Welcome to 2017 dear Capricorn! The New Year begins with the Sun in your sign, revitalising your energy, enhancing your self-confidence and motivation. It’s also the start of your personal solar year, when you will consider your personal needs, and start putting plans together for 2017. The year also starts with Mercury retrograde in Capricorn, your 1st house of personality. Mercury re-enters Sagittarius briefly your 12th house of secrets, sorrows and subconscious motivations on January 4th.
Dark Pluto remains all year in Capricorn, your 1st house of personality. In recent times, many of you have experiened progressive yet transformative changes in your personality, as old structures die away and new patterns begin. This transformation is not over yet! You are likely to take unprecedented steps to improve yourself as an individual. The self-improvement you undertake will probably be in directions where your background history and experiences have caused you to feel the weakest and most vulnerable. You will undergo a massive amount of self-discovery, a shakeup to your worldview and a desire for self-improvement, which will define your individuality whether people like it or not. You will direct more control and power over others which will also apply to relationships if they can withstand the onslaught of daring Pluto.
The Taskmaster Saturn, your planetary-ruler, remains in skittish Sagittarius, your 12th house of secrets, sorrows and subconscious motivations for most of 2017. Saturn is ending a 29 year cycle in your life this year, so prepare yourself for the coming new cycle by ridding yourself of old fears, self-doubts, inhibitions and anxiety. Guilt could arise over past actions, baggage from relationships, or people from the past. It’s no use to dwell on “what if’s”, rather move forward without repremands. Build your inner strengths and fortitude, look at your positive accomplishments and start a new course as Saturn treks home to Capricorn, your 1st house of personality, on December 20th.
Venus Retrograde
Venus will turn retrograde this year in fiery Aries, your 4th house of home and family, then steps back into Pisces, your 3rd house of communication. A planet is retrograde when it appears to be moving backwards through the zodiac. It’s a cosmic illusion, as planets are never actually retrograde or stationary, they just seem that way, thanks to the interaction of planetary orbits. It’s a bit like travelling on the road watching another car beside you: when the other car slows down, or you speed up, it looks as though the other car is moving backwards.
Sensual Venus turns retrograde only once every eighteen months, with the phase lasting about six weeks. The love Goddess turns this year in conjunction with the Fixed Star Alderamin, marking the right shoulder of Cepheus, the King. It’s a fortunate star ruled by Saturn and Jupiter, grave and stern in judgement, awakening severe trials, celebrated in poetry and drama. By the Kabalists this constellation is associated with the Hebrew letter Shin and the 22nd Tarot Trump, “The Fool”.
At 9:10 UT on Saturday, March 4th, 2017, Venus reaches her retrograde station at 13° Aries 6′, in preparation for a period of retrograde motion that will last until April 15th, 2017, when she reaches her direct station at 26° Pisces 54′. At this time she halts in the sign of the Fish and begins her return to direct motion through the zodiac. On April 28th, she re-enters Aries, but remains in a shadow phase until May 19th, 2017.
The first part of the Venus retrograde phase occurs in Fiery Aries, your 4th house of home and family. From March 4th to April 2nd the influence of the Goddess helps smooth over unexpected difficulties and arguments between February 21st and March 1st, thanks to Mars. Powerful and explosive energies will be difficult to suppress. Not only will your domestic conditions be disrupted, but family members could contribute to the mayhem. It may be your job to reconnect with family members and offer a solution. Renovation and improvement plans could come unstuck due to lack of interest. Real estate sales may not go as well as expected, or you could lose out on a prospective purchase of a new home. There’ll be sentimental objects and furniture to consider, none of which you will be willing to offload, or you may think twice about an antique, home wares, or selling your current home.
The second part of the Venus retrograde phase follow in Pisces, your 3rd house of communication from April 3rd to April 27th. This is the time to be diplomatic. Show your charm and entertain people with interesting talks, which will diffuse any emotional outbursts. The pace will slow down regarding interests in travel, going to places of beauty, creative writing, music and the arts. Give your writing a rest during this phase; avoid publishing and displaying art as they will lack popularity. Someone from the past could play an import part in your future direction.
