This Week in Astrology: December 31, 2017, to January 6, 2018

This Week in Astrology: December 31, 2017, to January 6, 2018

 

December 31, 2017, to January 6, 2018

 

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On this Page:

This week’s Moon
phase
Planets in signs and aspect
Retrogrades
This week’s astrology calendar
Timing with the Moon
Romance & Relationship Report
Daily Trends

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A FULL MOON occurs on Monday, January 1, 2018, at 9:25 PM EST. On Monday night, a Full Moon occurs when the Cancer Moon exactly opposes the Capricorn Sun. The Cancer-Capricorn polarity deals with the balance between the private life, domesticity, the need for a home base, and nurturance (represented by Cancer) versus the public life, career, reputation, and accountability (represented by Capricorn).

Attachments and love are ruled by Cancer, while achievements and rewards/punishments are ruled by Capricorn. In some ways, this polarity deals with the balance between unconditional love and conditional love. The Cancer Moon encourages us to value our home base and our roots, while Capricorn persuades us to consider our sense of duty and responsibility along public lines. While Cancer may be content to be dependent, Capricorn urges us to be grown-up and responsible. Neglecting either end of the axis will surely backfire on us. Ideally, a balance should be found between the two energies, and this is what the Full Moon invites us to do.

This Full Moon is about balancing our commitment to our career and families. Something has been building inside of us, and now is the time when the energy of the cosmos fairly demands that we let it out. Over the next two weeks, we will discover what this means for us. For now, we can’t sit on our feelings. We need to express them. This lunation aligns with Venus and harmonizes with Mars and Neptune (almost exactly, in Neptune’s case). We’re expressing our neediness now, although we may swing from independence to dependence at this time. Something is exposed or illuminated, prompting us to get in touch with those things in our personal lives that we may have been neglecting or putting off. With so much attention to our relationships, careers, and personal plans these days, a push for considering our emotional needs occurs now.

The Full Moon is a time of culmination and the promise of fulfillment of that which was started at the New Moon. It is an emotional time–a time of romance, fertilization, and relationships.

This phase of the Moon occurs at 11 degrees and 38 minutes of Cancer opposition the Sun at 11 degrees and 38 minutes of Capricorn, affecting people born with personal planets and points at approximately 8-16 degrees of the Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn).

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(Times are Eastern)

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The Sun is in Capricorn; Mercury is in Sagittarius; Venus is in Capricorn; Mars is in Scorpio.

The Sun is in Capricorn from December 21, 2017 – January 19, 2018. We are motivated by feelings of responsibility, ambition, and respect for law and order. Capricorn derives much satisfaction in completion and accomplishment. Standards, structures, and an appreciation for order are Capricorn themes. Capricorn wants tangible results, knows what is feasible and what is not, and is most comfortable working within an established framework and known boundaries or limits. Working towards a long-term goal is most satisfying with this influence.

Mercury is in Sagittarius from November 5-January 11. When Mercury is in Sagittarius, our thinking shifts from a need to plumb the depths of any given situation to the desire to learn about a wide range of topics. Ideals are sought, our thinking is more optimistic, and our faith increases. We are more equipped to believe and to persuade. What is fair and unfair concerns us most now. However, we are not always very precise under this influence.

Venus is in Capricorn from December 25-January 17. Getting serious about our finances and boosting our relations with business partners and/or co-workers will be easier than usual under this influence. Our talents for creating artistic structure and form are enhanced, and our ability to form connections with people who support our ambitions is increased. We value enduring connections, reliability, and faithfulness. We take expressing our feelings seriously, and we take our time to warm up to others. We generally keep our “cool” in relationships.

Mars is in Scorpio from December 9-January 26. In Scorpio, Mars is driven and focused on getting what it wants. We are persevering, single-minded, and strong. The desire to experience our emotional depths, as well as the urge to penetrate the surface of life in order to explore deeper levels of existence, is powerful. We are fascinated with what others tend to repress, and are drawn to experiencing and understanding these things. We are less inclined to avoid important issues now. In some ways, we are attracted to crisis, as we see crisis as transformative and emotionally exciting. We would rather feel extreme emotions than nothing at all, as mediocrity or the “middle road” is felt to be unsatisfying.

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Saturn transits Capricorn from December 19/20, 2017, to March 21, 2020; and then finishes up its transit from July 1 to December 17, 2020. Read about Saturn’s transit through Capricorn here.

