Happy New Year …let’s hope it is an improvement on 2020.
2021 has two ‘big’ transits: the square between Saturn and Uranus that begins next month and the ongoing square between Pluto and Eris that has been active throughout 2020. Both this month’s New Moon and Full Moon are powerful as they highlight these two transits. The New Moon is conjuncts the challenging Pluto / Saturn conjunction and square to Eris and the Full Moon puts the spotlight on the Saturn square to Uranus that will dominate 2021.
2021 Astrology Classes …are enrolling now All classes – Beginners’ to Advanced - will be run in a Zoom room during 2021 [and maybe the shift will be permanent] while the virus challenges us to maintain social distance. I plan to offer meet ups once a term for Melbourne residents, safety / social distancing requirements / health advice allowing. Please email me if you are interested.
Contents
January overview
2021 Astrology Classes
January begins with only Uranus still retrograde. Note: All the dates below are for Australian Eastern Daylight Time.
January 7: Mars to Taurus
January 8: Mercury to Aquarius
January 9 Venus to Capricorn
January 13: New Moon at 23 Capricorn
January 18: Jupiter square Uranus
January 20: Sun to Aquarius
January 29: Full Moon at 9 Leo
January 31: Mercury stations Retrograde at 26 Aquarius
Saturn squared Australia’s Ascendant / Descendant axis for the last time on December 13 and will conjunct our MC around January 12, coinciding with the virus breaking out once more - this time in Sydney and closing borders and challenging the structures that have been built to protect us from the virus. Saturn – especially by hard aspect - often bring tests and restrictions and He often highlights our fears and inadequacies, challenging us to set clear boundaries and take responsibility for perceived problems. Covid-19 is teaching us a lot about boundaries and the need for clear lines of responsibility, but so far Australia has been fortunate, perhaps symbolized by some supportive trines as well as a willingness to learn from Saturn and do what often feels uncomfortable. Masks, social distancing, limits on social gatherings are all very literal manifestations of Saturn’s energy.
The conjunction of Saturn with our MC - peaking around January 12 - suggests issues with our public image as a nation and the status of our leaders. Saturn conjunct the MC can suggest recognition for past efforts or tests and trials if we have not done the hard work necessary and taken responsibility. Of course, how we see this depends on our political perspective, but last year when Uranus squared our MC / IC axis our international reputation was trashed as the east coast burned and our national leadership seemed to be in denial about climate change.
This transit may see some consequences for Australia due to our reluctance to embrace clear policies on greenhouse emissions …or our national government may surprise us all and actually do something as it showed it was capable of with Job Keeper/ Seeker and the closure of our borders. Fingers crossed!
This transit may also coincide with national leaders needing to make some hard decisions about borders as the virus once more ramps up ...or suffering criticism for failing to take action.
Australia has had quite a lot of supportive energy that has helped us to make changes and adapt to the new ‘Covid- normal’ reality that may also translate as a shift to embrace the Paris Climate Agreement. There are two phenomena that suggest our resilience, willingness to adapt and ability to make positive changes, not just in this area:
a supportive trine from transiting Uranus to our Sun operating since the middle of 2020, peaking for the third and final time in March 2021.
our progressed [and solar directed] Sun trine our natal Sun [and our solar directed chart trine our natal chart].
A trine is a supportive aspect of 120 degrees and reflects the fact that Australia is 120 years old this month. This trine to Australia’s Sun also is an indicator of the popularity of all the current state and federal leaders as the Sun is not only an indicator of our identity as a nation but also a symbol of our leaders.
There is one other wildcard in the pack as Uranus conjuncts our first house progressed Sun in Taurus three times: July & September 2020 and again in April 2021. This coincided with the disruption due to the Victorian lock-down and suggests that April could be another time when we are susceptible to another [larger scale] outbreak, or perhaps another disruptive event that impacts on our identity as a nation or on the reputation of our leader[s]. Uranus is often challenging to pin down, but I would not be surprised if it is related to the policies of our national government on climate change or money as this is all taking place in Taurus.
New Moon on January 13 as 23 degrees Capricorn 13 minutes The New Moon highlights the key stressful aspects of 2020 as it conjuncts Pluto [and also forms a wide conjunction to Saturn] and squares Eris and Mars. As the key events that have come from this aspect are Covid-19 and the economic recession that it has catalysed these events will continue to dominate our news.
The square from Eris to Pluto symbolizes competition over scarce resources and issues around leadership and the choices we make, so we can expect these issues to remain in focus as this aspect still has two more ‘hits’ to play out later this year. The positive manifestation of this aspect could be said to be learning about the power of our choices and decisions as well as the need for transformative leadership as opposed to corrupt and / or ineffectual leaders.
The Capricorn New Moon is always powerful time to reflect on how we relate to the Capricorn archetype which includes father and authority figures [external and internal], as well as the world of career, ambition and achievement. Capricorn is also associated with the super ego with its heightened sense of duty and responsibility. Therefore, on a personal level this new moon [being conjunct Pluto] is inviting us all to transform [Pluto] our relationship with the archetype of authority – both externally and internally – and to face any fears and self-destructive beliefs and habits that have developed, especially regards the house in our personal horoscope where 23 degrees of Capricorn is found.
