Now with charts! A friend pointed out it was silly that I don’t have them. Please note that charts (and subsequent analysis) will always be in Eastern Standard Time, so please adjust accordingly.

Another friend pointed out to me something I had missed about the New Moon in Aquarius. Last weekend was so packed with celestial goings-on that I completely failed to write about a) Uranus was having its direct station, which I later added to my Aquarius Season piece, b) Lunar New Year, duh (Gong Hei Fat Choi!), and c) I didn’t notice that the rulers of the New Moon, the Saturn-Venus conjunction, happened to be right on top of the Behenian fixed star, Deneb Algedi. That adds a whole new flavor to the lunation and the subsequent period which we are currently in. You can read more about Deneb here.

With housekeeping out of the way, let’s forge ahead with this week’s astro weather:

Though not entirely motionless, Mars has been chilling at 8 degrees Gemini since January 1st. If you consult the above handy chart, you will see that today he has taken his first significant step forward since stationing direct on the 12th. It will take Mars a while to get back to his normal speed, and thus, the Go Juice may be in short supply. But this may feel like the first such ration to would-be achievers in need, especially since the Sun is smiling on Mars by way of a helpful trine. What’s more, the Moon will enter Aries by the early afternoon, running across the Jupiter and Juno “commit to doing better” conjunction. This evening has some positive dynamism behind it, then; a refreshed Mars taking the field again, supported by both lights.

While the Sun is smiling on Mars, he’s in a pretty contentious relationship to the nodes, and that may make this week feel heavy. Some may feel particularly caught between what they’re trying to build up in their life and what they’re trying to cut ties with, both options appearing unbearably difficult. But staying still is not advisable right now. The pressure is on because it is time to move. This aspect will be with us all week, and will reach an exact square on Saturday, fading gradually thereafter.

Mercury has us set up for spontaneity and Eureka moments, closing in on a trine to Uranus – that aspect is exact on Sunday, but there are likely triggers of unexpected contacts, ideas, and conversations throughout the week.

Venus is not doing so hot today, crawling through the ass-end of a sign that’s not her favorite and coming off of a conjunction with a planet that isn’t her favorite. Both Aquarius and Saturn dull Venus’ shine a little bit, or at least, make it a very niche shine indeed. So today and tomorrow could feel a little doldrum-y, but not to fret. Things are soon to change.

On Thursday (1/26,) the Moon’s advance brings it over Chiron, a large asteroid who represents wounds and insecurities. In its long trek through Aries, it has likely stirred doubts around personal power, capability and agency. The moon’s presence emphasizes and triggers a pre-existing square between Mercury and Chiron. Often, an aspect like this will be present as background noise, and it will take the moon’s direct contact to make it manifest. This aspect is most likely to manifest as challenging and hurtful words, but hopefully the kind that spur on healing. So, trigger warning on Thursday in general – slash – an invitation to meaningfully engage with what may be holding you back.

There is a reward at the end, too. Around 9:30pm, Venus will make ingress into Pisces, her exultation and happiest vacation spot. Some words about this placement from my Aquarius Season piece: “She’s adaptable enough to make any space a little cozier, but she’d sure rather be in Pisces…where she can go full naiad, where she’s an honored guest who spends all her time chilling by the water, making each and every the vibe a little more fun and sexy. Pisces is generally informed by Jupiter’s expansive benevolence, which means that here, Venus has time for any and all sorts of people in need of affection, In fact, if I’ve seen a main recurring problem with the naturally charming people blessed with this natal placement, it’s that they’re not discerning enough about who they allow to get close. Aside from watching out for that, this Venus is great for all forms of artistic expression and general life enjoyment. Being that Jupiter is currently in Aries, this Venus period may seem particularly sporty and spunky, driven and ambitious while enjoying the game.” Venus will remain in Pisces until February 20th.

Friday (1/27) should be a fine day to take advantage of this, the only fly in the ointment being a daytime square between the Moon and Pluto, which may stir up drama and ill will, but should dissipate by the evening.

Saturday (1/28) sees a pile-up around Uranus that may bring with it some shocks and revelations, as the moon’s movement will be tipping over dominoes discussed above. The Moon in Taurus will be right on top of the Uranus-North Node conjunction today; that alone would be enough to potentially set off some surprise land mines, a mix that speaks of unexpected material change. But add to the mix a) the tight trine to Mercury, discussed above, and b) the Sun’s square to the nodes, which in this case, also heavily involves Uranus, discussed above. We have a sort of volatile mixed bag here, a trail mix full of peanuts and pop rocks and maybe one or two pieces of glass. Mercury, he of cognition and communication, should receive some help here, but the Sun, of identity and vitality, gets a black eye. This puts some Black Mirror scenarios in mind, ones where cerebral advances seem to require us to sacrifice a piece of humanity. This will dovetail into Sunday (1/29) where the moon is going to catch a trine to Pluto, a square to Saturn, and a sextile to Neptune: we may feel pressure to shape up and do what’s right, but there will be so many opportunities to subvert. Mercury’s trine to Uranus will also be exact on this day, though I do think the moon’s trigger the day before has the larger impact.

On Monday and Tuesday (1/30 and 2/1,) the moon will move on into Gemini, making contact with Mars on the very same day that the Sun’s trine to him becomes exact. The spotlight on Mars may inspire some to roll their sleeves up and take on whatever project has been demanding their attention. We also receive a sneak peek at an upcoming aspect; while Venus is closing in a on a square to Mars, she is still too far away. But the moon will receive Venus’ square at the same time as she makes contact with Mars, translating the light and allowing us to get a sense of what this will look like. Squares are contentious aspects, yes, but they also spurn action. Between Venus and Mars, this also might look like some Moonlighting-style sexual tension. Just be on guard that a conflict between the Venus and Mars achetypes stays on the right side of civility. This conflict may also be entirely internal, a conflict between what we’re drawn to and what we should separate ourselves from.

Until next Hump Day!