January's Astrological guide to keeping the New Year Resolutions

It's being twenty days since many of us have made declarations and promises to reform an old habit, change life style, get fit, grow, quit smoking... and the list go on. But how many of us have actually kept these very same promises we held so dare to ourselves at the dawn of the new year.

That's the very same question I asked myself as I chomped down on my first chocolate bar this morning, after throwing all thought of such a thing to the winds of change and affirming that this year, the year of 2009 would be a good healthy one, one with fruit and salads, long walks and blissful morning runs...

Now while I won’t pretend to know the answers, I can share five of my own goal setting astrologically in-tune tips (what a tongue twister!) on how to keep New Years resolutions... or at least, like my own experience, prolong the dedication to the goal and guide the ship back on course if by chance the captain happened to fall victim to a deliciously inviting, drool worthy, heaven in a wrapped... ok ill stop there, but by god that chocolate was worth it :)

Venus conjuncts Uranus on January 23, 2009

Such an aspects made between Venus and Uranus emphasise the spheres of social and intimate relationships, with the energy and intention focused towards exploring the external world through an extroverted personality, reflecting that while it is healthy to ask the big questions about where your life is going, what your truly doing and where you really are, to ask them too often often results in ending up in a twirl of directionless (its a word now!) despair. This reminds us to take the pressure off from constantly changing the goals and chosen path of achievement, as while small adjustments are to be expected a constant rehash of the initial plan will only erode any sense of progression once you meet a conflict. Stick to the essence of the goal and there is far more of a living possibility of success.

Venus opposes Saturn on January 24, 2009

With Venus opposition to Saturn, we are most often inclined to regard our experiences as being almost useless and without aid to our current situation. With this aspect in play, we will be challenged by our distractions, a process that will continue until you realize how important our success or failure really is to us. We must be wary of underestimating our self-worth. Reminding ourself that we can match our competitors, and do not need to give then more control over our lives than we deserve.

In order to succeed we must stop hiding the truth from ourselves, after all there were legitimate reasons for such resolutions – and most likely that hasn't changed, but by drawing to a direct focus the emotional intention and the cold resistance to change we can at the very least be far more prepared for our own self disillusioning acts.

Annular Solar Eclipse on January 26, 2009 in the 13th degree of sidereal Capricorn.

This degree is symbolized as “A tripod with flames of fire blazing froth from a braziere”, it is the degree of Aspiration and Higher goals. Practical and productive actions will be needed to be taken in order to find fulfilment of the wish. Although this is a sign of war or struggles it is quiet adapt for such a situation – as we often fight and war with such change. One way in order to overcome this is to apply Capricornian strengths, such as a logical practical plan, like a chart, created as a physical reminder of the mental aspiration.

Such a alignment suggest that to keep New Years resolutions it wouldn't help to write our goals in enough detail for everyone to understand and agree with what's meant. An example would be, if my goal was to buy a house, I would need to put some flesh on the bones by saying my goal is to buy a three bedroom house, with garden, near my place of work, for no more than three times your salary. Allowing the idea to be far more intense, observational and focused.

Mercury conjuncts mars on January 27, 2009

A Mercury conjunct Mars indicates that at this time our minds will be far more restless and eager to gain new information, and may feel that the progression we make will somehow not be final. Our creative ideas at this time will be more intensely imaginative, something that could be exploit energetically but it also has a warning itself suggesting that too much imagination and macrocosmic view will only increase a sense of apathy and anxiety – instead if we break down the main goal into smaller more manageable goals we are far more equipped to achieve them.

Jupiter sesquiquadrates Saturn on January 31, 2009

This is a sign of guidance stemming from others, and the reminder that much light can be born from darkness, which makes quite allot of sense when applied to a new year resolution – going it alone may have it's glory but as the song goes with a little help from my friends...”
Here's an unusual game to stir the insight of those around you. Start a conversation with a friend, family member or someone who's guidance you trust in.

Explain your New Years resolution to then. If we used the new home resolution (not one of mine by the way... one mortgage is enough thank you!) Tell them what it's like in the house, the decorations, the layout, get them to ask you questions about how you got there e.g. how did you get the initial viewing, who spotted it first etc.

This is where you will be put on the spot and have to come up with plausible answers. Aim to "keep it real" with your answers, as it's probably best not to rely on winning the lottery to fund the plans, as after all this is a resolution in a achievable goal. Keep this conversation going as long as possible, with as much detail as you both can muster.

This might sound like complete madness, telling fantastic fibs and wild rants about how we can achieved our New Years resolution. The truth is that the questions we ask forge links in our minds, creating a map that make it easier for us to achieve your long term goals.

I hope this stirs you as half as much as it has me, as this is one year that has all the markings of those that echo on for many years to come!

Reviewing January - The Gate Keeper.

Happy New Year!