Jupiter entered Scorpio on October 10th and will remain in the sign until November 8th, 2018. Read about Jupiter in Scorpio transit here.

Uranus entered Aries on March 11th, 2011 and will transit Aries until May 15, 2018, and then from November 6, 2018, to March 6, 2019. The urge to start fresh, to break free from restrictive attitudes or circumstances, to totally redesign an area of our lives (or even our personalities), and to gain freedom through independence is strong with Uranus in Aries.

Romance & Relationships

Venus is in Capricorn from December 25-January 17. Getting serious about our finances and boosting our relations with business partners and/or co-workers will be easier than usual under this influence. Our talents for creating artistic structure and form are enhanced, and our ability to form connections with people who support our ambitions is increased. We value enduring connections, reliability, and faithfulness. We take expressing our feelings seriously, and we take our time to warm up to others. We generally keep our “cool” in relationships.

This week: On Tuesday and Wednesday, we’re in a good position to harmonize, beautify, and cooperate. Unusual attractions that add imagination, inspiration, and emotional “color” to our lives may occur now. We are attuned to the subtleties of human interaction. This has all the workings of an imaginative, romantic time.

Venus, the Goddess of Love: Highlights in the Coming Week:

Venus in Capricorn Marry for money and then learn to love ’em: that’s what your heart tells you now, as a new cycle gets underway in your life. Does that sound cynical? Maybe so – but it does reflect the yearning you feel for security and stability now, and it suggests the kind of compromises you may be willing to make to accomplish these objectives.

Venus conjunct Saturn December 24-25. Affections stabilize and mature. Relationships are stabilized and steady, although feelings are expressed reservedly, formally, or sparingly. An air of formality is brought to personal and social relationships. A new sense of realism in existing partnerships comes now. A sense of duty may lead us to sacrifice a personal pleasure for a cause or for a loved one; thus we may have to abstain from personal gratification for the time being. Problems in personal relationships that have been swept under the carpet may surface now, and we are ready to face them. Dissatisfaction with loved ones becomes more glaring. Renewed ties to old friends or lovers are possible, or a new sense of responsibility in existing relationships.

Venus semi-square Jupiter December 25. We experience a strong desire for more pleasure in our lives, which can be excessive. Take care not to overstate your feelings or to set up unrealistic expectations in your partnerships.

Venus sextile Neptune January 2-3. Unusual attractions that add imagination, inspiration, and emotional “color” to our lives may occur now. We are attuned to the subtleties of human interaction, and we are more inclined to naturally cooperate with others. An imaginative, romantic time.

Venus sextile Jupiter January 7-8. This aspect generates a happy, friendly, and optimistic attitude. People are a little more outgoing and sociable. Favors travel, education, and culture. Romantic opportunities. Harmony and good will.

The Void-of-Course Moon this Week:

Void-of-course Moon on Sunday, December 31st, from 6:39 PM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a sextile to Uranus), until the Moon enters Cancer the next day, Monday, January 1st, at 3:11 AM EST.

VOC Moon on Tuesday, January 2nd, from 5:47 PM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a square to Uranus), until the Moon enters Leo the next day, Wednesday, January 3rd, at 2:23 AM EST.

VOC Moon on Thursday, January 4th, from 6:10 PM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a trine to Uranus), until the Moon enters Virgo the next day, Friday, January 5th, at 3:13 AM EST.

VOC Moon on Saturday, January 6th, from 9:51 PM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a square to Mercury), until the Moon enters Libra the next day, Sunday, January 7th, at 7:15 AM EST.

December 2017:

 

January 2018:

Timing with the Moon – Better Periods this Week for Electing New Initiatives

The Moon is waxing this week until the Full Moon on January 1st — a period that is generally considered favorable for new beginnings, with exceptions. (See Best Time to Start a Business for more details). The Moon is waning this week after the Full Moon on January 1st — a period that is generally considered unfavorable for new beginnings, also with exceptions.

According to principles of timing with the Moon, a window of opportunity occurs this week on Thursday, January 4th, from approximately 7:35 AM to 6:05 PM EST, while the Moon is in Leo.

