This is Chipwitch Today, your daily source of reliable data upon which you can base your daily practice.
Solar activity was low due to several C-class flares and as background X-ray flux continued at C-class levels. Five sunspot groups were present on the visible solar disk, with Region 3179 (N14W92, Hsx/alpha) nearly rotated out of view around the west limb. Region 3177 (S19W23, Csi/beta) is a north-south aligned bipolar group. Despite the lack of strong magnetic shear and only a few, weak positive polarity spots, the region produced the largest flare of the period - a C8.4 flare at 04/1845 UTC. Region 3180 (N19E03, Dsi/beta-gamma) decreased slightly in spot coverage, but retained its mildly mixed magnetic configuration. Remaining regions were little changed or underwent some decay. The anticipated AR just beyond the southeast limb that was expected to rotate into view today began to materialize along the limb. As of this report, a notable, yet foreshortened, magnetic field was evident in available magnetograms and a likely spot just becoming slightly visible in intensitygrams.
The solar kp index is quiet, with no changes to retrograde effects. The solar wind speed is currently above average, making retrograde effects moderately increased.
Solar wind parameters were indicative of a slow CME arrival (likely the anticipated 30 Dec CME). Total IMF strength increased and peaked at 19 nT and remained at 15-17 nT most of the period. The Bz component initially deflected southward with the primary magnetic field driver arrival at about 04/0149 UTC. Bz remained southward until near 04/0900 UTC, when it turned northward. Solar wind speed was primarily 375-425 km/s, with earlier peaks closer to 450 km/s. The phi angle was predominantly positive, but deflected into a negative sector at about 04/1800 UTC.
There is a 25% chance of solar activity, with a 30% chance of a minor event, a 20% chance of a moderate event, and a 5% chance of a strong event.
The waxing moon is currently in Gemini, at 26 degrees, 06' 34", at a velocity of 12 degrees per day.
The Full moon is currently 13.2 days old. It is 401759.82 km from the centre of the Earth.
The next new moon is at 20:55:30, 21 Jan, 2023. The next full moon is at 18:30:44, 5 Feb, 2023.
The moon in Gemini is your time to get social. Reach out and communicate, and remember that listening is always better than speaking. Negotiate now if you've got that on your plate. Do your research, pick up that book, and watch that documentary.
Why? Because Gemini moon means that you are also easily distracted, so something upon which to focus is a good idea, and some good progress can come of it.
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The Sun
The Sun is in Capricorn
The Sun is at 14 Cap 38' 02", and is 147099080 km away and receding.
Winter arrives in the northern hemisphere when the Sun moves into cool Capricorn. There’s a serious tone about this time of year because it’s when we look for new hope in a time of darkness. Just as the Capricorn symbol of the Mountain Goat climbs higher and higher, most of us will work hard toward bigger and better things during this time.
Capricorn is an Earth sign ruled by karmic planet Saturn, so when the Sun moves into this sign, we’ll all spend a little time contemplating the karmic lessons from the past year. This transit also urges us come up with new goals and take the first steps toward achieving them. It’s no coincidence that the New Year happens under the Capricorn Sun!
Things get a little more buttoned up when the Sun moves into conservative Capricorn. Take care of business. This persevering Goat likes to be in control, which helps them stay on track as they climb the ladder of success. Act like a Capricorn by getting organized and planning for the future! Capricorn is known for being bossy, but it’s because they care so much. If you need to take charge and get a little bossy so you can get things done, go ahead while the Capricorn Sun is shining!
Watch out for burnout! Capricorn’s biggest struggle is finding time for fun in the midst of getting things done. Remember to take a break every once in a while and have a few laughs. Capricorn is the most masterful zodiac sign, fierce and determined to be the very best at whatever game they play. This transit will help you harness some of that winning Capricorn energy for yourself.
The Moon
The Moon is in Gemini
The Moon will change from Gemini to Cancer in the next 24 hours.
