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Dear friends,

Happy New Year! Blessings for an incredible time ahead.

Here are the global and personal questions that await us all in 2019: Who’s the boss? Who has the power? What is dying? And, what is being born?

With three eclipses in Capricorn this year the global focus is on government and rules/regulations. In your chart the focus is on your business life, tradition, duty, family, father and profession.

2019 is prelude to and preparation for, the intense experiences awaiting us in 2020 through to the fall of 2023 as our nation goes through the process of a Pluto return (and a Pluto opposition to its Mercury). Humans would have to live 248 to 250 years to live the length of a Pluto cycle, so we never experience it. Yet, our nation will soon be old enough and energy steadily builds starting now. In 2020, transits to the USA chart show a massive focus (Jupiter, Pluto and Saturn conjunct in Capricorn) on two opposing points in the United States chart: Pluto in Capricorn and Mercury in Cancer. Fear is Pluto’s tool. Mercury is the messenger.  

There’s a huge power struggle ahead of us along with an attempt to create barriers and structures against the corruption, breakdown, and lawlessness we’ll see at the Government/structural/authoritarian level. Shadows emerge. We must insure they don’t predominate. Conversely, this energy can also be a return to the power of the people’s voice. Need I remind you, there’s a Presidential election in 2020 and it’s a big one given these transits.

As I write, the Government is on a partial shutdown in an attempt to force political agendas. Is this the way a government should be used? I’m not a politician but it doesn’t take one to see the incredible stresses and re-arranging this country has gone through both domestically and nationally. The most recent energy of deconstruction will continue and magnify over the coming months. 

The prevailing energy feels like we’re in the tight spot in an hourglass my husband says. Indeed. The United States of America is going through a birth canal and birth is painful my friends, as you know. Yet birth brings new life. We live in a culture that denies death and yet death is also a big part of the next few years. Pluto is the guardian of the underworld after all. It’s time to face the shadows and recognize they’re not nearly as big as they appear. It’s time to press forward into your new life. It’s not as hard as you think. Birth awaits.

BIG CHANGES IN 2019

This is the year in which to position yourself in the right spot for you, so you can not only ride out the coming storms but prosper and thrive also. I’m holding a Solar Power group to assist those in the metaphorical birth canal come forward into their waiting lives with the support and ingenuity of the collective. 

Jan 5th: Capricorn Solar Eclipse

January 20^th:  Please join me and others on January 20^th in Palisade CO to go through the hot spots and magic of 2019. It’s a fascinating year. Bring a calendar and your chart for general discussion. https://www.astrologybydulce.com/events/

Jan 20 8 – 10 PM: Leo Lunar Eclipse 

February 12: Danger! Mars and Uranus connect in the last degrees of Aries. Rash decision making. Anger. Incidents of road rage or war so please practice peace. Push through on difficult tasks. Stay centered. Keep your cool. Big fire coming on through.

March 7^th: Big changes occur as Uranus re-enters earth-based Taurus on March 7^th and stays there for the next seven years. Earth changes and capricious financial markets are par for the course during the next seven years.  Store water, grow your own food and see if you can diversify your income. Financial markets shift dramatically over this period and currency may change or alter. What to do about that IRA? Dave Ramsey, please weigh in.

July 2: Cancer Solar Eclipse

July 16: Capricorn Lunar Eclipse

November 11^th: Excitement! Drum roll please as little Mercury crosses the face of the Sun on November 11^th. The power of the pen and the Press are restored! The importance of the well-thought out turn of phrase is magnified.

Dec 2: Jupiter enters Capricorn

Dec 26: Capricorn solar eclipse

If you’d like closer attention and deeper planning to your life, or you feel something has to end and another part begin, please consider my up-coming monthly collective based on the transiting solar energy in your chart, and yourself as a fragment of the Sun. Though we’ll use astrological timing, the group will be much more than astrology. I’m very excited about it.

More information here: https://www.astrologybydulce.com/events/

PLAY BY PLAY FOR JANUARY

1^st: Somber beginnings to the New Year as the Sun conjuncts Saturn in Capricorn. News about an authority. Decorum and dignity. Difficulty and disappointment with Government. Seriousness prevails and yet there’s a feeling of optimism as Mars enters Aries bringing fresh energy. Action and commitment are required. Sort through your possibilities and get real about your circumstances. No pie in the sky! Great day for challenging the outdoors and downloading new ideas. 

2^nd – 4^th: the dark Moon encourages hibernation. Let your ideas and plans percolate. Possibilities abound. Think positively. 