On the dawn of a new year as the light caresses the horizon of a new celestial adventure; I am drawn to remember that in numerology, 2009 is represented as a 11.

To my understanding eleven is the number of both division and unity – the balanced equilibrium of both individuality maintained within a synod of one – a year that denotes that we shall be divided for the sake of union.

The year of the eleven also suggests that this will be a beautiful year of spirituality and self-empowerment, a time filled with opportunities and karmatic stirring's to release old worn-out attitudes and negative behaviours – willing us on to spread our corporeal wings and reach new found heights - to become the 'bigger and better' person whom we can deny only ourselves in being.

This is a year that promotes the thinking more about re-connecting with others, and becoming one with ourselves, embracing our dark side as well as our light, by committing ourselves to resolving the conflict within and by taking responsibility for the state of the world, both in our own back gardens and the greater playing fields of life.

In 2009, some of us will experience a drastic change in our personality, some will feel the craving and desires to act on generosity, sharing kindness and compassion while others will return to a more primal sense of being with an opportunity to face unresolved aggression and assertiveness in a world filled with uncertainties and shaken foundation... all are ways to gain a greater inner peace and a calm the hunger of belonging.

It is a year of both self-discovery and self-sacrifice, to simultaneously experience a death and a rebirth in our renewal of hope and faith – the true alchemy of being Human.

The new year dawns with a new moon in the responsible Capricorn – this should aid in bringing us a satisfied feeling, for in part we have reclaimed the focus on providing for others during the last few weeks, and we can now create a more stable and secure environment for ourselves.

There may be a stirring need for seclusion, keeping thoughts private and out of the limelight, to rest, renew and rejuvenate. Less time will be spent on relationships and communications as we will best utilise such a time to recharge the self with a time of peace and quite.

On Friday (the 1st of the January) Mercury entered the freedom loving Aquarius and will remain there for the next few weeks – this should help us to find refreshing new ways to combat and overcome roadblocks and resistances within our lives, expect to spend allot of time analysing relationships while reaching out for new friends and companions to escape the boredom and repetition of the moment. Others of course may reach further then most and carve for themselves a totally new relationship – one based more on the mind then the innate sexuality and physicality of being.

Yesterday (Saturday the 3rd of January) Venus entered the domain of the dreamy Pisces, this warms of getting stuck and procrastinating in the ideals of a dream (as it lacks the utilisation of force) so it may be best to refocus on hard practical work then the chasing of a dream – a Venusian Pisces beings the wisdom that there is enough time for dreaming, but it may be best to begin how we would like to continue – strong foundations make for a sturdy development.

The adventurous Jupiter makes his yearly transit into Aquarius tomorrow (5th of January) and gives us plenty of food for thought as well as the courage to experiment with our new strategies and plans. We may feel more daring (or possibly careless) and just take brave steps into the unknown, helping us to cross paths with hidden opportunities, but also to enrich our self-confidence. The wisdom of Jupiter reinforces the need for a proactive approach and assimilation of desires, so it may be best if we to succeed that we write down a plan of action and the steps needed to reach the goal – this limits the Mercurian Pisces effect while maintaining the integrity and authentic flow of pro evolutionary self choice, and fulfilling this choice by acting on it.

A luminous full moon in intuitive Cancer may reveal special knowledge or signs that confirms our motivation and direction. On the Eleventh of January, a chatty Mercury goes retrograde for a few weeks, and we may experience confusion with our course, or possibly doubting our objective.
At this time fax machines and computers have a greater tendency to find fault, messages and voice-mails may get delayed, or even possibly lost, and this whirlwind of scattered energy can also create allot of misunderstandings. Double check all forms of communication, and be sure to priorities thoughts and ideas, and take notes to stay on track.

A confident Sun enters Aquarius on nineteenth of January, empowering our ability to stretch ourselves beyond any previous limitations. We continue to make our advances in life, one day at a time, without allowing any outside influences to get in our way. Solitude, or distancing ourselves from others is also very possible at this time – as a need for self individuality is a common hunger experienced by such a celestial combination. These vibrations seem to be truly focused on each of our paths to stir a sense of individuality. If relationships are sensitive or shaky, an emotional shutdown is at this time very likely.

During this month's Mercury retrograde, confusion gets a bit more tipsy as he lands in Capricorn on twenty first of January. We could be worrying more than usual, which will have us to nervous to take the plunge to move forward.

We must do our homework and find proven facts to keep our heads clear and focused. Lazy Venus opposes Saturn on twentieth forth of January, and if we don't do our research to work through uncertainties, expect to suffer some sort of consequence.

A new moon rises on the twenty sixth in quirky Aquarius, at the same time a powerful Solar Eclipse will be energising our intentions for the next six months, this brings forth the reminder to make sure to focus the thoughts on things of a positive and loving nature, this will not only aid the generation and self maintenance of many ideas but it will also activate many sparkling thoughts of a personal and financial nature moulding them into a working plan of action!