The Moon is at 26 Gem 06' 34", and is 403394 km away and receding.The moon in Gemini is your time to get social. Reach out and communicate, and remember that listening is always better than speaking. Negotiate now if you've got that on your plate. Do your research, pick up that book, and watch that documentary.
Why? Because Gemini moon means that you are also easily distracted, so something upon which to focus is a good idea, and some good progress can come of it.
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Mercury
Mercury is in Capricorn
Mercury is retrograde at 19 Cap 53' 35", moving backwards at 1.21 degrees per day, and is 102459737 km away and approaching.
Capricorn is the businessman of the zodiac, with its sights set on efficiency and success. While Mercury spends time here, we are inspired to think and act in ways that will help us reach our goals. Capricorn’s influence clears up our thoughts, helping us hone in on the most important and fruitful ideas. We’re also able to be more direct in our communication during this transit, cutting down on misunderstandings and wasted time.
One of the biggest benefits during Mercury in Capricorn is the building of ideas. The many thoughts that run through our minds are easier to organize, and we can see them like puzzle pieces, arranging them until they fit together in the way that makes the most sense. Once we can see our ideas as a solid form, we are able to take action and turn them into reality.
While we tend to be straightforward during this transit, we must beware of the tone we take when interacting with others. Capricorn is acutely aware of hierarchies, which means that conversation may become more controlling than constructive. We all think our ideas are the best ideas during Mercury in Capricorn, but if we spend too much time worrying about who’s in charge, we won’t end up getting much done.
Venus
Venus is in Aquarius
Venus is prograde at 02 Aqu 43' 41", moving at 1.25 degrees per day, and is 238581442 km away and approaching.
The line between love and friendship is very thin once Venus enters Aquarius! Aquarius rules friendship and groups of all kinds, so during this transit, we often find ourselves falling for people we already know. We may realize those we’ve previously written off as "just friends" could be our perfect match. The likelihood of meeting a new lover through mutual friends and social outings also increases greatly while Venus is in Aquarius.
Aquarius is less attached to its emotions than other signs, relying more on the head than the heart when relating to others. We aren’t so interested in connecting over passionate encounters and sweet nothings while Venus is in Aquarius. Instead, we want to unite with those who think the same as we do. Aquarius’ loose grip on love gives Venus room to move, making love less sticky and partnership less confining. Those who like the warm and squishy stuff might find others a bit standoffish during this transit. However, the Aquarian approach is less possessive and can bring a needed breath of reason and fresh air to partnerships.
If in a committed relationship, Venus in Aquarius lightens the level of intimacy and encourages us to reconnect with the honesty, friendship, and common interests that drew us to our partners in the first place. Working together on an environmental or social cause that’s meaningful to both partners can also help rekindle hearts during this transit. We may even find that we feel a lot freer to be individuals within our relationships. Venus in Aquarius makes it clear that pursuing our own passions separately enriches what we bring back to our relationships.
For people who are single and ready to mingle, this is one of the best times to do it! The planet of love and desire in the sign of idealism and creativity puts an unconventional, even experimental, flair on romance, and opens our minds about who and how we love. Parties with friends, organized meetups, and protests and other social causes are hotspots for meeting like-minded lovers now. And because Aquarius also likes things a little weird, we may find ourselves interested in people and experiences that we have never been attracted to before. Long story short: The more open we are now, the more likely we are to find love.
While Venus is in Aquarius, we are drawn to modern, original forms of art and personal style. It’s a great time to experiment with new ways of dress and decor. We also find greater benefit from high-tech gadgets, and splurging on new electronics now can help us well beyond this transit.
Mars
Mars is in Gemini
Mars is retrograde at 08 Gem 30' 33", moving backwards at 0.1 degrees per day, and is 99431431 km away and receding.
