This article is abridged from the complete version that you will find on Substack. You can subscribe for free, or there is an option to upgrade to a paid subscription to support my work. Here’s the link to this week’s forecast.
Astrological update for the week of January 22-29, 2024
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The Sun and Pluto both entered Aquarius last weekend, marking the beginning of Aquarius season but also the resurgence of Pluto in Aquarius which will be affecting us for the next 20 years or so. That is rather a long time for Pluto to travel through a sign (due to its elliptical orbit Pluto takes anywhere from 12 years (Libra and Scorpio) to 29 years (Gemini) to traverse a zodiac sign).
Aquarius is intellectually astute and idealistically inclined, with strong opinions and ideals. Being a fixed sign, Aquarius is not very flexible and we are likely to see an increase of rules as well as rebellion against those rules. In any case, there will be change and much of it will be unexpected.
Mercury is very active this week, buzzing around and interacting with Chiron, Mars, Uranus, and the North Node. Mercury represents the mind, and when it is this prominent there tends to be lots of communication and ideas floating around. (See the detailed daily forecast for more information.)
Venus in Capricorn and dearth of fire signs. Venus (love and beauty) will leave adventurous Sagittarius for Capricorn on the 23rd, and for a few weeks we’ll likely feel the urge to take our relationships more seriously. Venus in Capricorn enjoys the responsibility of friendship, honoring commitments and generally being reliable and dependable. Because Venus also rules our values and aesthetics, this is a time to be practical and say “yes” only to the things that will serve you in the long run.
This does mean that we will then have five planets in signs ruled by Saturn: Saturn is the traditional ruler of Aquarius (Sun and Pluto) and the sole ruler of Capricorn (Venus, Mercury and Mars). This stronger Saturnian influence suggests the need to build structures and organize our lives in ways that help us to be more effective in whatever pursuit we follow.
Leo Full Moon, January 25th, 12:53 pm EST. This Leo Full Moon is a potent one, packing the additional punch of the alignment with Pluto. Every Full Moon requires the balance and integration between two opposites, and in this lunation we have the transformative power of Pluto on the side of the Sun, opposing the lunar need to feel important and meaningful.
It won’t help that Mars and Mercury (both in Capricorn and urging us to do the things that must be done, regardless of personal feelings) is challenged by Chiron, planet of wounding and healing. Tempers will flare and emotions will be triggered. But hidden within these triggers and emotional challenges are the seeds of healing – if we can let those difficult feelings rise into consciousness we are one step closer to healing.
Uranus turns direct this week. If like me you have planets between 10 and 20 degrees of the fixed signs (Taurus, Scorpio, Leo, Aquarius) Uranus has been impacting your chart (difficulty sleeping? restless? anxious? irritated with the way things have been? ready for something new?). With Uranus stationary as it prepares to change direction, these sensations may feel more intense over the next week or two.
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