For newcomers, the idea is to consider celestial influences as part of a larger whole, or the Flow.  All too often, astrologers tend to write about astrological events as if each were an isolated specimen as if pulled out of the sky and analyzed by itself – and there is no dearth of astrological sites on the net that write that way.  Here, it is the movement and interactions that are important and form the basis of discussion.

If any of the material is unclear or unfamiliar to you, it is probably unfamiliar to others as well, please leave a comment and I will be glad to answer your questions. 

If you like what you see, please share it with friends!  If you would like to get email notifications for when The Flow! is updated, or have a private question please email me at skywatcher888@yahoo.com.  Thank you!

The Flow! is updated every Sunday.

Please note: all times are in the Pacific Timezone.

Synopsis for the week: A Momentous Event

It is certainly not the end of the world, at least not yet. But this week an astrological event occurs that is so immensely momentous that reams upon reams of papers, articles, blogs, and TV and radio shows will all discuss it’s manifestation for years and years to come. And never discuss the cause.

On Friday, February 3^rd, at 10:52am Neptune enters Pisces where it will remain until March 29, 2025.

Our world will never be the same.

OK, so maybe I’m making a big deal out of this. After all, Grant Lewi says that Sun in Leo and Moon in Taurus people have a penchant for making mountains out of molehills.

But I do not think this is the case, though Neptune, the planet of subtle can evince actions and manifestations that are difficult to discern.

I apologize in advance for the length of this column, but we are dealing with important matters, and it is good to be aware of what is likely to occur in our rather near future.  Listen to this:

“These revolutions arose from such a wide variety of causes that it is difficult to view them as resulting from a coherent movement or social phenomenon. Numerous changes had been taking place in…society.”

“…Both liberal reformers and radical politicians were reshaping national governments. Technological change was revolutionizing the life of the working classes. A popular press extended political awareness, and new values and ideas such as popular liberalism, nationalism and socialism began to spring up.

 “…Next the middle classes began to agitate. Working class objectives tended to fall in line with those of the middle class.”

 “The middle and working classes thus shared a desire for reform, and agreed on many of the specific aims. Their participations in the revolutions, however, differed. While much of the impetus came from the middle classes, much of the cannon fodder came from the lower. The revolts first erupted in the cities.”

Is this a history of the Occupy movement? A movement predicted in the pages of this very blog?

No. It’s a history of the Revolutions of 1848, the last time Neptune entered Pisces for a lengthy stay.

And before I ask Mr. Peabody to return us from the Wayback Machine, let me also say that mere hours before Neptune left Pisces and entered the militant sign of Aries, things were in such a state of agitation and political turmoil that the Confederacy fired on Fort Sumter.

Neptune in Pisces is going to be a rollicking time. Fasten your seat belts, you know the rest.

Sure there were lots of other astrological influences that lead up to these history making events. But at the root underlying them all were the subtle emanations of Neptune in psychic, psychological and spiritual sign of the fishes, Pisces.

The last lengthy stay of Neptune in Pisces was from February 17, 1848 to April 13 ,1861, and few other decades than the 1850’s can lay claim to such a pervasive shift in thinking, attitudes, and behavior than those ten dusty years.

Queen Victoria sat on the throne of the British Empire, and it was every inch an empire and growing. Franz Josef was Emperor of Austria-Hungary, Tsars Alexander II and Nicholas I ruled Russia, and Bahadur (inspiration for Barad-Dur?) Shah Zafar was Padshah of the Mughals. The United States was governed by a sequence of presidents who if not bumblers, bumbled their way through the presidency: Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, and James Buchannan – all incapable of steering the ship of state through the shoals of the abolition movement.

It was not the best of times. It was not the worst of times. Those were yet to come, but it laid the foundation of much of what was to follow. And the actions of those times still echo like a boulder bouncing down a steel chute to this very day.

Because it wasn’t just the issue of slavery, an immensely momentous change in human thinking that manifested during this time, but the decade served as the intersection of the effects of the Industrial Revolution, democracy, capitalism, socialism, and nationalism. Unfortunately, the Revolutions of 1848 failed. Mainly a European movement, the aristocracy used every ounce of power they had at their disposal to suppress them. That does not fill me with great hope for the Occupy movement, which is similarly facing extreme suppression both here and abroad.

At least as reported by the mainstream media, the Occupy and 1848 movements both share a lack of leadership, cohesion, and acknowledged set of aims, goals, and/or demands. It’s all very nebulous, amorphous, and idealistic; all key traits of Neptune.

But I do not think it is totally hopeless, either. The abolition movement WAS successful, and unlike 1848 when Uranus, planet of revolution, was in Aries as it is now, Pluto, planet of transformation, also then in Aries is now in Capricorn, the sign of financial interests, government, and other large authoritative institutions. That leads me to believe that the cracks we now see in these institutions are ready to be cracked opened wide – leading to much needed reforms.

And while mass produced media was much more readily available in the 1850’s, it by no means is of the same impact as the rise of the Internet and social media. The people finally have a tool beyond the ballot box in which they can make their influence felt, and that is one effect of Neptune in Pisces that I believe we will see increasingly used to immense effect. Furthermore, for full disclosure, most of the Occupy activity has occurred while Neptune was still in Aquarius. Yet, I believe that since Neptune first entered Pisces last April, the Occupy movement grew from the seeds of the energies set in motion of that time.

The effects of Neptune in Pisces will not just be limited to the political arena. There are likely to also be significant effects in a vast array of fields. We are likely to see a fervent interest in spiritual matters and new religious movements. It was on March 31, 1848 that spiritualists set as the beginning of their movement when the Fox sisters reported they had made spiritual contact with the spirit of a murdered peddler. Many aspects of the New Age movement stand on the shoulders of spiritualism.

And it wasn’t just spiritualism that blossomed during this time, evangelism, Mormonism, and black churches all took root during this era. It was also a time of mass Catholic migration and the time when other religions such as Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism formed significant communities in America.

