* 1 January, Saturn Retrograde
* 4 January, Black Moon Lilith into Capricorn
* 11 January, Full Moon, 21 degrees Cancer, 2.28 pm (AEDT)
* 12 January, Mercury Retrograde
* 22-24 January, Venus & Mars align with Uranus
* 26 January, New Moon, 6 degrees Aquarius, 6.56 pm (AEDT)
* 26 January, Solar Eclipse in Aquarius
* 26 January, Chinese New Year (Year of the Ox)
Happy Jupiter into Aquarius! On 6 January, when Jupiter shifts into Aquarius we can turn our faces optimistically towards the future. Of course, as with all astrological configurations, there are positives and negatives, but first, to celebrate this celestial turning point I’ll emphasise the benefits. Jupiter is traditionally known as the planet of luck and Aquarius is the planet most associated with the future. Over the next 12 months while Jupiter is in Aquarius the energy is strong for focussing on abundant futures. As many of the old ways of the world disintegrate, space is simultaneously created for new and better lifestyles. This is a year for making enormous leaps of faith into better beginnings. Imagine yourself at a retreat enjoying delicious nutritious food, beautiful nature walks, spas and swimming, exercise and meditation, massage and more; all this with a group of family, friends and colleagues who you consider your community. Imagine now that at this retreat you’re exchanging ideas on how to sustainably bring this usually once-a-year-holiday-experience into everyday life for every person on the planet. That’s Jupiter in Aquarius.
Jupiter in Aquarius calls for a good dose of idealism. Under this energy we are encouraged to 1) dream our biggest dreams and 2) see which of them we can make real. The whole Jupiter in Aquarius experience is a flop if we only do part one – dream the dreams. It’s important to share inspirations with our communities and other like-minded people and collaborate to make visions real. It’s in applying the dreams practically that we discover how workable they are. Aquarius is the zodiac sign most associated with communities, including everything from groups of loved ones, to sports teams, committees, organisations, Facebook friends, community gatherings and more. Aquarius reminds us that we’re all ants in a nest, or bees in a hive, and that being the most intelligent (apparently!) species on the planet we can achieve magnificent abundance if we collaborate in mindful ways. Yet, as we have seen, we can cause tremendous destruction if we behave like robots on autopilot and follow the ‘hive mind’.
Jupiter is said to ‘blow up’ anything it contacts, for better or worse. (Some people under Jupiter transits complain that the only thing expanding and becoming more abundant is their waistline!) We’re likely to see an increase in activism against flaws in our current system – e.g, global campaigning, online petitions, protests and rallies, even an increase in rebellion, violence, terrorism and anarchy to get a message across. Remember that Aquarius is the waterbearer with a message for humanity. Jupiter in Aquarius brings out the positives or negatives of this, anything from an increase in extremism from religious zealots to ‘on the pulse’ political speeches that inspire us to positive choices and actions. Jupiter was last in Aquarius 12 years ago. All air signs (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius) are likely to feel both the ups and downs of this cosmic collaboration this year. Fire signs (Aries, Leo & Sagittarius) are also in for an adventure.
Humanitarianism and the environment are big Aquarius themes, as are technology and futuristic innovations. Aeroplanes and space travel are very Jupiter in Aquarius. Over this coming year I’ll be interested to see what more we learn about our cosmos and I’ll be hoping for positive advancements with air travel, not negative increases in air disasters. Astrology is also an Aquarian field, so we can expect advances in the field of astrology. Over the weekend I came into contact with astrology information that blew my brain! Being a double Aquarian I’m particularly suspectible to Jupiter in Aquarius this year. My challenge now is to ground the revolutionary information that came to me and sift and sort it through to see what’s workable and what’s not. This year we might be presented with whacky ideas that are a bit too ‘out there’ to be of much relevance. But we might also be presented with brilliant new inventions that evolve the human race by quantum leaps. Jupiter in Aquarius has a strong ‘awakening’ impulse in that we might be shocked out of old beliefs and into new ones. It’s a very good year for asking questions and exploring outside the square while always coming back to reality.
