HeartwingsandFriends.com - Tasha's AstroPlanner (January)

As I'm sure you do, I hope for a year of personal and collective growth in consciousness. Every bit of progress any of us make is an addition to the whole. We are all intricately linked. What helps one helps us all, and what hurts one does the same. Perhaps the various stressful aspects in the months ahead will help us along the way we need to go. For most of this year, Two major energy bodies, Uranus and Pluto, will be sparring. Their conflict has two culminations this year: in May and in November.

With this year long energy experience, we are being given an opportunity to deal with what holds us back from accessing our higher consciousness. Uranus, as the higher vibration of Mercury, represents what one might call the Oversoul, the spiritual mind, our link to divinity, etc. Pluto being the higher vibration of Mars represents our spiritual energy, our ability to heal ourselves and others through peeling away the old self to bring forth the new. Their conflict represents what we hope for versus what we crave.

These processes feel painful at times. They are a form of rebirth. Giving birth invariably is, though more so when we resist the process. The month of May will be one time to focus consciously on what you can do to make the best use of potentially explosive energy. The other time is mid October to mid November. Most especially at these times as you discover opportunities and make the best of them, remember to be grateful for the gift of your strength and fortitude.

Gratitude smoothes the way for best use of our gifts, as well as a better understanding of how to use them. When you encounter obstacles, my friends, think of them as challenges. Rather than see yourself as a victim of fate, think of yourself as going to the karma gym and learning to exercise your weaknesses into your strengths. In palmistry it is said that character is destiny. While we don't always have a choice in what happens, we can always choose our responses.

January brings a very active Mercury, the air fills with news and communications of all sorts. Venus too has some fun. The New Moon in Capricorn on the 11th brings the opportunity to start working toward the fulfillment of our ambition. It's an excellent time for starting any business venture or building toward one already in process. The full Moon in Leo on the 26th calls us to assess what we are proud of and eliminate what we are not or no longer proud of. It's also a good time to go through creative projects and discard what you no longer want to continue working on or with.

Your mind will be getting a workout this month, with many interesting Mercury aspects throughout. Stimulation is the chief effect, especially on the 5th and 6th. Mercury is in practical Capricorn for two thirds of he month and segues into quirky Aquarius for the last third. Make the most of this first two thirds with its down to earth Mercury energy to apply to progress and projects. Then use the second half to come up with unusual ways to solve problems or unique efforts in new directions. Brother and sisterhood is strongly emphasized also, as is good works.

The day before and the day after an aspect by transit can be as impactful as the day of. Days to be especially mindful this month include: the 3rd, the 7th, the 12th, the 25th, and the 30th. Days to push your luck, access creative energy and expand are the 4th, the 6th, the 16th, the 18th, the 22nd, and the 24th. The energy weather as Jupiter turns direct and the Sun squares Saturn on the 30th of the month may be of high impact in some way.

