Looking Upward!
“I try to avoid looking forward or backward and just keep looking upward!” - Bronte
Since the beginning of time, humankind has looked upwards - to the moon, sun and stars – for navigation, inspiration, guidance and direction. The cosmic lights have always played a key role in shaping our efforts to connect with the universe and understand the world we live in. In gazing upward we are reminded that each one of us, like all the stars, planets and galaxies, is part of a bigger, beautiful, bountiful system – full of possibilities!
This beginning of the new year is a time to remember that we are all part of this magical whole, and filled with our own possibilities! We're all keen on making positive changes, listing resolutions, releasing old habits and implementing new goals. But to accomplish this we must be conscious of re-working, re-organizing and re-imagining ourselves on a daily basis. We must take action each day to create the future we want, and now is the time to start! Welcome to 2019, everyone!
January and its heavenly star alignments set the standard for the next twelve months to come. With a Total Lunar Eclipse on our first Full Moon of the year in Leo, a partial Solar eclipse at the New Moon in Capricorn, Uranus going Direct, Mars rushing into Aries, Venus sauntering into Sagittarius and the Sun shifting into Aquarius, this new month is certainly a stellar one for bright beginnings! The Astrological energies occurring in the weeks ahead help us to manifest the happiness we seek – and so in knowing what is happening in the heavens we can better prepare for our work here on earth. Keep Looking Up!
What does the first month of this 2019 hold for You and what energies can you embrace to support your goals and advance your dreams this new year? Here's your need-to-know Motivational Astrology for January 2019:
1 January (31 Dec in U.S.A.): Mars goes into Aries – Create Your Adventure! This is the celestial signal to finally embark on the adventure, new direction or independent action you have been striving for! Greater courage can be tapped now to do the thing you have always wanted to do! We are able to be more direct in our self-expression, take on new physical regimes and embark on pioneering ways of advancement. Embrace new liberation and expression of your independence now! For the next month we have the opportunity to really rev our engines to move past any adversity and make big strides forward. The key to success during this time is patience and planning though – think before doing for the best outcome!
5 January (4 Jan in U.S.A.): Mercury goes into Capricorn – Let's Get Clear! We have the opportunity now to get a better perspective on what's important in our lives and how to make more time for it! As the planet of communication gets serious in the sign of Capricorn, we are more focused on being practical in our thoughts and interactions as well as making better use of those to-do lists and new years resolutions! This is a great time for reflecting on what we've learned and shared this year with an eye for putting into place the plans and procedures for improvement in 2019! Getting clear about your goals for the time ahead will help them to manifest successfully!
6 January (5 Jan in U.S.A.): New Moon in Capricorn / Partial Solar Eclipse – Strengthen your Resolve! This first New Moon of 2019 is also a partial solar eclipse, powering us up to begin a new cycle and get serious about our intentions! We are strongly encouraged to get down to business, embark on a purposeful undertaking or start a new venture. We are urged to start putting into place ways to manifest better security, support and solidarity with our emotional and family life. Practical and thoughtful concerns are highlighted now, along which greater understanding of what plans can be put in place for achieving our goals – now and for the future!
7 January (6 Jan in U.S.A.): Uranus in Aries goes Direct – Advancement Ahead! As the planet of Innovation turns forward to continue it's cycle through the assertive, aggressive and independent sign of Aries, we are encouraged to reflect on what we need for greater freedom in our lives. By embracing unique forms of self expression, liberation from oppression, new technology and inventive pioneering action we find new insights and advancement in our lives and world! Strength, assertive action, inspirational vision, intuitive understanding, advanced technology and new innovation is forthcoming, helping us to open up to new dimensions. Uranus will be in Aries until 7 March 2019.
8 January (7 Jan in U.S.A.): Venus goes into Sagittarius – Positivity brings Prosperity! Our ability to appreciate all that is around us brings greater abundance! Now is the time when gratitude and love energies turn expansive, bringing more ability to share happiness, affections and the adventures of life with others! This new cycle of possibilities broadens our horizons, encouraging positive contacts and spiritual connections. This also heralds a time for expressing universal healing, good will and reverence for all living things.
20 January: Sun goes into Aquarius – Transcend the Ordinary! As the Sun shifts into the sign representing invention, we enter a new cycle of greater mental stimulation, liberation and new awareness. We are encouraged now to express ourselves uniquely, to honour our individuality, and to embrace innovative concepts. Pay attention to your feelings, honour your intuition and trust your insights as you will be given information toward self empowerment and greater self expression now! True liberty grows out of freedom of thought, and our communications and connections with others bring greater understanding and alignment with the universe. This is an ideal time for reaching out with greater humanitarian energy, with the true awareness that we are all one!
