Molly's Astrology for January 2006
Most people know that they are one Sun sign or other. The textbook description may or may not fit, and newspaper horoscopes are so random that many sound made-up. Sun-sign columns in newspapers belie astrology’s real value as a tool for understanding ourselves and our world. Because you really need more information than just the Sun sign—a lot more—to forecast an individual’s day.
However, astrology does have a “broad spectrum” use, shown by the movement of the planets through the signs and their connections with each other, day to day. This is something like a “weather forecast” of energies that applies to everyone, regardless of Zodiac sign.
Overview
This winter’s Grand Cross finishes up with Jupiter square Neptune. Jupiter, the gas giant of the Solar system, symbolizes abundance—“lots of” whatever he touches. Neptune is far away and mysterious, and symbolizes idealism, fantasy, deception, illusions, or outright fraud. A square signals stress or tension involving these two forces.
At best, a Jupiter-Neptune contact symbolizes compassion and generosity toward those in need, and interest in metaphysical or spiritual issues. There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, January’s skies support you reaching beyond the ordinary. However, neither of these planets are known for their practicality. January is not the time to invest your money in anything risky or speculative.
Dealing with Neptune is like taking a journey through thick fog. You can’t see more than a step or two ahead of you, and you don’t know the destination until you get there. Will it be a pot of gold, or a pile of junk? You just don’t know. This drives very goal-oriented Capricorn types a little mad. But Pisceans, for some reason, don’t mind as much.
Same thing goes for matters of the heart. Boy, is Neptune swoony. How easy it is to put the object of your affection on a pedestal, conveniently ignoring what doesn’t fit. It’s ok to do this—as I said before, the month was made for illusions! Just don’t get caught up in it, as the love vibe is also a little off kilter this month.
Venus is retrograde until February 3. This phenomenon happens only once every 18 months, and lasts for six weeks. Venus is the love goddess, and also governs money and values. So it’s difficult to gauge the true value of a thing or relationship1.
So we see miscommunications in relationships, we see people getting into relationships with people they wouldn’t even notice under normal skies, or spending way too much money on things they will never use. We also see people getting terrific bargains because the seller doesn’t recognize the worth of the object. And we see people giving up on relationships that are worth keeping.
Retrogrades also draw our awareness and energy into the past. So people, relationships, or objects from the past tend to reappear. For artists, it’s a great month to pick up an old unfinished project. For retailers, it’s time to haul out your back stock of weird and funky stuff that didn’t sell before. Because folks are in that mood.
Venus governs aesthetics and beauty. Thus, it’s is a poor time to significantly alter your appearance. No tattoos! And it’s not advisable to undergo cosmetic surgery during Venus retrograde.
January 1-8
January is off to a good start with the Capricorn Sun trine Mars in Taurus. Both of these are in practical, “taking care of business” signs. You may feel like getting things done despite the holiday. On the 3rd, Mercury joins the Sun and Venus in goal-oriented Capricorn, turning our thoughts to long-term goals and ambitions. Later in the week, Mercury forms a helpful aspect with inventive, technological Uranus—unusual but helpful ideas are around, and it’s a good time to deal with cars, computers, or other gadgets.
January 9-13
Here’s another good week for starting projects and getting things done, as Mercury, the planet of communications, transport and commerce, forms good aspects with Jupiter and Mars. The hitch here is this—A nice Mercury-Jupiter contact gets people feeling optimistic and greases the social wheels. However, we’re heading into the thick of this Neptune stuff I mentioned above. So it’s possible that these optimistic feelings could lead to some misguided actions or decisions based on false or missing information. So ask lots of questions and trust your gut feelings. Enjoy the energy (as nice aspect to Jupiter do tend to be enjoyable), but don’t go nuts with it!
January 14-18
Now we’re getting into it. A Full Moon in moody Cancer on the 14th reshuffles the emotional deck. And trigger-happy Mars touches happy-go-lucky Jupiter and clueless Neptune. Impulsive decisions could cost you.
This energy reminds me of a job I had several years ago, dealing with a technology company my boss had hired to develop some software for us. They used big fancy high-tech buzz-words that sounded impressive, and she signed on the dotted line. The software was terrible, their developers were unhelpful, and we were charged a lot of money for “extras” that should have been included in the first place. Eventually, the company went under, and my office had to start over from scratch.
The lesson? Don’t be satisfied until you know what the other person is saying. Keep asking what the big fancy words mean. If the people you are dealing with can’t explain it in terms that you understand, keep looking until you find someone who does. This goes for business and personal affairs—don’t rush to a decision, it’s too easy to get suckered into a bad deal.
January 19-28
Caution lights are still flashing as the Jupiter Neptune square becomes exact, and the Sun and Mercury oppose serious Saturn, highlighting the necessity of practical thinking and responsible attitudes. Ah, but some of us are still in never-never land, or dealing with nasty colds and flus that always seem to come around when Neptune acts up.
The love vibe is up and running this week, and boy is she spicy! But remember, Venus is retrograde. Don’t rush to the altar, or to divorce court. Let things get back to normal first. And avoid the temptations of retail therapy. This is serious “buyer’s remorse” time. If you do go hog wild, save the receipts. No tattoos!!
January 29-31
A New Moon on the 29th clears the emotional decks and starts a brand new cycle. The last two days of January are still pretty foggy as Mercury closes in on Jupiter and Neptune, bringing an echo of last week’s energetic mudslide.
Mark your calendar!
The best days for your top priority plans are January 1-3, 8, 12, 13, 22.
Slow down on January 14-18, 23-27, 31.
1 Just as an aside, when I found Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson’s wedding date in People Magazine (Oct. 26, 2002), I couldn’t help but look it up. I saw retrograde Venus in Scorpio, square Neptune. Venus retrograde is not a good time to try to cement a relationship. It’s the kind of energy where you discover your beloved just isn’t who you thought. It seems by the accounts I have read that they found after a while, that they were just too different. He likes to go out and party, she likes to stay at home and watch movies.
* * *
Join the mailing list to have the monthly forecast delivered straight to your inbox!
Molly Cliborne
Charlottesville, Va.
(434) 244-0012
office hours:
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET
Tuesday - Friday
Send an e-mail
Very interesting that Nick and Jessica married while Venus was retrograde. I got married when Venus was Sextiling Saturn and in my own chart-- Transiting Venus was trining my natal Venus(hope that is good:)) Happy New Year!
Kelli
My friends are getting married on their 30th birthday (astral-twins) on January 15, 2006. They have been on and off for the last 9 years, and I really want them both to be happy, but have some foreboding about it. Do you the Venus in retrograde could be a downfall? Is there anything they need to pay attention to?
As for me, I am a scorpio 11-05-76 going through my saturn return or just starting it. My Saturn is in the 4th House. I feel like I went through a SR four years ago when literally everything in my life, love, emotional world fell apart. Is it possible to have a SR early? Things feel pretty much okay, feel a bit unsure, but committed to deeply exploring my true direction and path.
Happy New Year!
Dear Scorp--
I wouldn't choose a wedding date during Venus rx. But if it's on, it's going to happen and not going to change, it's kind of a moot point. All you can do is hope for the best and wish them well.
Everything falling apart doesn't sound like a Saturn return. That sounds like a Neptune transit. Neptune would have squared your Sun right about then.
Best,
I got married September 20,2003. Now we are seperated.
i am a gemini 1st june 1971 born 16:00pm.
partner is a scorpio born nov 28 1969.
are we a good match?
I am getting married 02/05/06 in Jamacia. Is that a good time? Also I am a gemini and he is a sagatarius. Is that a good match?