by Teri Parsley Starnes

Teri’s interest with astrology lies with helping people see how following a practice of intention and self-awareness leads to a fuller relationship with Mystery. Astrology is a wonderful tool for this. Her weekly column orients readers to the seasonal energy of
each month’s Sun sign in order to set magical/mindful intention for the lunar month beginning at the New Moon.

Each week Teri will write about the unfolding energies that support and challenge our intentions. The ebb and flow of the lunar cycle resides deep in our souls. Through following the phases of the Moon, we remember the natural cycles that guide us.

Astrologers divide the lunar month into eight phases. These are:
New Moon: Dreaming
Crescent Moon: Beginning
First Quarter Moon: Manifesting
Gibbous Moon: Perfecting
Full Moon: Illuminating
Disseminating Moon: Sharing
Last Quarter Moon: Evaluating
Balsamic Moon: Surrendering

Come follow the Moon as we practice intentional awareness together.

Forecast January 5, 2014 – January 11

My house is full of rocks. I used to pick them up wherever I was. I liked holding them, turning them over, and trying to peer inside them. I liked imagining the journeys they took to get to the places where we were meeting. I began to consider that rocks have a life of their own, with their own life spans, concerns, and deep wisdom.

I stopped carrying rocks home with me many years ago. Now, when I run across a particularly beautiful one, I like to simply admire it in place or perhaps construct a temporary outdoor altar where it can be admired by the other rocks. I don’t need to bring the rocks home anymore but I still treasure the ones in my home. They hold stories and journeys.

Rocks carry me away and ground me in place at the same time. Both things I need for the current Capricorn lunar cycle.* Capricorn wisdom teaches that a good foundation is needed for lasting structures. From the bones and stones beneath us, we get an inkling of what is realistic about our wildest dreams. Is it crazy to think we can turn global warming around? Is it completely unrealistic to think we can modify our economies to be just and sustainable? What legacy will we leave behind when our lives are over? Does my work matter to the progress of the whole? Heavy questions call for heavy companions. Inside the rocks, I believe there are answers.

Listening to the rocks, I hear these words: Time, Perspective, Relationship, and Patience. The rocks are telling me to remember the bigger picture—the longer time frame; to develop deep relationship with the people and world around me in the place I live; to be more still; to trust the process. As the Moon waxes this week, I think I’ll put these words into my cauldron of intention.

Forecast January 5, 2014 – January 11

Moon in Pisces
Sunday, January 5. With the Moon in Pisces and Jupiter in Cancer opposing the Sun, we may feel at times like we are suspended in a vast ocean. This could be wonderful or terrifying, depending on how buoyant we are feeling at the moment. Are you longing for solidity? The Sun in Capricorn (see the introduction to the week’s forecast) wants to gravitate toward the concrete, but this is not a day that offers that kind of certainty. Sometimes when we feel adrift, it is hard to remember that states of ecstasy and enlightment are close by too. Invite a much larger perspective and connection with others. Silence brings respite and grounding.

Moon enters Aries 1:45 pm
Monday, January 6. A bit of mental organizing could go a long way today to stave off confusion and stress. Simplify in order to have more impact and to secure your foundations. The next couple of days could bring more upheaval and reactivity. Take care of yourself to meet those challenges with grace and ease.

Moon in Aries
January 7—First Quarter Moon: Manifesting. Pulled in all directions. That could easily be the pervading theme today. A Grand Cardinal Cross aspect pattern colors this day with a desire for action that could manifest as reaction. Tempers and frustrations flare. The Moon in Aries joins Uranus in Aries. The Moon will also oppose Mars in Libra and square both Pluto in Capricorn and Jupiter in the opposing sign of Cancer. The Moon acts as a trigger to release the volatile energy trapped in this pattern. Cardinal signs initiate new action, especially in the core areas of life: identity, home, relationship, and profession. Transitions can happen rapidly in such configurations or we can feel immobilized, like we are stuck between conflicting desires. It can be hard to know how to move forward; sometimes it is a relief to let events take over and move us along without having to decide. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, we could feel trapped by the high expectations of this lunar cycle. Something may have to give. The potential of this Capricorn lunar cycle is to attain mastery through tending our foundations. But some of these foundations are tenuous and may crumble today. Setbacks are not failures. The possibility that I’d like to share with you is the value of release and renewal that can come from letting unsupportive foundations transform. A major piece of the work of this year will be to meet such change with joy and eagerness as it helps us get to the real potential of our lives. Another major piece of the work of this year is supporting each other when changes are overwhelming and joy is hard to find. This isn’t a journey to be taken alone.

In the midst of this conflicting energy we look for encouragement from Mercury and Venus conjoining in Capricorn. Venus is currently moving retrograde and has disappeared into the rays of the Sun inviting us to look anew at the foundations of our relationships. Mercury adds the piece about communication. Since these planets are in Capricorn, we appreciate realistic goals in these areas and can use this energy to move forward.

Moon enters Taurus 8:24 pm
Wednesday, January 8. Watch out for exaggeration. Mars in Libra squares Jupiter in Cancer. It is easy to make a mountain out of a molehill. The main stressor may be a desire for security. Notice defensiveness and seek compassion. The antidote is to cultivate balance while seeing issues from the other perspective. If we step away from reactivity, we are able to put a lot of positive energy into places of security like our homes. Notice the importance of home and family. In the news, national security issues may be prominent.

Moon in Taurus
Thursday, January 9. It is good to move past the Aries Moon energy of the last three days and find calm with some grounded self-care. The Moon in earthy Taurus is supportive of this lunar cycle’s attention to foundations and goals. Notice what it feels like to be in alignment with sustainable structures. It may be a good day to balance your checkbook Get your accounts in order and then settle into pleasure this evening. A night at home feels just about perfect.

Moon in Taurus
Friday, January 10. The Taurus Moon adds support to the Capricorn lunar intention to know and strengthen the bones of our foundations. With the Moon opposing Saturn, we take life a bit more seriously even as we enjoy the full-bodied pleasure of this earthy Moon. Use this energy to support healthier dietary choices, more exercise, and sustainable use of your resources. With the Moon trine Venus, we appreciate spending time with friends and partners who help us to live healthier, more balanced lives. Spa date, anyone?

Moon enters Gemini 6:26 am
January 11—Gibbous Moon: Perfecting. We awaken with a grounded sense of having made some progress in our lunar intentions inspired by the Capricorn New Moon. In the middle of the night, retrograde Venus made a sextile aspect to Saturn, which was followed a couple of hours later by the conjunction between Venus and the Sun. This is a seed moment infusing Venusian areas of life—like relationships, values, balance, and wealth—with Capricorn-inspired ambitions. This lunar cycle began with an exploration of our foundations. This Venus transit today helps us to use that firm base to work towards achieving our highest goals. Make connections with the right people who can help you find your version of success. Look at your relationships with a critical eye. It may be a good idea to cull the people from your life who don’t support your goals. There is only so much energy to go around.

As the day gets underway, the Gemini Moon adds a sparkle of mutability to the day. Learning, socializing, and being inspired by innovative ideas are the themes. Although Gemini and Capricorn sometimes have trouble appreciating each other—Capricorn can be too serious, Gemini can be too unreliable—when these signs are allowed space to be themselves, a lot of terrain can be covered quickly, furthering our progress towards our goals. Seize the day!

 

*The Capricorn New Moon began on January 1. See more about the beginning of this lunar cycle at: http://tinyurl.com/mt3p9sx

Contact Teri at teri@starsdanceastrology and visit her website at www.starsdanceastrology.com