From April 6th to the 25th, Venus and stern Saturn will be in stressful square aspect, with Mercury retrograde on the home front. Your emotions will be contained, and it will be harder to get creative projects underway. You may want to spend time alone, taking account of problems in relationships with family, neighbours and relatives. Meanwhile negotiations on real estate agreements or contracts will be delayed, which could simply be a council statutory advice or purchasers changing their mind on a deal. After May 19th, things will be relatively back to normal.
The Dragon’s Head and Tail
The Moon’s nodal axis, known as the Dragon’s Head and Dragon’s Tail, is particularly potent just before changing signs. The nodes normally travel in a retrograde mode, and the Mean North Node will be moving from Virgo into Leo your 8th house of sex, death and taxes on April 29th, with the True Node following suit on May 9th. However, the effects of this change will be felt most strongly in the first degree of Virgo your 10th house of career and ambitions. Remember, its movement is backwards through the zodiac.
The North Node retrograding into your 8th house awakens karmic lessons encompassing overcoming possessiveness with money, and in relationships, jealousy and excessive sexual indulgence. It will be the time to understand the importance other people’s values and expand your own sense of personal meaning and ethics. If you feel as though you are constantly chasing your tail, wanting more, it will be hard to satisfy your urges if they lean to excess. Learn self-control and discipline regarding self-indulgence. You may hit rock bottom or an ending before you can start afresh with a different appreciation of your needs. Here is a chance to face your deeper convictions and psychological fears, including life after death and spirituality.
Relationships: the Journey to the Heart
January 12th sees the Full Moon in moody Cancer, your 7th house of relationships and significant commitments. This Moon triggers off a grand cardinal cross affecting your emotional satisfaction in relationships, changes to the home structure and career, while also covering your personal needs and plans in 2017. Jupiter and Uranus are in opposition from the start of the year, stimulating unexpected changes to your career, home life, divorce settlements, lawsuits, and problems with open enemies. On the flipside, your approach to changes should reveal patience and discipline. Work steadily behind the scenes, adjusting to new events, securing your home and family relationships. However you will rely on emotional support from love relationships and friends. You can guarantee that dramas will magnify your feelings for loved ones.
From March 3rd to April 20th Macho Mars zooms into Taurus, your 5th house of romance. You will find your physical energy and sexuality intensifies. There’ll be no question about finding your mojo during this phase! You will attract romance with your ability to be suave yet magnetic. It’s a great time to take action with creative projects, or turn your overabundance of energy into sporting and recreational activities.
Mercury moves into your romance house on March 31st, but will retrograde through Taurus up to April 19th, then re-entering Aries, your home and family area, before returning to Taurus on May 16th. If there has been a lingering love matter to deal with, now is the time to consider your options and make peace.
Fearless Mars enters Cancer, your relationship house, from June 4th to July 19th. Although you will have plenty of energy to deal with relationship issues, a tendency for open confrontation, ego battles and disagreement may get in the way of peacemaking. Differences of opinion, legal battles and business partnership matters will emerge. However, your sensual nature could surface defusing hostile relationship hurdles. Control issues will arise from July 1st to the 4th, with further arguments over home and property from July 16th to the 20th. Learn to compromise where possible.
From June 6th to July 4th, delightful Venus will kick up her heels with romance. You will enjoy the social side, being more inclined to take interest in entertainment, music, the arts and dancing. This is a great time for love relationships and taking your existing relationship to the next level. Don’t forget to spend time with your children, as they will love to have fun just as much as you.
The Sun beams into your seventh house from the Solstice on June 21st up to July 21st, together with Mercury from June 21st to July 5th. During this time there’s a New Moon in Cancer on June 24th, all focusing on the way you discuss verbal agreements, points of litigation, contracts, signing legal documents, dealing with opponents and making love commitments. Emotions could fluctuate, affecting the way you confront issues.