You can say goodbye to boredom while active Mars moves through curious Gemini. With Mars in Gemini, we’re so excited to explore new ideas and start new hobbies that we have no interest in sitting around idly. There’s so much out there to discover, and Mars’ transit through Gemini is just the time to do it.
However, because there are so many things that pique our interest during this transit, it’s hard to stay focused on one thing for too long. The challenge is to stay on track, or to realize that many tracks can take us to our goal. Diversity is the name of Gemini’s game, and Mars in Gemini is about tasting, rather than making a total commitment. We have a greater amount of flexibility when it comes to how we go after what we want. If Plan A doesn’t work out, it’s no problem. We can quickly come up with a Plan B, C, and even D.
Gemini is a childlike, fun-loving sign, but Mars in Gemini isn’t all fun and games. We’re quick to move from one thing to the next during this transit, but there could be consequences for leaving projects unfinished. We’re like butterflies, flitting about a garden of interests. This satisfies our need for discovery, but it could also make us feel generally scattered and unfocused.
Because Mars is the planet of action and drive, it’s no surprise that it’s also the planet of passion and sex. While Mars is in Gemini, the greatest erogenous zone becomes the brain, and we simply must have mental stimulation with our partners before anything else. A meeting of the minds is the biggest turn-on of all when Mars treks through this sign.
Jupiter
Jupiter is in Aries
Jupiter is prograde at 01 Ari 43' 55", moving at 0.13 degrees per day, and is 759508096 km away and receding.
Our minds are on fire during Jupiter in Aries, ignited with innovative ideas and lightning bolts of intuition. This is an opportunity to let go of the limits of our past and come up with new solutions for the future. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac and is always willing to step fearlessly into uncharted territory. During this transit, we can see possibilities to better ourselves that we simply couldn't see before. With Jupiter in Aries, it's not about taking our time to slowly map out a strategized plan, it's about feeling the spark of inspiration and running with it. The more time we take, the more restrictions and problems we realize, which will hold us back. We are encouraged to shoot from the hip, knowing that every experience is a learning experience that helps us grow.
While Jupiter often encourages us to learn from others, Jupiter in Aries is more about self-teaching and self-learning. We mustn't be afraid to take risks and try things, whether we feel prepared or not. Trying and succeeding and trying and failing are both valuable ways of learning and growing. In fact, it may even be harder to maintain attention in a traditional "teacher-and-student" educational setting during this transit, because we need to learn things our own way.
There can, however, be a danger in becoming so focused on ourselves and our own viewpoints. Opinions run hot during Jupiter in Aries, and we're impatient for action, which can fan the flames of confrontation both politically and socially. When we reject the importance of two-way dialogue, we close ourselves off to learning -- and that is a Jupiter no-no! Even though there's extra emphasis on our personal mindsets during this transit, we stifle ourselves if we think too narrowly. Remember, this is a time to expand, not to contract.
During Jupiter's transit through Aries, we make our own luck. When we embrace the power we have to control the direction of our lives, we are able to open up opportunities, solutions, relationships, and fortune that we were blind to before. Jupiter wants us to expand and embrace our potential as individuals, and to realize that we each hold the key to our big, bright, and happy futures, but it is up to us to put it in the lock and turn.
Saturn
Saturn is in Aquarius
Saturn is prograde at 22 Aqu 51' 10", moving at 0.1 degrees per day, and is 1583947045 km away and receding.
Aquarian energy is humanitarian. It is full of boundless ideas about what will improve the lives of others, and how shared efforts can make the world a better place. As the 11th sign of the zodiac, Aquarius rules over the 11th House of Groups and Visions. This is the playground of visionaries, inventors, and creators. But as with anything airy, this sign exists primarily on the mental plane. This is why when grounded and pragmatic Saturn moves into Aquarius, the two inspire each other in truly monumental ways.
With this focus on structure in the realm of groups and visions, now is the perfect time for us to connect with others and take action on our most lofty plans: find ways to give back to the community, network in some way with people in your field, or lay the groundwork for that non-profit that's been kicked around for ages.
