Astrological Context, Week of January 10, 2022

(All times Eastern)
The Sun is now making a cooperative sextile (60º away) to Neptune through the middle of the week, which increases receptivity, sensitivity, artistic appreciation and ability, and attention to spiritual concerns. Intuition is strong now.
At the same time, Mars is square (90º) to Neptune, setting up an energetic conflict. Disagreements about intuition and belief systems may arise, and there is likely to be an overall lack of energy and motivation. It’s possible that we will feel as if we’re stuck in the metaphorical hamster wheel and not going anywhere. We may also find ourselves challenged to balance force and sensitivity this week. Don’t push yourself too hard, even though Mars in Sagittarius tempts you to.
On Friday at 6:41 am, Mercury turns retrograde until the first week of February. They will transit back through the first half of Aquarius again and into Capricorn, where they will conjoin Pluto once more before turning direct. As usual, prepare now if you can: back up computer systems, double check arrangements, and avoid major paperwork or technology purchases, if possible (repeat: if possible – after all, life must go on). Once again, here’s my Mercury Retrograde Survival Kit, to help determine how this may (or may not) affect you. But in general, if you have planets in the last 5 degrees of Capricorn or the first 10 of Aquarius, this may hit your chart. Remember, too, that others are going to experience this transit, and that you are not the only one whose shiz is likely to get screwed up, so be patient and kind with others, and give them the benefit of the doubt (at least until they prove that they no longer deserve it).
The last few days of the week and into next week are marked by the Sun’s conjunction to Pluto. This happens every year, but this year the USA is experiencing its Pluto return (every 250ish years) at only one degree away from this conjunction. Issues of power and hierarchy, corruption, honor and integrity, sexuality and sexual abuse, large-scale finances, and general transformation are in store. Resistance is likely to be painful, but it will be a challenge to navigate this with grace.
Mercury Retrograde Survival Kit: https://www.lafond.us/blog/blogposts/mercury-retro-series/
10 Jan 2022 22:27 Sun Sxt Nep 20°Cp52′ 20°Pi52′
11 Jan 2022 16:43 Mar Sqr Nep 20°Sg53′ 20°Pi53′
14 Jan 2022 06:41 Mer R 10°Aq20′
16 Jan 2022 09:50 Sun Cnj Plu 26°Cp26′ 26°Cp26′