Fortunately Venus dances into your seventh house from July 31st to August 25th. Your relationships will take on love and peace-making, adding harmony to existing love relationships and renewing bonds. You will feel amorous towards your partner, or you may start a new relationship, a live-in situation, or become engaged or married. Legal matters and settling disputes are more amicable at this time. From August 15th to the 26th, but particularly from the 18th to the 20th, you’ll need to make adjustments to counteract personal love struggles affecting your career and relationships. With that said, there’ll still be time for excitement and pleasure. Finally, November 4th brings a Full Moon in sensual Taurus, when your thoughts will turn to love.
Career and Finances: Stake Your Claim
Benefic Jupiter remains for most of the year in stylish Libra, your 10th house of career and ambitions. This will offer you a great opportunity, along with the good fortune to further your ambitions, career and status. As you will be in the public eye, your image will be on display, so try not to fall into the trap of appearing unduly arrogant or dominant, or to be chasing power and controlling people. Although good times are presented, you could easily get caught up with big image syndrome. Luck should be with you, even if you don’t really deserve it! Later down the track when the glitter has settled, you may have overlooked the real issues in the whirl of accomplishments and aspirations. Under this transit, you will receive recognition, success and rewards, but you will need to be accountable for any actions in the process. Jupiter moves into tenacious Scorpio on October 10th, 2017, when your focus will turn to your friends, hopes and wishes.
April 11th will bring the Full Moon in Libra, your 10th house. This marks a peak on your career path, where you have poured emotional energy into gaining recognition, success and satisfaction. Jupiter will be on your mid-heaven, bringing optimism, rewards and positive outcomes. Be careful not to overdo your good work by displaying an arrogant attitude in public. It will be just as important to find a balance between your career, home environment and family. Review your long-term goals and the progress you have made. Some of you will use this time to improve your lifestyle and residence.
The main focus on your career will start at the Equinox as the Sun travels into your 10th house from September 22nd to October 22nd. Mercury enters Libra from September 30th to October 16th. Take advantage of this time to get ahead with your career and receive a vote of confidence from your employer, and other influential types. You might decide to start a new business, build on your long-range plans and objects.
Venus will make her entrance into Libra from October 14th to November 6th. This is the time for Goats to gather success, enjoy the limelight and do well in your career, not to mention social and public acceptance. You will do well in relationships, and show the creative side of your professional skills. October 19th sees a New Moon in Libra, which will spotlight your career intentions, new directions along with altering your home structure and family unit. Your public profile will stand out, so make sure your reputation remains in good stead with your employer and the Great and Good.
Mighty Mars parades into your 10th house from October 22nd to December 8th. You will display tremendous drive to succeed in your domain — and will, providing you don’t step on your employer’s toes by being over the top with your demands and actions. Others may feel vulnerable to your bold approach. You may prefer to take control, show leadership, or work for yourself in establishing a career path. However, your efforts to obtain results won’t be easy from November 15th to the December 3rd, and noting Mercury will turn retrograde on December 3rd too. With that said, there’ll will be a Full Moon in Gemini, in your house of work and health.
Finances
Between January 19th and February 18th, the brilliant Sun enters innovative Aquarius, your 2nd house of personal earnings, values and possessions. Your drive will be concentrated on coming up with inventive ways to increase your earning capacity. As they say, “necessity is the mother of invention”. Pay closer attention to your expenditure, dear Capricorn, and trim all unnecessary purchases by keeping within your budgetary constraints and meeting your commitments. On the 22nd and 23rd, your abilities will outweigh any self-doubt, so be assured that you can overcome any shortfalls and will succeed through hard work.
January 28th sees a New Moon in Aquarius, when you will do well with a fresh approach. New plans towards securing your earnings is just what you need. This could be through friends, or by viewing resources from an intellectual viewpoint without bringing in sentimental reasons for holding onto possessions and unnecessary items that clog the spokes. You will be emotionally satisfied once you have cleaned out the attic, not to mention anything you have been hoarding. This is also a good time to examine your values, partner’s resources, dealings with financial institutions, and, of course, taxes. An old phase is ending and a new one is beginning.
