JANUARY 2001 COSMIC WEATHER REPORT

     The above chart is for the first second of the year 2001, Universal Time (Greenwich Time), and as such gives us an insight into the beginning of this day, month and year. The chart for your particular location may be more specific, but this is one way to represent the Whole Earth. As I understand it, most locations around the globe will have a similar rising sign with the exception perhaps of those with daylight savings time in place and extreme latitudes.

     Starting with the Ascendent, we see that Libra the sign of relationship is rising, making lovely Venus the chart ruler -- certainly a good start.

     Below the harmonious horizon we meet powerful Scorpio and Mars, its ancient ruler and hence especially accented. Submerged intense emotions flow like a desert hot springs. A sextile to the brilliant Sun is balanced by a square to moody Neptune, suggesting that this forceful red planet will be a critical pivot between the extremes of clarity and confusion during the next month and year especially as it retrogrades and goes direct from May until August between heavy-duty Pluto and Chiron, emphasizing intense transformation and healing.

     For those of you who do not have a close relationship with the planets, in case this is all the farther you may read, let me say that according to astrology (at least my interpretation) this next month and year will vacillate somewhere in between the love and beauty of Venus and the warrior ways of Mars. We can expect healing help and dramatic upheaval. Wish us all good luck! 

     Pluto, the Part of Fortune and Chiron in Sagittarius will play a major role this year. The communication will be deep and it is important to keep it as healing as possible. The Part of Fortune in between Pluto and Chiron where Mars will retrograde is probably a saving grace as this is the place of greatest positive expression.

     Planets in Capricorn at the bottom of the chart speak to keeping our business close to home. 

     The Sun shines inward and it might be prudent to prepare our deepest rooted connections for inspection. 

     Mercury conjunct the South Node makes for more serious communication, a good time to work on those old family patterns which can be let go a bit more readily this month and year. As the South Node of the Moon or the Tail of the Dragon (if you think the breath of the dragon is intense, imagine what comes out the tail end!) moves this year backwards through the first half of Capricorn and into Sagittarius, eclipses will occur in this deepest realm bringing the vividness back home.

     Neptune, Uranus and Venus in Aquarius are especially representative of the transition from the Great Age of Pisces into Aquarius. Uranus widely conjunct the chart ruler, Venus, suggests that the Beauty Way will take on a significant and unique if not bizarre mode this month and year. Use your ingenuity to beautify as much of your life as you can and there will be a great creative and enlightening force behind you, the force that is propelling us into the new Age of Aquarius.

     Hopefully, the deeply sensitive Moon in Pisces will bring more of the intuitive ability into our work and not the martyr element, but watch for both. Work hard and play hard throughout the year and especially January, watching the tendency for being the sacrificial lamb. This could help you to save a bundle on big medical bills too.

     January sees both Jupiter and Saturn turn direct. Hopefully having allowed us some time for deep introspection during their retrograde period, they now prepare to resume the cosmic dance that was so immoderate and unusual last year with the explosions and political antics. Both planets are making several aspects including the quincunx from Mars and Chiron, which I imagine forebodes the intense transformation that awaits us as they move opposite in their turn to Pluto.

     Once again the period from May to August is highly accentuated, for while Mars is moving retrograde in opposite Sagittarius between Pluto and Chiron, the planetary giants, first Jupiter in early May and then Saturn in early August transit through the portentous opposition to Pluto. Jupiter's final opposition this round has the Sun close to the monumental Taurus alignment degrees of last May, certainly bringing along some of its fixed earthy baggage. Soon after Saturn is opposite, he turns retrograde and comes back for more action just in case we might have missed the message. What message? Well, when these three astro-heavyweights Mars, Saturn and Pluto come face to face you can bet on some kind of major showdown at the "Your Not OK" corral.

     For individuals, you might want to see where Gemini and Sagittarius fall in your chart and make appropriate preparations, your horizons are certain to be expanded and the information will be flying faster than the neurons will be able to comfortably process. If you have patterns of intense disagreement, and you have a good shot at working it out, go for it, otherwise take a bunch of "breathers" and stay clear of the hot spots altogether.

     On the country and international levels expect power struggles galore. I hope it is just my double Scorpio apocalyptic propensity, but I wonder what is going to happen with all the political unrest from the still unsettling presidential election in this country. Around the world, the Mid-East is once again very unstable and there is talk of a "new Vietnam" in Columbia. This is not particularly the best time to have the same folks who brought us the Iran/Contra debacle and Desert Storm back in office. (Please excuse the obvious political standpoint, but the observation seems rather conspicuous to me).