Neptune in Pisces is also a period in which it is likely that the we seek to celebrate the celebrate our diversity with a call for cultural homogenization – or at least an orgy of cross-cultural admixtures like Chinese soul food, Jewish pantheism, and mixed-gender sporting events. Neptune erodes barriers, and there are few barriers more powerful than the ones we invent to keep us apart. Neptune is likely to erode those walls like a storm carries a sandbar out to sea.

And finally, the last run of Neptune in Pisces produced some great and influential literature, including: The House of Seven Gables, The Scarlet Letter, Moby Dick, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Walden, The Song of Hiawatha, Leaves of Grass, the Hidden Hand, and Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations. The New York Times, Harper’s Monthly, and The Atlantic Monthly also all began publication during this era.

Stay tuned, we will be discussing much more about Neptune in Pisces in the weeks ahead. For those interested in reading my first column about Neptune in Pisces from April 2011, click here.

This column is already long and we have another significant event to discuss. No, not Groundhog Day, though may those of you experiencing the great non-winter of 2011-2012 enjoy an early spring! No, the other significant event is Imbolc.

Imbolc is the wiccan “sabbat” or holiday that occurs about half-way between Yule and Ostara (Spring equinox). Depending on the tradition, it is celebrated on the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd of February. February 2nd is also Candlemas, and Groundhog day and February 3rd is the astronomical mid-way point between the winter solstice, and spring equinox.

Imbolc marks the stirring of life as the days grow longer and hints at the first signs of spring. Its name comes from the Celtic Oimealg for “ewe’s milk” as the celebration of lactating sheep and birth to come of the baby lambs.

The holiday honors Brigid, the exalted one. She is goddess of all things of all things of high dimensions, such as fire, highlands, wisdom, poetry, smithing, healing, and the wise arts. She is also associated with wells, the hearth, and home.

It is a time for cleaning out the clutter of winter, lighting candles, searching for signs of spring, and rituals involving milk.

However, you celebrate it, have a wonderful week!

To the Daily Details!

Sunday, January 29^th

No major aspects

At the end of last week’s blog, I spoke of integrity, and of the importance of maintaining your integrity while satisfying your own needs. The manifestations of this can range from doing or not doing something because you feel driven by others’ expectations, following another’s will against your own instincts or needs, or letting the inner voice inside your head control your actions. Any of these manifestations are an indication that you run the risk of compromising your integrity when dealing with your own needs. To be sure, we frequently need to compromise in our relationships with others, and sometimes the joy of making someone else happy is reward enough. But that is not always the case, and when it happens, it can add resentment, drop by drop like stalagmites in a cave that when they meet, cut off all nourishment and support, signaling the death of that relationship. Most of today is a time when we need to be aware of how well we are satisfying our own needs and the cost to our own sense of self when we don’t. The Moon enters Taurus at 10:28pm soothing our souls, mending our psychic fences, and grounding us in the reality of practicality and lifting us out of the echo chamber between our ears.

Monday, January 30^th

Mercury octile Venus at 8:46am

First Quarter Moon at 8:09pm at 11° Taurus

In the wee hours of the morning our spirits soar, so if you visit other realms you may wish to bring back a memory bead souvenir as a keepsake of your journey. It may offer a pertinent clue to a nagging problem you’ve been trying to unravel. The early morning hours are apt to be hectic. You have plans laid out, things to do, and realms to conquer, yet may be harassed by others making demands on your time. Unfortunately, especially at work or in the military, there is little room for refusal so try to make the most of it without getting frazzled or building up too much resentment. Sometimes, too, the universe steps in an delays our plans so they may prosper at a better time. It is less personal than you think, and satisfying these demands can lead to better times. In mid-afternoon, we get a break or a breakthrough so anything that comes your way in that nature can be used to your advantage significantly. Use your new weapon well!

The Moon is in Taurus all day, and the first quarter square between the Sun and Moon often casts doubts on our sense of accomplishment, self-purpose, and self-confidence. The abler you are to handle them without becoming despondent, the more productive the trine on February 2^nd will be.

Tuesday, January 31^st

No major aspects

We leave the first month of 2012 without the world coming to an end. That’s one down eleven to go. Leave extra time for unexpected delays in the morning, but otherwise most of the rest of the day is quite nice. Relationships and social gatherings of all kinds are favored, as we feel open, sympathetic, and kindly toward others, helping any meetings or interactions be more pleasant, cooperative, and satisfying. We truly want everyone to get along, making it rather difficult for the usual suspects to play power games or use you to fulfill their ambitions. I wonder if the day’s emphasis on the heart over the head will have a political effect on the Florida primary. Fortunately for all of us, the afternoon is an excellent time to work on our own projects, make headway with our plans, or make a to-do list. Framing the next steps in your mind can be very helpful making the results you desire real. In the evening, don’t let partners spoil your fun. Get the jump on them by confirming plans earlier in the day, diminishing the possibility that they’ll rain on your parade in the evening.

Wednesday, February 1^st

Mercury octiles Mars at 12:52am

Venus opposes Mars at 3:41pm

Mercury and Mars spat just as we enter February. When the gods are angry, we mortals often suffer the consequences. Since the Moon is still in Taurus, financial and other practical matters may get a bit messy. If you find yourself scrambling to make ends meet, settle accounts, get your point across, or make things happen the way you wish, the solution isn’t to put more energy into the situation but to seek the help of others. Today, teamwork can accomplish what you can’t alone. After Mercury and Mars exchange celestial raspberries, Venus and Mars shove whipped cream pies in each other’s face. The only place men (Mars) and women (Venus) are apt to see eye to eye is in the bedroom, outside of that, don’t expect much cooperation between the sexes. As for same-sex relations, expect the girls to gang up on the boys and vice versa. The Moon enters Gemini at 11:15am, and we collectively pick up our iPhones and let each other have an earful. Verbal communication is likely to take on a sharp, satirical, and sarcastic tone leading to much merriment of the gods. And when the gods are laughing, our follies are oft the source of their mirth.

