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SATURDAY JANUARY 1. 2004 ended with a bang, as Mars squared unpredictable Uranus the night of December 30-31. The action continued during the morning of the 31st, but by nighttime, New Year's Eve, balance was restored.

However, today too has its challenges. We do not feel relaxed. Virgo Moon gears us up to solve problems, and those problems today may be concerning the future, and how we move into it. Conversations with friends and family will be exceptionally lively.

SUNDAY JANUARY 2. Moon is VOC in Virgo this morning. We may enjoy cooking and eating a leisurely breakfast with the gang. At 11:19 a.m. EST, Moon enters Libra. This is a day for socializing, and appreciating one another.

MONDAY JANUARY 3. This is an eventful day in the heavens—and therefore on earth. It begins with a Last Quarter Moon at 14 Libra at 12:48 p.m. EST. Libra’s role is partnership. Here she reminds Capricorn that he can’t do it all himself. He needs to let other people help with his projects. He needs to be open to others’ differences, and allow them in. This is letting-go time, and it’s time to let go of that heavy responsible-for-the-world feeling which Capricorn carries. Beneficent Jupiter can help us to do that, for it conjoins Moon and will soon be squared by Sun. Jupiter lets us know that spiritual help is always at hand.

Our famous Chiron-Saturn opposition has star billing now. Chiron has been throwing governments into new circumstances, especially since last August. Its goal is re-alignment. Opposing Saturn, it means re-alignment of the status quo, which Saturn represents. (Perhaps this speaks to GW Bush maintaining his position at the election.)

For each of us, this opposition moves us to re-align structures in our lives. The Capricorn energy this month particularly invites us to work with our basic structures, those foundations which support us.

This moon family began in early October 2002, when Bush was gearing up on many fronts to attack Iraq. That was when I had a very clear vision—and I just don’t have visions—of a black shell enclosing the earth. It felt like the space government was quarantining us to prevent wider contamination. It was awesome, and I mentioned it in the next issue of Daykeeper. A moon family lasts for three years. We have nine months to go before this 14 Libra Moon Family, which began in October 2002, is completed. October 2005, then, will be the end of the moon period which began in October 2002. It began with the U.S. heading into the invasion of Iraq.

We begin now the fourth, and final quarter, of that fateful 3-year Moon Family, as well as the fourth quarter of the Plutonic Sagittarius Moon Month (see December 11, 2004, in archives for a description of the New Moon). For the United States, this is also the ninth year in a 9-year cycle, a year of completion. The U.S. will finish up much, beginning now and continuing during the next nine months.

Moon itself now conjoins the U.S. Saturn, which refers to the Administration. Thus it is central in the current flow of events.

A feature of this Quarter moon is the Venus-Pluto conjunction at 23 Sagittarius. Mercury is less than one degree away from them, so it too is involved in this meeting. Conjunctions sow seeds which grow during the given cycle. In this case, we have a new start in intense, transformative love and desire. This Pluto-Venus cycle will last until the end of October 2005. It is propitious that it begins with Moon in Libra, a sign which is associated with Venus.

Mercury adds communication and creativity to the mix. Mercury with Pluto is exact tomorrow, and the Mercury-Pluto cycle will last until January 1, 2006. More on that in tomorrow’s forecast.

With Mercury-Venus-Pluto we think very deeply about our roles in the social milieu—past, present, and future. How do we fit in? What do we want our lives to be like? What kind of society do we want? How can we best fulfill our ideals? With Moon in Libra, we will want to communicate about these and related subjects with one another during this next week.

The Jupiter-Moon conjunction puts relationship equality on the front burner, along with ideals of peace and justice. Tonight Moon occults Jupiter, for the first eclipse of the year. At this time the U.S. Vesta is on the midheaven in Washington. Issues of money, investments, territory, and security have the focus.

This occultation is visible in central Africa and in Australia.

We do indeed live in interesting times! This is an exceptionally significant moon phase, which encapsulates many of the current world trends. It can give us a good look at the shape of the year to come.

This is a very good time to release those things from the past which no longer serve. We can work on refining our lists during this coming week, and next weekend make a ceremony of surrender, before the upcoming New Moon on Monday.

