Guest article by Dorene Carrel website: Astroconnections.

            January begins with a very powerful New Moon that sets the pace for the New Year.  New resolutions made at this time will receive a dynamic boost of potency, while several planets in Capricorn provide a stable structure to ensure manifestation.  The pace picks up when the Sun enters Aquarius in mid-month, followed by another New Moon on January 30.  Venus turns direct the next day, allowing us to achieve more certainty about relationships and finances. 

          The first New Moon occurs on January 1 at 11 Capricorn. It aligns with Pluto and Mercury in Capricorn and forms a dynamic cardinal grand cross pattern with Uranus in Aries, Jupiter in Cancer and Mars in Libra. Unexpected and unsettling personal and world changes may occur over the next 2-4 weeks. The results can manifest as power struggles and acts of rebellion against restrictions that can no longer be tolerated.  While this pattern can result in stressful breakups and breakdowns, there can also be positive breakthroughs as well.  The Capricorn planets provide needed self-assurance and stability for taking action. However, be prepared for possible earth changes. The Sabian symbol keynote for this degree, “The refinement and propagation of aristocratic values by means of which man participates in the evolution of life toward ever more perfect forms of existence,” speaks to the evolutionary impulse of this powerful New Moon.

          On January 15 the Full Moon occurs at 26 Cancer.  It widely opposes Venus in Capricorn, squares Ceres in Libra, and is in a favorable trine to Saturn in Scorpio.  Cancer rules our inner and outer foundations in life, how we nurture ourselves and others, and what we need to feel secure. Feeling more secure and trusting one’s feelings/intuition allows us to take needed risks to achieve our goals. The next two weeks will be favorable for strengthening our support systems and dealing with boundary issues. The alignment with Ceres enables us to give and receive needed support. The Sabian symbols for these degree areas, “Guests are reading in the library of a luxurious home,” and “A nature spirit dancing in the iridescent mist of a waterfall,” suggest the idea of nurturing ourselves in nature and on mental/spiritual levels. 

          The second New Moon occurs on January 30 at 11 Aquarius.  As this lunation is more peaceful than the last one, we can now integrate any new changes and shifts that were made earlier in the month. The Aquarian focus brings in the mental/intellectual element and expression of ideas and ideals. It is a favorable month to cooperate with like-minded individuals to achieve mutual goals. An alignment with Jupiter in Cancer encourages us to broaden our horizons and widen our perspective.  The Sabian symbol for this degree, “During a silent hour, a man receives a new inspiration which may change his life; the need to rely upon inner inspiration and guidance at the start of new developments,” suggests that we take time for some introspection in order to receive new insights from our guides/high self.        

            Jupiter in Cancer opposes Pluto in Capricorn on January 31, which can lead to some overdoing or overexpansion of activity or diet.  It is a good time for moderation in all areas.  Where are we being too indulgent or perhaps overly strict with ourselves?  On this same day, Venus in Capricorn turns direct. Since late December, we have been re-evaluating our patterns in relationships and finances. Now we can confidently move forward in a more authentic way in these important areas. Old relationships may resurface at this time for further completion. 

          February brings a Mercury retrograde period (on February 7), so plan accordingly.  Blessings for a prosperous New Year! 

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          Dorene Carrel is a professional astrologer with over thirty years of experience. She offers birth chart and transit/progression readings. For more information, contact Dorene at dorenea5@yahoo.com. 

          All references to Sabian symbols are from An Astrological Mandala: The Cycle of Transformation and Its 360 Symbolic Phases, by Dane Rudhyar.

          Check out my astrology blog at www.astroconnections.blogspot.com for ongoing astrological observations on current events, people, trends, etc.