Thursday, February 2^nd

Sun trine Moon at 2:01pm at 14° Gemini

Merry Imbolc!

Happy Groundhog Day!

The Moon is in Gemini all day. The earlier part of the day until about 5pm is quite good for business matters of all kinds. If you have a proposal to make, an important meeting to schedule, or decide an important matter, scheduling it for this time is apt to generate a favorable outcome. Here’s the trick, though. In order to make the most of these energies, whatever you do in the earlier part of day shouldn’t carry over in your mind into the evening. The evening’s doubts can cast a shadow that may make you feel like you need to redo or remake what you accomplished earlier in the day. The best way to resist this temptation is to put the matter to rest in early afternoon. You can pick up the thread tomorrow, but try to avoid rethinking things this evening. Maybe it’s the Groundhog Day influence, but reconsidering the days’ actions is likely to make you worse off, not better.

In general, today is a day for treading lightly. Yes, the Moon is in Gemini, so we all want to flutter around like butterflies doing 17 things at once, but whatever flowers you land on should be treated kindly and left with few footprints. You don’t want to leave a trail for any hungry hawks looking for an easy dinner.

Friday, February 3^rd

Neptune enters Pisces at 10:52am

Moon octile Sun at 9:41pm at 30° Gemini

Today starts the rather long period of Neptune in Pisces. Neptune often distorts or mystifies in an effort to bring out alternative possibilities. While Neptune was in Aquarius, a sign that generally tries to adhere to science and facts, we’ve had birthers, truthers, and even deathers. We even have the comic ‘truthiness’ coined for truth that appears or feels true, even though it isn’t. I am hopeful that we will bid an unfond faretheewell to this intellectual nonsense and return our collective consciousness to the realm of reality.  Not certain, but hopeful. It is likely that Neptune will now focus his attention on spiritual matters, religion, institutions, and the nature of long hidden psychic and psychological complexes. Since these all fall under Neptune’s realm, I am equally hopeful that they will be handled in as positive a manner as Neptune can provide. Let’s hope so!

Otherwise the day is likely to be someone nerve-wracking at first as we run into bumpy ground with our associates, friends, and others with whom we network, both at personally and professionally. It’s best to take these emotional speed bumps in stride and not let them get your psychological wheels out of alignment. After work, and as the evening progresses we mellow and chill, perhaps with the aid of your favorite beverage. The Moon enters Cancer at 10:04pm.

Saturday, February 4^th

No major aspects

It is little more than one week till Valentine’s Day, so if you have a special someone in your life, if you haven’t already, now is the time to make plans. Today is also a good day for meeting people in case you don’t have a special someone. If you’ve been stuck in the house, or hiding behind a keyboard, today is the day to be out and about. I can’t guarantee that you’ll meet someone special, but I can guarantee that your odds are better outside where others are more likely to meet you – unless you have a red light over your door.

The Moon is in Cancer all day so we are more easily swayed by our feelings and easy prey for a sob or hard luck story. In fact, we’re easy prey for ANY kind of story, so if you have one to tell, you’ll likely find others gravitate to you. Don’t make it too heavy, don’t expect a chorus of violins, but if you keep it light with just enough pathos to keep it interesting, you just might find yourself able to reel in someone interesting. Good hunting!

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

To help you follow along, I have included two charts for the Sundays at the
beginning and end of each week, so you can see the movements of the planets.
You can find each planet in the charts below and in the legend to the right
that gives their exact position.

The Signs:

Aries –  Quick, daring, adventurous; self-assertive, leadership,
ambitious; forceful

Taurus – Practical, nature-loving; tenacious, perseverance; loves
beauty/harmony

Gemini – Intellectual; dual; curious, creative, talkative; restless, highly
adaptable

Cancer – Emotional, nurturing, empathetic; sentimental, protective, romantic

Leo – Dramatic, poised, confident; proud, dignified, ambitious; colorful,
authoritative

Virgo – Service-minded, fussy, critical, shrewd, logical, discriminating,
shy

Libra – Refined, peace-minded, level-headed, perceptive, generous,
cooperative

Scorpio – Intense, secretive, strong-willed, forceful, courageous, keen
senses

Sagittarius – Expansive, optimistic, mutable, philosophical, outspoken,
loves outdoors

Capricorn – Honest, practical, business-like, careful, dependable,
responsible, dutiful

Aquarius — Original, strong willed, quick, intellectual, progressive,
humanitarian

Pisces — Ultra-sensitive, self-sacrificing, worriers, obliging, dreamy,
sociable

The Planets

Sun – The self; one’s ego; the matter at hand; the center, tipping point; is
active/yang

Moon – Our emotions, personality; changeable, reflective, responsive; is
passive-receptive/yin

Mercury – Intelligence, commerce, computers, networks, communications

Venus –  Relationships, romance, attraction, charisma, symbolic of
women

Mars – The energizer bunny, aggression, movement, strife, symbolic of men

Jupiter – Expansion, law, religion, publishing, optimistic, growing, fortune

Saturn – Contraction, discipline, institutions, conservative, practical,
focused, fate

Chiron – Wounded healer, new beginnings, bridge between lessons and
awareness

Uranus – Revolution, progressive, technology, science, chaos theory

Neptune – Religion, drugs, alcohol, dreams, meditation, spirituality

Pluto – Power, the depths, transformation, invisible forces, cleansing

(North) Node – Connections, networks, associations, alliances

The Aspects

Conjunction (yellow dot) – 0 degrees separation; like two planets having a
meeting or business lunch

Semi-Sextile (short gray line) – 30 degrees; like two planets having a
conversation at the water cooler

Semi-square (magenta line) – 45 degrees; like two planets having an argument

Sextile (cyan line) – 60 degrees; like two planets out on a date

Quintile (yellow line) – 72 degrees; like two planets expressing themselves
creatively

Square (red line) – 90 degrees; like two planets headed toward divorce court

Trine (green line) – 120 degrees; like two planets on a romantic vacation

Sesquiquadrate (long purple line) – 135 degrees; redux of the same argument
as the Semi-Square

Quincunx – (long deep cyan line) – 150 degrees; like a boss passing their
administrative assistant in the hallway, can be good or bad depending on the
situation

Opposition (long blue line) – 180 degrees; like two planets in a formalized,
highly structured debate.

