When Jupiter and Uranus were retrograde and turned direct in the month of December 2011, both of the planets turned direct at 0° of their signs. In the case of Jupiter, the sign is Taurus. In the case of Uranus, the sign is Aries. During the month of January 2012, Jupiter and Uranus are still in the early degrees of their signs. What this means is that when a faster moving planet enters a new sign, it will make an aspect to one planet, followed by another type of aspect to the other planet. During the beginning of the month, the first planet to be hit will be Jupiter. This will give the energy of the faster moving planet a sense of optimism. Once it hits Uranus, there will be a sense of confusion, perhaps things are moving too fast after all. Around January 18^th, Jupiter will move past Uranus and the first planet to be hit will be Uranus. Now the energy will feel scattered as new situations are occurring quickly. You may feel a little more optimistic about these new situations once the planet moves into an aspect to Jupiter.

Meanwhile Saturn in Libra and Neptune in Aquarius are at 28° or 29° of their respective signs during the month of January 2012. Before a faster moving planet leaves a sign, it will make an aspect to both of these planets indicating the need to know the difference between things in your life that are necessary to do and dreams in your life which can propel you to greater things. It appears that by the end of January, Saturn will form a trine to Neptune. However, that is an illusion. These planets are creating a situation called refranation. Before Saturn can form a trine to Neptune, Neptune leaves the sign of Aquarius on February 3, 2012 and Saturn, a few days later in February, turns retrograde. It’s very difficult to understand just how to create a firm foundation in a world that’s changing and where you really don’t have all the facts. This may cause an underlying sense of insecurity during the month of January. However, it’s important that you trust your own guidance. By doing so, you’ll be able to maintain a form of security in your life.

The first aspect of the New Year occurs on January 5^th when Mercury forms a square to Ceres. Ceres is the planet of compromise: Learning how to work with other people without giving up what is important to you. However, there may be tension in your conversations with other people. Either people don’t care about what you say, or they just don’t want to compromise. You may even be a little too hard on yourself by feeling that you’re asking too much. Maintain a sense of compassion and you’ll find a way to meet your needs without giving up too much in your life.

On January 7^th, Mercury is nearing the end of being in the sign of Sagittarius. For this reason, it will form a sextile to Saturn in the early morning hours, Eastern Standard Time (EST), and a sextile to Neptune in mid-morning, EST. When Mercury forms the sextile to Saturn, you have the chance to view things from a critical perspective with a realistic vision. You’ll be able to analyze your finances and determine how important it is to create a budget in your life. As Mercury moves into the sextile with Neptune, you may feel that perhaps you’re being a little unrealistic about your expectations. Balance is the answer here. Determine what you need for the basics and how much you would like to put aside for those special occasions. Create a plan that provides you with rewards when you achieve your goals.

With Mercury going out of bounds before evening begins, you may not be able to discuss your decisions with other people. The reason for this is that when Mercury goes out of bounds, it’s more difficult to focus mentally. Mercury will be out of bounds until January 20, 2012.

Mercury enters Capricorn on January 8^th and forms both a trine to Jupiter and a square to Uranus. You need to be very cautious this day. With Mercury forming a trine to Jupiter, you are very optimistic about your ability to do things and say things. As a matter of fact, you may say too much. This could create confusing conversations as Mercury starts forming that square to Uranus later in the day. You may feel frustrated that other people aren’t willing to accept your ideas. Or, you may feel frustrated that it seems like people just don’t understand you. You also need to be careful today because you may not be able to focus very well and this could lead to accidents.

In addition, when Mercury forms a square to Uranus, it starts the energy of a cardinal T-square which will last until January 27, 2012. Cardinal T-squares have been a consistent theme throughout the year 2011 and they will continue to be a theme throughout the year 2012. This is especially true as Uranus and Pluto move into a tighter square over the next several years.

Cardinal energies can do one of two things: They can either bring new concepts into the world or they can hold on to the old so strongly that change becomes impossible. The power of cardinal energy is the ability to understand the past so that you can make changes that benefit both you and other people in your life. Unfortunately this energy doesn’t always bode well when it comes to politics. Polarization tends to occur and stagnation becomes the result. With Mercury forming this cardinal T-square, communicating with other people is critical. This can help you bridge the gap between what traditions are important to maintain and what changes are important to implement.

The first full Moon of 2012 occurs on January 9^th when the Sun is in Capricorn and the Moon is in Cancer. It’s important that you and your family participate in discussions about the future as well as the traditions of the past. You need to come up with long-term goals that embrace the needs of your family. Rather than arguing, it’s very important to work as a unit. With Mercury forming a sextile to Chiron later in the day, it’ll be easier to discuss painful matters and come up with healing solutions.

As Venus prepares to leave the sign of Aquarius on January 13^th, it forms a trine to Saturn and will later form a conjunction to Neptune. Before Venus does form that conjunction to Neptune, Mercury forms a conjunction to Pluto.

This is a day of passions. These passions can range from tremendous feelings of romance and commitment. They can also range from feelings of oppression as other people try to get their way. With the energy of Venus you want to find the best in people. You want to share the best of your life with them. And, Mercury can make that a real possibility. On the other hand, Mercury forming a conjunction to Pluto also re-energizes the cardinal T-square. If you just try to push change on other people without respecting their viewpoints, you’ll get into some pretty ugly arguments that lead nowhere but to pain.

On January 14^th, Venus enters Pisces and within a few days forms a sextile to Jupiter. Venus in Pisces can bring out the sensitivity in people. This can either be good or bad, especially with the planet Jupiter involved. Jupiter expands whatever feelings you have. If you feel compassionate about another person’s situation, just make certain that you are being supportive and not victimized if you choose to help them. It’s also important that you don’t agree to do more than you can.

