In the Stars January 24-31, 2021...shining light on the astrology of the week: Full Moon

Mercury turns retrograde this week on Saturday, January 29th in late Aquarius. You have a few days before then to tie up loose ends, sign agreements, and prepare communications before this three-week period of review and renewal.

The Moon is Full on Thursday—and square to the Mars-Uranus conjunction. It’s a tense, potent alignment with five additional planets involved with the Sun and Moon. Although full of tension, it is also full of creative potential. Dream big, and commit to creating a better world.

Let’s review the past week that was full of potentially violent energy. The US Inauguration of the new President proceeded peacefully and without incident—a miracle, given the intense, explosive dynamics. I think the January 6th event/insurrection was a sort of blessing, as it forewarned of possible problems for January 20th. Some 25,000 National Guardsmen were present and the Capitol was fortressed behind strong fences. This in itself was an expression of the Mars-Uranus conjunction in Taurus: preparation through building strong, sound infrastructure. Lady Gaga’s presence and her dramatic, exotic red and black dress symbolized the fiery, bold Aries Moon. Garth Brooks’ singing of Amazing Grace and Amanda Gorman’s awesome poem The Hill We Climb were additional expressions of the profound energies at play. Pluto was exactly at the Midheaven, conjunct the Sun, at the moment the President was sworn in (11:48 a.m.), symbolizing transformation.

The Sun shines in Aquarius, symbolizing new thinking. We move on in forward motion. I’ve had my first of two Covid-19 vaccines, joining many others in receiving the vaccine that will surely bring a new, freer life to us after a year of lockdown. We move forward with current issues, addressing climate change, racial equity, and immigration issues, all Aquarian concerns.

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On Sunday the Gemini Moon conjuncts the North Node and squares Neptune, magnifying the symbolism of the Neptune-nodal square. This can be about the illumination of truth, or the discovery of hidden stories continuing to emerge. The alignment is an invitation to tune into to our own truth and vision. Conversation and connection continue to be a theme.

Monday may be moody as the Moon shifts from Gemini to Cancer. We are more sensitive—and compassionate. We may grow more sensitive as the day wears on, due to a Moon-Chiron square. It is time to turn to home and family. Cook a nourishing meal for dinner, and cozy up with loved ones in the evening.

Tuesday is a potent day crackling with breakthrough and change. The Aquarius Sun squares Uranus, an aspect that may bring a sudden awakening. Neptune squares the nodal axis, symbolizing the dissolving past merging into the unknown future. Awaken to the shifting energies of the day—and of your life. A Moon-Neptune trine softens the edges and calls forth compassion.

The Moon is void of course all day Wednesday until evening, making this a better day for attending to routine tasks than for meetings and appointments. The day is emotionally intense, with the sensitive Cancer Moon in opposition to Venus and Pluto. Energy lifts and brightens when the Moon moves into Leo at 6:54 p.m.

The Moon is Full on Thursday, and extremely energized with alignments. Five additional planets are involved in a tense, T-square in fixed signs, with the Sun and Moon. Saturn and Jupiter conjunct the Sun, with Venus and Pluto conjunct nearby on one side in Capricorn, and Pallas Athena and Mercury in Aquarius on the other side. Mars, Uranus, and Black Moon Lilith are conjunct in Taurus, and make a tight T-square to the Full Moon and its planetary army of attendants. There may be some big surprises with this Full Moon, as Jupiter and Uranus are heavily involved. Themes may be love or money with Venus and Pluto conjunct in Capricorn. Although a lot may be stirred up, there is a lot of creativity and resolve in this configuration to look at problems and the need to restructure in new ways. On another note, Jupiter tied in with the Full Moon in Leo calls for a party, though a party on Zoom for now.

The planetary load lightens on Friday, a welcome rest after the intensity of yesterday’s Full Moon alignments. The Moon is void of course in Leo from 5:53 p.m. PST through the rest of the evening. Relax this sweet Friday evening and just do something fun.

Mercury goes retrograde on Saturday for a three-week backward spin, signaling a time to review, re-think, and reconsider. The Moon moves into industrious Virgo and makes benefic trines to Mars and Uranus. The cleaning routine that the Virgo Moon usually stirs up may go another direction. Allow your energy to flow toward whatever practical matter grabs its attention.

It’s a lazy Sunday morning, even with the Moon in hard-working Virgo, as the Moon is opposite dreamy Neptune. After a leisurely Sunday morning you can gear up for productivity by the grace of a Moon-Pluto trine in practical earth signs. As the day wears on, you will feel the push to get your life in good order.

