MONTH OF January
Oh hello there, Scorpio! January swoops in with a social start for you. You’re talking, thinking and buzzing around and you can hardly keep up with yourself! The Sun is in Capricorn and your third house of communication and ideas until January 20, making you unusually chatty.
But you might actually want to lean in to your famous secretive side, at least a little. Expressive Mercury is retrograde in Capricorn until January 18, amplifying the chances that your words will be misinterpreted. Signals will be scrambled and technology disrupted. Be careful what you post, publish and say aloud as a careless slip of the lips could accidentally land you in hot water.
What you CAN kick off right from the get-go is your 2023 fitness plan. Lucky Jupiter is back in Aries and your wellness house until May 16, its second of two trips to this sign (it was first here last year May 10 until October 28). Healthy living becomes your new adventure, from cutting-edge workouts to artful but nutritious cuisine to sophisticated non-alcoholic mocktails.
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Got a skill that you need to polish or acquire? Consider a short but focused burst of study where you can get certified in say, Javascript coding or update a professional license. Jupiter in your analytical sixth house is a great time for that. If you’re in a career transition, you might take a “bridge job” that pays the bills but still leaves you with time and mental energy to take courses or build your own business on the side.
Focusing will get much easier after January 12, when energizer Mars ends a ten-week retrograde through Gemini and your intimate, laserlike eighth house. If you’ve been struggling to pay attention to the details (normally not an issue for you) or you’ve encountered tension and fighting in a close relationship, it’s likely a result of Mars being retrograde here since October 30. Now you’ll be much better able to deep dive into whatever you’re into and to deal with your emotions more constructively. Mars will be in Gemini until March 25, and when he’s blazing full-steam ahead, it’s a sizzling time for business alliances, erotic escapades and intriguing investments.
Home and family take center stage after January 20, when the Sun shifts into Aquarius and your domestic fourth house. The next day serves up an Aquarius new moon and kicks off the Year of the Water Rabbit, a 12-month cycle that you’ll find much easier than the prior year’s erratic Water Tiger energy.
Once Uranus ends its five-month retrograde on January 22, there will be no more retrograde planets overhead. (Woohoo!) The runway is cleared for your 2023 takeoff. As Uranus powers forward in Taurus, it will activate your partnership zone, bringing innovative allies into your world whose talents complement yours. What could you create by bringing your best abilities together? There’s only one way to find out!
It’s Capricorn season until January 20, but Mercury is retrograde until January 18
Tell us what you really think…wait, maybe don’t! The Sun is in Capricorn and your third house of communication and ideas until January 18, setting your innovative wheels in motion. You’re in the mood to socialize and brainstorm, hungry for new content that inspires you. Kindred spirits are also welcome during this collaborative solar cycle.
But you’ll need to be careful with your communication and the company you keep this month because Mercury is retrograde (backward) in Capricorn until January 18, clouding your normally astute judgment. Mercury rules technology, interpersonal matters and travel, and these areas could all get a shake-up while the quicksilver planet practices its backstrokes. You could fall behind on deadlines or overlook a critical mistake.
Review your emails and documents thoroughly—you can never be too careful, and Mercury retrograde can cause errors to slip past your watchful eye. With colleagues, you need to spell out important terms. Don’t assume that people know where you’re coming from now. Back up your computer files too since Mercury can wreak havoc on electronic equipment and data. This is a “save to draft” kind of cycle, better for working through ideas privately than posting or sharing about them.
You could have an eye-opening conversation on January 18, when the Sun holds its once-a-year confab with your co-ruler powerhouse Pluto right as Mercury retrograde ends. Let the strategy sessions begin! Warning: Talks could get intense and feel like a chess game, but stay in the heat, Scorpio. You might just be privy to important intel or have a flash of dead-on insight (keep that poker face on if you want them to show their hand). Follow a breadcrumb trail of information if your intuition tells you to do so. Observe silently. There may be more to investigate before you can accurately draw conclusions.
