This month’s New Moon occurs on January 9th 2016 at 6:30 pm Mountain Standard Time in the sign of Capricorn. Capricorn is a solid Earth sign representing security, stability and safety, and occurs at the darkest time of the year. The Moon is uncomfortable in Capricorn, so emotions tend to be channeled into practicality. We may also notice that our energy is lower than usual, particularly since both the Sun and the Moon have run into Pluto in the last week. This added intensity to the New Year, right along with Mercury beginning the Retrograde Dance on the 5th. Mercury will be retrograde until the 25th, spending most of the period in Capricorn as well. What this New Moon may be suggesting is to get down to business. You may be itching to start your business, but follow Mercury’s retro lead and do the research, read the contracts, re-read the contracts, dot the i’s and cross the t’s. And read the contracts one more time, for good measure. It’s best to wait until the retrograde is over – January 25th – to sign anything big, but sometimes life doesn’t give us that option. Just be aware if you do that something may need to be re-done or re-branded somewhere down the line. It’s also possible that the contracts might be easier to get out of, if need be. Life still goes on.

Elsewhere in the skies, on the 12th Venus harmonizes with Uranus, giving us a break from our normal routine. We may find ourselves running into unusual characters, or may choose on a whim to go get that rad hairstyle we’ve always wanted to try. On the 13th the Sun plays nice with Jupiter, gifting us with a day of harmony, expansion, and general all-around good feeling, or at least the energy to improve on things. The next day the Sun bumps into Mercury, who is enjoying a coffee with Jupiter as they exchange retrograde stories. This may heighten miscommunication, or it might entail a new mind expanding outlook on internal perceptions. The 17th brings Venus into conflict with Jupiter. Watch over-indulging in food and drink, and the temptation to overspend, though you might enjoy every minute of it! Mars harmonizes with Neptune on the 18th. This may be a good time to be in service to others. Practicing a spiritual discipline such as Yoga or Tai Chi may be favored as well. The 20th brings Mercury conflicting with Uranus, while the Sun enters progressive Aquarius. Brilliant ideas may be hatched. The 22nd brings retrograde Mercury into contact with Pluto. Power plays may go awry, communication may be powerfully understated and fully misunderstood.

In summary the time from New to Full looks to be one of getting back on track, researching options, and enjoying a little reprieve after the hectic holiday season. It might also feel like not much is getting done, but things are percolating below the surface, so please be patient. The light will soon return!

By Jill Pitts