January will be ‘cranking up the engines’ in our lives! We’ll definitely be in the mood to create some positive new beginnings. It may be a little confusing at first as we get things started, but by February we can be solidly on track. Venus, the planet of love and relationships continues to be in retrograde (starting out in the sign of Aquarius on the 1st, then moving back into Capricorn later on that day and continuing to be retrograde until February 3). When Venus is traveling in retrograde motion, it provides us with an opportunity to reevaluate our relationships. We can become aware of what our values are concerning our interactions with others and the patterns and behaviors we have been enacting. We can become more deeply and subjectively in touch with what’s important to us in our relationships. During this time when Venus is in retrograde in Capricorn, we will become especially aware of our business relationships and our interactions with co-workers and those in authority. We may find that we have become more co-dependent in these interactions than is to our advantage. If this is the case, the time for reevaluation can provide new insights that will show us how we can enhance our independence.

Although Mars is moving forward in Taurus in January, it remains in its ‘shadow’ until February 1. Consequently, this month offers the opportunity for us to gain awareness of what’s really important to us in terms of what we want to build in this lifetime, materially and financially, so as to have a greater sense of ease and comfort in our lives. By February, the coast will be clear once again for strong, forward motion. In the meantime, our time is best spent is planning what we want to implement in February.

Aries (March 21 - Apr. 19)
It’s been a frustrating few months for you, dear Aries, as Mars, your guardian angel planet is still covering old ground this month. You’re not used to feeling restricted,
confined and not being spurred on by a definite goal or challenge that calls forth your passion is no fun. But you’re getting close to feeling really excited again. Patience has never been your strong suit, but with Mars still in slow down and smell the roses, earthy Taurus since last July, you’re like a horse pawing at the starting gate ready to run a race that hasn’t begun yet. Your passionate nature and courage to go where you’ve never been before are your greatest assets, and you’ve had months to focus on what you desire most and what propels you forward in your life. Hang on! It won’t be long now before you’re on your way.

Taurus (Apr. 20 - May 20)
The past 6 months have been a time of greater courage, boldness, self-reliance and independence for you, as Mars, the planet of action, drive, initiative, passion and desire, has been cycling in your sign since last July. That is a long, long, long time! Your stamina, persistence and determination is stronger than it’s ever been. You’re making quite a significant impact in all areas of your life. But, at the same time that you feel more powerful than ever, Venus, your guardian angel planet, is going backwards all month. This is a time to reevaluate what you really love, value and appreciate most in your life and while it’s hard for you to make changes, since you don’t like your feathers ruffled by conflict or confrontation, your relationships may be giving you a run for your money now.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)
A lot’s been going on behind the scenes in your unconscious, as Mars, the planet of action and initiative, has been ‘in your closet’ for months. You may have felt ineffective
and maybe even a little depressed if you’ve been avoiding being with yourself and pulling back from the demands of your world…not an easy thing for Gemini, the multi-tasker of the zodiac. The key is to have trust and faith that you will feel clear again about what direction you need to take. And with Venus, the planet of what you love and value now retrograde in your 8th house, you may be looking at the quality of your connections with others on many levels, financially, intellectually, psychologically, sexually and psychically. You’re being challenged on every front to go deeper and while that may not be comfortable,
the rewards are great!

Cancer (June 21 - Jul. 22)
You may feel like you’re backtracking in your relationships, as Venus retrogrades in your 7th house. While there may appear to be some confusion and lack of clarity in your interactions with others, you’ll get clearer as the month goes on about what’s most important for you to feel safe and nurtured. Jupiter and Uranus, the two planets of expansion and freedom in the other waters signs, Scorpio and Pisces respectively, harmonize with your Cancer Sun now. What an exciting opportunity to discover new expressions of you. This is a time to explore new aspects of your creativity and to expand your spiritual horizons. Throw caution to the wind, even though that is not your usual fare. Instead, take a risk to be what you’ve never been before. You may not even recognize yourself
by the end of 2006.

Leo (Jul. 23 - Aug. 22)
Mars has been in your 10th house of career since July of last year. Your focus has been on what really drives you, what you desire and are passionate about in your work. And while you usually feel in charge as the president, director, general of the zodiac, that’s not the case right now. You’re not comfortable when you don’t know where you’re going and where to shine your bright smile. Things very likely haven’t been fun for a while, as you are a child at heart but aren’t quite sure now where your playground is. And with Saturn
retrograde in your sign, it’s never been more important to follow your heart. The Sun in earthy Capricorn until the 20th is a time when you can feel more serious, responsible and disciplined than is your nature, but things will lighten up once the Sun cycles into Aquarius.

