NorthPoint Astrology Journal by Pam Younghans January 19 to 25, 2015

NorthPoint Astrology Journal by Pam Younghans
January 19 to 25, 2015


Highlighted Aspects:
MON: Jupiter opposite Venus, Chiron semisquare Sun, Neptune conjunct Mars; TUE: Uranus conjunct South Node, Sun enters Aquarius, New Moon 5:13am PST; WED: Mercury retrograde 7:54am PST; THU: Saturn sextile Sun; SUN: Uranus semisquare Venus


I'M GETTING A LATE START on today's journal due to a power outage -- a big storm came through last night and tall fir trees are down across power lines everywhere. I spent the morning figuring out solutions for the big maple tree in my yard that fell across the fence and onto my neighbor's roof.


Thankfully, there was no major damage other than needing to replace a section of fence, my neighbors are easy to work with, and the tree guy is coming tomorrow morning to cut the maple into sections that I'll eventually burn in my woodstove. And, electricity was restored about 20 minutes ago, so life seems a bit more normal again.


I used to love power outages as a child -- always an excuse to do fun things like light candles and cuddle in blankets. As an adult with "things that need to get done," and ultimate responsibility for fixing things that break, it's a different story!


Thanks for letting me debrief a bit before getting started on the heart of the journal...


SEVERAL SHIFT POINTS occur this week. Neptune and Mars align on Monday, an event that happens about once every two years. When planets align, it's the beginning of a new cycle related to the meanings of the planets involved.


With this alignment, we have an opportunity to align our actions more fully with our highest ideals. Monday can either be a day filled with inspiration, or a time when we don't get a lot done, especially since Jupiter opposes Venus on the same day, an aspect that usually increases our desire to do only things that are pleasant and easy.


THE URANUS-SOUTH NODE alignment on Tuesday is the bookend to the Pluto-Node square that occurred last Thursday. I wrote last week that we are being pushed to release issues that tie us to the past and to old patterns of reactivity. This Uranus aspect is the break-free, breakthrough, or break-down portion of that release work, meant to help us with the process of liberating ourselves from self-definitions of the past.


Also on Tuesday, the Sun begins its month-long journey through forward-thinking Aquarius, right before aligning with the Moon for the beginning of the new lunar cycle. Since Aquarius is "ruled" by Uranus, this is a lot of energy for inspiration, liberation, and forward motion all on one day!


BUT, MERCURY begins its first retrograde (backward motion) period of 2015 on Wednesday, so all the usual cautions are in effect until the planet goes direct again on February 11: Use this time primarily for review, rethinking, and realignment, rather than taking concrete action in new directions.


These cautions seem in stark contrast to all the progressive themes we've just been talking about, but if we think more fully about the meanings of that Uranus-South Node alignment, it starts to make a bit more sense. If we are working to release old personality constructs that are no longer a match for who we want to be and who we are becoming, this Mercury retrograde phase could be a very productive time for us to get greater clarity on where and who we've been, and what needs to be different going forward from here.


THERE'S STILL TIME! If you missed my recent teleclass on the planetary influences for the first six months of 2015, you can still purchase the audio replay and slideshow -- just send me an email at pam@northpointastrology.com with "Teleclass Replay" in the subject line, and I'll reply with details.


In peace,


Pam


Photo: "Pillars of Creation," Astronomy Picture of the Day January 7, in celebration of the Hubble telescope's 25th anniversary