January 2010
By Bob Mulligan

Happy New Year!  2010 is going to be great.  This is an exciting time as we say goodbye to 2009 which was a year where the economy dominated the thinking of so many people.  The fortunes for the world will be quite different this year.  With the movement of Saturn (planet of discipline) into Libra (sign of balance), we will see the world moving more toward a concert of interests.  We will find common ground with many countries and in our personal lives it will be easier to find workable solutions to everyday problems.  With Jupiter (father of abundance) moving through Pisces and Aries, we will find joy in community activities as well as in personal initiatives.  The major lesson to emerge from the year will be around how responsible people make progress, working in concert with other people willing to do their share.  People who haven’t learned to take their given obligations seriously will suffer.  The major planetary configuration this summer is a gathering of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto all on the beginning of the cardinal signs…This shows big changes in the world and that we are moving into new, uncharted territories.  It’s a turning point in world history that will unfold through the fall.

January 2010 brings us to the end of a long run of exuberance against the giant storm gathering in our culture.  We enter the month with Mars, Mercury, and Saturn Retrograde.  We end the month with only Mars Retrograde.  We will see the way to a positive future without having the energy to get there.  Luckily we have time.  Mercury and Saturn turning direct indicate that we are waking up to our current difficulties.  Jupiter entering Pisces shows that we are finding a new depth and maturity in the way we envision personal success. The Solar Eclipse January 15th 2010 symbolizes our need to shift to a very practical approach to our lives.  The continuing Mars Retrograde encourages us to find different methods for manifesting our creativity.  The month ending with Saturn Squaring Pluto reminds us to be safe by being self limiting and disciplined.

New Moon Eclipse is on January 15th 2010 at 2:12 AM EST.  With Saturn changing direction and Mercury in Retrograde Squaring Saturn while being Conjunct Pluto gives an ominous tone to the coming period. Learning to do more with less can be a pleasurable experience; the elimination of excess allows us to have more mobility and more choices in the future. Meditate on letting go, self reliance, and peace.  Set your intentions for the coming period.  See the next lunar month as a chance to build a new foundation.  This is a time for manifesting.

Sun enters Aquarius at 11:28 PM EST on January 19th.  This solar month is meant to usher in a final conclusion to all of last year’s activities and attitudes.  We close the past and enter a transition period lasting three months. Then we enter a new world.

The Full Moon happens on January 30th at 1:18 AM EST.  This moment of personal fulfillment will carry us toward our real authentic self.  Venus (goddess of beauty) Conjunct the Sun, and Mars (god of war) Conjunct the Moon indicates how polarized we are between masculine and feminine agendas.  We are being prompted to harmonize our cravings and desires with our need for truth and unity.  Participation does not mean relinquishing your individuality.  But, recognition and acceptance of everyone else’s idiosyncrasies is the path to community healing now. 

From the 1st to the 3rd big plans germinate and intriguing conversations lead us toward our New Year’s Resolutions and promises.  Now is a good time to chart the course ahead in outline form and to finish up past business.

From the 4th to the 10th major changes in people in our lives can lead to different methods of communication.  Relationships old and new take up most of our time.  Putting a little bit more formal structure in our work can help us create efficiency.

From the 11th to the 17th although business is on the upswing, and we find diplomacy playing a bigger role in our jobs, it is really in our close personal relationships that we find the most profound changes.

From the 18th to the 24th personal and professional goals overlap.  We can’t make progress in business without satisfying the needs of people.  And we can’t have success in our personal relationships without including the needs of everyone.

From the 25th to the 31st our tremendous effort has to be directed correctly in order to be effective.  This requires forethought and compromise.  Don’t lose heart; keep moving forward regardless of the odds of success.

1st – Friday – Sun Semi-square Jupiter – As we put the old year behind us we are encouraged to take bold new steps and create a new path for ourselves.  Don’t overdo anything in the desire to please others…please others by being your better self.

2nd – Saturday – Venus Semi-square Neptune – We can suffer disappointments if we have unrealistic expectations.  Be willing to take a chance but keep your feet on the ground.

3rd – Sunday – Mars Sesquiquadrate Pluto – Victory belongs to the strong; remember, anger is a sign of weakness.  Develop real faith in a higher truth, cling to it; don’t sacrifice your character for expediency.

