Your stars for the month by Carol Squires, Astrologer

"Star forecast" informs on the current astrological climate that affects us all. I hope you find this information interesting in relation to how you're experiencing your life right now.

For those with birthdays coming up, I also include information on when the Sun enters each sign every month.

Note: all times mentioned in this article are New Zealand Standard Times (12 hours ahead of GMT), unless otherwise stated.

January 2010

Mars Retrograde - 20 December 2009 to 10 March 2010
This will be an interesting longer-than-usual transit through the dramatic leadership sign of Leo. Mars entered this sign on 17 October 2009, turned retrograde on 20 December for a period of 11 weeks and then turns direct on 10 March 2010. He finally leaves the sign on 7 June 2010, moving into the more pragmatic territory of Virgo. In total he spends 34 weeks in Leo.

Mars usually spends approximately 7 weeks in each sign but every 22 months he turns retrograde. The last period before this current cycle was 15 November 2007 through to 31 January 2008 covering the signs of Cancer and Gemini.

In the current retrograde period, Mars will spend the whole time backwards and forwards through the sign of Leo - the God of War marching through leadership territory. Expect sparks to fly! This could well mark a very tense time for both the President of the USA, Barack Obama and our own Prime Minister, John Key - both born under the sign of Leo, only 5 days apart and elected to their leadership roles also within days of each other. Coincidence? or Destiny? Will their leadership be threatened? It will be an interesting time ahead for these two leaders during the current very unsettled times.

Mars' retrograde cycle takes him right back to the very beginning degree of the sign of Leo - it's almost like the entire leadership role and what each and every person in any influential position needs to do is to re-define their role - what may have worked in the past may not be what is needed for the future. There is a brave new world to explore - let us pray that our elected leaders are up to the challenge.

20 January : Happy Birthday, Aquarius!
Sun-sign Aquarians can start celebrating their birthday in style from 5.29 pm NZDT when the Sun enters the tropical zodiac sign of Aquarius. For this month* all new babies born on this day, but before 5.29 pm will be Capricorn star-signs - the changeover point commonly referred to as being "on the cusp".

19 February : Happy Birthday, Pisces!
Meanwhile, all star sign Pisceans can start celebrating birthdays from the 19 February – at 7.37 am NZDT to be exact – as the Sun enters their sign. For this month* all new babies born on that day, but before 7.37 am will be Aquarius star-signs – the changeover point commonly referred to as being “on the cusp”.

21 March : Happy Birthday, Aries!
It's party time for Mars ruled Arians as the Sun enters their sign at 6.33 am NZDT. For this month* all new babies born on that day, but before 6.33 am will be Pisces star-signs – the changeover point commonly referred to as being “on the cusp”.

There is extra reason to celebrate for Aries, as 11 days previously after a retrograde period of what could have been a very frustrating 11 weeks, ruler Mars turns direct. A direct, full-speed-ahead Mars is a happy Mars! Energy is now focused on the goals ahead, goals and plans that have needed to be shelved or revised can now be instigated and acted on.

4 April - End of NZ Daylight Time
As from 3 am NZDT (NZ Daylight time) clocks are put back 1 hour to 2 am NZST (NZ Standard time), 12 hours ahead of GMT.
For more information on New Zealand daylight savings times click here.

Some thoughts on . . .

Saturn opposes Uranus 2008 - 2010

One of the more graphic descriptions of how we might experience these two opposing forces was on the eve of Barack Obama's election as the next president of the USA, on 4 November 2008, when a news journalist reported ". . . A racial and social barrier has been shattered." Saturn represents barriers, Uranus represents the force that shatters barriers - at that time opposing each other in the sky. The opposition aspect is one of conflict, of two opposing forces seeking compromise - although that compromise may be hard won. We can see this planetary opposition working out in so many other ways, with restrictions placed upon us from all directions and the resultant frustration in seeking ways to overcome these restrictions.

Old versus new - Saturn works with traditional methods, Uranus brings innovation and originality into the mix. Their opposing forces either work as one working against the other - or as both seeking ways to work together while retaining their individual integrity.

Being the faster moving planet, Saturn began to separate from the opposition, easing the intensity of its impact - but from 31st December with its turning retrograde they prepare to meet again, the next step in their ongoing relationship, the first week of February 2009.

That the opposition forms across practical Virgo and impressionable Pisces adds changeable emotions versus practical concerns into the mix. The conflicting forces may ease somewhat - but not resolve - as from that point Saturn continues to 'back off', reassessing and re-evaluating the steps taken so far, returning to past endeavours before preparing to move forward.

Saturn and Uranus continue their planetary dance, one against the other, through to 2010, with the sign emphasis shifting as Saturn enters Libra in late October 2009. Its placement here shows a shift from the detailed and analytical territory of Virgo to one where diplomacy and co-operation is the key.

Some thoughts on Pluto's transit through Capricorn . . .

Back in 23 February 2009 I had to smile at that morning's headlines in the New Zealand Herald:

"Tight times are here to stay . . . Finance Minister spells
it out for everyone - restraint is forever"

Forever is a very long time; but with the aid of astrology and knowledge of planetary cycles, astrologers can identify the influences reflecting the current times. Much has been said about the planet Pluto moving into Capricorn as the harbinger of the need to tighten our belts, to make do with less - restraint in all areas of life, particularly our finances.

After entering Capricorn in late January 2008, the signs were all there but perhaps not taken as seriously as they should have. After 6 months, Pluto retrograded back into the previous sign of Sagittarius bringing to light the excesses and greed that had taken place for so long. Pluto in Capricorn is now exacting payment, its effect becoming palpable from late November 2008 as it settles in for the long haul throughout its sojourn through the sign.

So how long is forever? Pluto's transit through Capricorn lasts until 2024.

But it doesn't need to be all economic doom and gloom. With this comes a positive side; moderation is not all that bad is it? Getting back to basics - to growing your own food and enjoying the freshness and nourishment that comes from that, has got to be good; the establishment of community gardens, of communities working together. Sustainability is another buzzword of our time, respect for our environment and utilising our natural resources without destroying the ecological balance of an area.

Pluto breaks down and eliminates, destroys but in Capricorn it also rebuilds. More than ever before, we need to work with Pluto not against it. For if we don't change with the current times, the change will be made for us.

*Note: Because of earth's elliptical orbit around the Sun, the time and date differs from year to year.

Would you like to find out more - make a start with my articles:
Born on the Cusp - which star sign am I? and
Star Sign columns - what can they tell us?

Born on the cusp? I am happy to advise you whether you are one sign or the other. All I need is your time, date and place of birth - contact me by phone or email for this free service.

For up to date information on New Zealand daylight savings times click here.

So you want to learn Astrology?
For info on classes, workshops and correspondences courses for all levels of expertise - from beginner to advanced - contact Carol on
M: 021 044 8666 or go to my workshops, classes or correspondence course pages.