“The older I grow the more I listen to people who don’t talk much.” Germain G. Glien

COSMIC WEATHER: January 11th through the 16th

Mental Mercury (communication) and manic Mars (aggressive urge) are hogging most of the astrological press this week. That’s okay. We’ll respectfully give them their fifteen minutes.

Mercury wraps up its stay in visionary Sagittarius, dutifully heading for the ambitious, goat-studded hills of Saturn-ruled Capricorn (January 13th). Our thoughts become more practical, more focused.

Also, self-assertive Mars shifts out of conforming Capricorn for Aquarius’ more non-conforming terrain (January 15th), which is psychedelically-peppered, at this time, with aging hippies, awkwardly still trying to “do their own thing,” despite all the intense years of pot-smoking and skinny-dipping. Uranus-ruled Aquarius, a sign that likes to wickedly “bend the rules,” fully embraces diversity, even the die-hard, hippie kind. It’s probably a good thing, too, that the hippies at least have a place to go to, a sign to “call home.” 🙂

With Mars in Aquarius now, too, it’s possible that we could even temporarily befriend one or two of these tie-dyed beings. Maybe help them to find their way, or whatever it is that they still are looking for. Maybe another Woodstock? Could be they are sticking around to see the re-emergence of bell-bottoms as a major, hot fashion trend?

January 11th: Talker Mercury meets up with big hips Jupiter in blabbermouth Sagittarius. The end result: No one gets to have the last word on anything! Steady diet of redundant chatter permeates the air everywhere. Unless we have plenty of time on our hands, it’s best to refrain from asking anyone about their personal religious or political beliefs, or about anything controversial, for that matter, as we will likely be going at each other’s throat until the cows come home.  Too, we tend to zealously over-estimate our humble abilities now, i.e. bite off more than we can chew, both literally and symbolically.

Also, we need to carefully, and systematically, scrutinize documents and contracts closely, before putting our ‘John or Mary Doe’ on them. With Mercury-Jupiter, we tend to “gloss over details,” as we’re thinking too much about the “big picture.” Mercury-Jupiter is all too often linked with misunderstandings because we tend to get sloppy or arrogant in our thinking and assume too much.

Moon in pioneering Aries still has us “blazing new trails,” although the opposition to taskmaster Saturn (8:48 pm EST) may temporarily put a roadblock in our path.

Questions to ask ourselves today: Do we tend to talk too much? Often put our foot in our mouth? What shuts us up quickly? What is our favorite topic to talk about?

January 12th: We are much more likely to feel comfortable taking unorthodox approaches with things, especially on the professional front, as we have enterprising Mars in industrious Capricorn sextile to innovative, freedom-seeking Uranus in creative Pisces. Job seekers may want to try new strategies today, particularly utilizing opportunities provided by social networking (Uranus rules the internet).

We all tend to shine more by inserting our clever originality into the picture, instead of mindlessly subscribing to the fuddy duddy status quo. The Universe is beckoning, actually clamoring for us today, to deviate from the norm. To venture outside of our cozy, designer-decorated boxes. Too, if we are up to serious mingling with others, we may get a chance to interface with highly progressive types, who can really move us forward, with their ingenious, if not wacky, off-the-wall ways of thinking.

For those of us who still maintain an active, or even a semi-active sex life (ruled by Mars), that intimate activity could possibly become more exciting now by trying out new, inventive “night moves” in the bedroom. Or, we may want to continue doing the same, sexy little things that we always do under the sheets, but with new lovers. Mars-Uranus likes to experiment, and also endows us with more of a scientific bent. Just pray that white laboratory mice don’t somehow enter into our nighttime equation.

The Moon also vacates accelerator Aries for lusty, self-indulgent Taurus (10:37 pm EST), which also may help our feverish, nocturnal meanderings. Chocolate, too, may be an especially heady aphrodisiac now. (Moon is in Taurus till the 15th.)

Probing questions to consider today: What is sex? Is it something we engaged in at one time with another person? Is there anything we can do now to hasten the return of it to our lives, now that we finally have this sexual Mars aspect beaming down upon us?

January 13th: Our enthusiasm knows no bounds as sexy, go-getter Mars sextiles fortuitous, expansive Jupiter, who is likely toting a large bag of goodies for us. This is a super aspect! Great time to forge ahead with important projects, get things done, especially anything business-related, as Mars is still in ambitious Capricorn, which rules status, career, and reputation. Also a more positive time for dealing with bankers, members of the military, politicians, journalists, writers, publishers, lawyers, teachers, travel agents, clergy, and athletes. Physical fitness and sports-related activities additionally get the green light. We’re loving competition now, as it gives us a golden chance to strut our hot stuff all over the place!

Our thoughts also become more pragmatic and serious today with Mercury’s return to utilitarian Capricorn, where it will stay until February 3rd. We excel now by adopting a communication style that is more purposeful and strategizing. It is also critical now that we let others know exactly what it is that we are hoping to accomplish with respect to our major goals. A time to enlist the support of higher-ups to our causes.

