Overview of the Year Ahead as well as January
Moon’s Nodes
Every ~18 months, the Moon’s Nodes and their corresponding Eclipses change signs for a year and a half, not returning to that sign for 18 years! These sign changes bring a shift in frequency, focus and feeling. Such a shift occurs this January as the Nodes and Eclipses enter the Taurus/Scorpio axis, which rules the natural 2nd and 8th Astrological houses, both pertaining to finance.
The 2nd house rules money and the resources we possess (cars, homes, cash, savings, investments) while the 8th house rules what we owe (loans, credit, mortgages, taxes). These and the institutions that service them are likely to undergo major changes this year. New technologies (Uranus in Taurus until 2026) are impacting our world, including in banking, where extremely unequal wealth distribution and international tax discrepancies are coming under scrutiny, while digital assets and cryptocurrencies are transforming how we make, save, and exchange money.
The South Node in Scorpio is about disclosing institutional, governmental, and corporate manipulation, misinformation, and malpractice which has been largely hidden from the public. Scorpio reveals where corruption has deteriorated whole systems.
We must learn to live simply, reduce waste, and utilize Earth’s resources efficiently for humanity to survive. With sustainable innovations in energy, housing, infrastructure, agriculture, water management, trash and wastewater disposal, planetary survival is possible, but there is much work to do! But if we continue to postpone making changes, especially around climate change, all bets are off for our collective future.
New Moon in Capricorn
The first New Moon of the year in Capricorn, shows mostly positive energies building. The lunation (Moon conjunct Sun) at 12 degrees Capricorn trines Uranus in Taurus, bringing a sort of excited anticipation that this year will somehow be better than the last 2 years, and that we will be able to build something worthwhile, at last.
You may feel heightened perceptions of your world as you become energized to discover new avenues and exotic new knowledge that will help you make whatever changes are necessary. There will also be new encounters with others, which are helpful in building a better life for yourself, your friends, your loved ones, and the rest of us, too.
Meanwhile, Mercury conjunct Pluto trines the North Node for deep thinking about your personal situation, or around issues that face our country, or the planet as a whole, even the unexpected events that might effect our Sun and the entire solar system as a result. With the North Node in Taurus now, we want plans and solutions that actually work, not just ideas and philosphical ways of looking at situations (the previous North Node in Gemini/South Node in Sagittarius). We want actual material results and we want them NOW!
Jupiter/Pisces
The Piscean themes of compassion, sacrifice, service, creativity, intuition, and spirituality will expand during Jupiter-in-Pisces months (January-to-May and November-to-December), bringing blessings and fortuitous opportunities our way this year. With increased understanding comes optimism, something we haven’t felt for a while, and since Jupiter-in-Pisces is widely generous, expect to feel an energetic UPLIFT this year!
The magical side of Jupiter-in-Pisces includes serendipitous good luck and faith in a higher power, especially when Jupiter joins ethereal Neptune in April. Neptune remains in Pisces until mid-2025, strengthening our spiritual practices and ideals, despite messy conflicts happening in the background.
On the negative side, Jupiter-in-Pisces can foster immoderate, self-indulgent, and extravagant behaviors, or aimlessness and lack of boundaries, especially when Jupiter squares the North Node in early January, or when Jupiter squares Neptune in November-December. But generally, Jupiter brings a broad perspective, thoughtful analysis, and better understanding for most of us, leading to soul-growth, meaningful decisions, and prosperity. When that happens, remember to be grateful!
Jupiter at zero degrees Pisces T-squares the Nodes on January 1-10th, bringing clarity through awareness. Although resolutions to problems may not be easy, a deeper understanding of what is called for now is available to us, IF we pay attention to our inner signals and messages, along with outer conditions and constraints. The process is one of growth, becoming something more than you have been in the past. Planetary “squares” generally mean we need to work at producing positive effects. Jupiter expands and exaggerates, so if you do nothing, expect nothing in return, but if you overdo your exuberance, there could be unfortunate outcomes. However, with Jupiter in moderation, there is a promise of growth in consciousness and positive progress, at least during the first half of the year, as long as we apply ourselves conscientiously.
