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The universal year 2003 resonates with the frequency of the number 5 (2+0+0+3=5). The main themes of this year are coalescence, synthesis, and dissemination. We can achieve a great deal this year by coalescing and synthesizing all the experiences, knowledge, and wisdom gleaned over the last four years. In a 5 year, we learn to codify and create a system of knowledge that we can then disseminate to others through formal or informal teaching, writing, or speaking. Use this year to reflect on the new life experiences and directions you have been integrating since 1999. Ask yourself : what is the larger whole that all my experiences over the last four years have been creating? If you step back far enough, you will start to see how all of your experiences fall into three or four distinct areas. As this information begins to coalesce, you will notice new clarity as your mind naturally begins to see the big picture you have been working on for the last four years. January 2-23: DISCIPLINE YOUR MIND. Mercury in Capricorn goes retrograde from January 2-23. I don’t know about you, but the last Mercury retrograde (September 14-October 6) seemed pretty intense to me. I ended up taking an unplanned vacation from my work, and at first it was a little disconcerting. After I surrendered to the situation, though, I accomplished a great deal of inner work, reading, and planning. Being an extrovert naturally, it seemed like I was being forced to take off time to focus within. During Mercury retrogrades, we are being asked to shift our attention from the external reality to the internal reality. However, some clients with natal Mercury retrograde report that Mercury retrogrades are the times when they accomplish the most! This month Mercury goes retrograde at 28 degrees Capricorn on January 2 and will go direct again on January 23 at 12 degrees Capricorn. With Mercury retrograde in Capricorn, it’s time to discipline our minds to manifest new possibilities that we may have never imagined before. Mercury in Capricorn activates left brain abilities of logical, sequential, and linear thought. With Mercury retrograde in Capricorn, your ability to focus on strategy will be enhanced, and you will probably find it easier to map out the steps you will need to take to manifest your goals. You may find yourself more able to clearly focus your mind on your actual goals. This is a great time to accomplish a lot, particularly if the focus is on writing, speaking, or any form of communication. It’s also a great time to physically ground all the details you’ve been tracking in your mind by making master lists of what you want to accomplish and then prioritizing the goals on your lists. Mercury in Capricorn helps us manage and structure the contents of our minds so we can plan in detail how we are going to go about accomplishing goals. January 2: GET GROUNDED. There is a new moon at 12 degrees Capricorn on January 2. For this next month, the emphasis is on creating emotional safety, groundedness, and security. The new moon in Capricorn calls us to reconnect with the earth element in our lives. The challenge this month is to tune into your natural self-reliance. The new moon in Capricorn asks you to take whatever steps are necessary to be more fully in your body, secure in the knowledge that you are approaching life with a pragmatic and realistic focus. January 7-February 4: SHARE YOUR ENTHUSIASM. With Venus in Sagittarius from January 7-February 4, the focus is on sharing joy and enthusiasm with others. The root word of enthusiasm is en theo or in God, and it is this attribute of divine inspiration (represented by the sign of Sagittarius) that wants to flow from our hearts at this time of year. Again, the focus is not so much on what we say or believe or do. What really counts with Venus in Sagittarius is your ability to share your presence — your love, energy, and receptivity — with others. January 10-13: QUICKEN YOUR EVOLUTION. Mars in Scorpio is in a dynamic relationship with Uranus in Aquarius from January 10-13. Mars/Uranus energy fuels our transformation by speeding up our vibration, helping us to break out of our well-grooved ruts. In order to avoid external chaos during this time, look to see where change wants to occur in your life. If you resist change, your resistant energy tends to be projected outward and will reappear in your life in the form of chaotic or disruptive events or people. Embracing the changes that need to be made rather than resisting them accelerates your growth and helps you radically transform your life right now. Carl Jung, the famous psychologist, once said that whatever we resist persists. Let yourself have the courage and audacity to befriend change and move forward in your evolution now! January 16-March 4: DISCOVER YOUR SPIRITUAL QUEST. With Mars in Sagittarius from January 16 through March 4, the focus is on dedicating your energy and passion to your spiritual quest or "crusade." Mars in Sagittarius represents the spiritual warrior who combines the valor and courage of the warrior with the wisdom, inspiration, and dedication to a cause of the sage. This is a time to rediscover the cause, ideal, or "crusade" you want to put your Mars energy behind. It’s also a time of renewed interest in your own spiritual quest. If you have been feeling stagnant, resigned, or apathetic, Mars in Sagittarius can help you get inspired and can help you rekindle the fire of idealism in your life. Going on a pilgrimage to exotic, sacred, or