Chart for 1/29/12

Chart for February 5, 2012

For newcomers, the idea is to consider celestial influences as part of a larger whole, or the Flow.  All too often, astrologers tend to write about astrological events as if each were an isolated specimen as if pulled out of the sky and analyzed by itself – and there is no dearth of astrological sites on the net that write that way.  Here, it is the movement and interactions that are important and form the basis of discussion.

If any of the material is unclear or unfamiliar to you, it is probably unfamiliar to others as well, please leave a comment and I will be glad to answer your questions. 

If you like what you see, please share it with friends!  If you would like to get email notifications for when The Flow! is updated, or have a private question please email me at skywatcher888@yahoo.com.  Thank you!

The Flow! is updated every Sunday.

Please note: all times are in the Pacific Timezone.

Synopsis for the week: Second Verse, in Reverse

Last week there was so little going on astrologically, I jumped ahead and discussed Sunday’s (PST and west) or Monday’s (all others) New Moon. A New Moon that shines the spotlight on what makes us unique, what we each have to contribute as unique individuals, and the value of those contributions to both our self, and our communities. For a more in depth discussion, click here.

But Monday is more eventful than just a New Moon, there is a triple header that makes it one of the more important astrological dates of the year.

On Monday, the New Moon sweeps in the Chinese New Year of the Black Water Dragon, and Mars shifts gears and goes backwards.

First, Chinese New Year.

Gung hay fat choy!  恭喜发财!  

 Xin nian yu kuai!   新年快乐!

In Chinese astrology, the 12 signs rotate with the 5 elements, an exact combination of element and sign occurs only once every 60 years. If you are about to have a birthday for a year divisible by 12 then you are also a Dragon, and if you are about to turn 60, you are a Water (Black) Dragon.

Unlike Western Astrology, Chinese Astrology does not emphasize the intrinsic characteristics of each year, focusing instead on the relationship between those characteristics and anyone seeking a reading. It is therefore difficult to find online what a year of the Water Dragon means in general for everyone, and much more information on what it means for anyone’s birth combination. One of my favorite sites is www.chinesefortunecalendar.com, so if you’re interested, please check it out! At the very least, the icons for the signs and elements are pleasant and help following the various inter-relationships. If anyone else knows of another useful site, please add a comment to the blog!

Generally speaking, though, Dragons are energetic, creative, powerful, enterprising, charismatic, and intelligent. Since water tends to temper the fiery nature of the Dragon, water Dragons are more thoughtful, patient, and perceptive. Since the Tiger is more yin and receptive compared to Dragon’s yang, years of the Dragon often begin a period in which it is auspicious to implement the plans, organizations, and strategies begun in the year of the Tiger.

In any event, may it be an auspicious year for us all!

For Western astrologers, the big event of the week is Mars turning Retrograde.

Generally speaking, Mars turns Retrograde every two years and a smidgeon in a progression of the signs of the zodiac, lasting anywhere from 58 to 82 days. In the Winter of 2007-2008 Mars went Retrograde in Cancer, in Winter 2010 Mars was Retrograde in Leo, in Winter 2012 Mars goes Retrograde in Virgo, and in Winter 2014 Mars will go Retrograde in Libra.

Neat, that.

This year, Mars will be Retrograde from January 23^rd to April 14^th, a total of 82 days. If past experience is any guide, they not known for being particularly celebratory times.

Mars is our energy, drive, ambition, and power. It is the planet of intentionality, the dynamo that gets us moving and once moving keeps us in the direction we wish to go. It also is that force that directs our actions, devises strategy, fights our battles, and declares victory. When you get up in the morning, it’s Mars that gets you out of bed and keeps you out until it’s time to stop expending energy, recharge your batteries, and surrender to sleep.

As I mentioned before, Mars isn’t particularly thrilled to be in the house of Virgo, and the rest of we mortals feel his displeasure in the form of crankiness, fussiness, and pickiness. What would slough off our backs in other times sticks in our craw with Mars in the critical sign of the virgin. After all, if she wasn’t so picky, she wouldn’t still be a virgin.

When planets turn Retrograde, they appear in the sky to be going backwards, so many of the areas ruled by the planet tend to be internalized, slowed down, or obstructed, and we become anxious, tense, frustrated, angry, and not a little bit paranoid. That’s also why communications, computer equipment, and commerce are all not favored during Mercury retrograde times. When the buggers go backwards, their affairs go awry.

Similarly, with Mars. Mars also rules war, and it is not uncommon for ill-fated wars to be started during these times. The flip side of Mars Retrograde is a false sense of bravado, an oversized ego, and an over-estimation of one’s strength. If you feel yourself feeling your oats over the next few months, you might want to sit down with a bowl of oatmeal instead. With a side order of milquetoast.

While in other times, he who hesitates might lose, with Mars Retrograde he who starts it usually regrets it. Pick your battles with care.

That doesn’t mean that conflicts started before these times fail. Not by any means, but conflicts that do continue into a Mars Retrograde period are usually re-examined, re-tooled, re-strategized and re-formulated. That’s always the key with any Retrograde period, the “re” in retrograde means “play it again, Sam!”

The best approach to handling Mars Retrograde is to try to better understand your motives, impulses and the reasons for why you want or do what you do. We need to not just leap but look before we do so. And, while heavens forfend I’d ever advocate anything dishonest, if the direct, upfront, straightforward approach doesn’t work, who’s to say no to other means? Not I.

Watch for the extra nervousness, hypercritical, and overly analytical approach too. That is usually a signal of energy being dissipated in unproductive ways. On March 3^rd, the Sun will oppose Mars marking the midpoint of the Mars Retrograde cycle. We’ll take another look at how the cycle is manifesting then. Until then, try to stay focused, remain on point, and keep your cool!

