by Maya del Mar
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Note: A VOC Moon period is when the Moon is making no further major planetary aspects before it changes signs. Moon and its aspects are strongly associated with our everyday behavior, and without those aspects to direct our course, we are left much more free to pursue our own ends in our own way. It is like youre driving down the freeway and find the road signs removed for awhile. On the one hand, plans may go awry, you may miss your exit; on the other hand, inner work is greatly favored as those external "instructions" are reduced.
Times used are EST, because the overall influences for the United States are centered in Washington DC. UT, or Universal Time, is the time given in ephemerii, and it corresponds to Greenwich Mean Time, the time used at the Greenwich Observatory in London, England.
I use Eastern Standard or Eastern Daylight time in Daykeeper, which corresponds to the time used in the eastern quarter of the United States. To get UT, add five hours to EST, and add four hours to EDT.
SUNDAY JANUARY 1. Moon is in friendly Aquarius today, and it is a great day for socializing. We will want to have serious discussions with friends, and we may receive helpful inspiration and ideas from them. We also value family, and may find ourselves renewing communication with distant family members. A strong Mars means urges for action. The traditional watching of football games will vicariously fulfill this need for many, but engaging in some outdoor activity would be very salubrious. Mars energy can get a little wild if it is not channeled through our muscles. Tonight there can be some block or obstacle in personal relations, perhaps a clash of ideas. Again, excess alcohol can provoke problems.
MONDAY JANUARY 2. We may have gotten a little carried away last night. This morning, if our life permits, we can sleep late. Moon is still in idealistic Aquarius, and high ideals may overtake us today. We will want to share, but do try for some time alone to assimilate the inner changes now occurring.
TUESDAY JANUARY 3. Again, we may do a lot of thinking. With Moon in Pisces, meditation and contemplation are preferred modes of processing. Venus re-enters, and Mercury enters, Capricorn today, and family and career come to our attention. This could be the day we make resolutions, and do our bookkeeping. There is excitement this evening. It could be some exciting entertainment, or even viewing the Quadrantid Meteor Shower in the late night sky.
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4. The early morning aspects are magical. If we havent been awake watching the sky, or doing something dear to our hearts, we may be having exciting dreams. When you awake, try to remember your dreams. The day begins like a smooth stream, but later into the night, it builds to an emotional crescendo.
THURSDAY JANUARY 5. Moon enters ambitious Aries at 9:44 a.m. EST. We want to communicate and connect, but there may be some glitches in that communication. Impulsiveness fights an urge for caution, and our timing may suffer. Extra competitiveness may also muddy the waters. Open your heart to love.
FRIDAY JANUARY 6. First Quarter Moon at 17 Aries occurs at 1:58 p.m. EST. This is the active moon which sets into motion our Capricorn need to build. Aries indeed can help us get things going, and can help us make that First Quarter breakthrough, and enjoy doing it. Aries likes the competition (so does Capricorn) and the challenge of pushing through a new endeavor.
Aries is associated with Mars, and Mars nowin the Washington DC chartis in the 12th house of secrets. However, it squares the midheaven, where it meets the public, and hidden things will now emerge into plain sight. This is a great time for doing deep psychological work which can further our connections to reality, and thus strengthen our foundations. However, we do need to be truthful and penetrating, for Neptune on the midheaven encourages illusions and denial. Aries, however, can give us the courage to pursue that search for truth.
Juno is rising, and abuse and terror continue to be big issues.
A full 8th house shows active transformation in regard to resources and finances. The debt load of the U.S. may be starting to topple the economy. Venus retrograde is conjoining the U.S. Pluto, and re-evaluation of U.S. financial power is happening. Venus will return to this place, traveling direct, on March 1.
There are three yods, or Fingers of God, in the sky today, showing that sudden and fated events create a big turn of the wheel. Their apexes, or levers, are our old friends, Jupiter and Saturn, who are associated with the systems which run the normal world, and Vesta, guardian of the hearth, concerned about all kinds of security and protection, including financial and territorial.
Vesta is in the 2nd house of money, conjoined the U.S. and Bush Suns, and the nations security will make a shift. Saturn is on the 4th house cusp of foundations, and Jupiter is in the 6th house of work and service, including the military. A weather or terrorist disaster is certainly possible with these many quincunx energies.
Be prepared today for the unexpected. Its a good day to at least plan and prepare for emergencies.
SATURDAY JANUARY 7. This morning we may feel feisty, and relationships may not go smoothly, especially before Moon goes VOC in Aries at 9:34 a.m. EST. Moon enters solid Taurus at 2:09 p.m., and we can relax a bit after a couple of high pressure days. Its a good day to take care of mundane chores. Again, we have aspects throughout the night and early morning. We may be wakeful.
