Aries

March 20 – April 19

After a rather unsettling 2018, 2019 will begin on the best possible note for you. This ‘beginning’ is marked by your own ruling planet, Mars, actually moving into Aries on January 1. Mars takes about two years to go through the entire zodiac, and so this could be regarded as a very special New Year’s gift for you, one that indicates you’ll begin the year on an upbeat note. Mars remains in your sign until February 14, and in those six weeks, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to explore what’s going on and reconsider your priorities.

This is especially significant, because you’re just ending a cycle that will have been dynamic, but also very disruptive. This cycle was triggered by the presence of Uranus, the planet of innovation and the unexpected, positioned in your sign. Uranus moved into Aries in 2008, and during the period since then, you’ve struggled with a variety of twists and turns, while some will have been breakthroughs, not all of them have been comfortable. In fact, some will have been worrying, if not difficult at the time. Still, a few will have been thrilling – and, in fact, taken you into new territory.

What’s more, it’s the questions these experiences triggered that will have forced you to rethink elements of your life that you’ve considered to be un-changing, that is, they’re just fine as they are. With Uranus having moved into, and out of, your sign twice times during 2018, and actually departing Aries finally on March 6, 2019, these changes will continue. Combine that with the personal insights that come with the presence of your ruler Mars in Aries, during the first six weeks of the year, and you’ll have a rare and wonderful opportunity to weight up your options and consider what’s most important, most promising and most exciting for you.

But this is by no means all that will be going on. However, it’s worth noting that during this period you’ll be reviewing your priorities, considering what’s most important to you. And by the time of the all-important Aries New Moon, on April 5, which marks a very personal kind of New Year for you, what you’ve thought about, reviewed and weighed up, especially regarding what works and what doesn’t, will mean you’re ready to make decisions about, and to undertake those changes.

Add to that the fact that Mercury, the communication planet, actually moves into your sign on April 17, and discussions are bound to be profitable. It’s also worth thinking about that exact word, “profit”, especially during this year. That’s because with several of the heavenly bodies, including Uranus, which will have departed Aries, and moved into your neighbouring earth sign of Taurus, with both Saturn and Pluto in the earthy Capricorn, you’ll find that not only are you thinking about practical matters, finances, and whether you’re using your time wisely, you’’ have some new ideas but, equally, unexpected ideas and offers will be coming your way.

If there’s any challenge, it’s that with such an emphasis on planets positioned in earth signs, you’ll need to be more detailed, and take things more slowly than is your preference. Instead of avoiding such matters, explore and learn from them. This will ensure you’re equipped to make the best of the second half of the year. This is especially important as you move into the first half of September, and the Sun, Mercury, Venus and your ruler Mars are all positioned in very precise and rather down-to-earth, Virgo. The need to be so precise may be annoying – and, in fact, often you’ll need to be attentive to details in a way that usually drives you crazy. Yet at the same time, you’ll sense what you’re learning isn’t just important but, rather, it will fuel your plans for the future.

It’s also worth recognising that with Jupiter, the planet of growth and development, itself positioned in your fellow fire sign of Sagittarius, and with it accenting ways you can broaden your horizons, this cycle isn’t about sticking with what you know. It’s about venturing into new territory, in terms of your habits and activities. It can mean learning about new ideas. Whatever the case, recognise that 2019 as a year of exploration. And not only will you benefit from it, you’ll enjoy every day of it as well.

If there’s any challenge, it’s that with an emphasis on planets positioned in earth signs, you’ll need to be more detailed, and take things more slowly than is your habit.