In the Stars January 9-16, 2022...shining light on the astrology of the week

Mercury is slowing down in motion, and turning retrograde on Friday, January 14. The trickster planet of communication will be retrograde for three weeks until February 3. During this time it is common to experience problems with technology, transportation, and communication. Typical Mercury retrograde problems may be more severe in this retrograde period due to Mercury being close to Saturn and square Uranus. Mercury retrogrades offer periods of review: re-thinking, revising, renovating, and retreating. On a positive note, we may re-think something in a completely new, innovative manner. We may re-connect with people in our lives. We may think of more frugal, efficient, and effective ways of doing things. Turn communication mishaps into opportunities, and don’t be bothered with things that don’t go as planned.

The luminaries, the Sun and the Moon, both conjunct Pluto and square Eris this week, marking a turbulent period. They culminate in a Full Moon on Monday, January 17.

Mid-January may be an unstable time, with several planets connecting with the winter solstice chart. Mercury and Uranus are cold planets, and where they are angular in the world may be colder and wetter than usual. Alaska, Massachusetts, the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Eastern Europe are influenced. This is not a good time to travel, so set yourself up with projects at home and some good books to read. Keep life simple, and check communication twice—or three times.

On Monday, January 17 there will be an intense Full Moon, opposite Pluto, square Eris, and in opposition to the Venus/Pluto conjunction in the Winter Solstice chart. Emotions will run high, and there may be heavy precipitation. Uranus will turn direct on the very next day, its energy particularly intense as it changes direction. and it will do that in a precise square to Saturn in the winter solstice chart.

We are now in a long Kala Sarpa Yoga period (a Vedic Astrology alignment) when all of the planets are hemmed in between the North and South Nodes, except for the two weeks each month when the Moon breaks through. This is a tense, restrictive energy which will be in effect from December 13-April 24. We may feel blocked and restricted, but the limitation can be transformed into focus and generativity through limitation.

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Frustrations are likely to appear on Sunday as a result of the Aries Moon in square aspect to the Sun and Venus. Adding more turbulence, the Moon conjuncts Eris and squares Pluto later in the day. With the lift of a Moon-Mars trine, go for an energetic hike or run. Be mindful. Channel frustrations into physically demanding work or challenging problems to be solved.

Monday’s planetary alignments offer welcome relief to yesterday’s rough spots. The Moon is exalted in Taurus and we start the work week with comfortable, grounded energy. Numerous benefic aspects make for a solid, productive day overall. However, Eris stations to go direct. When planets station their energy is especially strong, and Eris may stir up dissatisfactions with the ways of the world.

There is a lot of planetary activity on Tuesday. The major aspect is an exact Mars-Neptune square. This is a confusing combination that merges the energies of two substantially different planets. Neptune is diffuse, and Mars is direct. Mars symbolizes desire and action; Neptune symbolizes creativity and flow. One way to use the potential in this conjunction would be to act upon your dreams and ideals. In addition, the Taurus Moon conjuncts Uranus and squares Saturn. Expect surprise or disruption. This is the day of the week that pushes us out of ruts and demands change when the Moon aligns with the Saturn-Uranus square. The Capricorn Sun conjuncts Juno, the asteroid of the mate. We may be helped by close friends and partners. Finally, a Moon-Venus trine brings out the love and pleasure inherent in the sign of Taurus.

Wednesday is a solid, grounded, industrious day with the fixed earth Moon in Taurus making a trine to the Sun and Pluto. Much can be accomplished. A Moon-Ceres conjunction strengthens family bonds. The Moon is void of course for a long period from 11:38 a.m. to 7:08 p.m. PST when it moves into curious and conversant Gemini. While the Moon is void tend to routine tasks. This would be a good afternoon to do some cooking and enjoy a delicious early dinner.

Things could be stirred up on Thursday as a result of the Sun squaring dwarf planet Eris, and close to Pluto. This intense energy rumbles for a few days before and after Thursday, but Thursday it is most precise. Thank goodness for the light-hearted Gemini Moon that makes benefic trines to Mercury and Saturn, bringing rational thinking into the picture.

Mercury comes to a standstill on Friday and turns retrograde. The trickster planet will travel in backward motion for the next three weeks, prompting a period of review and re-considering. Communication may be confused, and a Moon-Neptune square may add even more confusion. Go easy with misunderstandings and miscommunication. A Moon-Mars opposition may make us quick to anger, so keep your cool—and your sense of humor.

