funny streak of his: the Moon is not void of course. It's been frustrating over the years, especially in the 2009 Inauguration chart, to see so many VOC Moons, as if his potential was being wasted due to circumstances and "enemies" ( 7th house) beyond his control. He has a Taurus Moon in the 1st house on the 20th ( square Mars), an early Gemini Moon on the 21st (approaching Jupiter). Perhaps these positions will help him stand his ground more when challenged, as well as give the ability to explain his positions and rally support better with the public, a failing he was much criticized for in his first term. The Sun, Mercury, Uranus, Jupiter and sometimes Moon form an extremely beneficial sextile fan, giving him a much needed tailwind in his efforts the next four years -- it marks him as an agent of positive change for the common good. Neptune, Chiron, Pallas and Uranus in the 11th house is more problematic for Congress, hinting at much confusion as they attempt to hash out common goals for this divided country. The 9th house (the judiciary) contains Pluto, Juno and Venus. How appropriate that some of the hottest cases coming before the Supreme Court involves the definition of marriage and how much the state can interfere with loving relationships. Whatever the ruling might be, the aftershocks will be enormous and long lasting. Finally, I'm intrigued by Saturn in Scorpio, hanging just below the descendent, an "enemies" omen in traditional interpretations. You'd have to not be breathing to avoid seeing that Obama is unpopular with almost half the country, if not the Antichrist. By all standards, the GOP came out on the short end of the 2012 elections. It's easy to imagine the conservative side of the country digging in their heels and wanting to make life difficult for Obama in coming years. Evolutionary change on a national level will not come easily. Alternatively, Saturn may be hinting at some foreign affairs problem that gets messy on us, probably next fall. Recall that Pluto is opposite the USA Sun (13Cn19) in 2014, which may be a very trying time for the president. It will be interesting...
Vesta reaches her direct station at 9Gm50 on the 26th, ending a retrograde cycle that began on Oct 21 at 25Gm34. Vesta is basically a professional introvert. It's not that she's against hanging out with other people, but it seems that she always reaches a point eventually where she feels overwhelmed by the presence of others. At this time, she pulls back and wants to go within herself, cutting off contact with the outer world. Vesta finds her strength and inspiration in solitary activity arising from her own spiritual depths. At these times, people are a distraction that keeps her from attending to what is most important to her. When she is going through one of her retrograde cycles, the tendency to withdraw is stronger than usual. This has been a period for solitary activity or some project of extreme personal importance. Hopefully it's been a productive time, but now it's appropriate to come out of your shell and reconnect. Show the rest of us what you've been up to all this time. Gifts of the spirit are powerful indeed, but they are gifts that need to be shared. And the greatest gift of all is simply your presence. Welcome back...
Cue the drum roll -- the full moon chart is a triple Yod! Talk about a crossroads moment in life! The Sun and Moon form a sextile fan with Pallas, Uranus, Jupiter and Vesta on one side and a T-square with Saturn on the other. Chiron, Pluto and Venus are also part of the picture.
First of all, that sextile fan is in fire and air signs -- the energies are bright, clear, highly motivated and ready to go. Jupiter sextile Uranus, in particular, is a marker of progressive changes and new ways of looking at our lives. This all feels really, really good. But then there's stodgy Ol' Saturn. At a mental level, we're chomping at the bit, but at the level of gut emotions, there's still something holding us back. It's mostly an attachment to old habits and ways of life, even the bad stuff, mixed in with fear and anxiety about an uncertain future. It's hard to put your trust and faith in anything as intangible as a hope and a prayer, even in the best of times. But these days, it should be even harder to trust something as debilitating as fear and anxiety. This is a tough one. Everybody has to figure out where their comfort zone is, versus where things are moving too far, too fast. Keep in mind that Saturn is being undermined by other of the Yod planets, especially Uranus and Pluto. Many of the areas of our lives that we've outgrown but still hold onto are under assault. It feels like a nasty meanie who is trying to steal your bowl of comfort food from you -- just leave me alone! The mental side is trying to reason with Saturn, explaining why such-&-such is the right thing to do, while the inner kid just wants to feel safe and protected. Yods represent times when you have to make a choice, maybe even an arbitrary one, and simply trust that life will turn out right down the road. I call these crossroads moments. With a triple Yod, you can't put off the choices much longer. (It will be an interesting State of the Union address!) It's time to take a stand where it counts...
Jupiter goes direct at 6Gm19 on the 30th. He went retrograde at 16Gm22 back on Oct 4. When Jupiter is backing up as he's been doing the last few months, people seem to pull back from each other and hunker down on their own. Instead of moving out beyond their own personal boundaries and mixing it up with others, they fall back on their own resources and attempt to get by without making much of a demand on the people in their network. It can be a lousy time if you're in business for yourself, as customers tend to sit on their wallets instead of walking through your shop door. It's always important to pull back a little and have a nest egg to get you through the lean months. As we reach the direct station, people are starting to rouse themselves out of their private foxholes and connecting up with each other again. Due to the effects of the double Yod, people have been reevaluating what it means to be a member of society and connected with those people in their personal network anyway, so this may be a breakthrough time in our attitudes towards each other and how we relate. If you've been in an emotional funk the last few months, you may be experiencing a burst of optimism and enthusiasm that has been in short supply recently. Look on the bright side of life again -- things are slowly improving once more.
One of the big news stories in December was the Newtown shootings in an elementary school on the 14th. Coming just on the heels of the new moon as the double Yod was taking form, this killing spree had the Yod's fingerprints all over it. The Moon was aspecting all the outer planets in the Yods overnight, including going over Pluto just before dawn. Mars (guns, violence, killing, blood) was rising as the gunman entered the school. It's a tragedy that the storm had such a negative expression, but it also seems to have sparked a serious gun control discussion in this country like we've never had before -- truly revolutionary change indeed.
The winter solstice was obviously not the end of the world, on a physical level, at any rate. However, there was a subtle shift in energies that is hard to describe. Things seem clearer, cleaner, calmer, less frenzied somehow. There's also a sense that the material and spiritual planes are closer now, more integrated and grounded. That's a typical "thinning of the veils" experience, not unusual for the solstice, but this feels different, more tangible, this time. Several of my friends commented that some of the old restrictions they felt even a few weeks ago seem to have lifted. High level shifts like this are often abstract or ill defined and very hard to describe -- I wish I could convey the change more clearly. But these big shifts eventually percolate down to our tangible realities. I'm ready to be amazed down the road.
The other drumbeat on the news in December (and January and February and...) was the fiscal cliff fiasco. Negotiations kept falling apart, with Speaker Boehner even losing control of his own caucus in the House several times, especially since few Republicans knew how to vote "yes" for a tax increase. Talks didn't even get serious until the 30th, when the Sun was conjunct Pluto and deadlines loomed. Technically we went over the cliff, since the bill didn't pass Congress until late on Jan 1. Even then, many issues were too controversial to handle, setting up Cliff 2.0 in a few months. This is a sorry way to govern a country. We deserve better than this...