Author: Cynthia Hansen Zehm

Alacazem 2010.02.11

February 11 to 18, 2010

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

The Chinese Lunar New Year 4708 – the Year of the Tiger – begins at sunset following the first New Moon after the Sun leaves Capricorn and enters the sign of Aquarius, based on when it occurs in China. In 2010, the Aquarius New Moon takes place on Feb. 13th at 7:51 pm MST, past sunset, so the Chinese New Year will not officially begin until sunset on Sunday, Feb. 14th, Valentine’s Day, giving us a chance to combine fun and festivity with love and romance.

Aquarius is excitement, new ideas and fresh vistas. It’s the season of more direct light and lengthening days. We feel a certain regeneration and rebirth. We have moved out of serious, cautious, conventional Capricorn and into a time of renewed hope and budding inspiration. We are wanting and willing to connect with people we don’t know, do things we haven’t done and try on hats we’ve never worn.

Alacazem 2010.02.04

February 4 to 11, 2010

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

Well, it’s Super Bowl weekend and it’s the last weekend we’ll be staying at Cerro Salado, the magnificent casa we’ve had the pleasure of occupying for the last two months. The Moon is waning, rising later each night above the ocean horizon, shimmering it’s magic upon the Sea of Cortez. I’m feeling a bit nostalgic as the Jan. 15th solar eclipse lunar cycle draws to a close. A few weeks ago, I wrote about the memories and reiterated themes of the Capricorn eclipse in January of 1990, when we were here in Baja at Cabo Pulmo, building a little hacienda of our own. Bush Sr. was bombing Baghdad and I was doing laundry by hand. I had been poignantly aware of being an American gringa in a third world country, concerned about political corruption and the seemingly impossible dream of world peace. 

Alacazem 2010.01.28

January 28 to February 4, 2010

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

The Jan. 29th Leo/Aquarius full Moon takes place at 11:18 p.m. MST @ 10º14’ and brings to fruition the late degree Capricorn new Moon solar eclipse cycle of Jan. 15th. This promises us a powerful lunation filled with plenty of social interaction and charismatic attraction. Leo/Aquarius full Moons – one in summer and one in winter – are the year’s two most flamboyant “party” moons as the romantic, courageous heart of the Lion pairs up with the wild and crazy, inventive spirit of the revolutionary rebel, Aquarius.

This year, however, we are under the spell of a seductive Pluto/Saturn square that is forcing a shift in perspective via uncontrollable, inevitable natural forces. Governments, politics, economies - the powers that be - including the weather, i.e. global warming and climate change, are all raining and reigning down upon humanity as a whole. We are no longer alone in this, not as a country, class or individual. Therefore, expect this week’s parties to carry a more serious tone, a collective spirit that somehow winds us all together as “one world” and “one heart”.

Alacazem2010.01.21

January 21 to 28, 2010

Visible Planets: Morning: Mercury, Mars and Saturn    Evening: Jupiter

The Sun entered Aquarius this year on January 19th at 9:28 p.m. MST, shortly before the Moon came into a conjunction aspect @ 23º Pisces with Uranus, the Aquarian planetary ruler, paving the way for a highly charged zodiac month of sudden change and rapid developments, when we’ll be feeling awakened, excited and pretty much in on-and-off creative crisis or catharsis the entire time. And, believe it or not, this is good!

Surprised? Well, that’s both Uranus and Aquarius. Expect the unexpected, think outside the box, try something new, change your patterns, do it different. Aquarius is the traditional revolutionary influence, the part of us that wants freedom, liberation and the right to pursue our heart’s desires. It’s where we are truly individual and where we seek out other individuals with whom to share our wildest dreams, highest hopes and most idealist visions.

Alacazem2010.01.14

January 14 to 21, 2010

Visible Planets: Morning: Mercury and Saturn
Evening: Mars and Jupiter
A New Moon Solar Eclipse and Doing Laundry by Hand

On Jan. 15th at 12:11 am MST the Sun and Moon come together at 25º01’ Capricorn in the exact conjunction aspect of a New Moon solar eclipse. This is the first eclipse of 2010 and one that reiterates energies from January 1991, when that year’s first solar eclipse was very close in zodiac degree to this one. Eclipses take place four or five times each year, but each and every eclipse repeats the theme and near exact degree of an eclipse occurring almost exactly 19 years prior to it.

