The Stars This Week - 01/23/06 - 01/29/06

As the Sun conjuncts Mercury on the 26th, saying what you feel will be next to irresistible. That may lead to some feelings of guilt by the 27th, when the Sun and Mercury both move opposite Saturn, but gentle Venus's sextile to Jupiter that same day will temper seriousness with forgiveness. The new Moon in Aquarius will shake things up on the 29th, though, so prepare to give new attention to a cause close to your heart.

January 26: Sun conjunct Mercury

Anything and everything you're feeling will come tumbling from your lips right now. The good news is that this freewheeling verbal roll you're on is perfectly understandable -- it's due to the conjunction of the Sun and talkative Mercury. They'll connect today in startling Aquarius, the sign that most loves saying and doing the very last thing anyone would ever expect. The bad news -- and it's really not bad at all -- is that if you push the envelope a bit further than usual, tomorrow's astrological agenda could include some guilt. Your assignment for the day, then, is this: Weigh your options. What's more important: to be true to your cause and have to deal with the fallout tomorrow -- or to keep quiet and live with it a lot longer?

January 27: Mercury opposite Saturn, Sun opposite Saturn, Venus sextile Jupiter

As expected, we may all be on a self-induced guilt trip at the moment -- but it won't last long. Thoughtful Mercury is opposite serious, conservative Saturn, the stuff that lectures and finger-shakings from authority figures are made of. Still, there's a lovely safety net in place: Gentle, all-forgiving Venus is in a harmonious relationship with powerful, benevolent Jupiter at the moment -- and if these two aren't the astrological recipe for forgiveness of all kinds, nothing is. Don't beat yourself up too hard. The heavens certainly won't -- not for long, anyway.

January 29: New Moon in Aquarius

Once a year, the Sun (which represents our 'outer' behavior) and Moon (which represents our 'inner' behavior) get together in startling Aquarius. With both of the heavens' lights in the sign that's most famous for its love of breaking rules and pushing limits, it's easy to see how this could well be one of those days when even the most conservative souls won't hesitate to act immediately on whatever they feel strongly about. Today could even mark the beginning of your involvement in a group that's a bit on the radical side. Regardless, enjoy your new peers. You're about to learn something new and wonderful about yourself -- and others.

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Sun in Aquarius Jan 19, 2006 to Feb 18, 2006

The Sun enters Aquarius in mid-winter (in the Northern Hemisphere). Much of the world's population faces cold weather and long nights at this time of the year. This is a perfect opportunity to step back from the daily grind and take a larger view of life. Aquarius wants to understand the big social patterns that define the culture so that it can be reformed and modernized.

After Capricorn (a practical earth sign) turns its ambition into form and structure, Aquarius comes along to change it. Airy Aquarius opens the doors and windows, breaks down the barriers and fights for the equality of all living things. Hierarchy is reshaped into a collective crystal where all are one, yet each is different. This combination of concern for the group with total commitment to the rights of the individual is essential to the nature of Aquarius.

The Not So Wet Water Bearer

It's natural to think of the Water Bearer as a water sign, but it's not. It's an air, or mental, sign that is primarily concerned with ideas and concepts. The Water Bearer symbol represents the human mind that elevates us above our emotions (water). Aquarius, in fact, often uses intellect to distance itself from feelings.

Aquarius is also a fixed sign because it occupies the middle of a season. Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo and Scorpio are the others) are basically resistant to change, except on their own terms. Aquarius, as a detached air sign, may be the most open to change of this group.

Between the Ideal and the Real

Aquarius' inspired idealism is sometimes more conceptual than concrete. Airy Aquarius can find it more comfortable to believe in people collectively, than get close to them individually. It's hard to be intimate (it's so messy) when your standards are so high. The gap between the ideal and the real can be painful for some Aquarians, making intimate relationships difficult.

Aquarius needs space and freedom. Sloppy sentimentality and overly emotional situations feel uncomfortable. Perhaps it's that Aquarius expects so much from him or herself. Getting close means exposing flaws and fears, making one feel far from ideal.

The challenge for many Aquarians (or those with personal planets in this sign) is to keep the connection between mind and heart open, and to accept the tender vulnerability of human feelings.

The Human Revolution

The key, or ruling, planet of Aquarius is Uranus, a symbol of radicalism and liberty. Aquarians often consider themselves to be above the rules that govern the rest of us. These frequently exceptional people need freedom and often excel in circumstances of their own making.

This time of year, then, is one in which we all have a chance to see ourselves in a new light. It's the month when the wild and crazy may begin to appear possible and real. We are also reminded of the bond that connects all human beings, yet honors the uniqueness of each individual, making new forms of relationship possible.

In this burgeoning Age of Aquarius we are called upon to recognize that we are more than organic beings bound up by a past filled with old values, memories and wounds. We are, rather, visitors from the future in the process of creating ourselves with our every thought and word. As we free ourselves from physical labor and connect our minds with new technologies, we are no longer bound by traditional ideas of order. We become fully human and free to love without fear or possessiveness.

Famous Aquarians

Aquarian innovators include artists Edouard Manet, the founder of Impressionism, and action painter Jackson Pollack. The struggle for freedom has been waged in different ways by Aquarians Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, Angela Davis, Oprah Winfrey, Ayn Rand and Betty Friedan.

Aquarius writer Jules Verne was a true visionary, while the visions of Yoko Ono and Alice Cooper are, perhaps, more bizarre than revolutionary. Ernie Kovacs, Matt Groening, Ellen DeGeneres, John Belushi and Chris Rock have all used comedy to shake the system. Bob Marley used music, as have Aquarians Peter Gabriel, Sarah McLachlan, Garth Brooks and Sheryl Crow.

Paul Newman has played so many rebellious young men with his cool Aquarius blue eyes. John Travolta, Bridget Fonda, Minnie Driver, Jennifer Aniston, Rene Russo, Christian Bale, James Spader, Seth Green, Joe Pesci, Geena Davis and Christina Ricci are other successful Aquarius actors.

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