In a lot of ways, this time of year is (as my Dad would put it) “nothing to write home about.” The social and festive demands of the holiday season are over, and we all stumble a bit hungover into a new year only to realize that the only thing that’s really changed is the last digit on the calendar. The start of January seems to be more defined by negatives than by positives: it’s not Christmas, New Year’s Eve is over, and odds are good you’ve already messed up on your New Year’s resolutions. Take heart though: this year, the planets will help you to make a relatively gentle transition between “end of the year disappointment” and the inevitable pressures and letdowns that come with Valentine’s Day.
Astrologers: we’re such optimists!
Mercury enters Aquarius on Tuesday and spends the week within conjunction range of Venus. When Mercury and Venus work together, your thoughts and communications can become brighter, more creative, and more charming. Personal puzzles are a little easier to solve, and the right word at the right time is easier to find.
Meanwhile, both Mercury and Venus are sextile Saturn, which is in the first degree of Sagittarius. The thoughtful and potentially poetic charms of Mercury and Venus together receive the gift of a little backbone from Saturn. Many of us will have the opportunity to turn conflicts into cease-fires, and cease-fires into peace treaties.
It is a good time to make peace and make love, and for “making love” we will need a little Mars action. Mars is at the far end of Aquarius, and during the early part of the week it is still in opposition range to Jupiter in Leo. On the one hand, this opposition might make it harder for you to keep a lid on when tensions are building. On the other hand, if Mercury and Venus were left in charge of everything, it would be a pleasant enough world but nothing would ever get done. Use this energy wisely and you could make some breakthroughs happen.
The Sun is in the middle third of Capricorn, and is forming a sextile to Chiron. Chiron is a little tricky to work with in practical terms: it represents all sorts of wounds and psychological bugaboos that are hard to see and even to describe at times. But given the other circumstances in the Zodiac this week, it might be a time for reflection and to overcome mental obstacles you’ve carried around with you from your past.
The weekend dating scene is a mixed bag at best. Yes, the Mercury-Venus combo makes for excellent conditions, but The Moon is Void of Course most of the day Saturday. You will likely get better results with an existing relationship than with striking up something new.