Saturn, ruler of Capricorn and the 10th house, symbolizes goals, responsibilities, and limits, so now is the time to reflect on any sources of frustration in your life caused by these things (or a lack of). Now is not the time to start new projects but rather to finish up any Saturn-related business left unattended. Saturn in Libra provides us a time to realize goals by working with others, and perhaps this is what needs to be re-evaluated (again with the “re”).

Pay attention to what house in your chart Saturn stations retrograde in, as that is where you will be most impacted (depending on the house, the focus of your re-assessments could be money, relationships, career, etc.). Use this time to gain insight and grow, making plans for the changes you will make when Saturn goes direct on June 25.

The Leo Full Moon opposes the Sun in Aquarius; we are reminded to check ourselves in the progress we made towards our goals set during the Aquarius New Moon. Have we been doing things to benefit others? Have we infused a little extra light and love into our relationships? Watch out, however, as that fiery Leo energy may have us wanting a pat on the back for our efforts.

Mars is the planet of energy, power, and assertion, and now that it is in retrograde motion (beginning Monday, January 23, 2012, it will be retrograde until April 13, 2012) we will spend the next few months examining our personal energy, how we are spending it and whether we have too much or not enough. Because Mars is in Virgo during its retrograde motion, this time will also be spent paying rapt attention to detail, with the analytic Virgo energy adding an element of meticulousness to our reflection. Mars also goes retrograde the same day as the New Moon in Aquarius,

Retrograde periods don’t have to be scary (as I’ve often extolled about periods of Mercury retrograde); instead, while things have a tendency to get muddled with other retrograde planets (with Mercury, for example, the ruler of communication, things in that arena tend to go haywire), Mars retrograde is a time of heightened internal reflection. You may find yourself searching for personal innovation and rediscovering your inner child—even if that means being a little rebellious at times. Retrograde periods are time to break out the “re:” regeneration, renewal, reflection….you get the point. Add “re” to the beginning of a word, and you have a way of positively using a period of planetary retrograde motion.

Image by Zoe Timms Photography

I realized I had something interesting to explore when the chapter I wrote on cusps was left over from my first book, The Astrological Elements. That was published in 2010, and is a general interest primer on the twelve signs, which divides them into their four elements: fire (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius), earth (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn), air (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius), and water (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces).

As a Libra I am always looking for the quickest path, as well as for patterns. The Astrological Elements meant I had to think about four categories first—before the twelve signs. So when I started re-reading my unused chapter on cusps, I thought about them as pairs, rather than individual signs. That opened up a new world.

At first, I was struck by the paradoxes. Aries is about being a leader and having initiative. How does that work with Taurus, who needs to feel part of a group? Aries can switch gears quickly, but Taurus likes consistency in all things. I found out that people born on this cusp want to be versatile in their daily dealings, and they also have that Taurean trait of being “the person who’s relied upon.”

In Astrology on the Cusp, I divided the cusps into sections (before, during, and after) and also cover careers and vocation. Each cusp includes two sections with specific dates that are the most auspicious and most challenging times to take action.

And so, here’s a very quick summary of how the cusps interact. Believe me, there’s a lot more in Astrology on the Cusp!

• Taurus-Gemini cusps are steady, but open to influence from others. They can also have trouble completing a project as planned—there’s usually a “better way.”
• Gemini-Cancer is intuitive and intellectual. They’re not always in touch with their own feelings of vulnerability or needs, but they are very tuned into what others need.
• Cancer-Leo is powerful—here emotions and courage combine. This cusp comes with bravery above and beyond.
• Leo-Virgo is multi-talented and can learn nearly anything very quickly. These are the “instant experts” we rely upon.
• Virgo-Libra loves beauty, and has a firmer grasp on decision-making than many Libras.
• Libra-Scorpio is deep, but conceals their seriousness with an affect that’s either very jolly, or very secretive.
• Scorpio-Sagittarius is concerned about the wider world and taking care of groups of people. It’s an independent cusp (as is Sagittarius-Capricorn; these cusps don’t “need” another to be whole, but they do seek out challenges and difficult professions).
• Capricorn-Aquarius has an amazing ability to dream, but also likes routine and predictability.
• Aquarius-Pisces loves the performing arts but never wants to be rushed.
• Pisces-Aries likes partners and followers, and can be a maverick, and sometimes needs to learn the same lesson over and over.

Overall, I learned a lot about “fine-tuning” the attributes of adjacent signs. And, when you add up the number of cusps there are, particularly if you venture a few days before and after each cusp, you have something like twenty-two percent of all birthdays—a significant number!

Our thanks to Sally Cragin for her guest post! For more from Sally, read her articles, “Astrology on the Cusp” and “The Astrological Elements: How Compatible Are Your Sun Signs?”.