     So . . . it seems that we are going to have quite a year or two ahead, lets hope that the Solar eclipse on Christmas day means that we are going to get some extra help. There will be another Solar eclipse right on the Cancer Solstice and by the end of the year one in Sagittarius. The final fifth eclipse will come on 30 December, 2001 and when Saturn makes his third opposition to Pluto in May 2002 it will be conjunct the Moon's nodes, so it looks like we are going to need all the help we can get. Venus, Goddess of Love will require all the harmony and aquarian brilliance she can garner, so lets help her all we can.

JANUARY 2001 HIGH LIGHTS

1 January - We have talked quite a bit about this day as representative of the remainder of the month and year, so start it off with this in mind. The liquid trine from Mars in Scorpio to Moon in Pisces last night probably has more than the usual amount of folks trying to dis-solve their worries with alcohol, so today might be a big headache for many but lets hope it was worth the fun. Mars is square Neptune and the energy may be a bit low with some morning after depression and doubt. However, Mars can sometimes look confusion right in the face -- give it a go.


2-3 January - Moon in Aries is a big jump from flow-with-it Pisces. Either the headache continues or we're on to the next incarnation. Meanwhile Venus enters Pisces and may enjoy the shift into deeply emotional relations from her cool, whacky Aquarian persona.

4 January - Moon moves opposite to Mars and there could be a bit of irritation. Could it be about power, control, possessions . . . just guessing!

5-6 January - This is a test! First, Venus square Jupiter is a mostly delightful time to enjoy yourself, but if you are a compulsive shopper, beware the mall. Now add in Moon conjunct Saturn and then Jupiter. Feeling a bit depressed, might as well go shopping, no wait, just kidding, how about a good book instead (as Moon enters Gemini and Mercury trines Saturn).
Please, make up my mind!

9 January - Well, well, Full Moon eclipse in Cancer! Also the Finger of God pointing from Pluto and Uranus at this well-nourished globe. Imagine the luscious Moonfruit dripping Soma out of the nightblue Tree of Life while stars twinkle with glee! Wow, who could ask for anything more? Contemplate SATISFACTION. Along the way a grand trine in Water allows us to drink our enlightenment. Mmmmmmmmmm. 

10 January - Mercury begins his journey through bright Aquarius. Rising to the loftiness of the moment, the messenger carries a newly lit torch into the arena while the yellow Moon in Leo adds her luxurious luminescence from afar. What does this mean? I guess you will just have to wait and SEE.

13 January - While Mercury meets Neptune in the heavenly aquarian sea, the two ladies Venus and Luna reach their fullness from Pisces and Virgo. A good time for writing poetry if you are not too attached to being understood. On the other hand there is a constrained elegance with a fragrance of royalty and honor that just may allow for that masterpiece to roll in on the half shell ala Botticelli. Sun trine Saturn could just add the dab of discipline needed to finish the project. Hey, don't miss this opportunity to do your thing!

16-17 January - Moon conjunct Mars, Pluto square Venus all reach 14 degrees at the same time forming a trine between the divine couple and a square or semisextile between Persephone and Hades. Are you going for the usual dynamics or the deep meaningful relations or both. There is an opportunity to add an imaginal third or fourth, permitting a view from the underside or the center. In other words, someone may join your party without an invitation, think thrice before shutting the door, they may be a real live wire, but they may also electro-cute you.

19 January - Mercury joins the 14 degree club and with Pluto points to the Moon's Nodes. As the soul rises from the underworld, the karmic clothing is immediately applied. And as the Sun accedes to his clear cool aquarian mansion, the way is prepared for attunement to the angelic song. My, what kind of party did they have at that 14 Degree Club anyway!?

20 January - With Mercury square Mars, if you are having inner dialogs where you are highly disturbed and maybe even imagining fight scenes, please do not drive in Moab! See if you can integrate your higher aquarian ideals with your seething underchakras. (Moon is also conjunct Pluto). Sun trine Jupiter should provide some help in this integration project as it is generally a very uplifting transit.

22 January - With number 22's assistance, this could be a very lovely day. Great for high minded communication as Mercury joins Uranus, although the Moon in practical Capricorn votes for both feet firmly planted on the Earth.

24 January - The New Aquarian Moon gathers together a cluster of extraordinary friends. Although there is a fair showing of the other elements, airiness prevails. Should be good for making plans or recalling your new years resolutions in light of the big year ahead. Use the visionary potential of this first New Moon of the year wisely that your seed ideas may not fall on barren ground.

