Imbolc: Rumors of Spring
The ancient, cross-quarter observance of Imbolc (aka Candlemas, Brigid’s Day, Groundhog Day) arrives on Feb. 2, amid the cold and the gloom. Groundhogs will search for their shadows and candles will burn in windows as rumors of spring are carried on the chill wind of winter.
Thanks to an El Nina fueled by global climate change, winter has been a relatively mild affair here in the Midwest with only a few dustings of snow and ice thus far. Yet despite the warmer temps, a combination of shortened days and overcast skies has had a mixed impact on attitudes and emotional dispositions. Yet now with the arrival of February, we cross the seasonal midpoint of winter and enter the time when daylight noticeably extends itself a little further with each passing day.
Current Conditions
We’re looking at a relatively even spread of astrological factors with little in the way of extremes in the forecast this week. The Moon, in the midst of its waxing cycle as it reaches its First Quarter Phase late Monday night provides growth opportunities and forward momentum. This is typically the best time to put projects and initiative into motion, yet with Mars retrograde, it might not feel like a good time if your get up and go got up and left the building.
Relationship themes are likely to come into sharper focus this coming week when Venus (in Pisces) moves opposite Mars retrograde (in Virgo). As Venus is the first planet to make an angular alignment with Mars since it turned retrograde on Jan. 23, there is an added significance here. In terms of classic, mundane astrology Venus-Mars oppositions suggest conflict and polarity between female/male, yin/yang, positive/negative, input/output. Sexuality is likely to be a central theme for many people, but not all.
This coming week also marks the final week of Neptune in Aquarius before it crosses the cusp into its ruling sign of Pisces on Feb. 3. We had a taste of this planet-sign combination for four months last year (Apr. 4- Aug. 4) before Neptune retrograded back into Aquarius. Once Neptune crosses into Pisces, it will remain there until 2025. Next week we’ll take a closer look at this boundless planet’s transit of an endless sign.
Lunar Gardening Report
Weeding and pest control are the best gardening activities this weekend with the Moon in Aries. Monday through Wednesday morning show the Moon in Taurus – the only good sign for planting this week, especially plants that need strong root development. Feeding, sprouting and amendments soil are also recommended. With the Moon in agriculturally-barren Gemini Wednesday afternoon through Friday, all bets are off on planting or fertilizing while the smart money is on ordering seeds and tools.
Daily Forecast (For all signs)
(Times are Eastern Standard/-0500 UTC)
Friday, Jan. 27: Communication glitches, blockages, blackouts, laws and other constraints could get the morning off to a lousy start (Mercury square Saturn). Car problems and other transportation snafus are indicated as well, suggesting we take a deep breath before making a decision about fixing any of it before noon. Even better to wait until after Mercury enters Aquarius at 1:12 p.m. and the Moon enters Aries at 1:28 p.m. to execute plans. Clear-headed, objective reasoning skills return with an focus on innovation for the next two week. Things grow lively and a bit unpredictable in the late afternoon, requiring a little flexibility to make the most of sudden opportunities.
Saturday, Jan. 28: An energetic day ahead under the Aries Moon in its opening Crescent Phase, an excellent day to tackle projects you’ve been putting off for one reason or another. Innovative ideas, revelations and discoveries are possible midday, suggesting fresh solutions to the same old problems (Mercury sextile Uranus). As day turns to night, it may be difficult for some folks to turn off an overactive mind (or mouth) while conversations might begin to resemble debate club later tonight (Mercury square Jupiter).
Sunday, Jan. 29: The skies fall silent in the way of lunar or planetary aspects while the Aries Moon looks for ways to expend energy. For some people, this might be a day for rest and relaxation while others will find things to keep them busy (like finishing a project that was begun yesterday). Either way, today is whatever you choose make of it.
Monday, Jan. 30: A more practical, grounded approach to business is emphasized, particularly where money and finance are involved. Late morning communication glitches are temporary affairs while a more forceful approach inserts itself in the late afternoon. With the Taurus Moon reaching its First Quarter Phase tonight and the midpoint of the Moon’s waxing phase, this is an ideal time to take stock of what’s been accomplished while looking to what needs to be done in the coming week.
Tuesday, Jan. 31: Stubborn attitudes mark the morning hours while the remainder of the day is free of exact aspects until the Taurus Moon connects with a waxing Venus-Mars opposition later tonight. Sexuality, creativity and explorations into the realm of the senses are strongly suggested.