Mars square Neptune
Venus/Pluto
The first quarter of the year is dominated by Venus’ unusually long stay in diligent Capricorn (due to retrogradation), which will focus the lens on what we desire to manifest – relationship, wealth, beauty, creativity, career, personal desires, values, or achievements. Many will review their life’s priorities during January, examine what “together” means, scan for relationship patterns (including one’s relationship with money), look at self-worth issues, discern whether partnership is right for us, and consider whether we or our partners can remain committed long-term and whether that’s even important to us. New possibilities are on the horizon, so in order to make space in your life, discard what no longer serves you. This culling of excess is especially strong when Venus conjuncts Pluto – at the end of December into January and in early March once Venus is moving direct and encounters Pluto again.
On January 11th Mars squares Neptune while Venus sextiles it. Mars brings discouragment, self-doubt, lethargy, and fear of inadequacy while Venus encourages creative imagination and somewhat unrealistic romantic notions. Take it easy from Jan 5th to the 15th and make time for creative pursuits at home, if possible, rather than undertaking physical or challenging activities.
Venus
Venus retrograde sextiles Neptune from Jan 1-9th which introduces a romantic or rose-colored glasses tint to the world as we begin 2022. Then Venus trines the North Node while conjuncting the self-actualizing Sun on January 8th, expressing feminine radiance. Venus trines the emotionally vulnerable Moon on January 11th, and then trines Uranus (stimulating diversions) on the 14th for the remainder of the month and into February. This could bring exciting encounters that are usually fleeting in duration. All these positive Venus aspects represent good times for relationships and social connections, continuing into February as well, although permanence is not being promised here, thanks to unpredictable Uranus. So enjoy whatever fun you can get while its available.
Venus/Pluto
The first quarter of the year is dominated by Venus’ unusually long stay in diligent Capricorn (due to retrogradation), which will focus our lens on what we desire to manifest – be it relationship, wealth, beauty, creativity, career, personal desires, values, or achievements. Many will review their life’s priorities during January, examine what “together” means, scan for relationship patterns (including one’s relationship with money), look at self-worth issues, discern whether partnership is right for us, and consider whether we or our partners can remain committed long-term and whether that’s even important.
When Venus conjuncts Pluto, love experiences may be quite intense. Feelings are heightened, often slipping into jealousy or obsession. Often subconscious drives are being triggered that have little to do with healthy affection, and can sometimes devolve into abusive relationships. Or it may be something other than a relationship that is passionately irrational. Pluto wants power and control and can be manipulative or heavy-handed, while Venus can be demanding and high maintenance. Guilt and insecurity can be used to oppress others and create co-dependent scenarios. It’s a tricky mix, full of problems, but Pluto/Venus aspects can certainly sweep us off our feet!
New possibilities are on the horizon, so in order to make space in your life, discard what no longer serves you (Pluto). This culling of excess is especially strong when Venus conjuncts Pluto – at the end of December, fading in January, and again in early March when Venus re-encounters Pluto, strengthened this time by her direct motion and her conjunction with Mars, who acts as an ally.
Full Moon in Cancer
The Full Moon on January 17th activates a Mystic Rectangle, initiating breakthroughs in consciousness as the Sun conjuncts Pluto, which assists humans to evolve as a species though self-examination.
But while Mercury conjuncts Saturn and opposes the Moon on the 18th, the Saturn-square-Uranus becomes activated, leading minds (and capitalist America) to resist change on multiple levels. Mars-in-Sagittarius-sesquisquare-Uranus-sesquisquare-Moon: Mars sits at the peak of a nasty Thor’s Hammer (2 sesquisquares linked by a square at their base) temporarily adding tension to this T-square, leading to frustration and a desire to strike out. So don’t plan important events on the 18th as it looks like a particularly rough day!
Galactic Light
Meanwhile, our planet is being flooded with an intervention of GALACTIC LIGHT! Venus, the Sun, and Mercury aligned with the Galactic Center at 27 degrees Sagittarius recently, and Mars reaches the Galactic Center on January 21st.
This added infusion of Light helps our spirits feel the frequency acceleration as a lightening of our burdens, as we strive to reset our lives and get back on track. Just realize that we will not be returning to the way things were. We are building a New World in which much will need to change, some in ways that right now we cannot even imagine!
Notice the Earth Grand Trine in the above chart for January 21st: Venus in Capricorn, Uranus in Taurus, and the Virgo Moon, plus a Mystic Rectangle (2 trines alternately linked by 2 sextiles) with Pluto/Sun trine the North Node. This is very positive! Although Saturn continues to square Uranus (which aggravates both the pandemic and social unrest) and Venus squares Chiron from January 19th to February 10th (fueling unlikely expectations), we will need to ground our visions in hard work and execute our inspirations within reality in order to yield hoped-for results.