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22)
While you usually approach your relationships with caution and are not fond of surprises, you likely have been feeling restless and confined in your closest relationships with Uranus, the planet of change and liberation, cycling through your house of relationships. You’ve been discovering all kinds of new things about yourself through the people who’ve come into your life recently. And there’s no doubt that your need for perfection and your relationship checklist have been severely challenged recently. You’re learning that even if a relationship does not appear to fit into a particular niche, it is of value to your expanded understanding of yourself anyway. With Saturn, the planet of reality cycling in your 12 house, you’re ending a 30 year cycle and meeting whatever you’ve swept under the rug so that you can begin a new cycle in your life in the next couple of years.

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22)
With Jupiter now in Scorpio cycling through your second house of talents, resources and selfworth, you may now be reaping financial rewards for the gifts that you share with others. Practice receiving from others as Mars in Taurus now cycles in your eighth house of other people’s money. Allow others to invest in your magnificence and joint ventures are very likely now. And with Venus, your guardian angel planet in retrograde until February 1, you may receive more than one offer so take your time this month and evaluate what you value most and which people you want on your team. Just know, dear Libra, that whatever comes your way you have earned and deserve. You know probably more than any other sign in the zodiac that everything happens as a result of the Law of Attaction and where you put your attention, so focus now on abundance in every area of your life.

Scorpio (October 23 - November 22)
And you dear Scorpio, have a marvelous opportunity to grow, expand and adventure
now as Jupiter, the planet of good will and optimism, travels in your sign all year. It’s time for you to cash in because you deserve it. No one sweats more than you do as you go to the deep, dark depths in your life. Believe that whatever you touch now turns to gold and it will. This cycle only happens every 12 years so take advantage of it. You desire intimate connection
on every level and now is the time to go for it! While it may amaze you, others will be receptive to your intensity. Your journey is one of magic and transformation
and this is the year to make your mark. This is the time to reap what you’ve been sowing for years.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)
With Jupiter, your ruling planet now in Scorpio, where it hasn’t been in 12 years, you are feeling more powerful than ever, especially since Pluto, the planet of transformation,
is in Sagittarius, where it has been in over 200 years. Never before have you felt this strong sense of mission and a relentless pursuit of your life’s purpose. You are content with nothing less than the commitment to be all that you were created to be. You are more focused than you have ever been. And with Venus in Capricorn now, retrograding in your second house, it’s time to review your gifts and talents to experience renewed self-worth and enhanced self-value so that you can accomplish what you’ve come to do this lifetime. Never has your life been so exciting, dear archer, as you stretch to new heights of self-expression.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19)
With Venus, the planet of love and value retrograding in your sign all month, you have the rare opportunity to gain a new appreciation of yourself that goes way beyond your worldly accomplishments. While you tend to judge yourself by where you are on the ladder of success, you now have a new found respect for your dedication, perseverance, self-discipline and responsible nature. Loving yourself has not necessarily been a major priority in your life, as long as you’ve continued to climb the mountain one step at a time to gain the respect and admiration of others. You now know that you can love yourself for no reason at all. And with Venus in Taurus cycling in your 5th house of self-expression, you are encouraged to remember to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18)
Mars, the action planet, has been cycling through the bottom of your chart, the house of home, family and emotional foundation since last July. At the same time that Jupiter, the planet of growth and expansion, travels through your house of career. The message here is that the deeper inside you go, the higher outside you go. Your career expansion is directly related to a more profound understanding of your inner motivation and what drives you from the depth of your being. Your life purpose is to change systems that don’t honor the individual in each of us. You’ve never been one to follow someone else’s rules. Inventive, innovative, rebellious and ingenious are words that describe you. Now is a time to explore these qualities at a deeper level and to welcome many opportunities to do that now.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20)
This is the time in your life that you’ve been waiting for…a time to be the unique individual that you are without apology. With Uranus, the planet of surprise and awakening cycling in your sign where it hasn’t traveled for 84 years, you are experiencing parts of you that you never knew existed, but have always wanted to express. You have never felt more innovative, inventive and ingenious. While those closest to you may not know what’s gotten
into you, they are thrilled to see you so excited about your life. While you are usually one of the most self-sacrificing signs in the zodiac, that’s an old behavior that no longer suits the new you. It’s not that you no longer care about your fellow man; you just have more of yourself to offer when you’re being all of who you really are.

Lorelei Robbins is an astrological consultant in the Atlanta, GA, USA area.
She may be contacted at LoreleiYes@aolcom or at 770-992-6112.