January 2024; Pluto enters Aquarius!

 

2024 has finally arrived..Happy New Year!  There are many changes in January but none more important than Pluto moving from Capricorn into Aquarius, so the bulk of this newsletter will be devoted to this major event that will change our lives and change the world in major ways!

During January and every other month this year we are floating in a sea of Neptunian energy with both Saturn, the planet of structure and Neptune, the planet of illusions and dreams are both in Pisces. The end result of this is a year of confusion for many that is no different than things have been since March of 2023 when Saturn first entered Pisces. Is it real or are we just being gas lit?  This will be the lingering question in 2024. On the other hand, this may be a very creative year for those inclined in this direction and there is no telling the fabulous art and spiritual knowledge we can gain in 2024. Note- Saturn and Neptune in Pisces will be conjunct, or together January of 2026 and this will be another pivotal time and the Peak of all of the Neptunian energy.

January 1^st, Mercury turns direct at 22 degrees of Capricorn. While this is good news, remember it is stationary direct from January 1st-January 5^th, and this is frequently when things change direction once again so I would not start any new projects until after this period.

Mercury will remain in Sagittarius until January 23^rd, when it re-enters Capricorn once again and we can pick up where we left off in early December.

Mars enters Capricorn January 4^th and Venus joins Mars in Capricorn January 23^rd. This duo will dance together until February 13^th. When Mars and Venus travel together this presents unique opportunities for those looking to meet new people. If you are a Capricorn, Taurus or especially Virgo you have a greater than normal chance of meeting someone special at this time. Look at your chart and count the houses from the ascendant to discover where Capricorn falls in your chart.

Mars in Capricorn January 4^th-February 13th

Mars in Capricorn is ruled by planet Saturn, called the taskmaster by astrologers. Saturn is the planet of structure, restrictions and hard work. It rules the 10^th house of business and priorities and it is here our interests will lie during Mars transit through Capricorn. Mars is considered ‘exalted’ in this sign, which means the energy operates smoothly and easily so we can accomplish a great deal more now than during other times.

Capricorn is not a light hearted or frivolous sign. Mars in this placement is concerned with achievement, finding value in what we do, and stability.  Mars-Capricorn will enable us to harness the action oriented energy of Mars and direct and focus it in a patient and strategic manner toward whatever we want to accomplish.

Venus enters Capricorn January 23^rd-February 16th

Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the planet of structure, work and responsibility and this will set the tone with our love interests as well as our values and the way we approach money matters and work until March of next year.

Venus in Capricorn gives love and social activities a more traditional, enduring and committed flavor. The focus will shift from fun and good times (Sagittarius) to the more practical side of love, which is of course necessary if there is to be a future together.  For example, rather than spending on a 10 day cruise with your significant other, you may decide to save for a home or something else significant and lasting.

Love and friendships may take on a more committed or serious tone during this period. Many will be looking for ways to make our lives and loves more real in a tangible sense.

Venus in Capricorn is interested in the practical side of love and romance. Our focus may shift to a more traditional outlook and concerns with questions like where would we live and how do we pay for it?

Sun-Pluto in Capricorn

January 19th, the Sun conjoins Pluto in the sky, only to move into Aquarius the next day. Sun-Pluto transits are harsh, especially if they hit your chart. Capricorn is a patriarchal and no nonsense sign sign and since 2008 we have seen the results. Look for this to be a stressful day in the world, and tomorrow, the Sun conjuncts Pluto in Aquarius which will be significant as well.

The Sun enters Aquarius January 20^th-February 19^th

When the Sun leaves Capricorn for Aquarius it is time to relax a little from the seriousness of Capricorn and take the time to approach things in a more open minded and receptive manner.  Capricorn is a sign associated with work and results while Aquarius is more about expanding our world, socializing and interacting with others and looking into new ideas and ways of doing and approaching things. Each sign has its purpose which shifts as the Sun changes signs.

Aquarius rules the 11^th house of the zodiac which is associated with groups, friendships and the collective so it is here our interests will lie over the next month.

While both Capricorn and Aquarius are ruled by Saturn, the planet of structure and responsibility, Aquarius has a co-ruler; Uranus. Uranus is the planet of unpredictability, changeability, freedom and innovation. Uranus is known for its quirkiness and at times sudden and unexpected change that can surprise and in some cases shock. Don’t be surprised at the unexpected twists and turns that may occur over the next month.

