“It’s coming to America first
The cradle of the best and of the worst.
It’s here they got the range
and the machinery for change
And it’s here they got the spiritual thirst.

   It’s here the family’s broken
and it’s here the lonely say
that the heart has got to open
In a fundamental way:
Democracy is coming to the USA. ”

~~~Leonard Cohen
from Democracy is Coming to the USA

The Sun sailed triumphantly into Aquarius on January 19th in time to celebrate the Aquarian sacrament of democracy on the following two days. On the 20th our President was sworn in, in a private ceremony at the white house and on the 21st, Martin Luther King Day, the country’s first African American President was publicly sworn in for the second time, with much fanfare and celebration, on the Washington Mall.

While the election of President Obama is, in and of itself, an Aquarian triumph over American slavery, Jim Crow segregation and institutionalized racism, the real star of this year’s inauguration was the people, we the people, who made it possible. In an election cycle defined by overt attempts at suppressing the vote and lines where voters including the elderly were made to wait for up to and over 7 hours, the true victor regardless of political party, was democracy itself.

Aquarius is the sign of Democracy. It is the sign of humanity and the sign that invented the whole idea of self-rule. Aquarius says that humanity occupies a unique niche in creation. This niche is defined by self-consciousness, equality and a common destiny. Nowhere has this definition been better expressed than in the Declaration of Independence, written by Aquarius Thomas Jefferson who stated the immortal refrain of our and perhaps all democracies: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”

For Aquarius who wins an election is far less important than the process by which they are elected. Consent of the governed forms the basis of true democracy. Lincoln, another rock star Aquarian also famously stated:  “no man is good enough to govern another man, without that other’s consent.” It is for this reason that voter rights are so precious to the sign that invented democracy. This year every attempt at suppressing the vote was met with fierce grassroots activism. This is democracy in action, when the people take responsibility for their government and thereby their destiny.

Aquarius is the sign of liberation. It comes along to free us from any system internal or external that suppresses inner or outer liberty. On the outer level Aquarius has historically opposed monarchy (no consent by the governed) dictatorships, slavery, sexism, apartheid, homophobia and discrimination based on any external including sexual orientation. On the inner level Aquarius opposes and seeks to heal any complex which enslaves the individual or suppresses the authentic self. This usually manifests as some form of addiction, in which the free will of the individual no longer seems to operate.

It is of great interest that Aquarius, the sign of humanity and the social group presides over the solution to both inner and outer tyranny. Moreover in both cases the solution depends entirely on group action. One cannot have a democracy alone and one cannot recover from addiction alone. It simply does not work. We are social beings and our deepest wounding and oppression happens within relationships, but so too does our healing.

Aquarius reminds us that we do not become imprisoned alone, and we cannot become free alone. It is interesting that Abe Lincoln who presided over the end of slavery was also deeply interested in recovery from addiction. He was aware of the Washingtonians, a group of reformed drinkers who anticipated Alcoholics Anonymous by 100 years. He voiced the desire that the United States be the birthplace of political liberty and liberty from the affliction of intemperance, as alcoholism was called in his time.
Liberty is the most cherished goal of Aquarius. It seeks human dignity for all people and recognizes that human destiny is defined by liberty and autonomy, yet Aquarius embraces the paradox that at the same time we are interdependent and all our destinies are somehow bound together.

Aquarius is the sign of brotherhood and sisterhood of man. It reminds us that we are one big family. As we awaken from the age of empires and dictatorships governed by fierce racial and national hatreds, Aquarius reminds us that we are one humanity. While our different races, genders and nationalities make for interesting contrasts, to Aquarius it is all merely window dressing.  Underneath any external difference is a living breathing human being, just like me, just like you, and most importantly with the same rights.

America as a land of immigrants is uniquely poised to heal the terrible racial ruptures that dominated our founding and the last few centuries globally. In this new age we are already seeing a rise to true equality in the American government of all people. This election seated more women than ever before, but again the real star of this election cycle was the people. Groups like African Americans, women and Latinos and the LGBT community are making their political might felt.

