By Lilly Roddy
We start our 2016 off with Mercury retrograde for the entire month of January. Make your list of New Year’s resolutions, but don’t put them into action until February 1 in order to ensure their success. You can revive existing resolutions from previous years and work on those during this January retrograde! • Good days this month are the 12th, 13th, 14th, 18th, and 30th. Days to keep simple or just avoid altogether are the 5th, 7th, 20th, 25th, and 31st. Mercury is retrograde from January 1 through the 30th—a good time for a review, but not the time to put new plans or fresh resolutions into play.
ARIES (March 21–April 19). As we start the month, your career and long-term security are uppermost in your mind. With Mercury retrograde for the entire month in your career sector, it would be a very good time to look at your options and give yourself plenty of time to think about what you want to do. February should be the month you target to start your new ventures. Your relationship energies are tense as well, but those stem from the trouble you are having at work. Try to find some time for yourself so you don’t feel overwhelmed.
TAURUS (April 20–May 20). Relationships will be the main focus for this month (and possibly for the next seven months) as Mars, planet of action, reaction, and response, visits your relationship sector. With Mars so strong, you will be responding to situations more quickly than usual. Mars can easily make us feel defensive and on guard, even if there’s nothing wrong. If your relationship is doing well, this is a time for renewing and reconfirming the relationship. If your relationship is not doing well, Mars will push the issues to the surface so that both of you can deal with them. Take the lead in solving the problems, and don’t wait for your partner to initiate it. In the latter part of the month you are paying more attention to your career, but relationships still hold the main focus.
GEMINI (May 21–June 21). This month you are taking a realistic look at what you’re doing and where you’re going—which will only be intensified with your ruling planet, Mercury, being retrograde all month. In January you are paying particular attention to your financial situation, looking for ways to rid yourself of debt and create some long-term security. You are feeling more decisive than usual, and are ready to do what it takes to get your life in better order. Make sure that you get out and enjoy some physical activity in January. You will need a release for some of the built-up intensity, and you don’t want to be angry at the wrong person. Life will be calmer in February.
CANCER (June 22–July 22). With most of the planets (including Mercury retrograde) spending time in your relationship sector, this is an ideal time for you to spend with your partner, looking at new long-term plans and goals for your relationship. This will apply to personal and business relationships as well. Mercury retrograde will certainly bring the problems to the surface so that they can be talked about and possibly resolved. If resolution can’t be found, this may indicate the end of those partnerships. Remember, don’t put your new plans into action until February.
LEO (July 23–August 22). This month the planets are focused on your work and health sector in your horoscope. With Mercury retrograding there as well, this is an excellent time to get back into any kind of exercise or diet regimen. You will be working very hard to get both your home and workplace organized and cleaned up. Home and family responsibilities will play a big role in your life over the next six months. Be prepared to take some action, because you will have to respond even if you’re not ready. And don’t be afraid to put yourself first. You will gain some clarity by the end of the month.
VIRGO (August 23–September 22). With your ruling planet, Mercury, being retrograde, this is a good time for you to be in a period of review, waiting until February before you put any new plans or resolutions into play in your life. This is a very creative month for you, and you should be able to revive some projects that you had put aside because you didn’t have enough time. A big focus for you this whole year will be getting your home in better shape. For some, this can also be a time for purchasing a new home. Overall, you continue to be more decisive than you have been for a couple of years.
LIBRA (September 23–October 23). This month you are still focused on home and family. You’re still holding on to some of the traditions and emotional connections you experienced during the holidays. Don’t be surprised if you give your home a huge spring cleaning this month. You are also working on improving your schedule and making the best use of your time. You are finding it easier to tell people no. Toward the latter part of the month, you are feeling more playful and less tense. Try to find some time to get away with your partner or a special friend, and find some sense of relief from your responsibilities.
SCORPIO (October 24–November 21). This month, Mars, planet of action and response, enters the sign of Scorpio for the next seven months. With Mars so prominent, you will want to face your problems, find a resolution, and move on to the next project. Mars does increase your energy, so it may be harder than usual to sleep. Since Mercury is retrograde, don’t put any new plans into action until February or you may find yourself having to change your mind. This is a very adventuresome time, and you will certainly want to step out of your normal routines. This is a time of review and potential renewal in all of your relationships. There could be some transportation problems during January, but those clear up as we get into February.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 21). This entire year is a big time of personal reevaluation as you establish new long-term goals and plans for your life. In January you will be focused on improving your financial situation. Essentially you are looking at your own sense of self-worth and how to make yourself more marketable. It is a good time to be thinking about asking for a raise or increasing your fees, but don’t act on that until February. There are plenty of opportunities out there for you, especially if you’re trying to improve your career or social status. You will lighten up some in February.
CAPRICORN (December 22–January 19). With Mercury, planet of communication and transportation, retrograding in your sign, you will feel that this Mercury retrograde is just for you! January could be the perfect month for you to take time to reorganize yourself, your work, your relationship, and your home. You will want to make sure that everyone you’re connected with is working with the same agenda that you have. An easy resolution to make for this month would be to get yourself back to the gym, make time for yourself, and learn to use your boundaries to give yourself more freedom. Friends can be especially helpful with new ideas or different points of view. You do relax some by the end of the month, but not much.
AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18). With most of the planets in your spiritual-retreat sector, you will want to take a break from the holiday activities. Although Mars, planet of action, is going to spend several months in your career sector, you are not ready to act on any new projects until February. You are going to be more reactive with Mars being so strong in your horoscope. Mars always does better with a physical response (such as exercise or working in the garden) rather than trying to hold it in. You are trying to change your daily responsibilities and chores so that you don’t have to do them as much. You are challenging the responsibilities you learned as a child that still demand a response from you, even if those notions are totally useless. Make the break into freedom in February.
PISCES (February 19–March 20). Friendships and community organizations are highlighted this month in your horoscope. January is an excellent month for you to reconnect with people that you haven’t had contact with in a while. You are also reviewing your participation in organizations to determine if it’s worth your time and investment. You continue to feel more decisive about your future career plans than you have in a couple of years. Try to hold off until February before you put any of those plans into action. Partnerships are improving overall through the end of August. If you’re involved, this improves what you have. If you’re single, this opens the door for an improved social life and possible relationships. In February, you will want some time to retreat from the action.
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