Hi and welcome to the Stella Starwoman January AstroUpdate and Happy New Year!
I’m feeling refreshed, having recently returned from a wonderful research trip in Peru exploring all the amazing megalithic monuments, plus the Nazca lines, elongated skulls, Macchu Pic’chu and their connections wi th earth and stellar energies. I’ll be writing about my discoveries in future editions, but for now I’d like to wish you all a Happy New Year and thank you for being part of AstroUpdate as we celebrate TEN years of publication!
2018 - A Brand New Year
2018 promises to be a brand new year for all, with two of the major planets, Saturn and Uranus, changing zodiac sign. Conservative Saturn recently joined Pluto in practical earth sign Capricorn, while from May onwards, revolutionary Uranus will rock traditional earth sign Taurus for the next seven years. And when the earth moves…we all move with it!
2018 Astro Energies
Pluto in Capricorn - EARTH
Neptune in Pisces - WATER
Uranus in Taurus – EARTH
Chiron in Pisces - WATER
Saturn in Capricorn – EARTH
Jupiter in Scorpio – WATER
When you look at the element balance for the outer planets for 2018, the pattern is pretty clear – all earth and water with no air and no fire. Earth and water are the divine feminine or yin elements of the zodiac. Earth deals with the practical, animal and mundane areas of life – the environment; food; body and health; money; housing and anything connected with basic physical survival. Water relates to the heart and emotional connections including family ties, friendships, feelings and relationships.
The good news is that earth and water work well together – think of a majestic river flowing through an ancient canyon; a fertile field with plentiful rainfall producing abundant food; kind parents and neighbours providing shelter and security for their families and communities. The bad news is that without the fast-paced dynamism and creative inspiration of fire or the innovative ideas and ingenious solutions of air, we could risk getting bogged down and find it difficult to move forward. On the other hand, in our crazy, 24/7 world, perhaps a period of more grounded energy is exactly what is needed to create new foundations.
Cancer Full Moon – Emotional Balance
The lunar qualities of emotion, instinct, and intuition reach their peak each month at the full moon, which this month falls in early January in sensitive water sign Cancer. As the moon reaches fullness, she opposes the sun in Capricorn teaching us about the importance of being soft-hearted vs hard-headed; the need to balance our work commitments with a nurturing and supportive home life and the importance of honouring our inner world amidst the noise and bustle of the outer world. The Cancer full moon calls us to peace, harmony, love, kindness and gratitude. All pretty important stuff and a wonderful way to welcome 2018!
Mars in Scorpio – He Who Dares Wins!
Action planet Mars will be in ruling sign Scorpio throughout the holiday season until 26th January. Mars in Scorpio is a great time for those born under the sign of Scorpio to move forward in life and for the rest of us to learn a thing or two about the efficiency of strategic, cool-headed action. Mars aligns with lucky Jupiter in the first half of January bringing a dose of good fortune and luck. He who dares wins!
Sun-Venus-Pluto Combo – Passion Galore!
Venus is all about love and Pluto all about passion and intensity, so when these two meet up with the sun on the 9th January in earthy Capricorn , sparks could fly… or on the other hand you could find yourself embroiled in an emotional or romantic situation that takes you to the slough of despond and beyond! Whatever you do today, do it wholeheartedly – and if you’ve been thinking of popping the question or making some other long term commitment – just do it!
Neptune in Pisces – Fantasy vs Reality
Neptune rules the world of fantasy and escapism - in Neptune’s world there are no boundaries. Since his arrival in home sign Pisces in 2011, the world of virtual reality has blossomed and now with Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and Twitter, everyone can be a writer, social commentator, movie star, photographer, film maker or creative genius. Nothing wrong with that of course – think of the stranglehold the film industry, national press, music producers and mainstream TV channels had on creativity until the rise of digital media, social media and the smart phone. But what if you don’t f eel beautiful, talented, creative or perfect?
Rates of depression are soaring, particularly amongst younger people, many of whom live in a world where they feel they can never match up, and popularity is measured by ‘likes’ and ‘shares’. The rise in eating disorders, mental illness, panic attacks, social isolation and low self-esteem is the shadow side of Neptune in Pisces. Let's make a commitment in 2018 to distinguish fantasy from reality and value ourselves and each other as real flesh and blood people.
Pluto in Capricorn – Power to the People
Pluto, the destroyer and transformer has been shaking up the traditional Capricorn structures of banking, finance, housing, government and the economy for the past decade since his arrival in Capricorn in 2008 at the start of the global financial crisis. And with Saturn joining Pluto in Capricorn this year, we can expect more of the same i.e. death of outmoded hierarchical and authoritarian structures in all areas of the globe. Any king, queen, Prime Minister, President, CEO or government who fails to live up to their responsibilities will be doomed!
