New Astrology Cycles in 2008

By Carol Pilkinton

Website: www.PersonalAndBusinessSolutions.com


January marks the start of a new year, but this particular January represents the beginning of many new cycles astrologically. Jupiter has entered the sign of Capricorn (Dec. 18, 2007) where it will be for the next year and with Mars slowing down to a halt (stationery direct)and will go direct (begin moving forward) at the end of the month.

Also, Pluto will be dipping its toe into Capricorn starting Dec. 25 2008, a stint that will last for sixteen years. There will be more to write on that in future months. With both Jupiter and Pluto moving from a fire sign (Sagittarius) to an earth sign (Capricorn) it will mean a more practical approach to dealing with life issues.

Most people are familiar with the term Mercury Retrograde which people attribute to computer breakdowns, mis-communications, etc. The meaning of a retrograde period is that a planet appears to be going in the reverse direction of the earth's rotation. While all the planets retrograde periodically, Mercury, Mars, Venus are faster moving planets than Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Therefore, we can feel the affects of Mercury, Mars, and Venus on a more personal level when they go retrograde.

Mars rules the principle of how we assert ourselves in the world and take action. With Mars retrograde it is like having one foot on the accelerator and the other foot on the brake and experiencing that stop-go motion. Or, worse it can be like spinning the wheels and going nowhere fast. The truth is retrograde periods are good for something. They are good for revisiting, revising, ending old cycles, and letting go of what hasn't been working while being open to new strategies and action steps (Mars). Each one of these cycles represents something different depending on the planet that is retrograding.

With New Years resolutions being made, everyone would like to hit the ground running. We are met with delays as Mars is only moving literally one minute per day before it stops and then moves forward again on January 30th.

So, if you still feel like your feet are nailed to the floor and it is too difficult to get moving, then don't push it. It means it is just not the right time. I've heard numerous stories of people attempting to negotiate and close deals, but for one reason or another they are not happening. One person was presented with a proposal for a job and was offered a lucrative commission. After much thought on what the job entailed, which included a great deal of travel and being away from the family, she accepted. She was beginning to prepare for the trip when the other party said they made a mistake in the amount offered and wanted the person to do the job for much less than they were originally quoted. After all was said and done they eventually rescinded the offer after this person had gone through the physical and emotional preparations for this job.

This is just one of many examples that represent the Mars retrograde. Just when you think the I's are dotted, the T's crossed and the deal is sealed, it can fall apart. If you are pushing for a deadline, try not to be so set on it. When we are stopped cold by situations like this, it could also mean that door has closed and another will open that will be the right door.

Once Mars goes direct, it will likely feel like the gun going off to start the race. However, patience might still be in order as it gains momentum through February. Regardless, there will be some who just can't sit still. Can't you smell the burning of the rubber already?!!

While Mars wants to just take action NOW, like the Nike commercials says "Just do it!", it doesn't want to ponder or think about anything....Jupiter is the planet of expansion, optimism, faith. It can also be where we over indulge and may be prone to excesses. However, it is in the sign of Capricorn ruled by Saturn the planet of constraint, concentration, reality, endurance, structure.

While Jupiter wants to be free and push the boundaries of social norms, it will be contained by Capricorn. With Jupiter in Capricorn it may either loosen or exaggerate the inhibitions (Saturn). Jupiter in Capricorn might serve to counter fears enough for one to have faith that all will work out and enable you to test those Saturnian limitations.

With the restraint of Capricorn, Jupiter will not easily leap before looking. Capricorn is practical and wants to make sure there is a sound and solid foundation. Much can be accomplished with this combination as it can be a time for constructive and focused growth.

Believe it or not, Jupiter in Capricorn can teach us how to channel our enthusiasm in such a way that when you look back on 2008 you might be amazed at how much you really got accomplished. At a deeper internal level, it can evoke and instill long lasting shifts and changes.

If you have planets in Capricorn, Libra or Cancer you will probably feel the affects of Jupiter making connections to those planets. You may experience challenges, tension, and it can bring issues to the surface that one has not been willing to look at before but must now pay attention.

