Astrological Forecast for January & February 2013

If you’re reading this, the world didn’t end in December. Odds are, we didn’t have mass enlightenment, cultural evolution, or any of the other things that were predicted for the last month of 2012. If you’re a bit disappointed, it’s understandable. After all, we are in the midst of extraordinarily powerful and dramatic shifts, and it would be nice to have a climax point, a defined fulcrum that shows us just where we are going, or better yet, gets us there in a flash. The possibilities of either sudden change or things settling down both seem preferable to the third alternative: actually having to do the work of transformation. As we begin 2013, we are already mid-stream in the process, and although we may be able to change direction, we can’t stop the momentum. The stresses and opportunities that exist in the collective are mirrored in our individual lives and relationships. We are each part of the total process, absorbing and contributing to energies that go far beyond our more limited sense of self.

The year gets off to a hot start with a Mercury square to Uranus on the 3rd. This aspect encourages new insights and unexpected solutions to enduring problems. Patience tends to be at a low as we excitedly jump on the newest idea, so try to ground yourself a bit during this caffeinated day. A few days later, on the 6th, Mercury meets up with Pluto, in the sign of Capricorn. This may be the time when you have to communicate your new idea to those who can help make it happen (or allow it to happen). Conversations around this time are likely to be serious and to the point – wear a bit of emotional armor if you’re going into a situation that could make you uncomfortable.

Doing battle certainly is a possibility around the 6th and 7th, as warrior Mars squares authoritative Saturn. Mars is in idealistic Aquarius, while Saturn is in the sign of powerbrokers, Scorpio. Progressive causes could take on entrenched interests. It’s likely to be a war of words, although the high energy of the previous few days suggests that more physical manifestations could also occur. Look to the news for signs of what’s going on. At work, choose your battles carefully: you’re most likely to be successful when your advocating for an ideal or a group concern than simply trying to get things to work out best for you personally.

Venus, planet of love and relationship, is very busy in the middle of the month. She exchanges her Sagittarian party dress (or was it academic robes?) for a Capricornian business suit on the 8th. When the Goddess is in the sign of the sea goat, a more formal attitude prevails towards partnership, socializing, and values in general. With a soft sextile to Neptune on the 10th, it could be easy to set up an ideal image of the way things should be, but with a square to Uranus on the 12th and a meeting with Pluto on the 16th, that image might need some revision. Uranus encourages indepen-dence and new patterns of relating, while Pluto can play to both sides of the argument, subtly intensifying the conflict. Relationships already under strain could really feel this energy around mid-month. All of us need to consider the balance between our individual needs and relationship. Remember, you can’t give what you don’t have. A sextile between Venus and Saturn on the 17th can help to keep us grounded during this stressful time.

In the midst of it all, we have a New Moon on the 11th. As always, New Moons are a good time to set intentions and go inward to see who you are and what you want to become. Given the Venusian excitement in the days ahead, this may be a good time to rest up and make sure you know what you want and need.

Mercury aspects Uranus and Jupiter on the 22nd, three days after the sun enters Aquarius. This can help to communicate the ideas and intuition you had earlier in the month. A brilliant insight that you had around the 3rd can be developed or reworked now, and although we’re moving at a slightly slower speed, that can help in making ideas into realities. As Mercury squares Saturn on the 25th, it could be time to present the idea and see if it can become a reality.

The Full Moon on the 26th is in the sign of Leo. As with all Full Moons, things come to a head and we are energized and a bit frantic. In Leo, we’re usually ready to party when the Moon is shining, so plan for a fun weekend. A nice aspect to Jupiter helps us to maintain a feel-good mood. The key is to share the feeling with others: giving is as great as receiving with this energy.

The cosmic energy shifts a bit on the 30th, as we’re given two very different cosmic cards to play. Optimistic Jupiter stations to move forward, filling us with enthusiasm and a hopeful faith in the present and future. Just a few hours later, however, the Sun squares Saturn, a somewhat deflating aspect that can amount to a grim reality check for our ambitions. Truly worthwhile endeavors should survive the test, but some air may have to come out of the balloon, and to the extent that we’ve tangled egotistical ambitions up with the greater good, we could have an uneasy moment.

Two planets change signs on February 1st. Mars moves into Pisces, while Venus glides into Aquarius. While the shift of inner planets is rarely overt, we can notice that we are pulled towards collective concerns. As with the energy of the past week, ego can get in the way, but this energy is very productive if we keep an eye on the larger picture.

A challenge to composure could emerge on the 4th as Mars meets up with Neptune. These two planets can encourage us to go a bit overboard, and in Pisces we could use this configuration to fuel our spiritual practices, but we might also find ourselves overly emotional and reactive. The energy may need to be worked out over several days, and an easy Venus/Uranus sextile on the 6th can help. Mercury meets up with Neptune on the same day – we can express our feelings and aspirations more freely, but perhaps less precisely.

If you want to get the most out of Valentine’s Day, consider celebrating a week early. Between the aspects on the 6th and a sweet Venus/Jupiter trine on the 7th, we have nice energy for romance and socializing in general in the early part of February.

Things get much hotter starting on the 8th, as Mercury meets Mars and squares Jupiter. We’re likely to say exactly what we think, or at least think we think at the moment. We’re coming into the New Moon on the 10th, and that could mean that we’re ready to let go of a situation that isn’t working out. Although New Moons are usually quiet times, Mars squares Jupiter less than an hour after the exact meeting of the Moon and Sun, so there is a powerful energy trying to express itself at this time. Directed towards a goal, this is a time to move forward, but scattered energy can be problematic.

Venus squares Saturn on the 11th, and romance has to take a back seat to practicalities. Perhaps the pressure of Valentine’s Day plans will get some of us to evaluate our relationships. It could be time to say goodbye, or to commit to moving to the next step. Either way, the mood is likely to be quite serious.

A Saturn station to retrograde on the 18th further deepens the mood. Saturn stations tend to be emotionally heavy, and the planet associated with the metal lead can paint the world in shades of grey. Our immune systems can get a bit low at these times, so take care to get extra rest and stay healthy. Among other things, try to avoid overwork, especially if you feel you are spinning your wheels and not making progress. Back off and accept delays rather than pushing yourself and others too hard.

Spinning our wheels may be the way the month ends. The Sun meets up with Neptune on the 21st, an aspect that is great for spiritual pursuits, but it can also fill us with an almost delusional optimism or pessimism where more earthly matters are concerned. The next order of cosmic business is Mercury stationing to retrograde on the 23rd, beginning three weeks of technical and communication snafus. The Full Moon on the 25th adds urgency to the mix, while a meeting between Venus and Neptune on the 28th can foster greater universal love and compassion – or get us to fall for just about anyone.