Astrology for January 2021
Join Susan on Saturday, January 16th, 6 pm to 8:00pm, for her yearly astrology talk, on Zoom, “The Arc of Imagination, 2021, challenges and renewal ahead”. Sign up here, $15 sliding scale.
The Cancer Full Moon and the Great Conjunction leads us into 2021
2020 came in with a dramatic planetary alignment, paving the way for an extremely challenging year, and went out with a dramatic alignment that is aiming us in a new direction.
The key words for the year, resilience, perseverance, cultivating strength and groundedness, are the gifts of the Capricorn gathering of planets (Saturn, Pluto and Jupiter), all aimed at finding light in the darkness. Capricorn themes of boundaries, responsibilities, limitations, and restrictions held us in place. We were called to envision a longer view. We grew our consciousness through limitation and a deeper reflection. We have been shown areas in our culture and personal lives that are no longer tolerable, that are shadowy and hidden elements of the world we have created. Mars during its long stay in Aries heated everything up, making it more intense, conflictual, assertive, and to the point, bringing us to our edges, clarifying the issues, with starts and restarts.
Through this traumatic year the celestial interplay of planets offers us a different view, describing the end of an era and the beginning of a new era. We are in transition, poised between, in the labor of birthing and dying at the same time. With the dominant planetary aspect of 2020 being Saturn Pluto in Capricorn, joined with Jupiter, we have experienced an eruption of what has been hidden, repressed, or toxic. All to deliver the process of renewal, through the power of destruction, to reconstruct our world, to imagine and reshape the world, ourselves, and the community in which we live.
It is Pluto’s job to intensely and profoundly initiate a process of revealing, ending, transforming and rebirthing. It shakes everything loose, potentially clearing what was hidden in both the personal and collective consciousness, so a new beginning can take place.
The pandemic was the delivery system to expose the out dated hierarchies of power, outdated ways of relating to our Earth, and the lack of social justice and transparency, among the many things exposed. It also showed our profound interrelatedness. 2020 marked the first time that humanity experienced a global event. We experienced how interconnected we are, with all life on Earth. This is the theme of the new beginning ahead of us. Yet first we must walk through this threshold as we step into 2021 knowing we are both interconnected and profoundly divided.
Winter solstice and the Jupiter Saturn conjunction in Aquarius
On the Winter Solstice we watched Jupiter and Saturn merge, a beautiful and uplifting sight, a signature of the dawning of a new Era. This takes place in the sign Aquarius, the sign of community, of the visionary, of both freedom to be who we are uniquely, and also to link with others in envisioning a new world. To be inventive, innovative, and connected, is the Aquarian signature. This leads us into a new era of 240 years, known as the Great Conjunction or as the Great Mutation. We have been living in an era of creating profit from the Earth, defining ourselves as separate from this Earth, and we are now being ushered into an Era that focuses on our creative ideas to heal and build a new world based on interrelatedness of all life, transforming what has been the dominant structuring hierarchies.
This is our moment to participate in Aquarian fashion, to collaborate with others in innovation, to envision new possibilities for the future, to stand for social justice and new models of community. There is now support for group purpose to create new infrastructures and governing possibilities, new moral and philosophical codes of living for humanity, and the profoundly interrelated systems of life here on and around planet Earth.
Jupiter Saturn square Uranus
As we come into January and through the year we will be challenged to stay steady through the tension of the Jupiter Saturn square to Uranus. This describes tension, upheaval, resistance, rebelliousness, and disruption to our course forward. It describes as well, holding the new vision (Uranus) while being challenged to breakthrough the old (Saturn). (Much more on this in Susan’s 2021 talk, “The Arc of Imagination”).
This Cancer Full Moon
As we round the bend of 2020 into the New Year of 2021, we are graced by a Cancer full Moon on the 29th, Tuesday, 7:28 pm. (powerful all night and into Wednesday). What a perfect time, in the gentleness of the Cancer Full Moon, to reflect on the course of this last year and our intention leading us into the New Year. This Full Moon aligns with Chiron, the wounded healer, activating the theme of bringing what is separate, or polarized into healing and greater wholeness. We can have compassion for ourselves and the trials and challenges of humanity, with faith in a vision of renewal. We can honor this watery sign of Cancer with new respect for the feminine. We can affirm that with Jupiter and Saturn leading us into the New Year we rebuild the foundations of our society.
