Stellar Insights: January 1 - 7, 2024
Hello New Year (+ Mercury Retrograde Ends)
Here are some insights about the opportunities and challenges that this week’s astrology may offer. May they help you make the most of this moment. Should you want to see what the current planetary movements are catalyzing for you—what your here/now and near future may be inspiring—based upon your personal astrology chart, we can explore that in a Stellar Guidance Session.
Happy 2024!
As I write that, I realized that I’m not just saying it as a colloquial greeting. With this year being one (or perhaps more accurate to say, “another one”) peppered with so much collective grief, I’m using that phrase—Happy 2024!—as a way to also express a wish and invocation that it will hopefully bring us all more peace, joy, and happiness.
With the New Year beginning on Monday, we enter 2024 on the day of the week* in which the Moon’s energy is heralded. If we feel any sense of disorientation on the dawn of the new year, orienting to the day through a lunar lens may give us insights into how to approach and guide ourselves not only today but throughout the year. As such, attune to your feelings, listen to your natural rhythms, be curious about what and who it is that has you feel at home and/or see how you’re naturally inclined to tend to your well-being and that of others.
We may find ourselves wanting some additional grounding, which attuning to the Moon can gift us, because Monday is the day that Mercury stations direct (aka, ends its current retrograde cycle). On the days surrounding a planet beginning or ending its retrograde phase, it may feel especially archetypal present in the collective. As such, as 2023 turns to 2024, we may find that there is a rush of news, information, conversations, and communication opportunities vying for our attention. Unless we titrate our attention, this can have us feel a bit agitated and revved up in our nervous system (a part of the body ruled by Mercury). So go slow, be mindful, and make space for quiet.
It feels important to note that Mercury will not go direct until the late evening on January 1. And then even for a few days afterwards it will be moving ever so slowly. Therefore, while you may sense that the review/reconsideration/recommunicate directives that its retrograde phase has yielded is coming to a close, take some time (aka a few days or so) before you start back in on boldly moving forward newly realized thoughts and synthesized ideas.
On Thursday, Mars hikes into Capricorn, where it will be through February 13. Capricorn is a strong placement for the planet of movement; it’s exalted in this sign. As such, the next five-plus weeks offer us an opportunity to get more serious about the goals and the actions we want to take at their behest. We’re encouraged to move thoughtfully and efficiently, and see how playing the long game can more sustainably architect the success we may be seeking.
All my very best,
xxStephanie
* Here are all the traditional day/planet associations: Monday-Moon, Tuesday-Mars, Wednesday-Mercury, Thursday-Jupiter, Friday-Venus, Saturday-Saturn, and Sunday-Sun.
Astrological Highlights
January 1: Mercury Stations Direct; Venus/Saturn Square
January 4: Mars enters Capricorn
All days reflect Eastern Standard Time (- 5 hours GMT)
Photos: Kelly Sikema and Aaron Burden, via Unsplash
What’s in the Stars for YOU for 2024?
You’ve likely heard that the collective astrology for 2024 yields shake up and surprises, opportunities to release entrenched habits, a greater focus on relationships, and new communication opportunities.
Yet, what will it inspire for YOU?
Get personalized insights into the opportunities that this new year holds for you by scheduling a New Year, New You session with me. Through reflecting upon your astrology chart, I’ll share with you a preview of the year ahead, offering you insights into the themes and opportunities that 2024 may hold. We’ll also talk about potential challenges and how to reframe and work through them. You’ll get some key dates that will help you in planning for your year.
These special 50-minute sessions are limited in availability and only offered during the first few weeks of January. They are offered via Zoom (or telephone if you prefer) and are $150.
January So Divine! Podcast
In the late episode of the So Divine! podcast, Megan Skinner and I explore the celestial landscape for January, including some big themes that will be unfolding in 2024. We explore the significance of the Lunar Nodes including how with them currently being in Aries and Libra we are collectively focused upon trying to balance our individual needs and the needs of our alliances. We also discuss Pluto's continuing volley between Capricorn and Aquarius, as well as how a Pluto cazimi the third week of January beckons us to consider which structures, definitions of success, and non-sustainable approaches we are ready to let go of. I choose a tarot card at random--the Ten of Pentacles—and Megan talks about how this abundant archetype can inspire us to cultivate security in a grounded way. Find it wherever you stream your podcast, or here on the So Divine! website.