January 19—The Sun enters Aquarius at 10:41pm.

January 20—Mercury retrograde conjoins the Sun at 00 Aquarius 44.
As one would imagine, there will be a huge universal audience watching the Presidential Inauguration. The Aquarius conjunction will mean that every possible media outlet will be in use to bring this event to every corner of the world. A retrograde Sun/Mercury conjunction in this sign will intensify and already intense communication spectacle, and there also may be cuts or other communication complications today. Although for many of us, this particular Presidential Inauguration is a great celebratory event, we should not underestimate the general nervousness, delays, and “crackle and noise” that this conjunction augurs.

January 22—Mars sextile Uranus at 20 Capricorn 01 at 04:59 pm.
January 23—Venus conjunct Uranus at 20 Pisces 02 at 01:01 am.
These two events occur are separated by less than a day and are very closely related in terms of the relationship of Venus and Mars to Uranus. These transits speak about a coming together of people and a sense of the “global family” that is so important for humanity to develop as we move further into the Uranus-ruled Aquarian Age. On a more personal note, these aspects are great for hosting and attending group gatherings, lectures, and parties.

January 24th is a very important day in the sky (and thus will it be so on Earth!) with 4 important planetary configurations.

1. The Sun conjunct Jupiter at 04 Aquarius 22 at 05:45 am.
These two planets enjoy each other’s company and most likely so will you, especially if 3 to 5 degrees of the airy signs figure prominently in your natal chart. These same degrees in fiery signs (especially Aries and Sagittarius) will also be positively highlighted. Expansion of friendships, sharing ideas for group growth, great philosophical or just plain “friendly” discussions are all pleasantly underscored.

2. Mars at 21 Capricorn 16 trine to Saturn at 21 Virgo 16 (retrograde) at 08:05 am.
3. Venus at 21 Pisces 16 opposing Saturn at 21 Virgo 16 (R) at 08:16 am.
4. Venus at 21 Pisces 18 sextile Mars at 21 Capricorn 18 at 09:05 am.
I’m combining my interpretation of these three events as they totally dove-tail into one another both in terms of planetary placement at time of these events. All three of these transits have to do with the structuring of resources, both financial and social. We have to keep in mind that they highlight the much more far-reaching transit that is coloring our times, the Uranus/Saturn opposition (see under February 5 below). The 24th of January is a day in which there will be a lot of financial planning in terms of the use and distribution of finances and the support of social projects. This will be so in terms of the world situation. In our personal lives, especially if these degrees fall within a degree or so of your personal natal chart, this is a day in which budgeting our expenses could be very important to us.

It is also a time to reflect on how we are using both our time and money. Are we wasting either or both? Are we involved in partnerships or friendships that drain our resources or support us? Oppositions bring to the forefront of our lives situations that need to be healed while trines and sextiles give us the insight and wherewithal to implement such improvements.

January 26—New Moon (Solar Eclipse) at 6 Aquarius 30 at 07:56 am.
I am one astrologer who sees eclipses as promises of evolution and growth, yet it is a promise that can only be made when something is lost or removed so that the inspiration of some “new light” may replace it. Eclipses in general mean the ending of one set of circumstances and the beginning of another. Thus if we are not prepared to let go of what is being “eclipsed” in our life, that area being transformed will be a place of difficult rather than a gift of new potential. Look to the house position in your natal chart where the eclipse is taking place and the point directly opposite the eclipse to tell you what is to be removed, replaced, and regenerated.

If we place this solar eclipse into either of the Presidential Inauguration charts offered, it will fall in the 10th house and it will conjoin Jupiter. This means (in terms of Aquarius and this planet) the finalization of one social system and philosophy and the initiation of a new one. On a more personal level, eclipses in Aquarius will have a lot to do with our social relationships in general and our specific circle of friends (or any of our group activities) in particular.

January 27—Mercury at 23 Capricorn 31 (R) conjunct Mars at 23 Capricorn 31 at 06:12 am.
This is a day to go over plans and projects, making sure that you are not repeating those thoughts and activities that do not work. If you have certain routines in place that work for you, you just may see some benefits coming about as a result of these established patterns.