Monday is a mixed day. The Sun and Mars perfect in square aspect, pushing us forward into the work week with goals and dreams. The Moon moves into gracious Libra and trines Venus and Saturn, making for a flow of initiations.

The Week in Short:

Sunday: Tune into your own truth and vision.

Monday: Turn your focus on home and family. Give yourself and loved ones care and compassion.

Tuesday: The past dissolves into the future, and we may be jolted toward change.

Wednesday: Emotionally intense day, thought spirits are lifted in the evening. Moon VoC from 0:54 – 6:53 pm PST.

Thursday: Full Moon. Matters of love and money may loom large; problems can be addressed with insight and creativity.

Friday: Load lightens. Moon VoC from 5:53 p.m. PST. Relax and play.

Saturday: Mercury turns retrograde for the next three weeks. Turn your attention to practical matters at hand.

Sunday: Lazy Sunday morning. Industry, productivity, and drive increase as the day wears on.

Monday: Work hard with grace and beauty.

Ten Things to Do with Venus in Aquarius (January 8-February 1)

1. Express love and appreciation to your friends.

2. Change your dress toward more colorful and unique.

3. Diversify your portfolio toward technology and socially responsible companies.

4. Read a book about an African American who made a contribution to civil rights.

5. Read a book about another culture.

6. Watch a movie about an immigration or social justice issue.

7. Explore and consider joining a new (Zoom) group to expand your life.

8. Make a contribution to one or more of your favorite social causes.

9. Expand your knowledge of immigration issues.

10. Connect with an old friend.

Moon Void-of-Course: This is the time when the Moon makes its last major angular aspect with a planet before it moves into the next zodiacal sign tropically. This void time, when the Moon is not aspecting a planet, but rather floating on its own, is a time when things don’t come together and it is difficult to make good decisions. Purchases made during void Moons often turn out to be unsatisfactory and not work out. Appointments often don’t come together, and meetings don’t result in progress or sound, lasting decisions. We more easily get lost or meander in trying to get somewhere. The VoC Moon times for the next month are listed below so that you can plan meetings, decisions, and purchases at times when the Moon is not VoC; and use the void times for gardening, reading, and routine task work. Void-of-Course Moon times for the month ahead (one lunar cycle): Pacific Standard Time:

January 24 at 11:17 p.m. through January 25 at 10:51 a.m. (Moon into Cancer)

January 27: 0:54 a.m. – 6:53 p.m. (Moon into Leo)

January 29 at 5:53 p.m. through January 30 at 12:02 a.m. (Moon into Virgo)

February 1: 3:09 a.m. – 3:25 a.m. (Moon into Libra)

February 2 at 10:15 p.m. through February 3 at 6:14 a.m. (Moon into Scorpio)

February 5: 1:19 a.m. – 9:16 a.m. (Moon into Sagittarius)

February 6 at 10:15 a.m. through February 7 at 12:51 a.m. (Moon into Capricorn)

February 9: 9:21 am – 5:20 pm (Moon into Aquarius)

February 11: 11:05 am – 11:23 pm (Moon into Pisces)

February 13 at 11:28 pm through February 14 at 7:53 am (Moon into Aries)

February 16: 4:16 pm – 7:11 pm (Moon into Taurus)

February 18 at 11:27 pm through February 19 at 8:03 am (Moon into Gemini)

February 21: 10:39 am – 7:52 pm (Moon into Cancer)

GMT (Greenwich Mean Time):

January 25: 7:17 - 18:51 (Moon into Cancer)

January 27 at 8:54 through January 28 at 2:53 (Moon into Leo)

January 30: 1:53 - 8:02 (Moon into Virgo)

February 1: 11:09 – 11:25 (Moon into Libra)

February 3: 6:15 - 14:14 (Moon into Scorpio)

February 5: 9:19 – 17:16 (Moon into Sagittarius)

February 6 at 18:15 through February 7 at 8:51 (Moon into Capricorn)

February 9 at 17:21 through February 10 at 1:20 (Moon into Aquarius)

February 11 at 19:05 through February 12 at 6:23 (Moon into Pisces)

February 14: 6:28 - 15:53 (Moon into Aries)

February 17: 0:16 – 15:11 (Moon into Taurus)

February 19: 7:27 - 15:03 (Moon into Gemini)

February 21 at 18:39 through February 22 at 3:52 (Moon into Cancer)