Being a double Aquarian, I’m only too familiar with the downsides of this zodiac sign, which include extremist thinking, rebellious impulses, cold emotions, anxiety, panic, dissociation, living in the future not the present, and separatism. If we find ourselves under the influence of the negative, it’s important to do what we can to bring ourselves into our bodies and hearts. Under Aquarius we can also suffer from ’starbeing syndrome’ – i.e. feeling our souls wishing to be back in the stars. Many sensitive-types resonate with the idea of ‘coming from the stars’ and find it hard to properly incarnate into their bodies. I know I spent a good chunk of my life learning how to become properly embodied. Yet under Jupiter in Aquarius anyone at all could start to experience being less embodied and feel their energetic system more readily. This could be disorientating for those who don’t usually experience their energy-selves.
Symptoms could include noise sensitivity, unstoppable thoughts, scattered erratic behaviour, electrical jumps throughout the body, shaking and overwhelm. If you or a loved one has these symptoms, don’t ignore them. They might be temporary but they might also lead to nervous breakdowns or panic attacks. Remedies include bringing thoughts back to simple matters, deep relaxation exercises, yoga, tai chi, aerobic exercise, breathing techniques, stretching, being in nature, cooking, gardening, good nutritious diet etc. ‘Bringing thoughts back to simple matters’ is perhaps the biggest challenge. Soulful music or gazing meditatively at beautiful images can really work. My family and friends know that I always need to have some ‘emergency’ music at hand as well as a set of industrial ear muffs for the times when the world’s external noise clashes with the noise in my head! I also keep art books at the ready so that I can slowly myself in the pictures and give my brain and nervous system a break. By the way, if the ‘negative’ starts to happen, it’s just the energy finding its way in your system, not that you’re necessarily doing anything incorrectly.
One of the things I love about being an Aquarian is being fully immersed in the energetic side to life (Aquarius rules all things to do with electricity and energy currents), e.g. feeling auras and chakras, feeling connected to my higher guidance, feeling part of a co-creative cosmos, feeling the wonderful sense of bliss and peace that happens when my heart and head connect in even the briefest meditative moments. This year it’s important to remember that Jupiter in Aquarius brings lots of good stuff, especially fun, whacky, exciting opportunities for abundance. Lucky breakthroughs are possible, plus delightful surprises. It’s a year to clear the cobwebs and say ‘no’ to limited thinking.
Our thoughts go a large way to creating our realities. In 2009 we can envisage and create joyful community-connected living. We will of course have pessimistic moments this year – it’s all part of being human. Yet when non-abundant depressed thoughts present themselves, remember that tuning into Jupiter in Aquarius is as easy as switching channels on TV. For example, you might find yourself watching a dark voilent movie and realise you’re being affected by a fear-based energy but you know you can switch channels until you find a different movie, one that nourishes your mind, body and soul. In the same way, there’s a ‘Jupiter in Aquarius’ channel broadcasting 24/7 all year with uplifting ideas and experiences at the ready, not only for the future but for the present.
We might swing between the hopeful optimism of Jupiter in Aquarius this year and the stress of Pluto in Capricorn and Saturn opposite Uranus, which also continue throughout 2009. In fact on 1 January Saturn shifted Retrograde, taking us back into the past to complete unfinished business. This is a sober reminder to look to our pasts to ensure we don’t repeat the same mistakes in building our futures. On 4 January, Black Moon Lilith entered Capricorn where she will stay most of the year, joining Pluto in a bid to not deny abuses of the past. Lilith gets enraged at power imbalances, especially gender imbalances. But poor treatment of anyone anywhere will not be tolerated by either Pluto or Lilith. Unfortunately we might hear more extreme news of abuses because it’s not uncommon for things to get worse before they get better under Pluto and Lilith.
Between the 22nd and 24th, Mars and Venus align with Aquarius’s ruler Uranus bringing lucky love opportunities, or an opportunity to break out of relationships that are no longer resonating. This leads up to the New Moon in Aquarius, which is also a Solar Eclipse, on 26 January. This could bring an increase in excitement or agitation. Something from our subliminal selves surfaces and breaks into awareness, prompting us to change something for a better future. January’s Full Moon on the 11th is an interesting one given that it happens just before Mercury shifts Retrograde on the 12th. Being in Cancer, the Full Moon asks us to get in touch with our intuitive sides and to connect with loved ones. Family issues might arise for resolution. Alternatively it’s a good time for a family celebration. From the 12th, Mercury is Retro for 3 weeks so take care when making arrangements as all kinds of communication confusions are possible. Double-check everything during this period and be careful not to take anything at face value.
Finally, happy Chinese New Year on the 26th. I find it interesting that the Chinese New Year plus the Solar Eclipse are both happening on Australia Day. The energies could be erratic that day (Mercury will still be Retro too) so take extra care.