TUESDAY JANUARY 4. Early morning has some fine aspects, and if we are up then, life can be magical. Check the early morning sky, before sunrise, to catch the beautiful conjunction of Venus and Mercury, low in the southeast. Libra moon is VOC from 9:20 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. EST. It may not be a good time to make plans, but the day is excellent for spontaneous expression and for socializing. We will want to share what’s on our minds, just as Venus and Mercury in the sky are sharing. It can be very enjoyable, and there are apt to be some surprises.

The day’s big event is the last of three conjunctions of Mercury and Pluto, that combination which has made our thoughts so very heavy for the last six weeks. Many mental transformations have occurred during this time, many of them connected to awareness of the destructiveness of the U.S. government. Individuals, and nations, have been asking themselves what positive direction they can take at this juncture of history.

Venus is still with Pluto and Mercury to tell us that promoting love, peace, and harmony is the way to go. I could call this a 2-day conjunction at 23-24 Sagittarius, but it is much more than that. Venus and Mercury, now imbued with Pluto’s renovating vibration, continue hand in hand for the rest of January. On January 13 they again conjoin, but now in 7 Capricorn. Sagittarius has visions of possibilities, while Capricorn gives us grounding in reality.

I’ve never seen a double conjunction of this type, especially between two fast-moving planets. Again, this period is heavily emphasized and deeply imprinted. This is another mark of its historic importance.

This conjunction—more seed sowing—occurs at 12:56 p.m. Moon is considered VOC, but it squared Saturn earlier, and then Chiron—to activate that opposition of re-alignment—just prior to the Mercury-Pluto conjunction. This conjunction will attend to changes in the U.S. government, particularly in its economic connections with other nations and with its people. (Wall Street is getting desperate, and the Social Security fraud may be made a done deal.)

The mental transformation cycle which is set in place now will last through 2005.

Moon is in Scorpio tonight—Pluto’s sign—and we will want to do some deep digging—into events, motivations, whatever is on our minds at this time.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 5. Moon continues traveling in intense Scorpio. Today it connects with Neptune, the Dreamer, and we may find our minds wandering, or drowsiness overtaking us. This would be a great day for meditation, prayers, ritual, and any kind of creative endeavor. Tonight we may find our ambition returning, and we might really get into a project.

THURSDAY JANUARY 6. Moon is still in Scorpio, but goodbye dreams and hello work. We can make up for "lost" time, particularly this morning. "Up and at ‘em!" as my mother used to say early on a cold, dark morning. Moon goes VOC at 1:29 p.m. (keep working!), and enters carefree Sagittarius at 10:44 p.m. EST. This is the day when U.S. electors are scheduled to meet.

FRIDAY JANUARY 7. This is an active day which starts early. We are apt to feel positive, rambunctious, and ready to take on the world. We have a big gathering in the worldwide sign of Sagittarius, the Traveler. It includes Pluto, holder of hidden power and mover of grand forces. North Node in Aries, too, is involved, which indicates that masses of people are moving in new directions. This could be with mind, body, and/or soul. Things should move along extraordinarily well today. Jupiter, who gives hope and inspiration, is on the march. He now joins the U.S. progressed Mars in Libra for the next two months. Jupiter expands everything, and sometimes overdoes. We could see an overdose of the Warrior, especially since Antares is occulted today by Moon. Antares is a "royal" fixed star with an assertive influence. Best scenario: using this expansive energy for new peace initiatives which are successful. Chiron, the Wounded Healer, moves into a new degree—27 Capricorn. This could help get things moving which have been stuck since last May. January’s pushy cardinal squares, discussed in General Influences, are also set in motion today. Go, girl, go!

SATURDAY JANUARY 8. Yesterday’s optimistic, successful energy continues. There could be major, positive breakthroughs. Tonight can be especially pleasurable. Do something really enjoyable, perhaps in the way of music, or a party.

