DAILY 
Welcome to a New Year! If you are considering 2016’s opening steps, you may find the rhythm of three forward and two back, with a do si do and chaussée thrown in to be in sync. We have a fiery impulse to free ourselves and step into greater power, with Uranus now direct in Aires, re-connecting to its power axis with Pluto. Venus is in Sagittarius, another freedom-loving fire sign, but the Jupiter that rules it is going retrograde on Thursday. Mercury is in the first degrees of no-rules-Aquarius, before tomorrow’s station moves it backward ~until Jan. 25th. We have desire and energy for new, expansive experiences, but before launching, best test the machinery.
Mars, planet of commitment and physical thrust has entered Scorpio, which repeats the theme of checking directions again before any launch. This Mars squares Mercury which may force conflict, or conflicting ideas about your needs VS other’s. It’s a good time to re-visit your motivations. (When is it not a good time to do that?) This square will make us struggle with speaking from the heart while not getting stuck in personal needs, or compassion VS skillful observance. As Mercury backs into Capricorn, you may find that old tried and true ideas are part of a great new solution. Tradition will want to stamp approval on any outlandish, outside the box ideas. Think-‘How can I re-use existing resources? What is the old underlying truth to this new issue?’
It’s interesting that Mercury will clear its ‘shadow period’ on Valentine’s Day, which may offer deeper insight into relationships. Throughout the weeks between now and then, be more aware of people-perceptions. Who do you love? Why? What drives you crazy? How can you re-arrange, re-value, re-connect to build better bridges of love and thoughtfulness? Then, with those new and powerful perceptions in place, we will finally step out into a more expansive 2016. Perhaps by then, it will be a Viennese waltz?
(*Contradance or Contra Dance is a folk dance moving in lines that makes meeting others and dancing with them a necessary joy.)
Practice the Week: Because we are closing down toward a New Moon on Sat. 9, and because Mercury, and Jupiter, the two planets of perception, communication, and superconscious connections are vibrating strongly through the week, take time for ‘ahaa moments,’ to observe how and why your Practice serves. What are your gifts off the mat? What did you learn last year that enthused you? Where do you want your Practice to take you in 2016? Grow awareness in simple poses. Expand awareness through Pranayama. Change awareness in meditation. Let this be a healing year for you, and let your mat be the magic carpet that moves under you for wellbeing, in supportive care.
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