Wednesday, Feb. 1: The leap month of February opens with the Taurus Moon solidly in place during the early morning hours; ideal for anchoring projects and other initiatives before the fog rolls in. Deceptions, omissions and misunderstandings mark the early afternoon hours ahead of the Moon crossing the cusp of Gemini where it puts its foot on the gas. Polarity is quite strong today as Venus (in Pisces) and Mars (in Virgo) move opposite one another; suggesting greater tension between the sexes due to projections and the mirroring of male and female sexuality. Challenging Venus-Mars aspects can mean highly physical sexual activity, but often lacking in romantic tenderness. This is also a common aspect behind the kind of sex some couples experience after a particularly nasty fight.
Thursday, Feb. 2: Imbolc/Candlemas. Today marks the return of the light in the Northern Hemisphere with the pagan cross-quarter festival of Imbolc reminding us that spring is just around the corner. A burst of information is indicated this morning, perhaps a bit overwhelming for those caught unawares. Good day to have work done on your car, install software, give talks, write drafts or tap your network. Aside from a faster-paced mental environment, a sense of satisfaction could be recognized and acknowledged come dinnertime.
Friday, Feb. 3: Angry words, minor accidents or the sudden awareness of a big mistake might grab some folks by the throat first thing this morning. The rest of us might be in too big of a damn hurry to pay much attention to boundaries, but it’s worth taking the time to avoid the bigger mistakes. Speaking of boundaries – or in this case, a lack of them – Neptune reenters its ruling sign of Pisces today where it remains until 2025. Other than a perceived lack of gravity, we have plenty of time to talk about Neptune in Pisces.
Copyright 2012 Gary Paul Glynn
Astroblogick 01.20.2012
Dragon Moon and Mars
The first solar-lunar cycle of 2012 commences with the Aquarius New Moon pointing to the path that leads to reform and innovation, both individually and collectively. Aquarius is the sign of democracy, shared wealth and periodic revolutions; a sign that plays an important role in the founding of the United States (Moon in Aquarius). The Aquarius New Moon becomes exact on Monday, Jan. 23 at 2: 40 a.m. (Eastern Time) at the beginning of Aquarius (02Aqu42), setting-off a cycle that will build over the course of the next two weeks.
On a more immediate level of expression, the Aquarius New Moon signals a time for increased social involvement, particularly where your tribe, group, band, church or organization are concerned. Aquarius’ cool, emotionally-detached orientation is excellent for applied reasoning skills as well as invention and discovery. Aquarius has a thing for social networking and the technological innovations that form their platform; directing attention to these things could potentially lead to future opportunities.
Typically, two days following a New Moon are an ideal time for launching new projects, plans or initiatives that require a running start to get off the ground. The same is true this month, but with a twist: Mars will turn retrograde roughly seventeen hours after the New Moon, suggesting a pronounced shift in energy input/output levels at the start of the new solar-lunar cycle. With this in mind, any initiatives that are important to you should be given a symbolic start in the hour surrounding the New Moon (one-half hour before and after the exact time of the New Moon).
Mars Maximum
Once every two years, the planet of energy, drive and motivation appears to move backward in its path around the ecliptic, coinciding with a pronounced shift in outwardly-directed initiatives. Such a time now arrives with Mars coming to a virtual standstill in late Virgo ahead of its directional change, amplifying all things corresponding with Mars.
Some of these Mars/Ares attributes include: action, anger, irritations, accidents, strokes, assertions, aggressions, violence, warfare and all things military in nature. Fires, explosions, bombs, guns, knives, swords and other sharp, pointy objects; planes, trains, automobiles or anything that contains many moving parts. Such items are more likely to come to our attention when Mars is prominent (now) while a far more wacky and unpredictable state of affairs will begin to assert itself once Mars picks up retrograde speed in the weeks to come. It’s a good policy to approach any of the above items with care, foresight and consciousness as they can often take on “fated” qualities that carry the scent of karma.
