The New Year begins with brilliant Morning Star Venus rising above the Balsamic Wishing Moon in the predawn sky. It’s a special boon for 2011 for the love and money goddess Venus to be invoked by the balsamic crescent and an event worth getting up or staying up for.

Every New Venus brings a blessing. Blessings of Venus can be received by simply focusing on her light and breathing deeply. Venusian chi is gathered by raising left palm toward the light while holding the right palm over the hara chakra chi center (just below the navel). This along with deep breathing helps download and encode the energy and purpose of Venus.

Each zodiacal year (3/21- 3/21) is ruled by one of 7 planets and we are currently in a Year of Venus that will conclude at the Spring Equinox. The best of this current 19-month Venus cycle occurs during the next 3 months in the winter season. Venus begins the year in flowing trine to the outer planet giants Jupiter and Uranus. Jupiter is the king and order of things, Uranus is the revolutionary transformer and Venus is shaping the transformation. Benefic Jupiter well placed in home sign Pisces with transformative Uranus brings a favorable change of fortune. Jupiter is the king and the New Venus is presiding over the death, rebirth and healing of the king in this year cycle.

Venus trine Jupiter / Uranus opens us to totally new dimensions of creative expression. Venus is empowered now to transform all shadows and she's got big frame planetary helpers. In addition, close by Venus shines bright blue Spica, a star in Virgo identified with the Empress in Tarot. As Ceres / Demeter she holds the cornucopia of abundance and she is also a revealer of nature’s mysteries. The renewal of Venus brings a rebirth of love, grace, beauty and higher truth. Venus with Spica has brought out hidden truths and exposed much to be set right. Venus now brings power to restore natural law and divine order in the world. Venus is a planet shrouded in mystery and there is much more she will reveal to us before the end of this zodiacal year.

Jan 1-3 – Make a Wish!

Balsamic Moon Put wishes on the air and bring people to mind for healing. Feeling invokes healing and the deeper we feel, the more we heal. Needs felt now invoke Moon Magic from the new lunar cycle, Venus with the Balsamic Moon invokes love and money. 

Jan 1-3 (3:13 am 1/1 – 7:23 pm 1/3) Renovate Your Inner World

Moon Out of Bounds South As the Moon "rides low" below the zodiac, our inner world is illuminated. Outmoded belief patterns, attachments and energy blocks are revealed and more easily released. This is a time to go beneath the surface, make new discoveries, and change habits.

Jan 3-5 –Time to Go Within

Dark of the Moon / New Moon Solar Eclipse The day before New Moon (4:03 am 1/4) until Sunset the day after is ideal for inner work. Shadows arise before each New Moon. These astral shadows give way as we look upward, connect with the light and breathe. The Solar Eclipse with this New Moon (exact 2:11 am Dec 15) opens a special cosmic spring from which to draw new vital energy and good luck. This spring flows freely as we slow down and go within.

Jan 5-9 – Time to Sow

Crescent New Moon It's time to bring forward what we wish to be realized. This time favors all new beginnings. Energy is strongest Sunset to Moonset when the Moon shines through the 7th House. Meditation now opens doorways, wishes take wing and prayers seeded bring blessings for this Moon and the Year to be. .

Jan 5  – Time to Party!

Epiphany Eve /12^th Night / The Feast of Fools Yuletide festivities culminate with the 12^th Night “Feast of Fools” on Jan 5. This is a great night to party and an ideal time for exchanging gifts. 12^th Night celebrations were banned during the late Middle Ages as these events became occasions for successfully lampooning the established order of church and state.

Jan 6  – Expect a Miracle

Epiphany / The 12^th Day of Christmas In Christian tradition Epiphany celebrates 3 special events related to water: the birth of Jesus, the baptism in the river Jordan and changing water to wine at the wedding feast of Cana. Epiphany also honors the Three Kings who bring gifts for the new born child. The ancient Egyptians celebrated the “Korion” or Festival of the Nile on this day when waters of the world are blessed with healing virtue. At this time, Kore (Persephone) gives birth to the “Aeon,” the child spirit or zeitgeist of the New Year. The old cycle ends and the new cycle begins. Everyone is born again.

Jan 12 (6:31 am) – Let Go the Old, Power On the New

1^st Quarter Moon The First Quarter Moon is like a scythe cutting across the sky. This is a day of decision, an opportunity to cut free from trappings of the past and affirm our purpose moving forward.

Jan 15-17 (4 pm 1/15 – 6:45 pm 1/17) Ready for Change

Moon Out of Bounds North

New ideas are more easily and successfully shared and business ventures and social gatherings are favored. Share opportunities, make announcements and bring new discoveries to light. Late evening Jan 16 is most magical as the Moon sails high over Orion.

Jan 17 (11:30 pm) – Think Anew, Speak Anew

Mercury Out of Shadow This New Mercury cycle cooks up as our winged messenger speeds forward out of his retrograde shadow loop and into totally new territory. This begins a fortunate new period of creative thinking, communication and commerce.

Jan 19 (4:21 pm) – Opportunity for Revelation and Healing

Capricorn Sun / Cancer Full Moon This is a Full Moon of great good fortune and revelation of mysteries as the Sun aligns with benefic Jupiter in a mystic triangle with the Moon. Spiritual energies continue to flow through for three days following the Full Moon. Revelations may come in dreams, “chance encounters,” and flashes of inspiration.

Dec 26 (exact 7:57 am) – Dreams in Action

3rd Quarter Moon This Moon cuts away all that distracts from putting our dreams into action. 3rd Quarter Moon integrates new ideas into creative expression. It's time to follow our bliss and do just what feels good in concert with the whole.

Jan 28-30 (10:06 am 1/28 – 1:11 pm 1/30) Go Below the Surface

Moon Out of Bounds South Old patterns of belief and behavior are revealed and more easily reformed. We experience emotional challenges relating to any area of life where we’ve been blocked or hiding from ourselves.

Steve Nelson is a professional astrologer who uses Tarot, name analysis, and traditional astrology to help clients understand personal myths and realize natural abilities. He can be reached at 704-375-3759 or email [email protected]. Info: www.gaiaastrology.com.