January
Changes—
Jan. 3
Jupiter retro
Jan. 6
Mercury direct
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J A N U A R Y 2 0 0 4 R E T R O G R A D E W A T C H  by Maya del Mar The first week of January is unstable. We have two directional changes: Jupiter turns retrograde, and Mercury turns direct. Unusual events often occur around the turning of a planet. These two planets are connected. Mercury deals with information, ideas, and all relationships. Jupiter creates a larger picture based on Mercury’s information and connections. Jupiter turns retrograde on January 3 at 19 Virgo. Jupiter is about beliefs, philosophies, moral codes—all shared understandings. When it is direct, we are carried away by collective perspectives. When Jupiter is retrograde, we turn within to develop our own beliefs and moral codes. Jupiter will be retrograde in Virgo for four months, until May 4. Jupiter shows where we grow through greater understanding. In Virgo we grow through service, through healing, through devotion to daily detail, and through the development of skills. These are all areas that can prosper during the year which Jupiter travels through Virgo (August 2003-September 2004). We are open to learning and perfecting, especially during these retrograde months. This is a fine time to take up the study of anything—from music and art to yoga to a spiritual discipline. It is an excellent time to write, and to journal. In the meantime, during the retrograde, we are learning more about our own beliefs and possibilities. Virgo is an earth sign, and we can grow in practical application of our special abilities. At the time of the retrograde, Jupiter is trining Chiron, the wounded healer, now in the institutional sign of Capricorn. Healing at both and outer inner levels is Jupiter’s special job now. Virgo is a superb analytical sign, and we will focus much of our analysis on the structural problems in government and business. Mercury turns direct on January 6 at 27 Sagittarius. This is the degree of the Galactic Center, which is considered to be in alignment with cosmic consciousness. The Mayans consider it to be the point of creation, the womb, or the mother of the universe. This is the point with which the Winter Solstice is beginning to converge. That is the convergence which underlies the idea of a major change of consciousness in 2012. The Galactic Center emits massive amounts of infrared radiation, which Philip Sedgwick, pioneer of galactic astrology, describes as both "arousing the subconscious portion of the brain" and providing "intense stimulation for the root chakra." Alex Miller-Mignone tells us that this activation of the subconscious promotes the retrieval of information from the past, the past of this life and other lives, which may interact with the self-preservation instincts of the root chakra, creating some uneasiness. Attention now to unconscious impulses could be very helpful. On its retrograde trip, Mercury has connected with Sun, Vesta, Saturn, and Mars. This combination of planets has sharply honed Mercury’s protective impulses. Today he is carrying and expressing that energy. Saturn, the energy of authority, is dominant in all of Mercury’s message-carrying during these months. On January 26, Mercury returns to the place where it began its retrograde journey, and after that, it moves on to new subjects. However, the seeds of this new round of Mercury direct were planted when Mercury conjoined Sun on December 26-27. What was on your mind then? Mercury will travel direct for three months. The Sabian Symbol for 27 Sagittarius is:
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