Here’s something NEW for 2016!
Instead of the usual weekly listing of aspects, I will write about the week’s transits. I hope you join us for insights, fun, and information.

The big events this week are the RETROGRADES of Mercury on Tuesday, January 5 and Jupiter on Thursday January 7. AND there’s a NEW MOON in Capricorn on Saturday, January 9.

As Mercury stations Retrograde, “Oops,” says the weather on the US East Coast, “i just remembered, it’s winter!”

Mercury stations Retrograde (Rx) in Aquarius and quickly moves back into Capricorn.

To see what we might learn from this Mercury Retrograde (Mercury rules learning), we check out the aspects Mercury makes at the time of its Retrograde. Just as Mercury makes its Rx station, Mercury squares Mars. This is a FIXED square, meaning tempers have deep roots and cannot be easily changed or cooled off. Tempers can flare, disagreements can heat up. Hostile flaming can have aftereffects that linger through the Spring. Coming ‘down to Earth’ is the intention of Mercury Rx. Mercury makes its RX station at 1 Aquarius and retreats quickly back into Capricorn. As a culture, we have moved too fast and are not quite ready to move forward. There is serious work to be done that has been glossed over as too complicated, tricky, or boring. Issues have not been resolved. Fierce disagreements can make this more obvious.

Also during this Retrograde, Mercury conjuncts Pluto and then Uranus. Crucial information that has been hidden, secret can suddenly, unexpectedly come to LIGHT. You may be inspired and passionate about getting to the bottom of things by doing some in-depth research and investigation. It can also be a good time to get your taxes and financial planning in order. Clean out the old and make room for new plans and goals.

Just after Mercury stations Rx, the Sun and Pluto conjunct @ 15 Capricorn 13. This brings the Sun into the ongoing Uranus-Pluto square (ongoing for the past 5 years…), a time of worldwide transformation as we experience increased dark chaos and change on a grand scale.

2 days later, on Thursday, Jan 7, Jupiter stations Retrograde conjunct the North Node. They are 1 degree apart, with the North Node moving backwards. Jupiter too. They will remain in close conjunction through January and again in June. New portals can open. New opportunities can come through someone you meet who encourages you to expand your horizons. And this can work out unless you let someone from your past dash your hopes and dreams with reminders that it’s just not realistic.

This can be a confusing week as Mercury not only stations Retrograde, but also changes signs, moving from rebellious, freedom-loving Aquarius back into responsible, security-minded Capricorn. To enjoy freedom, we need to feel secure, from within. Add to that Jupiter making a Retrograde station and your head can start to spin – just a bit. Yet, there’s a deeper reason for this, something we’re missing, a thread that needs to be picked up again and finished. And the next few weeks can also provide opportunities to revisit and restructure so we can make more resolute resolutions and enjoy an empowering and successful year ahead.

The New Moon in Capricorn is on January 9 @ 8:31 PM EST. I’ll be writing about that in a separate post… coming soon.

Chart for Mercury Retrograde (in NYC):

Click here for an astrology legend to read the symbols.

Chart for the New Moon in Capricorn (in NYC):

Click here for an astrology legend to read the symbols.

Make 2016 your greatest year – ever Readings with Lauren @ artcharts