Hold your horses, space cowboys and queens. Both Mars and Mercury are exiting their respective retrogrades this week, which could have you bucking right out of the gate.
Take a minute before barreling ahead. It’s too easy right now to come off as a bull in a china shop — or worse, as we have seen watching the House of Representatives, the elephant in the room.
Mars ends its retrograde in Gemini on Jan. 12. The last 10 weeks or so have been more about biting your tongue than biting anyone’s head off, so you may have a lot to say. Your friendly neighborhood astrologer recommends patience as you acclimate once again to normal speeds. Then Mercury will end its retrograde in Capricorn on Jan. 18. Which will mean you can let go of any setbacks from the past three weeks and return to previous levels of productivity.
With these two re-directs you’ll feel a strong urge to engage in serious discussions you might not be quite prepared for. Pull in the reins, partner. A guns-out dialogue makes for a better Western than it does a restful return to a retrograde-free few weeks ahead. This ain’t no rodeo, and those who lose their cool are clowns.
When reading personal horoscopes, read your Sun sign for the “big picture” and your rising sign for “where the work is.”
ARIES / ARIES RISING
March 21 – April 19
Mars inconjunct Mercury: Fresh conflict arises between your head and your mouth. If the two would just get along, you’d be a better friend for it.
TAURUS / TAURUS RISING
April 20 – May 20
Venus square Uranus: You may feel more experimental this week in terms of lust and romance. Get your kicks; just don’t kick anyone.
GEMINI / GEMINI RISING
May 21 – June 20
Mars inconjunct Mercury: Sometimes it’s best not to speak your mind, no matter how righteous or true the words. Find pillow, plant face, scream.
CANCER / CANCER RISING
June 21 – July 22
Moon in Libra, then Scorpio: Let your heart be light before it goes dark. Your relationships are your tether to reality.
LEO / LEO RISING
July 23 – Aug. 22
Neptune sextile Sun: Having empathy and being perceptive aren’t the same thing. Use your ability to read others like a book this week to heal, not hinder.
VIRGO / VIRGO RISING
Aug. 23 – Sept. 22
Mars inconjunct Mercury: Despite your obvious inclination for truth-telling, it’s best to tame the desire to toss words as if they were rocks at both friends and foes.
LIBRA / LIBRA RISING
Sept. 23 – Oct. 22
Venus square Uranus: Your urges put you to the test, but the only failure is a failure to communicate your needs.
SCORPIO / SCORPIO RISING
Oct. 23 – Nov. 21
Mars inconjunct Mercury: Something wicked this way might jump out of your mouth and screech at passersby. Zip your lips and find a nice quiet place.
SAGITTARIUS / SAGITTARIUS RISING
Nov. 22 – Dec. 21
Mercury square Jupiter: Watch your step, even if you’re walking on sunshine. Pitfalls appear where details have been ignored.
CAPRICORN / CAPRICORN RISING
Dec. 22 – Jan. 19
Mars direct in your 6th House of Health: Shake off those lazy bones and get your heart pumping. You could benefit from a good sweat.
AQUARIUS / AQUARIUS RISING
Jan. 20 – Feb. 18
Mercury direct in your 12th House of Ending: The end is nigh for your most stubborn and useless modes of expression. Hit refresh.
PISCES / PISCES RISING
Feb. 19 – March 20
Mercury square Jupiter: The best of what lies ahead is built on the details of today. Be happy about it but don’t brag.