Planetary Stations & Sign Ingresses:

Nov  5, 2017     2:19 PM
Mercury enters Sagittarius
Nov  7, 2017     6:38 AM Venus enters Scorpio
Nov 15, 2017    10:01 PM Pallas Retrograde enters Aries
Nov 15, 2017    11:13 PM Vesta enters Scorpio
Nov 21, 2017    10:05 PM Sun enters Sagittarius
Nov 22, 2017     9:21 AM  Neptune Direct
Dec  1, 2017     4:14 AM  Venus enters Sagittarius
Dec  3, 2017     2:34 AM Mercury Retrograde
Dec  9, 2017     3:59 AM Mars enters Scorpio
Dec 16, 2017     2:18 PM Juno enters Aquarius
Dec 19, 2017    11:49 PM Saturn enters Capricorn
Dec 21, 2017    11:28 AM  Sun enters Capricorn
Dec 22, 2017     8:51 PM  Mercury Direct
Dec 25, 2017    12:26 AM Venus enters Capricorn
Jan  2, 2018     9:11 AM Uranus Direct
Jan 11, 2018    12:09 AM  Mercury enters Capricorn
Jan 14, 2018    11:42 PM  Vesta enters Sagittarius
Jan 17, 2018     8:43 PM   Venus enters Aquarius
Jan 19, 2018     9:29 PM   Pallas enters Taurus
Jan 19, 2018    10:09 PM  Sun enters Aquarius
Jan 26, 2018     7:56 AM   Mars enters Sagittarius
Jan 31, 2018     8:39 AM   Mercury enters Aquarius

 

See also: Astrology of Today – an overview of the day.
See also: The Astrology of 2017 – Overview and the Astrology of 2018 – Overview.

Note: Times given are Eastern Time (ET).

 

This Week’s Calendar

 

This Week’s Aspects

Sun sextile Neptune. We’re at the right place at the right time, probably because our hunches are more likely to be correct and we are “tuned in”. We are inspired, and charitable acts now will serve to lift our spirits like no drug can. A good time for self-improvement programs or efforts. Instinctual judgment is enhanced under this influence. We are able to see matters, and people, from a different perspective–one that allows for, and even finds beauty in, differences.

Venus sextile Neptune. We are more imaginative and attuned to the world of beauty and romance today. Gentleness with others is the best way to harness this energy. A “magical” time on a romantic and social level is possible now.

  Mars semi-square Saturn. We are called upon to solve problems, or our plans and efforts meet with resistance. Circumstances seem to block our efforts to assert ourselves. Patience is necessary now, although frustration is very likely. It can feel like more effort than usual is required to complete tasks.

Mercury trine Uranus. This is an opportune time to attend meetings and other organized group activities, to communicate online, and to take part in activities involving computers, scientific projects, and metaphysics. Unexpected gains may be realized through such mediums. The intuition is strong, and insights seem to come from “out of the blue”. Original, creative ideas are easy to come by.

Mars conjunct Jupiter. This is a time when we possess a wealth of enthusiastic energy. We more readily take chances. We can have an insatiable appetite now. Our sense of timing is excellent. We feel strong, positive, adventurous, and energetic. Our goal is to expand. We are competitive in a friendly manner, and we readily rise to a challenge. We are decisive and actively pursue our goals. There is some danger, however, of overdoing.

Mercury square Chiron. Communications may be strained, and possibly hurtful or perceived as such. Misunderstandings are more likely now. Decisions may also be hard to come by, as we tend to doubt ourselves or the effectiveness of our ability to solve problems. It can be hard to read the intention behind the words used to communicate now.

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Note: Times given in the table/calendar above are Eastern Time (ET).

 

Daily Trends Calendar

See below for day-by-day forecasts and planets in signs. See also Transit to Transit aspects.

See also: Astrology of Today – an overview of the day – Astrology Cafe.

See also: The Astrology of 2017 – Overview. and The Astrology of 2018 – Overview (in progress).

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What’s In Store By the Stars – Daily Astrology Trends

(as featured on the site’s main page and in our Daily Trends Calendar)

See also the new Astrology Trends Calendar that includes these daily trends overviews and other astrological events such as ingresses, stations, and lunations.

DECEMBER 31

The Moon is in Gemini all day, encouraging us to consider many different options. In fact, we need to make an extra effort to focus consistently on one thing at a time but may instead choose to simply hop from one idea to the next. Siblings, relatives, or neighbors and community involvement are especially important to our emotional well-being under a Gemini Moon. We learn quickly and adapt easily to change, but we can also be a little fickle or indecisive today.

The Moon is void from 6:39 PM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a sextile to Uranus), until the Moon enters Cancer the next day, Monday, January 1st, at 3:11 AM EST.

