Back to current Premium Home


Jump directly to:

January '11
Premium
Edition
Home

Archive—
Past
Premium
Issues

Daykeeper
Home

by Boots Hart

This month, that "other shoe" drops. A lot of folks are expecting it. But all the signs are that we don't know exactly what kind of shoe is going to drop. Or if it's going to drop on our toe or get lost under the bed….

We may think problems will be personal and they'll turn out to be financial. We may think it's about work and instead it will be about the car. Or the house. Or the kids. But all of those are just symptoms. Symptoms of what, you ask? Of what we are or aren't doing with our life. Of who we haven't yet grown into being. Events now are symptoms of how we haven't looked in the mirror—of late, or maybe ever. Or maybe we've looked into that mirror without ever actually seeing who is there.

Part of this month is about rolling with whatever life's punches are. As fighters will tell you, it's our "stiffness"—the attempt to resist and maintain our position, our “correctness” and our attitude—which often creates far more damage than there would otherwise be. Astrologically, rigidity and stiffness can be exemplified in any of a number of ways. But if you asked me where I would look first—my first answers would be Saturn—as a symbol. Then I'd move to Capricorn and Aquarius—both of them being signs which Saturn rules.

With that in mind, the first ripple in our pond comes on January 3 as Pluto again crosses the degree it went retrograde at back in April 2010. This is a reminder of a "trend" (if you will) which began last April and which will last until November, 2011. Since this is Pluto we're talking about, the issue is really about how we feel about our life. There will be a tendency to project here…you know, it's the fault of the recession, "they" were wrong…and so on. But even though times are tough for many, in any given recession, depression, epidemic or social fluffle there are always those who deal well. And then there are those who just want to believe they're right and who end up falling on their nose.

At the moment, it's to expect that a lot of folks will tell you that it's all about a "positive attitude." But for those who are plain old resistant, as well as those of us who barf at such sugar-coating (yes, that's me raising my hand) the real lesson behind whatever success optimism affords is more likely than not to be how well (or badly) we deal with our own mental experience OF OUR emotions AS “proof” of self worth, self respect and personal security. That's Pluto—or "Plutonic," as we say.

It's not your attitude—it's how you end up feeling because of, or in spite of your attitude. In the end we live out what we really feel about ourselves. And thus—if you really believe life unfolds as it should—then this long, long five-time global Pluto transit which is all about life presenting us with circumstances which force us to do something about our relationship to Self is a good thing. Maybe not a comfy thing—but a good thing nonetheless!

(And if you don't believe life unfolds as it should, prompting us to grow particularly in areas where we are weakest, I (a) have no idea why you are reading this…and (b) am curious about what's your plan for avoiding life? Uh-huh…I thought so. There is no avoiding life. So we can roll with the punches or resist them and end up shell-shocked by life's blows….)

So Pluto is raising the specter of this lengthy, evocative dynamic. And no sooner will Pluto have signaled this than along comes, not one day later (January 4 at 9:04 UT/+0) a Solar Eclipse at 13 Capricorn. And not JUST a Solar eclipse, but also Jupiter conjuncting Uranus at 26 Pisces.

Hark! I think I hear a shoe dropping!

Actually, if this eclipse has your name on it, you like as not have felt the rumble of the quake a'comin' for weeks now. That being true, the moment of the eclipse—particularly with a Jupiter/Uranus conjunction going on speaks to growth and change and feeling your own feelings. What are events telling you about where you have grown and where you perhaps have not or never grown at all? Are you going to continue resisting growth? And never mind the worldly issues of the moment, how are you going to deal with being you—feeling you going around being you, day in and day out?

Anywhere we would find Jupiter/Uranus together symbolizes a change of understanding. It's the Pisces part which indicates that this is so emotional. And with Pluto (outcome ruler of oh-so-emotionally-fixed-and-fixated Scorpio) in the mix, this is about our desire to control life, hoping that we don't have to change. But we do. Maybe we just need to see things from a new and different angle. It could be just that. Or maybe we need to switch-o, change-o what we're doing in life as a totality.

Considering Uranus as an "in this moment" symbol, there seems to be a message of "emotional realization" which is a right here, right now sort of thing. Yet Solar Eclipses take a long, long time to unfold…three years, to be (more or less) exact! Thus we get this message: through dealing with "the thing of the moment" (which surely you must do!) you will come to realize change—and the need to change—some part of your life, or your approach to life. What you go through now will help in the process which unfolds, but don't assume where you are now will be your ultimate purpose. Where eclipses are involved, what you face today may not be even remotely connected to where you eventually end up.

That this isn't the easiest moment in the world seems underscored by asteroid Sabine going direct on January 5 at 12 Taurus. All degrees between 10 and 19 (of any sign) being where that sign manifests in emotional form (yes, even in air signs!), this is yet another statement about self worth and self respect and security and satisfaction on a very personal level—those four qualities being the heart and soul of Taurus.

Since asteroids represent things we "meet up with" either in life or in our heads, Sabine thus adds a question about "confinement." Are we confined? Are we too unconfined? Are we so meager with our scope or so prone to dissipating our assets that we're never going to get where we allegedly want to go?

And remember—all this is subject to much projection. So if you can, stop. Is it really "them"? Or even if it is them, is life trying to evoke something in you which needs some Sabine tinkering?

At this moment Venus mushing through the end of Scorpio during these days suggests all will be emotionally "congested" and extra trying. But the good news is that Venus moves into Sagittarius come January 7 (at 12:32 UT/+0). And once Venus is in Sagittarius, moods will lighten, we'll feel a bit more peppy (and prone to giving ourselves a pep talk), and all that figuring out how to get where we want to go will seem easier.

