Astrology Forecast for January 2012

by Belinda C Dunn

Capricorn/Cancer Full Moon
January 9 @ 2:30 a.m.

Aquarius New Moon
January 23 @ 2:39 a.m.

Welcome to 2012! This is the year prophets have been waiting for. Doom and gloom, ascension and evolution, east and west, all fingers point to 2012. Google the topic and you will discover numerous and revealing predictions. Stop in your local bookstore and you will see a whole shelf devoted to the topic. And the popular Hollywood version depicts a world rocked with devastation as whole cities slide into the ocean. Everywhere we turn, we bump into 2012, and many of the prophecies say the world will end. But the question many are asking is, "Is this year a beginning or an ending?"

Ancient people kept track of these cycles, and from a cosmic point of view, life is seen as evolving and cyclical. Mayan shamans and Vedic scholars preserved knowledge of these vast expanses of time that go beyond current cultural and historical perspectives. In fact, we wouldn't even be focusing on 2012 if it weren't for the Mayan calendar. Since the Harmonic Convergence in 1987, word has gotten around about this important and highly accurate calendar system.

With my background in yoga, I have been fascinated with the Vedic perspective of time. Shrouded in the mists of antiquity, Vedic scholars preserved knowledge of a 26,000 year cycle. In the 1960's, the popular musical Hair popularized this cycle as lyrics rang through the airwaves, "This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius." And of course, who hasn't heard of the new age?

I lost reference to this quote, but I go back to it as the bedrock of 2012 predictions, no matter the perspective. "One thing they (the prophecies) have in common is the recognition that this upcoming date is making a strong impression on a growing number of people, and that much of this impression is based on a belief that the world as we know it is about to undergo some sort of profound change." When we include religionists, scientists, ecologists and economists, we realize 2012 has become a magnet for collective fears as well as aspirations, and there is an overwhelming sense that humanity faces a profound turning point. Most people can agree that change is upon us, and survival of our species is dependent on a major evolutionary leap.

As a yogi and mystic, I consider this very good news. The secrets of existence are surging to the forefront, and humanity faces the opportunity to awaken from a long sleep-like trance. The Aquarian Age is the age of the human when full realization of our divinely given human design will be embraced and understood. We already see this as keywords typically associated with the spiritual life are integrated into our culture. Karma, dharma, reiki, shakti, prana, ananda, reincarnation, vibration, enlightenment, the universal sound of OMMMM . . . Many people are being exposed to these ideas even though they may not know the full meaning. This is a very good sign that we are moving in the right direction.

Is 2012 the end of the world? Respected Mayan elders say "No!" Is 2012 the end of human ignorance? Highly unlikely. However, according to the timekeepers, we are completing a 5125 year cycle, and the Mayan calendar actually tracks 16.4 billion years of evolution. In light of this vast expanse of time, we realize the time is now, and 2012 is exceptionally ripe with opportunity for expansion while the necessity for an evolutionary leap of human consciousness is radically apparent.

One of my favorite Mayan elders is Carlos Barrios. He has this to say: "Other people write about prophecy in the name of Maya, they say the world will end in December 2012. The Mayan elders are angry about this. The world will not end. It will be transformed." Carlos goes on to say, "The new vision will be in place by 2046." Let us remember that in the not too distant past, it was accepted knowledge that the world was flat. Now, not only do we know the world to be round, but humans are mapping the cosmos, and exploring inner and outer space. I believe those living in 2046 will look back to 2012 and see the magnitude of evolutionary potential that today we can only glimpse.

Turning our sights back to 2012, let's consider the astrological influences for January. The year begins with Sun in Capricorn, and on January 8, Mercury enters Capricorn after two long months in Sagittarius. This zodiac sign brings us down to earth, helping us be realistic, responsible, cautious and accountable. Not only do bills come due after holiday spending, but winter weather stops us in our tracks. The restoring pause of winter draws us inward to rest, examine goals, organize our lives, and clear the clutter of fuzzy thinking. Down to basics, January is the month to catch up, dream, plan and begin follow through on those intentions and resolutions for the year.

A Full Moon on January 9 furthers the shift into professional responsibilities, and day to day details in the workaday world. This lunation shows us what needs to be done, and the step by step progression of manifestation. The Sun in Capricorn serves to illuminate goals to be realized, and the path forward. The Moon in Cancer illuminates issues of safety and security, bringing us face to face with responsibilities at work as well as home and hearth. Metaphorically, Capricorn represents the father and Cancer the mother. This Full Moon will bring up issues around parenting, care taking, and the slippery slope of codependency.

Mercury, the planet of communication, actively engages a handful of planets during the week of January's Full Moon. This planet of perception trines Jupiter, sextiles Saturn and Neptune, squares Uranus and joins Pluto from January 7 - 13. Effecting each of us in a myriad of ways, a bottom line factor will step in and make decisions for us. We all know what it feels like to move forward when we feel confused, uncertain and indecisive. In contrast, Mercury stimulates all these planets and brings clarity to earth plane matters. While there may be some resistance to what is seen, it is much better to have the facts, and realistically appraise the situations we find ourselves in.

One of the most important planets to understand in the first half of 2012 is Mars. Every two years Mars enters a retrograde phase, and this begins on January 23. Because of this apparent backward motion, Mars remains in the zodiac sign of Virgo for eight months (November 10, 2011 through to July 3, 2012). Mars in Virgo highlights matters of work, employment, nutrition, hygiene and health. As the zodiac sign of service, there is a call to unselfish service, and application of spiritual ideals in day to day matters.

