New Year 2014 brings life into focus

The rising Sun on the first day of the New Year 2014 brings an opportunity to start anew. The movement from one year to the next is a ritual moment in time that acts as the resetting of a speedometer, clearing out the old and beginning something with a fresh start. Like any birth or ritual moment we can look at the astrological chart and see what possibilities and challenges it holds.

ChartThis year we begin the New Year with a New Moon, an auspicious indicator that emphasizes the fresh beginnings that are possible for us, individually and collectively.  As you look to the Sun as it dawns in 2014, what you won’t see are the other planets that accompany the Sun. But in looking at the astrological chart you can spot the Moon, Sun, Pluto, Mercury and Venus aligned in Capricorn. These five planets are in a grand-cross (sometimes called a grand square) with Uranus in Aries, Jupiter in Cancer, and Mars in Libra. This is a very powerful combination of energies that signifies the birth of a powerful and productive year. You can see these energetic planetary connections in the center of the astrological chart. The grand-cross is indicated with red lines making a tension-filled square with lines in the middle of the square creating a cross. The blue lines indicate harmonious energies between the planets. You can see that both tension and harmony are combined in this chart.

These five planets put the emphasis on Capricorn, an earth energy that calls for a tangible manifestation that is visible for all to see. This is not a hidden quiet energy, but solid and strong, like a mountain erupting. Something will change substantially in the physical world, both your personal world and the collective global society of which we are a part.  And due to the conjunction to Pluto, that change will be transformative and take place from the deepest level of our psyche, since the Moon is also involved. It is a change that is essential, but with Capricorn’s influence, this change will take a lot of focus, dedication and hard work. Mercury in Capricorn brings an intelligence and the need for clear communication to all endeavors. Venus in Capricorn adds compassion and a reminder to foster relationships that are meaningful. There is a call in 2014 to develop evolutionary partnerships so you can build a solid network that can support your personal endeavors and the changes our world needs so desperately.  It is time to acknowledge your inner authority and join it to your outer determination to do something that really matters.

This is not a year where things will be given for free and life will flow from a gentle stream. This is a year demanding action. This is clearly seen in the square to Capricorn by Uranus in Aries and by Mars in Libra. Both Mars and Uranus are planets of action. The Uranus/Pluto square has been mentioned repeatedly as a potent, even revolutionary, drive that can be chaotic, since Uranus tends towards chaos, especially when in the sign of Aries. Mars, which rules Uranus, lies opposite and could indicate increased violence and chaos. But there is also the potential that the energy stirred up by the Uranus/Pluto square can to be channeled into fair and balanced (Libra) actions (Mars).

Jupiter in Cancer is also part of this grand-cross and reminds us that love and caring can be found in abundance in all that we do. Keep your attention on what is really important and instead of focusing on the problems evident in life, build on the possibilities. Neptune and Chiron in Pisces continue to bring a gentle healing energy to our inner wounds and remind us that even though this is a year of physical manifestation, that physical form is always imbued and animated by spirit. The North Node in Scorpio sextiles the planets in Capricorn and repeats the theme for 2014 of using our basic values as the foundation for transforming our material world.