4th – Monday – Venus Semi-square Jupiter, Sun Conjunct Mercury – We feel the allure of new and untried ideas and methods.  Examine innovative suggestions but strain unique thoughts through the grid of practicality.  Focus on situations and relationships that speak to the foundations of your life. 

5th – Tuesday – Mercury Conjunct Venus, Mercury Semi-square Jupiter – Timing is critical….be patient with yourself and others….If you listen to your intuition, you will know just what to say and when; bring others into your world.  Assert your confidence by using few words; the results can be amazing.
 
6th – Wednesday – Think before you act, then overcome inertia and get moving.  Even though you will meet resistance, much can be accomplished now. 

7th – Thursday – Sun Quincunx Mars – Frustration is likely as we are not always able to apply our energy in a useful manner.  We are happiest when we keep our focus on the ideal outcome and encourage others without any attachment to the outcome.

8th – Friday – Mercury Semi-square Neptune, Venus Quincunx Mars – Ardor can turn to anger, passion can lead to indiscretion.  Verbalize your feelings and be willing to make allowances for others people’s erratic emotions.

9th – Saturday – It’s a day of balance.  We are encouraged and supported by others and we in turn tend to do what others expect. Resting on past successes allows us time to gather strength.
 
10th – Sunday – It is easy to slip into a pattern of overindulgence. Measure everything you are involved with and be honest with yourself.  Understand limits then enjoy the day.

11th – Monday – Sun Conjunct Venus – Lasting beauty is built on a firm foundation.  Common ground brings strength, joy, and abundance to every group encounter.

12th – Tuesday – Take pride and joy when putting the finishing touches on every project.  Expand your arena and take time to enjoy the company of others. New people show up and you can see old friends in a new way.

13th – Wednesday – Venus Sextile Uranus, Saturn turns Retrograde, Sun Sextile Uranus – We are lifted out of our normal habits and introduced to an ultra-modern approach to traditional problems.  We respond to the call of the muse; new people, new information, and creative sparkle can ignite our enthusiasm.

14th – Thursday – Mercury Contra-parallel Mars, Venus Semi-sextile Neptune – Sharp criticism can be tempered by focusing on creating harmony.  There is no reason to be in a hurry…Take the secure route to your goal.

15th – Friday – New Moon at 2:12 AM EST, Sun Semi-sextile Neptune, Mercury turns Direct – Even though you may feel like you’re dealing with the same old issues, there are some new variables now. 

16th – Saturday – Mercury Contra-parallel Mars – Stop what you are doing long enough to listen to others and you may save yourself lots of trouble.

17th – Sunday – Sun Parallel Mercury, Sun Contra-parallel Mars, Jupiter enters Pisces – We have lots of energy but is it directed correctly?  Wait for inspiration before acting so that you are not just reacting to circumstances. Now is a time for deep creativity.

18th – Monday – Venus enters Aquarius, Venus Semi-sextile Jupiter – Good ideas and intentions can find tangible expression when they are a true reflection of your own higher values.

19th – Tuesday – Mercury Parallel Venus, Venus Contra-parallel Mars, Sun Enters Aquarius – Sparks fly as we are involved with our passions; give voice to your heart’s desire and you will be amazed in your own ability to effect positive change.

20th – Wednesday – Sun Semi-sextile Jupiter – Any effort that you put into bringing about something for the community well-being will be rewarded.

21st – Thursday – Venus Semi-sextile Pluto – A little structure can give deeper meaning and manifestation to your feelings.  Be willing to share your deepest passions with others and you will see a positive response.

22nd – Friday –Venus Trine Saturn – We have a period of waiting in order to achieve our goals.  Our initial impulse can be really correct; it may need time to manifest.

23rd – Saturday – Enjoy the distractions as you have much new information and no where to put it.  Impractical ideas can clash with the need to see results.  It is best to just relax and watch others.

24th – Sunday – Sun Semi-sextile Pluto, Sun Trine Saturn, Mercury Semi-square Neptune – Responsible steps take us to our goal. We are peeling away layers of old habits and gradually innovating. Relationships improve with the investment of time.

25th – Monday – Mercury Contra-parallel Mars, Venus Semi-square Uranus, Mercury Quincunx Mars – We find excitement with sudden changes in our routines.  A new vision comes to us and we take off in a new direction.  We discover new things about ourselves by being open to others.

