January comes

Happy New year to all.

The very tail end of December and the beginning of January is a somber time, and also rather intense. I spoke about the Black Moon in Capricorn, and in addition to that, there is a meaningful conjunction as Mercury the angel flashes into orb with Pluto at 24 degrees Sadge, almost pointing straight into the center of our Galaxy. Venus is in Retrograde. This is a unique time period, indeed! As Pluto moves so slowly there will be many instances this year of faster-moving planets conjuncting with this deeply transforming energy. The best thing to do: USE it instead of remaining unaware or passive.

And here is a great column by Esoteric astrologer, Risa, on the upcoming week.

The New Year of 2006

By Risa D'Angeles

Thursday, three days before the New Year, is quiet. The moon is dark, preparing a new seed thought for the new moon festival on Friday. The new moon (7:13 p.m. at 9 degrees Capricorn), the 13th new moon of 2005 and occurring at the very end of the year, casts its shadow over 2006, a year in which we will review and assess past relationships in order to bring more balance and harmony into our future ones. The meditative seed thought for Capricorn (the initiate, the Gate into Heaven) is very mysterious. “Lost am I in light supernal, yet on that light I turn my back.” The light experienced in Capricorn is actually an inner radiance emanating from the disciple whose appearance from then on is completely altered. The disciple has absorbed the light from the Sun. This is the 3rd Initiation.

Capricorn calls us to a new level of maturity and responsibility, things we don’t want to think about at a New Year’s party. New Year’s Eve (Saturday) feels very different. A secrecy or hiddenness blankets the night. Careful. Words may hurt and wound.

2006 opens the door to the past. Everyone will be seeking relatedness, but with a new perspective, and we all need nurturing so badly we run home as fast as we can (if we can). Home and relationships are highlighted in 2006.

With Venus retrograde at the New Year, everything we love, need, are attached and attracted to will be delayed. It’s definitely not the time to invest, begin new relationships, or to purchase items of importance. The New Year dawns with a seriously internal tone (think chanting sounds in a Tibetan monastery), challenging us to review our values, assess our actions with others, and generally brood about till fresh perspective (Aquarius moon) seizes us.

Monday we may be preoccupied, careless, lose things. Presents are shuffled into the trash. We eat too much and talk too much, too. Tuesday, Moon enters Pisces and things smooth out a bit. We’re empathetic, at times sad, a bit lonely. Mercury (communication) enters Capricorn. Our words become bare bones information centers. Capricorn Mercury may seem harsh. It’s not. It’s just the facts. Capricorn Mercury seeks order. Water therapy works wonders at this time. Wednesday becomes more philosophical and a bit humorous; something needed in large quantities this week to offset the extremely serious and unsentimental tones of Capricorn and Pluto. Beauty is shielded this week, like the eyes of the Mother of the World.

ARIES (March 21-April 20) Allow everything to be slow and even as the New Year begins. While reality may seem backward, meditative and not at all active, this is good as it creates a firm foundation for the months to come. Settle back, relax, review, take small trips (or large), tend to wounds, nurture self first then others and wait for things to come to you. Which they will.

TAURUS (April 21-May 21) Something emerges after the New Year, which provides you with information you’ve been seeking. You will find yourself being very thoughtful, assessing the entirely new situations you find yourself in. Relationships could be a bit difficult. Get through them by listening, having empathy, and asking questions. Change comes through community.

GEMINI (May 22-June 20) Who you love and the status of your finances and resources are on your mind as the New Year begins. And these themes resonate throughout the year. Discussions with those close to you concerning concerns of the heart are most important. Do this on the first day of the New Year and continue every day thereafter.

CANCER (June 21-July 20) The future has just arrived and you do well to observe what’s unfolding, which includes interaction with community, assisting humanity with your practical visions, and creating new goals based on your feelings and true heart’s desires. Your family remains most important and you will travel to visit them. Your sadness eases.

LEO (July 21-Aug. 22) Many things will fine-tune this coming year. You will make adjustments based upon your new year’s resolution to love more. There’s a story about the Hierarchy, who faced with humanity’s greatest difficulties and asked how to assist them, responded with the words “We could love them more.” The outcome was humanity was saved and not destroyed. This could be your task, too.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) As the New Year begins with Mercury conjunct Pluto, the quality of your communication is most important. It’s also a good idea to think about schooling and some sort of study that enhances your mind, clears your heart, and provides you with a new set of skills and a new life endeavor.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) This coming year, perhaps more than any other, will see you coming into your true self and acknowledging for the first time all your gifts and unique abilities. This has been developing for years. As friends shift and change, a new community of people will appear who truly see you and nourish and respect you like never before. You deserve this.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) This coming year you will work with your desires. They may test and battle you as they hope to become aspirations. What’s the difference? Desires encompass only form and matter. Aspirations have a spiritual aspect to them. Desires move into matter. Aspirations move toward spirit. Doing both is good. Then the Rainbow Bridge is built.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 20) It has already begun: The refuge (sangha) that is who you are spiritually and, from that place, what you create. Reality will be something you ask about this coming year. What is it (reality) and what is it for you, which is different for others? You will walk the razor’s edge. That’s the mark of the disciple moving toward Initiation in Capricorn. The gate has opened.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 21-Jan. 20) In the past you have had anxiety around responsibilities and time. There is another side to this. Instead of anxiety that restricts you, I would like you to consider that all you do is good, and in right timing. This allows you to be free, liberated, unrestricted. See goodness flow into you in a smooth stream. Careful with money as the New Year begins. Hide it away.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21-Feb. 18) The New Year opens with you seeking solitude, rest and relaxation. Also comfort, but in a monastic sort of way. It is good to heed these callings for they are about allowing your body, heart, mind and emotions to do as little as possible after a year of extreme activity. Don’t allow yourself to feel sad. Begin planting a winter garden. And tend to yourself alone.

PISCES (Feb.19-March 20) Everything will be new on all levels within all areas of your life. Allow the strength and willingness of your Soul to hold you whenever it feels like life has abandoned you. Be diligent with health, exercise, food intake and study. Organize an altar, a room of your own, and begin your book.