SignOut
by Lily Roddy

Mercury, planet of communication, goes direct on the 8th and is back up to speed on the 11th. You can start all new projects then–buy a car or have something worked on that needs it. Saturn, planet of career and future obligations, also goes direct on the 7th. Time to work on your goals for the next six-month period, at which point you will be reviewing your plans for the future again.

The new Moon on the 12th is the beginning of the Chinese New Year, the year of the Horse. Since Chinese astrology runs on a lunar calendar, the new year always begins on the new Moon after the Sun enters the sign of Aquarius.

February 2 is Candlemas, groundhog day, Imbolc, Powamu, or Brigid. This is the middle of the cycle between the first day of Capricorn, the Winter Solstice, and the first day of Aries, the Vernal Equinox. These points align with the seed that is planted within that is not yet visible.

The Sun begins the month in Aquarius and progresses into Pisces on the 18th. Mercury begins in Aquarius and remains there for the month. Venus also starts the month in Aquarius but slides into Pisces on the 11th. As for the other planets, Mars is in Aries, Jupiter is in Cancer, Saturn is in Pisces, Pluto is in Sagittarius, and Neptune and Uranus are in Aquarius.

Aquarius (Jan. 20— Feb. 18) It is your birthday month. And with so many of the planets in your sign, this is a time of growth, uneasiness, and relentless pursuing of those things that seemed unobtainable in the past. You are to the point that you will not tolerate bull manure from anyone about most anything. Of course, we will just think you are cranky and didn’t like your birthday gift. You are really questioning your life, direction, self-worth, connection to the universal spirit, and if you should have that extra piece of chocolate. Go ahead and do it. In a hundred years, who will know?

Pisces (Feb. 19—March 20) You have been wandering for over a year. Most recently, your life has been a garage sale and everything is up for sale. Where are you going and where will you end up? Every place you have landed only seems like a place to visit. After the 10th, you are finally ready to make some decisions. You are narrowing down your choices and you will find a home–even if you haven’t left yours. You are so tired of being controlled by the flow of the tides, you are going to create your own waves.

Aries (March 21—April 19) Mars, the planet of action and your sign’s ruler, is moving through your sign making this an active month and giving you the "all right already!" syndrome. If you’ve been trying to gear yourself up for a confrontation, this is certainly the month for it. If your relationships don’t have enough spice and adventure, you will just substitute fighting. New friends are on the horizon. After the 10th, get out there and find them.

Taurus (April 20—May 20) You career hogs the spotlight with confusion and more confusion for many of the cows, bulls, and calves. You don’t know what you want to do–you just know that you’re bored and restless with what you have been doing. A full-blown rebellion is brewing for the 6th and 13th–best to take those days off and have two mini-vacations. Relationships that demand clear answers from you can also put you off. You are much clearer after the 28th.

Gemini (May 21—June 21) You are not at your best as the month begins with your ruler (Mercury) retrograde. So, don’t look for solutions or resolutions until after the 10th. You will be more than ready to get on with your life at that point. Indeed, you will demand that people around you get their acts together or put them on the road. You are ready with valuable advice but are bored with the whiners. Personal relationships are tense to unbearable by the later part of the month.

Cancer (June 22—July 22) I know you have been wanting to study the meaning of life and this is certainly the month for you to do that. Surface values and explanations will not satisfy you–and you may drive some folks crazy as you try to get to the bottom of everything. Sadly, best to accept that some things are just shallow. Relationships are tense because you need lots and lots of reassurance. Just ask your partner to do something special every Friday for you. Career is an adventure land. You are the alpha crab. Pick up your claw, walk sideways, and tallyho!

Leo (July 23—Aug. 22) It’s the month of the relationship dance. And your themes are catch me if you can, hide and seek, don’t fence me in, and better not ignore me. And you wonder why your relationships have so much drama. There may be a parting of the ways for those of you whose partners are tiring of the nightly drama whirl. Friendships need to have a purpose. And any that take too much work? Sayonara.

Virgo (Aug. 23—Sept. 22) Time for some beauty and order–all that clutter is just adding to your confusion about your life choices. You are on the verge of making some decisions, and after the 10th, you are on the path. A place for everything and everything in its place. Relationships that don’t fit into this flexible structure will be giving you a pain in the ankle. They will have to shape up. Your career is about to take off. This will spotlight much of your life over the rest of the year.

Libra (Sept. 23—Oct. 23) You are feeling playful this month. Visit the theater or the opera. Take classes that enhance your creative urges. Consider some costume drama sex. Zest lurks like a kitten in the relationship area. Ennui can be extra harmful in established relationships. Career activity is going well, and your motivation rises at the end of the month. After the 10th, any effort into promotion is going to pay off. Meet with as many new people and groups as you can. They will bring fabulous benefits in the near future.

Scorpio (Oct. 24—Nov. 21) You are thirsty for the grounding of home. Even though the holidays are over, you may want to do some cozy entertaining. For some of you, this will show up as an itch to move or redecorate–or increased contact with the parental units. Exercise would really help as a ground wire for the tension at work. Relationships can’t be too demanding this month. Now, next month, that is a different story.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22—Dec. 21) You are in a similar organizing mood as your solar opposites, the Geminis, working to finish up old projects as the month begins. You are really feeling the push to get on with things. And that intensity only increases after the 10th. Relationships need goals and commitments–those partnerships that are lacking may be over by May. Home-based activities are more important as the month closes. Center on your family or your domicile.

Capricorn (Dec. 22—Jan. 19) Now that the holidays are over, the bills are coming in and money and security fill your vision. You have been feeling so alone in this area that no one is really helping you. Forget that stuff–you’re asking for help, and the time for "please" is over. Your boss and your partner will be the first people you confront about this. You want more and your reasons are sound. Your partner’s help is on the way, especially after March 1. Even if you don’t have a partner, you will attract someone to help you.