5^th: There’s a total solar eclipse Jan 5^th. This is an important precursor to the next two years. The Sun, New Moon and Saturn are opposite the Sun in the United States chart. A new leader emerges. Use this energy personally by being the accountant and manager of your own life. Trim down excesses at this practical New Moon.

6^th: Uranus turns direct on the 6^th waking us up. Be brave. Know what’s important to you. Initiate some kind of change. Fallout from the eclipse lingers as the Moon connects with Pluto. Fear not!

7^th – 8^th:  Energy shift! Lift up your hearts and rejoice. Venus leaves intense Scorpio for optimistic Sagittarius and the Moon travels through social Aquarius, reminding us that it’s all about for the people, by the people. 

9th – 10^th: Dreamy days. Let inspiration guide you as the Moon connects with Neptune on the 10th. A poem waits to be written.

11^th: Action day. Time to face those shadows as the Sun meets Pluto. Bold but tender is the way to go.

11^th – 13^th: Time for sensible decision making as Mercury connects with business-minded Saturn. Family time is important.

13^th: Keep your head screwed on! Is it fact or fantasy? Can you actually achieve the things you’re inspired to do? Maybe, maybe not. (Jupiter square Neptune)

13^th – 14^th: Bold new initiatives and independent thought and action are encouraged as the Moon moves through Aries and connects with Mars and Uranus. Caution – don’t be careless!

15^th – 16^th: Easy does it. Keep making progress as the Moon moves through steady Taurus in harmony with the prevailing Capricorn energy. It is all working to your benefit!

17^th – 18^th: A little schizophrenia is possible. You may feel a little divided and unsure of which alluring path to take, as the quick and waxing Moon dashes through sparkling Gemini and opposite Venus and Jupiter. Have fun and learn something!

18^th: A day for love! Fire and electricity sizzle as the celestial lovers Mars and Venus trine. Bring something new into your marriage. Single folks get lucky. Powerful conversations are possible as Mercury connects with insightful Pluto.

19^th: Energy builds with the coming Super Moon and the Sun prepares to change signs. Do something practical. Family matters weigh in.

20^th: Big shifts and changes! Class with Dulce! The Sun leaves sensible Capricorn for egalitarian Aquarius and the Moon waxes to fullness at a lunar eclipse in Leo. Ideas for a more meaningful, creative and practical existence come through to you over the next few days.

21^st – 22^nd: Get moving though the way may feel tough. Be patient and stay focused as Mars squares Saturn. 

22^nd: Lucky day! Expand your horizons. Think positively. Don’t overspend but do invest in your travels and/or your education. Venus and Jupiter connect.

23^rd – 24^th: Get organized and keep things tidy. These days are excellent for fasting and letting go as the Moon travels through Virgo and opposes Chiron.

24^th: News travels! Mercury enters social, intellectual and stubborn Aquarius. Invest your mental energy in something that will reward you over time. Mercury will stay in Aquarius until February 10^th. 

25^th – 26^th: Flow and tension. Maximize the dynamic energy by doing qi gong or some other energy practice. Let your inner peace settle outer discord.

27^th: Inner tension leads to success in the outer world. Make peace with yourself as the Scorpio Moon squares Aquarian Mercury and Sun.

28th: Connect the dots. Insights highly likely as Mercury meets the Sun. Mental overstimulation possible. Talk to someone. Share ideas. Read (or write) a good book.

29^th – 30^th: Mood lifts! Freedom is possible. Get out and enjoy yourself as the Moon travels through gypsy Sadge and connects with abundant Jupiter and lady Venus. 

30^th – 31^st: The month ends on a tender note. Your manifestations want to come to life. Feed your dreams with practical action and commitments. (Saturn sextile Neptune)

That’s it folks, more to come in February. In the meantime, please keep the monthly collective gathering in mind. Uranus is the planet that rules group interactions and with its shift into Taurus a few weeks before the group begins on Saturday night, March 23rd we’re going to be grateful for the power, wisdom and energy of the collective to help shift each of us forward. https://www.astrologybydulce.com/events/

Stay tuned, thanks for reading and remember; you matter, we are all connected, earth is our home and love is our destination.

Your astrologer,

Dulce

P.S. If you like the new format of this cosmic blog thank my outspoken girlfriends Thea and Dawn. And to my soul friend Denise, as always, thanks for the editing. 

Greetings Earthlings,

Welcome to Beltane, the Pagan celebration of spring, and the beautiful month of May. This month is imbued with the earthy blessings of Taurus as the Sun moves through this stubborn and sensual sign. On the 20th the energy shifts to mercurial Gemini so perhaps you might like to move slow before things speed up.