Saturn in Aquarius can also be a very auspicious time to begin or deepen a relationship. This transit brings people together to reach beyond the individual’s capabilities. Romances or marriages that are established during this time are some of the most powerful and activated unions of all.
As much as this transit strengthens and deepens connections, it also has the potential to end that which is no longer serving us (or maybe never did in the first place). Be on the lookout for people and connections that drain you, and be ready to let them go. Now is the time for building sturdy and lasting structures. Sometimes this means letting go of weak links in friendship, love, and work.
Uranus
Uranus is in Taurus
Uranus is retrograde at 15 Tau 04' 33", moving backwards at 0.02 degrees per day, and is 2865236465 km away and receding.
Taurus is a sign that likes things steady and stable, and isn’t the best at handling big, sudden changes. But big, sudden changes are what Uranus is all about! Taurus would prefer to stick to the status quo and keep doing things the way they’ve always been done. The problem is, the old ways aren’t always the best ways. Even if we are resistant to the changes Uranus in Taurus brings, we have no choice but to go along for the ride, and, chances are, we’ll realize in the end that these changes brought us to a much better place.
Money is Taurus’ main area of expertise, so while Uranus is in Taurus, we can expect some very revolutionary ways of handling and dealing with money, both nationwide and worldwide. During the seven years Uranus will spend in Taurus, brand-new forms of currency may arise, banks and banking could come to a halt or change dramatically, and the housing and stock markets may be in for a major shake-up.
On a more personal level, Uranus in Taurus encourages us to break free from the grips of money: debt, taxes, credit card interest, rent, and mortgages are all things that can prevent us from saving money or using it the way we want to. We may also feel trapped by our material possessions in general. During this transit, we must be ready and willing to change our relationship to money and materialism.We no longer have a choice. Uranus is here to liberate us, and digging in our heels and resisting won’t make things any easier, and won’t stop these changes from happening. The changes we make during this period can actually help bring us to a point of greater stability, and can be very long-lasting.
Neptune
Neptune is in Pisces
Neptune is prograde at 22 Pis 56' 37", moving at 0.02 degrees per day, and is 4527113461 km away and receding.
Neptune in Pisces grants us a unique form of sight. As the Piscean focus on emotion and spirit merges with Neptune’s pull to unify all things, a clarity emerges from the fog, shedding light on our own contradictions. We can suddenly see clearly the futility of caring about petty differences. The value of coming together shines like gold, and the path to wholeness is illuminated.
This transit calls us to look at what we each can contribute toward our collective progress and healing. We all have gifts, ideas, and dreams for how things could be. Neptune in Pisces is an invitation to explore our emotional intelligence for our own unique offerings.
This is the perfect time to take a course in a spiritual path that calls to us, or to create an altar space at home and connect with that which feels most sacred. The energy of Neptune in Pisces nudges us to consider how to then share these ideas with the world, and reminds us that its presence will support us in this process.
Pluto
Pluto is in Capricorn
Pluto is prograde at 27 Cap 47' 38", moving at 0.03 degrees per day, and is 5331098165 km away and receding.
Pluto and Capricorn are both oriented toward success and power, sharing a strong sense of intention and focus that makes them very efficient in their tasks. We may find that our compassion for the viewpoints of other people gets cast aside during this transit, though, since both Pluto and Capricorn demand results. Beware of being intolerant of ideas other than your own.
Pluto wants us to jettison our negative patterns that no longer work for us. Of course, this involves some constructive destruction. Be deliberate in what you destroy as you create.
The Sun
Venus
Oh my, oh my! A good deal has changed this week! Pay attention, #Gemini and #Cancer, for that waxing Full Moon illuminates your stars! Will you embrace the #RetrogradeEffects of #Mercury and #Mars or will you take hold of the increased #SolarWindSpeed and forge a new path? #OurFatesAreInTheStars