To the Daily Details!

Sunday, January 22^nd

New Moon at 3° Aquarius at 11:39pm

Although it doesn’t look it from the list of major aspects, the Moon is a busy little bee. The early morning hours are particularly productive, with clear thinking and an effective ability to get things done with aplomb. If any of you were involved in tasks or projects from Saturday night that continue into Sunday morning, you’ll find you can get them done better and more swiftly than you might expect. Midmorning, we become a bit obstreperous and would rather hide out in a cave than be seen and we don’t really feel like donning the animal skin, grabbing the club, and heading out to the hunt until early afternoon. As the afternoon gets underway, our thoughts turn to the more significant issues in our lives and we try to accommodate what we have recently learned with our progress toward our goals and objectives. This is likely to put us in a very good mood as the Moon enters Aquarius at 6:52pm and we are more convivial, sociable and generous. As the New Moon hits at 11:39pm we’re in a rather good mood as the weekend ends.

Monday, January 23^rd

Mercury trine Mars at 3:15am

Mars stationary Retrograde at 4:53pm

The Moon is in Aquarius all day, and it may feel a bit like a day out of a fantasy book or movie. Everything feels just a tad surreal as if we have suddenly stepped into a fantasyland. In spite of this, our thinking is quite sober, but there are events or situations in store that feel at odds with what we know about the known universe. Otherwise nasty people might do something nice, politicians may say something honestly, or someone may pay you an unexpected compliment. Take it all in stride, it may all be part of the New Age this New Moon is giving birth to. While it is unlikely that you’ll feel much significantly change after Mars goes Retrograde, you may find yourself needing to redo something on Tuesday you thought you finished today. In which case, to save time, you may want to verify the more major projects you handle today so that you don’t have to do the same work again tomorrow.

Tuesday, January 24^th

No major aspects

The Moon is still in Aquarius, and there still that extra potent, dreamlike, and magickal feeling in the air. Pay special heed to your thoughts today, and you may want to jot them down for posterity. The ideas that come to mind today may have special purpose that can lead us away from some problems and help us find worthwhile solutions. We are better able to perceive the truth of the world around us in a positive uplifting way, and it is best to take advantage of this energy while it lasts. Daydreams, idle thoughts, and synchronicities may all flit across the landscape of our minds as other dimensions try to provide us with some useful information. While this is not the time for taking needless risks, it is the time for taking note of the urge to take that risk and try to better understand the effect it may have, in all of the various ways it may pan out. As the day comes to a close, we may hit on even more of life’s wisdom and understand an aspect of our life more fully than ever before.

Wednesday, January 25^th

Venus octiles Saturn at 7:02pm

The Moon enters Pisces at 1:10am softening the edginess we’ve experienced while the Moon was in Aquarius. We are a bit more sympathetic, understanding, and empathetic than we have been recently, and in a perfect place for the Venus octile Saturn this evening.

Regular readers of The Flow! might wonder what an “octile” means. Generally speaking, it is the semi-square and sesquiquadrate series of aspects that indicate the crisis points of one planet’s cycle to another. In this case Venus is at the point where it is inclined to have us seek greater clarity about the nature of our relationship(s). This evening, what other people mean to you, and the various roles they play in your life may come into question. Who are they, and what role do they play in your life? What kind of person to they incline you to be? How are you different around them than you are with others? What can you do to reinforce the more rewarding aspects of your relationships? All of these questions may come to the fore tonight and will have a strong impact when Venus and Saturn oppose each other in early March.

Thursday, January 26^th

No major aspects

Like Sunday, the Moon is really busy today. She’s still in Pisces, and is apt to be feeling a bit blue in the early morning hours. There may not be any particular reason for not feeling good about things, but it just feels like there’s something wrong you can’t put your finger on. The good thing about challenging lunar aspects is that they pass fairly quickly. As dawn breaks, hope returns and our good spirits win out over our moods again. If you can try to see the better side of things, you should be able to step into that reality fairly easily. As the work day begins, we may be challenged about some activity or position we took earlier in the week. If you find yourself in this position, the key out of any sticky wickets is integrity. Remain true to the inner nature of your Self, and you’ll do fine.  In the evening there’s a tendency to be a bit hot-headed or to feel rushed, pushed, or hassled. Just stay cool and recognize that making a big deal out of things will accomplish just that – making a Mt. Everest out of a pebble.

Friday, January 27^th

Mercury squares Saturn at 1:19am

Mercury enters Aquarius at 10:11am

Mercury says goodbye to Capricorn early this morning, and gets sideswiped by Saturn as he does so. This aspect is the source of any misgivings, mental difficulties, depression, or doubts that you’ve been having all week and after this aspects passes, things should begin to clear up. The difference between Mercury in Capricorn and Mercury in Aquarius is subtle. We feel just a bit less practical, a bit less ambitious,  a bit more creative, and a bit more libertine. We’re more curious and inventive with Mercury in Aquarius, but we’ve been productive and have been able to solve real problems with concrete solutions while it was in Capricorn. That’s not to be sneezed at. Still, Mercury in Aquarius can be fun and exciting, with sparkling conversations and effervescent social events, so let’s make the most of it while it lasts. Mercury will move into Pisces on February 13^th.

The Moon enters Aries at 10:27am. Normally, the Moon entering Aries is not big news, although it generally sparks us to action after her languorous stay in Pisces, but Mars Retrograde is not normal times. When Mars is in a sign he rules or has a special affinity for: Aries, Leo, Scorpio, and Capricorn, the Retrograde aspects become more pronounced. Things become more difficult and challenging to set into motion or wrap up and people become more difficult to relate to. Be on guard over the next few days, the Moon enters Taurus at 10:38am next Monday the 30th and the level of tension decreases markedly.