There are some huge changes at work underneath the steady march of the bull. One has already occurred. This is Chiron’s move into Aries which took place April 17th this year. Chiron has a 50-year cycle and this is the beginning of a new phase that takes us deeply into the wounds of the ego and the results of hasty action; or the consequences of ignoring your own inner voice.

Chiron will stay in Aries until September of this year at which time it will retrograde back into Pisces. Chiron has been straddling my Pisces ascendant for months and I know first hand how the presence of the wounded healer can utterly transform one’s world.

Come March 2019, Chiron will re-enter Aries and stay until spring 2027. This is highly significant for Aries and Libra folks who will experience a deep sensitivity, and possible crisis, as they fine tune their lives to Chiron’s higher vibration. Chiron in Aries shows us the consequences of self-absorbtion and the consequences of not caring for the self. 

Another monumental cosmic move is Uranus’ experimental tiptoe into Taurus. Uranus will enter the sign of the Earth itself on May 15th and stay there until early November of this year. At that time, it will retrograde back into Aries until early March 2019. It will then remain in Aries for seven years. What does Uranus in Taurus mean to you?

Well darling, it’s bigger than you. (A little Chiron in Aries ego-rectification moment).

The last time the planet of change, technology, brilliance and chaos was in Taurus was from 1935 to 1942. That’s the Great Depression (and the Dust Bowl) here in the USA and WW2 for everyone else. Hitler began killing Jews. Think the Spanish Civil War and Hemingway. Oh yes, how about airing The War of the Worlds and scaring the population half to death! Einstein was alive and contributing to science. The Helicopter was invented. Mt. Rushmore was carved. Nasty times and amazing times too. Napoleon Hill wrote “Think and Grow Rich” and the science of manifestation was introduced to the world at large. 

Incidentally, Social Security was conceived of in 1935. Let’s hope it stays stable for us!

Folks born between 1935 and 1942 will experience their Uranus return over the next seven years. This is a confirmation of wisdom and reminds us that aging has the benefit of this profound knowing. Folks between the age of 39 and 42 will experience their Uranus opposition – a time of great change leading, hopefully, to a more authentic lifestyle.

So dear Ones, you can see that we need the stability of Taurus to hold us steady for the monumental shifts in front of us. Chiron in Aries is tender and yet allows for a new identity while Uranus in Taurus is the proverbial bull in the china shop showing us where we need to tend to the basics.

Use the first week in May to enjoy the breezy quality of Venus (ruling planet of Taurus) in chatty Gemini. With an opposition to the Sadge Moon on the 2nd you might feel a little overloaded so head off for an adventure if you can. There’s a nice Earth trine between the Taurus Sun and the Moon in Capricorn on the 5th (Cinco de Mayo!) The Moon meets Saturn and Mars – make progress toward your long-term goal. Use the harmony to get things done in the garden or with your business. If all goes well, NASA will launch a lander towards Mars with the InSight project on the 5th.

Communication could be intense on the 7th as Mercury squares Pluto and Venus squares Neptune. Just what is the truth? Save important discussions for another day folks.

Tuesday May 8th the Sun opposes abundant Jupiter. Wahoo! It’s a big day and a good opportunity to go for the gold. As my dad used to say, “it’s better to shoot for the stars and hit an eagle, then shoot for an eagle and hit a rock.” In other words, go for it but don’t set yourself up for failure. The largesse follows you over the next few days and you get a boost on the 11th when the Sun trines Pluto.

Brilliant, crazy insights are possible when Mercury and Uranus connect the 12th and 13th. Think new thoughts but do guard your nervous system. No caffeine needed, the cosmos will amp you up.
Early on the 13th Mercury stabilizes as it enters earthy Taurus. Whew. Take your time folks, there’s no big rush but do keep that ball rolling.

May 15th just hours after the Taurus New Moon Uranus enters Taurus.

Holy smokes. Financial matters, stock markets, money, bonds, banking are all vulnerable to radical changes. Earth changes and climate change are all highlighted now. If you have property hang on to it and take good care of it. Remember, Uranus spends seven years in a sign and this summer is just a little taster for what’s to come between 2019 and 2026.

May 15th is a New Moon and it’s your chance to plant seeds of genuine change and innovation. This is fertile and juicy time even if Uranus in Taurus scares us a little. With strong support from Pluto and Venus in capricious Gemini this New Moon invites you to dig deep and simplify. Ground yourself. Put down those roots and reach for the stars. Grow baby, grow.