I dislike the idea of New Year’s resolutions (they are rarely kept, and we are pressured by our society to make them; besides, any day we decide to make a change for the better is the perfect day to initiate that change!). That said, the December 24 Capricorn New Moon was a perfect time to create new to-do lists or plans to better yourself, your family, and the world at large—and to stick to them. Did you complete your tasks? Are you sticking to your lists? This Full Moon asks that we be decisive about our situations, both at home and away, and to take action to make them the best that they can be.

This New Moon, along with the Sun (also in Capricorn) will highlight the earthy Capricorn qualities of discipline and determination, as well as tenth house themes of career and ambition. This Capricorn New Moon period is the perfect time to create new to-do lists or plans to better yourself, your family, and the world at large—and to stick to them.

Additionally, there will be a total lunar eclipse of this Gemini Full Moon; eclipses add even more oomph to the current astrological energy. You may feel an extra need to clear those things from your life that are no longer working for you in a positive way (Full Moon energy) so that you can have a fresh start in some aspect of your life (eclipse energy). Why do you feel antsy? What is causing anxiety in your life? Now is the time to examine, let go, and begin anew.

Many should be fortunate enough to view at least a portion of the full lunar eclipse. Beginning at 6:34 am EST (11:34 am GMT), this should be a spectacular sight (and is the last total lunar eclipse until 2014). Visit http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/02dec_lunareclipse/ for more information.

With the Sun in Scorpio opposite the Moon in Taurus, there will be tension between the aggressive Mars energy and the stable Taurus energy; be extra careful, since both signs are fixed and the pull you feel from each side will be intensified. This strong energy, however, will be tempered some by the conjunction of Venus and Mercury in Sagittarius, which will add a bit of harmony to the situation.

The future! That was my main motivation to learn astrology. The same is true of many people, possibly even you.

Can astrology really predict the future? Yes, it can. Maybe even more importantly, astrology is at its finest when it comes to timing events and actions. You’ve heard the phrase, “timing is everything?” That pretty much sums up the value of predictive astrology. By knowing when an event will occur, when to act, and when to retreat, you take charge of your life and your future.

This of course raises the question of fate. Is life fateful? Is life designed at birth? Never to be altered? Yes and no.

Yes, from the viewpoint of the talents and character traits with which you began life. All are indicated in your birth chart along with the skills that can be developed, your strengths, and your weaknesses. When you thoroughly understand yourself and your birth chart, you’ll be well equipped to predict your future.

This is the very reason why predictive astrology is not fateful; the future depends upon the choices we make. By using predictive astrology to look into the future, we can make better choices.

Think of the people who financed a home purchase with a sub-prime mortgage, only to discover several years later that this dream home was worth far less than the purchase price. Or those who financed expensive new toys through a home equity loan. All of these people could have prevented a negative outcome had they been aware of the future financial indications–and then made the correct choices.

Predictive astrology defined: forewarned is forearmed!

Our thanks to Kris for her guest post! For more from Kris, read her article “Using Predictive Astrology to Understand the Last Two Eclipses of 2011.”

Modality: Fixed
Element: Water
Ruler: Pluto (Mars)

Keywords: Intense, ambitious, perceptive, determined, focused, secretive, jealous

As a Scorpio you are intensely determined, and are rarely deterred from achieving your goals (though this can be seen at times as stubbornness). Shrewd and intuitive, you have a mysterious aura that can be interpreted as secretive (which you indeed are at times).

Scorpios are choosy about their friends, and often have many acquaintances but few close friends; you prefer spending time with these close friends to large social events. When it comes to love, romance is essential, but you must be careful not to become too possessive or jealous. Your opposite sign, Taurus, would make a good match, as would other the water signs (Cancer and Pisces). Family relationships can be either closely bonded or detached, and often you have relationships with both types with differing family members. With children, be careful not to be too giving and to set boundaries.

When it comes to careers, Scorpios strive for influence, and do well in leadership positions; you value a fast-paced environment, but must be careful not to push yourself too hard. You have the potential for great earning power, but do have the tendency to splurge, so be sure to budget and think each purchase through.

You are kind-hearted and do all you can for those close to you.

For the year ahead:

Affirmation: Knowledge enhances my personal and global perspective.

• Jupiter has been in Taurus (your seventh house of relationships) since early June; it will remain in that sign until June of 2012. This transit occurs only once every twelve years, and is one of love and commitment. Many personal relationships may be solidified or intensified during this time.
• Saturn continues to advance in Libra (your twelfth house), which means that the rest of 2011 should be spent in self-reflection so that changes can be made in 2012, when Saturn moves into your sign.
• Uranus ended its seven-year tour of Pisces in early 2011 before moving into Aries. This means that for the next eight years or so you can expect changes in your work life as Uranus transits your sixth house. These changes and shifts can be both positive and negative; be sure you consider all signs of each situation before making a decision.
• Pluto continues in Capricorn, your third house, where it brings about a desire to discover your inner self, whether through study or creative pursuit. Your third house is also associated with family and neighbors, so you may become more involved with these individuals as well.