The January 6 Cancer full moon helps you see the big picture
Switch your view to wide-angle settings, Scorpio. On January 6, the first full moon of 2023 arrives in Cancer and your expansive, adventurous ninth house. As the first official work week of the year comes to a close (or you gear up to go into one), don’t let the hopeful energy of the new year fade. Keep your contagious enthusiasm percolating and lean into the full moon’s optimism.
Thinking of playing small or downsizing your dreams? Think again. Crumple up the sensible resolutions you halfheartedly scribbled and aim bigger, Scorpio. Dare to be “unrealistic” and pursue something that might seem out of reach today or requires a leap of faith. The ninth house rules travel and higher education, and you could be inspired to book a trip or sign up for an eye-opening course at this full moon. This entrepreneurial full moon could also prompt you to start working on an independent business venture or a small side hustle.
The ninth house rules risk-taking, and these “lady luck” moonbeams will stoke any gambling instincts, inspiring you to take a chance. (Never a bad idea, especially for Scorpios who naturally lean toward the controlling side.) Just hedge your bets instead of going all in on a single plan. That Scorpio tunnel vision could get you in trouble since Mercury retrograde will be in tight opposition to the full moon. Something that seems like a sure thing now could become a source of doubt or confusion, or there could be unforeseen delays. It’s a smart idea to have a backup plan or a couple alternate choices now.
Home, family and personal matters: Aquarius season starts January 20
A little hibernation for you, Scorpio? On January 20, the Sun slips into Aquarius, your fourth house of home and family, putting domestic matters in the spotlight. Sure, you might be busy at work as 2023 picks up steam, but you need a solid base to operate from. Focus on feeling rooted in your home—and at home in your body and soul. That means slowing down and tuning in to yourself and your feelings. We’re not suggesting you drown in your emotions…just don’t drown them OUT either.
Making your home feel like a sanctuary is also part of your Aquarius season mission. Once your nest has been spruced up, you could entertain a few close friends and loved ones. Your nurturing instincts are in high gear now. The fourth house rules women; over the next four weeks your mother, a child or a powerful woman could play into events.
Enter the Water Rabbit! Aquarius new moon and Lunar New Year’s Eve on January 21
Ready to renovate, decorate or find a new place to call home? The Aquarius new moon arrives on January 21, kicking off a fresh six-month cycle in your domestic fourth house. If you need to make a fresh start with loved ones after holiday tension or you’re ready to start planning the next chapter of your personal life (kids, a downpayment on a home, giving a special someone a set of keys to your place), the new moon will provide.
Finding a new “hutch” will be easier starting this evening as the Year of the Water Rabbit begins. Since February 2022, we’ve been under the spell of the unpredictable Water Tiger, a year that made your orderly sign a bit queasy from all the pivots and unplanned changes. At tonight’s Lunar New Year’s Eve, we’ll usher in the gentle, ethereal Water Rabbit until February 9, 2024. Comfort will be queen for the next 12 months as this softer and more secure cycle gets us in tune with our feelings and imaginations again. That’s much more your speed, Scorpio, since on the inside you’re a giant mush—but don’t worry, we won’t tell a soul!
Power up your partnerships: Uranus retrograde ends on January 22
Is it time to go all in? On January 22, radical changemaker Uranus wakes up from a five-month retrograde nap in Taurus and your committed seventh house. A relationship, either business or personal, could suddenly zoom toward official status. Or you might take a complete detour and call an almost-finished agreement off. If Mercury retrograde made you rethink your plans, Uranus’ course correction could give you the guts to voice your choice.
Any duo that feels less than dynamic won’t cut it, especially if you feel like the other person is limiting you in some way. Uranus wants freedom of expression and room to roam—and that’s one item you can’t compromise on now. And why should you, Scorpio? When you finally do commit, you do so 110 percent. Why give your vital energy to something that doesn’t light up your life?
