MONTH OF January
Double up, Cancer. January is your relationship high season as the Sun illuminates the two most partnership-driven zones of your chart: Capricorn (your seventh house of one-on-one unions) and Aquarius (your eighth house of intimacy and mergers). With lucky Jupiter now rocketing through Aries and your tenth house of success and leadership until May 16, the first half of 2023 is infused with “dynamic duo” energy, especially in your career.
With so much happening, you’ll need some extra hands, Crab. Delegate with discernment, though, because not everyone will be a reliable supporter, even those with the best intentions. Communication and technology planet Mercury is retrograde in Capricorn until January 18, scrambling signals with some of your go-to supporters.
Energy planet Mars is also ending a long retrograde on January 12 in Gemini, your healing and restful twelfth house, where it will linger until March 25. Active Mars has been here on an extended trip through this dreamy zone since August 20, 2022, but it’s been retrograde since October 30, disrupting your ability to finish anything! If you’ve been swinging between feeling wired and tired, this may be part of the reason.
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The first quarter of 2023 will be a work hard-rest hard cycle. You may have to force yourself to unplug as there will always be a million things to do. Luckily, your team will pick up steam starting January 22, when trailblazing Uranus ends a five-month retrograde in Taurus and your collaboration zone. After that, there are zero retrograde planets for a few months, and stalled group endeavors will gain speed!
That same day also kicks off the Lunar Year of the Water Rabbit, a gentler energy that will suit your Cancerian style much more than the erratic and anxious Water Tiger that’s prowled the skies since February 1, 2022. Creativity, compassion and community are the Rabbit’s speed. Now that’s more like it!
Double up: It’s Capricorn season until January 20
Your last year was highly independent, and you’re moving into another round of that in the first half of 2023. But newsflash, Crab: Teaching the troops to fish instead of doing it all yourself is part of your ongoing growth as a leader.
Good news: Until January 20, the Sun in Capricorn helps you hone your partnership skills—the balance between giving and receiving, communication and compromise. Your sensitive sign has a tendency to become one with your own feelings and as a result, to NOT reach out for support. Make a resolution to flip that script.
Capricorn season is also a great time to put things in perspective and think about your closest ties, both romantic and professional. With Mercury retrograde in Capricorn until January 18, you might be doing some relationship repair this month too. Schedule some dates where you can slow down and connect: Take a stroll around your favorite park if it’s warm enough; spend an afternoon at a museum or take a virtual tour if you’re playing it safe regarding viruses.
You could connect with a powerful ally on January 18, when the Sun and insightful Pluto make their once-a-year alignment. The bond could feel instant and almost karmic, like a deja vu. Combining your superpowers might just make its own brand of magic. Explore this kindred-spirit connection, whether it’s romantic, professional or a friendship. In your existing ties, take a courageous inhale and talk about a topic that’s been weighing on you. Deep-diving Pluto and the bold Sun help you get to the root of any friction that’s come between you. Set the stage (and maybe lay a few ground rules) to have a private conversation where both parties feel safe, taking care not to project your emotional baggage onto the other person.
But…Mercury is retrograde in Capricorn until January 18
There might be a few bumclass=”body-el-link standard-body-el-link” ps in the road, though, as communicator Mercury is retrograde in Capricorn until January 18, potentially causing some mishaps in your closest bonds. Decisions you make during this period might not be lasting or will need to be altered in some way since your thinking could be clouded. You may not have all the pieces of the puzzle just yet. It’s not the greatest time to bring up a new issue, but revisiting unfinished business should be productive. Since Mercury retrograde can foil technology, watch what you put in email or online as you could accidentally offend. Avoid signing contracts until later in January if possible.
Star of the year! The January 6 Cancer full moon spotlights YOU
Front and center! The first full week of 2023 ends with a January 6 full moon in your sign. You’re catapulted into action as la luna shines her spotlight on YOUR personal dreams and desires. Declare those to the universe or a few of your closest connections and record them somewhere you won’t forget.
This will be a moment of eye-opening clarity that doesn’t come around every day. Under these assertive moonbeams, you may be tempted to speak up or confront someone. If you were biting your tongue over the holidays to keep the peace, it could all come gushing out now. But you MIGHT want to give yourself a couple days to let your anger simmer down before you unleash it. Vent to a neutral friend to get it out of your system. With this full moon in tight opposition to Mercury retrograde, words will truly be irrevocable.
Every year, the first full moon is either in Cancer or Leo, which sets the tone for the entire year. Since it’s in your sign this year, your own personal desires and passions will be prominent. While you’ll have a busy work and social schedule, make sure to devote time all throughout 2023 to your own passions. Watch a tendency to let responsibilities and your desire to be a good team player overshadow your cherished personal priorities. They need and deserve airtime, too!
Going deep! Aquarius season starts January 20
On January 20, the Sun enters Aquarius, your eighth house of intensity and joint ventures, putting you in a rather focused frame of mind. Concentrate on going deeper with your closest bonds, forging new emotional connections, sharing more of your vulnerability and maybe even merging your financial assets. In business, you might be extra resourceful too, drawing in the backing of a heavy-hitter or signing a lucrative deal. There’s a little extra mojo behind the way you conduct your business now, Crab. Tap into your inner strength and introspective ways.
