While we are calming down from Monday's Mars station, the rest of the week is relatively quiet astrologically.  The biggest peak of configurations will be Saturday, January 28, with a combination of positive and so-called negative influences.

Monday, Jan 23
The need to make something happen may be very strong, as well as self-perceived offenses against our sensitive egos.  The need to prove that one is NOT weak, indecisive or passive may be very strong.  Be careful of accidents, injuries, or other conflicts.  A sense of urgency or assurance may also characterize the day.  (Mars stationary retrograde, Mercury trine Mars)

Tuesday, January 24
Relationships may hit deeper than usual cross-points; motivations, desires, and expectations may come into high relief against each other with both parties.  This may  be a place to see where compromise trumps the prerogatives of the ego, especially in the context of relationships.  (Venus square Nodes)

Wednesday, January 25
Relationships may hit rough patches in their mutual journey down the road.  Saturn here serves to put the spotlight on our tendencies to demonize or shame the other person, in effect to deceitfully project our own inconsistencies onto the other person.  Taking a cooperative, less severe approach to reconciling differences is key.  Taking on a little bit of humility will help to.  (Venus sesquiquadrate Saturn)

Thursday, January 26
Mercury makes passing aspect to the Nodes, possibly inciting glib behaviors, errors of judgment or discernment.  People will be aligning over intellectual or philosophical issues.  (Mercury semisquare Nodes)

Friday, January 27
A spirit of pessimism or morbidity may contribute to a paralysis, inhibition, or repression of thought, ideas, or expression.  Lines of communication may suffer blockage or delay.  (Mercury square Saturn)

Saturday, January 28
Connections, real or fancied, are accentuated; as well as ideas which have basis in validity or not.  Be careful of exaggeration or bending of the truth, even for seemingly benign reasons.  A sense of urgency, bordering on hysteria may mark some moments; and accidents, injuries, or worse are possible.  People may be pushing the envelope, and any sense of disempowerment may be brought to light.  (Sun sesquiquadrate Mars, Venus semisquare Jupiter, Juno square Neptune, Juno tridecile Venus, Mercury square Jupiter, sextile Uranus)

Sunday, January 29
No peaking influences

Monday, January 30
Relationships, cordiality, and emotions in general are touched off deeply.  Deep connections felt can bring one to new life developments.  (Venus quintile Pluto, Mercury semisquare Venus)

Predictions: Mars Retrograde, Monday, January 23, 2012; Straits of Hormuz

Early next week the planet Mars goes retrograde, Monday, January 23^rd to be exact.  When a planet switches direction apparently in the sky, usually it highly accentuates its effects on our earthly life.  Since Mars is the “planet of war” I am inclined to think that the rhetorical war of the US against Iran is going to hit a crescendo of saber rattling.

Now the US (or Israel unilaterally, forcing the US into the picture) could attack Iran, and possibly bring us all one big step closer to world war three.  However it just doesn’t seem likely to me because Iran is no bombed-out shell of a third world nation like Iraq or Afghanistan, they have an actual military on the land, sea, and air.

I think ultimately the “chickenhawks” are afraid to pull the trigger on this one; and I think that the real hawks of the military are highly objecting to this course of action because they recognize that this may be a war we will not win, or easily win.  If the US were to attack (and/or Israel) the Iranians have threatened to close off the Straits of Hormuz, which will have the direct effect of doubling the price of gas at the pump almost immediately.

The neocons do lust after the territory of the Iranians, it’s just one more roadblock to their objective of global energy hegemony over the rest of the world, occupying and controlling strategic pipeline routes; but worldwide conquest is just not so easy.  We risk a proxy war with Russia and China, who really have no love for the US (although China appreciates the balance of trade in their favor with the US).

Empires usually collapse from within, and this accelerated economic ploy of forcing the rest of the world to pay for our imperial dreams (the US dollar being the world’s reserve currency) eventually is going to backfire.  But I digress…..

Getting back to the upcoming Mars station for the normal people....

The fervor, justification, and sense of urgency of things may reach a peak through this coming weekend through the early part of next week.  Some people may find themselves in the frying pan, the fire, or worse.

A planet turning backwards implies a certain retreat, withdrawal, and second-guessing on the part of the issues related.  Traditionally, a retrograde planet is considered afflicted, causing it to bring out its dysfunctional sides.  Dysfunctions of Mars can be conflicts, accident, and injuries (especially that of fires and sharp metal objects).  Problems with a hesitant, uncertain, or backwards moving Mars could be suppressed anger that comes out later on, only with increased destructive power.

However a “reverse” Mars may also indicate a reversal of the typical malefic effects of Mars; but that may take place a little after the initial direction reversal, which sometimes you can think of like coming to a screeching halt and shifting into reverse!  Hold on!

