Note:  the dates in this forecast are for Pacific to Eastern time.  

Unless I provide a specific timeframe, we’ll feel the energies 24-72 hours before the date I mention (the date when the planetary alignment is exact).  

They’ll gain strength as they approach, and linger for 24–48 hours after, gradually fading with each passing hour.

💫 Executive Summary

Much like last week, this week brings many, many connections between the planets! It's a period when our collective heads might be spinning from all the action and rapid developments.

Normally I would be excitedly telling you that this is a great week for new beginnings, but Mercury and Venus are still too close to the Sun for my liking - "singed" by the Sun and unable to express their energy to the maximum advantage.

Mars is close to the Sun too, but that doesn't seem to affect the feisty red planet as much.  In fact, it fortifies it.  Being close to the Sun increases Mars's courage and - as a downside - can lead to aggression.  

Early in the week, push forward with the projects and relationships already in the works. Chances are, you'll be able to make a lot of progress. 

Come Thursday, the Moon turns Balsamic - inauspicious for new beginnings. 

But, it's the New Moon on the weekend that steals the show!  It features an amazing stellium - several planets all close together - so it's very, very powerful.  More details below 👇🏼

To make the best of this week:

• Tuesday and Wednesday are excellent days to recommit to a project or a relationship, and to review your finances. If you need to do some financial planning, it's a good day too, but keep in mind that you may be too optimistic.  Not as good for signing contracts though, for the same reason - there can be over-optimism (Venus sextile Saturn, Mercury opposite Jupiter). 
  
  
• Thursday is a fantastic day for brainstorming at work - if you're in a leadership role, keep this in mind.  (Mars trine Uranus + the Mercury-Jupiter opposition is still felt). 
  .
• Do some decluttering on Thursday, Friday or Saturday.  The Moon is Balsamic - inauspicious for new beginnings - but it's a great time to create more energetic space for fresh energies of the upcoming New Moon.
  
  
• Friday and Saturday are also good dates to plan a romantic date with your partner (but not for a first date).   And, if you feel you're stuck in a rut, try something new on Saturday! (Venus sextile Neptune, the Sun trine Uranus). 
  
  
• Sunday brings the first New Moon of the Year, in Capricorn:  January 18 at 11:52 a.m. PST.  Now for the manifestor, this is a super-auspicious New Moon, with several planets all joining forces in a beautiful stellium. 
  
  It's a true powerhouse of energy, fantastic for setting intentions for career advancement, business and financial success, secure older age, and - since Venus is conjunct Pluto at the time of this New Moon - for calling in a soulmate relationship.  Don't miss! 

Key Astro-Happenings This Week: 

✨ January 14: Mercury Opposite Jupiter,  Venus sextile Saturn

The Sun, Venus and Mars in Capricorn stay very close in the skies this week.   It brings an intense focus on your values, relationships and long-term goals.  

Best For:

• Repairing or stabilizing relationships (just make sure you don't overpromise!)
• Recommitting to a project or a relationship
• Financial planning (but keep in mind you may be over-optimistic).

Avoid:

• Overestimating what's possible:  saying yes too quickly, overcommitting, and going on blind faith that it will all just "work out".  
• Excessive confidence (make sure you can back it up)
• Glossing over important details
• Financial speculation
• Contracts and negotiations - they may be conducted in good faith, but without a clear, realistic picture. 

✨  January 15:  Venus Trine Uranus

This is an exciting, magnetic energy - perfect if you're in a relationship and want to get your love life out of the rut.  The Moon is Balsamic, so it's not the best for approaching a new romantic interest, or for the first date.

Best For:

• If you're in a relationship, exploring something new together, for a refresh
  

Avoid:

• First dates. 
• Big financial investments. 

✨ January 15, 11:52 p.m. to January 18, 11:52 p.m. PST: Balsamic Moon

Best For:

• Recharging.  Downtime is not wasted time! That's when our subconscious is putting things together and making connections that will later emerge as brilliant solutions and insights.
  
  
• Decluttering (including digital decluttering - clean out your Inbox and organize your digital files).
  
  
• Tying loose ends.

Avoid:

• Initiating new projects.  Much like Moon-void-of-course, the Balsamic Moon is inauspicious for new beginnings. 

Some food for thought, by Justin Welsh:  "Modern luxury is the ability to think clearly, sleep deeply, move slowly, and live quietly in a world designed to prevent all four". 

 ✨ January 17: Venus Sextile Neptune, the Sun Sextile Saturn and Trine Uranus, Mercury Conjunct Mars;  Venus Enters Aquarius

Wow!  That's a super-charged day! 

Best For:

• A super-romantic date with your partner.  Think lace, roses and whatever else conjures soft and romantic energies for you.
• Drafting a bold campaign for your business, or an impactful presentation at work.  But don't launch it just yet. 
• Introducing a change into your routine, to signal to the Universe that you're open to new beginnings. 

Avoid:

• Starting new important undertakings.  The Moon is Balsamic.

✨ January 18, 11:52 a.m. PST: New Moon in Capricorn

This is a powerhouse of a New Moon.  There are 6 (six!) planets all very close together, in Capricorn and Aquarius, forming a very impactful stellium.   This New Moon is opposed by Jupiter, indicating new beginnings that can be a little too optimistic. 

Check where 26° Capricorn - 3° Aquarius fall in your natal chart. That's where the stellium is at the time of the New Moon.  It's the area where you can experience - or consciously call in - an impactful fresh start in the next 4 weeks. 

For the manifestor, this New Moon - supported by the Saturn/Neptune conjunction - packs a super-powerful punch.  It's manifestation power is 10 out of 10.  Neptune is about dreams, and Saturn is about bringing your dreams into the physical realm.  And Jupiter, while over-optimistic in this case, still bestows a good measure of luck.

Set your intentions!  What a beautiful way to close the week. 

🕰️ Moon Void of Course

Avoid starting anything new you want to succeed during these periods:

• January 13, 2:59 p.m. to 3:34 p.m. PST
  
• January 16, 3:19 a.m. to 3:47 a.m. PST
  
• January 18, 1:57 p.m. to 2:18 p.m. PST