26th – Tuesday – Our creativity and passions are aroused but we are in need of balance.  Our impulses can carry us in several directions at once.  This is fine if you are just playing but it can make it more difficult if you are under any pressure to produce something.  Have some time for fun built into your day.

27th – Wednesday – Venus Opposite Mars, Sun Parallel Pluto – Romantic ideas and feelings make this a colorful time.  Be willing to let others go their own way without giving up your vision of the truth.

28th – Thursday – Venus Parallel Pluto, Sun Semi-square Uranus – We have a strong drive to change things. Iconoclastic urges can keep us fighting the status quo.  It is good to examine the real meaning of freedom.

29th – Friday – Sun opposite Mars – Inner tension can create outer conflict. Be willing to put forth great effort for a cause but see if it is possible to include others.

30th – Saturday – Full Moon at 1:18 AM EST, Sun Parallel Venus – All the energy of the day is manifesting in a social context.  This is a great time to spend with friend and lovers.  There is a certain flair and charm to every interaction.  People are pleasant.

31st – Sunday – Mars Sesquiquadrate Uranus, Saturn Square Pluto – Violence and anger dot the landscape of the day.  Peace is achieved by a combination of fearless action and prudence. The world is changing and people are excited.  Look to see where you can do some good.

Bob Mulligan is available for personal appointments, astrology classes, and astrological material.  Call him at 239-261-2840 or by e-mail at bobmulliga@aol.com.  Visit our web site, www.theastrologycompany.com

Now Available on DVD.  Bob’s talk “2010: How to Partake of Next Year’s Opportunities.”  In order to understand this coming period Bob gave the long view how modern history developed, starting with the birth of Buddha.  This creates the context to understand the meaning of 2010. Cost is $15.

Maurice Fernandez was such a hit in September we invited him to come back; he will be returning to Naples February 12th, 13th, and 14th.  Join Maurice for his fascinating workshop “Neptune, the 12th house, and Pisces”—as Neptune is about to enter its own sign of Pisces in the course of 2012, we all need to get to the bottom of its influence and message. Maurice has provided much needed clarity on the nature of this archetype in his book on the subject—in this workshop newly developed material will be presented!

Evening Lecture: Friday February 12, 2010
The Transition of Neptune from Aquarius to Pisces

Day 1 Workshop: Saturday February 13, 2010
          The 12th House and its 7 developmental stages

Day 2 Workshop: Sunday February 14, 2010
          Neptune: Realizing the Freedom of Peace

The archetype of Pisces including Neptune, the 12th house and the sign of Pisces remains one of the biggest mysteries in astrology despite the fact that it is a pillar in the understanding of astrology. Many definitions have been attributed to it such as, “the unconscious”, “the hidden enemies”, “the confined places”, or “the spiritual aspirations”, and although true in themselves, these fragmented definitions have only caused more confusion. The 12th house in its essence represents the root of every psychological complex because it is from where all things originate and where they conclude.

Spiritually speaking, the Pisces archetype contains the ultimate solution for our existence—through it, one may finally attain the freedom of peace in the midst of life’s tumult and complexities.

Join Maurice in this workshop and apply these concepts to your own chart: find out your personal path to master peace and find true freedom.

Cost: Early Registration Discount:
         
Prior to February 1st:
          Two day workshop and evening presentation: $145
            One day workshop and evening presentation: $100

            After February 1st:
Two day workshop and evening presentation: $175
One day workshop and evening presentation: $125

At the door
            Evening presentation: $25
            One day workshop: $110
            Two day workshop: $180
           

Contact Bob Mulligan for registration and details: 239-261-2840

Visit Maurice’s Website for more details:
www.mauricefernandez.com

Blessings for an inspiring experience

Alan Oken will be here and leading a meditation for the Wesak Festival on April 28, 2010.  Alan will give a three hour workshop on Friday night, April 30th, and two, all day workshops on Saturday and Sunday, May 1st and 2nd.

Bob will be at the OPA Retreat in Asilomar, California October 20th to the 23rd, 2010.  This is the time and place for people interested in professional astrology to get together. To learn more go to www.professional-astrology.org.

Bob’s Book – “Between Astrologers and Clients” has just been reissued. Hard cover copies are $32 and paper backs are $22. This price includes postage within the United States.

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