Saturday, January 28^th

Sun octiles Mars at 4:04am

Venus octiles Jupiter at 4:36am

Mercury sextiles Uranus at 10:25am

Mercury squares Jupiter at 8:07pm

As you can see, today is a busy day astrologically. There are two octiles this morning and they occur almost simultaneously. The Sun-Mars octile deals with faith and the Venus-Jupiter octile deals with integrity. Sun-Mars refers to what we do and how we do it, and Venus-Jupiter relates to how we satisfy pleasure. Combined, they indicate that we need to have faith in our own actions and believe in our own self-confidence and ability to satisfy our goals. It is also an indication that we need to satisfy our needs in ways that uphold the standards we have set for ourselves. This is no time to go swinging from chandeliers, unless you are auditioning for the next Planet of the Apes movie. It is also, though, a time when we need to believe in our own ability to take care of our own needs, and to trust that we can do so not with remorse, but joy.

Mercury helps lead the way out as the morning progresses and we have a more complete understanding of our needs and how we should go about satisfying them, and as the day comes to a close there’s a tendency to make snap decisions when a more prudent course of action would be to take some time to think about the results of our actions.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

To help you follow along, I have included two charts for the Sundays at the
beginning and end of each week, so you can see the movements of the planets.
You can find each planet in the charts below and in the legend to the right
that gives their exact position.

The Signs:

Aries –  Quick, daring, adventurous; self-assertive, leadership,
ambitious; forceful

Taurus – Practical, nature-loving; tenacious, perseverance; loves
beauty/harmony

Gemini – Intellectual; dual; curious, creative, talkative; restless, highly
adaptable

Cancer – Emotional, nurturing, empathetic; sentimental, protective, romantic

Leo – Dramatic, poised, confident; proud, dignified, ambitious; colorful,
authoritative

Virgo – Service-minded, fussy, critical, shrewd, logical, discriminating,
shy

Libra – Refined, peace-minded, level-headed, perceptive, generous,
cooperative

Scorpio – Intense, secretive, strong-willed, forceful, courageous, keen
senses

Sagittarius – Expansive, optimistic, mutable, philosophical, outspoken,
loves outdoors

Capricorn – Honest, practical, business-like, careful, dependable,
responsible, dutiful

Aquarius — Original, strong willed, quick, intellectual, progressive,
humanitarian

Pisces — Ultra-sensitive, self-sacrificing, worriers, obliging, dreamy,
sociable

The Planets

Sun – The self; one’s ego; the matter at hand; the center, tipping point; is
active/yang

Moon – Our emotions, personality; changeable, reflective, responsive; is
passive-receptive/yin

Mercury – Intelligence, commerce, computers, networks, communications

Venus –  Relationships, romance, attraction, charisma, symbolic of
women

Mars – The energizer bunny, aggression, movement, strife, symbolic of men

Jupiter – Expansion, law, religion, publishing, optimistic, growing, fortune

Saturn – Contraction, discipline, institutions, conservative, practical,
focused, fate

Chiron – Wounded healer, new beginnings, bridge between lessons and
awareness

Uranus – Revolution, progressive, technology, science, chaos theory

Neptune – Religion, drugs, alcohol, dreams, meditation, spirituality

Pluto – Power, the depths, transformation, invisible forces, cleansing

(North) Node – Connections, networks, associations, alliances

The Aspects

Conjunction (yellow dot) – 0 degrees separation; like two planets having a
meeting or business lunch

Semi-Sextile (short gray line) – 30 degrees; like two planets having a
conversation at the water cooler

Semi-square/Octile  (magenta line) – 45 degrees; like two planets having an argument

Sextile (cyan line) – 60 degrees; like two planets out on a date

Quintile (yellow line) – 72 degrees; like two planets expressing themselves
creatively

Square (red line) – 90 degrees; like two planets headed toward divorce court

Trine (green line) – 120 degrees; like two planets on a romantic vacation

Sesquiquadrate/Octile (long purple line) – 135 degrees; redux of the same argument
as the Semi-Square

Quincunx – (long deep cyan line) – 150 degrees; like a boss passing their
administrative assistant in the hallway, can be good or bad depending on the
situation

Opposition (long blue line) – 180 degrees; like two planets in a formalized,
highly structured debate.

Chart for January 22, 2012

Chart for January 29, 2012

For newcomers, the idea is to consider celestial influences as part of a larger whole, or the Flow.  All too often, astrologers tend to write about astrological events as if each were an isolated specimen as if pulled out of the sky and analyzed by itself – and there is no dearth of astrological sites on the net that write that way.  Here, it is the movement and interactions that are important and form the basis of discussion.

If any of the material is unclear or unfamiliar to you, it is probably unfamiliar to others as well, please leave a comment and I will be glad to answer your questions. 

If you like what you see, please share it with friends!  If you would like to get email notifications for when The Flow! is updated, or have a private question please email me at skywatcher888@yahoo.com.  Thank you!

The Flow! is updated every Sunday.

Please note: all times are in the Pacific Timezone.

Synopsis for the week: A New Moon for a New Age

All in all, we’re in for a rather humdrum week on the astrological front. For those of you who treat this news with less than gladful tidings, have heart, things are about to get more intriguing. For now, however, things are slow.

Next week, Mars goes Retrograde, which will be the topic of next week’s blog, and the week after that Neptune enters Pisces and turns the universe inside out. After that Saturn goes Retrograde, and in March Jupiter keeps us on our toes with several interesting aspects to Pluto and Uranus. All of which leads us up to the biggest event of the year, the Uranus-Pluto square that begins in late June, lasts for three years, and is likely shake, rattle and roll us all.

But for now, we are faced with the approach of a very interesting New Moon. The New Moon occurs a week from this Sunday in the Pacific time zone at 11:39pm (2:39am on Monday anywhere east of Needles, CA) at 3° Aquarius in the Sabian sign of “An old adobe mission” and symbolizes the importance of our individual contribution to those communities of importance to us.