Uranus turns direct January 27^th

Uranus is an erratic and unpredictable planet in astrology that rules many things including electricity, aircraft, technology, revolutions, innovations, inventions and freedom which can take many forms. Each year Uranus retrogrades for about 5 months.

When Uranus is retrograde energies are more bottled up, and the individual becomes aware of the need for change in whatever area of the chart Uranus is transiting.  When Uranus turns direct those energies are often acted on either by design or at times it could seem the changes are coming at you. Events involving Uranus often seem shocking, but they are usually the inevitable result of a situation that is no longer working and Uranus wakes us up to what is really occurring in our lives for better or worse. While retrograde Uranus may seem ‘asleep,’ but as it turns direct we can experience brilliant ideas and epiphanies or in some cases shocking change.

Typically when Uranus changes direction we see significant world events occur.

New Moon in Capricorn January 11^th

We are in the Capricorn season and this is the companion New Moon. Capricorn rules the 10^th house of business and career. The New Moon peaks at 20 degrees.

This Moon trines Uranus which can be an opportunity to look at things in a new light. It also sextiles Uranus which is associated with compassion and creativity.

It conjuncts Pluto but with a very wide orb which means the energy is not as strong as it could be. Moon-Pluto aspects can relate to emotional issues, issues with women or family members. At times new information is revealed.

Pluto enters Aquarius January 20^th-September 3^rd

The 0 degree of any planet is known as the ‘world point,’ meaning events occur that we are interested in on a global as well as personal basis. When Pluto changes signs we typically see many events, especially on the world stage begin to shift and change; often in sudden and dramatic ways as soon as the planet enters the sign.

When Pluto enters Aquarius it is conjunct the Sun in Aquarius as well. This makes the entrance of this most powerful planet even more significant especially on the world stage. The Sun in mundane astrology rules leaders, rulers of countries and Presidents.

If you have a fixed planet (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius) in your chart at 0-3 degrees you will be affected to a greater degree than others, depending on what else if anything Pluto is aspecting. This will strongly affect those born April 19-23, July 22-26, October 23-27^th and January 20-24. If any of these dates represent your birth date you can expect significant changes throughout the year and possibly over the several days before and after the Sun and Pluto enter Aquarius.

If you are a Taurus born on those dates you could experience major career change. Leo can experience major change in marriage or partnerships. Scorpio will experience change in terms of home/family and Aquarius will experience major personal changes and a change of direction in all likelihood.

Since Pluto entered Aquarius for the first time late March-early June of 2023 if you were born on the above dates, you should have an idea of what to expect based on what happened earlier in 2023.

Full Moon in Leo January 25th

January’s full Moon falls at 5 degrees of Leo. This opposes the Sun/Pluto conjunction in Aquarius, while it also squares Jupiter creating a t-square which pulls in the energies of all planets involved. The Moon’s exact opposition to Pluto occurs January 24^th at 11:53PM, EST, so we can expect this to be a stressful moment, or number of days.

The combination of Pluto, Jupiter and the Moon can be an explosive mix that could erupt and explode without warning, especially on the world stage, but in our lives as well.

Moon-Pluto transits tend to bring up deep seated issues from the past and can reveal information concerning money, sex or relationships that can seem obsessive in nature.

With Pluto’s recent entrance into Aquarius look for this Moon to concern certain global events that could include bragging, grandstanding, propaganda and toxic politics and unexpected events. This will not be a light time.

This Moon looks significant in the chart of Joe Biden, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskky to name only a few.

The role of Pluto

In astrology, Pluto rules the collective and is very significant in terms of world events and changes, although it is also significant for us on a personal level depending on what it is aspecting in your personal chart.

Pluto destroys and tears down to rebuild. It is supposed to rebuild in a stronger way, although it may not seem like this at the time if you are experiencing a hard Pluto transit in your chart. When a Pluto aspect occurs-positive or negative-it is going to change something, ready or not.

