January 20: The Sun enters Aquarius at 04.44 pm accompanied by the exact opposition of Venus and (retrograde Mars) at 24º.50' Sagittarius/Gemini. Last month when I wrote about the entry of the Sun into Capricorn, I mentioned that this would auger a month of domestic violence, especially around the time of the entry itself (December 22nd). This period coincided with the assassination of Mrs. Bhutto (whose natal Sun is exactly on the path of that cluster of transiting planets-- Mars, Pluto, Jupiter, Sun, Moon, Mercury—that was in very late Sagittarius and early Cancer/Capricorn). This planetary configuration also saw the rise of the tremendous violence among the tribes in Kenya and of course did nothing to soothe the existing dangers in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Aquarius is the sign of friendship and group activity but the Sun in this sign is carried forth into activity along with an opposition between Mars and Venus. I seriously doubt that much progress will be made towards peace during this month, as these two planets are opposed in the signs of diplomacy, foreign affairs and religious doctrine. Mars retrograde in Gemini speaks to me of pent-up aggressions and lack of diplomacy (note the current stress between the UK and Russia for example) and I feel that once Mars and Pluto make their first true exact opposition at 0º Cancer/Capricorn, there will be further instances of violent outbursts in the world.

January 21: The exact trine between Jupiter and Saturn takes place at 7º37´Capricorn/Virgo. Oh you lucky people who have important positions in your natal chart at 6-8º Taurus! Perhaps you can do something to help out the world economic outlook—you certainly will have the opportunity to improve your own economic outlook! And those of you with these degrees in Virgo and/or Capricorn may also look forward to some financial rewards for your efforts. At the very least, this is a great trine for sane financial planning, both on personal and political levels. Jupiter and Saturn in these signs are in it for the long haul—no quick returns on your buck, euro, pound or schekel. But a wise investment that may pay off over time is definitely the way to go.

January 22: The Full Moon takes place at 01.26 pm in 1º54’ (Leo/Aquarius). One of the primary paradigms of this polarity, one that is at the core of the basic challenge (and opportunity!) of the Aquarian Age is how to integrate a growing sense of the individual personality (Leo) with the individualization of group consciousness (Aquarius). This dilemma is clearly evident in our own lives in terms of the increase of our own global collectivization, the uniting dynamics of communication technology, the increase of “plastic money” that is spent over the computer, etc.

In this respect the cell phone is a prime example of the Leo/Aquarius polarity. From my office here in Lisbon, I can call anyone in the world for pennies (with some plans—for free on Sundays!). I can pay bills, send and receive emails, take and forward photos and video clips, receive world news instantly, and be open to anyone anywhere who has the same capacities. I am totally connected to the entire world. Yet if I do not pay my monthly bill or fail to charge my battery, well then, I am just as easily “plugged out” of this worldwideweb. I have got to pay my individual dues, fulfill my individual responsibilities to the collective to which I belong (in this case it is my Highly- Respected- Please-Don’t-Conk-Out- On-Me, Server and Phone Company). I am in this case the Leo while the HRPDCOOM S&PC is the Aquarius.

During all of 2008 and into February of 2009, the dynamics of our personal relationships with the groups to which we belong or affiliated will be tested. This due to the fact that there are five solar and lunar eclipses in this pair of signs during these next fourteen months. How we contribute to the various “social wholes” to which we are linked and how these social entities contribute to our well-being and growth will certainly be of major interest to us all. This is a clear mandate that brings to the fore the relationship of the personal ego structure and the Aquarian Age urge for group consciousness both on individual and planetary levels.

January 23: A conjunction of Mercury and Neptune at 21º00’ Aquarius tells us that this may not be the best day for the signing of contracts or clear non-idealized thinking. If you have important positions in your chart around this degree, this is a specific message to you. It is a great conjunction for inspiration and vision, but not the best for the practical expression of such an ephiphany.

January 24: Venus enters Capricorn and conjoins Pluto at 0º of the Mountain Goat. If this connection fits into a nice configuration in your natal chart, then money and other material or career benefits are likely this day. On a more collective level, one which I will express in greater detail shortly, there are many changes coming to the world economy. Venus/Pluto in Capricorn is an auger of such developments. I personally would enjoy reading and benefiting from what Ray Merriman is saying these days about such Capricornian mutations.

January 26: Pluto enters Capricorn at 04.21 am. (I do not care if he has been downgraded to sub-planetary status by the astronomers, Pluto is still a huge influence on human consciousness, after all regeneration, death, and rebirth are fundamental archetypes to our existence.) So for this Scorpio rising, Sun in Aries, Pluto trine the Sun guy, he is “Big Mister P” to me (my personal “homeboy” and believe me, he demands plenty of room and respect).