February 01—Mercury turns direct at 21 Capricorn 45 at 07:04 am.
My own chart is strong in Gemini and Virgo placements (the two signs ruled by Mercury), so every time the “Little Herm” goes direct, a shout of “Yes, and not a moment too soon!” can be heard coming out of my office. Even so, to move ahead with plans for travel, contracts, and other forms of communication, it is better to wait a day or so until Mercury has picked up a bit of momentum in his now direct passage.

February 03—Venus enters 0 Aries at 03:41 am.
Venus will remain a relative long time in this sign, leaving briefly while retrograde on April 11 and returning to revisit the Celestial Ram from April 24 to June 5. When we consider that her normal transit through a sign is generally around 4 weeks, her nearly 4 month stay in Aries is especially auspicious if you are an Aries and/or have strong placements in that sign, Leo, or Sagittarius. If this is the case, look for the possibility of new romantic contacts, an increase in finances, and many opportunities to enjoy the pleasures of people and the arts.

February 04—Mars enters 0 Aquarius at 03:56 pm.
By contrast, Mars makes a journey through this sign that is of ordinary duration for him, leaving the Water Bearer on March 14. When he is expressing is more warlike nature in Aquarius, he will cause social upheaval and unrest. If he is being “Mars the Good, the Fair, and the Just” (which he can do, his other reputation notwithstanding), he will instigate situations that bring about these three aforementioned characteristics in terms of group relationships and humanitarian causes. Knowing Mars rather well (I have the Sun in Aries and Scorpio rising), he is likely to do a bit of both!

February 05—Saturn at 20 Virgo 39 (R) opposes Uranus at 20 Pisces 39 at 10:57 am.
The last time these two planets opposed one another in the sky was during the great social upheavals of the 1960’s. At that time, Saturn was the one in Pisces and Uranus was in Virgo. Although they are exact on February 5th, their influence will be felt for many years to come as this opposition serves to restructure huge social systems, destroying old rules, regulations, patterns, and paradigms and ushering in new ones. When we add the fact that Pluto is in Saturn’s sign (Capricorn), we are witnesses to and participants in a huge collective scenario of major world transition where the 60’s philosophy of “Peace and Love” will certainly be needed.

February 06—Venus at 02 Aries 27 square Pluto at 2 Capricorn 27 at 04:21 am.
This is a day when certain interpersonal conflicts are likely, especially concerning finances. If money is not the issues, the general direction you see your relationship taking may well come into opposition with your domestic and/or business partner. The closer 2 degrees in Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn falls into your natal horoscope, the more likely that this square will affect you personally.

February 09—Full Moon (Lunar Eclipse) at 21 Leo 00 at 02:50 pm.
Any Full Moon means that the Sun and the Moon are exactly opposed. In this case, the Full Moon in Leo means that the Sun is in Aquarius in the same degree. These two signs bring about a need for us to see our individual place within a larger group collective. How can our society, circle of friends, church or other social organization be of help to us, and how may we as individuals be of further support to these collectives? When the Full Moon is eclipsed in this pair of signs, this question takes on an increased intensity (please refer to my other comments about eclipses under January 26).

February 12—The Sun at 23 Aquarius 56 is conjunct Neptune at 12:41 pm.
Strong Sun/Neptune transits are usually times when the majority of nations and people enter into confusion. A veil descends over logic and projected idealism (usually false) takes over. In the case of spiritually aware men and women, alive in their understanding of the oneness of humanity, this conjunction can bring a deepening of compassion and a widening of one’s ability to be of help and service within one’s group activities.

February 14—Mercury enters 0 Aquarius at 03:39 pm.
Happy Valentine’s Day to one and all! Mercury in the sign of friendship is great for communicating your “Valentine feelings” to all your friends in addition to that special person in your life.

February 17—Venus at 10 Aries 00 sextile to Jupiter at 10 Aquarius 00 at 04:48 am; Mars at 10 Aquarius 00 conjunct to Jupiter at 04:28 pm.

February 18—Venus at 10 Aries 40 sextile to Mars at 10 Aquarius 40 at 09:32 am.
I’m considering these three aspects together as they are very interrelated in their effects this month. These are very kind transits that can act to bring about harmony and joy in human relationships. Yes! These combinations of celestial influences are also great for the enjoyment of more earthly pleasures. So enjoy a good meal, pleasant (and perhaps romantic) company, and beloved friends.