Old adobe missions dot the American Southwest.  Some are in dusty disrepair with tumbleweeds somersaulting in the wind, but many are still standing and flourish today as vibrant tourist attractions.  They were often a cluster of buildings supporting a church with farmland and a village of Native-Americans who maintained them, and gave rise to an architectural style that is instantly identifiable as the ‘Old West.’

The missions served many purposes of the Catholic Spaniards, chief among them extending the hegemony of both the crown and church.  They covered a huge swath of territory, from California to Texas, and southward all throughout Mexico to the tip of South America; and had a major impact on the historical development of the entire Western Hemisphere including its language, architecture, politics, culture and religion.  That is no small contribution.  Yet what is truly remarkable about the nature of the contribution is that both crown and church served their own interests best by serving the other’s interests well.

That is no trifle to be glossed over.  The most effective method of achieving success in any sphere of life when this part of the zodiac is activated is by understanding that personal success comes as a result of one’s contribution to the communities in which one belongs.  Here, more than anywhere else in the zodiac, “service spawns success”.  Assist an old woman to navigate an icy street, and she warmly rewards your kindness.  Help a neighbor move in and you make new friends that open up new dimensions. Teach a child how to read, and they discover a new medical treatment that saves your life.

In this way, the Self and one’s communities contribute to and serve each other’s success.  We are constantly aiding each other by revealing our own inner natures and applying the resources found there to expedite the situations and solve the problems we face.  And people help people.  It is one of the most basic rules of human behavior that if I am there to help you in your hour of need, that are there for me in mine.  That is the nature of community; we take care of our own.

It is easy to quantify. It is one of the first things we learn to do. So our society has a penchant for obsessing about those things it can count. But it is often those things that are uncountable that are most important. How much do I love thee? If I can count the ways, the relationship is in trouble.

There are many avenues in life in which we make contributions. In our families, social networks, friends, co-workers, and neighborhoods we contribute to each other to create the nature of these communities. Each a whole world unto itself, yet all interconnected in a vast network of associations both through us and the others within them. And we each have our roles to play and do our part to help ensure their success and in turn they help support our success, or we move on as best we can.

Nowhere, though, is the idea of service in regard to community more important than when it comes our own Self and to the development of spirit. It is no coincidence that the New Age, and all that it implies, begins in Aquarius the sign of humanism, reason, and altruism. This makes it the perfect place to give birth to what is called in esoteric terms the “World Server,” someone who is self-aware and working to help heal and make the world a better place/

But even if you don’t have saving the world on your to-do list, it is important to understand the nature of one’s Self, our place in the scheme of things, and acknowledge the contributions we make to others and they make to us. This New Moon period that lasts from the 22^nd through to Imbolc on February 2^nd provides us with the opportunity to both better understand and make appropriate changes to the contributions we make to our own Self and the worlds in which we live.

To the Daily Details!

Sunday, January 15^th

No major aspects

The week gets off to a rambunctious start. If you’re lucky to be up early enough to take advantage of the astrological wind at your back, that is. Between 3 – 9am Pacific, our thinking is clear, and we have a good sense of our current situation and how to make the most of it. Add to that the ability to get things done quickly, efficiently, and stylishly and you have what should be a good morning for just about any activity on your agenda.

The Moon is in Libra all day, so it’s possible that we could find ourselves emotionally swinging from joy and happiness to doubt, disquiet, and depression in only a moments worth of time. There’s a sense that not everything is as it should be or could be, and that nagging unease with the current state of affairs can mask perfectly good opportunities with doom and gloom. Finding opportunity when you are feeling blue is never an easy task, but if you try to find parts of your situation that you can use to your advantage, you’ll find that things are much better than they seem.

Monday, January 16^th

No major aspects

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

The Moon enters Scorpio at 8:33am and regular readers know, that is rarely a good thing. All action occurs beneath the surface, and all is not as it appears. Be on guard for moving chess pieces or you’re likely to get rooked. There’s a lot going on that doesn’t meet the eye and everyone seems to be pushing, shoving, and clamoring for a bigger piece of the pie than they deserve. Sometimes too with Scorpio, the blows hit below the belt, so be watchful and wary that someone is not trying to take advantage of you or your good nature. Watchful wariness is the mask to wear today.

In the afternoon and evening hours, we mellow out a bit, but still be watchful for emotional outbursts, particularly any that come with an undercurrent of frost. It may be cold outside, but coldness from the tongue can be far more biting.

Today may also be a good day to ruminate on any missed opportunities you have experienced lately. Try think about ways to make amends as best you can to minimize any episodes of regret. Some things have been moving in very positive directions lately, and you wouldn’t want to spoil the results you’ve been anticipating. There’s still time, but the window is fast closing. Don’t put off what you need to do today!

Tuesday, January 17^th

No major aspects

Communication and speaking our feelings come easily this morning. Perhaps even in spite of the Scorpio Moon, our attitude is healthy, positive, and productive, and we are able to handle practical matters with aplomb. The morning is particularly productive for business, enterprise, or financial matters, so if you have something that needs attending to…attend!

It is also possible today that gifts of one sort or another may fall into your lap from the sky. Accept anything that does come your way with grace and good will. If your good fortune comes at the expense of another, don’t be stingy and thank them, if even with a gracious thought or two. If any come in the form of an opportunity, take advantage of any them as nothing angers or offends the gods more than an upturned nose at the fruits of their generosity.

Later, as the afternoon progresses, should be a good time for wrapping up projects and affairs, and tidying up any of the loose ends. Some of these could be long-term affairs, and it will be good to move on after so much toil.

Wednesday, January 18^th

No major aspects

This morning the winds are apt to blow in many different directions, so it may be wise not to make any moves until you feel a more steady wind at your back. We feel good about ourselves, but the world around us seems to be conflicted. Wait until you are more sure of things before making any moves.

The Moon enters Sagittarius at 11:29am and our feelings lift and our moods brighten. Sometimes the Moon in Sagittarius brings jollity and fun, but this month, we’ll be happy if it just keeps things on an even keel.