Pluto enters each sign with a bang

When Pluto entered Sagittarius in early 1995, we soon lived through the Oklahoma City bombing just a few months later, along with the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and an end to US President Bill Clinton’s efforts to bring about peace between Israel and the Palestinians. It is ironic this issue has resurfaced at this time again, and hopefully Pluto in Aquarius will bring about a solution. The eyes of the world are on the Middle East and it’s hard to know what Pluto will do. Time will tell.

When Pluto entered Scorpio November 6, 1983 a bomb exploded the next day in the Senate Wing of the Capitol, apparently in retaliation of the US’s invasion of Grenada. 1983-84 also saw the rise of AIDS deaths in the US and around the world. This was a significant cycle and changed sex and relationships among other things with the advent of AIDS.

The sign Aquarius

Aquarius is the sign of the collective and the natural ruler of the 11^th house which also rules the collective. On an individual level we may be drawn to certain groups, organizations or philosophies that become important. The downside of this is that we can become too attached to our own ‘groups’ and ideas and fail to acknowledge that others can have good ideas as well, whether in a political or some other sense.

Since Aquarius is co-ruled by Uranus technologies will certainly boom, and we can already see the beginning of this with AI. Personally, I think this represents the future along with many ideas we may not even be able to conceive of at the present. 20 years before the internet boomed few individuals could foresee that it would change the world and society as we know it.

While Aquarius is a sign associated with war, it is also the most Democratic of signs. Democracy will become more important around the globe as ‘the people’ will rise up against authoritarian type rulers and governments during these years. Let us not forget the last time Pluto was in Aquarius the world saw both the American and French revolutions.

 While the true ‘Age of Aquarius’ timeline is somewhat elusive and mysterious, with the entrance of Pluto into Aquarius we will certainly feel this is the “Age of Aquarius,” and will be influenced by Aquarian themes such as;

-unexpected and explosive events

-new discoveries and understandings

-new technologies such as AI, but many more along with medicine

-uprisings around the globe associated with restrictions people no longer accept.

-aircraft/spacecraft and new technologies. Have you noticed how the US government has finally admitted they don’t know what UFO’s are. This is only the beginning and if there is ever a time we will discover more it is in these next 20 years with Pluto in Aquarius.

-stronger friendships with a greater emphasis on friends

- Some of the events that occurred when Pluto was in Aquarius 1777-1798

- Vermont became the first colony to ban slavery (1777) and the Vermont legislature moved to provide full voting rights to African American men.

--The American Revolution was being fought

-France entered the Revolutionary War

-The French Revolution occurred

-US drafts the dollar

-George Washington became first US President

-US Constitution drafted and signed

Pluto in Capricorn

When Pluto entered Capricorn January of 2008, it was followed by the US banking crisis, the harbinger of what was called ‘The Great Recession.” Many lost their life savings and the globe was thrown into financial chaos.

While Pluto in Capricorn has been about big business, patriarchy and plutocrats, Aquarius will be the opposite in the long run. While we have seen the rise of right wing extremism around the world, we will see the rise of the people and the desires of the majority as opposed to being governed by the few or a minority. None of this will happen overnight however, and it is important to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day and the problems of the world won’t be all solved with this transit of Pluto. We are constantly a work in progress and will remain this way.

Pluto’s last dance in Capricorn

When Pluto makes its final swing through Capricorn at the end of 2024 it remains at 29 degrees. The 29^th degree is considered a critical degree, when we feel as though there is only a short time to make corrections.

Capricorn is the sign ruled by Saturn and Saturn is seldom easy. Very little has been easy in the world since Pluto’s entrance into Capricorn although there are always those who will prosper depending on what the planets are aspecting in their or your personal chart. The 29^th degree of any planet is considered the anaretic degree which means we feel there is only a short time to accomplish something. This is a critical and dangerous degree in the world as we have recently seen with all of the news.

If you are a Cardinal sign born in the last several degrees of that sign (Cancer, Libra, Aries or Capricorn) you will feel this energy more acutely at the end of this year, just as you have in December of 2023 and most of January 2024.

When Pluto finally re-enters Aquarius for the 3^rd time November 20^th, 2024 it will remain in this sign for 20 years. While it is not the focus of this newsletter, in 2025 Saturn, Uranus and Neptune will change signs as well, taking humanity to a different place altogether. I will end by saying it appears to be a re-start for humanity in a very positive manner.

‘We are stardust
We are golden
And we've got to get ourselves
Back to the garden’