Stargazer – astrology for Jan 2024
Image: Emanuela Meli| UnsplashStargazer – astrology for Jan 2024: Year of the Wood Dragon| Revolutionary rebirth|Ringing in the new year| Leo’s full moon; avoid power struggles – and more...
by Stella Woods
New moons are all about fresh energy and new beginnings... January's new moon is full of potential and promise, but achieving dreams and goals requires hard work and dedication [however], the universe is on your side. Cast your mind back to this time last year and reflect on how far you have come; then set your intentions for 2024.Year of the Wood DragonAccording to Chinese astrological tradition, each year is ruled by one of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs (Pig, Rat, Ox, Monkey, etc) plus one of the five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). Sixty combinations in all.

Welcome to 2024 – the Chinese Year of the Wood Dragon. The Dragon is a supernatural creature symbolising power, nobility, honour, luck, growth, and success. The Wood element is also connected with growth and success.

Wood rules the East (where the sun rises); the season of spring (new growth); and the planet Jupiter (the largest planet in our solar system). Wood is all about new beginnings, new opportunities, excitement, hard work, power, and prosperity. Wood is the mother of Fire, meaning this element creates passion, invention, and novelty. A small spark can transform into a mighty flame.

Wood’s colour is green, symbolising life and vitality. Plants and trees require water, sunlight, and nourishment to flourish, in the same way we need nourishment to utilise our full power and achieve prosperity and wisdom.

The Year of the Wood Dragon promises high energy and passion to fuel our personal, professional, and spiritual growth. It promises to be an extra-special year for those born in 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 and 2012.
Pluto in Aquarius – revolutionary rebirthThe Year of the Dragon will unfold against the backdrop of Pluto in Aquarius. Pluto symbolises destruction, transformation, and rebirth, while Aquarius represents revolution, technology, and humanitarian concerns.

Pluto has been in earth sign Capricorn since 2008, but on 21st January he will leave Capricorn, and spend the next twenty years in Aquarius. That’s two full decades of revolution – our lives will change in ways we cannot even imagine!
Parallels with the pastThe last time Pluto was in Aquarius was between 1778 and 1798; a revolutionary period that changed the world. The French rebelled against their hierarchical feudal system, overthrowing and executing their monarch. American colonies gained independence from colonial Britain. The Industrial Revolution brought factories, roads, canals, steam power, and a mass exodus from the countryside to new towns and cities. Ideas about freedom, human rights, and equality began to spread.

In the 21st century, with Pluto in Aquarius, we have the Technological Revolution which is already dismantling traditional workplace hierarchies. Employees are demanding better work-life balance and are willing to stand up to leaders and bosses who ignore their demands for flexible work. Digital technology has given birth to digital nomads and hybrid workers, making geographical borders, city centre offices, and workplace culture increasingly irrelevant. Women are stepping up and demanding more equality at work and at home.
Liberty, equality, and fraternity
The French Revolution (1789) under Pluto in Aquarius, had as its slogan ‘Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity’. Under the current Pluto in Aquarius transit there will be increasing demands to embrace and include people of all races, colours, beliefs, sexual preferences, ages, and genders. Aquarius is all about the human family, not the individual.
Extraterrestrial intelligenceWhen Pluto was in Aquarius in the 1780s, the planet Uranus was discovered, forcing scientists to completely revisit their beliefs about our solar system. During the previous period of Pluto in Aquarius, Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus upset the powerful Catholic Church in 1543 with his revolutionary theory that the sun (rather than the earth) was the centre of our solar system.

As NASA’s telescopes become ever more powerful, and we marvel at images of star clusters and far distant galaxies, there is increasing evidence that we are not alone in the universe. In 2023, the Pentagon launched an online UFO reporting system, and NASA held its first ever public meeting on UFOs.

From mummified alien corpses to UFO sightings to crop circles, a quick search on Google under ‘alien disclosure’ provides a wealth of evidence, much of it from respected scientists.

Having witnessed multiple UFOs in Sardinia in 2018 this does not surprise me at all. My prediction is that there will be many more extraterrestrial sightings and visitations with Pluto in Aquarius. Discussions on this topic will change from fringe to mainstream as new information surfaces. Expect disruption to cherished scientific beliefs!
Energy and environment – a major focusEnvironmental catastrophes and global warming are already headline events. We can expect a major focus on tackling these worldwide issues under Pluto in Aquarius.