The Moon moves into Cancer on Saturday morning, giving us a weekend focused on home and family. A Moon-Jupiter trine lifts our spirits. This is a good day for cooking, gardening and puttering around the house.

Sunday the Sun exactly conjuncts Pluto. The Moon opposes Venus, leading to us feeling like we need more support. This may be a volatile day, yet one that holds a lot of power. It can be a productive day, so make the most of it. We are still drawn to focus on home.

Monday is intense and stormy as the Cancer Full Moon conjuncts Pluto and squares Eris. Saturn and Mercury are in a tense square to Uranus in the Full Moon chart. The Cancer Moon is emotional. The Moon is strong in Cancer, as it rules the sign. With Pluto and Eris involved, this is a particularly dynamic Full Moon. Pluto demands transformation, which requires letting go of something. It would be good to put this to work clearing clutter and stuff, but the demands may call for letting go of relationships that no longer serve. “Let go and step into big change” would be the mantra for this Monday in the light of this Full Moon.

The Week in Short:

Sunday: The day holds frustration. Get strong exercise and channel it into demanding work.

Monday: Practical, grounded day for good work and comfort, though dissatisfactions may lurk.

Tuesday: Active day with diversions, surprises, and a push for change, as well as the lightness of love and pleasure.

Wednesday: Grounded industrious day for accomplishment. Nourish family. Moon VoC 11:38 a.m. – 7:08 p.m. PST.

Thursday: The day rumbles with intensity. Rational thinking and a bit of humor can handle the storm.

Friday: Mercury turns retrograde. Communication mix-ups may happen. Keep your cool and sense of humor.

Saturday: High-spirited day to focus on home and family.

Sunday: Powerful day to focus on tending to matters of the home. You may feel that you need extra support, so reach out and ask for it.

Monday: Let go and step into big change.

Ten Things to Do with Venus in Capricorn (November 6, 2021 - March 6, 2022)

1. Focus on finances, and bring financial matters up-to-date.

2. Prudence and conservation are the names of the financial games to be playing.

3. Get your portfolio in ship shape.

4. Tighten your belt and save more.

5. Be discerning in your love life.

6. Host a social gathering for old and new business associates.

7. Upgrade your website.

8. Prune your wardrobe.

9. Select high quality practical gifts of good value this season.

10. Set goals to increase your business over time, especially in the coming year.

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: January 9 at 11:23 p.m. through January 10 at 6:46 a.m. (Moon into Taurus)

January 12: 11:38 p.m. – 7:08 p.m. (Moon into Gemini)

January 14 at 6:21 p.m. through January 15 at 8:10 a.m. (Moon into Cancer)

January 17: 3:48 p.m. – 8:03 p.m. (Moon into Leo)

January 20: 12:15 a.m. – 6:02 a.m. (Moon into Virgo)

January 22: 11:45 a.m. -2:02 p.m. (Moon into Libra)

January 24: 2:09 p.m. – 7:57 p.m. (Moon into Scorpio)

January 26: 9:27 p.m. – 11:34 p.m. (Moon into Sagittarius)

January 28 at 10:59 a.m. through January 29 at 1:08 a.m. (Moon into Capricorn)

January 30 at 8:43 p.m. through January 31 at 1:42 a.m. (Moon into Aquarius)

February 1 at 3:01 a.m. through February 2 at 2:59 a.m. (Moon into Pisces)

February 4: 1:40 a.m. – 6:56 a.m. (Moon into Aries)

February 6: 9:20 a.m. – 2:52 p.m. (Moon into Taurus) GMT (Greenwich Mean Time):

January 10: 7:23 - 14:46 (Moon into Taurus)

January 12: 11:38 p.m. – 7:08 p.m. (Moon into Gemini)

January 14 at 6:21 p.m. through January 15 at 8:10 a.m. (Moon into Cancer) January 13 at 7:38 through January 14 at 3:08 (Moon into Gemini)

January 15: 2:21 - 16:10 (Moon into Cancer)

January 17 at 23:48 through January 18 at 4:03 (Moon into Leo)

January 20: 8:15 – 14:02 (Moon into Virgo)

January 22: 19:45 - 22:02 (Moon into Libra)

January 27: 5:27 – 7:34 (Moon into Sagittarius)

January 28 at 18:59 through January 29 at 9:08 (Moon into Capricorn)

January 31 at 4:43 - 9:42 (Moon into Aquarius)

February 1 at 11:01 through February 2 at 10:59 (Moon into Pisces)

February 4: 9:40 – 14:56 (Moon into Aries)

February 6: 17:20 – 22:52 (Moon into Taurus)

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