General horoscopes are always meant for entertainment purposes only. For a more accurate view, read your Sun sign, Rising sign, and Moon sign.
Aries: Venus enters your career sector this month, and a new moon occurs in your career sector on the 9th, but Mercury retrogrades back into your career sector, and that can throw everything off. Try not to make big decisions about your direction right now, and make sure long-term plans are as flexible as can be since what you think now is likely not what will remain. It’s an excellent time for a second chance at an old goal though, so try working on that, especially around the time of the new moon. The basics: A retrograde occurs when a planet appears to be moving backwards from our vantage point here on Earth. It isn't actually moving backwards, it just appears that way. Mercury turns retrograde most often because it's nearest to us, about 3-4 times per year, and lasts for several weeks. When a planet retrogrades, what that planet rules tends to be thrown off, along with what the sign it's retrograding in rules. With Mercury retrograde, we experience a shadow and a storm. The shadow period starts when Mercury first hits the point in the zodiac it will turn direct at, and ends when it last hits the point in the zodiac it will turn retrograde at. Most people don't feel the effects of Mercury retrograde until it enters the storm period though. The storm period of Mercury retrograde is when Mercury is moving at its slowest, less than 40 minutes per day. Mercury is a fast-moving planet and hates it when he's moving slowly. There's usually two storm periods, one around the time Mercury turns retrograde, and one around when it turns direct. The shadow of this Mercury retrograde begins December 19th and ends February 14th. The exact retrograde begins January 5th at 8:06AM ET and ends January 25th at 4:50PM ET. The first storm period is from January 2nd - 9th, and the second storm period is from January 21st - February 1st. This Mercury retrograde begins early in the sign of Aquarius, and we can feel disconnected to one another, have difficulty getting along with each other, and have trouble with groups. Large organizations and charities can come under fire. We can question the future, unsure of what’s to come, and we can feel that things won’t work out the way we want them to. Friendships can be strained, tech can go wild, and we’re ultra rebellious. We can be a lot more rebellion with Mercury retrograde in Aquarius. This retrograde won’t last long in Aquarius, quickly moving back into earth sign Capricorn on January 8th. This is where the bulk of the action happens, and where the bulk of the impact will be. Capricorn rules governments and politicians, so they tend to not behave so great with Mercury retrograde in Capricorn, and we can see more anger with them (like there isn’t enough as it is!). Capricorn rules authority figures and our elders (parents, bosses, mentors), and we can rebel against them as well. Capricorn rules restriction and limitation, and we can feel others are stifling us too much, or we choose to hold ourselves back too much. Capricorn also rules responsibility, maturity, and practicality, all of which can be an issues during the retrograde, and adults act like half-brained teenagers, we’re pushing back against the rules, or we can be so serious and adult that we’re dull and lifeless. Try to focus on some Capricorn positives, like recommitting to old goals, reconnecting with old elders, or reviewing plans with a practical eye. This Mercury retrograde starts square (a hard aspect) Mars, freshly in Scorpio (exact on the 5th at 7AM, just before the retrograde starts that day). Then the retrograde ends conjunct (in the same spot as) Pluto in Capricorn (exact on the 22nd and 30th). So the start and end of this retrograde will be far, far from easy! We’ll have some seriously contentious energy to find a way to deal with, and we shouldn’t be surprised if we’re seeing a lot of people exploding, a lot of anger and rage, a lot of misdirected energy as this retrograde begins and ends. Try to give yourself something to keep you busy at the start, and work on transforming something at the end. Other than that, this Mercury retrograde will conjunct the Sun on January 14th, bringing more emphasis and focus on the retrograde. It can also show the start of something that reaches completion in about a month. It's helped by Mercury retrograde trine Jupiter that day as well. Mercury retrograde also squares Uranus on January 20th, which can make us avoid the unconventional and different and uncomfortable with change, or we go too far with change and make things wonky. This is a wonky retrograde anyway! So be sure to refrain from big changes, and try to manage these difficult aspects as best as you can. The turn retrograde begins at 1 degree Aquarius, so those of you Aquarians born before January 24th may feel the turn retrograde most. The turn direct occurs at 14 degrees Capricorn, so those of you Capricorns born January 4th - 6th may feel the turn direct most. For the rest of you, check the house(s) Mercury will be retrograding in of your own natal chart, and any aspects Mercury will make during its retrograde to your natal planets, to fully understand how it will impact you personally. If you have Mercury retrograde in your natal or progressed chart, you may not feel the worst of this. Those individuals generally don't experience the difficulties of the retrograde because it feels more natural to them. Of course, chances are everyone else around them doesn't have the same