In the Stars December 31, 2023-January 7, 2024 . . . Shining Light on the Astrology of the Week
Jupiter turned direct on Saturday, December 30, and Mercury turns direct on January 1 at 22 degrees of Sagittarius. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are turning points. As of January 2nd, all planets will be direct except Uranus. Because Mercury is stationary on January 1, you may not feel that you new year gets going until at least January 2.
Mars went out of bounds on December 22, and will have a short period in this outer realm through January 23. When a planet is out of bounds, at the peak of its declination cycle, its symbolism is amplified. With Mars, this shows up as increased potential for violence and conflict, as well as for taking risks and making strides. The huge waves off the coast of California now at the turn of the year are examples of Mars being out of bounds. Mars ingresses into Capricorn on Thursday, January 4, where it is exalted, giving strong energy for efficient output of work for the next five weeks.
The Sun’s trine to Uranus, exact on January 9th, invites new ideas and innovations as we set goals and work to create a new vision for 2024.
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Sunday, New Year’s Eve, harbors a Virgo Moon, signaling that it’s time to put our lives in order and get ready for the new year. The Moon opposes Saturn early in the morning, setting the day for duty and work. Lean in and make the most of this industrious last day of the year. A Moon-Jupiter trine in the afternoon uplifts spirit and infuses us with optimism as we say farewell to 2023. New Year’s Eve has a sober, grounded energy.
New Year’s Day’s planetary alignments include a serious, responsible trine from the Capricorn Sun to the Virgo Moon, and a practical Venus-Saturn square, calling for attention to finances and relationships. Mercury is stationary, turning direct, so there could be some confusion, as well as re-thinking. A Moon-Uranus trine may help shift energy, and open us to new perspectives.
The efficient Virgo Moon may be compromised with confusion on Tuesday, January 2, due to an opposition to Neptune in the early morning. Yet, the Moon’s square to Mars and trine to Pluto infuse the rest of the day with drive and hard work. Mercury turned direct at 12:54 a.m. PST. We have more direct energy available for intentions and goals that we have for 2024 and we move forward to achieve them. The Moon moves into Libra at 4:47 p.m. PST, inviting us into a gracious, pleasant evening.
Wednesday’s Libra Moon places attention on relationship. A Moon-Venus sextile sweetens the day with increased affection. The Sun-Moon square marks the waning Quarter Moon, increasing tension. A Moon-Chiron opposition may highlight wounds and sensitivities.
Mars enters Capricorn on Thursday, January 4, moving quickly until February 12 in its sign of exaltation. In Capricorn Mars is excellent at executing and administrating; much can be accomplished efficiently and directly. The Libra Moon forms a benefic sextile with Mercury, encouraging a harmonious and fair exchange of opinions and information.
The emotional landscape shifts on Friday, January 5th, toward dark and deep as the Moon moves into fixed water sign Scorpio, and aspects Pluto, Mars, and Saturn, all of which can drive strong emotions, as well as strong work. A Sun-Chiron square may churn up old wounds, as well as innovative healing solutions. If you have a project that needs a deep dive, or has a research component, this is a good day to tackle it. Navigate emotional turbulence.
Saturday’s Moon-Sun sextile offers calm and balance, but as the day wears on the Moon moves to oppose Uranus at 5:24 p.m. PST, which may create emotional eruptions. We may turn our attention in a different direction.
Early Sunday morning, January 7, a gentle Moon-Neptune trine offers hope and inspiration. We are invited into deeper intimacy as a result of a benefic Moon-Pluto sextile. At 1:08 p.m. PST the Moon bounces into Sagittarius; however, its usual exuberance is tempered by a Moon-Saturn square, reminding us of our duties and responsibilities.
Monday’s Moon-Venus conjunction in Sagittarius pulls us away from work obligations toward social engagement. A Mercury-Neptune square exaggerates the desire to pause from work toward lofty, imaginative matters.
The Week in Short:
Sunday: New Year’s Eve: Industrious day to put order in your life near the end of the holidays. Work hard during the day, and then party as you bring in the new year.
Monday: Get organized for the new year. Lean in and get a lot accomplished. Mercury turns direct in motion. Open to new perspectives.
Tuesday: Mercury turns direct; plans can move forward. Work hard, clean up from the holidays, and get organized. Enjoy a pleasant, relaxed evening.
Wednesday: Sweet, affectionate, yet sensitive day.
