January 1, 2023 — January begins with two personal planets in retrograde, Mercury and Mars, while Venus, planet of love, conjoins with alchemical Pluto. 2023 is largely defined by relational recalibration, and the Venus-Pluto conjunction, which was exact on December 31, sets the tone. We are looking backwards at old relational wounding, frustrations, pain, and yearnings, seeing where we need to heal and adjust course. 

We aren’t quite ready for our New Year’s resolutions as we start the month and year. We still need to rally our patience and continue to deep dive into self-transformation, noticing where we have work to do in the realms of attachment, faulty mental dialogues, and committing to constructive change. But the energies of the year are shifting, and we may notice that as we focus on our personal growth, there's a increasing possibility for peace, calm, and fulfillment.

Mid-month, Mars and Mercury station direct, one after the other—on January 12 and 18, respectively. All of the inner planets are finally in direct motion, and by the New Moon on January 21, it’s time to take action, which will feel like a massive relief. The more we surrender to the necessary internal work presenting itself now, the more prepared we will be for the Aquarius New Moon, which truly kick starts the New Year. 

Mars has been retrograding since October 30, and by the end of January, we are finally disentangling from our stuckness, frustration, and angst. We know who we are and where we’re going, and we’re prepared for the massive shifts that 2023 has in store for us. We’re turning the chapter and shedding old versions of ourselves, leaping toward realizing our dreams, goals, and aspirations.

January 2023 TRANSITS

CANCER FULL MOON

The Cancer Full Moon arrives on January 6, opposite Mercury retrograde in Capricorn. Emotions run high as we consider the past and face old, unfinished personal business. This is a good moment to honor our inner child and let ourselves feel what we feel, finding the balance between irrational eruptions and our need for practical action, boundaries, and responsibilities. We can stop to listen to strongest yearnings and the messages rising from our subconscious minds. Psychic abilities are strong, and we might pause to meditate and tune into our hearts and intuitions to see what knowledge and wisdom are ready to come forth.

SUN CONJUNCT MERCURY

The Sun conjoins with Mercury retrograde on January 7, providing revelation, clarity, and insight about what this retrograde is about for us.

What are we mentally recalibrating? Is there anything that we need to say to someone that hasn’t yet been said?

It might be time to think about what’s unspoken, waiting until Mercury stations to actually confront the person and say it aloud. We can pay attention to any epiphanies striking us now, trusting that they’re important and meaningful.

MARS STATIONS DIRECT

Mars stations direct on January 12, bringing us great relief after a profoundly frustrating journey that began on October 30. Mars will remain in his shadow until March 16, but this is the end of retrograde and a cause for celebration. We can begin to think about pursuing our goals again. We’ve been recalibrating our direction, anger, and questioning our desires. Now it’s time to spring into action. We can give Mars a couple days to regain speed. He’s still a little wobbly at first, but we’re no longer suspended in space, and we can finally look toward the horizon, especially with Mercury stationing several days later. 

MERCURY STATIONS DIRECT

Mercury stations direct on January 18, continuing our momentum after Mars’ station. We can now start to make plans with a clearer idea of what we’re trying to achieve. The fog is clearing as the retrogrades of Mars and Mercury are finally over. This Mercury retrograde began with a Venus-Pluto conjunction and ends with a Sun-Pluto conjunction, so the lessons are deep.

What internal alchemy have we been undergoing? What truths have we had to face about ourselves, our relationships, and our patterns around love? What new self is ready to emerge with fresh insight and renewed minds?

AQUARIUS NEW MOON

The Aquarius New Moon arrives on January 21 in a wide conjunction to shadowy Pluto and a wide trine to Mars, which is now in direct motion. New Moons are fresh starts, and this one packs a punch. We are fully gaining momentum by now, and it’s time to set our intentions for the New Year. 

January 2023 Aspiration

In the quiet of snow and the wildness of our internal storms, may we conjure the patience to face ourselves in deep reflection—our discontent, frustrations, and internal longings. May we stay in the cauldron of transformation until the planets station direct, using our pain and discomfort as momentum for profound change.

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