SUNDAY JANUARY 8. This morning is good for hard, intense work, and the afternoon is idea time. Watch for inspiration on solving practical problems. Beginning early this morning, the moon stimulates our entire fixed grand square. We get a mild sample of its energy during the entire day. Night can be sparkling.
MONDAY JANUARY 9. This morning is loving and sensual. Enjoy your breakfast. Relationships are also congenial. At 1:56 p.m. Moon goes VOC, and remains so until it enters Gemini at 8:58 p.m. EST. Make your own decisions this afternoon.
TUESDAY JANUARY 10. Moon is in scintillating Gemini, and our need for communication is strong. We have a lot of nervous energy running through us. This would be a good day to keep a notebook.
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 11. Both head and heart are working today. They can get in one anothers way, however, so work for clarity, and take your time.
THURSDAY JANUARY 12. Moon is in Cancer, and our feelings are strong and homeward-bound. Family draws our attention. Working on the house, or shopping and cooking may interest us. Its a great day to settle down in our cozy nest.
FRIDAY JANUARY 13. Moon is still flowing in watery Cancer, with good feeling aspects. Mercury helps us translate those feelings into communication, and Mars helps us to be active in protecting our security. It is a busy day, with progress on many fronts. At 6:59 p.m. EST, Venus makes an exact conjunction with Sun. This meeting is when Sun, director of the show, imparts its directions to Venus for her new cycle. Now Venus is moving retrograde, and in practical Capricorn as well, so she begins this new cycle with much re-evaluation energy. We will be working with re-sorting our priorities for the next 9 months, and particularly in the Capricornian areas of government, business, finances, building in general, and families.
Venus new cycle is also our conciliation cycle. Capricorn involves governments. The retrograde can mean correcting past mistakes in diplomacy, and it can also mean governments turning in on themselves and becoming more isolationist. This is particularly true for the U.S., because this conjunction sits very close to the U.S. Pluto. It can be like a green light to push ahead with the next step after 9-11.
Venus next meets Sun to begin a new priority cycle on October 26 in early Scorpio. In the meantime, we can begin to rebuild our foundations this month. Until October, we have the fixed grand square to help us do just that.
This is an active and important day. There are many aspects and connections which illustrate the current (and years) energies. Venus will have a lot of information to work with. We are also in the orb of the Full Moon, when the months awareness is at a peak.
In Washington, the wheel is fixed, showing that power is the issue. Mars in Taurus is at the top, putting an emphasis on energy, resources, and the earth herself. We have a lot of very big issues on our minds. Scorpio, the sign of transformation, is at the bottom. Mars on top opposes Jupiter on the bottom, and they both square spiritual Neptune in idealistic Aquarius on the seventh house of relationships. A renaissance of our connection to the earth is certainly possible. All four elementsearth, water, air, and fireare showcased now.
Saturn in commanding Leo, the fourth member of the years grand square, stimulates both the midheaven and the nadir, i.e., where were going and where were standing. Saturn wants discipline and order in the whole picture. It can help ground our fuzzy Neptune.
Saturn is approaching its quincunx with Uranusa wet surprise. Vesta on the U.S. Sun opposes Ceres, showing likely interruption of food supply, which disrupts the nations security. This is not an auspicious time for successful world trade agreements.
With a combination of heavy Capricorn, plus water signs, the weather looks to be cold and wet, promising much snow. Fuel disruptions will surely accompany this winter in the northern states.
Well, indeed Venus has her priority work cut out for her. And she will have the facts to inform her.
Contemplate the Full Moon in the sky tonight.
SATURDAY JANUARY 14. Full Moon at 25 Cancer occurs at 4:49 a.m. EST. Capricorn is about the laws of society. Cancer, its opposite sign, is about nurturing at home. Our social roles and our family roles combine here. This is the first full moon of the New Year, and it occurs in the business-government-family polarity, indicating the focus of our attention for the year. Security remains high on our list.
All of yesterdays vibrations apply today. Were also coming into exact orb of the Mars-Jupiter opposition. Mars is the warrior; Jupiter the general. This is a fighting combination, and one where we can get carried away. Somebody could get hurt. Watch out for impulsiveness. Cancer is an emotional moon anyway, and we could find ourselves forging ahead unthinkingly with destructive behavior.
Ceres in Capricorn opposes Vesta on the U.S. Sun in Cancer. Ceres is the nourishing Mother; Vesta is keeper of material security. Here we see them pitted against one another. One example is the fight in Congress about the U.S. spending money (Vesta) to take care of people in the U.S. Another example is breaking the U.S. Treasury (Vesta) to pay for a huge military and for tax breaks for the governing (Capricorn) class. Another coming example could be the made-up crisis in Social Security.
