An Overview of Astrological Forces At Work in January and February 2006

by RobertWilkinson

Today I'll give links to articles that are still timely and relevant even though I wrote them awhile ago and some have dropped off the radar screen. In no particular order of importance, I'll start with this article on the Venus retrograde effect on your sign, with an internal link to another important article on how you can find a greater compassion at this time. It's still going on, and how we handle its lessons will have a long term effect on our relationships, values, and resources. This article reminds us that we've made it through the night, and it's full speed ahead, given the present aspects. More by clicking on the link.

This article gives a look at why things are so irrational and weird at present, and why many of us are making critical decisions at forks in the road of our lives that will create results for a long time to come. In this article about the Winter Solstice of 2005 I discuss the Solstice effect on affairs through late March 2006. In The Year of the Fire Dog I discuss forces about to kick off on January 29, 2006 that will make this year radically different from the past two years, and in this article I discuss how it will affect your specific Chinese sign, with a table telling you how to find your birth year sign.

This post takes a look at productive and positive ways to deal with Saturn conjunct, square or opposition to your Ascendant or planets, which affects just about everyone, given where it's been, where it is, and where it's going to be. On a non-astrological but important note, effective and compassionate ways of dealing with grief and bereavement after the death of a loved one are covered here. If you grieve, or know someone else who grieves, what you read in that article may help you to a measure of love and clarity. On a related note, this article on overcoming fear is probably worth a new look.

Finally, as I wrote a few weeks ago, the Jupiter square Saturn is very strong in December, and is a prelude for the period between May 2006 and November 2006 when they will be in constant square to each other spanning all three sectors of Leo and Scorpio, thus affecting everyone born in February, May, August, and November. If you have planets anywhere in Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, or Aquarius you will most definitely be affected by the Jupiter square Saturn in 2006. This is an aspect challenging Soul growth, or more accurately, personality growth to express the Soul's love and wisdom more effectively. It is a "last chance" aspect, in that when it's operating, we MUST give up selfishness, fear, inappropriate controlling behaviors, or destructive moral or philosophical attitudes. For those who don't take the hint, it's crash and burn time, so plan accordingly if you're in a struggle with someone who refuses to mature or take responsbility for their behavior.

It is a time that challenges us to find a more adequate ideal, and find situations that bring forth our creativity, releasing us from blockages, dualities, and lesser rules and procedures. There are lessons in how to align our values and ambitions so they're not in conflict with each other, and we must find ways to make forms of success worth their price while not surrendering to discouragement or a defeatist attitude. Under this aspect, we must justify our "cherished ambitions" which can help us hold the faith through all difficulties. As we learn how to manifest these energies constructively, it will definitely show as new ways of being adults in our world in the areas of our chart this aspect occupies, and new magnetism that will attract what we need to be that responsible self in ways that are more effective and appropriate than who we used to be.

Comments

[thehotcloset]

Robert,

I just wanted to out myself - I've been lurking here for a month or so now. I'm really fascinated by astrology and spend quite a bit of my time studying it - your insight has been priceless in my quest to gain more knowledge about myself and about the pain in my life at this time.

My astrologer, Janet Amid of Toledo, Ohio, seems to think that having Mars in Taurus in my seventh house just means that I am prone to not working very hard. Do you see this as true? This "fact" that she gave me hit me really hard because I quit a great job that I didn't have to work too hard at but got paid quite well for 9/30/05. And, since that time, I interviewed with a huge company, didn't get it; wrote a gret business plan but no one would back me; started working for a friend who then exploited me by using my image to sell his products without my permission (it also had a sexual undertone, the picture).

Additionally, a person whom I have looked to as a business mentor and, then, a sometime lover, offered me two projects to work on but couldn't/wouldn't offer me a compensation package. Am I not speaking up for myself well enough?

I had to get a lawyer involved with the image thing, and am about to lose my mind with this seemingly selfish Leo (8/16/63) "partner."

This seventh house placement freaks me out - can I rise above it and are all of these career/partnership troubles related to it?

I guess I'm looking for a second opinion and since I don't have a job I have no money - have been totally broke since December - to pay for a professional opinion (I don't even want to get into my second house - what a fucking mess) I thought I might query you here. My dba is 4/18/83. Your thoughts would be much appreciated in this very difficult, very lonely period of my life.

