Your Milky Way Horoscope Jan. 26-Feb. 1, 2014

By Milky Way Maid

Dear Readers--

I missed a column in January due to illness. I was in Intensive Care for a few days; my doctors are still running some tests. I'd appreciate your keeping me in mind for the near future while I mend. Thanks so much!

The Sun at 9 degrees Aquarius is sextile Uranus in Aries at 3:33 am Wednesday. Sun-Uranus aspects have to do with declaring one's independence and asserting one's uniqueness. We may resemble a rebel without a cause. We may break out of our ruts, and even play hookey from school or work. Insights can arrive without really working for them. Mentally, this transit favors study of any kind, because your alert, curious mind can comprehend and accept ideas more readily and more quickly.

Jupiter at 12 degrees Cancer opposes Pluto in Capricorn at 4:36 am Friday. This is probably a generational transit rather than a personal one. Opposition by the oligarchy (Pluto) can be strongly against progressive politics (Jupiter). On a personal level, one is obliged to keep to the straight and narrow lest the law (Jupiter) and/or police (Pluto) clip your wings a bit. (I am reminded of Jesus' trip to Jerusalem, where he worked to challenge both the religious and Roman authorities, while trying to maintain silence on the subject of whether he was the Messiah or not.)

Mercury enters Pisces at 9:29 am Friday. Mercury in Pisces far prefers the private world of fantasy to dry and nasty reality. Mercury here can be amazingly intuitive, although Pisces often fears expressing her intuitions in the face of ridicule or laughter. Mature Pisces natives can communicate their visions of a better way of life, birthing ideals into a healing force in the real world. The Piscean mind is not basically scientific, but it can absorb information and do well enough in an academic setting to graduate. If Mercury here is well aspected, denotes a creative imagination. Famous people with Mercury in Pisces include: opera singers Adelina Patti and Leontyne Price, author Victor Hugo, Eugene McCarthy, Earl Warren, Sidney Poitier, Princes Edward and Andrew, poet Robert Frost, and W E B DuBois.

Venus makes her direct station at 13 degrees, 34' Capricorn at 3:49 pm Friday. As I have explained before, based on reading Dane Rudhyar and other astrologers, the Venus retrograde period allows us to have a “change of heart” – about a specific person or about our values in general (balancing values of people vs money). During the retrograde, it can be awkward or difficult to relate to others, or we may doubt the sincerity of the Other, or feel let down. On December 21, Venus went retrograde at 28 degrees, 58' of Capricorn. In 2012, Venus went retrograde on May 15 and direct on June 27. Possibly reflecting on the 2012 period will reveal insights useful to understanding the current retrograde and direct motions. Venus represents magnetism, and during the retrograde it might be best to try not to attract whatever or whoever we most desire, because we may inadvertently drive them away. Wait till after the direct station (Jan. 31) to try to spread your nets. Then Venus is your friend again, and can function normally as the prime attractor in your life.

Please visit my twin site on Blogger if you would like these articles translated into Spanish, French, German, Japanese or any other language. Link: http://milky-way-astrology.blogspot.com/

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LATE DEGREES – see my popular article on late degrees of all the signs. Link: http://milky-way-astrology.blogspot.com/2008/08/planets-in-late-degrees-what-do-they.html

POPE FRANCIS – I finally posted a little article on the new Pope Francis and also a kind of book review on a book that accidentally talks about ancient astronomy. The article on Pope Francis is here: http://milkywayastrology.wordpress.com/2013/06/02/a-look-at-the-new-pope-franciss-astro-charts/ And the article on the best book that both is and is not about ancient astronomy is here: http://milkywayastrology.wordpress.com/2013/06/02/the-best-book-about-ancient-astronomy-that-isnt-about-astrology-per-se/

COOL WEBSITES – In no particular order of importance: Check out Astrology.com -- free lessons online. Watch astronomic animations at http://shadowandsubstance.com/. Go to http://www.solarsystemscope.com/ for a view of our solar system and nearby stars. This guy called the correct winner of the 2012 election, and he puts out a monthly column: http://www.howardbeckmanvedicastrologer.com/wordpress/

This guy writes a cool weekly astrology newsletter and sells astro books: Dave at www.astroamerica.com.