JANUARY 1

The Moon completes its transit of Gemini and enters Cancer at 3:11 AM EST. The Moon in Cancer is warm, familiar, and safe. The Moon reaches full at 9:25 AM. The Full Moon in Cancer illuminates imbalances between the private life, domesticity, the need for a home base, and nurturance (represented by Cancer) versus the public life, career, reputation, and accountability (represented by Capricorn). Neglecting either end of the axis will surely backfire on us. This Full Moon is about balancing our commitment to our career and families. Something is exposed or illuminated, prompting us to get in touch with those things in our personal lives that we may have been neglecting or putting off. With so much attention to our relationships, careers, and personal plans these days, a push for considering our emotional needs occurs now. The Sun and Neptune are moving towards a sextile, exact early tomorrow, and this tends to soften our rough edges. We take things as they come. This influence stimulates our intuition and imagination, as well as a need to attach more meaning to our lives. It sets a great mood for respecting our intuition and relaxing rather than pushing forward. We might find ourselves at the right place at the right time because our hunches are more likely to be correct and we are “tuned in.” We are inspired, and charitable acts now will serve to lift our spirits. Instinctual judgment is enhanced under this influence. We can see matters, and people, from a different perspective–one that allows for, and even finds beauty in, differences.

The Moon ends its void period when the Moon enters Cancer at 3:11 AM EST.

JANUARY 2

The Sun forms a sextile to Neptune early today, and Venus will follow suit early tomorrow, and we’re especially invested in harmonizing and cooperating today. We avoid looking at things we don’t want to see and instead concentrate on the beautiful things in our lives with these influences. Also today, Uranus turns direct after months of retrograde motion. Uranus energy hangs heavy in the air, and “all things Uranus” become strong themes. As the planet gains speed in the next few weeks, our urge to express our unique self, to take some chances or risks, to rebel, to listen to our own instincts, and to stir up change are re-awakened or turned outside of ourselves. Even so, today is good for respecting our intuition and relaxing rather than pushing forward.

The Moon is void from 5:47 PM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a square to Uranus), until the Moon enters Leo the next day, Wednesday, January 3rd, at 2:23 AM EST.

JANUARY 3

The Moon ends its transit of Cancer and enters Leo at 2:23 AM EST. The Leo Moon is cheerful and open-hearted, and also action- and results-oriented. With a sextile between Venus and Neptune today, we are more imaginative and attuned to the worlds of beauty and romance, and we tend to approach one another more gently than usual. A magical time on a romantic and social level is possible now, as we are inclined to see spiritual dimensions of our relationships and to approach others with increased compassion. Today is also strong for opening up and embracing loving feelings. There can be a commitment made to work through tough problems, or a willingness to put our talents to good use. We can be determined to take better care of ourselves, and discoveries made now can fuel or reignite our motivation to pursue a particular path.

The Moon ends its void period when the Moon enters Leo at 2:23 AM EST.

JANUARY 4

The Moon is in Leo all day, forming squares with Mars and Jupiter this morning. Mars and Jupiter are heading towards an alignment that will be exact on the 6th, and excitement is building. Today’s Moon wants us to enjoy ourselves instead of channel all of our energies a specific way, and these drives clash now. As the day advances, we find satisfying mental outlets and enjoy new thinking and perspectives on matters. Even so, there can be some tension resulting from conflicts between desires for independence and needs for nurturing. We can feel tied down due to family obligations or our own requirements for comfort and safety, but not quite confident about pursuing our desires. Efforts to push forward seem to meet with resistance. Circumstances seem to block our efforts to assert ourselves. Patience is necessary now.

The Moon is void from 6:10 PM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a trine to Uranus), until the Moon enters Virgo the next day, Friday, January 5th, at 3:13 AM EST.

JANUARY 5

The Moon ends its transit of Leo and enters Virgo at 3:13 AM EST. We’re moving into a period of unusually growth-oriented aspects until the 9th as the Sun, Venus, and Pluto head towards an alignment in Capricorn, as do Mars and Jupiter in the sign of Scorpio, and form sextiles to one another. This is set to be a fertile, creative, go-getting period for relationships, business, and new enterprise. Today, Mars and Jupiter form a parallel and we get in the spirit of things, but a Sun-Saturn parallel reminds us we should take care of other business before we get started and helps us avoid pushing too fast or hard with new initiatives. The Virgo Moon is particular but earnest and encourages us to get organized before exciting days to come.