Celestial Events in January
January 6 – Mars enters Taurus, shifts out of aggressive Aries, more steady movement
January 12 – New Moon at 23 Capricorn conjunct Pluto, signature of the transformations in 2021
January 13 – Mars at 3 Taurus squares Saturn in Aquarius, a stalemate, held in tension
January 14 – Uranus goes direct at 6 Taurus, a freeing up, of breakthroughs, of rebellious energy
January 17 – Jupiter at 6 Aquarius squares Uranus in Taurus, time to creatively envision
January 20 – Mars conjuncts Uranus at 6 Taurus, disruptions, marking a change of direction
January 22 – Mars at 7 Taurus squares Jupiter in Aquarius
January 28 – Full Moon at 9 Leo, a time of hope, concern, visionary possibilities, and radical change
The Twelve signs and opportunities for January 2021: For Sun and Rising Signs
Aries (Mar 20-Apr 19): Dear Aries, it’s time to dream a new dream for yourself. How do you want to participate in your community at this time? As you reflect on what you have accomplished in 2020, how would you like to go to the next level, go beyond the prescribed, activate more of your authentic expression? Who would you like to collaborate with? What groups or friendships need to be reevaluated, as Jupiter and Saturn square Uranus? You see what is working and what is no longer a good fit. Nourish yourself on this Full Moon by creating a sanctuary altar in your home, breathing deeply throughout your body and honoring inner courage, all your deep feelings.
Taurus (Apr 20-May 20): Dear Taurus, Jupiter and Saturn join in your house of career. What new intentions do you have for your work or your life goals in general? A new era is here, dear Taurus, for one who loves consistency and stability! At this time you can stretch your horizons. How do you want to share the gifts you’ve cultivated through the years? It’s the right time to shake the ground you’ve been standing on into a new situation. Cultivate innovation and possibility. As Mars goes into Taurus on the 6th, you are moved by your visionary self, while Saturn will keep you focused. Under the Cancer Full Moon, connect with friends and words you find nourishing to your soul.
Gemini (May 21-Jun 20): Dear Gemini, 2021 highlights stretching into new philosophies, finding teachers, guides, and podcasts to lead you into new dimensions. Perhaps you have a writing project or a study you want to pursue. This is the time to begin. Your active and inspirational mind now finds a focus and creates a plan to implement your ideas. As you set yourself to these goals, be open to your dreams and sudden revelations. The challenge will be staying the course. But do, for you will feel its rewards mid year and into next year. A new phase of growth is here. Under this Cancer full moon, honor your unique talents and nurture a steady stability.
Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 21): Dear Cancer, this is a transformative year for you. You’ve come to a profound turning point, a time for healing and deeper contemplation. This is a time to release what no longer serves you and hold true to the deeper values in your life. Perhaps you find yourself collaborating with someone that can support the changes you desire. Seek those out. Find those that activate the new levels of consciousness and activism in your life. Let go of old attitudes that are no longer useful in your partnership, and be aware of what you aren’t willing to release. Under this Cancer full moon, celebrate yourself! Create a ritual for yourself and another to honor new beginnings!
Leo (Jul 22 – Aug 22): Dear Leo, at this time relationships hold both joy and a level of sustained commitment. There is some new way that you are sharing and showing up. It is important to connect with those that honor your unique and original expression. In fact, you may find that 2021 brings in people who are innovative and on the cutting edge. Be flexible in your work and goals, for new elements are entering and changes have been occurring. You balance between old and new while establishing new levels of awareness. Under this Cancer full moon, slip into a sacred spot to tune into the beauty and mystery of this cosmos in which we live.
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22): Dear Virgo, your skillfulness and precision are well known. As Jupiter and Saturn meet in your 6th house they initiate a new beginning in how you align yourself, move through your day, and how you do your work. This is a time of break through for you! What would happen if you followed your breath all day and relaxed all the effort in your body, in your life. Uranus moves through your 9th house, stretching your mind, asking for more inspiration and freedom. And just like a developed yoga student you stay with your body as you integrate new awareness. There is so much wisdom in you. Under this Cancer full moon, find your friend and nourish yourself with fresh air and companionship that validates your uniqueness!
Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22): Dear Libra, as Saturn moves into your 5th house, you stay with your perseverance and commitment to create and grow. Yet remember that Jupiter is there as well, creating a new era for you in what and how you express yourself, engage you uniqueness, and create. It’s a combination of commitment to practice and consistency, with finding fun and enjoyment, being a little kid with no cares, just playful doing. It may be the key to rattling out the changes that are taking place, for certainly you are being transformed! Trust the not knowing while listening deeply. Under this full moon in Cancer you feel your deep emotions like waves in the ocean. Under the full moon declare your desires in how you want to manifest yourself in the world.
Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21): Dear Scorpio, as Saturn and Jupiter move into the 4th house of your chart new foundations are being established. This foundation will support you in showing up in the world in radically new ways. So take time for yourself to reflect on what you are building, what is working at home, and what isn’t. With Uranus in Taurus now, be alert to your own needs in partnership that can support the changes you are seeking. Communicate is so important as you make these shifts in your life. Take time to create a sanctuary for yourself at home, a place to gather yourself, and check in with your own needs. It can be a very exciting time though change is not so easy for you, dear Scorpio. You can know the timing is right. Under this Cancer full moon nourish yourself with the belief that now is the right time to expand your world.
Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 20): Wow Sagittarius, you find yourself engaged in thoughts of many new possibilities for yourself. You may feel restless to breakthrough and create the changes in your work situation or daily life. There is a certain tension and excitement present as you contemplate new ideas. There is also a practicality present as you examine how might you implement these ideas. Input from others may be helpful. You find a variety of invitations to engage in new ways. Taking time to carefully think through these inspirations and changes is the way through. Under this full moon in Cancer, do a tarot reading, or throw the I Ching to reveal any deeper issues at hand.
Capricorn (Dec 21- Jan 19): Dear Capricorn, there is a new era dawning in the way you relate to your talents. A creative drive and a determined force are seeking to disrupt the old ways in which you have defined yourself and your talents. All this leads to changes in how or what you do for a living. There are adjustments, changes, and even radically new ways to become most true to who you are. Saturn is always a strong force in your chart, dear Capricorn, because you are destined to become masterful in being who you are and expressing what is unique to you. But you must make your way through the systems and judgments that sought to mold you. All this remaking and hard work is what makes you an integral part of this new era, breaking us through to new levels of consciousness. Under this Cancer full moon, share your love, hopes, and intentions with another.
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 17): Dear Aquarius, Aquarian energy is the theme for the year! As you enter 2021, your uniqueness in being and in defining what is important and needed in this unfolding new era is essential. With Saturn and Jupiter in your sign, you are attuning to both a sense of discipline and practicality with optimism and creative potential of what can be. While your planet, Uranus, squares Jupiter and Saturn, be open to flexibility, seeing things differently than you have. Try on the many hats of humanity, and feel into the deep trauma that has been released in our society. For you may play an important role in it’s healing, through your compassion and your profound insight. This is a new era for you. What would you like to initiate? Under this Cancer full moon, honor the refinement you are going through. Acknowledge the journey that has continually refined you into more and more clarity and wisdom.
Pisces (Feb 18-Mar 19): Dear Pisces, as Saturn and Jupiter move into your 12th house, they pave the way for when Jupiter enters Pisces for a few months this year (May through July) but specifically next year. This year, you bring the focus and skillfulness of Saturn’s sight into seeing what is no longer needed in your life. What needs to be cleared that has cluttered your ability to more fully be yourself. What are you placing your faith in? There is a loosening, even a radical departure from what you used to think or how you used to define yourself. That’s when you find the creative muse is close by, taking you into new areas of imagination, and planting seeds for the coming opportunities. Under this Cancer full moon, play and have fun under the starry night, sing and recite poetry, for your muse is with you!
Susan Heinz is a professional astrologer in Santa Cruz for 38 years, bringing together traditional & esoteric astrology, Tarot and Qabalah. For info on her Friday monthly astrology groups, her Qabalah, astrology and or, painting classes, and for personal consultations, call (831) 479-3751, or go to www.susanheinz.com.