Feelings are running super-strong this January as the love planets travel through the most intimate zones of your chart. From January 2 to 26, romantic Venus is in Aquarius and your sensitive, sentimental fourth house. You could be feeling extra tender and a little bit needy at moments, perhaps even a touch insecure. While you’d prefer to come across as cool and in command, you’re human, Scorpio. Letting the people closest to you see your vulnerabilities can actually cement your bond.
Still, some mood management might be in order as you sail this month’s emotion ocean, especially since communication planet Mercury is retrograde until January 18, making it hard to effectively express yourself. You could inadvertently come across as blaming or demanding, which will have the opposite effect from what you intended. Work on being direct and asking for what you need, even though it’s uncomfortable for you to do so.
Meantime, the other love planet, sizzling Mars (your co-ruler), is partway through an extended tour of Gemini and your erotic, intense eighth house from August 20, 2022, until March 25, 2023. This cycle can turn up the sexual heat, but it also brings out a jealous and possessive streak. (You don’t need any extra help with that, Scorpio…) Since October 30, Mars has been retrograde, a challenging cycle that could have stirred up trust issues, bedroom dissatisfaction or contentiousness if you were splitting up with a partner.
On January 12, Mars corrects course and turns direct (forward), which could set your erotic eighth house ablaze. Don’t be surprised if you’re back in the mood to hang that “Do Not Disturb” sign for some private passion again.
If you’re in the throes of a bitter breakup, discipline yourself to stop ranting about your woes to anyone who will listen. Call the therapist instead of using your friends as a sounding board, a habit that you might have slipped into while Mars was retrograde.
Although Mercury and Mars will still be retrograde, January 9 could be one of the month’s best days for love. That day, love planets Mars and Venus will connect in a harmonious 120-degree trine, opening the emotional floodgates. You could confess your feelings for each other or make a big decision about moving in together, children or trading house keys. This day could bring a beautiful moment where you take a chance and trust someone, allowing them into the more private spaces of your heart. A relative or nurturing friend could offer healing support if you’ve been struggling with tough emotions.
This heavy cycle starts to lift on January 26, when Venus moves onto Pisces and your passionate, playful fifth house. Here until February 20, Venus sets the stage for a sexy and glamorous Valentine’s Day. This is definitely the year to book a hotel room or, if you’re single, to lavish yourself with love in Cupid’s honor. Get out with your friends and celebrate unconditional love by spoiling yourselves in the style that this decadent Venus transit calls for!
Inspiration station! Your mental prowess is on fire as the Sun moves through Capricorn, your third house of ideas and communication, until January 20. You can make great progress on a writing or teaching venture, or just hold a few fruitful brainstorm sessions. But don’t rush to share your ideas publicly just yet. With Mercury retrograde in Capricorn until January 18, communication and technology breakdowns could interfere with your message. Do your behind-the-scenes planning then strike out after Mercury corrects course.
You’ll have extra oomph on January 18 as the Sun forms a conjunction with powerful Pluto, a meetup that only happens once a year. Is there a powerful decision maker you could connect with today? You could have a game-changing conversation with an important influencer or VIP. Whatever meeting transpires, be fearless and go deep to the root of the matter. You have the ability to laser in on something important, catching details that others might miss. You could link up with a heavy hitter on a new project too.
Stay open to anyone who has kindred-spirit potential. Maybe you’ll test your synergy on a small project and see where it goes. With trailblazing Uranus ending a five-month retrograde in your partnership zone this January 22, a stalled negotiation could pick up speed, or you could start attracting people whose skills and connections complement yours to a tee.
Love Days: 24, 28
Money Days: 8, 18
Luck Days: 6, 15
Off Days: 26, 3, 13
Identical twin sisters Ophira and Tali Edut (The AstroTwins), have been ELLE.com‘s official astrologers for over a decade. They are the authors of several astrology books, including their popular yearly horoscope guides, and have read charts for celebrities including Beyonce, Karlie Kloss and Emma Roberts. For their spot-on predictions, books and online courses, visit them at astrostyle.com.
