January 1-8
January is off to a good
start with the Capricorn Sun trine Mars in Taurus. Both of these are in
practical, “taking care of business” signs. You may feel like getting things
done despite the holiday. On the 3rd, Mercury joins the Sun and Venus in
goal-oriented Capricorn, turning our thoughts to long-term goals and
ambitions. Later in the week, Mercury forms a helpful aspect with inventive,
technological Uranus—unusual but helpful ideas are around, and it’s a good
time to deal with cars, computers, or other gadgets.
Jan 1st – the Sun is in its SD> Trine
to Mars - at 2:22 am from 11º 17’ Capricorn to Mars at 11º 17’ Taurus
This is a time when we might find
that we have a mission, a path and a way to truly fulfill it . . . it
is ok at this time to lay the plans for future projects, keeping in
mind that minor adjustments and tweaks undoubtedly will be necessary
right thought the 5th or so of Feb, after Mars clears its entire
cycle. On Jan. 27th: the Sun is opposite to Saturn: this is the
“flashpoint” of the Saturn Retrograde cycle, and its energetic
“intent” is to illustrate and illuminate the areas in which extreme
restrictions are in one’s environment, but also, ones which have been
self-imposed. If a sense of oppression is part of this aspect, then it
is illuminating an element of how we all arrange our lives within
existing boundaries. The shifting of established boundaries in both
individual and collective lives has been a theme for some time now,
but at this annual Sun/Saturn opposition, we will see a form of
crystallization - until about June or July.
It is a perfect opportunity to evaluate what the consensus reality has
become and why. It is also a time to renew personal commitments to
goals and directions, establishing a sense of individual and tribal
safety and unity.
Twelfth Night and Wassail Eve (in England) marks the end of
Christmastide.
The mystical rite of Kore was held over the nights of 5/6
January preparing the way for Kore/Persephone's rise back into the world from the
darkness of the underworld
Nollaig na mBan -- Women's Christmas. It is so called because of the
tradition (still surviving, though only just) of Irish men taking on all the
household duties on that day and giving their spouses a day off.
January 8 - A day sacred to Justitia, Roman goddess of Justice.
Old Druid's New Year.
January 9-13
Here’s another
good week for starting projects and getting things done, as Mercury,
the planet of communications, transport and commerce, forms good
aspects with Jupiter and Mars. The hitch here is this—A nice
Mercury-Jupiter contact gets people feeling optimistic and greases
the social wheels. However, we’re heading into the thick of this
Neptune stuff I mentioned above. So it’s possible that these
optimistic feelings could lead to some misguided actions or
decisions based on false or missing information. So ask lots of
questions and trust your gut feelings. Enjoy the energy (as nice
aspect to Jupiter do tend to be enjoyable), but don’t go nuts with
it!
January 9
The Agonium, festival of Janus, the Roman god of gates and doors,
beginnings and endings. It was customary to keep the doors of Janus’
temple closed in peacetime, to open them as soon as war began and to close them
again when war was concluded—thus invoking the blessing and protection of
Janus, and his gifts of historic memory and foresight, when the continuity of
the nation was in danger.
Festival of Four Winds and All Sky
This day is one of asking for a foretelling by the
Ladies of the four winds.
This day is sacred to the chief Goddess of Old England,
Frigga,
whose followers were called the Free folk
The thirteenth day of January was celebrated each year in Old Ireland as the
Feast of
Brewing by the ancient Druids.
On this day, the old Norse ceremony of Midwinter's Offering was observed on this day,
in honor of Tiu, the Teutonic chief God, and ruler of the year.
Day of Freya, Norse Goddess.