Right after the New Moon on the 16th, active Mars leaves capable Capricorn for rebellious Aquarius. Mars will retrograde in this sign from June 28th to August 27th making those months terrible for new ventures. By the way, the last time Mars entered Aquarius was on election day November 8, 2016 when Donald Trump became the USA President. Hmm…. add this to the two eclipses to Trump’s Mars and the picture gets interesting. I looked at Trump’s solar arc chart and saw that his SA Uranus is just months away from conjuncting his Mars. His life is about to change.

Mars is the modern day ruling planet of Uranus and this recent turn of cosmic events creates a complex situation. The 16th through the 19th Mars squares Uranus making this a contrary time with unexpected shifts in cultural mores. Rebellion is likely! There’s plenty of mojo to get things done so use it to your benefit.  This energy is hot and hard to handle so wear gloves. Keep your eyes open. No sleeping at the wheel.

Things stabilize on the 19th when Mercury aspects Saturn and sanity returns. At the same time Venus, ruler of all the Taurus energy, enters gentle Cancer and the wisdom of the Mother takes over. Hallelujah! Mom, it’s okay to pull rank. The world needs you now.

On the 20th the Sun leaves earthy Taurus for light-hearted Gemini and shifts the mood. The 22nd and the 23rd Mercury opposes abundant Jupiter – don’t make promises you can’t keep! It will catch up to you when Venus opposes stern Saturn (the 23rd to the 27th) and you’ll have to live up to them or suffer the consequences. Use those days to focus on what you love rather than regretting what you said.

Luckily, the 24th through the 27th Neptune and Jupiter connect in a water trine softening blows, encouraging forgiveness and enhancing dreams. With Venus opposite Saturn also you can really make good progress toward the project of your heart. Get it done before the Full Moon.

May 29th the Sagittarian Full Moon invites plenty of discussion and reasons to celebrate and collaborate. Have fun, because you got it done. The same day Mercury enters its home sign of Gemini. By month’s end Mercury connects with Mars in intellectual Aquarius. Now’s the time to have those conversations, as long as they’re not too heavy and serious.

The month ends with a Moon/Saturn conjunction in Capricorn. Despite all the hoopla and changes, some things stay the same. Hold the course and reduce your impact upon our Earth Mother. Be sensible in your purchases – don’t buy things in plastic – including those tubs of spinach at the grocery store unless you can repurpose them. I reuse mine for kitchen scraps. According to recent statistics we only recycle 9% of plastic. That’s 91% that gets used once and thrown away into ever creasing piles, some of which end up in our beloved oceans. It’s a simple as not using a straw in a restaurant. Please folks, be mindful.

Good news – I read that this summer there’ll be a massive ocean cleanup – there could be a very good side to Uranus in Taurus. https://www.theoceancleanup.com Hallelujah! Isn’t it wonderful that so many of us care and are awake! Celebrate! But be realistic too. Seriously, Uranus is a chaotic energy. I’ll be teaching a class soon on both Uranus in Taurus and Chiron in Aries. Stay tuned.

I’ll see you back here in June. And remember – you matter. We are all connected. Earth is our home and love is our destination.

Your astrologer,
Dulce

Oh my gosh my golly, eclipses, retrogrades and folly! 

Dear Ones,

Welcome to 2018, the Chinese Year of the Dog, and the magic and wonder of a fresh start.

There are five eclipses this year. These are cosmic doorways and if you have planets within one degree of an eclipse you’re likely to experience its influence. Eclipses occur in both 19-year (Metonic) and 18-year (Saros) cycles, so you can look back 18 and 19 years to 1999 and 2000 and see what was going on for you. The eclipses are January 31, February 15, July 12, July 27 and August 11. The most interesting eclipse for Americans will be the one in February because it activates Donald Trump’s chart. It occurs opposite the eclipse point of August 21, 2017 which was a direct “hit” to his Mars. That’s two “hits” in six months – that’s a lot to overcome. As my perceptive  astrologer friend Nancy says, “His karma will come due.” We shall see! Something will happen that’s for sure. Eclipses are powerful tools for change and in my long experience as an astrologer I have seen the extraordinary relationship between eclipses and significant life effects.

Mercury retrogrades three times this year: 3/22 to 4/15; 7/25 to 8/18; and 11/16 to 12/6. Mark those dates on your calendar. Those are your reflect, redo, relax times when you can catch up with yourself. Don’t buy any big items or electronics during that time. And don’t sign anything noteworthy. I’ve seen the effects of Mercury retrograde deals and they are not pretty. Of course, there are always a few exceptions to this rule. Another astrologer friend, Cassandra, loves to mess with Mercury retrograde periods by traveling during them. I affectionately call her the “contrary astrologer.” 