While effecting each of us in unique ways, the basic components of Mars retrograde are fairly predictable. The first half of January will be full speed ahead, peddle to the metal, and the excitement of potential can be over inflated. By January 23, watch for abrupt changes in direction as external drive is reversed, causing us to pause and examine personal motive and ethics, deal with self esteem and empowerment issues. These changes can be abrupt, even shocking, leading to a sudden withdrawal of enthusiasm and direction. In many cases, this will lead to termination of a specific project, relationship or situation. Generally, Mars retrograde has the potential to bring a keen focus on what is not working in our lives, and the discipline to make improvements.

I fondly say, "Mars is the planet that gets us up in the morning." It is the planet of vitality. It's advisable to protect your health during the cold winter months. If you need an extra 15 minutes of sleep in the morning, so be it. If you need to go to bed early, by all means do so. Eat warming, nourishing foods, and dress appropriately. In addition to physical vitality, Mars is very much about attitude. Mars stimulates us to fight for what we want, so choose your battles wisely to avoid useless confrontation.

Here are some of the overall possibilities of Mars in Virgo retrograde (January 23 - April 13):

- productivity is dependent on health, and people will be focused on lifestyle and what they need to improve in daily habits.

- many people will encounter critical health issues

- work related projects can be delayed due to unforeseen obstacles, loss of momentum and enthusiasm

- some projects will dissolve and no longer be relevant

- other projects will need re-organization

- national and global emphasis on employment, productivity and economy

- worker's rights

- brings out criticism, complaint and judgment

- tends to increase anxiety, nervousness, insomnia and worry in individuals prone to these effects

- be alert to an undercurrent of suppressed hostility and pent up frustration

- old resentments and emotional wounds surface for psychological healing

- therapists, nutritionists and health care workers will be unusually busy

- watch for significant confrontations on the social, corporate, national and international scene

The revolutionary tone of 2011 carries into 2012. The Aquarian New Moon on January 23 furthers the impact of voices speaking up for major shifts in social, political and economic environments. This New Moon harmoniously activates Uranus, the planet of freedom. The wave of revolution that started with Arab Spring and spread throughout many factions and countries, is only just beginning. Uranus helps to synchronize individual effort into a collective whole. Uranus is about equality and freedom from oppression. Passivity is over, and Uranus in Aries supports active involvement.

This New Moon sets the pace for extraordinary developments in human rights. It is not so much about the past, but about the future. Where is humanity going as a global society? Be alert to breakdowns and breakthroughs that expand consciousness, blow our mind and blow the cover on factions that would stand in the way of progress.

The Sabian symbols are widely used in modern astrological interpretation. These images were received by psychic Elsie Wheeler in 1931. She intuitively received pictorial wording for each of the 360 degrees of the zodiac. The New Moon activates at three degrees Aquarius, and Ms. Wheeler's specific image is, "A deserter from the Navy." In his book, "An Astrological Mandala: The Cycle of Transformation and Its 360 Symbolic Phases," Dane Rudhyar, offers an additional keynote: "The individual's self realization through a crucial repudiation of a collective status which has become unbearable."

This image speaks to the dawning Age of Aquarius. Each of us are called to self realization, the necessity of being true to oneself, and the challenge of following through on intuition. We are awakening from a collective trance, a drama of epic proportions that has played itself out for thousands of years. When we consider biological, genetic, social and even past life programming, we realize the task before us is not easy. Old habits die hard.

Taking into account the time line offered by the Mayan calendar, we are completing a 5,125 year cycle. Accordingly, historians place the Garden of Eden in approximately the same time period. Literally and figuratively, when Adam and Eve chose to eat from the tree of knowledge, there was the choice to activate knowledge of good and evil. This monumental occasion coincides with development of the human brain. The mind discriminates, analyzes, makes right and wrong. The mind divides us into race, gender, nations, causes and cultures.

We can all agree, the brain is a valuable and essential part of our humanness. Thankfully, the brain has developed many conveniences making our lives easier, essentially freeing us to focus on creativity and spirituality. But it is clear, the mind can only take us so far. To the brink of destruction or the brink of awakening, the choice resides, first and foremost, in each human heart.

Now that we know what evil looks like, do we choose love? Now that we know the truth of our existence, do we choose the Aquarian ideal of unity in diversity? In contrast to programmed, repetitive and unconscious thinking, the heart enjoys love, similarity and compassion. The heart appreciates each life form all the way from minerals to plants, animals, humans, planetary and stellar. 2012 is the year for Earth to take its place in the cosmic picture. It may not always look pretty, and it is up to each of us to discover the freedom and beauty in dissolving forms. But the necessity for evolution beckons, and there is no turning back. Welcome to the new era, welcome home to your heart.

Belinda C. Dunn is a professional astrologer with over 35 years experience. Her training started in 1972 at the Temple of Kriya Yoga/Chicago where she studied astrology, metaphysics and yoga. Over the years, her approach has evolved to a psychological, spiritual and personal growth orientation. For decades her insightful and down-to-earth consultations have been shared with clients around the world. Seen in a variety of publications, Belinda's monthly astrological update has been in circulation since 1992. Contact Belinda through e-mail: belinda@astrodelight.com, or phone 828.215.2101. Check out her site at AstroDelight.com.

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