Mars officially turns retrograde on Monday, Jan. 23 at 7:54 p.m., in late Virgo (23Vir05), retracing its steps back the way it came, backward through the earth sign of Virgo. Mars makes its way to the beginning of Virgo (03Vir40) when it ends retrograde on April 14. Major events or life-altering occurrences that have taken place since mid-November could provide the fodder for a period of deep soul searching until June. Individuals with planets or significant points located in Virgo, Pisces, Gemini or Sagittarius are the ones most likely to experience a full measure of Mars retrograde while those with planets in other signs are less likely to confront issues as directly.
Mars retrograde at best is a time to reflect and reevaluate the motivations and desires that lie behind our actions. The question is: what is the payoff? Good behaviors or bad, all of it is sourced in our desire to obtain something via our choices and actions. This is a Mars thing. Once every two years, Mars ceases its drive to make shit happen, providing a window in which to review, recollect and analyze our motivations. In the process, we’re also given an opportunity to discover newer, more efficient ways in which to apply ourselves in order to extract what we want and need from our environments.
On a practical note, Mars retrograde (Jan. 23-Apr. 14) isn’t the best time to put things into motion that depend on sustained levels of energy in order to exist. This isn’t to say that all your efforts will come to naught, just that it’s important to be clear and honest with your intentions and motivations while cultivating patience in its unfoldment. Mars retrograde in Virgo is best used for organizing, culling, cleaning, detailed planning and learning new skills. This also favors part-time work or projects that act as a means to an end, not an end unto itself, something that will become quite apparent in late April.
Year of the Water Dragon
Also commencing at the Monday’s Aquarius New Moon is the Chinese New Year of the Water Dragon (ren chen), celebrated throughout China and other countries with significant Chinese populations. In fact, the Chinese New Year is considered the most widely celebrated event in Asia which results in the largest human migration on Earth. Whether you’re of Chinese descent or not, the Chinese New Year is considered a time of renewal, good fortune and generosity – hard to argue with that.
Chinese Dragon years are considered auspicious for the bold and ambitious with prosperity high on the list of qualities. On the global stage, we may see the Dragon nature of the Peoples Republic of China As this will be a Water Dragon year with the inclusion of earth (water over earth), we might expect a wet year with more in the way of water incidents, extreme weather events and earthquakes. Disastrous spills contaminating fresh water supplies are a danger as well.
On a personal note, Dragon Years are good for getting married, having children and starting a business. Dragons display an all-or-nothing approach that reflects the notion of extremes in the way of success or failure – often with little in the way of compromise. The coming year favors individuals born in the Years of the Rat, Monkey or Rooster while Tiger, Ox and Dog will find the coming year more challenging.
As with all Chinese New Years, shifts take place with regard to the lucky and unlucky compass directions. Health and sickness issues are located in the North while misfortune lies in Southeast sector. The luckiest directions are the Northwest and East. Quarrels and disputes are to be found in the South. Use feng shui devices (mirrors, chimes, coins, etc) in these locations to either inhibit or enhance these qualities by following instructions found anywhere across the web. Happy New Year, again!
Lunar Gardening Report
With the weekend lying in the shadow of the Dark-of-the-Moon, harvesting crops and weeding beds are the only garden activities favored ahead of the Aquarius New Moon on Monday – a no-go zone for any gardening activities through Tuesday. Fertile conditions return Wednesday through Friday morning when the freshly-waxing Moon makes its way through Pisces. Sowing, sprouting, planting, repotting, grafting and feeding are highly recommended for a change.
Daily Forecast (For all signs)
(Times are Eastern Standard/-0500 UTC)
Friday, Jan. 20: Early risers should be mindful about which side of the bed they get up on today with an energetic Moon-Mars square testing patience and attitude. The late-morning hours sees the Sun slip across the cusp into Aquarius where it will celebrate independence and ingenuity over the coming month. Happy Birthday, Aquarians! The general tenor of the day undergoes a shift into a more serious, conservative mode when the Moon crosses the cusp from Sagittarius to Capricorn at 5:40 p.m. with unexpected (but not necessarily unpleasant) developments on tap in the early evening hours.
Saturday, Jan. 21: The dark Capricorn Moon lends a stable touch to the day’s activities with an emphasis on things from the past. Nostalgic appreciations in the morning hours give way to a growing buzz of the new once day turns to night. Innovative approaches and unusual entertainments are there for the taking (Sun sextile Uranus). Too much of a good thing could become increasingly apparent for those of you up past the midnight hour (Sun square Jupiter).