An America with an African American President, a female secretary of State, Prominent Latinos including a Republican senator poised to run in the 2016 presidency, openly gay and lesbian senators and congress members, sends a powerful message to every corner of the world, where the ancestors of all but our native American government representatives hailed from, that we mean what we say when we say that all are created equal. We are finally beginning to truly align with our founding documents. For Aquarius this is major cause for jubilation.

Aquarius rules the higher mind. It is the higher mind that sends us intuitive and technological leaps that lead to out of the box thinking. This is the sign where the lightening of true genius and innovation strike. Aquarius holds the key to many of the most pressing problems that face us as a culture. The solutions can come as leaps of consciousness that take us beyond fear-based survival thinking and technological inventions that can solve our most pressing global problems. Aquarius might invent a way to replete our ozone layer, or harness energy in a totally new and clean way. In this new age, the more we ask our higher mind to direct our thinking and our creativity the sky is the limit on what we together can accomplish.

Aquarius rules Democracy, activism, collective action, technology, lightening, invention, liberty, rebellion, adolescence, television, human rights, humanity, one’s social network, intuition, hopes and wishes, friendship, air, freedom and the universal family of man.

This month, to celebrate Aquarius, hang out with your friends and network with like-minded people. Work for human rights. Be free. Express your authentic self. If you are addicted to something join a group that can help you to recover. Be inventive. As you walk down the street adopt the spiritual practice of recognizing each person your see as a brother or a sister. Read the Declaration of Independence. Declare your own independence from anything that is oppressing you. Go see the movie Lincoln. Participate in your government. Meditate. Each day ask your Higher mind to direct your thinking. Realize that you are not alone. You are one of us. We are one of you. We are all in this together and together we can fulfill our common destiny:  One humanity with liberty and justice for all.

THE PLANETARY REPORT:

The Sun went into Aquarius on January 19th and will remain there keeping the focus on collective political activism and socializing till February 18th when the Sun enters dreamy imaginative Pisces. As February begins Mercury is at the last few degrees of Aquarius bringing our minds into focus on civic and political issues till the 6th when it enters Pisces filling our minds with compassion and sensitivity. Mercury goes retrograde in Pisces on February 23 and will continue retrograde through Pisces till March 17th when it goes direct at the 5th degree of Pisces.

Venus spends the first two days of February in executive, no nonsense Capricorn, helping us administrate our lives. On the third it enters Aquarius and February becomes a gracious month for activism and socializing. Spend time with friends. Create gatherings that help some cherished cause. If you live in one of the areas affected by recent storms, host gatherings to help your neighbors and friends. Mars, the consort of Venus spends the first two days of February in Aquarius kicking off the month with a surge of activism, then on the third Mars enters spiritual, compassionate Pisces and encourages our connection to the source. This month our energy is well spent on envisioning a compassionate world, making music and poetry and playing with film and photography.

Mighty, expansive Jupiter remains in Gemini at the 6th and 7th degrees expanding our minds and thinking. Now is a great time to think up big plans and solutions to the worlds pressing problems. Jupiter in Gemini makes a wonderful aspect to Venus in Aquarius, especially through the 9th helping us to think bigger and in a more innovative way than usual.

Saturn in Scorpio continues to put the disciplined serious focus on collective wealth, taxes, intimacy and death. Saturn in Scorpio also transforms our government, corporations and infrastructure. On the 18th Saturn goes on a long retrograde through July. The retrograde will help us recover from the storms on the East coast and continued financial recovery for the country.

Uranus in Aries continues to encourage activism, and technological innovation. The military will never be as progressive as under this aspect. Unstable individuals will be more prone to violent outbursts than ever and humanity will be less able to tolerate any form of oppression.

Neptune in Pisces helps us dream a bigger more compassionate dream to live by and Pluto continues to rock our foundations while reminding us that all change is positive.

