Thomas Canfield
In the chart for the Winter Solstice, the Sun, Mars, and Venus were in a triple conjunction in the Eleventh House, which is the House of Aquarius and rules friendship.In addition, the Sun at zero Capricorn was at the midpoint between Mercury and the Moon. This marked a period which was good for making new friendships. In particular, socializing is good for the month of January, since Mars and Venus remain close to the Sun during the month. January marks a time for reconciliation, discussion, and building new relationships.
The climax for these new friendships may be seen as the Sun moves into Aquarius. Mars, Mercury, Venus, and Pluto will be conjunct the Sun in the Fifth House, which is the House of Leo, and rules entertainment, celebration, and love affairs. The relationships that began around the time of the Winter Solstice may be developing stronger bonds. If not a love affair, then certainly a bromance may develop. It will be as if new friends will decide to run off to Las Vegas together, but with a major conjunction around zero Aquarius what happens in Vegas will not stay in Vegas.
Mars at 27 Capricorn is conjunct Mercury at 28 Capricorn. Usually, Mars and Mercury together can lead to heated arguments. In this case, Mars and Mercury being chaperoned by the Sun could lead to heated agreements. There may be loud and passionate conversations, with tempers rising as two friends share their agreed opinions on certain issues. Such a debate might not be point-counterpoint, but point-point-point. Adding to this lengthy conversation may be some internet connections, with Mars and Mercury trine Uranus, still retrograde at 27 Taurus. An easing of complaints may be helped by Mars-Mercury sextile Saturn and Neptune at 27 and 29 Pisces. This may be a final fading of illusions and a focus on a harsh reality once Saturn and Neptune finally move into Aries.
On the other side of the Sun is a conjunction of Venus and Pluto at 3 Aquarius. This is an aspect I like to call the Morticia Addams conjunction. There is beauty involved, but there is also a dark power maintaining control. Think of lilies in a funeral, or an African man-eating plant. Nice to look at, but there is a creepy element as well. The Sun, Venus, and Pluto are in an out-of-sign trine to Uranus. It may be a time when unmentionable subjects start to be talked about, and could get some electronic amplification.
Though the five bodies are in the House of Leo, this could be a time for testing the power of Aquarius. People may be examining the bonds of friendship. What does it take for friends to remain in contact with each other? Can it be just intellectual bonding or shared feelings? Is there a sexual element involved? Could it be as simple as liking the same pizza toppings, or as complex as enjoying the same symphony?
The past decade has seen a lot of friendships (and family relationships) break up because of political and even medical differences. The conjunction in the Fifth House could bring a revival of lost relationships. (One of the powerful scenes of “A Christmas Carol” was when Ebenezer Scrooge saw old friends, but then they dropped away or died, leaving Scrooge with just his money. The power of the ending was that Scrooge was able to go out to make new friends.)
The Moon in Aquarius is conjunct the Sixth House cusp, and trine the Midheaven. Many concerns may be over financial matters. Those who thought they were riding high on the Titanic may end up as rowing partners in a lifeboat. The Moon is quincunx the Ascendant in Virgo, and some adjustments may need to be made in organizing. There may be bonding over the issue, “I never thought it could happen here.” There may be emotional awakenings and attitude shifts as people realize everything is not going according to plan.
The Moon is quincunx Jupiter at 18 Cancer. Jupiter is in the House of Aquarius, Jupiter is a bit isolated in the Eleventh House. (In such a position Jupiter may be like Scrooge in the future, realizing he has no one there for him.) Jupiter, representing wealth and power, may be wondering what happened to everyone. Jupiter may not realize that most of the other bodies have run off to Vegas and are enjoying themselves. Instead of being the “jovial” planet, Jupiter may be the odd one out. The others may be having too much of a good time to wonder where Jupiter is.
The balance between Aquarius and Leo has been between social life and individuality. How much of yourself do you give up to maintain a friendship? Friendships can enhance your life, but the extreme can be in losing your self-awareness or even your self-control. The conjunction in the House of Leo may help bring evaluation of what you feel in establishing new friendships. Are you willing to go along with the crowd, or can you help change the direction of the crowd through your own presence? The conjunction suggests it might be a good time to follow the plans of your friends, but also to speak up if you have any reservations. Plus, it does not hurt to ask about the price of reservations if you are going to Las Vegas.