Possible questions to ponder now: What floats our boat? What gets us excited? If we could magically do anything today, what would we do? What are our goals for 2011? What can we do this very day that will help to move us forward, closer to attaining those goals?

January 14th: Moon continues in acquisition-minded Taurus, which governs money, possessions, and what we esteem or value. Our values, too, can often be decoded by what we spend our money on. We may want to focus now on practical ways to build up our precious nest egg, while simultaneously luxuriating around the house in our silk pajamas eating bon-bons. The Venus-ruled Taurus Moon is all about seeking out decadent pleasure, creature comforts, indulging the physical senses, in addition to having to grapple with the often “weightier issue” of procuring material security, a matter which can often feel like having a big “noose around our neck,” especially in today’s challenging economic climate.

Things to think about today: Are we satisfied with our present financial situation? Do we have enough money coming into our household to meet our daily needs, and to also lead the lifestyle that we desire? Too, are we grateful for the things that we already have in our life? Are we managing our resources diligently, or do we squander our money? Are there any steps that we can maybe take now to make our lives more materially-secure?

Also, in our quest for material abundance, should we try, perhaps, to get on the Oprah Show, before she goes off the air, in hopes that she will be characteristically playing Santa again in the near future? Maybe we should also go so far as to suggest to Oprah, maybe through an email to her website, oprah.com, that she make every future Oprah show, this 2011 season, a yuletide-spirited “favorite things show,” since this is, sadly, her last go round (aside, of course, from OWN), and that lucky Jupiter is still technically and philanthropically aligned with Oprah’s ruling planet, Uranus, which also rules broadcasting (Oprah is an Aquarian). Point out to her that it is “clearly written in the stars” for her to keep playing a generous Santa-type role now, since Jupiter rules Santa Claus, and she is in Uranian-ruled broadcasting, and these two planets are together now. Also, make her existentially aware of the fact that this same “Jupiter-Uranus configuration” is the very “believe in miracles” thing that she is always alluding to in her insightful, consciousness-raising dialogue with us. Don’t anyone say, either, that this is “too much of a stretch” here, about the possible Oprah involvement or rescue in our lives. We have all simply got to believe this, in order to achieve it! Jupiter-Uranus in visionary Pisces is about dreaming, and hope for a bright future, especially one with Hugh Jackman in Australia. We can’t help it if lovely, dear Oprah, just happens to be part of the equation. Simultaneously, we are very glad and thankful that she is.

It’s very cool, too, that when the magical Jupiter-Uranus aspect was exact to the minute last week, “St. Nick” Oprah publicly discussed making “Ted Williams,” an ex-radio announcer, the official voice of the OWN network. Not sure if this is going to happen, but we have got to love Ted’s timing! Surfacing when he did, thanks to that fortuitous, caring newspaper guy at the Columbus Dispatch, originally spotting him, and later going to bat for him by posting his encounter with Ted via a Pisces-ruled video on the Uranian-ruled internet. Uranus also rules radio announcers, with the Jupiter-Uranus aspect here, helping to miraculously sweeten their lot. So glad for all the success and love swirling around Ted Williams.

(Since originally writing the above on Monday, Ted has reportedly entered rehab for his alleged addiction problems. Apparently, with prompting from television’s Dr. Phil. Jupiter’s intrinsic nature can be protective, and aligned with Uranus, there can be a sudden “awakening” and swift movement in our affairs. Pisces also governs rehabilitation and rehab centers. Neptune, Pisces’ ruler, is associated with addiction and dependencies.  Hopefully, Ted will now be able to acquire the care that his spirit maybe needs, so that he can continue positively on his path. To go from homelessness, to overnight celebrity on a world-stage, I believe, would be very stressful for most of us.

Another thing that I think has been enlightening about this Jupiter-Uranus conjunction in Pisces now, on more of a collective basis, is that by hearing about Ted’s story, hearing about his struggles over the years, and his battle with his addictions, we are becoming keenly reminded again about the matter of addictions, a Pisces-related subject. (Too, of course, there has been the ongoing, high-profile story of Lindsey Lohan and her alleged addiction problems.)

So many of us privately suffer from addictions, whether to food, drugs, sex, etc. Also, ironically while writing/updating this right now, I just came across a news story that said that Oprah reportedly told Piers Morgan in an interview that she coped with depression, at one time, by eating “30 pounds of mac n’ cheese!” This overeating or binging by Oprah reportedly was a way of coping for her, in the face of her movie, “The Beloved,” flopping at the box office, sending her into a temporary, downward, emotional spiral. Also kind of weird here: Ted Williams just made those four Kraft Macaroni and Cheese commercials last week, as part of his newly-found fame. Could there be a possible Jupiter-Uranus connection to all this? The plot thickens! Or, would we be more technically correct here by saying, “the cheese melts?” Hopefully, too, Oprah won’t be tempted again to fall off the wagon, with the mac n’ cheese, despite Ted’s inadvertently “rubbing her nose in it” by recording the commercials.

