For the week of January 13th thru the 20th, be sure to read your Rising Sign as well:

Aries

Now that your ruling planet, Mars, is resuming its direct phase, you will gradually find your energy and enthusiasm returning. Don’t be surprised if initially it arises with a bit of agitation. Mars often revives itself with a touch of fire and brimstone. A little harmless banter can be inspiring. But Mars energy can also devolve into regrettable arguments and speech. Know that Mercury, the planet of communications is still retrograde until the 18th, and not much is likely to be achieved through argument or debate just yet. Take a cue from both your ruling planet and Mercury, and choose to pause instead. Pause before speaking. Pause before judging other’s actions, jumping to conclusions or making assumptions. If you are harboring a bit of fire in your belly, use that fire to attack an idea, project or problem, rather than being distracted by what other people are or are not supposed to be doing. You will need all that energy for after the New Moon on the 21st, when all systems will be resuming their forward momentum. 

Taurus

If you have been passive or nonchalant about your business affairs, or getting your finances in order, now that Mars is going to appear to be moving in direct motion again, you will find yourself being more proactive in this area of your life. People may or may not agree with your decisions concerning these (and there may even be a few heated discussions), but you will want to be taking a more hands on role in deciding how you do or do not want to spend your valuable time, money and resources. That could include looking for opportunities to increase your income. Wait until Mercury is direct again after the 18th before exploring new possibilities. Some of you may even be thinking in terms of furthering your education or increasing your knowledge, in order to further expand your horizons. Think practically. You will want to make your goals realistically achievable as well as affordable. 

Gemini

Mars has only just stationed direct in your sign. For those born on or around 8º of Gemini (around May 29th), you will be feeling Mars digging in to your sign. Like a thorn in your side, perhaps an actual one at that, you could find yourself riddled with inflammation, or just about ready to take on the world. Watch over the next few weeks as your energy levels increase, along with your motivation to DO something about your current circumstances. So whether you are plagued with an ache here or there, or itching to get moving, pace yourself, knowing that this rebound into the world at large needs to be approached gradually and carefully. And if you are needing to make an important decision, or have that important discussion, see if you can at least wait until your ruling planet, Mercury, is direct again after the 18th. It is not uncommon for us to change our minds (or have our plans change) during these weeks around the station of Mercury. And you will want to make sure that you have all the facts first, before signing on the dotted line, or proceeding with your plans. 

Cancer

We are heading into the dark of the Moon this week. And as we do so, first Mars has stationed for its direct phase, and now Mercury will do so as well on the 18th. This can feel like a pause, just before we are about to proceed. Rather than trying to start anything new, pay attention first to what needs to be released, fixed, finished or tied up. Doing this important work now will allow you to make space for and be prepared for the new beginnings to follow with the New Moon on the 21st. Mars can sometimes be agitating when it stations. But rather than filling these days with undue activity or distraction, use the time to clear out the clutter of your life, rest, cleanse, meditate and release whatever it is you are still holding on to. You will need that space and silence in order to receive much needed insights to guide you into the next busy phase of your life to come, when Mars will finally enter Cancer in March. 

Leo

This week we are all situating ourselves in order to take advantage of a rare forward momentum that will come with the New Moon in Aquarius on January 21st. In the mean time, with Mars and then Mercury stationing for their direct phases we’re all being asked to tie up any loose ends, fix whatever it is that needs fixing, and finish up whatever projects have been simmering on the back burner. This is a week of reorientation, as we are returning to a state that resembles what we usually associate with normalcy. And being able to organize your life, and get your bearings will help you to make sure that you know where you want to go, and how you are going to get there. For once Uranus stations direct on January 22nd, all planets will be direct at once, giving us that much needed drive and motivation to achieve our goals. This week is the ready and set, before we open the gate, and Go. 

Virgo

Now that Mars is direct again, it could feel like you are finally able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But it won’t be until Mercury is finally in its direct phase after the 18th, that you will have the confidence to gather the bits and pieces of your life together, and feel confident enough to fully proceed with plans for the future. Usually when Mars is in Gemini, as it has been since August, Virgo will feel driven and ambitious. However, with the recent retrograde phase many a Virgo may have been having second thoughts. Feeling a bit lackluster. Or feeling like it just takes way too much effort to proceed with any ambitious plans for the future. Now that both Mars and Mercury will be direct once again, much of that can change. Things that were seemingly delayed, thwarted or feeling impossible, might actually be achievable. And if it’s not, you can now more confidently explore what goals are realistically doable. Then go out and make them happen.  