Sunday, Jan. 22: We could already be experiencing a drop in the psychic barometric pressure with Mars becoming stationary and the Moon going dark, making this a good day to lie low and take tender, loving care of yourself. An energetic morning somehow grows problematic once day turns to night and old ghosts return, asking to be released. Don’t make promises tonight you intend to keep tomorrow.
Monday, Jan. 23: The Chinese New Year (Dragon) begins with the New Moon opening a new cycle at 2:40 a.m., planting a seed just inside the cusp of Aquarius (02Aqu42) that carries the template of revolutionary discontent. Groups, tribes, organizations and matters involving the commonwealth of one’s community are highlighted at this time. Although the Year of the Water Dragon has been discussed above, this is a year of good fortune for the brave of heart. Mars stations retrograde at 7:54 p.m. in the latter degrees of Virgo (23Vir05), lending a more combustible tone to the day. From now through April 14, our actions and motivations may not have their intended effect while encouraging us to use the time to reflect and refine our goals, desires and approaches. If you can avoid making major movements today, do so.
Tuesday, Jan. 24: Whether we notice a different tone to everyday activities or not, there is still an undercurrent that is prone to over-reaction and defensiveness in the wake of Mars’ retrograde station – a theme we may continue to see over the next few days. Today would be best spent preparing to put things into motion once the inertia abates and we find solid footing again.
Wednesday, Jan. 25: The power of the imagination and spiritual insight comes to the fore, as noted by the Pisces Moon in its waxing Crescent Phase. The potential to heal or learn something is strong in the late morning hours while the remainder of the day is up for grabs.
Thursday, Jan. 26: An early morning Moon-Venus conjunction suggests smiles and best behaviors while a greater sense of appreciation permeates most of the day. Things begin to heat-up as we move toward the midnight hour and the Pisces Moon moves opposite Mars, now just barely moving retrograde in Virgo. Don’t go to bed angry or you’ll wake up even angrier in the morning.
Friday, Jan. 27: Communication glitches, blockages, blackouts, laws and other constraints could get the morning off to a lousy start (Mercury square Saturn). Car problems and other transportation snafus are indicated as well, suggesting we take a deep breath before making a decision about fixing any of it before noon. Best to wait until after Mercury enters Aquarius at 1:12 p.m. and the Moon enters Aries at 1:28 p.m. to execute plans. Clear-headed, objective reasoning skills return with an focus on innovation for the next two week. Things grow lively and a bit unpredictable in the late afternoon, requiring a little flexibility to make the most of sudden opportunities.
Copyright 2012 Gary Paul Glynn
Astroblogick 01.13.2012
Mars Retrograde
This coming week carries a fair amount of minor astrological activity, although none of it appears to be intense enough to warrant any special attention. With the Moon entering its closing, Last Quarter Phase beginning Monday, the week that follows is a time more appropriate for finishing things already in the works as we approach the Aquarius New Moon on Jan. 22-23. This week could also be seen as the last best chance to take care of business specific to Mars before it retrogrades on the same day as the New Moon.
Currently, there are no planets in retrograde motion (or apparent reverse motion relative to the Earth’s orbit), which means that things tend to unfold in a straight-forward way, more or less. But once Mars turns retrograde Jan. 23, its typical, outwardly-directed symbolism will shift to an atypical, internally-directed mode of expression for nearly 12 weeks. Next week we’ll take a closer look at the Mars retrograde phenomena and what it might mean on various levels of manifestation, but for now it’s important to make preparations.
Mars tends to act upon things, supplying the energy and motivation needed to get things started – attributes that can also be found in the Mars-ruled signs of Aries and Scorpio. Therefore, putting major initiatives involving long-term outcomes into motion during Mars retrograde is considered inauspicious as delays, setbacks and energy leaks often plague such undertakings until the towel gets thrown-in. Items of shorter duration will have mixed outcomes, but probably not the ones we assume; they’re also not as expensive or problematic as the big stuff. Therefore, the time for getting the it moving is NOW.
Another thing you may wish to consider in the days leading up to Mars retrograde is the purchase of mechanical devices: cars, engines, computer hardware, printers, copiers and gadgets. The more moving parts, the more vulnerable such items will be during Mars retrograde. If you purchase any big ticket items, be sure to cover your butt by way of insurance and warrantees as such devices are more likely to malfunction once Mars turns retrograde.