foreign locations is also a way of expressing this inspiring transit. January 16-18: OPEN YOUR HEART. Venus in Sagittarius and Neptune in Aquarius are sextile (in flowing aspect) to each other for the next two days. Venus represents the energy of the heart chakra and the expression of personal love. Neptune represents the intuitive energies of the third eye center and the expression of divine love. When the two are together, it represents an opportunity to tap into the source of unconditional love and forgiveness. Allow your heart to open so you can practice unconditional acceptance of loved ones, friends, and yourself. We also have the ability with Venus sextile Neptune to blend idealism with the desire to serve others in an impersonal way. Review your dreams for yourself and your desire to serve others at this time. What can you do now to begin bringing down your ideals so they can become realized? Quiet your mind and allow your feelings of compassion for others to flow through your heart. You may find yourself inspired to express what you are experiencing and feeling at this time through art, dance, gentle flowing movement, or any activity where you bypass the rational mind and move into subtler levels of communication, January 18: NURTURE THE NURTURER. This month the full moon is very much at home in the sign of Cancer, the symbol of the Great Mother. By tuning into the compassionate embrace of the Mother during this next month, we can more fully know ourselves as her children. As we feel embraced by the Divine feminine, we become instruments for her compassion, unconditional acceptance, and grace to flow through us into all of the many lives we touch. The focus this month is discovering what you need for nurturing and comfort. Most of us are better at nurturing other people than ourselves, so this month is about "nurturing the nurturer." Spend some time by or in the water (preferably hot) this month. Examine your needs for being dependent on others. Is it really hard for you to ask for help? Do you go out of your way to look independent so you don’t have to acknowledge dependence needs? Open yourself to the nurturing influence of "the Mother" this month; you might be surprised at how she is always close to you through a myriad of helpful friends and loved ones! January 20: SERVE THE COLLECTIVE. The Sun moves through the sign of Aquarius from January 20 until February 19. The challenge of Aquarian energy is to blend the personal with the impersonal. The ruling planet of Aquarius is Uranus, and with that rulership comes visionary, forward thinking qualities. Aquarians want to be on the cutting edge of what is next for the planet. Unfortunately, though, they are often misunderstood, as they are usually far ahead of their times and often seen as quite eccentric. With the Sun in Aquarius, we have the opportunity to heal our wounds around alienation or not fitting in. We also have the opportunity to serve the collective through sharing original insights and visions of how the world can be transformed through positive and progressive change. January 20-26: FIND YOUR PASSION. Venus in Sagittarius is in a positive aspect to Jupiter in Leo from January 20-22 and at the same degree as Pluto from January 24-26. Both Venus/Jupiter and Venus/Pluto aspects put the focus on getting in touch with your desires and needs for physical and emotional nurturing in your relationships. If you are not really expressing and getting your needs met in these areas, including just getting out and having fun together, then these powerful energies can give you an opportunity to express greater joy, passion, and heart within the relationship. It’s also a good time to be physically active, participating in activities that you love whether you are in an intimate relationship or not. January 27-29: DISCOVER YOUR VALUES. Venus in Sagittarius is in a challenging aspect to Saturn in Gemini from January 27-29. When Venus, the planet representing what we value, is challenged by Saturn, the planet representing duty and responsibility, it’s time to re-evaluate what is really important to us. Our deepest values are like guideposts that anchor us amidst the chaos and change of everyday life. Use this time to discover what it is you truly value in life. Let your decision making be guided by what you are truly convicted and passionate about. Once your life is informed by your deepest values, you will probably notice that your passion and joy have returned. Although it takes work to discover what it is we truly value, the rewards of aliveness, authenticity, and joy are well worth the effort! James Jarvis, M.A. is a master astrologer, professional life coach, and transpersonal counselor. Through his teaching, coaching, and counseling, James has helped hundreds of people of all ages draw out and productively use their inherent wisdom and talent. James will return to Seattle January 23-28, 2003, for individual astrological consultations at East West Bookshop. For info and to book appointments call: (206) 523-3726. For those who want support in discovering, clarifying, and manifesting their vision and life purpose, James is available for astrological consultations and life coaching sessions by phone. For a brochure of his services or to schedule phone or mail order consultations call (831) 688-0574 or toll-free (866) 454-8199. E-mail: <jjarvis@lifeqwest.com> or visit James’ Website at: <www.lifeqwest.com>. If you would like to receive James’ free email newsletter send your email address to <newsletter@lifeqwest.com>. |
