READY, SET, GO!
We have waited long enough. We’re ready to make our moves now that Mars is finally inching its way forward and Mercury stations direct on January 18. Meanwhile, the Sun’s annual conjunction with secretive Pluto shines the light of awareness into the shadows of the subconscious mind, catalyzing deep emotional turmoil and transformation. Nevertheless, we still must practice patience since it takes a few days for Mercury to gain any traction at all while Mars barely moves two degrees by the end of the month.

Thankfully, we’ll feel the Sun’s entry into unconventional Aquarius on January 20, lightening our load of responsibilities and bringing new perspectives on our journey ahead. The Aquarius New Moon on January 21 is like a second-stage rocket booster, adding thrust to our newly established trajectory. But we won’t be allowed to blast ahead without a solid game plan in place because the Venus-Saturn conjunction, exact on January 22, is already busy erecting emotional walls and restraining us from expressing our desires. Although some of us may feel as though reality is raining on our parade, just minutes after the Venus-Saturn conjunction, rebellious Uranus turns direct, offering a thrilling alternative to the status quo.

All planets are moving direct for the last week of the month, freeing us to slowly but surely step away from those past circumstances which still continue to block our progress. We may experience a wave of frustration, especially if we fall into the trap of thinking that the future is already here. It’s on the way, but Mercury and Mars won’t move out of their respective retrograde shadows until February and March. Our lives may be sweetened when the love planet Venus slips into its favorite sign of compassionate Pisces on January 26. Venus in the watery sign of the Fish enables us to soften our boundaries, reveal our vulnerabilities, and deepen emotionally supportive relationships.

The radiant Sun forms a smooth trine to action-hero Mars on the 29th, motivating us to get up and go. We know what we want to do and we just do it. Additionally, communicator Mercury harmoniously trines electric Uranus, firing sparks of inspiration in our brains and emboldening us to share our brilliant ideas. Embracing the weird and stepping out of our comfort zones encourage creative breakthroughs. The dashing Mercury-Mars duo sets the stage for an exciting end of the month. During the last half of January, change may not be as sudden as we wish, but if we can remember to walk before we run, our progress is likely to be dramatic by February and March.