Hi Everyone

Happy New Year! It hardly seems possible that I’m writing the first blog for 2019! This year gets off to a pretty exciting start astrologically speaking, featuring two eclipses and Uranus changing directions. I’ll take them in order.

January 5: Partial Solar Eclipse at 8:28 p.m. ET

Solar eclipses occur at a new moon and can signal significant new beginnings. The Sun will be at 15⁰ Capricorn, and the eclipse will last about 4 hours. However, we will not be able to see it here in the US. Saturn will be right next to (conjunct) the Sun when the eclipse occurs adding additional importance to developing new structures, both personal and global at this time, and overcoming our fears. Since Saturn is next to the eclipse point, the impact of this eclipse will be shorter than the “normal” formula of one month for every hour of the eclipse. Pluto, planet of deep-seated transformation, is also very close to this eclipse degree as well, adding additional power to this event, along with impetus to go deeply into any restructuring we might begin at this time. Those with planets within 4 degrees on either side of 15⁰, especially in Cardinal signs (Capricorn, Libra, Aries and Cancer) may feel the impact of this eclipse more than others.

January 6: Uranus stations direct at 3:26 p.m. ET

The planet of the higher mind, rebellion and destroyer of old forms of thinking ends his retrograde (backwards, inner) motion right after the solar eclipse, adding additional energy to moving outwardly forward with the ideas, impulses and revelations gleaned during his retrograde motion. He will be at 28⁰ Aries, the sign of the warrior (sometimes spiritual, sometimes not). Aries is the sign of the leader, me-first, and fearlessness, which sometimes looks like recklessness or impulsiveness. Again, the Cardinal signs may feel this change of direction more acutely, but for all of us the energy will be more attuned to sharing new visions, impulses and revelations, rather than pondering them. Uranus will continue to move “forward,” i.e. from east to west, until August.

 January 21: Total Lunar Eclipse at 0:16 a.m. ET

As you know, eclipses generally come in pairs, and lunar eclipses occur at a full moon. This one is not only a total eclipse, but it’s also a super moon. The eclipse will be visible in North America, (here’s hoping for clear skies!) and will last about 5 hours. The Moon will be at 0⁰ Leo, since the Sun enters Aquarius the day before. While a lunar eclipse generally focuses on service and letting go of old patterns, this one is at the beginning of the sign, which generally indicates a new beginning. And it’s in a fixed sign, and we haven’t seen too much of this energetic quality — sustaining, abiding, stubborn, feminine in its feel. (Other fixed signs include Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio.) The Moon will have an ally in Mars, who is at early degrees Aries, and Venus who is at early degrees Sagittarius, both fire signs, so we have a very early flow of energy between these planets (a grand trine). The Moon and Venus are both considered “feminine” planets, while Mars is masculine. So, both types of energy are represented in this big triangle, fueled by an eclipse at the beginning of Leo. Leo is the sign of the divine child in each of us. Perhaps the best use of this eclipse is to release that which holds us back from expressing who we are in truth and moving forward in a new way.

 Elementally, the year starts out with mostly earth and water. The last third of the month includes some planets in the air element (Sun, Mercury). Air is the element of ideas, inspiration and communication, and has been by in large absent with none of the outer planets currently in signs of that element. This will be true in 2019 as well.

Hope you have a wonderful start to a great New Year!

Peace and abundant blessings!

Margaret