“It’s not about how you start, nor is it about how you end. It may be about learning to cultivate the patience needed when the intention is transformation.”

The new year is here and the energy is off to a great start! Mercury moves into Capricorn on January 1st at 1:10PM PST, adding to the trifecta of planets that entered Capricorn a few weeks ago, inviting more organization and a "can do, will be done" attitude when it comes to matters related to communication. The Sun, Venus, Mars and Mercury in Capricorn additionally invite discipline, drive and focus. The star transit in the first two weeks of the month is Mars moving through Capricorn, lighting a steady fire of dedication. You may find yourself pleasantly checking off all of your "to-do" list boxes and turning down plans in order to honour your goals. However, you should also equally dedicate time to rest as burnout may be right around the corner. Working at full mental capacity might not be producing quality results if you are working while tired, even if the intention is there.

On January 19 at 5:45PM PST, the Sun enters Aquarius, bringing more focus to collective causes, social media, friends and subjects out of the norm. Earlier that day, Venus also joins Pluto in exact conjunction which may bring up tough realizations about your relationships, love and money matters. Perhaps you find that you overspent this past holiday season and decide to see a financial planner for the first time!

As January progresses, the building exact conjunction of Saturn and Neptune (happening next month) is at the forefront and will be for the entire year. On a collective level, this could manifest as influential political news around AI and our bodies as the exact conjunction will happen in Aries. On a personal level, this could mean realizing that our biggest desires need to be equally grounded in big-picture thinking and reality. We are collectively learning that pushing through, despite changing circumstances, is an important lesson we must learn to embody, especially because our autonomy is at stake. This could look like being a month into training at the gym and excuses start to come up trying to convince you not to go or you question "What's the point?" That's when thinking back to the initial goal can help you. Further reflection on mega companies owning personal data will continue to rise and perhaps influence more folks to unsubscribe, log out and turn to analog forms of data keeping in order to establish a higher sense of control over their bodies.

On January 20, Saturn will sextile Uranus, a useful transit in helping navigate the upcoming Saturn-Neptune conjunction. You can expect bursts of insight when it comes to your long-term plans. Now may be the time to try that wacky idea you have some doubt about because it may lead you to the next step.

On January 26, Neptune enters Aries and will stay there until 2039. As Aries represents war, aggression and passion, you can expect the rise in collective trends around taking up martial arts and going to the gym, the continuation of athleisure and the normalization of sportswear in non sport environments, and a larger awakening of warrior spirit needed at these times.

The main advice about this month is that it's not about how you start, nor is it about how you end. It may be about learning to cultivate the patience needed when the intention is transformation, which, if you've been following the media for the past few years, isn't such a bad mindset to pick up.

GLOSSARY:

Astrological Terms:

Conjunction: In astrology, a conjunction is when two planets meet and work on a project together. Just like people, the planets may or may not work well together. When a conjunction is exact, it points to a climax of the relationship between the two planets.
Sextile: represents a special 60 degree angle between two planets, collaborative in mood, creating chances that award initiative.
Transit: A term describing the ongoing movement of any given planet through the zodiac.

Zodiac Signs:

Capricorn: An Earth sign and ruled by Saturn, Capricorn is known for their hard working, cautious and determined nature. Often incredibly driven to the point of burnout, this sign is steadfast but immovable.
Aquarius: An Air sign and ruled by Saturn, Aquarius is known for their collective mindset, progressive thinking and being innovative. The unique dichotomy of this sign is having a natural capacity to pour energy into the collective, while keeping their individualism. Freedom goes both ways.
Aries: A Fire sign and ruled by Mars, Aries is known as a natural leader, instinctual and courageous. While they can be hotheaded, that is only a side effect to being energetic and passionate.

Planets:

Mercury: This planet governs the mind, including how we think, speak, write, process. Its placement in one’s astrological chart reveals one’s unique style of communication.
The Sun: This planet represents the part of your identity you aim to embody in life and it is most connected with your ego. In contrast to the Moon and Ascendant in your natal chart, whose energies show up more naturally, the Sun shows up in more intentional, effortful expressions of self.
Venus: This planet governs matters related to love and material. Its position in your chart signifies your romantic style as well as where you love to pour in your resources in relation to lifestyle. For example, pouring into luxury goods, social events, travel, etc.
Mars: This planet governs your drive and conflict style. This influences how you assert yourself, how you act when you are angry and how ambitious you are.
Neptune: This planet governs imagination, illusion, and spirituality. It is a slow moving, generational planet that showcases societal trends and ideals.
Pluto: A powerful planet, Pluto is about transformation. Similar to the Death card in Tarot, Pluto brings intensity as it rules the extremes. It governs very deep emotional processes like control, power, obsession and manipulation. Pluto transits are ultimately empowering, but come with life altering experiences and permanent change.
Uranus: This planet governs change and disruption. Like a shock of cold water to the face, this planet is all about unexpected shakeups and creative innovation. It governs revolution, rebellion and a general sense of breakthrough!

Author Bio:

Carmela (she/they) is a writer, artist and astrologer. She is a second-generation Filipino-Canadian currently settled on "Vancouver, BC." Her interests lie across the intersections of art, technology and astrology. You can check out her website to book an astrology consultation and follow her @ohtheblooming on Substack and many social media platforms.

Artist Bio:

Monica (she/her) is an illustrator and graphic designer born and raised in Vancouver, BC. Her work spans multiple mediums and is rooted in nature and emotional storytelling. By toying with surrealism and realism, she creates imagery that captures mood, feeling and quiet moments of reflection. Follow her on Instagram @moninthemaking and www.monicadiaz.ca

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