Anonymous Flammarion woodcut (1888). (Source:Wikimedia Commons)
Hello, everyone.
Here we are at the first week of the New Year! As much as I love the holidays, I am always so happy when the decorations come down. There’s an almost zen-like simplicity in early January compared to the prior weeks which satisfies my senses after so much excess. I also feel a pent-up need for productivity which has been stalled since Thanksgiving. So here we are: a clean slate to express our dreams and aspirations.
There are three main astrological events this week, each with its own flavor and guidelines.
Venus
This is a week in which Venus (social instincts, negotiations, professional relationships, long-term contracts, public relations) features strongly. About to enter Sagittarius on Friday, she finishes her stay in Scorpio with aspects to Neptune and to Tuesday’s Jupiter/Uranus conjunction. These outer planets will bring the larger environment and collective groups into our personal sphere this week.
You may not love everything you hear, and with Venus in square aspect to Neptune our tendency will be to sugar-coat the signals we receive from others. On the other hand this is a week in which we can make real progress in instituting values of appreciation, acknowledgment, and fairness into the business environment, even beyond the four walls of our own operations. If social networking forms a part of your strategy, this is the week to exploit this means of networking and branding. Reach for collaborations and alliances, both near and far.
New Moon/Eclipse
Tuesday is the power day of the week with the New Moon and a solar eclipse. New Moons are potent times of insemination. The deep inspiration which emerges at the New Moon is enhanced by the solar eclipse and the usual admonitions made even stronger. The actual day of the New Moon, Tuesday, is a day for listening, receiving, ruminating, contemplating. We have to open a large space within to hear and hold the insights which will bubble up from within.
Coming off the holidays, it may be difficult to keep things on hold and wait for the proper time to act, but if you can refrain until Wednesday you’ll have all the pieces in place. Let Monday and Tuesday be receptive and you’ll have everything you need for a new beginning on Wednesday. Don’t wait too long though; by Thursday you should be moving firmly into new territory or you may encounter resistance or inertia. Counter hesitation with action from Wednesday through the rest of the week.
Sun/Saturn
On Friday, the Sun in square aspect to Saturn challenges us to choose between alternatives: you’ll have to decide, probably under pressure, what you’re prepared to sacrifice and what trade-offs you’re willing to make. One part of you, or a trusted advisor, will want to maintain the status quo, but this can lead to missed opportunities. The other camp may press for change, willing to sacrifice stability for creative exploration. You’ll have to square these two approaches with each other.
I read a quote which applies perfectly to this Sun/Saturn energy: “Managers promote stability while leaders press for change, and only organizations that embrace both sides of that contradiction can thrive in turbulent times.” (John P. Kotter, Harvard Business Review)
In our small businesses, we usually play both manager and leader. Can you embrace both sides this week?
Have a great one and let me know how it all plays out!
Do you have a question for Ellen? See the “Work with Ellen” tab at the top of this site for my Straight to the Point Response service.
For an overview of the month, see the Astro4Business Month Ahead – January 2011
For more info on the business descriptions of the planets mentioned this week, see
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