Libra

Planets can be stronger, and dig in when they station. And with both Mars and now Mercury both stationing this week you may not want to say and/or share everything that is on your mind. There could be good cause for keeping some thoughts and ideas to yourself, at least until the New Moon on the 21st. This could be difficult, especially if you’ve been holding yourself back for the past several weeks. It will be all you can do to hold back any longer. If you are up for a debate, this can serve to clear the air. But just know that when you make any declarative statements, even over the dinner table, that people are not necessarily going to see things from the same point of view. Use this as an opportunity to look at things from another perspective. Even if it is apparent that they are totally wrong. But also know that if an idea really is as sound as you think it is, it will be able to stand up against even the most rigorous arguments. 

Scorpio

Thankfully Mars has finally stationed for its direct phase in the sign of Gemini. We rely on Mars to kindle our motivation and light the fire in our bones. Mars is what gets us moving, motivated and enthusiastic about life and its challenges. It will take some time for Mars to pick up normal speed once again, but in the mean time we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. As Mars has been simmering over the past few months that it has been in its retrograde phase, you may have been planning and plotting and trying to figure out how to make some sort of practical plan for the future. The reason why you may not have been willing to share your plans with others, is that you fear that they will not be on the same page, and this could arouse some sort of conflict. Or that you will let others down. But now that Mars (and soon Mercury) will be direct, there actually may be the opportunity for a solution that is not only practical and sustainable, but can satisfy both of your needs. Make some calls, see what is available, call in some favors, you just may be pleasantly surprised. 

Sagittarius

Mars stationing in Gemini can sometimes bring conflict (or aggravation with) those people upon whom you usually depend, and are closest to you. They appear argumentative and short-tempered. It may be that they are going through their own thing. But now that Mars is stationing retrograde it can bring up issues that had been simmering on the back burner, and can no longer be ignored. Mars can sometimes agitate arguments. If these are used as an opportunity to air old grievances and clear the air, that can be helpful to understand where you are both coming from, and what your expectations are of each other. You will want to iron these issues out, because once we reach the New Moon on the 21st, you will want to make sure that you are both on the same page. Using the direct motion of Mars positively will allow you to get a lot accomplished with your partner, when you are willing to take on a challenge together. 

Capricorn

Now that Mars will be direct again it will afford you the opportunity to fix those things that you’ve been kicking down the road, ignoring or not having the time for. Whether that means addressing a health issue that’s been limiting your mobility; or taking on a new physical health regime; or finishing up that project at work; you can finally get around to tying up some of these loose ends. Since the end of October, your busy schedule may have been interfering with you maintaining a more healthful lifestyle and organized routine. Now that both Mars and Mercury are poised to resume their direct phase once again, you can use these to take whatever actions are necessary in order to get you back on track. These are both reminders about self-improvement, reorganization and positive self-care. This week we are heading into the dark of the moon, which can be its own reminder that sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to simply pause for the moment, and stop to watch the geese fly overhead. 

Aquarius

Now that Mars has stationed for its direct phase, it is also positioned to benefit Aquarius. As a result you will gradually find your energy, motivation and mobility gradually returning. However, you might want to take your time. Although direct it will take several weeks for Mars to build up its momentum. And Mercury remains retrograde until the 18th any way. Therefore use this week to also pause, and see what the stations of these personal planets may be bringing you. This may not yet be apparent. But as things evolve over the next few weeks, you will want to orient yourself accordingly. Use the week to release what needs releasing, fix what needs fixing and tie up any loose ends. You will want to do this important work in order to make space for any new beginnings or inspiring ideas to come with the Super New Moon in Aquarius on January 21st. 

Pisces

Now that Mars is poised for its direct phase, you may be surprised by some repressed anger that is rising to the surface. This can sometimes happen when Mars stations. Things that we’ve been holding on to during the retrograde phase will gradually be unleashed. If that is so, use the energy that is being released to get you motivated. Mars is in Gemini, which for Pisces is a sign that is often associated with home. As such it can feel a little disrupting in an area where we would usually prefer some peace and serenity. Positively, this same energy can be used to get work done, do repairs, move the furniture around, or do a deep cleaning. Know that Mercury is still retrograde until the 18th, so this would not be a good time to have that heart to heart, or confront others about a specific issue. Rather, take a cue from Mercury and Mars as they appear to pause, and do so as well. This will help you to reorient yourself, and make sense of any new information that may be arising, before arriving at any conclusions.