Happy New Year!

Let’s hope it is, last year was super challenging with many planets moving erratically, jumping out of bounds of the ecliptic.

When a planet is out of bounds it does not obey the rules as the declination of the planets move beyond the ecliptic band. This can cause either great events or really appalling situations beyond the norm.

Though the planets in 2024 will pop out of bounds it will not be at the frequency that we have endured in 2023.

But and a big but…the Moon the planet that rules our emotional behavior with pop out of bounds twice a month and for around 5 days at a time, this is a third of the time of the monthly lunar cycle. This is why we are all emotionally challenged. Mood swings alternating with feeling good can make anyone feel a bit bi-polar.

People with mental illness will take more strain than normal, so be kind and gentle with those experiencing emotional distress.

This Month of January the new Moon in Capricorn will be out of bounds from 3 days before to two days after.

This means we may find ourselves having to contain our emotions, no matter how hurt we feel. The new Moon is a new beginning and the emotional flow is pointing to keeping our emotions in check, some may find themselves able to focus on a better structured way of approaching the general flow of life.

Then from the 21^st Jan the Moon will go out of bounds again, this time as it culminates in Gemini where it finds difficulty in connecting emotionally to any situation for very long.

Mercury our thinking, moving and connecting planet, as I am writing this, is in his station going direct on the 2^nd of Jan. He will be in normal motion by the 12^th of January.

Mercury will enter Capricorn which is a good thing as we may be forced to be more structured in our thinking, travel and spending.

Jupiter the planet of growth and expansion will also be direct in January. But he is moving very slowly in a very ponderous fixed earth sign. This means we need to carefully and slowly in the most practical manner plot our future growth.

Those of us that are trying to avoid the emergence of Artificial Intelligence, AI, it will not work. We got a glimpse of what AI could mean to us around March April 2023 leaving some with an interest in its possibilities and others with a fear of its power.

Pluto is a planet that brings about ending and forces transformation of the new. In the sign of Aquarius a fixed air sign know for unusual concepts and off the board innovative ideas, Pluto will bring change in these areas of life.  

As Astrologers we can only guess at the changes Pluto can bring about whilst he is in Aquarius, AI is with certainty one of the changes we will see and when used incorrectly could adopt the malefic side of Pluto. Death and destruction in a very big way as well as innovative transformation are on the cards over the next 13 years.

When Pluto was in Capricorn we saw a lot of break down in discipline with in people of power. We experienced Covid a disease that spread like wildfire destroying life. Not only life but plunged the world into poverty as people were imprisoned, lock downed, in their homes. The breakdown of structure was huge; war has torn down towns and cities, as has weather, bad Presidents have put countries into despicable debt. This is the trail of destruction Pluto has brought about in Capricorn.

Where there was a crack, lack of discipline or weakness, Pluto found it and eliminated it so we could have chance to transform what was broken into something stronger and viable.

If AI is used in the wrong way it can become destructive, people could be replaced by robots. But if we adopt the humanity side of Aquarius this AI could be positively innovative and bring about ways of managing the global warming we as humans have inflicted on the world.

I know I fear AI, so my mission this year is to understand how to make myself more AI sufficient as if I don’t I will be left behind. It is the fear of the unknown that can hold us back from the advantages AI can bring into our own space.

In February our thinking planet Mercury will enter Aquarius and In Aquarius Mercury is open to explore a larger range of ideas. This openness of freedom of thought will be focused on personal freedom within the dynamic of social objectives.

Saturn remains in Pisces, this energy is a tough one as Saturn is about being disciplined and structured, and Pisces on the other hand loves the freedom of no boundaries and abhors discipline.

When it comes to putting in a structured approach, the secret is to let go of rigid discipline and allow for flexibility and compassion when working on a project with others. But also be aware that you too can let up a bit, trying too hard to color in the lines just won’t work. If you suffer from OCD it could worsen as Saturn in Pisces finds perfection extremely challenging.

Neptune continues his chaotic journey through Pisces, chaotic weather and situations are the result of transits to Neptune.

This is actually a great year to consult with your Astrologer to see how this all plays out in your lives. You do need a time of birth for an accurate reading.

MEDICALLY SPEAKING

As life is challenging and emotionally imbalanced we may be suffering from a form of reactive anxiety. Our brains are overloaded with either stressful or negative impulses due to our everyday life and the challenges that come with it.

I often hear friends literally saying that they just cannot cope.

We need to find ways to encourage good endorphins as naturally as we can. The most obvious is to avoid the intake of stimulants such as alcohol, caffeine, smoking, sugar, and foods with preservatives.

Make sure you eat regular healthy meals including the 5 most important colors each day, which would be the red, orange, yellow, green and brown foods. A balanced diet is key to mental health.

Sleep is vital to managing the stress we encounter everyday and on the other spectrum so is exercise. Exercise is the fastest way to up you happy hormones and give you an energy boost.

Avoid the energy drinks rather get help and eat the diet that best suite you lifestyle.

This is a fabulous article on this subject

 https://www.healthline.com/health/natural-ways-to-reduce-anxiety#natural-remedies

I wish you all a healthy and happy 2024