Early Days, Better Ways

By Boots Hart

Art by Allison Healy

What we would like to think true and the truth of reality are currently all the rage – in many places (unfortunately), literal rage. Sorting out what’s work and what’s unworkable is a huge theme this quarter, as is discovering what really matters – to us, to those we love, to our world. In a sense, that may be exactly why life IS so confusing now: when confusion becomes overwhelming and all our striking out isn’t producing responses and results we would hope for, then we tend to fall back on that which matters most. We prioritize.

Pluto is about to conjunct Facies. Astrologically referred to as fixed star, Facies is actually a nebula, which should tell us that it is ‘made up of many things.’ That tells us things are not simplistic now and that lack of simplicity is getting exposed. To many, that will seem even more (and more) confusing.

Facies’ ‘victim/aggressor’ vibe undergoes a Plutonic ‘transformation’ as this quarter unfolds. Especially as Neptune fully commits to its transit of Pisces come February people will stop thinking it’s ‘their fault’ (or responsibility) and start recognizing that many of our problems personal and global are about our own individual unwillingness to feel our feelings. We want everything to be good and we’re not very well adjusted to the fact that sometimes pain and emotional discomfort are the only motivational forces which will get us moving. Or which will force us to deal with reality.
December-January’s Capricorn period has Uranus (change, flexibility) in very early numbers of Aries and Jupiter (growth/overgrowth) similarly positioned in early Taurus. Capricorn being a pro-active, pragmatic sign all about life’s structure’s, this is a time to focus on what you can do to structure/restructure your life to be more functional. Pruning may be required and it may hurt to cut yourself short. Just make sure you don’t cut yourself too short!

January-February’s Aquarius period has Jupiter and Uranus just a degree or two along, but now Neptune enters 0 Pisces, signaling a liberation of deeply held consciousness. This could be mystical, yes. But considering that Uranus is in the “I Am” sign of Aries and Jupiter in Taurus is all about learning about our personal values, this is more likely to be a time when something or someone or some event produces some sort of ‘greater awareness.’ Aquarius being an airy and fixed sign, contemplation is easy, doing something about it not so simple.

The choice here is likely to be about doing ‘right’ versus doing what we ‘like.’ We know the difference, yes. We just don’t always LIKE that difference, and what with Mars going retrograde in Virgo during late January and Saturn following suit by goes retrograde at 29 critical degrees of Libra on February 7th (UT/+0)…all this suggests a trying time. Who are we – really? That’s the question. Are we ‘one of the herd’? Are we hung up on what others think of us? Are we who we ‘should’ be or who others ‘expect’ us to be? Does that work? That’s the name of the game.

The Sun’s February-March passage through Pisces will include a couple of weeks during which Sun direct in opposition to Mars retrograde will feel like either a ‘narrowing of focus’ or ‘the walls closing in’ (options being lost) depending on what you’re up to. Jupiter/Pluto in trine from Taurus to Capricorn brings some structures down while miraculously reinventing others.

What’s the separation? Your willingness to confront your own feelings on life. With Mercury going retrograde in Aries come March 12th (UT/+0) there is either need or cause for reflection, depending on how pig-headed you’ve been. If something isn’t working, let go. Start with a clean slate. Think it through without preconceptions and look for a better long-term answer.

ARIES

Uranus moving into Aries in 2011 began 8 years of reinventing who you are, how you operate and estimates of personal abilities. Now Jupiter in Taurus plus Pluto/Facies in Capricorn says you’re part of your problem or the whole of your solution. You don’t like vulnerability (who, YOU?) but it will help to let the guard down as February rolls through. If come March you need ‘personal time,’ take it! This is also a time to work by yourself or on personal projects.

TAURUS

Some things are ‘iffy’ and others, simply beyond your control. Your very sense of what life is (or what it has been) is shaky and shaken again – repeatedly. You can’t run fast enough to stay ahead…what to do? Answer: stop dreaming and start clearing out the pretext and pretenses. Some cherished ideals need axing but you CAN have good relationships and quality of life IF you get real about the difference between ‘worth’ and ‘worthiness.’