Tuesday, Jan 17
Important relationship connections may be forming.  Be careful that what you believe you see is true or accurate, not distorted or blocked out altogether by wishful thinking.  Sublime creativity should be activated.  (Mercury semisquare Neptune, Sun sextile Juno)

Wednesday, Jan 18
Important connections, and how we assert ourselves with them are highlighted; there may be blockages  to the flow of harmony between parties.  (Sun semisquare Node)

Thursday, Jan 19
Delays and their attendant frustrations may highlight the day, which are really opportunities to re-wire our responses to stressful situations.  Instead of seeing our inadequacies and despairing, we can seize the situations to reclaim or formerly lost power.  Pathological emotions and tendencies are touched off, so it could be an interesting day.  (Sun square Saturn)

Friday, Jan 20
Emotions are deepened, and the connectivity between peoples may become quite magnetic.  Provocative discussions and situations are favored.  (Venus sextile Pluto, Mercury quintile Uranus)

Saturday, Jan 21
The individual in the context of the larger group is highlighted today.  Unique, innovative, and surprising radical solutions or avenues of action may be taken.  Intolerance of the status quo may reach actionable levels.  (Sun sextile Uranus)

Sunday, Jan 22
Early on rash, or ill-thought-out actions may be brought into play; which may seem to score results, but which may be only on a superficial level.  However bravura may accompany in abundance, as well as instance of stretching or bending the truth.  (Sun square Jupiter)

Monday, Jan 23
The need to make something happen may be very strong, as well as self-perceived offenses against our sensitive egos.  The need to prove that one is NOT weak, indecisive or passive may be very strong.  Be careful of accidents, injuries, or other conflicts.  A sense of urgency or assurance may also characterize the day.  (Mars stationary retrograde, Mercury trine Mars)

Tuesday, Jan 10
Venus and Saturn around this time are making aspects to the Nodes.  Important personal connections may be forming, with karmic issues running strong and deep.  Nodes not being actual planets, their transits are not as exact, but the last couple days these effects may have been manifesting.

Wednesday, Jan 11
No peaking influences

Thursday, Jan 12
Not a day to sit home and meditate; action, progress, and achievement are today's themes.  A lively tone should dominate the day.  (Sun trine Mars)

Friday, Jan 13
Unusual relationship situations may be developing as well as provocative intellectual and verbal activity happening simultaneously.  Obsessive and addictive tendencies are touched off.  A real sense of perspective and viability may be present in relationships.  (Venus conjunct Neptune, trine Saturn, Mercury conjunct Pluto)

Saturday, Jan 14
Mars moves into sidereal Virgo today, a definite shift may be felt in everyone's lives (especially in what house Virgo occupies in each person's chart).  Then with Venus sextiling Jupiter; social, cultural, and spiritual/religious affairs will be accentuated, creating refined moment that can be channeled for future good.

Sunday, Jan 15
Episodes of hysteria and despair may occur today, but hopefully triggering an aggressive problem-solving response.  Relationships may be involved.  (Mercury quintile Saturn, tridecile Mars)

Monday, Jan 16
Optimism and inspired enthusiasm may help lighten the day and open the way for good fortune.  Be careful of over-excitement skewing perceptions, or somehow cause us to exaggerate or bend the facts.  (Mercury tridecile Jupiter)

A Few Words for 2012

The new year is here, the infamous 2012.  What does it hold for you and the world?  2011 was very, very developmental.  As I have said before, things tend to continue along the same lines they have been on; therefore 2012 very well could serve to continue the trends of 2011 politically, economically, and even in catastrophic situations of war, earthquake or other natural disaster.

By the way the word disaster is related to the concept of astrology: dis-a-star ("bad star").  Cata-strophe means literally "downturn/bad-wind"; however "strophe" is related to "strobe" as in strobe-light, an alternating light source; and we certainly can see twinkling lights in the sky at night and then some stars portending light and then darkness.

I don't need astrology to predict that the war/military-industrial-complex/banking party will win in the US in November 2012; i.e. a Republican or Democrat, with the same corporate backers.  Syria looks next to be on the list for regime change, aided and abetted by western quasi-governmental organizations.  And it is not difficult to see the further cracking and eventual breaking of the various national currencies, paving the way for a more international currency system, and all of the changes across the board to life that will bring.

As far as earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters; all I can say is that trends continue to be trends.  If these manifestations have been escalating, they may continue to escalate.  So while some people are waking up in different ways, and that is a trend itself, for a great number of things the trend is downwards.  The old must make way for the new, so the old cycles out, and that is a good thing.

Tuesday, Jan 3
An upbeat and ebullient (bubbly) tone will characterize the day; don't be too surprised at spontaneous promises or moments of inspiration.  (Sun tridecile Jupiter)

Wednesday, Jan 4
Energy and confidence may be elusive qualities, and it may be easy to try to spend, eat, or indulge your doubts away.  You may feel good for a while, but the costs will become apparent soon enough.  Dishonest, deceitful, and/or addictive behaviors are highlighted; physical vitality may be down, opening the way for chronic conditions to set in.  (Sun semisquare Neptune, Venus quintile Jupiter)

Thursday, Jan 5
No peaking influences

Friday, Jan 6
Relationships and passion are highlighted, not necessarily working entirely well together, but interactions should have a good amount of interest behind them.  (Venus quincunx Mars)

Saturday, Jan 7
Emotions and/or the experience of love should be strong, but a few days from now you may be wondering where all that passion and intensity came from.  (Venus sesquiquadrate Pluto)

Sunday, Jan 8
Discussions and interactive situations should be lively, offering profitable opportunities.  Be careful of exaggeration and unintended amplification of issues or facts.  Provocative subjects may be brought out as well.  (Mercury trine Jupiter, square Uranus)

Monday, Jan 9
Relationship situations may be at issues, as well as retaining individuality within the boundaries of relationships as well.  Intolerance of restricting, possessive, or controlling situations may become acute, causing surges in dissatisfaction and push people closer to sudden, radical moves.  (Sun quintile Uranus, Venus square Juno)