On January 16^th, Venus forms a conjunction to Chiron and Ceres forms a quincunx to Saturn. Your feelings of compassion continue to be at an elevated level. If there’s a way to help someone, you will. Just don’t be too critical of yourself if you can’t help. Sometimes all a person needs is someone to talk to. At the same time, you may be trying to give advice to someone who isn’t willing to make changes in his or her life. If that’s the case, accept that it’s that person’s decision on how to live, not your decision.

When Jupiter forms a semi-sextile to Uranus on January 17^th, you have an opportunity to look at your future and decide what new things you want to try. Accountability is important and you want to hold other people accountable for their actions just as you need to hold yourself accountable.

Ceres enters the sign of Aries on January 19^th. This is not really the most comfortable location for Ceres. Aries is all about me and Ceres is about us. Compromise is important when Ceres is involved. Aries would rather fight for what it believes in. Perhaps the biggest lesson to learn when Ceres is in Aries is that you don’t need to lose what you value most when you compromise.

When Ceres is in Aries it’s important that you don’t feel alienated from your nurturing side. Otherwise you’ll feel as if your own mother has abandoned you. Sometimes even if you don’t have to do things alone, you feel like you do. It’s very difficult for other people to reach out to you and offer any help. But if you need help from others, accept it. Needing help doesn’t mean that you are a weaker person. Instead, strength often comes from knowing just how to accept help.

The Sun enters Aquarius on January 20^th and makes a sextile to Uranus and a square to Jupiter. Personal freedom is important and you are willing to fight for it. You want people to accept your individuality. You don’t want to be taken for granted. With the square that the Sun makes to Jupiter your feelings will be very intense. Many leaders may actually exhibit hubris as if only they know right and the rest of the world should just follow them, no questions asked.

Later in the day, Venus forms a sextile to Pluto and Mercury comes back in bounds. While your passion is extremely high, you may finally find people who are willing to listen to you. It becomes easier to express your viewpoints.

The first new Moon of the year occurs on January 23^rd with both the Sun and Moon in Aquarius. This new Moon forms a sextile to the Ceres/Uranus conjunction. It also forms a square to Jupiter. This is going to be an interesting new Moon. First, the Sun is in its detriment. Instead of self, there is a strong need to care about humanity. There is also a desire to be free from constraints and commitments. Just be cautious at this time. There are some people who feel that the world owes them a living. Other people may exaggerate their importance. While you may want to help people, it’s important that you don’t lose your sense of self. Make certain that any new projects you start at the time of this new Moon are realistic and have a strong foundation.

On January 24^th, Ceres forms a conjunction to Uranus and Mars in Virgo turns retrograde. On one hand this can be a volatile day for the world. People may feel frustrated because things aren’t working out the way they want. On the other hand, action can be slowed down because Mars is turning retrograde.

With Ceres forming a conjunction to Uranus, another cardinal T-square energy begins. Ceres remains in a sign for approximately 2.5 months, so the energy of this cardinal T-square won’t be felt as intensely as some of the other cardinal T-square energies have been felt. Rather, you may feel an underlying theme that people aren’t really willing to compromise. They want to see changes occurring but they want those changes occurring only the way they see fit. This particular cardinal T-square energy won’t really end until April 2, 2012 when Ceres forms an opposition to Saturn retrograde. In your own life, you may see it operate several ways: You may feel that people around you are getting too argumentative and aren’t willing to compromise. Or, you may feel that it’s more important to fight for your own beliefs at this time. It’s important to remember, however, that if there is no compromise both sides will lose. A middle ground needs to be found.

It may be a good thing that Mars is retrograde at this time. Mars normally stays in a sign for about six weeks, but with Mars turning retrograde it will stay in the sign of Virgo for about eight months. Mars entered the sign of Virgo on November 10, 2011, EST. It will be retrograde until April 14, 2012 and stay in the sign of Virgo until July 3, 2012. So, during the entire time period that the Ceres-led cardinal T-square energy is in operation, Mars will be retrograde.

Mars in Virgo is not really a bad place for Mars. It means that you are willing to do what it takes to get things accomplished. However, your energy may be low when Mars is retrograde. The reason that your energy is low is that you are trying to do too much and feel scattered. What’s important is to choose just one goal at a time. Take the time to achieve that goal and congratulate yourself when you succeed.

When Mercury forms a square to Saturn on January 27^th, the cardinal T-square that it began on January 8^th when Mercury formed a square to Uranus ends. This is a good time to look at any new actions which you tried to undertake. Were you able to create new systems that worked in your life? Or, did you find that you had to give up too many important things. If you had to give up too much, you’ll feel very frustrated with yourself today. However, if you made some changes in the short run for a better future, you’ll actually feel good today. Try not to take yourself too seriously today. Try to remember that smiling really helps the day go better.

Mercury also enters the sign of Aquarius on January 27^th after it forms the square to Saturn. Usually when Mercury is in Aquarius, you find yourself more open to new ideas. However, be a little cautious. Mercury forms a sextile to Uranus on January 28^th indicating that you want to be open to new ideas. But, Mercury also forms a square to Jupiter indicating that you may be acting on your new ideas without really thinking everything through. You could easily miss something very important.

As the month ends, Mercury forms a sextile to Ceres on January 29^th. This is a good day to re-evaluate your new concepts. You’ll be able to see things more clearly and make better judgments. You’ll even understand how important it’s been to maintain your sense of self.