The new moon in Aquarius will take place on February 10th at 2:20 am EST which is also Chinese New Year the year of the snake.   The full moon in Virgo takes place this month on February 25th at 3:20 pm EST.

Our New Moon Ceremony for February will be held on Sunday, February 10th at 4:30pm EST.  Join us to also celebrate Chinese New Year as the snake has powerful symbolism for our continuing journey of transformation.  Just click here to go to the events page to register.

ARIES: The Sun is shining in your house of networking this month encouraging you to connect with beloved friends. After the 2nd Venus joins the Sun and socializing is a love fest. This is a great month to also seek out like minded professional allies who can help you fulfill your career hopes and wishes. If there are causes that are near and dear to you, this is a great month to get active. Mars the planet of action and desire spends all of the month as of the third in Pisces in your spiritual sector giving you the jump on dreaming up your vision for the year. Make a vision map to guide your intentions for the year. Your energy is also well used this month in prayer meditation and letting go. Communication and writing still hold the keys to your major success so say yes to all opportunities on this front.

TAURUS: This is a big month for your career Taurus. The sun and Venus are in your career sector for most of the month encouraging you to shine, socialize and be center stage on behalf of your career. New partnerships and connections are forming. Seek out people you are ideologically aligned with you and see if you can do business that is mutually beneficial. With Saturn in your house of partnership old partnerships may be ending as new ones are forming. In all relationships make sure to dot the ‘i’s’ and cross the ‘T’s’. If you are beginning or ending partnerships, stick to the letter of the law and be clear in all legal settlements. Major fiscal opportunities are heading your way. Make sure you get the word out about your abilities and services. This is a great month to pitch new projects.

GEMINI: The Sun is shining in your house of philosophy and travel and in the sign of friendship, making this a great month to travel, socialize and reflect on your philosophy regarding friendship and humanity. This is a great month to pursue writing projects. Mars, the planet of action, is in your career sector in imaginative Pisces helping you to dream up some new career moves. This is a great month to act on your dreams and visions regarding your career. After the 23rd when Mercury goes retrograde, is a great time to reconsider and reflect on career issues. Old business contacts may resurface at this time. With mighty expansive Jupiter in your sign, life has never felt so abundant, lucky and safe. Enjoy this new cycle and say yes to all opportunities.

CANCER: This month the Sun is shining in the darkest house of your chart illuminating the depths of your unconscious, along with issues of intimacy, joint finances and death. The good news is that this month you can take action to break free of old patterns that used to imprison you in these areas. This month dare to bring your authentic self into your love life. Dare to reveal who you truly are to trusted friends and beloved ones. Ask yourself how you want to share your resources with others. What feelings of worthiness or the lack thereof may be holding you back? This is a great month to do some deep healing work on all of these issues. As you dive into the depths, there is a major line up in your philosophical sector in spiritual Pisces helping you to connect to the source and find new levels of compassion with which to approach life. The key is to first find compassion for yourself and let that establish a new base line in all your other relationships. The angels are with you this month guiding your healing journey.

LEO: There is a major line up in your partnership sector this month, encouraging you to explore business and personal partnerships. With Venus in this house love with a rebellious maverick could well be in the cards. This is also a great month to explore networking and communication projects. New opportunities that could be very lucrative are coming through your friendship sector. Issues of intimacy are also up for you as Neptune, Mars and Mercury spend much of the month in your sector of intimacy and shared resources. This month you can heal what you can feel. The key is to truly feel your feelings and have compassion for your deep inner journey.  This is a month to begin to heal issues of intimacy and addiction of any kind. The key is to be gentle and forgiving toward yourself and allow all feelings and tears to flow. Saturn in your home sector puts the serious focus on home and family responsibility.

VIRGO: The Sun is shining is your house of cleanliness, health and hygiene Virgo, the very house your sign is associated with. Take full advantage and do a juice cleanse while exercising and reorganizing your home, office and file system. It is also a great month to do all these things on a group level or with group support. Get your ducks in a row because major career opportunities can find you as you prepare for them. Networking can bring in new partners and contacts who want to advance your cause. After the 23rd Mercury your ruling planet goes retrograde in your house of partnerships and old partners may resurface. It is also a good time to pull back and reflect on the nature and approach to all your relationships. Meditation brings new and liberating insight on all fronts.

