Though it is the beginning of the calendar year, astrologically we are moving quickly towards the end of the year. Today, January 20th, marks the beginning of the Aquarian solar month, the 11th month of the year. As an Air sign, Aquarius is attuned to intellectual energy and social interactions. Aloof and objective, Aquarius cares little for the emotional side of things. However, this doesn’t mean that Aquarius isn’t caring. Aquarius is known as the humanitarian of the zodiac, working hard to ensure that society is equitable and everyone has equal access to resources. Aquarius is much less about individual identity and instead works to develop a group, collective, or national identity under the banner of individual freedom for all. Aquarius is a Fixed Sign, meaning that it tenaciously sees projects to the end. It also means that it is somewhat difficult for Aquarius energy to move once it has made up its mind about something.
Aquarius is ruled by the planet Uranus, the planet of freedom of rebellion. Uranus encourages the freedom to express self, regardless of what others think. This is why Aquarius is known as the sign of the eccentric; Uranus encourages us to take the path least traveled. Uranus is an intense energy, associated with electricity and lightning and thus aligning it with the energy of the orisa Sango. And Sango was very much a humanitarian and an innovator, though at its extreme his energy was too intense and thus led to his demise (he ended up killing his wives and children and becoming a harsh dictator). So even though Aquarius encourages us to push the envelope it is also important to maintain a balanced perspective.
Uranus is currently in the sign of Aries where it will remain until 2018. Aries’ energy is similar to that of Ogun, the orisa 
of iron and war. The next six years will prove to be a time of much creativity (Uranus) that will initiate (Aries – Aries is the sign of beginnings) a new way of living. There will probably be some innovation in technology that will have a lasting impact but hopefully it doesn’t cause a disaster! Sango (Uranus) and Ogun (Aries) are very hot energies and often lead to fighting and war when they come together. At the same time, fire and heat refine and transform so hopefully the more positive functions of heat will manifest in our lives over the next six years.
So does this Aquarian month have in store for us?
Well we have a New Moon in Aquarius in just a few days (January 23), allowing us to take time to consider how we would like to developing our own sense of freedom. What dreams or goals have you put on hold because they just seemed so unrealistic? What hobbies have you wanted to take up that others thought were weird? Put all of those hindering thought patterns aside and begin cultivating your own sense of freedom.
On January 23 we also have Mars going retrograde in Virgo. Mars in Virgo stresses hard work and actively organizing with the goal of greater efficiency and effectiveness. This eases up when Mars goes retrograde (seems to be going backwards) and it can be easy to get lazy under this influence.
Mercury enters Aquarius on January 29, adding an extra level of objectivity to Aquarius’ already objective energy. Aquarius, Gemini, and Virgo natives will feel this more than the rest of us and this is great time for those natives to communicate on all things logical…but hold off on the emotional conversations, if possible. You will most likely offend someone, especially if the person you are communicating with is a watery Cancer like me.
On February 3, Neptune enters Pisces! This is significant for two main reasons: 1) Neptune rules Pisces so we’ll be experience a double dose of this very mystical, intuitive energy and 2) Neptune remains in Pisces until 2026 so we’ll be feeling these effects for a long time. I’ll write more about this when we get closer to it but this energy is very much attuned to the orisa Olokun, the orisa of the deep ocean.
On February 7, the moon reaches fullness in bold and fiery Leo. This is the time to reap those seeds of individuality and freedom sowed during the time of the New Moon and start to move with your plans and goals.
Also on February 7, Saturn goes retrograde in Libra, the sign of harmony, balance, and relationships until June 25. Saturn is a planet that brings structure and conformity to everything it touches so this retrograde motion eases up on structure a bit but this urge to restructure may also happen internally, especially for native Librans. This may be a time of reconsidering the structures you currently have in your life.
On February 8, Venus enters Aries. Aries natives will begin to feel the need to express their affections to others while Taurus and Libra natives will start to feel bolder in the love area, perhaps choosing to initiate a new romance instead of waiting to be approached.
On February 13, Mercury enters Pisces. Gemini and Virgo natives, now is the time to have those deep, emotional discussions with us watery types, as now you are more attuned to the emotional depths of Pisces. Pisces natives will find communication easier for them at this time.