Change agent Uranus really shakes things up by nipping from Aries into Taurus for the first time in 84 years. Wow. This will really highlight earth changes, climate change, resource availability and so on. There are major value changes ahead of us and I’m glad, though also concerned. Why does it have to get this bad before we wake up?! Keep your eyes and ears open mid-March to early November before Uranus skedaddles back to Aries. Don’t worry, it’ll be back and those issues will be right there in front of us for the next seven years.

Uranus in Taurus reminds me of Pharaoh’s dream (Genesis 41). I certainly hope we’ve got enough sense to avoid something that dangerous in this country, though there are many parts of the world where this is already happening. Truly, we are One World, our climate patterns are so huge now, that what happens there, happens here. I’ll be teaching a class on Uranus in Taurus in the near future so we can fully explore what this 84 year/7 year cycle will look like for you. In the meantime watch the History Channel show “Alone” for a keen understanding of our connection to wilderness. Better yet, get yourself out there in it.

Active Mars retrogrades this year also from 6/26 to 8/27. Be mindful of wasted action, or things that need to be redone at this time. Issues associated with the military may arise now too.

The Chinese Year of the Male Brown Earth Dog begins in mid-February. It has a lot to do with matters related to the Earth and natural resources. 

There’s a lot more to the year then just the above highlights and I’ll elaborate on them in my monthly columns as they occur.

Yellowstone – Earth, Fire and Water

January brings us the energy of Capricorn – the water goat. Water because Capricorns do struggle with emotions and goat because they want to get to the top no matter what. There is nothing these folks can’t do. Happy birthday to ya! And good luck over the next two and a half years as your ruling planet, Saturn, moves through your sign. You’re going to be able to get a lot done as you focus on your priorities. As Tim Gunn says in Project Runway “Make it work!”

January gets us off to a good start with not one, but two full moons. The first is on New Year’s Day in the sign of Cancer. It’s a super moon (that’s a really big moon that’s closer to the earth than usual). Full of emotions and good intentions this watery lunation encourages us to come from the heart this year and to tend to our foundations. Pluto, the Sun, Venus and Saturn are all in Capricorn – foundation and structure; business and authority; family and duty; career and country. This is a major theme as stern Saturn is now in thrifty Capricorn for the first time in 29 years and we’re all considering what’s the most important thing for us. I’m teaching an experiential workshop January 27^th on this very subject. I so hope you can join me. You’ll understand Saturn as you never have before. https://www.astrologybydulce.com/events/

This Full Moon trines with Neptune and Mars encouraging you to live your dream by putting it into action. This is helped by Uranus’ direct motion the following day on January 2^nd. You can do it! 

If you need a push, use the 5^th through the 8^th when Mars meets with Jupiter. You can move mountains under these skies. It’s heavy lifting time so be careful.

January 9^th the Sun connects with Venus and Pluto exactly. Wow. What a day. It’s a powerful opportunity to transform hate to love, fear to empowerment and the opposite is true too. There could be some kind of governmental decree at this time, possibly related to money or coins.

Mercury hovers at the Galactic Center helping us orient to the truth before it too enters Capricorn on the 11^th. It’s time to get serious and to walk your talk. The Moon connects with Mars and Jupiter now suggesting public response to legislation and/or taxation. Emotions could run high. There’s a sudden change in mood on the 13^th when Venus squares Uranus. 

The 13^th and 14^th could bring heavy news when Mercury connects with stern Saturn. Get busy and keep working. You can accomplish a lot under these skies.

The Capricorn New Moon January 16th at 7:15 PM (MT) is loaded with energy. This New Moon is your best opportunity to get your project started. The Sun, Moon, Venus, Mercury, Black Moon Lilith and Saturn are all in Capricorn for this lunation. Remember the key words for Capricorn? Practicality, business, family, duty, tradition, government, work, career, father. There are books on the subject of Capricorn – check ‘em out. But do use this New Moon to your advantage. Use it. That’s what Capricorn teaches us. It shows us how to be useful and how to put things to use. You can kick serious butt by using the last of the Capricorn energy because soon the energy changes.

The energy prepares to shift to social, rebellious Aquarius which it does the very next day on the 17^th when the Moon and then lovely Venus enter this egalitarian sign.  The energy continues to change on the 19^th when the Sun enters friendly Aquarius too. The people have a voice and there’s a sense of rebellion in the air.

