Philip Sedgwick "Skyscraping" 1/1/25 - "Clean Slate"

SkyScraping: Clean Slate ~ 1 Jan 2025

Happy New Year, One and All!

Every year, people typically allege the year starts with a clean slate. Last year is done. New resolutions fill the list made during the holiday scramble and it’s time to get on with making the most out of everything that you intend to accomplish during the upcoming calendar year.

This year, however, there are a couple of extenuating factors to add to the mix as the year commences. A key factor is that on 3 January, Mars retrograde in Leo opposes Pluto in Aquarius. This is the second of three Mars-Pluto oppositions and likely feels the most discombobulating, despite the fact that the planets involve share sign rulership.

The previous opposition took shape back in early November with Mars in Cancer and Pluto in Capricorn. Yes, this feels different in tone and theme, however, the action items required are the same here as January’s early days unfold. The urge is to rally ones inner spark, ignite the desire and intention to get on with the getting on and in this case, work for what one believes to be individually beneficial. As a person steps forward and engages life, by direct impact, these personal accomplishments feed into the collective needs of the world.

Within this opposition there is no embarrassment required for modifying ones adamant assertions that took place in the first week of November. One might think, “God, it’s only three days into the New Year and already, things are shifting for the top spot on the to-do list.” That’s how it seems. All previous desires and their declarations still apply. However, now they apply with the realization that the efforts of ones actions extend far beyond what one does for ones own betterment - humanitarianism enters the mix.

The final Mars opposition to Pluto happens on 26 April. It is reasonable to anticipate that no full impact in the real world with ones greatest aspirations can be tangibly perceived until the end of the first third of the year. Surely this tests Mars’ basic patience threshold. It is important, though, to not lose the intention to do what must be done regardless of life frustrations. “Smile,” says Mars in Leo. “Act like you’re loving it and keep doing it! It will congeal.”

Okay, so what are those annual things that happen early every January that immediately challenge resolutions and their associated gumption?

Every year in the first few calendar days Earth achieves perihelion. This marks our planet’s closest approach to the Sun within its annual revolution. This year, perihelion takes place on 4 January. At this point in its orbit, the Earth holds fastest daily movement around the Sun and concurrently, experiences the most intense gravitational tug from our star. As well, all solar radiation is felt through the shortest distance - and it is stronger. Symbolically, perihelion emphasizes urgency in all matters mundane. All worldly things seem so damn important, perhaps to an exaggerated degree. Things feel heavier. Things feel as if they are going too fast for you to keep up and remain clear. Focus long term - on the end game.

Next up is astrologers day, or Magi Day, annually on 6 January. This is the day that the Zoroastrian priests - the wise men - arrived at the manger to honor the birth of Jesus, according to the story. This is purely symbolic as historical scholars, including the assistance of astronomers, have concluded the birth of Jesus occurred most likely in March or September. And there’s the thing about the gifts: Are frankincense and myrrh as valuable as gold? Which of the wise men gave what gift and does that matter? The point of Magi Day is propitiation. Consciously offer, everything you have to offer, with appreciation for its existence in your life, to whomever or whatever you perceive the Divine to be.

Two to three days later, Mercury, barely in Capricorn, makes a conjunction to fastest spinning pulsar - an x-ray eclipsing binary pulsar. Such pulsars, of which there are a plethora in Sagittarius and Capricorn, transmit blips of consciousness for our consumption. It’s like reading a bumper sticker or a space-limited cyber post. Read it. Perceive it. Make it count. Be insightful. Create your own post - an original post.

Perhaps the greatest aspect of the fastest spinning pulsar is its ability to use a consciousness blip as a trigger of enlightenment that induces a great release. The only “rule” is that one cannot persist in over analysis of any previous situation, and most important, the axiom, “Speak of this no more,” seals the deal. When done, and when you’ve let go, close the door on the need to recall, repeat thoughts and reiterate what has been cleared.

This all breaks down to a few bullet points consistent with the pulsars’ points:

Set huge intentions for yourself and your outreach.
Establish priorities for all urgent perceptions.
Propitiate to the Divine.
Declare the past complete.
Chin up, engage on the exhale!

More soon.