The chart wheel now is almost identical to the U.S. Sibly chart, with Sagittarius rising. This gives a double whammy to the power of this Full Moon in supporting the U.S. agenda.
In addition, the major axis hereCapricorn-Canceris also the major polarity in the U.S. chart.
Furthermore, the Moon now very closely conjoins the U.S. Mercury, adding both awareness and emotional vitality to the people of the U.S. And Moon is again out-of-bounds, indicating emotional intensity around the world.
In Washington, money and power houses are again emphasized, as they have been repeatedly throughout the autumn. Seven of the ten major planets are in those houses, along with Maverick Chiron.
GW Bushs Neptunehis role as Messiahis on the midheaven of this chart, for the world to see. His progressed Moon is in mid-Sagittarius, on the Ascendant, and he will be emotional, and have the capacity to move many people.
This Full Moon shines over Latin America, eastern Europe, eastern Africa, and China and southeast Asia. These developing areas will get a jumpstart now. How will the U.S. relate to them, since they are resisting traditional colonization?
Just after Full Moon, Moon goes void of course until 4:31 p.m. EST, when it enters Leo. This long VOC day allows us plenty of assimilation time for this dynamicand historicMoon. At the same time, where is Moon (the people) going? When it is VOC, its direction is unpredictable. Fate is very busy right now.
After Moon enters dramatic Leo, the night, the early morning, and all of tomorrow will be very active.
The Sabian Symbol for 25 Cancer is
A WILL-FULL MAN IS OVERSHADOWED BY A DESCENT OF SUPERIOR POWER. The response of spiritual forces to the integration of personality through positive will-full endeavors. We are dealing here with a person who uses their will and positive imagination in facing life problems. To him/her comes a pentecostal descent of power. The mantle of power can make for a true leader in the culture. ENDOWMENT.
SUNDAY JANUARY 15. Just 24 hours after the Full Moon, while we are still basking in its light, Mars and Jupiter have their exact opposition. Each of these planets by itself is very active, and together they can push throughor push againstanything. Mars has the energy, and Jupiter has the need to expand its influence. Now they are in the resource polarity, with a focus on how we transform and move energy through our material world.
With yesterdays Full Moon, the Sun-Venus conjunction of the day before, and now, with Mars in Taurus opposed to Jupiter in Scorpio, both global warming and our financial systems are being brought to our attention. Questions about our handling of energy are truly top priority now. This includes money and values, as well as oil and other natural wonders.
The event chart this morning is very similar to the Full Moon chart, but with some major differences. For starters, now eight of ten planets are in the resource-power houses.
Critical is Moon in Leo conjoined the U.S. North Node, the nations destiny point as leader. We feel that role now. Strict Saturn conjoins Moon, and quincunxes Uranus, the planet of freedom. I believe this poses the question to the people of the U.S.: Do we continue in our current direction of becoming a martial law country, or do we work for liberty and freedom for all? How do we mix security and freedom in a way which enhances life for all (Aquarius South Node)?
This Moon-Saturn conjunction also conjoins Bushs Ascendant. He is very aware of his need to be accountable as commander-in-chief. How does he handle that long-avoided showdown?
Sun now conjoins the U.S. Pluto, adding vitality to the U.S. government.
The four major asteroids all have pivotal roles now, and this means that daily life affects, and is affected by, todays decisions. And there will be decisions. Do we have a camera in every home? An ID chip in every body?
This assertive energy lasts throughout the day, as Moon activates Jupiter and Mars in turn. There is much creative energy available to us, and we can use it for an important project which is dear to our hearts. Dreams tonight might be especially interesting and revealing. Tell yourself to remember one.
MONDAY JANUARY 16. The strong and expressive energy continues throughout this day. It is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and chances are that many will be outspoken, as was Martin Luther King. Probably part of the intense weekend energy included demonstrators preparing for this celebration, and the government preparing to clamp down on them. Militancy has been, and still is, the major theme of this time. The dominant Mars in Taurus had many weeks last autumn to build up and store assertive energy. Now it is in a release process.
TUESDAY JANUARY 17. Moon is in Virgo today, and she is ready to do some healing and repair work. Virgo is also excellent for analysis, and she will help us to understand the happenings of this time, and how to incorporate the impersonal Capricornian energy into our personal lives. Moon quincunxes Chiron in Aquarius, and again, expect the unexpected.
