January 20th at 12 Noon EST is the date and time of the official inauguration for U.S. President Elect Barack Obama. It is highly likely that this event will gain the attention of people all over the world.

            Over the course of the next week the Sun will enter the Tropical Sign of Aquarius on January 19th to join forces with Jupiter, Chiron, Neptune and the Lunar North Node. All the while with Mercury now in retrograde motion, this week it will first cross paths with Jupiter on January 18th and then with the Sun on January 20th at 7:59 am PST at 0 degrees Aquarius and then re-enter Capricorn later that day at 9:36 pm. What this generally implies, in terms of synchronistic events, is that people will be sharply focused and vigilantly aware.

            It is noteworthy that at exactly 12 noon on January 20th EST the Moon will be Void of Course (V/C) at 29 Scorpio 45 minutes. Then at exactly 12:30 pm EST the Moon enters Sagittarius. This presents a rather interesting perspective that Astrologers will recognize and consider. Of particular importance to Astrologers will be the exact moment that the swearing in ceremony occurs, beyond the preliminary procedures of the ceremony, as well as the exact moment that the oath of office is made official by way of the actual signature of Barack Obama. An official signature is akin to the first breath taken at birth – it holds a parallel of importance according to the branch of Astrology called “Electional”. This would be true of the signing of any legal document, especially those that mark the beginning of a company, city, nation or official position and so on.

            So, not only will Mercury be retrograde on the 20th and change signs that very day, but the Moon will be Void of Course (V/C) at least at the onset of the inauguration ceremonies. The Moon is V/C at the moment when it makes its last official aspect to any other planet while in the sign it is in and the V/C period ends the moment when the moon enters the next sign. Since the Moon spends an average of 2.5 days in any sign, the occurrence of a V/C Moon is frequent and it can literally last anywhere from seconds to a couple of days. When the Moon is V/C it is considered an unfavourable time to attend to important affairs like major purchases or the launch of a ship or the signing of important contracts….

       The last aspect the Moon makes before entering the V/C period is also of importance. In the case of the U.S. Inauguration on January 20th 2009, the last aspect of the Moon is a Square to Neptune. Any aspect from the Moon to Neptune will produce a very imagination, escapist, dreamy and denial oriented patterns, and the Square Aspect is one of the most challenging suggestive of the planets operating at cross purposes and generally producing the more negative effects possible. In this case, it is extremely close to the wire as the Moon will be V/C at the beginning of the ceremony with a Neptune Square behind it and in the Sign of Scorpio which is one of its least favourable sign positions, and at 29 degrees which Astrologers recognize to be a ‘critical degree’! Together this clearly does not add up to be a very positive, promising or hopeful pattern at all. However, with the Moon entering moral, ethical, truthful and visionary Sagittarius just 30 minutes into the ceremony, which stands to be enough time before the official swearing-in and signing moment, there is reason to feel confident and at least hopeful that the crucial moment will cast a positive and victorious light upon the outcome. The synchronicity of the whole affair can perhaps be seen to represent the shadowy, dark, deceitful, violent and painful term in office that characterizes the past 8 years with George Bush Jr., yielding to the beginning of a new term and turn in U.S. politics and the hope and promise of a much brighter and turn of affairs in the world.

*Special Notice! Due to a copy error, the Horoscope entries for the weeks of December 26, 2008 and January 2, 2009 were the same. The correct entries for each sign have now been posted on my website in “Updates” which offers an archive of the Horoscopes. My thanks to the person who brought this error to my attention and apologies for any frustration and inconvenience this may have caused.

Also, the Horoscopes for the year of 2009 are now posted!           

Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Rising ambitions are likely for you now. This is a good time to approach authority figures for favours and earned rewards. You may be in the mood to give and/or revive instruction on ‘how to do’ something. Apprenticeships in general are important for you now. This theme has been strong for the past couple of years and will continue through to late summer this year. If you have not already begun to understudy something specific, take some time to decipher what you might. Meanwhile making new friends and expanding your social network should uplift your spirits.

Taurus (Apr 20 – May 21)

Openings and expansions on social and professional fronts are reason to pay attention now. If you have been waiting for an opening or a break of some kind, it is already here or it will be soon! However, do not seek to fit in to ‘normal’. Aim to express your unique angle or alternative perspectives. Do push and assert yourself as necessary, yet be careful not to push others away by overdoing it. Look to the future now to assess the direction of things. If you find yourself getting closer to the earth and back to basic, you may be right on track.