Mercury Retrograde
Supportive Mercury joins Pluto in Capricorn at the beginning and end of January, going retrograde from January 14th to February 4th for a time of deep contemplation as we examine our fears, blockages, and limiting beliefs so that we can clear them away and attain positive manifestation in our lives. We must penetrate our issues honestly and evaluate long-term goals and Soul Mission if our forward progress is not going to be impeded by old subconscious patterns.
Saturn/Uranus
Since Saturn continues to square Uranus into 2023, easing during summer months but resurging in the fall of 2022, COVID troubles will continue creating annoying obstacles this year. Nonetheless, 2022 looks better for public health than the last 2 years, and yet the pandemic continues… But don’t put your life on hold! February, March, and April are months to push ahead while all planets are direct for 3 months and Jupiter is in Pisces until early May. Forward-looking decisions and actions will be especially effective after the Equinox on March 20th, the astrological New Beginning of the year when the Sun enters Aries, striking the 0 degree Aries Point.
Saturn-square-Uranus is tight in early January, but due to positive aspects, it may be less problematic early in the year. On New Year’s Day there’s a Saturn/Mars sextile (disciplined action). Then, transiting Saturn-trine-Saturn (perseverance) in the US Sibley chart occurs January-February, followed by a late March stellium of Venus-Mars-Saturn in Aquarius (satisfying intellectual discipline). April adds a Sibley Mars-trine-Mars aspect (effective accomplishments) as well. Therefore, America appears to be on a generally constructive tract in early 2022, despite the February Pluto Return in the Sibley US chart, as we endeavor to lay the foundations for rebuilding broken systems. Pluto in Capricorn will help us discard what isn’t working, exposing corruption and scandal from within our corporate and governmental cultures.
However, the US Sibley chart’s 2nd Pluto Return in July, while Jupiter and Mars are both in rebellious Aries, followed by a tightening Saturn-square-Uranus (social upheaval) in the fall, could bring open conflict into the public square later in the year. But 2022 will start out with positive gains and upbeat attitudes as we start to create the new life/new earth that is being birthed. Note that February, March and April will be the best months for forward movement and progress.
US Pluto Return
Pluto Return – first pass Feb 19 2022 
Pluto 2nd Return Jul 11 2022 
Pluto 3rd Return Dec 28 2022
The biggest aspect of 2022 is the Pluto Return at 27 degrees Capricorn in the US National Sibley chart, bringing destruction, rebuilding, and eventual transformation of large systems and organizational structures (Capricorn). Devastating at times, Pluto tears down what is not working for the long-term betterment of all (which Saturn-in-Aquarius is helping us discern), to rebuild a more fair, sustainable, and efficient future. Although this aspect pinpoints the United States, it’s economic impact will be felt globally. Our National Pluto Return (loss) in the US 2nd house of resources, money, and beliefs could trigger a debt crisis, a financial breakdown, or even a world-wide economic collapse, probably starting during the second half of this year. With Uranus in earthy Taurus, natural disasters – earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires and drought – could be part of this scenario, along with more resulting supply chain disruptions.
Psychologically, Pluto takes us on a deep dive into our own inner shadow. As a result, our soul wounds may be exposed for lancing, oxygenating, and healing as we seek to put our lives back together, first with the destruction of whatever is not working, followed by rescue, rebuilding, and healing of our most difficult issues, so that we, our country, and our planet can be made whole again!
2022 will begin with positive gains and upbeat attitudes as we start to create the new life/new earth that is being birthed. Note that February, March and April will be best for forward movement and progress. However, the US Sibley chart’s 2nd Pluto Return in July, while Jupiter and Mars are both in rebellious Aries, followed by a tightening Saturn-square-Uranus (social upheaval and Covid surges) in the fall, could bring open conflict and/or disasters into the public square in the latter part of 2022.
So be thrifty – it looks like hard economic times are coming. Stash some cash, stock up on necessities, avoid volatile or dangerous situations, and think long-term, as our money systems may take years to recalibrate. Be loving, stay healthy, and help each other out along the way. And have a…
Happy New Year!