Things feel a little tender on the 21^st when the Moon connects with Chiron. Mercury approaches a conjunction with secretive Pluto. It’s best to bite your tongue as words have power, especially on the 24^th when Mercury meets up with Pluto. Pluto has a lot to do with secrets. Are you holding on to toxic secrets? If so, this is the time to let them go, in a safe setting of course.

There’s a profound energy shift on the 26^th, when active Mars leaves intense Scorpio for fun-loving, happy-natured, and sometimes dogmatic, Sagittarius. Let the adventures begin! Pack that bag. You can plan your trip, or even head out to meet friends on the 27^th when the Aquarian Sun and Venus trine the Gemini Moon. You can come to the Saturn in Capricorn class! https://www.astrologybydulce.com/events/

Energy builds, and emotions rise as the Moon in January waxes to fullness at around 6:15 AM MT,  on the 31^st at a total lunar eclipse at 11° Leo/Aquarius. This is a Blue Moon (2^nd Full Moon in a month) and another Super Moon (close to Earth). As such it packs a punch and you may want to make an easy day of it. Just ride those emotions out. This too shall pass. The eclipse will be visible across much of the USA. Check out its path here: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2018-january-31

If your birthday is around this time 2018 may be a significant year for you. Think back 19 years and see what was going for you. If something significant happened, then 2018 may be another turning point for you. The last time an eclipse occurred in this spot was Jan 31, 1999. 

The energy of the eclipse continues as little Mercury, not to be outdone, gets in on the act and moves into Aquarius that very next hour.  The message that this eclipse brings is that we are indeed all connected. This is our home. There’s no where else to go and those people are our people. There’s only one of us here, says the Course in Miracles. That knuckle head over there is a part of you. What ya’ gonna’ do? Acceptance and equanimity are keys for this time. How can you reduce the mental stress in your life? What can you relax into and simply accept? 

From the practicality of Capricorn and the development of foundation, we end the month focused on the inter-connected web of society and our place in it, and our contribution to it. 

I look forward to seeing you next month which features a solar eclipse the day after Valentine’s Day.

Many blessings and take care out there!

Your astrologer,

Dulce

Welcome to a new world in a New Year dear friends!

What a year it’s going to be! I’m most excited about the total solar eclipse on August 21st where the Moon’s shadow will fall on the northern part of the USA. This is the first time since the 1970s we’ll have such “access” to an eclipse. I’ve already ordered my special eclipse atlas! Think road trip!

In the meantime 2017 brings us all the usual suspects including four eclipses (Feb 10 and 26; August 7 and 21); Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and the outer planet retrograde periods. (Mercury’s retrograde periods are 12/19/16 – 1/8/16; April 9 – May 3; August 12 – Sept 5; and Dec 2 – Dec 22. Venus retrogrades early March to mid-April). 

This is also the year of the Fire Rooster, according to Chinese astrology. This powerful energy encourages us to break free and overcome obstacles. This is what we will all be doing this year as wild card Uranus moves through fiery, independent Aries in opposition to abundant Jupiter – doing its level best to keep the status quo in balanced Libra. Whew! What a trick! Change or not to change, that is the question. It’s like making changes without changing (sounds very Zen); making change in the face of polarizing beliefs; or pushing through on what you want regardless of anyone else. It could even look like dogma forced upon the individual. It makes me think of all the last minute power acts President Obama is doing before he leaves office that will be very hard for in-coming President Trump to overturn. Be sure to think for yourself this year precisely because of this energy (Jupiter oppose Uranus).

If you’d like to know how this year is going to shape up for you, the USA, and in general, please come to class with me on either Jan 7th OR Jan 14th. Full details here: https://www.astrologybydulce.com/events/ We’re going to have a fun afternoon going through the complexities of the year, turning astrology into English, and enjoying the experience of the collective mind (Uranus). Also, I wrote about the next four years for the USA in October 2016, before the elections. You can scroll down from here to read that interesting article.

January begins with Mercury retrograde until the 8th. This gives us all a chance to catch up with ourselves and to reflect on the year ahead. How do you want it to go? What do you want to achieve? The Sun, Mercury, and Pluto are in earthy, practical Capricorn, the sign of achievement and prudence.  The water goat wants to get to the top of the mountain, it wants to achieve something.What is that thing for you? Spend the first week of the year pondering, planning, and visioning your year ahead.