The dynamic action continues. Venus in Capricorn still has a dominant role. In Capricorn she supports the establishment and the managerial classes, so all of this last weeks activities revolve around that center. Venus is magnetic energy, and she just started her new 9-month cycle on January 13. We are seeing now something of the type of seeds this Capricorn Venus is sowing for the remainder of the years stressful Saturn-Jupiter square, which coincides with this time.
Today retrograde Venusand I do stress the retrogradeconjoins Mercury at 22 Capricorn. Mercury is information, news, communication, and movement, and it will help us understand the meaning of this retrograde Venus. This conjunction joins Dick Cheneys Venus, and he is apt to be taking a new look at his values.
In a week Venus will join mother Ceres, and then we will see her in action. Both of these female energies will then be supporting the government.
(Speaking of female energies, this will be an interesting and dynamic period for Angela Merkle, the new Prime Minister of Germany.)
The heavy stress on Capricorn, ruler of both governments and of financial structures continues. The money houses also continue to be full. Mars in Taurus, full of Jupiters expansive optimism, is about to square Neptune. This is a very problematical square. Mars is now full of Jupiters optimism and ready to push ahead. Neptune can undercut and deceive Mars. With Neptune, we tend to have problems unless our motivations come from our higher selves (which is certainly also possible). This is not a good situation for financial systems. Debt, public and private, can be a real handicap now.
Moon opposes Uranus tonight. Be prepared for excitement, and perhaps a surprise.
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18. Moon continues in perfectionist Virgo. It is helpful to have her analytical abilities right now. She makes a practical grand earth trine with Taurus Mars and several Capricorn planets. Can she clean up the problems resulting from this last weeks activities? Early this morning Mars has its exact square with Neptune, after which energy smoothes out. This can be a productive day.
THURSDAY JANUARY 19. Moon continues in hard-working Virgo, with a power aspect early this morning. By 5:00 p.m. EST we can complete a project. Do it, because Moon then goes VOC. At 5:49 p.m. Moon enters Libra, to make way for a fine weekend. Late tonight Sun enters Aquarius, and we enjoy a grand air trine tomorrow. All communication flows easily.
FRIDAY JANUARY 20. We work today. We work with words and ideas in a very creative fashion. Most likely we can put something together. Older people and old friends can be especially helpful.
SATURDAY JANUARY 21. Moon continues in sociable Libra. This day can be deep and loving. Initiate those special conversations today; we can probe the depths.
SUNDAY JANUARY 22. Moon in Libra goes VOC at 3:53 a.m. EST. Soon, at 5:28 a.m., it enters Scorpio. During this day we have aspects which test and challenge uswhich Scorpio enjoys doing. All weekend Moon is traversing the fixed grand square, revitalizing it in terms of both money and transformation. Can we make the necessary changes? Can we surrender something because of a larger priority? We feel the grand square ups and downsfirst pessimistic, then optimistic
Last Quarter Moon at 3 Scorpio occurs at 10:15 a.m. EST. It squares Chiron in Aquarius, who insists that Scorpio raise its vibration to effect a new healing cycle. This means letting go of something. Can we do it? If we can, the healing power of this moment is tremendous.
The Sun-Chiron conjunction occurs today and tomorrow. Honesty may be in, and secrets out. Mars and Venus have a lovely earth trine; love can blossom.
Jupiter is about to square Neptune, an aspect of over-optimism and of fanciful dreams. (On the other hand, miracles can happen under this configuration. But dont expect them.) Again, in Washington we have the money houses occupied.
MONDAY JANUARY 23. The intensity of Scorpio Moon feels good. This is a dynamic, creative day. Investigation and research work well. Secrets, and revealing secrets may be on the agenda. Moon goes VOC at 4:53 p.m. EST. Listening to some favorite music could be satisfying tonight.
TUESDAY JANUARY 24. Moon enters fun-loving Sagittarius at 1:38 p.m. We have an awareness of our needs for independence and freedom. Tonight will be adventurous and fun. We can expand our horizons, perhaps by connecting with someone who is unusual.
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 25. Moon continues in philosophical Sagittarius. The wide world does indeed become our home, and we will not want to be tied down. This is a good day to set off on a trip, or to do errands.
THURSDAY JANUARY 26. The morning starts with a powerhouse conjunction of Moon, Pluto, and Pallas in Sagittarius. This can equate to astute management of the people on a widespread basisor of your life. Dont play power games. Pay attention to the world around you, and look for the meaning behind what you hear or see. This is also a great morning for some hard-driving exercise.
Moon goes VOC at 10:24 a.m. EST, and we can carve out our own track for the rest of the day.