SUNDAY JANUARY 9. Suddenly we are thrust into serious Capricornian mode. We may spend the day with someone really important to us—or we may spend it working. Or both. Even though it’s Sunday, U.S. power and investments are featured. There is a new facing of reality. Intense Pluto enters a new degree today, the 24th degree of Sagittarius. It is 250 years since Pluto has traversed this degree, and now basic new issues will be brought up for transformation, for evolution, for renovation. Pluto’s process is deep and abiding. Traveling now in Sagittarius, it is ultimately expanding our horizons.

MONDAY JANUARY 10. New Moon at 21 Capricorn occurs at 7;03 a.m. EST. We’ve indulged in visions, made hopeful moves, and vitalized good connections during the last four weeks. Now it’s time to get down to business and make something of it all. The Capricorn cycle will set us on firm grounding. Capricorn is a builder, and wants his structures to be lasting.

Our old friends, Chiron and Saturn—think of chiropractor—are the main characters in this year’s Capricorn drama. This tells us that there will be set in motion changes in all security bases. Challenges to the U.S. presidential election may pick up steam. If upheld, they could result in very big changes.

Begin now to build something new, big in scope, and with solid support.

Moon goes VOC at 12:58 p.m. EST.

The Sabian Symbol for 21 Capricorn is

"A RELAY RACE." The value of competition in developing group consciousness. The whole of civilization is a vast kind of relay race in which groups of people and generations carry the torch of what we call "progress." Major achievements result from the sum total of human strivings. One must seek to relate and adjust one’s strength to the challenge presented by competitors in DYNAMIC INTERCHANGE."

TUESDAY JANUARY 11. Moon is traveling in Aquarius, and independence is the order of the day. Vesta finally moves out of Pisces into Aries, and this adds to today’s sparky spirit. Pisces is a spiritual, not material, sign, and Vesta, goddess of the security of the home, has a difficult time there. Vesta entered Pisces last April, and immediately security in many areas started to fall apart, or its lack was exposed, as in the torture situation. Aries, the first sign, always starts a new cycle, plus it is an assertive fire sign. Security now will become a very big deal, and people will fight for it, e.g., social security, election security, job security, prison security, and on and on. This is a day when many will begin to take a new initiative.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 12. Moon goes VOC, still in Aquarius, at 10:43 a.m. EST. This should be an especially interesting day, with many surprises. At 9:50 p.m., Moon enters Pisces.

THURSDAY JANUARY 13. Moon in receptive, imaginative Pisces is loaded with aspects from early morning, just after midnight, until 10:00 p.m. tonight. This is a super creative day, and a time to go with the inner flow. Our lives will be very full, and very interesting. Also, some hidden things will be exposed, and some decisions will be made.

The big aspect today is Sun opposing Saturn. That means Saturn is straight above us at midnight—look for a big, steady golden "star" close to the less-bright Gemini Twins, with Orion to the west.

Sun and Saturn have an annual cycle, and this opposition marks the middle of it. It’s when we evaluate the first half, but more than that, this opposition always occurs when Saturn is traveling retrograde, so Saturn itself is in the midst of a process of re-evaluating such Saturnian conditions as traditions, customs, governments, and all systems. The electoral college, for instance, will probably come under extra scrutiny now.

This Saturn cycle began last July when the Senate severely criticized George Tenant, CIA director, and the next day exonerated GW Bush in regard to responsibility for the Iraq war. (The rest of the world vociferously disagreed with this judgment.) Tenant did take the rap, and immediately resigned.

Now the Pisces’ moon is traveling through the U.S. third house, collecting information to which the U.S. public will react emotionally. Our powerful Venus-Mercury conjunction, discussed in the General Influences section, occurs again tonight, this time in practical Capricorn, opposing the floundering U.S. King, Jupiter.

Saturn at this time of the consciousness-raising opposition still sits on the U.S. Mercury, bringing realism, problems, and depression home to the nation’s consciousness. Saturn calls us to account.

Chiron, still in its months-long opposition to Saturn, is now conjoined by vitalizing Sun. Transiting Chiron is beginning to conjoin the U.S. Pluto—which represents the nation’s power—and at the same time it opposes Bush’s personal Saturn. It looks like Bush and the U.S. both get called to judgment now. It also may be that the suit for gay marriage in California is decided, perhaps over the weekend.

