Skywatch January

January begins with a full wolf moon at the time of Perihelion.

3rd January

The full moon rises below the stars Castor and Pollux, near to the planet Jupiter and above Procyon, the brightest star of the little wolf or dog - Canis Minor.  

This year's January full moon coincides with the annual Quadrantids meteor shower peak.  Although the visibility of the shower may be affected by the brightness of the moon, any activity is supposed to come from the Quadrantid's radiant below the handle of the Big Dipper, near to the bright Arcturus.

January 3rd is also the time of Earth's perihelion - our closest approach to the sun.

6th January

Venus reaches superior conjunction with the sun (coming into direct alignment with the Earth, "behind" the sun) in the constellation Sagittarius.  Round about the same time, there is a lunar conjunction with the star Regulus in Leo the Lion.  All this at the time of the "Epiphany" when the Earth is bathed in the closest rays from the sun.  Happy sun-time everyone!

9th January

Mars reaches solar conjunction; an auspicious time to pray for the red pandas, sending blessings of love, light, strength and protection to our most venerable relatives.

10th January

Jupiter reaches opposition in Gemini.  Observations of the planet Jupiter and her moons are therefore optimal at this time.

18th January

New moon between Sagittarius and Capricorn, with planets Venus, Mars and Mercury.  A beautiful way to begin the new lunar cycle in balance and harmony.

21st January

Mercury reaches superior solar conjunction in the constellation Capricornus, lending sensible, practical and grounded flavour to communications and thoughts.  This may also be an auspicious time for receiving messages from the Earth and sun via the minerals and crystals of the Earth. 

23rd January

A planetary line-up occurs at sunset today, as Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Neptune and the moon form an arc at twilight.  Planetary line-ups often mean that there is an increased amount of synchronicity - interconnectivity and creative inspiration via dreams and the imagination.  Dream big everyone!  But keep humble and thank the Earth at every opportunity.