25-26 January - As the Crescent Goddess greets all the Aquarian assembly in order, silently and seamlessly, epoch-making change is wheeling in the form of first Jupiter and then Saturn turning direct while the resplendent Aquarian Sun dips into Neptune's profound sea. It as if we had a bright window and now the deeper, darker implications permeate the scene while Moon slips into Pisces and Mercury squares Saturn. The most promising use of this time is to combine both the far-reaching vision and the deep intuition.

27 January - Mars close to opposing Saturn, finally closes the gap and squares Uranus in a potent tee-square. Although there is resistance from the Saturn in Taurus, impulsive change is the order of the day. If you are feeling particularly restless, it is quite likely linked to those old dusty parts of the psyche that have not been challenged or even examined for awhile. Coming so close to the stationary Saturn, we are getting some of our first strong tastes of the fierce dynamic of modification vs. stagnation and the counterbalancing encampments representing the many upcoming oppositions. Mars does not actually become 180 to Saturn until early next month, but all around this time we could receive powerful introductions to some of the forces at work and play. Even though the emotions may be severe, practice staying in the present so you are not surprised by drastic events.

28 January - Seaside sisters Luna and Venus meet in passive Pisces for some meaningful re-creation. Find respite in your healing waters and joyful sea breezes while the storms brew in the distance (and the Moon prepares to enter fiery Aries).

31 January - As the month ends, Mercury is just barely sneaking out of Aquarius and into Pisces and the Moon lucks into Taurus. The pace decelerates a bit as Mercury slows to a halt (and in a few days eventually returning back to the rarified aquarian realms). But for now, enjoy the beauty of earth and sea, letting the mind slip back into primal peace.

ARTICLES BY JEANNINE
This new section features articles written by Jeannine Parvati Baker that are now available for the first time on the Freestone web site. These articles, plus more are listed for sale under our Catalog List of ARTICLES.

HYGIEIA COLLEGE
International Mystery School in Womancraft and Lay Midwifery, with over 1000 students currently enrolled. Founded in 1980, Hygieia College is an Institution of the Mind Behind Nature devoted to healing our Earth by healing Birth. Home Study Course, Workshops and Gatherings for women in the context of the Possible Family. Babies and Children welcomed to all meetings.

FREESTONE PUBLISHING
Originally a writer's collective based in Freestone, California, Freestone Publishing is presently the self-publishing aspect of Freestone Innerprizes and a resource for authors who want to learn about self-publishing their own works.

EARTH BIRTH RESEARCH
Organizing a planetary biography through the metaform of human birth.

Catalog
Books and other products that we have found especially helpful in the larger perspective of Optimal Health. The published and unpublished writings of JP & RB as articles available for purchase.

HERMETIC ASTROLOGY
Full astrological services, (Hermetic) in the manner of a midwife ~ readings to draw out your natural self-knowing and beyond. Consultations within the bigger picture through myth, story and metaphor with specialities on relationship charts, fertility maps, business charts and newborn, natal and transit readings.

OPTIMAL FAMILY HEALTH NEWSLETTER
A regularly updated source of healing-edge news, articles-in-progress and other references helpful in the quest for Family Health.

WORKSHOP AND TOUR INFORMATION
Tour Schedule of Workshops updated for 2002 with Jeannine Parvati and Frederick Baker and Family. Information on events scheduled and in the planning stage where Jeannine and some combination of this Baker Family will be involved.

PHONE CONSULTATIONS
Confidential, intimate dialogue with JPB and/or Rico on a vast array of subjects such as Gender Issues, Sexuality, Fertility, Freebirth and Lotus Birth, Lactation, Natural Home Health Care, Oral Hygiene, Homeschool, Co-Custody, Self-Publishing, Lay Midwifery, Gyn / Ecology, and whatever lays central in your soul.

SIX DIRECTION FOUNDATION
News from the 6 Directors of this non-profit, educational and charitable foundation dedicated to providing information on Optimal Personal, Family and Planetary Health and supporting projects that further this goal.

EARTH BIRTH SUPPORT NETWORK
Sponsored by the 6 Directions foundation, this is a network forming around the invitation to support the folks in your local neighborhood who are choosing to conceive and birth gracefully and lovingly so as to actively participate in the larger Birth of a new Peaceful Planetary Paradigm.

ALCHEMICAL BAKERY HOME EDUCATION
Homebirth to Homeschool as one continuum. Over 20 years experience in unschooling with Life as Curriculum. Lauded by Dr Gary Knowles (University of Michigan), an authority on home education, as the paradigm for a sustainable education in the next century. Includes excerpts from our book in progress, LITTLE HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE MILLENNIUM.

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