Thursday: Balanced, supportive exchanges of information can happen. Good day for planning and writing.
Friday: Strong emotions emerge. A day for strong work and a deep dive into a puzzle that needs to be solved or resolved.
Saturday: The early part of the day is calm and balanced, but emotional turbulence may emerge as the day wears on.
Sunday: Hope and inspiration fuel deeper intimacy. In the evening we are reminded to put attention on duties and responsibilities and plan the week ahead.
Monday: Social, creative day. Allow your inspiration to guide you, if you can break away from work.
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I am available for consultations. Contact me at ccoleman829@gmail.com or through my website at www.cathycolemanastrology.com
Ten Things to Do with the Venus in Sagittarius (December 29-January 23)
1. Invite someone to dinner from a different ethnic culture.
2. Plan your next long-distance trip (or make a wish list).
3. Read a book about a far-away country, culture, or religion.
4. Expand your knowledge of metaphysics.
5. Write!
6. Visit a religious art exhibit.
7. Explore a philosophy through a book, book-on-tape, or a lecture.
8. Take a hike (Sagittarius rules the thighs).
9. Express appreciation to your in-laws.
10. Venus in Sagittarius is idealistic in love: read some love poems that transport you to the ideal!
Moon Void-of-Course: This is the time when the Moon makes its last major angular aspect with a planet before it moves into the next zodiacal sign tropically. This void time, when the Moon is not aspecting a planet, but rather floating on its own, is a time when things don’t come together and it is difficult to make good decisions. Purchases made during void Moons often turn out to be unsatisfactory and not work out. Appointments often don’t come together, and meetings don’t result in progress or sound, lasting decisions. We more easily get lost or meander in trying to get somewhere. The VoC Moon times for the next month are listed below so that you can plan meetings, decisions, and purchases at times when the Moon is not VoC; and use the void times for gardening, reading, and routine task work.
Void-of-Course Moon times for the month ahead (one lunar cycle):
Pacific Standard Time:
December 30 at 9:18 p.m. through December 31 at 3:53 a.m. (Moon into Virgo)
January 2: 3:35 p.m.-4:46 p.m. (Moon into Libra)
January 5: 3:40 a.m.-4:39 a.m. (Moon into Scorpio)
January 7: 12:21 p.m.-1:08 p.m. (Moon into Sagittarius)
January 9: 10:24 a.m.-5:33 p.m. (Moon into Capricorn)
January 11: 6:32 p.m.-7:01 p.m. (Moon into Aquarius)
January 13: 1:58 a.m.-7:28 p.m. (Moon into Pisces)
January 15: 8:32 p.m.-8:48 p.m. (Moon into Aries)
January 18: 12:02 a.m.-12:11 a.m. (Moon into Taurus)
January 20: 5:56 a.m.-5:57 a.m. (Moon into Gemini)
January 22: 12:39 p.m. -1:50 p.m. (Moon into Cancer)
January 24: 2:57 p.m.-11:36 p.m. (Moon into Leo)
January 26 at 1:19 p.m. through 11:11 a.m. (Moon into Virgo)
January 29 at 3:19 p.m. through January 30 at 12:03 a.m. (Moon into Libra)
February 1: 1:02 a.m.-12:36 p.m. (Moon into Scorpio)
GMT (Greenwich Mean Time):
December 31: 5:18-11:53 (Moon into Virgo)
January 2 at 23:35 through January 3 at 0:46 (Moon into Libra)
January 5: 11:40-12:39 (Moon into Scorpio)
January 7: 20:21-21:08 (Moon into Sagittarius)
January 9 at 18:24 through January 10 at 1:33 (Moon into Capricorn)
January 12: 2:32-3:01 (Moon into Aquarius)
January 13 at 9:58 through January 14 at 3:28 (Moon into Pisces)
January 16: 4:32-4:48 (Moon into Aries)
January 18: 8:02-8:11 (Moon into Taurus)
January 20: 13:56-13:57 (Moon into Gemini)
January 22: 20:39-21:50 (Moon into Cancer)
January 24 at 22:57 through January 25 at 7:36 (Moon into Leo)
January 26 at 21:19 through 19:11 (Moon into Virgo)
January 29 at 23:19 through January 30 at 8:03 (Moon into Libra)
February 1: 9:02-20:36 (Moon into Scorpio)
Copyright @ 2023 Cathy Coleman, All rights reserved