This is an important day. Moon activates both Mars and Uranus, to throw what could be misguided impulsivity into the cauldron of action.

FRIDAY JANUARY 14. Moon continues in psychic, mystic Pisces. Morning is fine for doing your business, but when Moon goes VOC at 3:22 p.m. EST, you might as well take off for the day.

SATURDAY JANUARY 15. Moon travels in Aries this weekend, and we rise to meet challenges. Creative efforts get a big push. This is a good day for cleaning things out.

SUNDAY JANUARY 16. We have another very active day. With Moon in Aries, physical activity appeals, as does competition. This is a warrior kind of day. Martial arts will go very well. Late today, Sun conjuncts Chiron to sow seeds for a one-year healing cycle. In Capricorn we are talking about healing all kinds of structures—e.g., social, economic, political, and physical. But Chiron’s healing process is often difficult, for first it must show us the problems. Chiron in Capricorn has been doing just that for the last couple of years. Although this year’s Chiron-Sun cycle starts in Capricorn, Chiron will soon move into inventive Aquarius, and we will find new solutions.

Chiron and Sun are now transiting the U.S. Pluto, our plutocratic marker. They also oppose Bush’s secretive Saturn, and will bring secrets to light.

Today is a continuation of Thursday’s process, but it is more militant. It leads into First Quarter Moon, which occurs late tonight in the west, and early tomorrow morning in the east.

MONDAY JANUARY 17. First Quarter Moon at 28 Aries occurs at 1:57 a.m. EST. Capricorn is great for making plans and laying the groundwork. Aries says to get moving. You can’t wait for conditions to be "just right." Sun conjoins Maverick Chiron to energize him, and he acts by thrusting us into new dimensions.

We have been building up to U.S. muscle-flexing this month, and now it’s out front. There is a very tight cardinal T-cross around the Moon’s Nodes at 28 Aries and Libra. The Moon’s Nodes are destiny points. They show the general social movement happening unconsciously. The North Node urge is towards the self-interested, combative stance of Aries. South Nodal Libra asks that in its plunge into new territory that Aries take others into account.

Sun and Moon, the "Lights," the core "planets," are now intimately involved in this process, and they will illuminate it. Chiron will throw an upset in established routines and structures, one which will be a motivation to make a forward move. Balancing polarities of dominance-submission, of male-female, is very much a part of the action now. There will be a push for resolution of many inequalities which create stress in our daily lives.

This degree is very close to the Solar Eclipse of last April, when GW Bush said that he was going to "unleash the troops in Iraq." This time is a sprouting of the seeds that were planted then.

Moon is traveling at the end of Aries, Sun at the end of Capricorn. Something grand is started now, and in hours and days we switch modes to move the process along. Most significantly, Sun moves out of the tradition-bound sign of Capricorn, and into the rebellious sign of Aquarius in two days, just in time for the U.S. Presidential Inauguration.

Moon moves into the grounding sign of Taurus at 7:06 a.m. EST today. We want to produce something tangible.

Asteroids referring to nurturing, partnership, abuse and delusion, are prominent and passionate now. The Aries-Libra Nodes will motivate us to work with those issues, whether in the public arena or in our private lives.

The Sabian Symbol for 28 Aries is

"A LARGE AUDIENCE CONFRONTS THE PERFORMER WHO DISAPPOINTED ITS EXPECTATIONS. The necessity for mature preparation and self-criticism. The issue here is how to handle this situation. In one form or another, it is an often-recurring situation in the life of an individual person. The manner in which it is met determines the individual’s future possibilities of development and achievement. A sense of RESPONSIBILITY for what one’s actions will produce in people who have been made to expect significant results."

I am reminded of GW Bush’s Saturn, particularly energized by this First Quarter Moon. Saturn shows where our responsibility lies. Bush’s Saturn is in his 12th house, where things are hidden and repressed. It is in the sign of Cancer, which means responsibility to family, including all "family" groupings. For a president, his major family is the nation.

When Bush first "won" the presidential election, in 2000, I wondered how this nation could vote for this hidden 12th house Saturn. Most other elected presidents have had prominent Saturns, as does the U.S. itself. Bush’s particular Saturn will be more exposed with this Quarter Moon.

