Stargazing with Elizabeth Joyce

Mercury retrogrades January 5 through January 25.

The January 9th new moon in Capricorn brings a pause. This is not a good time to begin anything new because both Mercury and Jupiter are retrograde. It’s time to take a good, hard look at the things we value most.

The January 23rd full moon in Leo brings a time for commitment to love and money. Although there aren’t enough laughs on the horizon, some powerful secrets can come out of the closet.

The February 8th new moon in Aquarius brings in the Chinese Year of the Monkey. If you have an important project to start, now is the time to begin.

The February 22nd full moon in Virgo reminds us that worry is a misuse of your imagination. If you’re going to worry something up in your mind, at least make it positive!

ARIES (MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20)

It’s time for travel and a great adventure. Your new experience might just include a lovely new admirer with a terrific accent, so if you’re single, keep an ear out. Expect a turning point in your career at month’s end. February brings luck in the air. If you plan to gamble, make sure you are conservative and don’t bet the ranch. Leap year’s 29th date brings a fabulous new job opportunity—truly a once-in-alifetime opportunity.

TAURUS (APRIL 21 TO MAY 20)

Happy New Year, Taurus, because early on in January an invitation could come out of the blue—an opportunity for romance and adventure. You’re about to be treated to an experience you will never forget. Don’t even think about refusing. February brings you some unbelievable good luck. Possible scenes include flowers, Champagne, chocolate and an overnight stay at a five-star hotel—with a hot tub, of course. If finances present a problem, get some professional advice and know that it won’t be that way for long.

GEMINI (MAY 21 TO JUNE 20)

As January opens don’t plan on getting much rest, Gemini. Fortunately, you don’t need much and don’t mind yawning if the prior evening was worth it. You may feel generous with your finances, but if you need some guidance, help is not far off. Expect some tricky and mixed feelings with love relationships. February brings classes for you to learn and improve in your profession. Computers may be involved, so enjoy yourself. If you’re missing someone who is far away, you may plan a trip to visit soon.

CANCER (JUNE 21 TO JULY 22)

As January opens, you singles will want to get out there and start looking. Dealing with joint finances will keep you on your toes. Be ready for any surprises and necessary readjustments. Someone dear to you may not like the time you spend on the job. February brings several people who would like to get to know you a lot better. You may need to work out a joint financial matter, especially if a new lover plans to move in. Be careful of overspending.

LEO (JULY 23 TO AUGUST 22)

Happy New Year, Leo, and how you love to party. You’ll continue in your playful mood through most of January. Someone you haven’t seen in a long time may give you a jingle or send a text. Because Mercur y is retrograde through January 25, however, circumstances may keep you apart until next month. February and Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to reconnect with an old pal. A few financial goodies come your way around February 9. Communication and confusion happen at month’s end. Don’t get frustrated; go out and take a walk. Calm down and get more perspective.

VIRGO (AUGUST 23 TO SEPTEMBER 22)

Around January 8 an old lover could return asking for a second chance.

Better think long and hard. Is this what you really want? Have you been able to work through the old problems? Go slow and find out. If you buy a lotter y ticket, play the same numbers you always use. Who knows? You could be a winner around January 27. You may not relax much in February, but you will certainly be amused and entertained. A windfall could be at your doorstep around the 6th; however, there will be discussions about where it came from and how it all happened.

LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 23 TO OCTOBER 22)

It’s quite turbulent for you Libras as January opens. You won’t get a break until around the 12th. Prepare to meet someone new and different mid-month, Libra. This could be unusual and love at first sight. Finances are confusing all month, so hold off on big purchases and don’t sign anything binding. It’s leap year and February brings the rare day of the 29th. This is an easier month for you, and perhaps even memorable.

SCORPIO (OCTOBER 23 TO NOVEMBER 22)

As January opens, the battles begin. You may not actually argue, but your encounters promise to be lively and quite passionate. You could get mad once or twice, but there’s nothing like the after-venting stage. Watch your money, as you could be more generous than your pocketbook allows. February brings a need to escape to a warm island somewhere. Water is your element and it has always soothed you. If you’ve been

thinking of adding a room or enlarging and redecorating your home office, now is a great time to begin.

SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 21)

You may not have much time to relax in January, Sag, because you want to be out playing and having fun. Your social calendar promises to be full. New friends come your way, and, yes, they probably have accents and love tropical music. If you’re negotiating for a loan or trying to work out an inheritance, better wait till the end of the month. Mercury is retrograde through January 25, adding complications. February can turn ultrasexy, but you could keep your new love secret until March. You could find a financial plan well within your reach, which is just what you need to move forward in business.

CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 19)

Urgent business of either a professional or family-oriented nature comes with the New Year, Cap. You may not have the chance to let ever yone know before you leave. If you have not been very nice about wanting to pay back a debt, this may be the month you sense it’s high time to do so. Only you may know the reason why. In February there is nothing better in your mind than when a plan comes together exactly as you pictured it. Don’t get too attached to your schedule because plans can change suddenly mid-month. If you have financial issues, your attitude of “just the facts, ma’am” is the way to settle them.

AQUARIUS (JANUARY 20 TO FEBRUARY 18)

Happy New Year, Aquarius. If you’re ready to do some traveling, get your bags packed. You won’t be lonely. You may attract someone from out of state to join you. Expect some surprising news (good) around the 25th. February brings you more surprises, and you are very fond of the unpredictable, Aquarius. You may feel attracted to someone from the other coast, or another state. If that person feels the same way, things will move very fast. You may be inspired to settle down, a little, for now.

PISCES (FEBRUARY 19 TO MARCH 20)

January brings fun, shared with that someone special. A trip or far-away journey is on the horizon. You are lucky with promoting yourself on the job. Bonuses and raises are possible now. The light shines on a financial matter that has been problematic of late. Very likely, things will settle and go well. February brings more admirers and adventures. If someone else has been managing your money, you’d best take charge of the situation. Everything works out by month’s end.