JANUARY 2009 ASTROLOGICAL UPDATE   

In this issue:
Full Moon in Cancer
Mercury Retrograde
New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aquarius
Planetary Pictures for Presidential  Inauguration

Full Moon in Cancer January 10, 2009 at 10:27 PM ET
Technically speaking, this is the first of five “supermoons” of 2009 (when the gravitational forces on earth are intensified because the moon is both in its closest alignment to the earth and in direct alignment with the Sun and the Earth). Weather patterns, tectonic plate disturbances, and psychic/emotional turbulence may all intensify during a “supermoon”.  This Full Moon in the polarity of Cancer/Capricorn illuminates ourHome and family; feelings and emotional security. The Cancer/Capricorn axis also represents the parental, mother/father, male/female boundaries of the zodiac, as well as the personal archetypes embodied in an individual’s birth chart.
Cancer, as the primordial water sign rules our feelings, our capacity for nurturing, and the need for safety and “family”.  When that need is fulfilled, it nourishes the soul and gives us a feeling of inner security and well-being; when it is withheld or unattainable, the resulting isolation and loneliness can be unbearable. Cancer is ruled by the Moon which has no light of its own but reflects the light of the Sun. In order for the watery sign Cancer to maintain or take on a shape and remain whole, it must be placed within a strong container in a stable environment. The opposite sign Capricorn is an Earth sign – just the substance needed to provide the containment and stability that Cancer needs.  It is often tempting to go to the other extreme. In order to protect ourselves when we're feeling that vulnerable, we can shut down emotionally.  The Sun-Moon opposition (which is what a Full Moon is), combined with the Saturn-Uranus opposition, forms an astrological configuration called a Mystic Rectangle.  The pioneering astrologer, Dane Rudyer called this configuration “practical mysticism”.   Bright ideas and Higher Mind activity is stimulated and sparked. The ability to see alternatives and implement positive changes is greatly enhanced. However, the two oppositions of Saturn and Uranus, plus the Sun and Moon, can also create stress, tension and pressure on the inside, while being cooperative and upbeat on the surface. At its best, it supplies the fuel for creativity to be used for anything from artistry to innovative problem-solving. At its worst, it could make you feel like exploding (or imploding), if you don't find a constructive or creative outlet for that inner tension.
You may be receiving signals in your dreams during this time, as Cancer is also considered a very “psychic” and intuitive sign. Dreams, visions, and “gut feeling” intuition are part of the watery realm of the subconscious lunar landscape. Listen for inner guidance during this Full Moon time….turn off the television and “re-vision” your own reality. This is a powerful time for reconstructing your view of reality. Historically, Cancer is the sign of the Great Mother Goddess in all her forms: Isis, Mary, the Mother, Demeter, Ceres, Sophia, and Kwan Yin.  In ancient cultures, as well as indigenous lineages, the Moon has always been regarded as the supreme manifestation of the Divine Feminine. She rules the mysteries connected with birth, healing, fertility, and the wisdom of the body. She is the Matrix from which all life forms emerge and return. When the Full Moon returns to her “home” sign of Cancer, we become “pregnant” with ourselves….new hopes, dreams, wishes are about to be born!
This Full Moon is a perfect time to open our hearts, not just to family and loved ones, but to all living creatures on this beautiful Earth. If you do not have a family, spend time in Nature and love the Earth. Find your “Family of Light”.   Love is never wasted! There are many paths to self-nurturance, and we are releasing the old emotional patterns and ways of dysfunctional relating to one another. Each one of us is becoming a vessel or container of “Light”. The capacity to which we are able to hold or contain that Light is our own personal choice right now.
The Sabian Symbols for this Full Moon advocate patience and learning from our mistakes. For the Moon at 22 Degrees Cancer: “A young woman awaiting a sailboat; the longing for transcendent happiness in the soul opened to great dreams.”
The Sun at 22 Degrees Capricorn: “By accepting defeat gracefully, a general reveals nobility of character; the realization that one may grow through defeat as well as, and perhaps more than, through success.”

PLANETARY PICTURES FOR JANUARY:
January began with Saturn turning retrograde on the heels of a New Moon that was packed with Capricorn planets (December 27th). When planets appear to turn retrograde from our perspective on earth their influence is emphasized and we experience them with a bit more intensity than usual, so with Saturn retrograde there is a strong emphasis now on Saturnian qualities such as discipline and social structures that require  a strong foundation.  Going over “old business” and redefining goals becomes the norm.
As of January 5th, Jupiter left the sign of Capricorn and moved into Aquarius.  Jupiter has had a challenging time in Capricorn being forced to fit all those wondrous possibilities into the narrow boxes of Capricorn's realistic plans. If you felt last year like you were struggling to hold onto hope or imagine new possibilities in your life, you may find it easier this year to envision a better future and find new meaning in life. With Jupiter now in progressive Aquarius, ideas and solutions that venture outside conventional boundaries are likely to hold more promise than following the “same-old-same-old formula”. 