• Reducing, reusing, and recycling
• Outlawing fossil fuels to reduce carbon emissions
• Individual petrol car ownership replaced by shared electric cars
• Massive reduction in use of plastics
• Better public transport and use of trains rather than planes
• More local food production, planting trees, and water storage
• Crackdown on air and water pollution
• Solar panels everywhere with excess power fed back into the community
• Moves to combat worldwide population growth
• Collective and individual responsibility to improve the environment

And if Pluto in Aquarius really delivers, we may even discover how to harness solar power and crystal technology to create and distribute free, clean, green, power.
Other Pluto in Aquarius themes?• Sharing stuff with others or not owning stuff at all
• New living arrangements and different models of home ownership
• Embracing the concept of solidarity, community, and cooperative action
• Massive explosion in the capabilities of artificial intelligence and medical technology
• Advanced genetic engineering and robotics
• Real-time translation and interpreting
• Move towards a cashless society and international digital currency
• Rise of cryptocurrency and similar systems designed to avoid surveillance
• Rise in bartering and exchange of goods
• Increased government control and censorship of information
• Development of drone technology and new forms of destructive weaponry
• Brain-computer interface capable of translating thought into action
• Exciting technological breakthroughs used to both empower and destroy
• Sharing information and inventions between different cultures/countries
• The moral dilemmas of science vs ethics
Image: Daniel Chekalov | Unsplash
Bye bye boomerFinally, it is worth mentioning that the much-maligned Baby Boomer generation were born with Pluto in fire sign Leo, the opposite zodiac sign to Aquarius. The Pluto in Leo generation (1938-1957) have always valued self-reliance, hard work, wealth creation, and individual achievement. After all, Leo is the sign of royalty, and this generation holds most of the world’s power and wealth.

Every generation has its time in the sun, and competitiveness and consumption worked for the boomers. But under Pluto in Aquarius, boomers will be increasingly seen as out of touch with the realities and challenges of modern life. Their power and influence will gradually fade as a new cycle with a new set of values begins.
Mercury – back on trackCommunication planet Mercury has been travelling backwards through Capricorn and Sagittarius since 13th December, pushing us to deal with unfinished business, delivering home truths, and revealing hidden or buried information.

The gift of Mercury retrograde in Capricorn is the capacity for level-headed thinking, while the gifts of Mercury in Sagittarius are wisdom and perspective. Mercury retrograde in Capricorn is also good for checking finances and focusing on what is real and feasible, rather than indulging your fantasies.

On 2nd January, Mercury will come to a halt, pause briefly and then start moving forwards again. If you have been trying to make some big decisions, the past few weeks would have helped you gather information and weigh up the pros and cons of whatever project or idea you might be working on.

With Mercury picking up speed in January, you can put plans into action and make sense of the events and insights of the past few weeks.
Mars in Capricorn – discipline and determinationAction planet Mars will travel through sturdy, reliable Capricorn from 5th January until mid-February. The good news is that Mars and Capricorn make excellent bedfellows. Mars has plenty of energy and Capricorn can harness that energy into something solid and long-lasting.

The even better news is the Mars will be making a trine to Jupiter and sextile to Saturn from 5th–13th January, helping you get things moving smoothly and efficiently. Bearing this in mind, you should be able to get lots done during this six-week period – particularly tasks you’ve been putting off or are not looking forward to. Yes folks, the gifts of discipline, grit, persistence, and determination are yours for the taking. Don’t waste them!
Venus in Sagittarius – ringing in the new yearVenus, planet of love, beauty and pleasure, will be in fire sign Sagittarius right through to 23rd January. Sagittarius is the sign of travel, the outdoors, adventure, and foreign countries and cultures, so when you’re not working hard (with Mars in Capricorn), why not broaden your horizons and explore some new places and activities over the summer break?
Themes for Venus in Sagittarius• Expand your social circle
• Learn something new
• Embrace your independence and love of freedom
• Explore different cultural experiences
• Try different cuisines
• Spend time outdoors enjoying the natural world
• Travel anywhere and everywhere
• Enjoy intellectual debate
• Wear something fun or bright-coloured
New moon in Capricorn – hard work and dedicationNew moons are all about fresh energy and new beginnings. The January new moon falls in earth sign Capricorn on the 11th, a time of year when we make plans for the future. This new moon is full of potential and promise, but achieving dreams and goals requires hard work and dedication. With powerful Pluto in the mix and a favourable angle between Mars and Jupiter, the universe is on your side. Cast your mind back to this time last year and reflect on how far you have come; then set your intentions for 2024.
Full moon in Leo – avoid power strugglesAs January draws to a close, on the 26th we have a full moon in fire sign Leo opposing the sun in Aquarius conjunct Pluto. Full moons are times of powerful energy when emotions run high and projects come to fruition. The Leo full moon is normally a time of celebration, fun, and joy, but this full moon has a dark undercurrent. Be flexible, avoid power struggles, and keep your sense of humour! You never know what might happen.
About the author:
Stella Woods is an astrology teacher, writer, and consultant. Contact Stella at stella@stellastarwoman.com or www.stellastarwoman.com or
www.facebook.com/stellastarwoman
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