This afternoon Sun conjoins Mercury in Aquarius, to begin Mercurys new four-month cycle. This is again during VOC Moon, as have been many or our conjunctions, indicating an unpredictable course of events for that cycle. Mercury tells us what our minds will focus on, and it will be Aquarian subjectsreform, the future, independence, progress for the people. When Venus turns direct on February 3 in Capricorn, she will be working to promote values in new directions, while at the same time staying anchored in the past.
This conjunction occurs on the U.S. South Node, and it can revive the dream of liberty and justice for all in this nation. The U.S. power structure is surely in upheaval. It is at a turning point in direction.
And Bush and Cheney are intimately involved, for the conjunction occurs on Bushs partnership centerhis seventh house cusp, and on Cheneys Sunhis identity. GW could change his partnership mode now.
Our job now is to pay attention to the kind of future they are dreaming, and to compare it with a dream of a better world. Today and tomorrow are prime days for this line of thinking.
FRIDAY JANUARY 27. Capricorn Moon today is very busy, and we have much to do. Consolidation of our assets is on our plate. It is time to gather our myriad and momentous learnings of the month, create an action program for the future, and to take charge of ourselves in a new way. New Moon on Sunday will get us going on a new pathway. Re-alignment of structuresof all typesis the theme.
Venus has been mixing it up with Sun and Mercury during the month, and loving feelings are strong. Today Moon is approaching Venus to enhance our feelings of affection and connection. These love feelings will help us keep our values straight as we re-order our priorities. (Unless the Venus energy centers on money, which Venus can do.)
Tonight Jupiter has its long-awaited square with Neptune. This feels to me like blowing up a very large balloon and letting it go, knowing that it will find good fortune somewhere in the wild blue yonder. It may, and again it is quite likely to get punctured. We can use this energy to dream great dreams, but realization of them means exactly thattesting them in reality. This aspect continues more or less throughout February and March, and repeats in late September.
SATURDAY JANUARY 28. Yesterdays energy continues, with the emphasis now on visions of the future.
SUNDAY JANUARY 29. The Chinese Year of the Dog begins with New Moon at 10 Aquarius at 9:16 a.m. EST. The dog is ready to serve its master or mistress. This next month is the time to develop and express our own way of serving our values, which we have been clarifying during this last month.
Aquarius is a fixed sign, part of the wrenching work of the fixed grand square which is putting pressure on us all year. Fixed signs gather and hold power, and Aquarius power is mentalthe power of ideas. For instance, Dick Cheney has had the idea of the U.S. establishing a power base in Iraq for many years, perhaps 30. It is a fixed idea.
What are the ideas which guide each of us? Now is the time to developand to testthose ideas and those ideals. Perhaps nothing creates more conflict than the clash of ideas, and there will be challenges and conflict during this next month.
Saturn in Leo now opposes Sun and Moon, and our ideas are very fixed indeed, and surely opposed to the fixed ideas of others. Authority can be the enemy here, against which the people struggle. Developing the authority within us is the challenge.
Neptune in Aquarius strengthens ideals. Jupiter in Scorpio squaring it brings in the challenge of the material vs. the spiritual. How do we combine them effectively? Again, dreams of a big financial windfall can grow. Or our visions of financial circumstances can be more fantasy than reality. Jupiter turns retrograde on March 5 to help us to rethink what expansion of resources really means.
This is a power chart for Washington DC. In the chart set for Washington, the midheaven is on the Galactic Center, receiving new information from the galaxy. Pluto and Pallas Athena are together there, adding to the transformational power of the nations direction. And this is also the degree of a Black Hole, which can turn things topsy-turvy.
The Sabian Symbol for 10 Aquarius is
A MAN WHO HAD FOR A TIME BECOME THE EMBODIMENT OF A POPULAR IDEAL IS MADE TO REALIZE THAT AS A PERSON HE IS NOT THIS IDEAL. The need to deal with human beings as persons rather than as screens upon which one projects ones dreams and ideals. We have a statement on the relation between mental-spiritual vision and living reality, between persons and the ideal they appear to incarnate, between the Great Lover image and ones need for love. We have here an issue that is basic and may confront us in various forms. Persons vs. archetypes. This can mean a critical need for SELF-RE-EVALUATION.
This New Moon is opposite GWs Mercury. It will be an illumination for him.
MONDAY JANUARY 30. Moon squared stimulating Mars last night, and we may have been wakeful. Even so, we are likely to be energetic this morning and wanting to dig into our work. Moon goes VOC at 11:00 a.m., and remains so until it enters low-key Pisces at 5:32 p.m. Today is great for brainstorming and letting new ideas flow in. Tonight we might appreciate music or videos.
TUESDAY JANUARY 31. Moon continues in Pisces with loving vibes. Enjoy one another.
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