The shadow side of Pluto and Capricorn may be activated at this time, exposing authoritarian, judgemental and controlling patterns. Be wary of the tendency to blame and shame - others and yourself - and instead, align with the positive Capricorn archetype which is willing to learn life’s lessons and accept responsibility for any problems, along with the constructive Pluto which can give us the courage to face the fears that can control us and lead us to control others. This is how we develop wisdom and self-mastery,constructive Capricorn and Plutonic attributes.
Full Moon on January 29 at 9 degrees Leo & 5 minutes The Full Moon taps into the key configuration for 2021 – the Saturn square to Uranus – as it opposes both Jupiter and Saturn and squares Uranus, with Uranus forming the apex of a T-square configuration. To further add to the complexity of this configuration, Mars is conjunct Uranus and squaring the Sun and Moon.
On a personal level this symbolizes an inner conflict between the need to conform and act responsibly [Saturn conjunct the Sun] with the desire to break out, break free and individuate [Uranus square both the Sun and Moon]. With Mars conjunct Uranus at the apex there could be a tendency to react to restrictions with anger / aggression [Mars] or by acting out and running away [Uranus]. Owning this energy could mean taking responsibility for our situation, being willing to make changes to outmoded structures and seeking to become more authentic without falling into the shadow of acting out / running away [Uranus] or blame /judgement /depression [Saturn].
Note: My newsletter next month will focus on the Saturn square to Uranus.
Each year the Leo Full Moon challenges us to reflect on our need to shine, feel special and appreciated and discover outlets for self-expression and play. The proviso here is to beware the shadow side of Leo - egotistical and attention seeking behavior – as well as the challenges presented by both Saturn and Uranus..
Mercury Stations Retrograde on January 31 at 26 Aquarius Mercury moves retrograde on January 31 at close to 26 degrees of Aquarius and remains retrograde until February 21 when it turns direct at close to 11 degrees of Aquarius. As the new cycle begins in Aquarius, we are being challenged to re-evaluate all things connected with the Aquarian archetype: our need to be authentic, connect with like-minded people and be open to change PLUS the affairs of the house where the retrograde action takes place in your horoscope [11 to 26 Aquarius].
Please be aware that the retrograde phenomenon is activated from the time that Mercury enters the loop to the time that it leaves: around January 15 to March 13. The most chaotic times are when Mercury stations – the few days around January 31 and February 21 when Mercury adjusts to the change of direction.
Key dates / degrees
Exact dates: retrograde from January 31 to February 21
Sensitive degrees 11 to 26 Aquarius
Full time of influence: January 15 to March 13.
Time for insight: around February 9 when the new Mercury cycle begins at the Inferior Conjunction of Mercury and the Sun at close to 20 degrees of Aquarius.
Time to act on new ideas / beliefs: February 21 to March 13.
The whole retrograde phase is a potent time for reflection and review … a time when we can become aware of habitual beliefs and thought patterns and make the adjustments necessary to align our thinking with the person we are now. This is a great time to meditate, reflect, research, seek answers, sort out your paperwork, return calls and generally attend to all the things you have been too busy to do earlier.
Remember, Mercury retrograde always provides us with the opportunity to free our thinking from habitual ruts and develop a more conscious set of mental attitudes and beliefs.
2021 Astrology Classes Please contact Christine for a brochure. Christine offers an in-depth psychological and mythological approach to astrology. These classes are suitable for those individuals who are wishing to learn more about themselves as well as those interested in becoming a professional astrologer. Classes can be taken on a term-by-term basis and video files are provided for any classes you miss.
First Year/ Beginners’ 7pm on Thursday evenings in 2021 …focuses on delineation Second Year / Intermediate at 7pm Monday evenings in 2021 …focuses on dynamic [predictive ] techniques Advanced Group Second Saturday afternoon each month. The Advanced Classes give you the opportunity to integrate what you have learned through a seminar format that allows exposure to more advanced techniques and psychological perspectives, plus the opportunity to develop your delineation skill. Our first topic of study for 2021 is Synastry: the study of relationships.
Consultations are now available on Zoom and are still recorded so the sound file link can be sent to you via email. Gift Certificates are available for most consultations.
AN INITIAL CONSULTATION explores the soul’s journey as revealed through the personal symbol of the birth chart. The focus is on the potential inherent in the birth chart and the challenges that need to be embraced in order to realize this potential. Other readings available include: In-depth Consultation: Two hours to explore both the soul’s journey [see above] and the year ahead. Includes 2 supplementary e-booklets. Chart Up-date: The Year Ahead: Explores the year ahead from a psychological perspective. Understanding Your Child: A wonderful gift for new parents and explores a child’s unique needs, motivations, potentials and challenges. Relocation: Explains how a different location may impact on your psyche. This can be helpful if you are thinking of re-locating and can be included with any of the above consultations.