In facing these challenges can be great accomplishments which can instill confidence to face the next lessons that are presented.

On your mark, get set.....Have a great year everyone!

Carol Pilkinton
Purposeful Astrology
Carol@personalandbusinesssolutions.com
http://www.personalandbusinesssolutions.com

New Astrology Cycles in 2008

Horrors at Petsmart Supplier

Video footage from a new PETA undercover investigation reveals horrific conditions for small animals and birds who are bred and brokered by a major supplier to PetSmart.

At Rainbow World Exotics in Hamilton, Texas—a massive breeding mill and one of PetSmart's main animal suppliers—PETA's investigator documented that live animals were thrown into the trash, were deprived of desperately needed veterinary care, were suffering and dying alone in their cages, and were cannibalizing each other. The investigator also found that rabbit neuter surgeries were crudely performed by a layperson in a filthy, dark room using Clorox Disinfecting Wipes to wipe blood off of the rabbits' fresh, raw incisions.

Click here to learn more about where PetSmart's animal victims are bred and to tell PetSmart to end live-animal sales today!

Also, please forward this message to others who might be willing to lend their voices to this important issue. You can watch the Today Show segment about this investigation here.

Thank you for your compassion for animals.

Sincerely,

Daphna Nachminovitch, Vice President
Cruelty Investigations Department
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

Horrors at Petsmart Supplier

The Sun in Aquarius Forecast: Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 2008

By Sharita Star
Website: http://www.sharitastar.com

Our Sun now moves into Aquarius, the last fixed air and masculine energy upon our Zodiac wheel. This organized sign asks us to improve and refresh our lives as we settle further into winter. Symbolized by the Water Bearer, Aquarian natives are the masters of invention that bring renewed life to wherever change is needed.

This tolerant sign has the guidance of the planet Uranus making its' mark upon their intellectual innovations, while being well-adept at dealing with the unexpected. The focus is typically the larger picture rather than intimacy in relationships, as the deeper concern is to wield beneficial transformations for humanity. Like all air signs, this element grants the Aquarian a friendly nature that seeks multitudes of liberal and experimental alliances.

Our Water Bearers are constantly urged to express their innate originality. Consciously aiming to seek the truth, Aquarians are driven by a deep sense of altruism. They instinctively turn obstacles into welcomed challenges, fostering success in the areas of science, technological advancements or anywhere they can apply their eccentric and insightful visions for the future.

Aquarians are rarely unsurpassed in their abilities to investigate, co-ordinate, brainstorm, synthesize, and plan, with the ultimate outcome being reform. At worst they can display personas that are opinionated, remote, agnostic, vast, tactless, unpredictable and obstinate. With the cultivation of warmth, practicality, along with the recognition that personal touch is essential for continued evolution, the Aquarian native finds the balance to attune their soul.

As our Sun transits through Aquarius, we all are offered the space to reflect and ponder the areas that need reform on a personal level. Ideally the coldness of Winter grants us this natural time each year as we await the rebirth of Spring. Thus here is the perfect opportunity to unleash our brilliant game plans not only for our own growth, but ones that shower the world at large with equal blessings.

Get ready for the Universe to intensify this reflective time as Mercury goes Retrograde in Aquarius upon January 28th. (look for our Blog Alert 1/28 for more details!) This month also sees Pluto starting a brief visit to its' new long-term stay in Capricorn up until April 2nd, where it will Retrograde at 01 degrees Capricorn, and reenter Sagittarius upon June 15th. Mars moves out of its' Retrograde period that began November 15th, granting drives within the Gemini and Cancer ruled houses in the individual birth chart, to return to forward motion again in those specific areas of the life.

As always upon an Aquarian New Moon, we ring in the Chinese New Year. 2008 marks The Year of the Rat, Earth year. In the legend of how the Chinese Zodiac Wheel came to be, the Rat was the first animal to come to Buddha. Interestingly enough, this Universal New Year of 2008 numerically reduces to a singular One vibration- and coupled with the Chinese Wheel starting anew- initiations and new beginnings are at an all time high to flourish. This 2008-09 Earth Rat Year marks a collective time of pragmatism, forethought and self-will. Material prosperity this year is highly protected when it is acquired through the means of integrity and hard work.