Many of my fellow astrologers have been writing and speaking at length on the subject and this Pluto-ruled astrologer will be giving a post-conference seminar on his influence at UAC this May. I want to point out here in the Newsletter just a few important factors about Pluto in Capricorn:

Watch out world—major economic changes are coming! Well you do not have to be an advanced student of astrology to know this. It is kind of obvious but the entry of Pluto now gives us an idea as to the timing of such major shifts—like NOW! Capricorn rules structure and Saturn rules Capricorn. As such the current Virgo influence on Pluto in Capricorn will be very strong until the Old Man leaves the Virgin in July of 2010. We will thus be seeing the development of tools, techniques, processes and methodologies that will attempt to deal with the administration (and capitalization) of world resources. A “bit” of a squeeze is definitely on (to use a British understatement). In more American directness—tighten your belt! But please, do not fear, there is enough to go around, just not enough to go around the hugely expansive waists/wastes that many people and nations have developed. (By the way, with Saturn on his MC, your friend here in Lisbon has been hard at work at the gym—with good and continuing results!).

New designs in the structure of personal and political power. Pluto is a First Ray planet (Will and Power). Capricorn is a sign that is influenced by that Ray as well as by the Third (Mental Creativity) and the Seventh (Physical Structure).

There will thus be a very strong expression of the Will to use Power to shape Mind for Physical results—like money and control issues. This will not lead to peaceful times for the majority of people and nations have not gotten the Message (will the Japanese please stop killing whales and eat more rice and sea veggies instead!)—like no matter what they say, they still do not believe in Blessed Jesus (Love thy neighbor) or Blessed Mohammad (Respect all other people’s beliefs). Such initial conflicts will be surrounding world economic resources (Saturn in Virgo); the following two and a half years (July 2010-October 2012) will concern the efforts to create right human relations and political and social alliances (Saturn in Libra). Some major, positive breakthroughs could be possible when in the following 2.5 year period, Saturn is in Scorpio and there is a mutual reception between Pluto and Saturn.

A positive shot of growth and development to the Pluto/Uranus in Virgo generation as they receive the trine from Pluto in Capricorn. They come into clarity and increase (finally!!) in terms of their career and job dynamics. And yes, you guys with that conjunction opposed to Saturn in Pisces—keep an eye on the transit of Pluto in Capricorn for when it trines the Virgo conjunction and sextiles Saturn, you will get the opportunity to resolve a lot of long-standing tension in your life.

January 28: Mercury goes retrograde (again!) at 23º53´Aqaurius and stays retrograde until February 19. Its position on this day makes a nearly exact trine to Mars also retrograde at 24º10´Gemini. So take care about making rash decisions that seem good at the time—take a moment to contemplate your travel plans and other forms of communication and urge for movement. Always remember that whatever is said about a transit—especially ones that involve just the personal rather than the collective planets—that the closer the actual transit is to a natal position in your chart, the more that what is said has personal meaning for you.

January 30: Venus trine Saturn at 07º05´Capricorn/Virgo and Mars (finally!) goes direct at 24º Gemini. All of you who are fortunate enough to have those 6-8 degrees of the earthy signs prominent in your natal chart will benefit from the Venus/Saturn aspect. This is not a “glamorous” trine (Venus trine Jupiter is far more fun!), but it does give you the opportunity to put your finances in order and have some really good exchanges with older people and/or people with whom you have been in relationship for a long time. If you through in a good “touch” from Pluto now to the chart, you just might get some returns on previous investments in personal and financial relationships. And Aries and Scorpio people rejoice (people who are both like yours truly can doubly rejoice)—Mars is direct. Yes! (Well it still has to go through Cancer again and that’s like a knife in the water but hey, for the next five weeks our Warrior Friend will be in Gemini, so enjoy the journey!).

February 1: Venus conjoins Jupiter at 10º Capricorn. Have a ball spending your father’s money! Actually, this is a great aspect for enjoying simple pleasures (now if this were in Sagittarius or Leo, the pleasures would be far more sensual and expansive). Shop for quality instead of quantity.

February 3: Mercury (retrograde) is conjoined Neptune (again!) at 21º Aquarius. Please note what was said about this aspect for the entry of January 23 and take this advice more closely to heart.

February 6: The retrograde Little Herm is conjoined the Sun at 21ºAquarius. This can easily stimulate mental diffusion; prioritize activities—if you can.

February 7: New Moon Eclipse at 17º44’ Aquarius. If this degree falls within 5 degrees of an important position in your chart, look for the end of one set of circumstances and the beginning of another. This activity will be connected to the house positions where the eclipse falls in your chart. If for example, you have Jupiter at 13-23º of Leo, you may find that what you are seeking to share in terms of your personal world philosophy needs to be adjusted to the group that you are seeking to influence or teach. Should this fall in the 2nd-8th house axis, then such discussions or adjustments will have a lot to do with personal and shared resources and values.

February 11: He’s at it again and this time conjunct the Sun at 17º Aquarius. The Sun is vitalizes while Mercury communicates. There will be a lot of talk (especially among friends and various groups of affiliates) but as this is still a retrograde Mercury, it is doubtful that such talk will lead to clear or lasting decisions.

February 17: Venus enters Aquarius. In general, a great influence on friendships and group relationships—pretty good for internet dating as well!

February 19: Mercury goes direct at 8º Aquarius at 02.50am. Those of us who have important positions in Gemini and/or Virgo will be especially pleased.