Capricorn New Moon – Planning the Future
The January new moon falls on the 17th in earth sign Capricorn, a time of year when we reflect on the past and wonder what the future might bring. With no less than six planets in practical and ambitious Capricorn (including the sun and new moon) what better time to make plans for the future and set your intentions for 2018?
Happy Birthday Aquarius
From the 21st January to the 19th February the Sun travels through fixed air sign Aquarius, noted for its egalitarian nature, progressive ideas and humanitarian bent. Aquarius is the eleventh sign of the zodiac with keywords “I am different” and “I am detached”. Aquarians are both radical and immovable at the same time. They will often espouse a social or religious movement such as civil rights, Buddhism or environmentalism and then remain committed to it for the rest of their lives. Those born under the sign of the Water Bearer often look to the future and have fine minds and a higher vision for society. Many Aquarians excel in the areas of science, technology and politics. At best they use their cool headed idealism to serve humanity. Negatively, Aquarians can be detached and aloof with a rebellious or fanatical streak. In medical astrology, Aquarius rules the calves, ankles and general circulation. When Aquarians are out of balance they can suffer from varicose veins, sprained ankles, irregularities of the heart action and fluid build-up. The Aquarian colours are turquoise, aqua and silver. Aquarius’s greatest lesson is to learn to care for and relate to individuals rather than groups.
Mars in Sagittarius - Freedom, Truth & Integrity
Action planet Mars heads into fire sign Sagittarius on the 27th January pushing us all to define exactly what freedom, truth and integrity mean on an individual level. Mars will be in Sagittarius until 18th March, so head out over the next six weeks and enjoy all the things Saggies are famous for – travelling; playing sport; thinking; studying; debating; over-indulging and just occasionally…promising more than they can deliver!
January & February Moon Calendar
Launch projects at the New Moon, bring them to completion in the period from just before the Full Moon to the Third Quarter phase and wind them down and reflect on developments in the week before the next New Moon.
The period between the New Moon and the Full Moon is the waxing moon (moon getting bigger and fuller). The period between the Full Moon and the New Moon is the waning moon (moon getting smaller and thinner).
You can use this moon table to select the most favourable days to slow or increase hair regrowth. Full instructions can be found in my Lunar Hair Care guidelines but to get you started I’ve marked the best dates for waxing/shaving to slow regrowth in yellow and the best dates to cut hair for thicker, lusher growth in green. If you’re serious about Lunar Hair Care – why not purchase a moon calendar, available at most esoteric book stores, then you’ll know exactly what time of day the moon changes from one zodiac sign to the next, meaning you can fine-tune your activities with confidence.
|
Date |
Moon Sign |
Element |
Moon Phase |
|
JANUARY |
|
||
|
1st |
Gemini |
Air |
|
|
1st-3rd |
Cancer |
Water |
Full Moon 2nd |
|
3rd-5th |
Leo |
Fire |
|
|
5th-7th |
Virgo |
Earth |
|
|
7th-10th |
Libra |
Air |
Third Quarter |
|
10th-12th |
Scorpio |
Water |
|
|
12th-15th |
Sagittarius |
Fire |
|
|
15th-17th |
Capricorn |
Earth |
New Moon 17th |
|
17th-20th |
Aquarius |
Air |
|
|
20th-22nd |
Pisces |
Water |
|
|
22nd-25th |
Aries |
Fire |
|
|
25th-27th |
Taurus |
Earth |
First Quarter |
|
27th-29th |
Gemini |
Air |
|
|
29th-31st |
Cancer |
Water |
|
|
Date |
Moon Sign |
Element |
Moon Phase |
|
FEBRUARY |
|
||
|
1st-2nd |
Leo |
Fire |
Full Moon 1st |
|
2nd-4th |
Virgo |
Earth |
|
|
4th-6th |
Libra |
Air |
|
|
6th-9th |
Scorpio |
Water |
Third Quarter |
|
9th-11th |
Sagittarius |
Fire |
|
|
11th-14th |
Capricorn |
Earth |
|
|
14th-16th |
Aquarius |
Air |
New Moon |
|
16th-18th |
Pisces |
Water |
|
|
18th-21st |
Aries |
Fire |
|
|
21st-23rd |
Taurus |
Earth |
|
|
23rd-25th |
Gemini |
Air |
First Quarter |
|
25th-27th |
Cancer |
Water |
|
|
27th-28th |
Leo |
Fire |
|
Thanks for being part of AstroUpdate. If there’s something you’d like to see featured, or have something you think would interest others, please contact me at stella@stellastarwoman.com
PS – Don’t forget to check out your June Stars at www.stellastarwoman.com
Happy Stargazing
Stella Woods
www.stellastarwoman.com