This year, my husband, our three dogs and I are in Baja California, Mexico, staying at a friend’s house on the East Cape of the Sea of Cortez, about 30 miles north of Cabo San Lucas. In 1991, my husband, our two dogs – both now deceased – and I were building a house in Cabo Pulmo, just 10 miles north of where I am today.

Alacazem 2010.01.07

January 7 to 14, 2010

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

Last night I saw one of the most beautiful sunsets of my entire life, and - I have to admit - I’ve seen countless sunsets of magnificent beauty and awesome color. From those early years of childhood in Denver, when the Front Range framed shimmering Venus kissing a delicate crescent Moon, to the picturesque western horizon of the La Sal Mountains in Utah to the rugged terrain of the Baja desert, I have been a huge fan of the setting sun and its magical hour of twilight.

2010 has begun and the eclipse window has opened. The New Year’s Eve lunar eclipse showered the world with Capricorn – realistic, practical, rules and regulations. Governments, goals and gifts, social structures, the economy, jobs and unemployment. We are thrust into the actual, physical realm of money and material, products and production, success and failure.

Alacazem 2009.12.31

December 31, 2009 to January 7, 2010

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

This year, I’ll be watching the Full Moon rise over the Sea of Cortez, thinking about everyone back home in Colorado – the snow, the crystalline ice and the cold, cold air. Wishing you all the very, very best in this second decade of this New Age Millennium!

2009 draws to a close with a super-powerful “supermoon” lunar eclipse @ 10º 14’ Capricorn/Cancer. Full Moons, and especially eclipses, call us to release what is no longer serving our growth. And they have a fabulous way of illuminating exactly what we need to let go of. Cancer deals with emotions and emotional reactions. It’s how we instinctively react to life’s circumstances and experiences. Cancer is the little baby, the child, and the part of us that wants to be protected and feel secure. Capricorn is the adult, the boss, and the mature wise one who holds the scepter and is in control. It represents our wisdom and maturity, our ability to accept responsibility and take realistic, practical action to resolve problems and accomplish goals. Capricorn is the protected and Capricorn is the protector.

Alacazem 2009.12.24

December 24 to 31, 2009

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

Feliz Navidad - Merry Christmas!

I'm south of the border, down Mexico way, celebrating Christmas on the shining Sea of Cortez. Cactus, tortillas and guacamole, que viva!

I can't believe this magical, mystical world. The Mother Earth presents us with the most awesome presents of swaying palms, sparkling snow, glistening oceans and jagged peaks. I'm stunned by the abundance of this incredible planet. Whether we're in Telluride skiing two feet of powder, snorkeling in Cabo Pulmo or dancing under the waxing Moon, we are an living and breathing the love and life of our true Mother, the Mother Earth.

Feliz Navidad - Merry Christmas!

Alacazem 2009.12.17

December 17 to 24, 2009
Visible Planets: Morning: Mars and Saturn  Evening: Mercury and Jupiter

It’s mid-December and I’m headed to Mexico. My husband and I rather suddenly decided to spend a couple months south of the border in Baja California – shining example of how “no major planets retrograde” can manifest action. (Mars goes retrograde on Dec. 20th, so this will change.)

Alacazem 2009.12.10

December 10 to 17, 2009
Visible Planets: Morning: Mars and Saturn  Evening: Mercury and Jupiter

Opening our Hearts to the Ultimate Truth of Spirit

Two weeks ‘til Christmas and hearth-fires crackle with the goodwill and good wishes of the holiday season. The Sun, Mercury and Venus are now moving through Sagittarius, sign of idealistic thinking and philanthropic giving. It is here that spiritual generosity paves the way for high hopes, open hearts and adventurous minds.

Ruled by magnanimous planet Jupiter, Sagittarius calls upon us to look at the bigger picture – humanity, the world and universe – rise above the petty and embrace the divine. We are asked to find the good in ourselves and others, forgive trespasses, give from the heart and seek the ultimate truth – the truth of Spirit.

Religion and religious or spiritual beliefs are important pieces of the Sagittarian puzzle. Whether we are Christian, Jewish, Native American, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, pagan, atheist or agnostic, what we think, what we question and what we ultimately come to accept and believe about the world of spirit comes into play this time of year. Catholics celebrate el Dia de Guadalupe and Jews light Menorah candles on Dec. 12th. Nativity scenes commemorate the birth of Jesus. Winter Solstice honors the returning light of the Sun. And holiday parties pay homage to Bacchus, god of wine and revelry.