**For more information on Astrological Signs and what they all mean please (click here).

Day	Date	Astrology
Tue	1st	New Years Day - For best results, begin the new year with an assessment of what is needed, followed by a statement of your intentions.
Wed	2nd	Moon in tidy Virgo says attend to business, get back in the groove.
Thur	3rd	Avoid confrontations or hasty decisions. It's good weather for "foot in mouth" behavior. Evening brings a potential for hearty enjoyment.
Fri	4th	A great day to go dancing, to give 'til it hurts, or to just have fun.
Sat	5th	Today's potential: deep thoughts and lifestyle changes. Reinforce your resolutions.
Sun	6th	Ask questions and get the answers you need. Later, put your mind to work on how to use what you discover.
Mon	7th	Russian and Ukrainian Christmas Day - presents an obstacle course, do tough tasks and get exercise.
Tue	8th	Moon in hospitable Sagittarius makes for generous feelings. Venus into Capricorn now inclines us to practical choices.
Wed	9th	9 Plan vacation trips, check travel opportunities, broaden your horizons.
Thur	10th	Try to remember your dream. It could be helpful.
Fri	11th	New moon in Capricorn suggests you set goals for the next 6 months.
Sat	12th	Obstacles to true love? Sudden breakups? Or a new and helpful attitude in relationships. The choices are all there.
Sun	13th	Take a good look at what you have; assess it's appropriateness to the here and now.
Mon	14th	Moon in tender Pisces suggests visits to those in need of cheering.
Tue	15th	Send healing energy to those you know who need it.
Wed	16th	Prune wardrobe, change hairstyle, try a new beauty routine.
Thur	17th	Opportunities arise for you to discover the meaning of your choices and best ways to fulfill responsibilities.
Fri	18th	Expect good news today.
Sat	19th	Mercury into Aquarius stirs our thoughts toward improving the world. Later, inventive thinking sparks as the Sun does also.
Sun	20th	The Moon in steady Taurus helps us move forward.
Mon	21st	Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday is Observed - Plan a meeting or problem solving discussion.
Tue	22nd	Communication is uppermost, unexpected or good news or both.
Wed	23rd	Moon in chatty Gemini says talk about it.
Thur	24th	Expect the unexpected or seek unusual solutions.
Fri	25th	Opposition may help produce a better plan, listen to all.
Sat	26th	Full Moon in Leo brings out the actor in us. Play your part well.
Sun	27th	Moon in hearty Leo brings us all together for fun.
Mon	28th	Plan some time to play or be creative.
Tue	29th	Moon in dutiful Virgo helps us get needed work done.
Wed	30th	Jupiter turns direct and sometimes that means intense weather. Opposition can slow you down, look for ways to improve.
Thur	31st	Moon in indecisive Libra encourages information gathering.

