This is going to be a big week for many of us and the beginning of a journey over the next several weeks that will lead us to some surprising places. Do expect some turbulence, though. For some of us, there could be quite a lot of it.

As major aspects play out this week, we’re moving closer to the second pass of the Saturn-Uranus opposition, which is exact on February 5, and this tug-of-war remains an active force in all of our lives. We want to change; we know we need it and that it will be good for us. But humans don’t give up the status quo easily. We are wired to stay on familiar ground, even if we’re not getting everything we need there. Forging ahead into unexplored territory is scary and takes a supreme act of will.

Or, more often than not, it takes a crisis or event out of the blue over which we have no control to drag us kicking and screaming.

That is likely to happen in the days and weeks ahead, with two eclipses that are bound to bring sweeping changes. If you have key planets or chart points in the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius), you will feel these eclipses more than others.

I have to tell you, I am on pins and needles, with Sun and Ascendant both in Aquarius, opposite a fixed T-square. And being an astrologer doesn’t help. Aquarius and its ruler, Uranus, are so unpredictable and full of surprises that there’s no point in even trying to guess what might happen. Besides, planetary energies are so complex and intertwined right now that it’s too much for a lowly human brain to try to figure out the nearly unlimited ways they could manifest. For me, it likely will have something to do with my income or love life, but that’s an awfully broad statement.

On a day-to-day basis, here’s how our week stacks up:

On Monday, the Sun enters Aquarius, fueling the forces of change and favoring the collective. This happens just as a new president takes office in the United States — not that this is unusual; Inauguration Day always takes place with the Sun in Aquarius, and since the event is traditionally scheduled for noon, the Ascendant will always be Taurus. It is interesting to note, however, that our new leader is a Rising Aquarius, and he is evoking the words and spirit of another Aquarius, Abraham Lincoln, as he prepares to take office.

Mercury conjoins the Sun on Tuesday and then retrogrades back into Capricorn. We may experience a flurry of new ideas, only to take a step back and dismiss these flashes of inspiration as impractical, not doable, etc. Or it may be a case of cold feet. These are mixed messages we’re sending to ourselves, but the good news is that it will help you refine your concept of who you are and what you want.

On Thursday, Mars forms a harmonious sextile to Uranus, which forms an exact conjunction with Venus later in the day. Mars and Venus are both in the signs of their exaltation, so the energy they feed into the planet of change is going to be powerful, and I’m betting that we will get something we’ve needed desperately, whether it’s material object or one of those great intangibles. Start thinking now about what you need and visual that need met. If you regularly do manifestation meditations, you know that it’s best to concentrate on the need and not on the specific outcome. There are many ways to have a need met, so stay open to receiving in a way you can’t even imagine right now.

The Sun conjoins Jupiter on Friday, adding still more fuel to creative change. Ancient astrologers considered Jupiter a lucky influence, and my experience is that he usually is. However, the caveat is that you have to do something to get the most out of this energy. It will not deliver the goods to you on a silver platter. And yes, sometimes Jupiter acts as an amplifier, bringing too much of a good thing. Looking at the chart for this aspect, though, I think it reflects a largely positive influence.

On Saturday, Mars is trine Saturn and Venus is in opposition. Part of the difficulty making changes is that we need to leave people and places behind. When we love those people, it’s that much harder. But sometimes we resist leaving even when these attachments are not all that good for us. If you are in such a situation or relationship, be prepared for a disruption, and keep in mind that it will be better for you in the long run.

The Moon conjoins Mercury on Sunday right before entering Aquarius, and we’re well in the wake of the solar eclipse by this time. Eclipse-related events can take place a few days before or after the eclipse and sometimes are delayed by weeks or a few months. With Mercury retrograde, it’s possible we may have to wait until the Full Moon to see any real action, but given what else is going on in the sky this week, that traditional interpretation may get blown to bits. The eclipse takes place just before midnight Sunday here on the West Coast of the United States, but it will be Monday by then in most places in the world. As usual, Neith will have a full report. I can’t wait to read her interpretation, and I’m sure you can’t, either, so stay tuned!

Wishing you much love and courage…
Pat

Image: The National Aquatics Center in Beijing, also known as the Water Cube. Although Aquarius is an air sign, I thought this was a fitting image because of the futuristic look of the building and also because Uranus, planetary ruler of Aquarius, currently is in Pisces. Photo by Frederic J. Brown for Agence France-Presse.