MERCURY RETROGRADE (January 11th to February 1st)
To add to the interesting mix of energies this month, Mercury is in Aquarius and officially changes directions only 25 hours after the Full Moon.   This signals a time to cross your “T’s and dot your I’s “in regards to communication, travel and/or technology over the next three weeks.  Have your car tuned, computer virus software updated, and keep all receipts for major purchases.  If you are traveling, make copies of all important documents and follow-up on flight schedules, etc., as missed messages are more common. There is nothing “bad” or “negative” about this phase, but our brains do function differently.
On the positive side, Mercury in Aquarius can also lend a very unusual, innovative and surprising element to communications and opening new doors. The good news is that on the 19th and 20th with the Sun conjunct Mercury, public speaking and/ or any kind communication is highlighted (despite Mercury being retrograde). This is a great time to begin a “New Year’s” Journal as an introspective exploration of the feelings, creativity, and intuition and dreams that come up for you at the Full Moon.

Jan.19 – Sun enters Aquarius until Feb.18

Happy Solar Return to all Aquarians! While the Sun travels through Aquarius, we all have a chance to explore our rebellious, individualistic and futuristic Aquarian nature. This heralds a time to explore beyond the status quo and conventional reality. The Sun enters Aquarius on January 19th, illuminating the new Aquarian influence that has been amplified by Jupiter’s   has entered that sign. Everything is a little brighter under Aquarius - our vision is sharper; our intuition more astute. We seek the unpredictable and emotion takes a back seat. Aquarius is a mental air sign, but it is concerned with Higher Mind - the knowledge that we glean through our intuition and higher consciousness.

JAN 26TH at 6 Degrees AQUARIUS (2:55 AM ET.
The first solar eclipse of 2009, (also marking Chinese New Year), at the New Moon in Aquarius will be visible from a wide track that traverses the Indian Ocean and western Indonesia. The path begins in the South Atlantic when the Moon's shadow meets the Earth. Traveling eastward, the shadow quickly sweeps south of the African continent, slowly curving to the northeast; the path crosses the southern Indian Ocean. In its final minutes, the shadow cuts across central Borneo before ending just short of Mindanao, Philippines during a 3 hour 46 minute cruise over our planet.  (The maximum eclipse is at 07:58:39 UT, when the annular phase will last just under 8 minutes.)  All of this leads up to a powerful Solar Eclipse, one of an amazing six eclipses in 2009. This also marks the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Ox. (Synchronistically, this eclipse occurs conjunct the Fixed Star, Boss, which means “ox” in Latin.)
A solar eclipse is a particularly potent New Moon, when the electromagnetic properties of the Sun, Moon and Earth align into laser-like frequency and precision.  In those moments when the Moon blocks the light of the Sun, the energetic grid structure supporting creation has the potential for being opened and re-booted. Old programs are erased; and higher dimensions are more accessible.
January 25, 1990 was the last solar eclipse at 6 degrees Aquarius. What was “calling” you then? What is calling you now??