The afternoon is ripe for new ideas. Try to think of novel ways to put the pieces of your world together, and you just might be able to fashion a road to success for yourself. There are lots of potentially productive energies in the air today, and you can make the most of them by trying to think about old problems in new ways.

In the evening, our relationships are apt to be a bit difficult. Our needs are likely to conflict with our loved ones, so try to be understanding, kind, and sympathetic if you find yourself locking horns with another. Personal freedom is at stake here, and adding a few more links to the leash is preferable than having someone feel they need to break loose.

Thursday, January 19^th

Sun square Saturn at 1:20pm

The Sun represents our selves, interests, and goals. Saturn represents our responsibilities, duties, and obligations. A square indicates a difficult relationship between the two meaning that more than likely the day is apt to be full of frustration, irritation, and various forms of obstruction.

The causes of frustration are many. For some it may authority figures, government, corporations, or other large powerful institutions. For others it may come from a battle over rights, fairness, and justice. In either case, the true cause is stubbornness and an unwillingness to look at things from more than one perspective. If you find yourself mired in a bog not of your own making, try to think of alternative solutions or try to understand other viewpoints. Regardless, sometimes it is better to remain in place than push ahead. This may just be one of those times. It will conserve more energy for when you can more productively move ahead once more.

Friday, January 20^th

Sun enters Aquarius at 8:10am

Venus sextiles Pluto at 12:31pm

Happy birthday Aquarius!

Today is a good day for letting yourself go where your heart leads. What pulls at us today do so for a reason, trying to move us along in new directions that we might otherwise not feel inclined to go. There are opportunities around but we need to be nimble, facile, and agile if we are to turn these possibilities into reality. If others offer an invitation to you today, it would be wise to accept. It could lead to the resolution of a significant problem or issue you have been handling. Advice, even the unsolicited kind may also help you to think in ways you might not otherwise have entertained.

This afternoon the Moon enters Capricorn at 2:40pm. It turns our attention to more practical and mundane matters. We want the things that matter to us to be tangible, functional, and concrete. We’re not interested in promises or statements full of flowery clever phrases, but want to feel more secure about the things that mean the most to us. If you find yourself needing to speak on your own behalf today, be sure to speak in a clear, direct, and forthright manner. That will be the most effective in making your case.

Saturday, January 21^st

Sun sextiles Uranus at 5:21pm

Sun squares Jupiter at 10:35pm

The energies today are likely to be crackling with excitement, good times and fun. Everyone wants to be out enjoying themselves and there should be lots of opportunity to do so either by yourself or with others.

There is the very real possibility of being able to slay some psychological dragons today if you are willing to let yourself give up complaining about what a drudge it is to carry around that sword. Sometimes we become more emotionally invested in our own diagnosis of what our difficulties are than in following opportunities to be rid of them. So in light of the favorable energies available today, try to adopt the attitude that everything you do has the possibility of solving some aspect of some problem you have been experiencing. It’s more than likely by the end of the day you’ll be better off than when you started. Happy dragon hunting!

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

To help you follow along, I have included two charts for the Sundays at the
beginning and end of each week, so you can see the movements of the planets.
You can find each planet in the charts below and in the legend to the right
that gives their exact position.

The Signs:

Aries –  Quick, daring, adventurous; self-assertive, leadership,
ambitious; forceful

Taurus – Practical, nature-loving; tenacious, perseverance; loves
beauty/harmony

Gemini – Intellectual; dual; curious, creative, talkative; restless, highly
adaptable

Cancer – Emotional, nurturing, empathetic; sentimental, protective, romantic

Leo – Dramatic, poised, confident; proud, dignified, ambitious; colorful,
authoritative

Virgo – Service-minded, fussy, critical, shrewd, logical, discriminating,
shy

Libra – Refined, peace-minded, level-headed, perceptive, generous,
cooperative

Scorpio – Intense, secretive, strong-willed, forceful, courageous, keen
senses

Sagittarius – Expansive, optimistic, mutable, philosophical, outspoken,
loves outdoors

Capricorn – Honest, practical, business-like, careful, dependable,
responsible, dutiful

Aquarius — Original, strong willed, quick, intellectual, progressive,
humanitarian

Pisces — Ultra-sensitive, self-sacrificing, worriers, obliging, dreamy,
sociable

The Planets

Sun – The self; one’s ego; the matter at hand; the center, tipping point; is
active/yang

Moon – Our emotions, personality; changeable, reflective, responsive; is
passive-receptive/yin

Mercury – Intelligence, commerce, computers, networks, communications

Venus –  Relationships, romance, attraction, charisma, symbolic of
women

Mars – The energizer bunny, aggression, movement, strife, symbolic of men

Jupiter – Expansion, law, religion, publishing, optimistic, growing, fortune

Saturn – Contraction, discipline, institutions, conservative, practical,
focused, fate

Chiron – Wounded healer, new beginnings, bridge between lessons and
awareness

Uranus – Revolution, progressive, technology, science, chaos theory

Neptune – Religion, drugs, alcohol, dreams, meditation, spirituality

Pluto – Power, the depths, transformation, invisible forces, cleansing

(North) Node – Connections, networks, associations, alliances

The Aspects

Conjunction (yellow dot) – 0 degrees separation; like two planets having a
meeting or business lunch

Semi-Sextile (short gray line) – 30 degrees; like two planets having a
conversation at the water cooler

Semi-square (magenta line) – 45 degrees; like two planets having an argument

Sextile (cyan line) – 60 degrees; like two planets out on a date

Quintile (yellow line) – 72 degrees; like two planets expressing themselves
creatively

Square (red line) – 90 degrees; like two planets headed toward divorce court

Trine (green line) – 120 degrees; like two planets on a romantic vacation

Sesquiquadrate (long purple line) – 135 degrees; redux of the same argument
as the Semi-Square

Quincunx – (long deep cyan line) – 150 degrees; like a boss passing their
administrative assistant in the hallway, can be good or bad depending on the
situation

Opposition (long blue line) – 180 degrees; like two planets in a formalized,
highly structured debate.