aspect, so they can still experience difficulties brought on by others. Suggested Reading: The Mercury, Venus and Mars Retrogrades page for general interpretations The first new moon of 2016 occurs on January 9th at 8:31PM ET at 19 degrees 13 minutes in Capricorn. This new moon in Capricorn is a fitting way to start since we'll be 9 days into a new year and focused on new year goals. Which sign rules our goals? Capricorn, of course! So this new moon really helps us to focus on our plans for the year, and try to be practical about what we're capable of. We're also focused on our direction, wanting to be on the right path, and what we want to achieve and strive for. We can spend more time with our elders, getting advice we need, and we can feel like we're hitting a high point with something, getting rewards. At the same time, we can get kicked back down if we haven't been doing things the right way, so we need to do the right thing. Getting kicked down can be a lot more likely with Mercury retrograde at the same time in Capricorn, the sign of the new moon, (it'll be fresh in this sign and at a sensitive point). Mercury retrograde loves to mess with us and create all sorts of issues, like some life-wrecking gremlin. He's not mean, he's just scatteredly mischievous, and full of misunderstandings. Since this is happening with the new moon, we need to be careful about doing the right thing. We may not want to, but we need to. As for our goals, retrogrades rule doing things over again, so starting brand new goals may not be wise right now. Instead, give yourself a second chance with a goal. That's the best way to make use of this new moon. Find the house location in your chart for this new moon, and get ideas of what you can try over again. Capricorn also rules our governments and politicians, so they can be in the spotlight (for good or bad, anyone's guess!). The aspects to this new moon are as follows: Conjunction: 17 degree 13 minutes -21 degrees 13 minutes Capricorn Sextile: 17 degree 13 minutes -21 degrees 13 minutes of Scorpio or Pisces Square: 17 degree 13 minutes -21 degrees 13 minutes of Aries or Libra Trine: 17 degree 13 minutes -21 degrees 13 minutes of Taurus or Virgo Opposition: 17 degree 13 minutes - 21 degrees 13 minutes Cancer On January 23rd, a full moon occurs at 8:46PM ET at 3 degrees 29 minutes of Leo, and this full moon occurs in the sign of fun. Fitting since we're not having much fun with the retrograde wonkiness in January! By the time this full moon occurs, the Mercury retrograde ends a couple days later, and we're desperately seeking some fun times. Make time to do the things you love and be with the people you love and in the places you love. The more you channel your heart, the better you feel about everything. If you try to deny yourself, you'll just be extra grumpy, irritable, and dramatic Leo does rule drama, and can be quite theatrical, throwing a child-like fit when things don't go the way it wants things to. Avoid that by making sure you're paying attention to your heart, feeding it as much as you can, and sharing the love you feel. Leo rules creativity, and with a full moon in this sign, creativity can be heightened as our emotions are stronger and we're more inspired by what we're feeling. We can take what we feel and turn it into a masterpiece if we're willing to channel it into a creative pursuit. Find a creative outlet for your feelings, and make something positive out of it. Speaking of positive, that's another Leo attribute (really, all of the fire signs are quite positive). We try to be more positive about what's happening with this full moon, and we want to not only help ourselves to feel better, but also help others to feel better too. This is why you should share the love you feel - it makes you feel even better to help others feel better. We can all be more generous. Leo also rules our children, our hearts and backs, courage, and showmanship, all of which can be heightened, focused on more, or infused with more emotion. The aspects to this full moon are as follows: Conjunction: 1 degree 29 minutes - 5 degrees 29 minutes Leo Sextile: 1 degree 29 minutes - 5 degrees 29 minutes of Gemini or Libra Square: 1 degree 29 minutes - 5 degrees 29 minutes of Taurus or Scorpio Trine: 1 degree 29 minutes - 5 degrees 29 minutes of Aries or Sagittarius Opposition: 1 degree 29 minutes - 5 degrees 29 minutes Aquarius Suggested Reading: The New & Full Moons page for general interpretations Time for a fun Christmas article, this one focuses Ebenezer Scrooge, the miser of misers himself! We're going to analyze what the astrology of Scrooge may look like. With the character analysis articles, I make educated guesses as to what the natal chart of the character would look like based on what we know about their personality and life. It's fun, and it can help you with understanding astrology a little better too. Ebenezer Scrooge is from A Christmas Carol, written by Charles Dickens. It's an absolute classic (and my fave of Dickens), and it's been retold a million times over. For those of you who haven't read the actual book (which I totally recommend), you can for free online via Project Gutenberg here: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/46/46-h/46-h.htm Astrology of Scrooge: Scorpio Rising + Saturn in Scorpio
As for Scrooge, I see him as a Scorpio Rising with Saturn in Scorpio and the 1st house. This would show the massive transformation that he undergoes with the Scorpio influence, and how it's a really difficult one to go through with Saturn in Scorpio (as all natives can attest to!).