TUESDAY JANUARY 18. Moon is in earthy Taurus, and today we are practical. We apply that common-sense approach to relationship problems, with good results. The key is clear communication of what we really want.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 19. Sun-Moon trine is a very favorable aspect for any endeavor. One moves smoothly towards one’s goals. Today we have an unusual, potent Sun-Moon trine. Between 4-7 p.m. EST, there is a moving trine in two elements, practical earth and idealistic air. This is because during that period Sun moves from Capricorn to Aquarius, and Moon moves from Taurus to Gemini. This is especially good for accomplishing a completion which leads right into a new state of affairs. Interesting that this appears on Inauguration Eve.

Ceres in Scorpio has been challenging Juno and Neptune in Aquarius all month. This conflict is featured today. I think it refers to the U.S. election debacle, and probably the coming Iraqi election as well. Also to the U.S. government detention and torture of prisoners, and to conflicts between labor and management. It is about passionate involvement in nurturing and caring for, and an idealistic call for justice and civil behavior.

Sun moves into Aquarius at 6:22 p.m. EST, and Moon moves into Gemini at 5:24 p.m. The vibration shifts from concrete and practical to idea-oriented and sociable. Boundaries dissolve. (How do you bind air?)

The month-long Pluto-Saturn quincunx, discussed in General Influences, is exact today. I don’t know how that will manifest. I live with that aspect always, and for me it has meant a lifelong curiosity about and investigation into the undergound workings of everything. What really is that Saturnian structure all about? Where does it spring from? Why are things put together as they are? (Yes, science was my original college major.) I did state that new revelations will probably be happening all during January with this aspect.

THURSDAY JANUARY 20. Moon is traveling in quicksilver Gemini, and we are all revved up today. Intuitive qualities are also in top form. We have intellect and intuition working together. Mars, which is action energy, is well supported by sitting midway between Jupiter and Juno, King and Queen of the Gods. There it is listening to directions from the rulers, as it prepares for its meeting with powerful Pluto in another week. Mental action is today’s theme. See article above for more detail concerning the Inauguration chart.

FRIDAY JANUARY 21. With Moon in Gemini, our nervous systems continue running in high gear. The involvement of expansive Jupiter, pushy Mars, and powerhouse Pluto make it a very heavy process. Burnout is possible. Advice: (1) use your relaxation techniques frequently today, and (2) have a worthwhile, productive project going to which you can apply this forceful energy. Moon goes VOC at 4:25 p.m. EST, and you can relax a bit this evening—although Gemini energy always impels us to be on the go.

SATURDAY JANUARY 22, SUNDAY JANUARY 23, and MONDAY JANUARY 24. Moon is traveling in homey Cancer for the next three days, and home is where our hearts are. Love, appreciation, and gratitude for the good things in our lives will predominate. We can look into the future with faith, hope, and optimism, despite the difficult challenges ahead. These are good days for replenishing our souls. Moon enters Leo at 6:29 p.m. EST, and we fire up for the Full Moon tomorrow.

TUESDAY JANUARY 25. Full Moon at 6 Leo occurs at 5:32 a.m. EST. After Capricorn’s concerns about tradition, status, hierarchy, and financial security, the Leo-Aquarius Moon brings people into the picture—people as human beings. This is the full moon where groups of people are most likely to connect with one another. In more peaceful days, it was apt to be at parties and informal gatherings. During this century, we are more likely to be connecting at political demonstrations, or in support of social causes.

Aquarius is independent, original, and progressive. Leo confidently comes from the heart in a dramatic fashion, and is in command of the situation. The combination is great for creating dramatic performances for social goals.

Moon and Sun now connect most closely with Uranus, who enjoys upsetting the apple cart, and Vesta in Aries, ready to play lone wolf hero as she protects her family and territory. In the chart set for Washington, it is partnerships which form the substance of the action, and yet these planets are loners.