May your spirit excel in its' renewal, originality and benefit from the changes that are to come to both your inner and outer worlds.

Questions? Comments? Email me! sharita@sharitastar.com
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About the Author:
Since the young age of 7, Sharita Star has been a student of the planets above and all of the mysteries of our Universe. She is available for all levels of astrological, numerical and lexigram analysis through readings and party services, available at: http://www.sharitastar.com. She resides in New York City and currently is working on her first book.

The Sun in Aquarius Forecast: Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 2008

Moon Phases for Hair Styles - January 2008

By Laraine Mesavage
Website: http://www.phasenews.com/

For those who want to take hair care to the next level with the moon phases, here are the dates for January. My interest in this topic peaked lately because I went to the same salon twice and got two very different results for the identical styling. The first cut was perfect and after the second one I was stunned at how badly it turned out. And I get a simple, straight cut.

While a variety of factors may contribute to a disappointing hair appointment, I decided to quest for the astrological solution. After scouring the available sources for tips on hair care with the lunar cycle, my next choices for a straight cut in January are 11th, 16th, 19th and 23rd. Find dates for your particular issues at the end of this short article. During my research, I found plenty of agreement between astrologers for hair treatments, and one conflicting area.

Astrologers mainly agree, along with the Farmer's Almanac, on the basic premise to promote hair growth by cutting during the waxing moon and discourage growth by cutting during the waning moon. This information is sourced back through the folklore of the lunar rhythm that may have its roots in gardening practices.

The idea of increase has a good base with the waxing moon when the light of the moon grows larger and brighter to the Full Moon. While we appear to repeat this simple notion as symbolism, when you add the consideration of the properties of gravity, it puts the whole concept of the lunar rhythm on a firmer footing.

Gravity, called the greatest force in the universe by Albert Einstein, holds all matter in space including planets, stars, solar systems and tiny particles of dust and gases. Gravity is the force that governs the motion of the planets, including the moon. It also includes the relationship between the sun, moon and earth that we see as a movement of light each month on the face of the moon. As the light of the moon waxes each cycle - grows brighter - gravity increases to maximum pressure at the Full Moon.

Likewise, the decrease of gravitational force during the waning moon reaches the least amount of pressure at the New Moon.

Nonsense and pseudo-science, you say? Those on the committee for the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics did not think so when they nominated Robert Taylor in March, 2000. His peer-reviewed study was published in the Harvard Business Review about his finding that "The Moon Affects the Stock Market," based on predictions of gravitational fluctuations. An outside research team concurred that the "15 days around the New Moon dates are about double the returns in the 15 days around Full Moon dates."

Now: back to hair care. There is plenty of agreement among astrologers about encouraging thicker hair growth by cutting it when the moon is in Leo. As you might be wondering yourself, I asked myself the question, "Well, why is that, anyway?" Is it because Leo is represented as the lion with the long mane, or what?

In gardening, the Leo moon is considered the least fertile of all the astrological signs. One might suppose that hair will spend its time becoming thicker, then, instead of growing longer (fertile). Leo is called a fixed sign because it occurs in the middle of the summer season. Leo is associated with strength, but also inflexibility. So, we have the motion of the stars, moon, planets and earth in the agreement to have this particular level of gravity, tendency, quality, or other descriptive term that appeals to you. As the ultimate "fire" sign, the rule about thickness is reinforced by the advice to get a permanent during the Leo moon if you actually want a frizzy hair style.

Hair coloring and permanents are also generally accepted by current astrological information to be completed when the moon is in Virgo or Aquarius for best results. Virgo is a "mutable" sign, which means it occurs during a change of season and is so linked with transition. Considering the dramatic transition that hair color and permanents offer to hair styling, this sign makes sense for the task. Gardeners reckon Virgo to be infertile like Leo, but less so, and do not spend time and energy on pursuing plant "growth" activities during this transit.