All Solar eclipses are New Moons (but not all New Moons are Solar Eclipses). This New Moon is a potent Aquarian extravaganza, with Jupiter conjunct the Sun and Moon, and Chiron and Neptune also in the sign of Aquarius. A New Moon is a time of new beginnings, and in Aquarius (the sign of the “water-bearer” gifting humanity with new vision and life). Jupiter is just beginning its 12 year sojourn through the sign of Aquarius, and we will see an emphasis on progressive idealism, innovation, invention, and “communities of Light”.  Just like in the 60’s song, “Jupiter aligns with Mars” on Feb 5th, 2009!!! The Age of Aquarius is upon us!  
Mundane Astrology:
Eclipses can be significant harbingers of a shift in awareness, and this one, coming just a few days after the inauguration of Barack Obama on Jan 20th, is certain to energize the power of that new beginning for the US and the rest of the world as well. The eclipse opposes his natal Sun (character) and is square to his natal Neptune (delusion), showing that he will have a testing presidency, where all is not as it  seems – and that his enemies will seek to thwart him at every turn.  A Solar Eclipse often signifies the fall of the mighty, but in this case it also marks the auspicious new beginning for which the world is hoping. It activates Obama’s natal Jupiter (fortune; expansion) along with transiting Jupiter in Aquarius and the Moon's North Node.  For better or worse, he is fulfilling a mission of destiny. Transiting Mars (action; passion; warfare) reaches his natal Saturn (restriction; responsibility; karma) on Jan 25th, when he will be anxious to set about re-organizing the political situation. However, he may experience maddening delays and infuriating distractions, possibly of his own making. He will be facing many opponents, both openly and secretly. Opposition and interference may come from those who, under normal circumstances, would support him, as we are already seeing with his fellow Democrats.  The Arab-Israeli conflict may continue in one form or another until July-August 2009, and the repercussions may become even more critical during then, as there is another solar eclipse coming up on July 22, 2009.
The message of Aquarius is clear.  The “New Age” means that freedom, equality, and diversity are all possible under the same roof.  The group mind can be used to shift consciousness, if we refuse to be manipulated by fear. This is the new paradigm based on “pushing the envelope” to the next stage of human evolution.  Fear begins in the brain and then resonates to the body. Keeping the mind out of “fear” is a major key to unlocking our potential for the realization that we are  “spiritual beings in a material world”,  or as the ancient Egyptians wrote “Shining Ones”.
Over the next few days, with the aid of the increased frequency that these beneficial cosmic aspects are bringing, it is a very “potent” time to focus our group intention and to lovingly put forth a “call” to the higher dimensions of light, so that we, as a collective humanity, can rise above the “din” of the 3D chaos in order to manifest harmony and light into our reality.
In very practical vernacular, the  conjunction of the Sun and Jupiter (Jan 25th)  is a very  beneficial influence (like having Santa Claus deliver your heart’s desire),  and the trine of Mars (energy) and Saturn (discipline) helps to provide the focus to get things done without “blowing your cork”.  Venus (relationships) forms a very positive aspect with Mars (ego/passion) which helps to energize collaborative ventures and “peace” initiatives.
On a personal level, where the eclipse falls in your birth chart will delineate the areas that will be affected over the next 3-6 months. This Aquarian eclipse means that people with early degrees of the fixed signs (Aquarius; Leo; Scorpio; Taurus) falling prominently in their birth charts are more likely to be affected.  If an eclipse falls close to your sun sign, you may go through profound changes in all aspects of your life. You are becoming “re-wired”. Your physical body may need more attending to as it releases old cellular patterning. Energy work of any kind is HIGHLY recommended to keep your circuitry grounded, as Aquarius is an Air sign and rules the electrical fields around the body. Monitor your computer time, and if you begin to feel “drained”, take a “time out”….and drink LOTS of water, as our bodies are “processing” electrical information at the speed of light now.
For those of you who have heard of the “photon belt”, we are now in it full swing!
Generally speaking (for everyone), during this month, as the sun travels through Aquarius, be open to the ways that your own unique individuality operates in your life.  You may become more aware that your “mission” is changing; or you may become aware for the first time that you have a “mission”.  Aquarius represents the development of group consciousness, where we evolve BEYOND the identification with ego, family, religion, race, tribe, etc. We are not only becoming “global citizens”, but “galactic citizens….and no one gets left behind!
As the cycle of the Aquarian Age draws closer, we are coming to the closure of the Platonic “Great Year” an approximate 26,000 year cycle divided into 12 astrological ages of 2,150 years each.  However nothing really “ends”, we are being “adjusted” on a cosmic scale to perceive our reality differently.
What is your vision of the “New Earth”, and who are you calling into your reality to share it

The Sabian Symbol for 7 Degrees Aquarius New Moon: “A child is seen being born out of an egg; the emergence of new mutations according to the rhythms of the cosmos.”

I will be in Egypt from mid-January until mid-February, so the February Newsletter will be for the New Moon in Pisces February 24th.  There are still a few spaces left for my Spring Equinox trip to Egypt with Hillary Raimo.  Please contact either Hillary or myself if you are interested. If Egypt is part of your “mission”, this Full Moon will point the way!

Egypt for Spring Equinox March 2009 Last Call for Deposits! All trip deposits are due by January 11th to ensure you cabin space and hotel rooms. We have only a few spaces left on this tour! Final payments are due by February 15th lease contact Hillary Raito TODAY hillary@hillaryraimo.com or call 518-376-2503 "You only get one chance to live your life to the fullest" - Dr. Wayne Dryer

1 Comments to “January 2009 Astrological Update " Tina Bueno Says: You are so awesome Mare! Not only does the newsletter format look gorgeous (reflecting you of course) but once again I feel like you’re talking to me personally. Insightful and inspirational! Thank you for writing these and thank you for being in my earth life as well!

Posted by Mary Lomando at Monday November 03, 2008 I comments I