GEMINI

Problems arise if/where you haven’t taken feelings into account – yours or those of others. New opportunities will open up, but being able to capitalize on them takes realistic assessment. So ask yourself: how do my choices affect others? This is important because ‘their’ responses translate into your ability to get where you want to go. Staying on your toes is also advised, as important methods, means and alliances are (or will be) in flux and likely to change.

CANCER

It’s to be expected that you’ll toss some goals and modify others this season. But don’t be too hasty, lest you miss out on long-term gains simply because a short term is messy, ill-defined or inconvenient. It may be better to weather the uncertainty IF you are convinced of something in terms of its usefulness, benefits and viable operative structure. And yes, it may take a Kevlar suit to get from here to there, but hey – you look good in anything, right?

LEO

New adventures are eye-opening and exciting, but don’t expect life to be ideal in these next months ahead. Altruism serves you well, aiming at pie-in-the-sky personal pleasure/having things be “delightful” stirs up whatever karma out there has your name on it. Jupiter in Taurus describes worthwhile opportunities, but since best laid plans bear fruit four years from now, the question becomes whether you will plan or simply play it safe for lesser personal gains.

VIRGO

Uranus in Aries represents an evolutionary process manifesting as operational imperatives which work not from all perspectives, inspiring others to support your cause. Adding in the Jupiter, Pluto, Virgo and Neptune of it all gives us what astrologers call a “kite” – a figure which asks you to be practical, pragmatic and morally/ethically healthy. Chinks which show up now reveal a need for focus…maybe most of all on the emotional involved in coping.

LIBRA

Finding new outlets and formulas/formats which reap more consistent/better benefits is a Uranus long-term challenge. This year, Taurus Jupiter tests your values and ability to tolerate risk by bringing about new ‘wrinkles’ in the area of relationships and financial resources. At some level, something you learned early in life is being challenged; by figuring out what that is and considering it factually, you can adjust and become more productive and happy.

SCORPIO

Where strength of instinct has been a plus, it becomes iffy and unpredictable. Added to that are increasing signs that old rationales no longer work. Though you’re likely to feel like options are being taken away, there are many opportunities which await the Scorpio able to let go of control, trading that for the opportunity to participate, and learn not just how accustomed you were to control, but the pluses AND minuses of being a team player.

SAGITTARIUS

You’re cruising new waters since Uranus’ 2010 move into Aries. That exploration continues with the emphasis now shifting to a more internal examination of what it takes to be EFFECTIVE in life. Currently, the critical issue is the difference between what you like…and what works.. Letting go of old preconceptions and biases will help open doors, mend relationships and strengthen your appeal to others – and the opportunities which flow from that!

CAPRICORN

Lack of stability or disruptions in areas of long standing stability (or something you have ‘always’ counted on) now ask whether you’re willing to try something new. Whichever way you go here, the hardest part of any process is understanding emotionality as a motivational force. Believing you ‘know’ what others think (or that they think as you do) brings challenges. Being willing to listen and evolve ideas as you go is much harder, but a better bet.

AQUARIUS

Mixing it up /getting mixed up are part and parcel of a revolution in thinking and life perspective now under way. Whatever your priorities were, Neptune entering Pisces means either a shift from ‘knowing’ to insecurity and feeling loss/lost…or altruism leading to eventual success. Knowing basics and what a sound basis for moving forward is, matters – as does understanding your own capacity, including when and how  willingness works for you!

PISCES

Uranian shakeups manifest as challenges to values and convictions, leading to increased focus on things you KNOW as ‘worth it’ even as Jupiter’s 2012 Taurus passage reveals why you should qualify who you interact with. Liking someone is one thing – trusting them, another. As Plutonic worldly struggles hit high gear, don’t give up: take solid stands and wait…see who falls in line! Neptune in Pisces tests your ability to tolerate fear – it’s something you need to learn.