Best,
April

[Robert]

Hi April-
Thanks for your kind words about the work I do on this site. Mars in Taurus sometimes works harder than other times. The sign is built for comfort, not for speed, yet I know that position of Mars can be as enduring as stone when it wants to be. Mars doesn't have that much to do with work. More a 6th and 10th house issue, and so you must look at the rulers of those houses to see the work ethic and aspects to those planets to find what is more appropriate for you.

Sorry you took what the other astrologer said so hard. Must be a water planet in your chart, probably Moon, since Mars in Taurus usually doesn't care what others think. In any life, sometimes you must quit one job (relationship, intention, ideal) in order to withdraw the projection and find your center so you can get on track with your higher function and true purpose in this world. Since you quit, there have been unending squares and crosses that would frustrate anyone, so you really can't take what hasn't happened personally.

You definitely can put an injunction and probably a suit against the person who is using or has used your image without your permission, and if it defames you by implying sexuality you do not permit, it may be grounds for major legal action. Only you can decide if it's worth the hassle. But injunctions are easy.

As for compensation package, without knowing specifics I cannot comment. Did you speak up for yourself? If so, then it's their issue, unless you presumed too much on too little knowledge. You imply closeness to this person. Why not open a dialogue to find out where things got misunderstood? No harm in asking (and if there is, then they aren't much of a friend!)

Your Leo friend is about to have Saturn camped on their Sun for a while, so they're going to be under constraints whether they want to or not. Saturn on my Sun brought me international recognition for a book I wrote, but also the end of a marriage that was crashing.

Cannot answer your 7th house stuff without knowing if you are a Libra rising or a Scorpio rising, and other factors too numerous for a comment stream. The short answer is yes, you can transcend all factors, if you know how to regard life on this transitory sphere. Involves detachment, dispassion, discrimination, and generating positivity, regardless of outer conditions, circumstances, and what others are believing or not believing.

I'll close by saying 22 is a hard year anyway, giving way to vision and expansion at 23. Expect the unexpected, should be good with your Jupiter-Uranus in Sag trined by Saturn in Leo. Your problem is transitting Saturn square your Mars, showing you must put the brakes on whatever is making you mad or frustrating your efforts. Detach, be your own best friend, and eliminate everything keeping you feeling stuck and discontent. Put your mind on new things you can accomplish, and be positive as you break new ground and leave the old aggravations behind.

Don't think too narrowly - opportunity is all around you, should have been kicked into gear last October, but requires patience and perseverence and not getting into unhelpful ruts that spin you in circles while going nowhere as the pressure builds. You need more self-confidence, willingness to plow the field as long as it takes, hang in there with an eye to ultimate ends rather than transitory and lesser rewards, and keep putting your best foot forward no matter what. And remember as an Aries, your strength is in moving forward, not lamenting the past. Aum and blessings.

[thehotcloset]

Robert,

Thank you for your explanation. The past two days have brought much clarity . . . new opportunities, healing, & a lesson in cutting my losses.

Thank you for your insight and yes, my moon is in cancer.

Excellent work and love the "Big Wave About to Hit" post.

Cheers!

[Robert]

Glad what I offer brings some helpful relief from the ongoing storm. It is a hectic, if productive, time for us all. Will post more tomorrow.

[Laura]

Dear Robert,
I've been studying astrology for many years and have learned much about myself. But I find myself at a loss concerning my son's chart. He was born 5 January 2006 at 4:43 pm in Seattle, WA. He has a grand cross. I'm so afraid for him that I cry just to think about it. I've searched online about this but can't seem to find anything helpful. Please explain what this means?
Thank you,
Laura

[Robert]

Hi Laura - Stop crying. Your son dealt himself this karmic pattern in prior existences. While it can show a fracturing between different areas of life, it also shows the challenge that every Initiate must face if they are to claim their Divine Estate. He will have multiple conflicting energies that tug with variable strength upon elements of his personality until he learns how to move within the generic conflict and become "the corrective force of Nature Herself" in his world. For "hopeful" indicators, look to the various aspects to any of the 4 points of the configuration. These will show the harmonious factors that will play upon the points that will be released through the other points.