Another week of mystery, as transiting Neptune leaves Aquarius for the last time. It won’t be back there for 165 years! The last fourteen years are over and a new fourteen year cycle begins. For those born in late Taurus, Scorpio, Leo or Aquarius, this promises clearer focus and the release of control. For those born at the beginning of Pisces, Virgo, Gemini or Sagittarius, the next two years require reconnecting with your more spiritual/creative psyches–they miss you! For workaholics, taking time off is the first step. It’s time for more creative activities.

Neptune’s transit through Aquarius affected everyone in some way, take a moment to review the last fourteen years. Areas ruled by Aquarius were touched by Neptune’s imaginative energy. Great advances in technology brought people together in an instant: social networking, virtual meetings via Skype. And Neptune’s dreamy influence had some creating online personas and living in parallel worlds. Then there were great examples of Neptune’s dissolving of boundaries. The world became smaller, information and ideas traveled faster. But Neptune also creates an inability to think clearly and cause deception. So, being manipulated by technology is no surprise. Do you ever just stand in line anymore, or is your smart phone occupying your attention?

This is one of those rare weeks where Mars, the planet of motivation and direction, begins its retrograde period. This often delays plans and sends people scurrying to find an answer here and there. Plans that have been unclear up to now may require another couple of months before you have all the relevant information you need to create an organized plan. As Americans, this doesn’t sit with the impatient aspect of our psyche, but, in fact, may be the wisest thing we can do until Mars goes direct in mid April!!! Use this time to research and talk with others from different cultures.

Every two years Mars goes retrograde for over two months. Mars energy is naturally directed outward. During this retrograde period, one’s drive tends to repress; physical expression, assertiveness, desire, and competitive self-interest wane. Emotions that are usually externalized become internalized. Rather than allow this to cause frustration, use this time to review what is not working and what can be improved.

This week’s Last Quarter Moon is about winding down the events of the last three weeks. As the Sun squares Saturn on the 19^th, then enters the more objective sign of Aquarius on the 20^th, crystal clear clarity seems feasible. You get unstuck! Good agreements and new insights into how to do things differently are more possible as the week nears an end and the fresh energy of the New Moon appears.

There is innovative energy waiting to be harnessed. Revisit your goals and set an intention for this New Moon cycle, then see what happens. Venus’ conjunction to Chiron is an opportunity to heal insecurities that keep one from true intimacy and to learn to trust others, and especially to trust oneself.

This week has lots of ‘action days,’ when planets align with each other charging the environment with impatience along with the desire to make decisions now. Seek out information and consult from others who specialize in areas you know nothing about. Then put everyone’s ideas together and listen to your own intuition on January 13. January 14 is a great decision making day.

After weeks caught up in the holiday blitz and doing for others, sensuous Venus may entice you into a little self-indulgence. Saturn’s practical energy may have you thinking twice but give yourself a treat, even if it’s just a new nail color.

Contracts and agreements are the highlight of the entire week. Look at all of that Mercury activity. All these Mercury aspects are in a fabulous alignment with the other plants of opportunity and windfalls. This is also a great week to finish the resume, complete the article, the class, the paper or write the short story. Just make sure they are all submitted and in that mailbox before the Full Moon on January 8. It is always a good idea to submit items between New and Full moons.

As Mercury finishes its long journey through Sagittarius, think back to what was going on in early November. Look at your calendar and check to see if there are any appointments that still need to be rescheduled. Did you have to cancel any social engagements with friends? Now that the holiday rush is over, make time for those old friends you couldn’t find time for. This is a very good use of Mercury in Capricorn.

Good luck and blessings on all your communication efforts this week.

Sun and Pluto only happen once a year! It is intense, meaningful, deep, and a lot is changing or transforming in your immediate environment — your home or someone else’s home. Since it is also a First Quarter moon week, this could be a great time to start that ‘in house’ remodel project. It could include plumbing, remodeling the bathrooms or kitchen — always important for resale in a property. It could also suggest some decisions are made (particularly with Mercury reaching its Shadow Point), to move or relocate. These are all discussions that have been on the table, but the financial climate is better now that it was in the past, particularly since Jupiter is now direct in Taurus, which is about security and monies.

The sign of Capricorn is warmed by the Sun, making this a good time for dealing with authority figures and older family members. Career and professional concerns are also highlighted, as is business speculation. Are you on a satisfying career path? Is it time to ask for that pay raise? Mars is squaring Mercury, implying that the surest communication strategy is one that is well planned. This is the incubation point for the entire zodiacal year. What your dream now is realized at Spring Equinox.

What a lovely week for reconnecting with family and friends as Winter Solstice sets into motion the seeds for the Spring of 2011. In addition, we have many wonderful aspects between the Sun, Jupiter, and Uranus — suggesting that playing leads to opportunity — a deluge of holiday invitations offers all types of opportunities for more personal relationships. With Jupiter going direct and complimenting the New Moon this is a great week for asking what you want and giving generously. The holidays always bring that out in everyone, but part of the ‘offering’ is helping someone else with an intangible this year rather than a tangible. Let them help you, too. Give and take is what makes the world go ’round.

Venus in Aquarius sextiles Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius and this is an excellent combination encouraging unique connections with each other. The desire to have more excitement can lead to love ‘em and leave ‘em encounters. Maintaining a sense of individual freedom may be strong now. Friendships and group activities that are spontaneous can lead to business or romantic opportunities.

Mercury is direct this week clearing the air and setting things in a forward motion again. This will be interesting because it happens to be going direct close to the November 24th eclipse degree. There is some tie in between what happened on that date and this week. A lot of optimism maybe seen in the market place, but this usually happens at the end of each year when individuals begin taking profits. However, this is something different. The Last Quarter moon as well as the Venus square (caution) Saturn suggests a strategy of not putting all your eggs into one basket. Hold something back if you plan to do some ‘sure fire’ investing — or so they said when they sold you the package this month !!

Chiron is officially in Pisces for another ten years! In mythology, Chiron, the wounded healer, was a centaur, a half man half-horse creature. His dual nature is reflected in Pisces, the sign of two fish swimming in opposite directions. Chiron was a healer but could not heal himself. He spent his life trying to heal his pain and found in the end that his inspiration to help others was the key. Pisces are comfortable in the spiritual/creative realm but if they are too caught up with everyday needs, and not filling their creative and spiritual needs, they may escape into drugs and alcohol. Finding a way to balance material concerns with creative and spiritual fulfillment is key. This transit of Chiron through Pisces emphasizes working to help or heal others universally, being of service, as a means of healing the Self.

Chance favors those who are prepared. This is the theme of this week. With Jupiter (opportunity) in a lovely aspect to Chiron who acts as a teacher, mentor or coach, you find the right place to be to learn the right things. Added support comes from Uranus going direct at the 00° of Aries, which is its entry point on May 27, 2010 as Arizona had just added its immigration law, the BP Deepwater spill was in its 37th day presenting us with challenges that ultimately changes laws bringing reform.

Relationships should feel loving this week with Venus and Mars blowing kisses to one another. They are transiting through earth signs, signifying that if you have do the work you reap the reward. This Lunar Eclipse is about communication and our sense of adventure. You may be forced to express long held feelings due to some sort of crisis. Consider this an opportunity to explore your emotional needs and gain valuable information. This eclipse brings emotional discoveries that may feel uncomfortable. As you become aware of what is lacking in your life, epiphanies are likely. If you don’t experience this right away, it will make itself known over the coming weeks.