Saturn in the 1st house would also make him miserly, cheap, stingy. Saturn doesn't like spending on anything that isn't 110% necessary, and this can be to the extreme with Scorpio (who governs obsession). A 1st house Saturn can also sometimes have a really big lesson to learn, or lessons that impact who you are as a person. Astrology of Scrooge: Lots of Virgo & an Aquarius Moon
To add to the stingyness, there must be, of course, some Virgo in the mix (the stingiest sign), and I actually like his Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Mars altogether in Virgo in the 11th house. Not only does this add to his stingyness, but it also makes him very discriminating (ruled by Virgo) and with few-to-no friends (friends are ruled by the 11th house).
It also makes him very detached from others, and shows what a big impact he can have. I like his Moon in Aquarius and the 4th house. The Aquarius energy adds to his emotional detachment from others, but the 4th house, which rules emotions, would show that he was actually really soft on the inside. The 4th house is also very subjective instead of objective, whereas Aquarius is very objective instead of subjective, so you can see him volley between the two. Seeing Ghosts!
He does see the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, so there needs to be something in there for that, right? I'm thinking perhaps Neptune conjunct his Moon.
Neptune is the planet ruling the metaphysical, spiritual, dreams, intuition, and ghosts, and on the Moon, would make it something that impacts him in a strong way emotionally. Neptune/Moon can also be very guarded emotionally as a way of protecting yourself, and even though you're really sensitive, you seem completely detached. And Pluto/Scorpio/8th house!
Scrooge undergoes a major transformation thanks to those ghosts, so he needs to have some transformation stuff in his chart - Pluto/Scorpio/8th house energy.
Maybe Pluto conjunct his Sun/Mercury/Venus/Mars, or conjunct his Moon/Neptune. Pluto conjunct a personal planet (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars) can show you'll have to undergo a major transformation (or many small ones) in your life. He'd also have transformation aspects going on in transit as well to trigger it, potentially with Pluto making aspects to his Sun/Mercury/Venus/Mars or to his Moon/Neptune, or in the 8th house at the time. I feel with Scrooge, there would also be some transit Neptune and Saturn in the mix, with transit Neptune bringing on the Ghosts, and transit Saturn bringing on the lessons. Saturn is the teacher and forces us to learn hard lessons. And he sure did learn his lesson! Suggested Reading: Astrology of Batman A fun holiday article! I wanted to focus on the potential astrology of an iconic Christmas character, and one that I chose was the Grinch. The mean one himself! In these character analysis articles I do, I like to take a guess at what the natal chart for the character would look like based on what we know about them. It's a fun little experiment, and you can see how astrology plays out in our personalities. So how do I think the Grinch plays out astrologically? Let'd dive in! The Grinch: A Virgo Rising & 12th House Venus
I'm drawn to a Virgo Rising for the Grinch, since he's stingy and hates all of the stuff that the Whos have. Virgo is a sign that doesn't like excess and fluff, and he proudly displays that. I also like that it puts Leo on his 12th house cusp, which would keep his generous side hidden. The 12th house is the house of the hidden, and the sign on that cusp can be hidden from your outward personality.