From February 7th to the 25th, Mercury will open up dialogue, negotiations and plans with finances. Why not get your budget underway and work towards reducing expenditure? You’ll also get your paperwork under way, with a spreadsheet to work through your outlays. Be penny wise February 8th but be prepared for ups and downs with money and security under the Lunar Eclipse on February 11th.
August 7th will bring a Lunar Eclipse when the importance of financial changes, your earning capacity, joint accounts, other resources and obligations could be altered. Consider the value you place on items and possessions at this time. This will be followed by a Solar Eclipse on August 21st, when you will take a new course with your financial commitments and income from other sources. Use the energy to determine your investments, benefits and money settlements.
Home and Away: Family and Children
Rebellious Uranus remains all year in fiery Aries, your 4th house of home and family. For many this signals disruptions to the family unit, a change of residence, family structure and lifestyle. Your comfort and security zone will change, but this allows you some form of freedom and independence.
To start the year, Mars moves into your 4th house from January 28th to March 9th. The 28th will also coincide with the New Moon in Aquarius, your 2nd house of personal earnings. Physical activities and concerns in weeks to come involve your home and domestic arrangements, family relationships, family-owned property or business, and real-estate transactions in general. If you have been thinking about a new business venture or achieving some physical goal, this is a time when you are likely to put such plans into action. It would be a wise idea to make sure your household insurance is in effect. Check your home for possible fire hazards and watch your step to prevent falls, cuts, and other mishaps around the house. Go out of your way to avoid angry domestic scenes.
The home front will be a hive of activity, with highs and lows from March 13th to June 6th, thanks to Mercury and Venus in retrograde phases, as discussed elsewhere in this article.
The Sun enters dynamic Aries, your 4th house, from March 19th to April 18th, with a New Moon in Aries on March 28th. Your activities will revolve around improving family relationships, sprucing up the garden, renovating and redecorating. Traditional values will be important, as will your unconscious drives, security, comforts and early childhood training. Memories will come flooding back, particularly when you pull out the family album, or sort through memorabilia that you have hung onto, and of course your ancestry.
Work and Health: Balancing Your Energies
From April 21st to June 3rd, action-packed Mars will be strutting through your 6th house of work and health. Your mental and physical energy will be considerably higher, and you’ll have the motivation to complete work tasks. Colleagues could find your pace a bit overwhelming, and there is a chance you will push yourself too hard. This is the time to control your temper, abruptness, frustrations and impulsiveness, as excess energy could create tension with work colleagues, or even the boss. Play it safe handling machinery, as accidents are right there on the list of possibilities. Your health may be problematic due to stress. Surgical operations are in the frame, together with a susceptibility to headaches, fevers, burns, cuts, and abrasions.
From May 20th to June 20th the Sun and Mercury spend time in your 6th house. Concentrate on efficiency, enhancing your organisational skills and being of service to others. You will also take more interest in your health, hygiene, diet and think about changing a few bad habits. On May 25th, there is a New Moon in Gemini that will take you on a new path, not only with your work but with your health. Why not improve your relationships with those around you? At this time you might decide it’s time to change jobs, or change your role or routine in some way.
Attractive Venus enters the work scene from July 5th to the 30th. You can look forward to this period, as working conditions should see an improvement, perhaps a pay rise or extra money coming your way. Build on your relationship with work colleagues and subordinates, as the atmosphere will be pleasant and friendly. You may have to deal with human resources, public relations and mediation. Benefits could include social activities connected with work, beauty therapy and fashion. Health will be favourable if you can avoid those delectable sweets.
December 3rd brings a Full Moon in Gemini, just as Mercury goes retrograde. It will be a testy and tricky Moon to deal with, so make sure there are no mix-ups and misunderstandings with colleagues, your work, messages, travel and areas of communication.
