January’14 Astrology

“What makes a fire burn is
space between the logs,
a breathing space.
Too much of a good thing
Too many logs
Packed in too tight
Can douse the flames
Almost as surely
As a pail of water would.

So building fires
requires attention
to the spaces in between,
as much as to the wood.” Judy Brown

Once when I was in a time of significant transition a wise friend said to me, “Why don’t you stay home this winter and put logs on the fire?”

It is wise to provide times of reflection and retrospection especially in transformative times and the cycles of the planets in retrograde phase provide such opportunities. Venus is retrograde now in Capricorn through the end of January. Being able to see clearly what is of value to us on a deep level is important.

This transit provides excellent timing to review how we relate to others and how with our actions we impact upon the wellbeing of the planet and the interconnectedness of all life. Capricorn governs resources and it is wise to revisit how money is spent – does money spent or invested contribute to a cleaner, safer more equitable future?

As Meister Eckhart pointed out,” Relation is the essence of everything that is.”

It bodes well to contemplate how we provide for ourselves and how we love others and put plans in motion to make improvements if necessary. It is also a good time to review the structure of your life – whether it is set up to provide for personal growth and evolution or whether it is based on an old model which has outgrown its usefulness. If so consider how you would make improvements. Make a list and set plans in motion in early February.

Relationships can experience strain under the influences this month. Moving in a direction
of personal authenticity can bring conflict in long standing friendships and intimate relationships. It is wise to consider how to effect change in situations like this in a diplomatic and empowered way.

Some significant dates in January:

Mercury enters Aquarius on January 11 – This transit encourages us to see ourselves as
part of the larger world. Take a cooperative, collaborative approach. The challenges we face on the planet now are best approached through cooperation rather than competition. Practice how to hold on to your authenticity and integrity as you collaborate with others to find solutions. Allow more for innovation and out of the box thinking in your approaches.

The Full Moon is on January 15 at 25 degrees of Cancer. This Full Moon is a time when issues of scarcity can arise. It is best under the influences to consider and shed underlying beliefs that can cause a sense of disempowerment or victimization in areas of love, finances and resources. Very often feelings of scarcity are based on old programming and this Full Moon provides an opportunity to take another step away from the direction with growth in conscious awareness.

The Sun enters Aquarius on the 19th. One of the Chandra symbols for this placement is,” A woman strolling in a garden. She is unaware she is being watched by elves. ”

The New Moon is at 10 degrees of Aquarius. This is the second New Moon this month – very much a month for envisioning new beginnings and initiatives. Be open to progress through cooperation and collaboration.

On the 31st Venus stations direct – a good time to put intentions into motion with concrete steps. Mercury enters Pisces on this day also – a good time for creativity and spiritual growth.

“The day I saw beneath dark clouds
The passing light over the water
And I heard the voice of the world speak out,
I knew then, as I had before
Life is no passing memory of what has been
Nor the remaining pages in a great book
waiting to be read.
It is the opening of eyes long closed.
It is the vision of far off things seen for the silence they hold.” David Whyte

Friends – I have gift certificates for special occasions.
Amelia Shea specializes in issues of relationship, family and children as well as life path and career. She can be reached at 603 654 1043, amelia.shea@comcast.net. Her readings start at $30.
All times mentioned are EST. Chandra symbol quote from Inside Degrees by Ellias Lonsdale. Judy Brown and David Whyte poems from Leading from Within by Sam Intrator and Megan Scribner

January 2013 Astrology

“May the New Year bring you closer and closer to the realization of your dreams. Never give them up, even in moments of tragedy. They are your pathway to the experience of Oneness with the Infinite. They – and they alone – will bring you the freedom that we all seek, when a moment can become the awareness of eternity, and the realization can bring forth an outpouring of compassion for all.”
Rob Merriman, Financial Astrologer

The aspects of January 2013 have a lot to teach about the challenges inherent in bringing dreams into manifestation. Mercury the planet of ideas and communication is a strong force in the sky throughout the month. It is a good month to practice patience, choose words carefully and exercise diplomacy.

As the month begins pay attention ideas that present innovative solutions to situations in need of resolution. It is a good time to be aware of information that enters your life through channels you may not normally pay attention to. Do not expect pragmatic applications to appear initially.

It is wise to be clear about intentions by the 11th the day of the New Moon at 21 Capricorn.

On the 6th Mercury moves up to a conjunction to Pluto. The ongoing Uranus/Pluto square – the sign of our times – is about the transformation of outdated forms and the coming to life of more innovative, enlightened ones. How we think about our lives and our world may have changed considerably over the past few years as this aspect functions now as it did in the 60s – as an awakener to higher consciousness.

The Mercury/Pluto aspect provides good timing to get under the radar in situations where perceptions can normally be blocked. It can be a time of powerful thinking and communication but it can contribute to irritability and harsh communications. It’s best to have strong boundaries all month long and not be surprised if communications become testy.

Venus moves up to a harmonious aspect to Neptune exact on the 10th. This is a good time for getting in touch with our higher aspirations in order to move more closely in that direction. Do not demand pragmatic applications initially.

Through the 16th pay attention to information which comes about making any romantic, creative or financial goals real. It may be a bumpy time and it is best to maintain equilibrium through the transition rather than assuming all the information is in at any one point. We are living in a time when the old models no longer work and it can feel like a bit of a balancing act forging the path to a more innovative future.

From the 13th to the 21st Venus in Capricorn will aspect Saturn. This influence can bring a stabilizing force and help ground ideas and dreams pragmatically.

The Sun moves into Aquarius on the 19th.

Towards the end of the month Mercury engages the influence of Jupiter and Uranus- bringing a sense of expansion and optimism. Saturn’s influence at the end of the month can help with pragmatics and planning.

The Full Moon is on 1/26 at 7 degrees of Leo.