I'd put Venus in Leo in the 12th house to add to this. This keeps his affectionate side hidden away in the 12th house, until little Cindy Lou Who comes around (and Leo rules children). A Leo 12th house with Venus would secretly be a big softie, so the big heart of the Grinch's would be squirreled away in the 12th house. The Grinch: Scorpio Sun & Moon, Aries Mars
I like a Scorpio Sun and Moon for Mr. Grinch, since he does seem to be very jealous and petty, which is ruled by Scorpio (the dark sign). This would put the Sun and Moon in the 3rd house as a Virgo Rising, which is good for plotting and planning as he does. Also, Scorpio is the sign ruling a transformation, which the Grinch undergoes.
I'd put Mercury in Scorpio in the 3rd house as well. The 3rd house is an intellectual house, and always full of ideas! I like Mars in the 8th house in Aries for him, again bringing out his jealous and petty side, making him more selfish and cruel (Aries and the 8th house as a combo can be a bit ruthless). The 8th house is naturally ruled by Scorpio, so this house also governs transformations like he has. A Note on the Grinch Astrology
I feel there would be a lot of Scorpio/8th house/Pluto energy for Mr. Grinch given the massive transformation he undergoes. This would not only be in the natal chart, but likely in transit as well. This trio governs transformation, and when it's in your natal chart, you usually have to undergo a big transformation (or many smaller ones) like the Grinch. This can be triggered by the transit planets.
He'd probably have Pluto hitting his Sun and perhaps Uranus in the 8th house to undergo such a big transformation with such speed and so unexpectedly. Mars in the 1st house, conjunct the Sun or Pluto, or in his 8th house would also help. I'd like Jupiter, the happy planet, in his 1st house (of the self, making him more agreeable), in his 5th house (of love, opening his heart), or conjunct his Moon (improving his feelings) or Venus (bringing out his loving side). Suggested Reading: Astrology of Ebenezer Scrooge We all have different ideas of what our ideal home would look like or family would be, so how do you find that in your chart? It's mostly through your 4th house, the house of home and family. Considerations for the 4th House
The sign on the cusp shows you what kind of home you want, whether it's in traditional Capricorn or eccentric Aquarius, and what kind of family relationship you want. It can also show not just the kind of family relationship you want, but the one you have, whether you want it or not.
My own 4th house cusp is in Aquarius. This can both show you don't go for the usual family stuff, piecing family together from friends and neighbors and those you encounter, or that your upbringing was unusual in some way, but it can also show not having much of a relationship with your parents or conventional family, and that's what leads to the piecing together of family later in life. The sign can also show where you find family. In Taurus, it may be through the people who share the same values you do; in Gemini, it may be through the people who have the same opinions you do; in Virgo, it may be through those you work with or for; and on and on. You also want to consider the planets in the 4th house. The more planets that are there, the more emphasis you put on family, and the more you need a solid home environment. Having Jupiter in this house shows needing a home that's bigger with plenty of space, while having Saturn here shows needing only the necessities. Family is especially important to you if you have the Sun or Moon here. Your parents/family likely had a big impact on your life, but this can be positive or negative depending on other placements. The harshest placements are usually if you have Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, or Chiron in the 4th house. These usually indicate your upbringing was challenging in some way. As an adult, you need to bring their energy in a positive way. With Saturn, you can be the leader of your family; with Uranus, you can create a big group of extended family; with Neptune, you can be the super supporter and helper; with Pluto, you can be the rock; and with Chiron, you can be the healer. The most beneficial placements are Venus or Jupiter in the 4th house. This can be helpful for family connections and make it easier on you. You can also focus on having a beautiful home aesthetically. If you have an empty 4th house, you can focus less on your home/family life, or have less issues to work on in this life regarding your home/family life. An empty house means you have less karmic baggage to work on. Take into consideration the ruler of your 4th house as well. Look at the: - sign it's in - house it's located - major aspects it makes - condition of the planet This will have an impact on your home and family life too. Pay special attention to any planets the 4th house ruler is conjunct since this can act almost like the planet is located in the 4th house and have major influence in your home and family life. Also pay special attention if the planet is anaretic (at 29 degrees of any sign) since this will bring extra challenges; if the planet is intercepted (contained within a house) as this cuts off energy that can be associated with your home/family life; and if the planet is Mercury, Venus, or Mars and is retrograde or is conjunct a retrograde Mercury, Venus, or Mars (since this greatly intensifies the retrograde energy and funnels it to your home/family life). Suggested Reading: The 4th house page for general interpretations |
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