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Readers can follow not only their Sun sign horoscope but also their Ascendant for further clues to how your week will develop. NOTE: some aspects are exact on a weekend but may find opportunity for expression on the Friday or Monday nearest the exact aspect. Times given are in Eastern Standard or Eastern Daylight Savings Time depending on the season.

ARIES - March 20-April 19 – Wednesday is especially favorable for learning new material, or for satisfying your natural curiosity. Thursday's New Moon in your solar eleventh house emphasizes working for the greater good, possibly with a humanitarian or non-profit group. Mercury enters your solar twelfth house Friday; you speak your truth to others regardless of how they might react to it.

TAURUS - April 20-May 20 – Wednesday night favors getting inside information on how to handle a publishing or legal matter. Thursday's New Moon in your solar tenth house puts the focus on your real purpose for being in this world. Mercury enters your solar eleventh house Friday; your manner of interacting with others is disarming and friendly.

GEMINI - May 21-June 20 - Wednesday is especially favorable for learning new material, or for satisfying your natural curiosity. Thursday's New Moon in your solar ninth house may send you hunting up college courses; there are many free courses online so make a search. Mercury enters your solar tenth house Friday; you just intuitively know what needs to be said in any business situation.

CANCER - June 21-July 22 - Mercury enters your solar ninth house Friday; you can teach in ways that others can learn, seamlessly adapting academic material to individual abilities. Venus' direct station in the solar house of relationships favors moving forward now in partnerships or any public appearances.

LEO - July 23-Aug. 22 -Thursday's New Moon in your solar seventh house puts extra focus on relationships and partnerships, so keep things honest and aboveboard. Mercury enters your solar eighth house Friday; you gain the intuitive ability to recognize others' unspoken motives and show them how they can move forward in realizing their fruition.

VIRGO - Aug. 23-Sept. 22 – Tuesday night is good for finding someone who will swap favors with you, whether that means babysitting each others' kids or watering plants while you are away. Mercury enters your solar seventh house Friday; you are able to summarize others' positions in a way that builds rapport and understanding. Venus' direct station in your solar fifth house is ideal for moving forward on the romantic front.

LIBRA - Sept. 23-Oct. 22 - Thursday's New Moon in your solar fifth house may mean renewed creative efforts or enrolling in a craft class. Mercury enters your solar sixth house Friday; you may gain the intuitive ability to synthesize data into a cohesive analysis.

SCORPIO - Oct. 23-Nov. 21 - Thursday's New Moon in your solar fourth house may mean you finally feel like you belong. Mercury enters your solar fifth house Friday; you can enhance your communications with a bit of dramatic flair. Venus' direct station favors interviewing and all communications to make a positive impression on others.

SAGITTARIUS - Nov. 22-Dec. 21 – The Moon is in Sag as the week begins, and stays there till very early Tuesday. A Sunday morning walk around the neighborhood ends in meaningful conversation with neighbors. You do something different Sunday afternoon, possibly visiting an avant garde art display. Someone may spark your competitive energies Monday morning. Visit a bookstore after work Monday. Mercury enters your solar fourth house Friday; you become more sensitive to others' feelings and you gain others' trust as a result.

CAPRICORN - Dec. 22-Jan. 19 – The Moon is in Capricorn from 12:04 am Tuesday till late Wednesday. Write down dreams Tuesday morning. Focus on a new affirmation Tuesday night. You find someone to trade favors with late Tuesday. Midday Wednesday finds you charging off on a tangent without checking details first. Mercury enters your solar third house Friday; you are amazingly intuitive about others' thoughts and become adept at turning them to your side.

AQUARIUS - Jan. 20-Feb. 17 – The Moon is in Aquarius from 11:33 pm Wednesday till Friday night. Wednesday is extra favorable for learning new material. A New Moon in Aquarius occurs Thursday afternoon; it is accompanied by a sextile to Uranus which points to meeting new and unusual neighbors. Burn off some excess energy at lunch time Friday. Mercury enters your solar second house Friday; you gain a surprising amount of practical perception this month.

PISCES - Feb. 18-March 19 – Thursday's New Moon in your solar twelfth house may send you on a productive retreat. The Moon is in Pisces from 10:45 pm Friday till next Sunday night. Mercury enters your sign on Friday; you're up late Friday chatting on the phone or online. Write down dreams Saturday morning. You go to excess at the Saturday dinner hour. Saturday night favors time with loved ones, possibly at a humanitarian event.