The U.S. is extremely stimulated at this time, both the people and the Administration. Moon itself falls on GW Bush’s Ascendant, sensitizing him to his rulership. It falls on the North Node of the U.S., where it stimulates the nation to take charge of itself. Sun in turn falls on the South Node in Aquarius, energizing democracy. This is prime time, then, to allow the ideals of democracy to have more play in the governance of the nation.

The chart set for Washington DC is complex, with many keys and connections. All of the planets and asteroids now have starring roles. Mars, for example, is exactly opposite its position in the U.S. chart. This indicates a turning point in how the nation applies its energy. It is the midpoint of a cycle which began late last April. Events then were the sudden and retroactive cuts in housing subsidies, bombs rocking Riyadh (capitol of Saudi Arabia), and one-million-plus women marching in Washington for women’s rights, especially abortion rights. Mars now is about to conjoin powerful Pluto, a fighting combination. They are acting in the first, most personal, house of the U.S. chart.

Chiron conjoins the U.S. Pluto, another explosive combination, and challenges the very foundation of the nation. Chiron is in the first house of the Full Moon chart.

Saturn in Cancer opposes Mercury in Capricorn, a polarity that refers to security, and a major polarity in the U.S. chart. This sets off a Finger of God, which indicates a sudden and large shift in circumstances. Mars-Pluto and Juno are also involved in this process. A terrorist incident is quite possible. However, the U.S. appears to be initiating the action now.

This opposition is the turning point in a cycle which began in late June, when the U.S. began super-heavy attacks on Fallujah, and violence in Iraq increased greatly.

Jupiter, who expands things, conjoins the U.S. progressed Mars at 19 Libra. It also conjoins GW’s natal Jupiter to begin a new 12-year expansion cycle for him.

There is a great deal of energy in this Full Moon, particularly in the U.S. Energy can be directed in many ways, e.g., Venus too is strong now, and Venus can direct energy towards creating harmony. The big shift shown now has the potential to mean a change towards peace.

This Moon ushers in a difficult week.

The Sabian Symbol for 6 Leo is

"A CONSERVATIVE, OLD-FASHIONED LADY IS CONFRONTED BY A "HIPPIE" GIRL. The need to transcend our subservience to fashion, in morals as well as in clothes. This refers to an ever-changing pageant of social values, as ideals of human relationship succeed one another, one generation facing in the next an antithetic picture of what it has been brought up to consider worthwhile and decent. The confrontation may lead to great bitterness, yet it should show us the impermanence of what society impresses upon our collective mentality. A collective, cultural and social crisis which challenges us to realize THE RELATIVITY OF SOCIAL VALUES."

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 26. Moon continues in fire sign Leo, with easy aspects to the powerful combination of Jupiter, Mars and Pluto. Energy is strong and adventurous. Moon goes VOC at 5:38 p.m.

THURSDAY JANUARY 27. Moon is in Virgo today and tomorrow, gearing us up to solve problems. And there will be plenty of those. Disruptive aspects occur during both of these days. Emotional connections will be difficult today.

FRIDAY JANUARY 28. Today is a big day. Mars conjoins Pluto to put power in the air, big time. We have a replay of part of the Full Moon energy. Mercury also conjoins Chiron to throw our nervous systems into a new gear. Be careful of accidents today.

SATURDAY JANUARY 29. Moon continues in analytical Virgo. It makes difficult aspects early this morning, reviving yesterday’s Mars-Pluto meeting. Later this morning harmonious aspects can resolve problems. At 4:07 p.m. EST Moon goes VOC, and at 5:13 p.m. it enters Libra.

SUNDAY JANUARY 30 and MONDAY JANUARY 31. Moon in Libra is promoting idealistic, visionary activity. Disruptive aspects accompany this action, particularly another occultation of Jupiter at 5:08 a.m. EST on Monday. This eclipse is particularly strong because Jupiter is now stationary-retrograde. It is visible in the South Central Pacific Ocean and in Antarctica. Again, a step-up in global warming is indicated. This eclipsed Jupiter is also the degree of Bush’s Jupiter. Moon goes VOC at 10:21 p.m. Monday night, and enters Scorpio at 1:51 a.m. Tuesday—the day when Jupiter turns retrograde.

We complete a very significant, unusual month.