Optimally, Sagittarius is about "working out kinks" in whatever process is at hand (or is at work in our mind). In doing so, Sag promises that the doors will open as we push forward, try new things and expand our realm of knowledge and effectiveness. Venus here says that as we put effort into getting things right, we will not only gain ground and get closer to our goals but feel better about "things" and our life as a whole. And since Venus in Sagittarius can be such a good time to build confidence which then stays with us, that makes it a really good time to get out there and try!

For those who get into this spirit of "personal/personal world" growth of worth, dwarf planet Eris going direct on January 9 becomes yet another sign of opportunity—but only where we're willing to effect productive change. For those cringing over spilt milk or clinging any romantic notion that "nice wins," Eris going direct is not really on your side; Eris favors social/personal reform and serves as a notice of disruption where we attempt to take the easy way out. The more "personal" or “me oriented” our preference, the more blind we are to those greater parameters which might be really good to consider. But considering how Eris transits and stations tend to make us feel like we're being "put on the spot," it's hard not to think protectively!

And that folks, is exactly the Eris challenge!

Also—all stations, whether station/direct or station/retrograde, whether of a planet, dwarf planet, asteroid, comet or anything else…they get "station leeway" periods. I haven't noted them here, but the "standard" has been two days to either side…and station effects may be effective even three days out!

Once Mercury enters Capricorn on January 13 at 11: 25 (UT/+0), we feel on "safer," more solid ground. The consequences of what we do and don't do are plain—which we may not like! But then again, parameters—the “playing field,” if you will—are now plainer too. Another benefit of Mercury moving into Capricorn will be how thinking will cool and become crisper and more clarified. Fresh from all the fervency we've had with Mercury's going in and out of Sagittarius since early/mid-November, though we may miss some of the imaginative qualities of Mercury in Sag, the added precision and ability to  understand consequences associated with Mercury in Capricorn will be a big, giant plus!

Applications broaden once Mars moves into Aquarius on January 15 at 10:42 in the evening (UT/+0). It's as though we are able to see more opportunities…though we may still be puzzled as to how to take advantage of them! (Or if we really want to!) But they're there—and for those looking to make a splash on some “collective” (a group, marketplace, company, etc.) Mars in Aquarius is a good time to move out and make a bit of a splash. Just remember to be deliberate in what you do. Humor is good. Irresponsibility and lack of attention to "social standards," on the other hand…not so good!

Then comes January 19 and a Full Moon at 9:22pm (UT/+0). With this Full Moon occurring at 29 Cancer, it's an echo of December's Lunar Eclipse at 29 Gemini. That lunar eclipse having tested how we think and what we think and how we express ourselves, this Full Moon tests our basic life premises. However, the Lunar Eclipse—by virtue of being an eclipse—will have drawn in "real life, real world" (possibly social/societal) factors. That is lacking here: this is more about you reflecting on your own values, your own habits, your own traditions and standards—your own life structures.

And this is only a Full Moon! So though it can be a highly emotional moment (which "highlights" something) this is just a moment. Full Moons don't tend to mark major life transitions unless something else is happening on your personal chart. They're high tides: we ride the wave, the tidal cycle moves on. As do we.

In this case, that next wave rolls us promptly over into January 20th, where the Sun moves on into Aquarius at 10:20 am (UT/+0). With the Sun now in the same sign as Mars, emphasis shifts into social, societal, systemic, income, energy and economic mode. The greater marketplace/world becomes the stage for daily happenings and the standard by which our quality of life gets measured, accepted, rejected, prompted—etcetera. Whether we like it or not, whether we want it or not…that's neither means nor the measure which determines whether we (or what we do) are accepted, applauded or rewarded (with love, money or more access). Frustration is easy if you base everything on your own outlook and desires instead of realizing that as wonderful and unique and talented as you may be, society and the world has its way. So just do the pesky paperwork! Jump through the hoop, deal with the mechanics of the thing—it isn't personal. And maybe you want it to be personal? But it isn't right now.

Getting back to that Solar Eclipse…its function as a celestial tear down/build up mechanism becomes more apparent again (and maybe more challenging) as Jupiter re-enters Aries on January 22 at 5:12 pm (UT/+0). Remember last June and July when Jupiter went into Aries for a couple of weeks? All of a sudden we "got it"! We knew we had to grow and change and do. Those who answered that call back then are now moving on to a new phase. Those who puddle around are being pushed harder and harder by a life which will in time force them to change.

Aries being the “I Am” (aka Who am I?) fire sign that it is, we are now our own best tool and best reason to get out there and take on everything which needs taking on. For some this will be working on the actual physical Aries Self (exercise, health, personal appearance). For others this will be what you do or how you do it (learning new skills, starting something new in your life, etc.) For some this will be facing up to learning, maybe anew, how to be the person you need or have always wanted to be. And yes, it could be all of the above!

Jupiter will be in Aries until early June. But that's it! Once it enters Taurus, it won't be revisiting Aries until almost twelve years from now! This is the celestial way of saying do it now. And for those who need a little underscoring of this message, Saturn going retrograde at 17 Libra on January 26 at 6:11 in the morning (UT/+0) is seriously that message! Given Saturn and Jupiter are astrology's primary "building/structural" duo (whether that's personal, professional or national-international-global), to have these two "making changes" within a few days given the recent eclipse in a sign Saturn rules?

That's a pretty big clue.

So let's hope things you need to do are under way. Once Saturn is in retrograde, the process of growth and restructuring becomes internal—it's a time to explore, try out, construct—but not particularly a time to start initiate anything new in the worldly/public quadrant. Where you have started something, you will now go through a process of consolidating and capitalizing on those choices, actions and/or commitments.

Thus yes, by the time January ends, the other shoe of this moment will have dropped. Will that mean you are off and about your business? Or are you just sitting there dealing with the fact that you got dropped on—maybe yet again?

Boots Hart, CAP