New Moon in Aquarius

Sunday, January 22, 11:39 pm PST, Monday, January 23, 2:39 am EST

The New Moon in brainy Aquarius opens minds to fresh ways of seeing and enlightens us with brilliant ideas. Broadening visions of the future can reveal unexpected professional opportunities and help establish strategies for meeting long-term goals. Enthusiasm may rise and fall with skeptical Saturn and optimistic Jupiter's 90-degree squares to this lunation. A supportive sextile from innovative Uranus in Aries, though, reveals alternative ways to express ourselves and contribute to the well-being of the community.

The Aquarius New Moon is like entering a laboratory where objective thinking permits us to observe life without prejudice or prejudgment. Learning comes with sudden flashes of insight that arise from being in unfamiliar positions. Stepping outside our comfort zones feels alienating, yet exploring alternatives permits new vistas of awareness to open.

Mars Retrograde

Monday, January 23

Aggressive Mars, already restrained by its presence in refined Virgo, goes into hibernation during this retrograde period that ends on April 13. Yet tying up loose ends, perfecting skills and streamlining systems are constructive ways to use this transit. Re-establishing healthier routines of diet and exercise makes this an excellent time to get in shape. Delays and complications in completing projects can produce irritation and increase criticism, yet focusing on one task at a time enhances efficiency.

Mercury in Aquarius

Friday, January 27, 10:12 am PST, 1:12 pm EST

Intelligence matters with clever Mercury in cerebral Aquarius. We can break out of our usual patterns of perception to understand the world from different angles. Cooler heads allow us to step out of the shadows of emotion and discover new concepts. However, friendly conversations may stimulate minds but could be less successful at touching hearts.

Neptune in Pisces

Friday, February 3, 10:52 am PST, 1:52 pm EST

Spiritual Neptune settles into its sensitive home sign for a 13-year stay that inspires faith and stimulates our fantasies. The planet of compassion in sympathetic Pisces softens the barriers between us, spurring compassion and arousing our charitable instincts. Dreams without borders dissolve differences among individuals and can even unite religions in a growing desire to reconnect with the soul of humanity.

Saturn Retrograde

Tuesday, February 7

The planet of order's backward period (lasting until June 25) is a time to cultivate discipline, patience and self-restraint. Making up for unmet obligations comes from hard work instead of guilt and shame. Balance in relationships is restored when individuals take responsibility for themselves instead of casting blame on others. Finding peace within is the first key to harmonious partnerships.

Full Moon in Leo

Tuesday, February 7, 1:54 pm PST, 4:54 pm EST

The fiery and fiercely personal Leo Full Moon opposes the chilly Sun in objective Aquarius as egos need attention and hearts are eager for dramatic expression. Allow some room for childlike behavior; some of it may be overbearing, but the freedom to show feelings without restraint may be worth the trouble. Exaggeration can encourage creativity and also bring buried emotions to the surface where they can be addressed openly.

Venus in Aries

Tuesday, February 7, 10:01 pm PST, Wednesday, February 8, 1:01 am EST

Spontaneous attractions and restless relationships are likely with the love planet in impatient Aries until March 5. The urge for immediate gratification could be downright reckless when Venus joins rebellious Uranus on February 9. However, experiencing breakthroughs in alliances, appearance and self-worth make experimentation desirable during this revelatory period.

Mercury in Pisces

Monday, February 13, 5:38 pm PST, 8:38 pm EST

Minds meander with Mercury moving through Pisces, going off course to places that words cannot adequately describe. This transit serves poets, artists, healers, spiritual seekers and all those who don't rely on objective evidence to shape reality. Facts may grow fuzzy, but conversations grow tender as intuition becomes the most valuable source of information.

Sun in Pisces

Saturday, February 18, 10:18 pm PST, Sunday, February 19, 1:18 am EST

The Sun\'s entry into the last sign of the zodiac is a step into synthesis. Its presence in Pisces reminds us that the walls that keep us apart from one another are merely illusions. We are all one in the sea of consciousness where the Fishes swim. This oceanic state can be confusing, of course, since we rely on boundaries to maintain our individual identities. Rather than reinforcing barriers to sustain them or tearing them down completely, adding flexibility to the ego lets us seamlessly flow together and drift apart as desired. Reconnecting with spirituality, nature and one another are its sweetest rewards.

About the Author

Jeff Jawer is the cofounder of StarIQ.com.