Happy New Year!  Mars has apparently made his retrograde journey through Cancer causing you to review what you want out of life and how to go about achieving it.  Many people I have spoken with have set better personal boundaries; running a close second are the people who are beginning to manage creatively on a much tighter budget; coming in at a tight third are those who are making better health choices.  This bodes well for the New Year as Mars will continue his journey until he reaches the 24^th degree of Gemini at the end of January giving us plenty of time to rethink our strategies.  As you fill in the particulars remember Mars in Gemini is a strategist; let him look over all the details.  By the beginning of February you should begin to move forward, look for proficiency and obvious forward motion in early April.

P.S.  Do yourself a favor and get out a pen and paper and list all the things you have accomplished this in 2007.  Prepare to be amazed.

Reminder: On January 28^th, two days before Mars Stations Direct, Mercury will station to begin his apparent retrograde motion.  It is useful to view this as a dream time, a time to renew and revisit but not to make any concrete plans.  So get all those papers signed, electronics purchased, and get out your sticky notes, this is a forgetful time.  This retrograde period will last until February 18^th with Mercury revisiting his shadow territory until the 10^th of March.
 

•  Look for Mercury to be bright in the evening sky this entire month. Look for him a little to the south of the setting Sun. He will gain in brilliance as the month progresses. Best viewing is mid-month until the full moon. Look in the same general area in the early morning hours and you can catch a glimpse of Saturn as he shows himself.

• Jupiter and Venus will be visible for a couple of months together in the morning light.  These two planets are considered lucky stars, and perhaps they will take your special request under consideration. It might be worth getting up early one morning, a Thursday or Friday would be best if you get the opportunity.

• Mars is still close to the Earth at this time and plenty bright and beginning to show earlier in the evening sky. 

• On the 3^rd and the 4^th look for the Quadrantids Meteor Shower in the New moon which adds to the visibility of this shower. If you can get out in the country to view this as some areas are expecting up to 50 meteors an hour. Remember to bring your wish list. 

• On the 11^th there is an occultation of Neptune by the Moon. This is not visible in North America but you may be able to gain some clarity on an emotional issue at this time.

• On the 19^th watch for the Moon and Mars as they travel across the sky together. If you begin monitoring your adrenal response now you will have a couple extra data points to consider during tomorrows occultation.

• On the 20^th the Moon will occult Mars; this will be a good day to monitor our emotional responses. It is easier to gain awareness if we know when and where to look; this occultation offers us opportunity for both.

Mercury enters Aquarius late on the 7^th.  Then on the 9^th and the 10^th when the Moon also enters Aquarius you will have an opportunity to expand your perspective, read some philosophy, do some volunteer work or try talking to your friends, neighbors, or co-workers.  Now is a time to exchange ideas and broaden your horizons especially regarding issues of humanity, and your relationship to yourself, your communities and your world.

The Sun moves into the land of Aquarius adding more energy to the field of the “Oneness” of all that is.  You can get a clear vision of the effect your ripples have on the pond; all you have to do is move into an observer mode.  Of course this is all there ever is to do.  The difference is the energy available from the cosmos at this time will assist you in seeing with more clarity.  Or perhaps it the lens of objectivity that brings us into focus. 

Venus enters Capricorn on the 24^th.  She will be in trine aspect to her good friend the Moon. Those who have an emphasis of Earth signs in their charts can benefit from these aspects.  Pluto and Charon are hanging out with the girls for a couple of days, so if the idea of giving something up for lent suddenly appeals to you, now is an excellent time to get a little head start on your commitment.  You can make a really effective change in your life at this time.

On the very next day, the 25^th of January, Pluto and Charon will begin their momentary scouting expedition into the land of Capricorn.  They will stand on the threshold until the 10^th of March when they will step briefly across the cusp, look around and begin their retreat towards the Galactic core on the 2^nd of April.
  

Mercury stations retrograde on the 28^th of January as Mercury begins the journey at 23°   and 53" minutes of Aquarius in an adjustment phase to Mars.   Returning to 8° and 19" of Aquarius, when he will Station Direct, hours before the Sun enters Pisces.  So we all know what to do with Mercury retrograde.  First and foremost, unless it is absolutely impossible to avoid, sign nothing.  Carefully review any instructions, directions, or requests and keep track of your keys. Be sure to make time to play with the kids, they are not the only ones who will benefit. 

Mars stations direct on the 30^th of January under the auspices of a Scorpio moon.  This is a comfortable energy for Mars to operate in.  You may find yourself in the deepest recess of your thoughts at this time, yet you will be able to clearly see the way out of any self imposed limitations.  This is the day astronomers predict that the space-rock, known as non-descript 2007WD5, may collide with Mars.  This is a football field sized object discovered in late November 2007.

The Full Moon is January 22^nd 7:35 AM CST, 1° 54" of Leo