Keeping the Faith

Happy New Year!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. Personally, I experienced a significant energy crash during Mars retrograde. While 2024 brought many highs, the overworking left me drained. Just today, I’m starting to feel my energy return, and I’m committing to maintaining more balance in 2025. 

Here’s what’s coming up:

• Free Webinar: The Nodal Shift into Pisces and Virgo
  Join me for an insightful session. Participants can request a hot take reading.
• OPA Mentorship: Business Expansion for Astrologers
  A program for aspiring and current astrologers begins on February 16..
• Lunar Planning Workshop
  Happening in Sacramento, CA, on February 23.
• Astrology Foundation 101
  Starting February 27, this course is perfect for anyone looking to learn astrology from the ground up. Stay tuned for more details.

I was honored to be interviewed by writer Chrissy Rutherford for her newsletter about the Astrology of 2025—a year unlike any other. My word for the year is FAITH. In alignment with this, I’ve created mentoring packages with 3, 6, or 12 sessions for those seeking significant breakthroughs. As always, the Celestial Insights podcast is here to help you navigate the energies of the week. 

Unfortunately, 2025 has begun with tragedy for the beautiful city of Los Angeles. If you’re looking to help, Vanity Fair Magazine has compiled a list of resources.

Certain planetary transits have the power to transform us forever. Planetary returns occur when a planet returns to the same position it occupied at your birth, often marking pivotal life milestones.

One such transit is the Chiron return, typically experienced around age 50. Known as the "wounded healer," Chiron brings old wounds to the surface for profound healing. It can be an incredibly humbling period, one that feels like being brought to your knees—but it also offers the potential for deep transformation.

The United States is currently experiencing a Chiron return. Chiron resides in Aries, in the 4th house of land and rebels, in the country’s natal chart. Aries is a cardinal fire sign—bold, initiating, and self-focused. The wounded healer Chiron, half-man and half-horse, represents the duality of pain and healing. This energy is reflected in the nation's challenges due to climate change. These wounds are self-inflicted.

At the same time, the U.S. recently experienced our first Pluto return, a 248-year cycle. Pluto, the planet of destruction and rebirth, exposes hidden truths, humbles the ego, and burns away what no longer serves, leaving space for reconstruction. This intense transit reveals the soul of a nation, stripping it down to its foundations.

Transit Pluto in Aquarius is in a harmonious trine with the Midheaven (MC) at 1° Libra, representing the country's executive branch, public image, and reputation. Libra, symbolized by the hand mirror, reflects the themes of balance and justice. However, the draining South Node just left the U.S. midheaven, signaling a reputation that has suffered on the global stage. Pluto in Aquarius highlights the collective, bringing challenges and renewal opportunities. Significant changes initiated by the new administration will impact us deeply. 

Mars stationed retrograde in Leo in the U.S. 8th house, associated with shadows, death, and rebirth. Retrogrades are periods of reflection and revelation, often pulling back the veil to expose what lies beneath. Mars, the planet of action, war, and passion, can bring intense energy, but its retrograde motion in Leo—a fire sign that rules celebrity and leadership—suggests struggles with power and control.

During this retrograde, claims were made by the President-elect about potential military interventions in Greenland and the Panama Canal. Astrologically, the timing of these statements during retrograde suggests that these threats may lack substance. Meanwhile, the devastating LA fires have become the defining story of this cycle.

Hours before the fires began, Mars backed into Cancer at the critical 29° degree—associated with crisis and decay—fueled the chaos. Massive winds and dry conditions intensified the flames, coinciding with the North Node’s activation of the 0° Aries world point. Aries is a fire sign, and this degree signifies initiation and pivotal action. These events are stark reminders of astrology’s literal manifestations.

Adding to this, the nodal shift has brought the amplifying North Node into watery Pisces and the draining South Node into earthy Virgo, both at 29°, a degree of crisis and transformation. Pisces governs themes of compassion, charity, spirituality, and water-related issues. Its shadow side includes illness, deception, conspiracies, and homelessness, which we are already witnessing. Planes dropping water over raging fires and donations pouring in to aid those affected exemplify both the high road and the challenges of this nodal shift.

Virgo, an earth sign, represents precision and practicality. Yet at 29°, it highlights the harsh realities of the climate crisis. Hard choices are being made as people weigh whether to stay in or leave fire-prone areas. While blame for the LA fires is circulating, it’s clear that climate change and insufficient infrastructure investment have left the nation in a deeply wounded state.

This week’s Full Moon in Cancer adds an emotional climax. Cancer rules home, family, and foundations, bringing themes of security and nurture to the forefront. The Moon’s conjunction with fiery Mars retrograde in Cancer, combined with Eris—the goddess of chaos—stationing direct, suggests heightened tensions. Astrologically, conditions may worsen before they improve.

Yet, through this chaos, there is always an opportunity for growth and renewal. California, a land of hopes and dreams, has faced immense challenges before and emerged stronger. The fires remind us of the resilience required to rebuild and the unity needed to heal.

2025 will be a transformative year of reckoning, rebuilding, and reimagining what’s possible. 

Keep the faith,

Celeste