The Moon ends its void period when the Moon enters Virgo at 3:13 AM EST.

JANUARY 6

Mercury and Uranus connect via a trine aspect today, and while this aspect formed very recently (November 25th and December 10th), this time around Mercury and Uranus are both direct. This can be a time for re-exploring ideas that came to us around those dates and arriving at a conclusion or new plan. We’re expressing ourselves in different or unique ways rather than falling back on old habits of thinking and communicating, and this is successful. Original, creative ideas are easy to come by. Conversations can be gently provocative, leading to new ideas and perspectives. Also today, Mars aligns with Jupiter, bolstering our need to reach beyond our usual bounds. This is a time when we possess a wealth of enthusiastic energy and we’re ready to take chances. We can have an insatiable appetite now, and our goal is to expand. We feel strong, positive, adventurous, and energetic. We are competitive, decisive, and we readily rise to a challenge and actively pursue our goals. There is some danger, however, of overdoing. We may be overly confident, boastful, or pushy with our opinions. We may take on too much or overestimate our capabilities. With Mars and Jupiter in Scorpio, relationships, finances, or increased intimacy can be a focus for our enterprising spirit. We feel compelled to take action, but we may be a little too hasty now. Helping out in the next few days are the Sun, Venus, and Pluto, and channeling our energy productively becomes a little easier. Today until the 9-10 is a powerful period for relationships. It can be a time for transforming existing relationships or forming new connections. The Moon is in Virgo all day, harmonizing with all of these bodies and helping pull everything together.

A void of course Moon occurs from 9:51 PM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a square to Mercury), until the Moon enters Libra the next day, Sunday, January 7th, at 7:15 AM EST.

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If it’s your birthday today, see our feature, If Today is Your Birthday Forecasts, for a free forecast for the upcoming year.

Moon Signs This Week:

When the Moon is in Gemini

Our basic instinct is to communicate, think, and learn under the influence of Moon in Gemini. We are motivated by a desire for variety and by an instinctive curiosity. The Moon in Gemini is light-hearted, breezy, spirited, and curious, but it can also be restless and fickle.

The Moon in Gemini generally favors the following activities: Mental and communicative actions, and more than one activity at once. Reading, learning, letters and emails, errands, writing, teaching, making connections, cafes, light and airy meetings, short trips.

When the Moon is in Cancer

 The restlessness of the Gemini Moon gives way to an instinctive need for peace and quiet. A feeling of belonging and safety is what motivates us under this influence. The Moon feels right at home in the sign of Cancer, as it rules the sign. This Moon position has much healing potential. Although insular by nature, our feelings run deep, making it an ideal time to get in touch with what motivates us.

The Moon in Cancer generally favors the following activities: Domestic activities, those that involve awareness of personal needs. Home decor, family get-togethers.

When the Moon is in Leo

The Moon in Leo speaks to our "inner child". It's a warm, generous, whole-heartedly loving position. Pride keeps us from pettiness, but it can also prevent us from opening up and revealing how we are truly feeling. We are on stage, our feelings are grand, and we appreciate some drama in our lives. We are easily threatened by anything that seems to be impersonal. This is a time when we seek attention--when we want to stand out for our special qualities. It's a strong time for romance and any creative activity as well.

The Moon in Leo generally favors the following activities: Creative activities, activities involving children, generous undertakings, undertakings in which personal recognition is desired, and risk-taking.

When the Moon is in Virgo

We instinctually gravitate towards practical activities under the influence of a Virgo Moon. In an urge to set things right, we might easily find ourselves re-organizing and rethinking plans. Emotional satisfaction comes from solving problems, making order out of confusion, and helping others. Health matters might come into focus. We notice the smaller parts that make up the whole, and instead of letting nagging details bother us, we might work on ironing them out so that we can feel more confident moving ahead.

The Moon in Virgo generally favors the following activities: Mental pursuits, work activities, services, and routines. Activities that would benefit from tending to details.

 

Upcoming Weeks: Calendars

 

What’s In Your Forecast?

Take a peek at the year ahead with in-depth Future Forecast Reports from Cafe Astrology.

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BACK TO THIS WEEK IN ASTROLOGY MAIN/CURRENT

 

See also:

 

The Astrology of 2017 – Overview

The Astrology of 2018 – Overview

Monthly Calendar

This Month in Astrology

This Month’s Ephemeris

This Month’s Transits