In addition to representing addictions, Pisces also denotes those persons who are disenfranchised or downtrodden. Or maybe confined, hidden away. Or people who are simply “down on their luck,” with their voices suppressed or muted, or problematic, for one reason or another. Perhaps some of these individuals lead more nomadic type lifestyles i.e. are homeless, like Ted Williams. Or, it could be that they are mentally or physically ill. Also, of course, there is the very tragic matter of that shooter in Tucson, allegedly suffering from serious mental illness, who has suddenly come on all our radar screens now in the worst possible way. The “Pisces” experience often symbolizes that part of life that we prefer not to think about, or psychologically visit. As it can show us our limitations, our afflictions. Our pain and desperation.

Pisces, as a level of experience, however, can also nobly point out to us the deep need, both individually and collectively, for having sympathy and extending compassion. Reminding us of the basic fact of life on the earth plane: That, in the end, we are all “our brother’s keeper.” That it is also not always a wise idea to prematurely “assign judgment or blame.” That we are all vulnerable, from time to time, in our lives. That we can also all thrive and benefit sometimes from an angelic, caring, helping hand. Sometimes even a simple smile, or a kind word, can give someone infinite hope and faith and help someone to rise above the ashes.)

“He who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.” St. Basil.

January 15th: Energy planet Mars, symbolically depicting the urge for self-assertion, takes the big plunge and officially sky-rockets into hi-tech, futuristic Aquarius, the opinionated, scientific home of wacky astronomers waxing delusional and very bitterly about 13 zodiacal signs. (See link below)  Mars will stay in this sign until February 22nd.

With Mars in Aquarius, a sign which represents cultural diversity and “changing things up,” we are eager to venture off into unchartered waters, as long as we are able to cart along, of course, our smartphones and other technological gadgetry. Aquarius rules innovation and invention, especially more of a scientific or technological nature.

Theoretically we “progress” now by embracing or cultivating change, and utilizing new approaches or strategies in our daily endeavors. As part of this orientation we may want to collaborate with more original-type thinkers, or more non-comforming types, to get a fresh take on things.  We may want also to expand our networking efforts now and get involved more with group causes, or group ventures (Aquarius rules groups and friends). Mars in Aquarius = energy for groups.

The Moon also enters curious, loquacious Gemini today. In Gemini, the Moon provides us with more of a penchant and willingness for flexibility, as well as more of an ability to go with the flow. We’re not as rigid now, and we’re also wanting to physically move around. We have more of a capacity to see the humor in any situation, too, as this Moon tends to be more light-hearted. Humor is a positive trait that often gets overlooked, but it’s something that can come in handy for coping with the mighty stresses and woes of living in Madonna’s material world, but, unfortunately, without Madonna’s nifty checkbook.

Questions to entertain today: How are we about embracing change? Do we welcome new strategies, or prefer to stick with the tried-and-true? Is there any one area in our life now that could perhaps benefit by employing new methods? If we could change one thing about ourselves, what would it be? What is the most off-the-wall thing we have done in the past year? Have we even done anything off-the-wall, lately? If not, why not? Could it be that we are packaged too tightly, and that we should give ourselves permission to roam around a little, or a lot?

“They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.” Confucius

(Follow this link below about Astrologer Jeff Jawer discussing the matter of the zodiacal signs and the tropical vs. the sidereal zodiacs)

No, your zodiac sign hasn’t changed

January 16th: Moon continues in cheerful, chatterbox Gemini. We’re more predisposed to reveling over gossip at the water cooler today, in our glorious quest to gather information. No matter whether or not there is a worthwhile component to the info. It’s the gathering  process, the collecting of data, which is most important to the Gemini Moon. Reading, conversation, short trips can stimulate now. Great time for any sales or cold-calling activity, or for matters of self-promotion.

Later, an important bond or tie could also be formed with the Moon’s magical trine to stabilizing Saturn in partnership Libra (3:47 pm EST). A perfect time then to communicate our more serious intentions.

Questions to possibly grapple with today: Is there something, a subject matter, that we have been dying to talk about, for a while, but have been hesitant to do so? What has been holding us back from having this conversation? What are some of our favorite words? If we had to describe ourselves in one word, what would that word be? Lovable? Toxic? Brilliant? Sensitive? Diabolical? I think for me, I would have to go with “light-hearted.”

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” Mary Engelbreit.

Have a great week! Reach for the stars! Including here, of course, Hollywood stars, like George Clooney. Keep hope alive! 🙂

Patrice Thompson

(c) copyright 2011

Source Notes:

Englebreit quote: http://www.quotegarden.com/change.html

winter in the land 18 photo: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1322310

U2 Still Haven’t Found (With Lyrics) Youtube Aquafina286

Abstract and Fractal Designs: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1165612

Glien quote: http://www.quotegarden.com/speaking.html

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