Lunar gardeners will use the time during the additional "barren" sign of Aquarius to take care of routine maintenance around the garden - again, not spending valuable work time on growing and planting. Aquarius, while a fixed sign, offers the subtle qualities of freedom and the power of awakening with its ruler Uranus. In short, change is good. Permanents and coloring certainly qualify for the aspects of change in the hair department.

So far, an examination of the concepts behind the astrological signs and hair care appear to make sense within the established belief system. The conflict surfaced about the signs of Pisces and Cancer. Where a few astrologers affirm that these moon signs are best for cutting to encourage the growth of long hair, Johanna Paungger and Thomas Poppe in their book called Moon Time declare specifically to avoid all hair treatments during these signs. I pay attention to this source because of the quality of the overall information they present on other topics.

Hair is a natural match with the lunar rhythm with cyclic growth and change. Consider testing the astrological approach to choosing a date for hair care to see if it is right for you.

Moon Phase and Sign Dates for January 2008 Hair Styles

Color hair: Jan 9,10

Color roots for slow re-growth: Jan 25-Feb 3

Cut hair - avoid it on Jan 20

Cut hair to grow faster: Jan 8-14

Cut hair to grow slower: Jan 1, 4, 5, 14, 22, 23, 27, 28; Jan 25-Feb 3

Cut hair to grow thicker: Jan 16, 22, 23

Cut hair to keep the style longest: Jan 25

Cut hair to keep vital energy: Jan 11, morning; Jan 19

Permanent wave: Jan 9, 10, 25

Permanent wave you want to be frizzy: Jan 22, 23

Jan 8-14: cut hair to grow quickly

Jan 1: cut hair to slow growth

Jan 4, 5: cut hair to slow growth

Jan 9, 10: color hair or permanent

Jan 11: best day to cut hair to keep vital energy - morning

Jan 14: cut hair to slow growth

Jan 16: cut hair to grow thicker

Jan 19: best day to cut hair to keep vital energy

Jan 20: avoid cutting hair (it's a Sunday)

Jan 22: cut hair to grow thicker

Jan 22, 23: cut hair to slow growth

Jan 22, 23: have a permanent you want to turn out frizzy

Jan 23: cut hair to grow hair bushier

Jan 25: have a permanent wave; cut and style to last the longest

Jan 25-Feb 3: cut hair to grow slowly

Jan 25-Feb 3: color roots for slow re-growth

Jan 27: cut hair to slow growth

Jan 28: cut hair to slow growth

(c) 2007 Laraine Mesavage

Talk to Laraine Mesavage and you will quickly discover her passion for living daily with the moon phases. Laraine offers information about the moon phases for busy people to use in a practical way, and writes weekly to relate the latest news and views about the moon cycle. Visit her at http://www.phasenews.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laraine_Mesavage

Moon Phases for Hair Styles - January 2008

January 2008 Astrology Forecast by James Jarvis

Website: http://lifeqwest.com


The big news this month is that Pluto, which has been in the sign of Sagittarius since November 1995, moves into the sign of Capricorn from 1/28/2008-1/12/2024. The last time Pluto was in Capricorn was from 1762 to 1779, when our country was seeking independence from the oppressive taxation and rule of King George of England. Pluto in Capricorn offers us the opportunity to take back and own the power and authority that we may have projected on or abdicated to others.

With Mercury in Aquarius from 1/7-3/14 (retrograde 1/28-2/18), the emphasis is on liberating (Aquarius), the mind (Mercury). Use Mercury in Aquarius to help open your mind to new possibilities and insights. Be willing to act on any "illuminations" or intuitive insights that you might receive during this period.

The challenge this month with the new moon at 17 degrees Capricorn 1/8 (4:37 a.m.), is to approach life with a pragmatic and realistic focus. The new moon in Capricorn asks you to tune into your natural self-reliance and take the necessary steps to create inner and outer security.

The universal principles of expansion and contraction meet as Jupiter in Capricorn trines Saturn in Virgo 1/17-24. Jupiter/Saturn aspects help you see the big picture and bring it down to earth. Now's the time to tackle expansive projects that also require you to pay attention to the details.