LIBRA: This month the Sun and Venus are shining in your house of children, art and creativity, making this a great month to play, express yourself, work on art projects, hang out with kids and connect with the child within. There are some big communications opportunities coming your way this month so do some creative networking and be ready to say yes when luck comes your way. Work looks busy this month, as does health and getting organized. There is a nice flow in all these areas. After Mercury goes retrograde on the 23rd, you may want to reflect on your approach to work and health issues. Adopting spiritual approaches to both these areas is a good idea, as is staying in the flow.

SCORPIO: With Saturn in your sign these days Scorpio, you are the boss. It is time for you to get comfortable with the buck stopping with you. This month the sun is shining in your realm of home and family of origin helping you to take charge of your home life. The Sun and Venus also shed light and love on what family of origin issues may be holding you back from actualizing your full power and autonomy. There is a major line up in your house of childhood and creativity helping you illuminate inner child issues and heal through acts of self-expression. Jupiter in your deep dark sector is helping you expand in relation to intimacy beyond your wildest dreams.

SAGITTARIUS: The Sun and Venus are shining in your communication sector this month helping you to reach out electronically and touch millions. Well, that may be an exaggeration, but through expansive partnerships, your communication reach stands to get much broader. There is a major line up in your house of home. This month compassion and forgiveness flow in that realm as you extend a new-found Grace to your family of origin. Saturn in your spiritual sector encourages a disciplined spiritual practice that will support you from behind the scenes. Partnerships look lucky, expansive and joyful. Take advantage and say yes to all larger than life offers coming from partners.

CAPRICORN: This month the Sun and Venus are shining in your house of money and values asking you to put your money where your values are. This month really explore your ideas about money, self-worth, humanity, fairness, who you want to support with your dollar, and how money or other forms of wealth could be used in a more humanitarian way. On a more practical note, this month you can stand to really profit from networking and technology. Get the word out there about who you are and what you do. There is a wonderful lineup in your house of communication in spiritual compassionate Pisces encouraging imaginative dreamy writing, speaking and creativity. After the 23rd when Mercury goes retrograde, revisit old writing projects or communication ideas.

AQUARIUS:Happy Birthday Aquarius!!!
So Happy the universe dreamed you up. Also, my undying gratitude for The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, The Gettysburg address and almost every word ever spoken by Abe The Babe Lincoln. This year your month kicks off with the Sun soon joined by Venus in your sign for most of the month making this a month of love beauty and, as always in your case, humanitarian friendship and fellowship. This year there is also a massive line up in Pisces for your birthday month making this year a mystical one of envisioning and dreaming up the new world you have worked so hard these last centuries to create. This month and this year use music, film, dance and poetry to dream up the world you want us to live in. Like John Lennon (I think he had an Aquarius moon) Imagine all the people sharing all the world…. Anyway, you get the idea. This month your dreams have a very good chance of manifesting. Saturn in your career sector gives you more career gravity and responsibility than ever before. Jupiter in your house of creativity gives you massive opportunity to get your creative message out there. Blessings to you my excellent friends and fellow humans. May love and friendship find you this year.

PISCES: The Sun is shining in your spiritual sector this month making this a great time to connect with the source. You may feel the strong presence of ancestors or departed loved ones sending support from across the veil. This is a great month to find yourself at the ocean or in the desert – any realm of vast stillness in which you can connect with big silence and deep sacredness will do. There is also a major line up in your sign getting you ready for your birthday next month. Mars, Mercury and Neptune have you strangely energized. It’s a great month for water sports, making music, writing poetry, taking photographs and feeling your feelings. Work may involve travel these days. With Jupiter at the nadir though there is no place like home, and home still holds the key to a major fiscal opportunity.

Namaste,
Demitra