Gemini (May 21 – Jun 21)

Something is shifting for you and it probably feels good. New interests, people and events are calling you out. Learning new skills and obtaining tools that you can use to build a greater degree of confidence and security is highlighted. Your higher mind is calling, by the way. This aspect of your consciousness seeks greater unity and a deeper sense of communion and community with others and life in general. See a bigger picture and be willing to take risks and pioneering initiatives with learning and innovation in mind.

Cancer (Jun 22 – Jul 22)

New relationship commitments are commanding your full attention. Others are pushing you to act with deliberately and with discipline and focus. This includes letting go of old power positions, structures and even philosophies that no longer serve or whose time is up. Accelerated learning and research remains a central theme. You may feel the challenge to concentrate in ways you have not previously. Amidst all of this pressure and intensity, find relief in social and cultural events and gatherings. Keeping an open mind and summon the will to cooperate fully.

Leo (Jul 23 – Aug 23)

Efforts to ground your focus continue. These include establishing a healthy life rhythm. What can you do to increase your overall state of health, without overdoing it? Keeping it simple, aim to drink more fresh water and walk more, for example. Joining clubs to gain inspiration from the group energy and focus is also a good idea. Continue to lay full claim of responsibility for whatever seems to not be working in your life. In doing so you will reclaim power lost to blame – a common issue. Consider that the universe is energetic as opposed to ethical to steer free from righteousness. Meanwhile, reach out to deepen friendships.

Virgo (Aug 24 – Sep 22)

New creative powers are stirring within you. This should prove to bring new interests, as well as hidden skills and talents to the surface. Rather than wait passively, engage your conscious intention to decipher what these may be. Take a constructively critical approach to your habits, daily routine and overall expression in the world. Your willingness to entertain new ideas and take risks now will bring quick returns. Just be careful not to scatter your focus with too many objectives. Makes a list and focus on doing each thing on it and make the process a game!

Libra (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Much is shaking in your world and probably you are as well. Learning to align ourselves with the energies and events that we feel and experience is a key to ‘going with the flow’. Life knows what you need and want, beneath the level of ego fears and attachments. This is another way of saying ‘the truth will set you free’. One sure step at a time is ever a good way to go. What choices do you ‘feel’ you need to make to align with your heart’s guidance? At each step you can take your time to deliberate, negotiate and make another choice. One step at a time!

Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Many new ideas, perspectives, perceptions and philosophies are ready to be downloaded into your consciousness. The question to ask: is your brain already too crowded with the same? If so, your challenge includes the process of deleting those old files and programming. You can do this by identifying what these are and then simply affirming that you are letting them go. These ideas and perceptions are not you, they are simply ideas and perceptions you inherited or bought or adopted. You are a soul with a body, mind and heart and when you clear these of the old your soul will shine through fully again!

Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Changes in your overall value system are moving steadily now. This includes increasing a sense of humility, on one hand, and discipline on the other and both hands can work together too! Make efforts to associate pleasure to establishing a more reliable foundation in your life. This includes your values, attitudes and priorities. Since everybody has to serve somebody and something in life, you might as well decide who and what that is and surrender to the implications of your choices. Meanwhile, many new ideas and innovations are coming in now. Pay attention to catch them all!

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

New beginnings, assertions, passions and/or compulsions continue to guide your path. You may suddenly be eager to learn new things and gain information, knowledge, insight and answers. Realizations and awakenings are reason to acknowledge or accept changes unfolding in your life. These are also bringing new considerations and possibilities to the fore. You may feel excited and perplexed, passionate but confused, curious yet worried. With change comes opportunity and this is perhaps the best attitude.

Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 19)

Over the course of the next week some exciting initiatives are likely to occur. We are on the eve of the season of Aquarius. During the next month we will notice the increase in daylight hours and this brings its own inspiration and meaning. You have probably noticed a rather strong swing of your values, priorities and subsequently your focus over the past year or so. Now, your sights will be sharply set upon the future. This will include taking new risks and measures to expand your social and cultural horizons. All this amidst some rather deep changes brewing deep within may be leaving you with thoughts and feelings about what is next!

Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

Advancing your social and professional interests and overall position is on your mind. A rather deep soul searching continues beneath the surface. Now, the time has come to look even closer and you want some clearer answers. This is a lot to ask during Mercury Retrograde. On the other hand, if handled correctly, you could find yourself probing rather deeply and getting answers about where you can best focus your energies next. Take the time to entertain the possibilities. If you are willing to push through and beyond the familiar, comfortable and secure you stand to get a lot of answers.