Enter the Water Rabbit: Aquarius new moon and Lunar New Year’s Eve on January 21
Crabs may walk sideways, but life will be bunny-hopping ahead when the Water Rabbit takes charge from January 21, 2023, until February 9, 2024. The past year, ruled by the cagey and unpredictable Water Tiger, has not been a comfort zone for you, Cancer. Just when things seemed secure or predictable, the Tiger pulled the rug out from under you. This seemingly cruel cycle will flow into a more compassionate and creative one as Lunar New Year’s Eve rides in with the Aquarius new moon. Think about the bonds you want to deepen, the people who’ve earned inner-circle and top-tier status and whose superpowers will amplify yours in the right proportions. Rabbits famously multiply, so contemplate what you want MORE of in your life and put your energy there.
Uranus retrograde ends on January 22
Time to get the band back together? This January 22, changemaker Uranus ends a five-month retrograde in Taurus and your eleventh house of teamwork and technology. A collaboration that stalled late summer could get percolating again. Digital endeavors get a boost from tech-savvy Uranus’ forward momentum. Get back to launching your online presence and refresh your profiles on any social platforms you’re on.
Have you fallen out of touch with a few important people? You could be inspired to re-engage with the world, perhaps getting involved in a cause you care about. An electrifying new friendship or crew could help you see other possibilities for your passion projects. Bonus benefit: You’ll feel like you belong to something that matters, a purpose on that planet. The mental and emotional perks of that will have a great ripple effect.
Romantic weather report: strong feelings ahead! Your love life takes a turn for the intimate this month. On January 2, Venus splashes into Aquarius and your erotic eighth house, turning up the heat. With the seductive planet here until January 26, you can nudge things forward in a key relationship or turn a casual physical connection into something more meaningful. Couples might feel ready to make a permanent move or deal with emotions you’ve been conveniently avoiding. Strong sexual chemistry will be matched by equally potent emotions—even something you intend as just a fling could take a surprising turn for the serious.
On January 12, Mars ends a ten-week retrograde in Gemini and your restful twelfth house of closure and fantasy, where it will stay until March 25. This Mars phase could dredge up some latent anger or resentment, especially if you’ve been stuffing down your feelings about something in the past. You may feel suspicious or paranoid, but it’s hard to say whether this is your intuition or old anxiety projecting itself onto your current situation.
On the upside, sexy Mars in this fantasy-fueled sector can set the stage for a windswept affair. For couples, a beachy getaway may be exactly what the cosmos ordered. Single? While you might have a “suddenly soulmates” feeling, the twelfth house is the zone of imagination, and there’s a chance your rose-tinted vision isn’t exactly revealing the real person here. Keep your wits about you, especially before Mars turns direct (forward) on January 12, when you’re especially prone to miscalculations. Your suspicious side could flare up, too, so don’t let those insecurities tempt you into snooping or breaking trust just because you’re feeling paranoid. Address these concerns through direct and mature communication only.
On January 9, Venus and Mars will unite in a golden 120-degree trine. Their combination in these sultry zones could spark serious chemistry or put you in the mood for a slow, sensual seduction. Cultivate an air of mystery now, even though Mars tempts you to put it all out on the table. Show ’em you’ve got a wild and adventurous side, then draw back a little, leaving them hungry to find out more!
Craving a vacation? From January 26 to February 20, Venus will visit Pisces and your ninth house of travel and risk-taking. Valentine’s month getaways are a “yes” for you, Crab, no matter what your relationship status. You’ll feel much more open to new experiences and people now—and don’t be surprised if you attract someone with a very different profile than your usual type.
Bring on the dynamic duos! Until January 20, the Sun is in Capricorn, lighting up your seventh house of one-on-one partnerships. After that, things get even deeper when el Sol moves into Aquarius and your eighth house of joint ventures, mergers and investments. No need to feel like you’re nagging, either: The January 6 Cancer full moon will act as your publicist, making you look like the go-to person on everyone’s list. Don’t be surprised if the first official workday back puts you in high demand.
It’s so easy to get caught up in all you have to DO and to forget that people and relationships are what make our lives worth living. Take time to really connect one-on-one for catch-up lunches, dinners and coffee dates now that the holidays are over. Send a couple handwritten and thoughtful Happy New Year’s cards out to key contacts—and not the generic mass update letter either (“this year was huge for us—we adopted a dog, moved to L.A. and blah blah blah”…no, Cancer).
Some exciting new partnerships could form this month, and you’ll be eager to explore the synergies. Could working together bring you both a win-win? Talk about the opportunities, but take it slow. Communications guru Mercury is retrograde in Capricorn and your partnership house until January 18. Where possible, hold off on making anything official until later this month. The January 21 Aquarius new moon, which brings fresh energy to your binding eighth house, could be an ideal date to sign on the dotted line.
Love Days: 15, 20
Money Days: 26, 8
Luck Days: 6, 24
Off Days: 3, 18, 21
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