Today may test our collective sea-legs; focus is thrown on stability and sure-footedness. Some may find themselves comfortably seated throughout any turbulence, others satisfied with their ability to correct their weight-distribution, others pitching ass-over tea kettle to the hard deck. We are experiencing what is known as a Grand Earth Trine, that is to say that three celestial bodies are very tightly configured in the earth element: Moon in Virgo, Mercury in Capricorn and Uranus in Taurus. This predominance of earth usually brings the element’s best qualities, a moment that is slowed and sheltered, where one can enjoy creature comforts and focus on practical matters. In this case, however, we’re dealing with unstable soil components. Uranus is the master of volatility and surprises, Mercury is fully retrograde, and the Moon is ruled by Mercury on this day. Hold fast!

As though in response to these deep rumblings, Mars begins to move once again on Thursday (1/12.) Mars has been retrograde in Gemini since the end of October, and I’ve banged on quite a bit about the potential dangers of this malefic planet moving backwards, many different flavors of frustration and self-undoing. By now, the hope is that lessons absorbed through a tough few months will lead to corrections and refinements of our methods, making us more effective in accomplishing our aims. Mars will station direct under the smiling influence of Venus in Aquarius, who should cool and ameliorate his influence, perhaps even directing this get-up-and-go current toward creative or romantic projects. But Mars also begins moving again in contra-antiscia to the Sun, a somewhat adversarial connection which should throw a spotlight of notoriety on the proceedings. This may come in the form of doubt or shame over efficacy. Bad actors may also be the focus of breaking news.

It should be noted here, while Mars’ retrograde is now complete, it may not feel like it just yet. We still have another week of Mercury retrograde, and Mars is currently taking his marching orders from the confused messenger planet. If it doesn’t feel like it’s time to act yet, it may be that more pieces are waiting to fall into place.

Thursday also sees Mercury Rx in an exact trine to the North Node; there is an opportunity to revise on a material level, but also a potential for mistakes made today to stick. Meanwhile, the Moon in Virgo opposes Neptune, opening stronger possibilities for delusions and distractions to knock us off course.

On Friday, 1/13, the asteroid Juno will enter Aries, entering into a conjunction with Jupiter. I wrote a few words about this in my Capricorn Season post, and will repeat them here: “I don’t pay attention to the asteroids much, but this was too cool not to take notice: in Greek and Roman myth, this is the pair that rules over the Pantheon. Of course, the planets and the gods are not a 1-to-1 equivalent. Most of the popular myths around this pair evoke marital discord, but I think we can expect the opposite here. Jupiter generally ennobles and bestows gifts upon what it touches; Juno, to my understanding, represents the things in life we feel drawn to commit to. With the two together, my feeling is that many will be drawn to actually capitalize on the blessings that Jupiter brings to their life by fully committing to their realization. Mileage may vary, as always. Look towards the area of your chart where Aries falls to see what this may represent.”

On the same day, the Moon will create a Grand Air Trine, touching Venus and a freshly-direct Mars. This configuration leads to effervescent conversation, freedom of thought, research. With Mars in the mix, a lot of folks may find themselves compelled to feverishly work items off of their hitlist. The Sun will be in a sextile to Neptune as well, so some may simply choose to binge it out on a new series.

Things settle down a bit on Saturday, 1/14, as the Moon makes positive contact with Saturn in Aquarius, a call for sober organization and planning. And right on time, Mercury begins to slow to his stationing degree on Sunday, 1/15, signaling that his retrograde will soon end. He won’t go direct until Wednesday. Monday, 1/16 sees the Moon in Scorpio triggering an active current that may kick things for our newly direct Mars, as some may feel suddenly compelled to declutter their spaces, sweat out their poisons, or otherwise purge.

The last big piece this week is the Sun’s conjunction with Pluto. It won’t be exact until Wednesday, the same day that Mercury goes direct, but Sol’s slow walk down the staircase to the underworld may create a mood of disquiet foreboding. For some, this may also be an echo of events and feelings stirred around New Year’s Eve, which is when Venus made this same passage through Pluto, which may have troubled the waters around issues of corruption and desire, power and control. The Sun’s passage involves many of the same themes, with an emphasis on sense of self – what waits just below the surface of what we allow others to see? What we allow ourselves to engage with? This may be a good week to probe such matters, to explore ideas around the dialogical self or “the shadow self,” as popularized by the Jungians. Whether or not this process is actively engaged with, this transit may prove transformative for some.

Until next Hump Day!