Zuri's Astrological Starcast for January 2009

Happy New Year! January heralds a time where our dreams can be grounded in physical manifestation and we are finally able to move forward with our productivity and work projects. From January 1st through January 18, the sun sets up shop in practical Capricorn, focusing our efforts on responsibility and the creation of more stability in our lives. Speaking of forward movement, breathe a sigh of relief as Saturn goes retrograde this month. He'll drop a memo on our cosmic desk announcing the transition from his usual focus on limitations and blocks to a period of freedom from restrictions.

The Mercury retrograde in Aquarius from the 11th to the 20th will also encourage everyone to free up old mindsets and ideas about security. With Aquarius ruling technology, knowledge and electronics, you can also expect communications to be challenged by computer glitches, iphones acting screwy, and losing or misunderstanding messages. This retrograde reminds us that if we want to create long term change and get things accomplished then we need to think outside the box. From the 20th to the 31st, the retrograde changes direction into Capricorn to laser in on issues dealing with letting go of restraint and control. During this chapter, be prepared for the misplacement of physical items and the likelihood of miscommunication over money and practical matters. New information opens up unexpected possibilities when Jupiter enters Aquarius after the 5th. Jupiter will allow you to expand your thinking and research new ways to achieve important goals.

The planetary transits this month promote innovative ways to seek out new employment, rebuild that 401k and restore security. Align your vibrational frequency with your center of personal power and ambition to succeed at anything tangible you set your mind to. It may not happen overnight but by planting the seeds and cultivating their growth over the next few months, magical outcomes are within your grasp. Take advantage of this opportune phase to shine your inner light and never look back.

January 1 - 4

Thursday kicks off with the moon slipping into meditative Pisces, urging us to show gratitude for our abundant blessings and to spend some time in prayer to center our spirits and keep our minds focused on the tasks at hand. Venus peers into the Piscean realm of spirituality and romance over the weekend. If you find yourself connecting with people who share a strong past life connection and seek self-awareness through psychic phenomena this month, you have Venus to thank for that. All sorts of secrets and issues not previously known will also be revealed this month. Capricorn's no nonsense personality will highlight taking responsibility for the karmic actions of the past and give us a chance to make things right again. With Jupiter sending spiritual mentors to your side, intuitive development is encouraged and will yield amazing breakthroughs. Saturday's high intensity Aries moon will give the right boost of creative energy to sign up for a beginner's astrology, tarot or healing class happening online or in your community.

January 5 - 11

Monday's Taurus moon will have us focusing on getting our finances in order, paying off the credit cards from the holiday buying season and working on replenishing the savings account. A great time to invest in Quickbooks or Apple based Numbers to keep an organized ledger of the money going out and coming in. As we shift towards material goals, the Gemini moon on Wednesday has us deep in negotiations, meetings and phone calls with financial planners, coworkers and the people that are responsible for helping to keep our working life in balance. Communication and ideas will be received with success today. Our moods turn to focus on family, home and emotional security on Saturday with the Full moon in Cancer. Have a delicious home cooked meal and catch up with loved ones under its influence. Take this time to nurture yourself and get emotional support as you communicate your feelings with sincerity.

Feeling cramped in your current space? With the real estate market shifting in favor of buyers, investigate new rentals and homes by going to as many viewings as you can between January 11 and February 1st. You may just find the right deal and square footage for your family! If you do decide to move, wait until after the retrograde is over before signing any contracts. Also, make sure to contact a space clearing and Feng Shui expert to get it energetically ready and optimized for your new beginning.

January 12 - 18

Monday's Leo Moon is the perfect time to schedule a chakra tune up with a Reiki practitioner or crystal healer to release any pent up stagnant energy and bring the body into holistic balance. Be selfish for once! Relax, enjoy the afternoon and do something fun with your friends and family. On Wednesday, the moon shifts into workaholic Virgo, causing the attention to be placed on organizing, planning, scheduling appointments and getting the job done. If the metaphysical healing from Monday has brought any health issues to the surface for release, compliment and fortify the progress with a visit to your primary care physician for traditional medical treatment. Friday restores harmony to our lives with the Libran moon. Don't react to any arguments with words expressed in haste. Take a deep breath and approach things tactfully and diplomatically. A reminder that more is achieved with honey than with vinegar is the theme this weekend. Cherish your relationships this weekend by spending quality time with friends, lovers and family. Sunday's Scorpio moon is a fruitful time to research, investigate and deepen your understanding about what's really going on beneath the surface of an issue or project. Knowledge is the key to success.

January 19 - 25

Goodbye Capricorn and hello Aquarius! January 19th marks the sun's entrance into freedom loving Aquarius, making the rest of our month's focus on friendships, new ideas, possibilities, independence and stretching our boundaries. This is a whirlwind time of breaking the bonds that have kept us moving in place and seeking out informative ways to direct our course towards new adventures. People from the past may come knocking back on your emotional door, curious to know what you've been up to. It will be an opportunity to either revisit the past for closure or to finally get that chance to do things right this time around. Just make sure to sift through the real reasons you want to reconnect so it's on your terms. On Tuesday, the moon moves into fun loving Sagittarius to mix pleasure with academic or friendly pursuits. All work should be easy going and stress free today. On Friday, the moon reviews the day planner when it heads into Capricorn. A birth of new information and ideas make the next two days highly productive and forward thinking. Get your errands done and put the finishing touches on any job proposals or reports that need to be sent out. Nothing will stand in your way.

January 26 - January 31

Happy Chinese New Year! Monday ushers in the year of the Ox, reminding all of us that if we exercise diligence, patience and hard work, we can master our goals with awesome results. The Aquarian New Moon supports powerful wish making today by energizing your aspirations and encouraging ingenuity. Research, experiment and think about the ways to improve upon a venture. The potential for growth has everyone inspired to try new things and break the glass ceiling. The first solar eclipse of the year occurs on this auspicious new moon, promoting profound change in the self and in one's thinking. This solar eclipse combined with the new moon is excellent for ritual work fueled by your emotions and thoughts. By changing your self and your thoughts, you can create external change and breakthroughs in the physical world. Through this eclipse, wonderful opportunities and events unfold over the next six months to allow room for amazing metamorphosis. So make sure to breathe personal power into your rituals and concentrate on what you want to attract. Light a candle and focus your intent on magnetizing your individuality, freedom and to spark new ideas into being. The Universe is sending a message that we can affect the transformation of global thought through collective prayer. By virtue of energy following intent, miracles can happen in an instant!

Tuesday forecasts entertainment and whismy with fun social invitations. A surprise get together with friends may be penciled in at the last moment. On Wednesday, the Piscean moon has us thinking about our spirituality and listening to our spirit guides for insights on how to expand our consciousness. Meditate and do dreamwork to find creative answers. On Friday, change and high energy dominate the landscape when the moon moves into Aries. New projects get the green light and the Universe amps up your power to complete that to-do list.