	Holidays & Other Interesting events happening in JANUARY: Holidays and Other Cool Events brought to you by Doc Dingley
	In Finnish, the month is called tammikuu, meaning month of the oak, but the original meaning was the month of the heart of winter, as tammi has initially meant axis or core. In Czech this month is called leden, meaning ice month. In Ukrainian it is січень meaning cutting or slicing perhaps referring to the wind. Similarly, in Croatian January is called siječanj, also meaning cutting or slicing. In Sámi it is known as ođđajagimánnu, meaning simply "new year's month". According to Theodor Mommsen (The History of Rome, volume 4, The Revolution, ISBN 1-4353-4597-5, page 4), the first of January became the first day of the year in 600 AUC of the Roman Calendar (153 BC), due to disasters in the Lusitanian War. A Lusitanian chief called Punicus, invaded the Roman territory, defeated two Roman governors and slew their troops. The Romans resolved to send a consul to Spain and, in order to accelerate the despatch of aid, "they even made the new consuls enter on office two months and a half before the legal time" (15th of March).
	News Years Day is (January 1st)
	Various Christian feast dates were used for the New Year in Europe in the Middle Ages, including March 25 and December 25. However, medieval calendars were displayed in the Roman fashion of twelve columns from January to December. Beginning in the 16th century, European countries began officially making January 1 the start of the New Year once again — sometimes called Circumcision Style because this was the date of the Feast of the Circumcision, being the 8th day from December 25
	The first Monday in January is known as Handsel Monday in Scotland and northern England. In England, the agricultural year began with Plough Sunday on the Sunday after Epiphany
	The Coming of Age day (Seijin shiki) in Japan is the second Monday of January, for those becoming 20 years old in the new calendar year. It is a national holiday. The day has been celebrated since 1948, but fell on January 15 until 1999, when it was moved by the Japanese government in an attempt to lift the economy by making more holidays consecutive.
	January 6th, Russian and Ukrainian Christmas Eve, also known as Svyat Vechir
	January 7th, Russia - Christmas Day Christmas celebration in Russia is not as widely followed as in Western countries in favor of the New Year celebration. Christmas is celebrated on the 7th of January (which corresponds to 25th December in the Julian Calendar). The tradition of celebrating Christmas has been revived since 1992, after decades of suppression by the communist government. It is centered on the Christmas Eve "Holy Supper", which consists of 12 servings, one to honor each of Jesus' apostles. The Russian traditions were largely kept alive by shifting some of them, including the visit by gift-giving "Grandfather Frost" and his "Snowmaiden", to New Year's Day. Many current Russian Christmas customs, including their Christmas tree, or "yolka" (spruce, sometimes pine instead of it), were brought by Peter the Great, after his western travels in the late 17th century.
	January 7th, The First American Presidential election was in 1789
	January 8th, The First State of the Union Address in the U.S was by George Washington in 1790. The address is traditionally given in the month of January. Sometimes, especially in recent years, newly inaugurated presidents have delivered speeches to joint sessions of Congress only weeks into their respective terms, but these are not officially considered State of the Union addresses. The address is most frequently used to outline the president's legislative proposals for the upcoming year.
	January 10th, First United Nations General Assembly met in London, 1946
	January 10th, First great oil discovery in Texas, in 1901. Information as to the history of petroleum can be found here (Petroleum)
	Plough Sunday is a traditional English celebration of the beginning of the agricultural year that has seen some revival over recent years. Plough Sunday celebrations usually involve bringing a ploughshare into a church with prayers for the blessing of the land. It is traditionally held on the Sunday after Epiphany, the Sunday between 7 January and 13 January. Accordingly, work in the fields did not begin until the day after Plough Sunday: Plough Monday.
	January 15, is Makara Sankranthi (Festival of Harvest) in India
	Martin Luther King Day in the United States - 3rd Monday of the Month, this year it is celebrated (January 21st 2013)
	US Presidential Inauguration is held in the United States January 20 at Noon EST, every four years. This year because it falls on a Sunday it will be held on January 21st 2013
	January 21st, Nautilus (SSN-571), first atomic submarine launched, 1954
	January 23rd, Elizabeth Blackwell, first modern woman physician, graduated from Geneva Medical School of western New York, 1849
	January 24th, Gold is first discovered in California by settlers, 1848
	January 25th, is Burns Night in celebration of Scotland's poet Robert Burns
	January 26th, is Australia Day in Australia.
	January 26th, is Republic Day in India.
	January 27th, Canadian Great Western Railway first opened, 1854
	January is National Soup Month in the United States
	Other Names for January: Historical names for January include its original Roman designation, Ianuarius, January is named for Janus (Ianuarius), the god of the doorway and beginnings in Roman mythology, where the Latin word for door (ianua) comes from - January is the door to the year. The Saxon term Wulf-monath (meaning wolf month) and Charlemagne's designation Wintarmanoth (winter / cold month). In Finnish, the month is called tammikuu, meaning month of the oak, but the original meaning was the month of the heart of winter, as tammi has initially meant axis or core. This month is in Czech called leden, meaning ice month
	January is the middle month of summer in the Southern Hemisphere and the middle of winter in the Northern. January in the Northern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent to July in the Southern Hemisphere and vice versa.
	Leap years exempted, January always begins on the same day as October.
	In leap years, January always begins on the same day as April and July.
	January's flower is the carnation or snowdrop.
	The Chinese floral emblem of January is the plum blossom.
	The Japanese floral emblem of January is the camellia
	January's birthstone is garnet.
More:	Bizarre & Unique Holidays for (January): ThinkQuest.Org - Holiday Insights.Com - Brownie Locks

Fire Signs	Earth Signs	Air Signs	Water Signs
ARIES May 21-May 19	TAURUS May 20-May 20	GEMINI May 21-June 20	CANCER June 21-July 22
LEO July 23-Aug. 22	VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22	LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22	SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21
SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21	CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19	AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb. 18	PISCES Feb. 19-May 20