January 2025

1. With struggle comes opportunity. The first week of January is intense with Mars retrograde opposing Pluto, and Mercury squaring Neptune.

• • Mental Health Awareness. Be aware of confusion, delusion, lies we tell ourselves, overdoses, improper medications, and toxins. Things are not as they seem. 
  • Mars (in Leo) and Pluto (in Aquarius) harness primal power. But in opposition in fixed signs – this match creates friction and breakthroughs. Emotional pressure. Inner anger. Sus. How can we beat the heat? Strength requires training. So keep training because you never know what you’re training for in the future. Breathe. Find your fuel for change within the emotions of the first week. What would happen if you stopped fighting? Einstein taught us that the observer affects the experiment. What would it look like to be a good steward of your energy and awareness? 
  • Heads up: Once Mars goes direct, it will oppose Pluto a second time this year on April 27, 2025. You can feel the energy of this transit building up to a week in advance. You may experience it internally, or externally.
    
    

2. The Sun opposes Mars, while Venus squares retrograde Jupiter January 14-16, bringing attention to our values and valuables. 

• • You may feel stretched out of your comfort zone or get surprised with some unplanned expenses. Do you have champagne taste on a beer budget? Are you trying to save up for something greater but haven’t been honest or realistic about your expenses?
  • Consider your financial freedom. Squares help challenge our personal and spiritual growth. What do you want to be free from? What do you want to be free for? What would the middle road look like? What resources do you have to build your financial future intentionally?
  • Sweet tooth discipline. Is it time to kick your sugar habits? Venus rules sugar, Jupiter magnifies any excesses. The square indicates a challenge with excessive sugar that results in weight gain. Jupiter also rules the liver – is it time to quit alcohol?

3. On January 23rd retrograde Mars sextiles retrograde Uranus, while Mercury opposes Mars retrograde.

• • Plot twist! Remain open minded about a bold new direction and change of pace.This transit can be felt up to a week in advance. Reminder: Worrying is praying for something you don’t want.
  • Mental stimulation and competition. Pressure cooker. Argumentative. Something requires a lot of thought. Watch out for mental burn out—temper tantrums are more likely as people release pent up mental energy. Irritable, restless, discontent.

4. Uranus goes direct in Taurus on January 30th

• • Nothing to fear – just a reminder to slow down. Uranus has an annual retrograde cycle that lasts about five months. It has been retrograde since Sep 1, 2024. While retrograde, it moved from 27° to 23° in Taurus. 
  • ✨ Fixed Stars add complexity and nuance. They add extra details to an astrology forecast, like how a special seasoning can change the flavor of food. They are not part of the main forecast, but they are activated by the transits. They can help us see different parts of a situation more clearly. This transit activates: Zaurak: fear of death (23°52 Taurus) 
  • Going deeper: in yogic philosophy, the fear of death is called abhinivesah, which is also understood as a primal attachment to life. Yoga International describes abhinivesah as that which has penetrated every living being, from all around, in every respect. They also share that abhiniveśaḥ has come to mean death and the fear of death because both death and the fear of it have pierced every aspect of consciousness. To become free from death, is also to become free from fear. Resource: taking a fear inventory helps us get to the root cause of our own mental imprisonment. FEAR: Face Everything and Rise. 
  • Uranus in Taurus represents radical changes when it comes to food, values, and finances. If you’re feeling more hungry than usual, know that this is your body’s way of grounding and seeking comfort. Do you want to plan a healthy, home cooked meal to stay satiated? Health food signals safety to your body and mind. Reflect on what has changed with health, diet, the physical body, financial responsibilities, and core values. Do you feed your body like it’s your temple? Consider these themes closely – it’s the last time Uranus will be in Taurus for 84 more years. Uranus moves into Gemini in July for 7 years.