ALACAZEM: 2012.01.19

19 Jan ALACAZEM: 2012.01.19

January 19 to 26, 2012

Visible Planets: Morning: Mars and Saturn  Evening: Venus and Jupiter

Obviously, the best team was the Patriots…

Hey, now! Here we are. The Denver Broncos are done for the season; I’m happy it’s over. Last week’s loss made the previous week’s victory even sweeter. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about contrast; contrast of color, contrast of experience – obviously, the contrast between winning and losing. How can we know pleasure without pain? Isn’t freedom more precious after imprisonment than before it? How can we appreciate liberty if we’ve always had it? And how about love?

Buddhist and other spiritual teachings encourage us to recognize the similarities in polarities – the common denominator of polar opposites – and learn to look at them as complementary rather than antithetical. Irony and paradox make great literature and are a vital – both luscious and lugubrious – part of life here on Earth.

I’m feeling rather philosophical today. The wind is steady but it’s warm – low 80’s – and sunny. We’re staying in a remote section of the East Cape of the southern Baja Peninsula and I find myself missing my home and family, my friends, my meetings and my readings. Can I actually be missing “work”? I tend to stay busy here – in spite of spending as much time as possible in the hammock, reading or just hanging out – with chores and cooking, the occasional trip to San Jose del Cabo or La Ribera for groceries and supplies, long morning walks on the beach with the dogs, motorcycle rides to the Crossroads Country Club for entertainment and the Internet, writing astrology columns and working on my novel. I notice that I like to feel ‘productive’ and if I don’t, I get restless, irritable and discontented. How can that be possible, when I’m the luckiest girl in the world?

Just kidding. Everything is relative – and in contrast – to whatever. I’m grateful and blessed, living life one day at a time, thankful to be here; thankful to witness the magnificent Sun rise over the silver Sea of Cortez, the full yellow Moon, glowing like a jack-o-lantern on a canvas of muted pinks, cerulean and lilac blues. Whales spout and splash as pelicans skim the turquoise shore break, looking for breakfast. Ospreys cry and frigate birds fly, owls hoot, ravens caw, hummingbirds flit, buzzards soar and an elusive cougar watches me calmly, then quickly disappears into the desert.

This morning a red-tail hawk showed up, calling me to attention. He appeared right in front of me as I sat drinking coffee; floating a thermal on the little hill above the arroyo, close up and personal, eye-to-eye. He reminded me to be aware, to be observant, to observe the obvious in everything I do, that life is sending me signals. Look for the omens, follow the signs. See the magic, heal the wounds. And come home when you’re ready.

Happy Chinese New Year of the Dragon 4710!!! Blessings and peace…

Aries (Mar. 20-Apr.19)
The Sun’s entrance into and conjunction with the Moon in Aquarius this week marks the advent of Chinese New Year 4710, and gifts you with another fortuitous opportunity to reinvent your life and self. With wild, revolutionary Uranus retracing Aries territory it has already traveled, you can finally get it right, do it right and make it right. Give it your very best!

Taurus (Apr. 20-May 20)
With several planets – including the Chinese New Year Sun/new Moon conjunction – in Aquarius, squaring an early degree Jupiter in Taurus, you are being challenged to examine personal issues of control and leadership. Are you assuming positions of authority that others may resent or feel are inappropriate? Refrain from force and lead by example.

Gemini (May 21-June 21)
The collective signs – Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces – are packed with planets and heavy with power as Chinese New Year begins, encouraging joint effort and common interest. Meanwhile, planets in Aries and Taurus awaken us to radical, personal change and individual truth. Fun-loving, curious Twins continue to explore, learn and discover. Stay the course.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Venus, Chiron and Vesta in Pisces encourage spiritual practice and inspirational study. There is great potential now for deep healing regarding personal wounds and issues of emotional pain in relationships. Research the availability of disciplines, techniques and therapies that call to inner and outer health. Celebrate renewal with those you love and trust.

Leo (July 23-Aug.22)
The Chinese lunar new year in early Aquarius takes place in your solar 7th house of sharing and pairing, paving the way for fresh starts in relationships – especially those you want to be in your life for the long haul. Whether it’s marriage, romance, friendship or career, now is the time to show up for and give to others exactly what you want to get.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep.22)
Mars, mythic god of war, takes its once-every-two-year turn retrograde on Jan. 23rd in tandem with Chinese New Year and the Aquarius lunar cycle. The big news: this takes place in Virgo, extending the red-planet’s stay in your sign to 8 months! Capitalize on this golden cosmic opportunity to resolve issues of self-esteem, eliminate martyrdom, self-pity and self-abuse.

Libra (Sep. 23-Oct. 22)
New beginnings in creative endeavors, romantic relationships and matters of the heart are favored as the Sun and Moon come together in the birth of Chinese New Year 4710. As the dragon roars with flames of passion, you can feel the heat. Saturn reminds you to stay calm, be steadfast and practice the art self-discipline. Count blessings, be cool.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)
Celebrations of strength, prosperity and fortitude are taking place worldwide as the sunset following the New Moon in Aquarius marks the beginning of another lunar year. Mix mystery with magic as stars twinkle and snowflakes fall. Get in synch with the cosmos via personal rituals and ceremonies of gratitude. Home is where the heart is; focus on inner peace.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 20)
As you see the world of all possibilities glimmering before you, and the stars sparkle above you, count your blessings and proceed with caution. It’s wise to keep at least one foot planted firmly on earth as you travel the cosmos. Balance idealistic hopes and dreams with practical, realistic action. A fresh lunar cycle and year favor learning. Read, explore and discover.

Capricorn (Dec. 21-Jan. 19)
The practical aspects of another new year appeal to those who make the best of fresh starts and new beginnings. Review your list of resolutions and recommit to programs and practices of self-betterment. With radical Uranus queuing up to square transformational Pluto in Capricorn, do your homework, cultivate inner peace and practice the art of humility.

Aquarius (Jan. 19-Feb. 18)
Dancing tigers and flying dragons herald the advent of Chinese New Year, an internationally celebrated holiday that always takes place as the Aquarius lunar cycle begins. Feeling special? You are! And not in the least because you embrace the world as equal partners and players in the evolutionary journey called human life on earth. Gung hey fat choy!

Pisces (Feb. 18-Mar. 20)
While you may be deeply involved in personally important projects of domestic revitalization or organization, recognize the metaphorically healing power of the process. Others may not understand the passion of your journey, and take it personally, as if you have forgotten or no longer care about their welfare. Smile and be happy. Take breaks, have some fun!

Cynthia is a third generation astrologer living in the high mountain desert of the American Southwest. Visit her website @ www.alacazem.com.