All dates are for Pacific to Eastern time.

Happy New Year! As always, this post is about the big picture of the month + I provide a quick synopsis of each week. You can find my detailed weekly forecasts here, published every Thursday.

The Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars all travel close together this month, first through Capricorn and then Aquarius, forming a stellium.  

If you're a Capricorn or Aquarius, it's time to book your Solar Return reading.  If your birthday is in January, one part of your life will be emphasized in a big way in 12 months ahead.   Strategize for your year ahead with this reading. 

January is hopping astrologically! The planets make sooooo many aspects, promising a busy month when a lot is happening. 

Venus, Mercury and Mars are all very close to the Sun through a good portion of the month.  In electional astrology (the art of selecting the most auspicious date to initiate something), this can bring a brief and very auspicious period when the energy of each planet is amplified, and a longer period when the planet is "burned by the Sun", and can't express it's qualities as well.

Where I'm going with this is, the best dates you see on this month's calendar are all fantastic for the projects/love relationships/contracts that you already have in progress, or that are ongoing.  But, if you're planning to launch something new and important in January, consult an astrologer.  It's just too much nuance this month to summarize it in a post. 

Neptune Re-Enters Aries

That's one of the biggest astro-events of January.  Neptune re-enters Aries on January 26, trekking toward the spectacular conjunction with Saturn on February 20.

This is big!  Learn more about Neptune in Aries here, and about the Saturn-Neptune conjunction here. 

OK, let's take a quick look at each week, to help you plan your month ahead. 

January 1-4:  Perfect Energies for Transitioning into 2026

This week gives us an opportunity to gradually transition into 2026, because the energies are about to pick up big time! 

To make the best of this week: 

•  Wednesday January 1 may be a low-energy day, filled with mental fog.  Save your New Year's resolutions for another day.  Savour the holiday vibes instead and relax with your favourite book or a movie. 
  
  
• 🌕 Saturday - Jan. 3 at 2:03 a.m. PST - brings the Full Moon in Cancer.  It's an excellent opportunity to ask the Universe for help you let go of childhood wounds, emotional eating, and insecurities - and anything else that doesn't serve you in the new year!
  
  
• The week ends with a stellar Opportunity Period! Perfect for spending time with your family or friends, and for real estate matters.

This week brings dynamic, passionate energies that can boost your motivation and fire you up about a passion project (or a person, or a cause). But, the Sun, Mars and Venus in Capricorn are all opposed by Jupiter.  It's easy to get too carried away this week. 

To make the best of this week: 

• The entire week is excellent for pursuing passion projects:  basically, whatever makes your heart sing. 
  
  
• Monday and Tuesday are good days to build a relationship with your boss, and maybe even strategize together.  Just remember to revisit your plans next week, when the energies become more grounded and practical.  (the Sun conjunct Venus)
  
  
•  Wednesday is great for starting a diet or a cleanse (the Moon is waning in Virgo).
  
  
• Friday is an excellent day to work on a project that needs a lot of stamina.
  
  
• The Moon slips into a lengthy Void of Course on Saturday.  It's a good day to plough through your chores though: the Mars-Jupiter opposition might just give you extra energy!  Save important new beginnings for another day.

Read the full forecast for each week here.  Published on Thursdays, for the week ahead. 

January 12-18:  Productive, Stabilizing - and Magical! 

This week brings many, many connections between the planets! 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 (Mars is too, but it doesn't seem to affect the feisty red planet as much).  And, the Moon is Balsamic for part of the week - inauspicious for new beginnings. 

But, the New Moon this week!  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 - 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). 
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• 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 anything from leaving a legacy and success (especially career or business success) to calling in a soulmate relationship.  Venus is conjunct Pluto at the time of this New Moon. Don't miss! 

January 19-25:  Abundance of Positive, Productive Energy

The extravaganza of planetary aspects continues this week.  

• Monday is a great day for artists and writers, and for charitable pursuits (Mercury trine Uranus; the Sun sextile Neptune).  If you're single, it's also a day to keep an eye out for your soulmate (Venus conjunct Pluto).  For couples, passions can run high today.  Stay out of power games. 
  
  
• Tuesday is great for work, career and business matters (Mars trine Uranus and sextile Saturn;  Mercury sextile Neptune).  Roll up your sleeves and tackle any major projects. You will be able to get into the zone quickly and time will fly by. 
  
  
• Wednesday and Thursday are best for intellectual pursuits, research, catching up on emails and marketing yourself. (the Sun conjunct Mercury, Mercury conjunct Pluto, Mars sextile Neptune).
  
  
• Friday is a powerful day! The Sun-Pluto conjunction today helps to project a powerful, confident, assured image - and that can make it easier to impress bosses and VIPs. So don't be shy about putting yourself out there.
  
  
• You may feel running short on patience on the weekend. Let small annoyances go.  People can be easily triggered on Sunday, so avoid making plans with difficult or emotionally volatile people. (the Moon in Aries on Saturday, the Moon makes several challenging connections on Sunday).

January 26-31:  First Major Astrological Shift of 2026

The first major astrological shift of 2026 takes place on Monday, and it's a major shift indeed. Neptune re-enters Aries, the first sign of the Zodiac, starting an entirely new astrological cycle. 

On the plus side, Aries is about personal agency.  It's an ambitious sign that likes results - and fast! As Neptune progresses through Aries - which will take 14 years - we may start glamorizing (Aries) entrepreneurship, courage, and the ability to boldly go after your dreams.  And why not! Those are all wonderful qualities to cultivate.

The downside is that the Aries energy, when unchecked, can bring the "me first" mindset, or a lack of awareness of those who get caught in your wake. It's like a pioneer hacking a path through the jungle, with a machete.  Yes, there will be a new path for those who follow.  But also, a sensitive ecosystem can get destroyed in the process.

Make 2026 about a "win-win", not a "win-lose"! 😉

• Tuesday can bring out power-hungry personalities and aggressive behaviors (Mars conjunct Pluto).  I've noticed over the years that under challenging Mars-Pluto aspects, tension tends to erupt somewhere in the world. In your personal life, stay away from anger-prone people. 
  
  
• Wednesday is fantastic for socializing and networking! (the Moon in Gemini makes a trine to the planets in Aquarius).
  
  
• Wednesday and Thursday are also good days to have a nourishing heart-to-heart with a friend or a loved one (Mercury conjunction Venus). 
  
  
• The weekend brings an Opportunity Period! Jan. 30 7:18 p.m. to Jan. 31 1:52 p.m. PST.  It's great for family gatherings and family or real estate matters.  

Your Astro-Map for 2026

If you like my monthly forecasts, my webinar "Navigating 2026" is for you. 

Weave astrological insight into your planning with a clear, practical astro-timeline of the year ahead! 

In this pre-recorded webinar, we explore:

✨ key astrological themes shaping 2026

✨ the year’s astro-timeline and what it may mean for practical life decisions

✨ how the year’s biggest transits may interact with your own natal chart.

Learn more here. 

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