21 January (20 Jan in U.S.A.): Full Moon in Leo/Total Lunar Eclipse – Highlight Your Heart! The first Full Moon of the New Year is also a total lunar eclipse – shining greater awareness on our emotions, feelings and affections! We are prompted with dramatic Lunar energy to find harmony between our heart's desires and how we express our feelings to others. This fiery lumination will stir up great passion and full-on sharing of emotions. As this period of culmination unfolds, we yearn for greater affection, appreciation and affirmation – but we need to be mindful of sharing the same with those we love. Finding the balance between self-centered energy and self-less action is key. Greater joy, creative fulfillment and loving expression can be found now if we honour our hearts while appreciating the feelings of others. This is an energetic occasion when we're made aware of what brings joy to our lives and what no longer serves this purpose.
24 January (23 Jan in U.S.A.): Mercury goes into Aquarius - Mindful Reinvention! The planet of communication joins up with freedom-thinking Aquarius for a colorful window of opportunity for invention and discovery! We are now encouraged to open our minds, expand our views of who we are and those around us, while considering alternative ways of expressing ourselves. This is a great time to improve our old ways of thinking and communicating. We can now be more objective in our dealings with others, considering ways to promote humanitarian efforts while paying attention to our unfolding spirituality.
The Outer Planets stay in a sign for a longer period of time, so their effect on us is more gradual, but significant none the less. Here they are in their current positions:
Jupiter in Sagittarius: As the planet representing expansion and opportunity moves ahead in its natural sign of exuberance and optimism, we embark on a new chapter of growth and positive possibilities! For the first time in 12 years this Jupiter/Sagittarius pairing will bring fresh adventures, inspiring energy and greater opportunities to learn, grow, travel and expand our horizons! Dreaming big, expanding our visions, taking on exciting adventures and embarking on limitless undertakings are highlighted! This is considered to be a lucky combination, helping us to advance our life’s journey and self awareness like never before. As such, we are being urged to acknowledge and identify with others on a more universal and global level. Opening our hearts and minds and becoming more open accepting of the differences in this world is another thing we can look forward to with this celestial combination! Jupiter will be in Sagittarius until 3 December 2019.
Saturn in Capricorn: As the planet representing responsibility, maturity and structure continues traveling through its ruling sign of Capricorn, we're encouraged to focus on the practicalities of life. Highlighted now are issues of efficiency, realism, creating and restoring order, rebuilding faulty structures and conserving our resources. Rewards come to those who put in the efforts that merit achievements – and to those who show thoughtful concern, patience and perseverance in their undertakings. Saturn is a teacher – helping us to grow through past mistakes, failures and hardships. By using the knowledge that we gain from these experiences, we can acquire greater wisdom, self awareness, patience and finally, advancement. Saturn in Capricorn focuses on righting the wrongs around us, ushering in a new era of ethical concerns and rewarding sincerity, integrity and authenticity. This can be the time when your hard work, efforts and dreams finally pay off! Saturn will be in Capricorn until January 2021.
Uranus is Retrograde in Aries, goes Direct 7 January: As the planet of Innovation turns Direct in its motion, continuing its cycle through the assertive, aggressive and independent sign of Aries, we are encouraged to reflect on what we need for greater freedom in our lives. By embracing unique forms of self expression, liberation from oppression, new technology and inventive pioneering action we find new insights and advancement in our lives and world! Strength, assertive action, inspirational vision, intuitive understanding, advanced technology and new innovation is forthcoming, helping us to open up to new dimensions. During this time we're offered the opportunity to make personal and global breakthroughs, helping us develop ways to overcome obstacles and welcome ways to better our world. Uranus will be in Aries until March 2019, when it advances into Taurus.
Neptune is in Pisces: The planet ruling dreams and creativity continues its advancement in its ruling sign of Pisces, encouraging us to honour more of our spiritual awareness, artistic inspiration and intuitive insight! Greater appreciation for the beauty around us as well as within us is also emphasized. We are urged to feel and express greater “we-are-all-one” compassion toward ourselves and others - along with further sympathetic understanding and involvement with humanitarian endeavours. As Neptune goes Direct we will have more motivation to visualize, create and manifest our dreams. Greater faith, spirituality and further use of our imaginations are also highlighted! Neptune will be in Pisces until 31 March 2025.
Pluto in Capricorn: As the planet of Transformation continues its motion through the sober sign of Capricorn, we get serious about making positive changes to ourselves and our world. The overall theme of this cycle is uncovering the misuse of power and authority to enable change for the better. It represents a major time of rediscovery, review and reconsideration that brings transformation to our society, government, world order and Mother Earth. It also pushes us to think about the changes we want to make to our belief structures and our power as individuals and as citizens of the world. This pairing of Pluto in Capricorn will continue until 24 March 2023.
Chiron is in Pisces: As the “wounded healer” moves in the sensitive water sign of Pisces, we'll have greater opportunity to overcome personal obstacles, discover new psychic or creative talents and feel a greater Universal connection. This can represent a time of transformation in body, mind and soul. As we surmount challenges, we find greater empowerment, advancing our unique spirits while manifesting more of our dreams.
Blessings to You and Yours for a Joyous January and a Fulfilling and Fortunate New Year! You are Loved and Appreciated! - With Warmth, Heart and StarLight, GiGi Sosnoski