The Sun moving into Aquarius on 1/20 (9:44 a.m.) helps heal any wounds around alienation or not fitting in. It's an opportune time to serve the collective by sharing your insights and visions of how the world can be transformed through positive and progressive change.

The full moon at 1 degree Leo on 1/22 (6:36 a.m.) enhances your ability to nurture yourself through becoming aware of the divine child within. The divine child is the source of your creativity, spontaneity and enthusiasm. Tap into your sense of wonder and awe, the joy and aliveness that you receive by being totally present and in the moment.

Venus, the planet representing core values, travels through Capricorn 1/24-2/17 helping you be more pragmatic or realistic about what you can accomplish. One way to do this is to view your spending habits and see if you are "putting your money where your heart is."

Pluto, the symbol of death and rebirth, moving into Capricorn, representing stability and structure, could cause massive changes in government or business structures that are no longer sustainable or which seek to control through manipulation and suppression. The good news is that if we are ready to let go of the past and outmoded forms of governance and power, Pluto could "level the decks" so we can start over with a stronger foundation to build on.

The new moon at 9 degrees Aquarius on 1/29 (9:15 a.m.) brings in a new cycle of growth and awareness. Relationships, in particular, will be affected by this event as the moon represents what we need for emotional security. This requires learning how to maintain our own sense of personal autonomy while being emotionally present to the needs and desires of others.

For Sun, Moon and Rising Signs

Aries 3/21-4/20

You can accomplish a lot this month if your efforts are dedicated to a "higher" cause. Will power and drive alone won't achieve the best results. Surrendering your attachments to the final outcome, will.

Taurus 4/21-5/21

Discovering what you are passionate about is your focus. Your mind wants to be engaged in new ideas that inspire and move you. Look to see what you are "righteously indignant" about for clues.

Gemini 5/22-6/20

You could benefit from some sort of meditation or visualization practice right now. Your imagination and intuition are very open and will give you dividends if you're willing to quiet your mind and listen.

Cancer 6/21-7/20

Are you getting enough "alone time" right now? Chances are you're conflicted between taking care of everyone else and getting time for yourself. Taking time now allows you to be more present for others.

Leo 7/21-8/22

The full moon in Leo on 1/22 accentuates your outgoing and extroverted nature. You are being asked to step more fully into the limelight. The challenge is to give your gifts fully with the utmost of humility.

Virgo 8/23-9/22

You are unusually creative now but this creativity doesn't come from your mind. It comes from your ability to just let yourself dream. Try suspending the critic and the editor and just brainstorm possibilities.

Libra 9/23-10/22

Your aesthetic talents and energies desire expression. Get quiet and listen for what wants to come through you. You have an opportunity to bring your vision into concrete form.

Scorpio 10/22-11/21

There is a new spirit of optimism that is growing within you. Plus, you are more open and emotionally available right now. Now is the time to reveal more of yourself to others.

Sagittarius 11/ 22-12/20

Your mind is quite expansive now and capable of dealing with broad issues. Social justice may be one of the issues and you may be the "go-to" person to develop new policies.

Capricorn 12/21-1/20

The new moon in Capricorn on 1/8 means that change is coming and it might feel a little unsettling emotionally. If you relax and don't resist, you may find yourself at exactly the right place and time.

Aquarius 1/ 21-2/18

You are probably feeling pretty "wired" right now with more energy than you know what to do with. Try channeling this energy into creative projects for success and calming.

Pisces 2/19-3/20

Have you ever wondered where the seemingly "far-out" visions that frequent you come from? Answer is...they come from your future! Learning to trust these revelations gives you powerful guidance.

James Jarvis, M.A. is a transpersonal counselor, master astrologer, and LifeQwest™ Coach who specializes in helping you "Create the Life of Your Dreams." Sign up for James' free bi-monthly LifeQwest™ E-zine and receive a free 12-page report, "Keys to Right Livelihood," plus monthly horoscope, coaching tips and special discounts on services. http://lifeqwest.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Jarvis

January 2008 Astrology Forecast by James Jarvis