The year opens on a new and waxing moon, we’re off to a good start. On Tuesday the 3rd, lovely Venus leaves egalitarian Aquarius to join a whole posse of planets moving through the watery compassionate sign of Pisces. This is your cue to hone your intuition and to focus your values on your interior landscape and the health and wholeness of your spiritual life. Tune into Kosmic Voices at noon (MST) today, Tuesday, for a fabulous show that will help you get your year together. http://www.kafmradio.org 

Early on the 4th, retrograde Mercury re-enters Sagittarius giving you another opportunity to examine your beliefs and to connect the different areas of your life into one cohesive vision. Mercury then connects with the Galactic Center (GC) and stations direct there on the 7th and 8th. The Galactic Center, in the words of astrologer Philip Sedgwick, “imposes its enlightenment on us.” This is a time of vision. Use it wisely. Saturn will conjunct the GC (27 º Sagittarius 47’) for the first time in 29 years in March 2017 and turn retrograde at that point until late August. This gives us an opportunity to ask the really hard questions about hope, faith, and sustainability. It’s time to let the TRUTH guide us – not post truth, but the actual truth. It’s not about dollars and cents anymore folks, it’s about sense.

Energy builds and quickens with Mercury direct. The Moon waxes to fullness and early on the 12th opposes both the Sun and powerful Pluto at the Cancer Full Moon. This is a biggie folks. Power and control issues come to the fore with Pluto around. We’re looking at real divisions and controversy here in the USA because we’re a Cancer country and the Moon represents the public while the Sun and Pluto in Capricorn represent government and power. There may be fear-mongering and security issues raised now. This Cancer Full Moon asks: what needs nurturing? What part of your life is hungry for love and care? Take care of the crying baby. Do what you must to care for those unable to care for themselves. Love one another.

At the Full Moon on the 12th, Venus connects with dreamy Neptune and stays in the fantasy of it all until the 15th. Keep your eyes open! Dream big, sure, but stay grounded. Make music and love and write poems under these tender dreamy skies.

From the Full Moon to the 18th active Mars connects with fragile Chiron suggesting vulnerability. Keep yourself well. Avoid air and water borne diseases. Rest – a lot! This is a great time for intuition, forgiveness, and breaking free from addiction. Set yourself free from the inside out.

January 19th the Sun leaves practical Capricorn for analytical social Aquarius. People Power Time! It’s time to be social and aware, as well as open to learning and intellectual exploration. The shift to Aquarius sets us up for the inauguration of Donald J. Trump on Friday January 20th at noon in Washington DC. The chart looks somber for Trump but clearer then it did for President Obama who was sworn in under a retrograde Mercury on Jan 21, 2009. You may remember what a fiasco that was. He had to repeat the oath of office twice because what’s his name screwed up.

The Moon leaves steamy intense Scorpio, where it is for the Inauguration, and enters fiery, optimistic Sagittarius the first few days of the new President’s office. Hope abounds but reality quickly sets in when the Moon conjuncts stern Saturn on January 24th. Around this time, sweet Venus conjuncts wounded Chiron suggesting some kind of market dip or value crisis, or conversely, a healing may occur of these things. Women’s issues predominate at this time. The energy remains sensitive as women express themselves through to the 27th and the Aquarian New Moon.

At this lunation the voice of the people is heard. It’s a great time to use your intuition, connect with like-minded others, and to use your brain power. 

The tone changes early on January 28th, and becomes fiery when athletic Mars enters warrior Aries for the first time in two years. As this occurs, Mercury moves into its second conjunction with secretive Pluto. Expect an expose at this time. Use your thinking mind to get to the bottom of problems. Stand up for yourself! Set good boundaries.

The month ends with a Moon/Mars conjunction in Aries setting us up for a bold, new start. Energy hums through the world. Start your engines ladies and gentlemen! Vroom! Vroom! Beware of aggression and extremism but do leap forward! We’re headed for the month of February and two eclipses. Watch out world! Here we come!

In the meantime, check out this video on the evolutionary thrust of humanity. It’s empathy folks, empathy. https://superhumanos.net/empathic-civilization/ 

Blessings and love,

your astrologer,

Dulce 

Greetings fellow earthlings,

I write this column about the USA and the current political situation with a sense of duty as a citizen of this fair land and beautiful world. Though I cringed many a time during the second Presidential debate my heart was warmed by a couple of questions posed to the candidates by the audience members. The question about devotion to country shifted the tone on that stage; and the last question “What strengths do you see in the other?” completely changed the energy. I felt a surge of love and calm as I recognized that on the main, the American people are not fooled, nor distracted by, the fiasco that is the current political scene. This inspired me to be direct with my astrological opinion regarding the chart of the United States of America. I use the so-called Sibly chart: July 4, 1776 5:10 PM Philadelphia, PA.