On a somewhat different note, if you’re planning on initiating a lawsuit or starting a war, you best put it into motion now. One of the most enduring astrological admonitions handed down over the centuries is this: whomever strikes the first blow while Mars is retrograde will ultimately lose the battle. Word.
Lunar Gardening Report
Planting conditions are decent this weekend with the Moon in Libra Saturday and Sunday, particularly for flowers, vines, shrubs and other ornamentals. Considering that the Moon will enter its closing Last Quarter Phase on Monday, this weekend is your last best chance to get that Christmas tree in the ground until Jan. 25. Monday afternoon through Wednesday morning show the darkening Moon in Scorpio, good for feeding your plants with compost, manure and other organic soil amendments, but not a good time to plant. Thursday and Friday are no-go zones for anything besides weed and pest control.
Daily Forecast (For all signs)
(Times are Eastern Standard/-0500 UTC)
Friday, Jan. 13: Although I’ve never found Friday the Thirteenth to be unlucky, a series of planet-to-planet alignments throughout the day could leave some people feeling extremely unlucky in matters of love and money. Bad day to for major movements involving relationships or finances as there is something that you may not be seeing (Venus conjunct Neptune). On the other hand, this is a fantastic day to give and take love in an unconditional way as these two planets at best mean agape or divine love. Also taking place today is an alignment that speaks of penetrating insights, mental manipulations, revelations, exposures and plutocratic hubris (Mercury conjunct Pluto). Focusing your intent like a laser-beam is the best way to utilize this annual alignment.
Saturday, Jan. 14: The Libra Moon lends a more harmonious vibe to weekend activities even as its ruler, Venus enters dreamy Pisces for a three-week stay. This could coincide with dreamy romance or a lack of clear boundaries within the context of relationships; Venus in Pisces at its best represents divine, unconditional love and compassion. The actions or decisions of others could lead to unexpected changes in plan late morning while appetites grow expensive later tonight.
Sunday, Jan. 15: With a lack of any exact aspects under the Libra Moon today, this is an ideal time to relax and chill-out – preferably with your significant other. Movies, music and artistic appreciations are highlighted.
Monday, Jan. 16: Adjustments ask to be made this morning with the Libra Moon entering into its Last Quarter Phase even as it joins Saturn – suggesting the need to stick closely to rules and regulations. Blockages and restrictions are possible while you should watch for a one-hour VOC period beginning at 10:30 a.m. getting in the way of projects and plans until the Moon enters Scorpio at 11:30 a.m. and things grow serious. The focus should be on closure and finalizations over the coming week while preparing for Mars slowing down ahead of turning retrograde one week from today.
Tuesday, Jan. 17: The Scorpio Moon lends an element of emotional intensity to interactions throughout the day with extremes playing some kind of role. Even so, communication and travel find favor with a more focused attention span that will keep things on track for the remainder of the day.
Wednesday, Jan. 18: Today’s forecast is muck like yesterdays with the exception of foggy mental states in the early afternoon coinciding with another one-hour VOC period beginning at 1:30 p.m. before the Moon swings into Sagittarius at 2:30 p.m. This will open the door to expansive, upbeat attitudes and perhaps a measure of excitement later this afternoon.
Thursday, Jan. 19: Although the Sagittarius Moon suggests an optimistic outlook, there could be some constraints to deal with today in the way of problematic authority figures or things getting in the way of execution (Sun square Saturn). At best, this alignment points to greater levels of discipline and hard work in order to get the job done. With the Moon entering into its closing, Balsamic Phase late afternoon, the emphasis is on consolidating gains while minimizing losses. New projects should wait until after Monday’s New Moon for best results, but even then, expectations need to be trimmed with Mars retrograde slowing everything down.
Friday, Jan. 20: Early risers should be mindful about which side of the bed they get up on today with an energetic Moon-Mars square testing patience and attitude. The late-morning hours sees the Sun slip across the cusp into Aquarius where it will celebrate independence and ingenuity over the coming month. Happy Birthday, Aquarians! The general tenor of the day undergoes a shift into a more serious, conservative mode when the Moon crosses the cusp from Sagittarius to Capricorn at 5:40 p.m. with unexpected (but not necessarily unpleasant) developments on tap in the early evening hours.
Copyright 2012 Gary Paul Glynn
