HOROSCOPES: astrology with Lilith Rocha

DEC 22-JAN 20

With Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto and the sun in your sign setting this month’s table for a feast of Capricorn splendour, the new decade couldn’t offer you a warmer welcome. Yes, mid-January’s Saturn/Pluto conjunction could have widespread consequences, but auspicious, optimistic Jupiter is spending the whole year activating those higher-octave Capricorn qualities the world is presently so much in need of: integrity, responsible leadership and longterm vision. On a personal, everyday level this could look like understanding the larger drama in which we all play our parts, and trusting the strength of invisible but substantial energies such as friendship, empathy and justice.

Aquarius JAN 21-FEB 19

New Year resolutions are part of our genetic inheritance – who doesn’t love a fresh start? January’s planetary configuration for Aquarians is in power-save mode, recharging after the hectic pace of recent weeks. Appreciating that less is more allows what you already have to shine brighter this month, especially when glamourpuss Venus illuminates your sign for the first fortnight, followed by eloquent, entertaining Mercury. When the January 25th sun and new moon in Aquarius announce your annual wish-planting date, the astral force supports you to bring back the magic by inviting more of your heart’s desires into this year’s life and work.

Pisces FEB 20-MAR 20

As January’s five-planet focus in Pisces’ friend zone enhances your love affair with the collective, people with wildly differing skill sets are likely to reveal intriguing facets and unexpected benefits of the hive mind. If you need to shield your romantic, idealistic field from doomy news when mid-month Venus shimmies her fluid allure into your super-sensitive sign, mind/body medico Deepak Chopra suggests gratitude is one feel-good way of doing it. His research shows grateful people have lower stress levels because gratitude is more than an attitude: it’s a powerful tool for helping us through trying times.

Aries MAR 21-APR 21

Jupiter’s influence extends our horizons to open up new ways of seeing and perceiving. Flanked by celestial heavyweights Saturn and Pluto, its presence in your career sector this year is excellent professional news because the lucky planet of expanded possibilities has been known to shatter glass ceilings. As January upgrades your skills at playing with others, the challenge is finding a graceful combination of loving and tough – especially if pruning Team Aries becomes necessary. Wise Chiron in your sign helps avoid making the same old mistakes, something this month’s Mars in Sagittarius (the foot in mouth transit) could put to the test.

Taurus APR 22-MAY 21

“Our revels now are ended,” wrote famous Taurean William Shakespeare. But January’s new cycle of adventurous, enterprising energy proffers a passport to explore the mind-expanding possibilities of other cultures, inner realms and infinite creativity. Powerful planetary forces are at play for all signs this month and while Uranus emerging from its five-month hibernation to rearrange relationships can be tricky, the results are ultimately liberating. Especially when Venus, your planetary guide gliding from fixed Aquarius into fluid Pisces, morphs Taurean friendships and love lives from mind-trapped to mermaidy, intellectual to sensual, more curvaceous and less hard-edged.

Gemini MAY 22-JUN 22

January’s gang of planets doing a major makeover of your joint ventures and shared resources might not be entirely comfortable, but Gemini’s mentor, Mercury, shifting mid-month to the sign of bright ideas will bring renewed confidence and the ability to see long-term payoffs. If an unexpected offer gives you chicken skin, don’t wait. Negotiate and seize the opportunity to execute a few shrewd master moves. While this month sets up 2020’s template for communicating with groups and wider online networks, on a personal level try not to make assumptions about what someone else may be thinking or feeling. If you want to know, ask.

Cancer JUN 23-JUL 23

Your introduction to the new decade arrives via this month’s defining moment: the super-charged full moon lunar eclipse in Cancer on January 11. So tune your receptors to what’s arguably your premier astral event for 2020, which could manifest as an epiphany, eureka experience, profound release or transformational breakthrough. If a group project stalled recently, that holding pattern allowed certain key elements to shift; now events can power forward with more mature communication, negotiation and mediation, less aggravation, frustration and alienation. When the January 25 new moon schmoozes Venus in romantic Pisces, expect charismatic connections, soul synching and sensual flares.

Leo JUL 24-AUG 23

Your glamorous majesties are naturally familiar with the concept of noblesse oblige – that privilege entails responsibility – because mid-January’s momentous Saturn/Pluto conjunction is likely to require all of your Leo superpowers. As a potent concentration of planetary energy in your sector of service helps refine your must-do and must-have lists to only what serves the highest purpose, this could mean significant shifts in the company you keep. Which in no way sees you alone on the throne: friends, family, social networks and community groups offer loyal support and add no small amount of fun to this month’s organisational efforts.

Virgo AUG 24-SEP 23

While Virgos are always acutely aware of the room for improvement, don’t be tempted to do extensions on it this month. January’s potentially dramatic dynamics won’t benefit from a glass-half-empty perspective, so be a silver lining finder instead. Here’s a kick-starter to begin with: a five-planet bonanza in your house of creative brilliance this month highlights the benefits of challenging situations and gets changes working in your favour. While Virgos operate most efficiently with structured plans, mid-month Venus swimming into hydrating Pisces to water your inner lawn makes it easier to balance feelings and facts.

Libra SEP 24-OCT 23

January’s congregation of heavenly bodies in grounded, practical Capricorn and your foundational base of emotional security and ancestry – your roots – has the capacity to expand your clan or add to your extended family. If that feels like a mixed blessing, do your best to relax dissatisfaction with circumstances and trust natural momentum. Libra’s guiding planet, Venus, is the diplomat of the zodiac. So, during this month’s exciting take-off into the new decade if you need to disagree, offer a workable alternative. The evening star’s mid-month slide into Pisces sends deliciously rogue waves across your ocean of emotions to refill Libran love tanks.

Scorpio OCT 24-NOV 22

Our inner narratives and beliefs affect the results we achieve, and as this month’s tremendous planetary emphasis on Scorpio communications progresses it becomes increasingly clear that what you say becomes what you get. Since energy flows where we direct our attention, keep shifting focus and conversations, both internal and external, away from what you don’t like or want onto your desired outcome. While January has its challenges on the world stage, how you respond is your choice, but you’ll be chuffed to know that energetic Mars in Scorpio’s zodiac house of values, cash flow and income has your back.

Sagittarius NOV 23-DEC 21

Last year had legs, this year has staying power, kicking off with your ruling planet Jupiter heating up Sagittarian cash flow. When Mercury’s in Capricorn, money talks, and this month’s a good time to remember Sagittarius Winston Churchill’s famous observation: “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give”. Whether you donate time, money, expertise, effort or influence, look for useful contributions you can make towards shaping the future through what you do. If international trips aren’t on the present agenda, you’ll find local paths less travelled are positively percolating with potential. AWW