The nation is experiencing a number of direct planetary transits that are “activating” latent energies and patterns intrinsic to it. Using the Sibly chart, they are as follows:

Jupiter square Sun and conjunct both natal Saturn and the mid-heaven.

Saturn conjunct the ascendant, oppose Uranus, trine Saturn. Approaching an opposition with Mars.

Chiron oppose Neptune.

Uranus conjunct Chiron and square Mercury.

Neptune trine Jupiter and Sun; and inconjunct Saturn.

Neptune conjunct the progressed Sun.

Pluto oppose the Sun and square Saturn.

Folks, this is a LOT! If the USA were a person, I’d be talking seriously with him or her.

In a nut shell, what you’ve been sensing is true – we’re in a time of great and incredible tension. This is a karmic test. It is a real test; a test of our integrity as exhibited by our natal Saturn, exalted in ethical Libra. This test involves who we choose as our leader. Transiting Saturn to the ascendant marks not only a new beginning and identity but a period of reflection. This is when we get to re-do and re-create our image and structure. The questions the country asks at this time are: “do we want to keep doing this? Is there a better way?”

In the USA chart, at the birth of our nation on July 4^th 1776, Mercury was retrograde and opposite Pluto. In 2022 this country will experience a Pluto return – an important completion of that powerful, transformative cycle. Currently, Pluto’s slow insidious opposition to our Cancer Sun will continue as Pluto travels on to eventually oppose Mercury in the USA chart. In other words, we won’t be done with this critical transition until 2021. That’s an election cycle away. It seems we come to our senses and stabilize after the election in 2020. That election process will be especially intense as Pluto, guardian of the underworld, opposes Mercury in the USA chart – a lot of dirt will be thrown then. Very similar to what we’re experiencing now.

Pluto’s current transit to the USA chart means that we get to listen to ugly stuff, stuff bubbling up from the bowels of humanity. Pluto transits can be very nasty and this one is no exception. Pluto’s opposition to the USA Sun and square to the USA Saturn is a real struggle for our identity via our leadership. We felt Pluto strongly at 9/11/2001, again when the housing market collapsed, and now, at this election.

The USA is, and always has been, a divided nation. The country’s population is split into two distinct groups. The Sibly chart has mutable Sagittarius rising. On 9/11/2001 when the twin towers came down, Saturn was opposite Pluto on the ascendant/descendant of the Sibly chart. The experience of dualism occurs with diverse opinions and polarized views. The rising sign and descendant of the chart Sagittarius/Gemini reflect this dualism.

In the meantime, the next four years sees Saturn oppose Mars, Venus, Jupiter, the Sun, and Mercury in the USA chart. We’re headed for some lean years and some strict re-structuring. It’s time to invest in the essentials – food production, clean water, the electricity grid, community business. Things could get so tough that the majority of folks quit taking needless medication and watching empty TV and pick up a shovel and get to work planting potatoes. That can’t be bad, right?

First though, the new administration is going to have to deal with blocks and obstacles starting with the new term in January 2017 and running to November of that year, as Saturn opposes Mars in the chart. Late 2017, Saturn enters practical Capricorn for the first time in 28 years and opposes Venus in the USA chart. This could feel like a shortage of cash. Those interested in growth as usual will be disappointed. This transit is not about growth. It’s about taking care of what you have and making do. If you’re interested in recycling and animal husbandry, you’ll love this down-to-earth, back-to-basic time.

The last time Saturn was in this position (1987 – 1988) Black Monday occurred (at that time Saturn was conjunct the ascendant and opposite Mars and transiting Jupiter was conjunct our Chiron); George H.W. Bush was elected; the Gulf War took place, as did the trial of Oliver North; there were massive protests in support of abortion; coal and Boeing workers went on strike; the Berlin Wall came down, and the Cold War eventually came to an end.

How do the transits of the next four years affect you personally? Look for the Capricorn/Cancer axis in your chart and examine the houses they’re in. Also look back to 1987/1988 and 2001/2002. What was going on for you then? How did you handle it?

Here’s my advice, as your astrologer, buy local and prudently. Develop community connections, invest in local agriculture, make your home energy efficient, take up a hobby, and buckle down. This too shall pass and there are many rewards along the way.

With blessings for health, peace, and sanity,
Your astrologer,
Dulce