There are many ways we can renew the year. January 1st is one way to do it. The Chinese new year begins in February -- the Jewish new year (Rosh Hashana) is usually in September. The astrological calendar begins at the spring equinox, when the Sun renews its annual tour through the zodiac as it enters Aries. So, if we ignore all of these other man-made calendar constructions and just follow nature...the new year is on March 20th! So happy New Year!

We can look at the chart for the astrological new year as an illustration to what the next year holds -- and this one is quite something! The Sun is in the middle of a T-Square configuration as it squares a Pluto/Mars opposition. Though the extended Pluto/Mars opposition is (finally) beginning to wane, this chart informs us that its resonance will be lingering for yet another year. Collectively, we are learning courage -- to forge ahead in accord with our true desires. This fierce intention challenges us not to "sell out," but to demand the very best from ourselves through determined action.

The other dominant theme is Aquarian. The North Node resides in the sign of the Water Bearer while its ruler, Uranus, is conjunct Venus & Mercury (and just over 10 degrees away from the Aries Sun), also sextile Jupiter. This promises to be a very Uranian year. Expect new alliances, progressive philosophies to reign and an empasis on future possibilities. A spirit of renewal and freshness will be in the air and plenty of inventive ideas.

The main issue seeking greater resolution is a sense of defeatism. With a Virgo Moon conjunct Saturn (not too far away from the South Node), we are collectively emerging from fear, feeling inhibited or a reflexive pull to blindly trusting authority. When this is successfully managed, the courageous and progressive intentions of the chart can be realized. This "new year" arrives with quite the compelling chart -- let us embrace it with vigor!