A Word from Rachel
Happy New Year!!
The astrology of 2023 matches the numerological tone of the year. The prevailing themes of this year are:
- Healing
- More being, less doing
- Reimagining power
- Renaissance
- Peace-making
We started this decade with the Saturn/Pluto/Ceres conjunction in early January 2020, which many call the Covid transit. That transit set a somber tone for the 2020s, but the peak of this decade’s astrology will be in February 2026 when Saturn meets Neptune in the first degree of Aries – the world point. Everything that happens this year will prepare us for the seismic cultural shift – a collective breakthrough – that will culminate around that time. Be intentional with your thoughts this year, and participate in your communities — don’t stand on the sidelines!
As we head into the new year, think of the metaphor of a choir. Each individual sings notes in their own vocal range. Individual voices that, together, create a unique and powerful sound.
Pluto dips into Aquarius from March 23 to June 11, offering a preview of this 20-year cycle. Things will feel intense as Pluto moves back and forth between Capricorn and Aquarius. It has business to finish in Capricorn, the sign related to the aspects of culture with hierarchal power structures, like government and corporations. To give you a glimpse of things to come, Pluto entered Capricorn in 2008, and since then, we’ve seen the start of the Occupy Wall Street movement, #MeToo, and Black Lives Matter. These movements started in response to economic and social injustices related to abuses of power.
Aquarius is the sign of the visionary and rebel. When Pluto last moved through Aquarius in the late 1700s, we saw movements in which people came together to overthrow monarchies and religious leaders. (Think American and French Revolutions.) While we won’t move full force into a period of rebellion this year, we can clean house and further address inequality.
2023 is an important year. It’s a year to reset and focus on how we as individuals can celebrate our gifts and, in doing so, contribute to the whole. We want to join with like-minded others and form communities. (Like our Spiritual Development Circle!)
We each have our personal year, too, which you can find by adding your birth month + day, + 2+0+2+3. For example, if your birthday is 5/23, you would add:
5 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 0 + 2 + 3 = 17
Add the numbers until you get one number. So, 1 + 7 = 8
It’s a one year for me, which means the start of a new nine-year cycle. A time to plant seeds and set new ideas into place. I feel it, too! What kind of year is it for you?
love
Rachel
Horoscopes January 2023
January’s astrology starts with Mercury and Mars going retrograde, making it a somewhat confusing and slow start to the new year. If you feel foggy about your direction or unclear about how to focus your energy, you’re not alone.
Mars retrograde slows us down and asks us to rethink our relationships with others and to different circumstances in our lives. How do we relate to our career? How is our relationship with money? We can reflect deeper during this transit, knowing the awareness we gain will have a lasting effect after the transit is over.
Mars stations direct on January 12, and Mercury stations direct on January 18. After January 22, all planets are going forward, setting us up for a fast-paced start to 2023.
The Cancer Full Moon on January 6 tugs at our heartstrings. It’s an emotional, nostalgic Full Moon, and it brings us into deep conversations that result in healing.
The Sun enters Aquarius on January 20, and the Aquarius New Moon on the 21st stirs up our desire to contribute to the world and do what we can to help others. Venus meets up with Saturn in Aquarius that day, giving us the urge to stay faithful to a goal or relationship. The influence of Jupiter shines on this lunation, and the Moon will move into a sextile relationship with it, allowing us to have hope as we move further into the new year.
ARIES (MARCH 21 – APRIL 19):
We start the new year with your ruling planet, Mars, moving backward. Is it safe to make a move? You may be more risk-averse for the first two weeks of January. At the same time, you can sense a subtle spiritual force driving you forward. It’s safe. Jupiter, the planet of faith, is shining in your sign all month. To win the exercise in trust, you have to relax and allow good things to happen.
You are awakening to a new mission this month, or perhaps, revisiting one that never materialized. Be willing to tear down a facade and let others see aspects of yourself you’ve preferred to keep hidden. The Cancer Full Moon on January 6 offers a chance to shed some tears, release, and let go. On January 9, the Sun meets Mercury in a clarifying conjunction. Any insights you receive that week will play an integral role in the year’s unfolding.
Mercury is retrograde until January 18, and you ease into the new year. Take things slowly, focusing on ironing out the details and getting organized. When the Sun conjoins Pluto on January 18, you may feel waves of grief for significant losses. Deep feelings are agents of transformation; by the Aquarius New Moon on January 21, you’ll shift into a more balanced state.
After January 22, all planets are moving forward. Go head-first in the direction of your dreams, especially after January 19, when an expanded vision for your future rouses excitement and purpose. Focus on being courageous even when it feels uncomfortable. Celebrate your independence by challenging yourself – it’s one of the best ways to explore new horizons.
TAURUS (APRIL 20 – MAY 20):
The bull, your sign’s animal symbol, is unshakable, stable, steady, and strong. It’s more decisive than stubborn, hard to train, and not easily manipulated. Sound familiar? Be unshakable like a bull this month, and you’ll set the right tone for the year. You’re in a season of sudden revolution with rebellious Uranus in your sign. Move forward with precision, meeting life on your terms. The Sun shines in Capricorn until January 20, helping you decide whether to act or resist.
Your ambition reaches a peak after January 20, and you can embrace a more expansive mission. The Aquarius New Moon on January 21 brings a creative idea to light. Life presents you with minor challenges, but have faith in your ability to solve puzzles and wind through mazes.
Mars stations direct on January 12, freeing financial restraints and promoting cash flow. Venus is in Aquarius from January 2 – 26, neutralizing stressful emotions about your financial health. While Mercury is retrograde (until January 18), declutter and create space for new things.
The Cancer Full Moon on January 6 inspires your curiosity, leading you to discover the work of new authors, thinkers, or spiritual teachers. Open your mind to receive bursts of insights. Then, share what you’ve learned.
Relationships take you back in time, and you may settle into nostalgia early in the month. It’s a new year and offers a different spectrum of possibilities. What would you choose if you felt free? Say goodbye to fear, and take advantage of the Sun-sextile-Neptune transit on January 13. A romantic adventure awaits.
 GEMINI (MAY 20 – JUNE 20):
The stars glow brightly for you this month, Gemini, and if you look at the night sky, you’ll see warrior planet Mars is the brightest of them all. Audre Lorde said, “Your silence will not protect you.” Mars would agree. Speak up for yourself, and notice when you start deflecting attention or shying away from saying what’s on your mind. Mars has been going retrograde since October 30, and you may have stifled your speech. When it stations direct on January 12, any unspoken words will find outlets for expression.
Venus shines in Aquarius from January 2-26. Allow yourself to be whisked away on an adventure, and free your imagination from the doldrums of certainty. With both relationship planets in air signs, you might fall in love or let your love be renewed. Mercury is retrograde until January 18, promising peaceful outcomes in interpersonal conflict if you stay curious and open to learning more about yourself.
The Cancer Full Moon on January 6 highlights your horoscope’s financial sectors. You’re moving out of a period of strain, but you’re still security-minded, perhaps sceptical until you have more evidence. You could receive a gift or meet an angel investor this month, especially around January 24 when the Sun shines favourably on Jupiter. Luck is on your side; don’t feed into fear.
After January 20, the Sun shines in Aquarius, and your restless spirit could seek a new adventure. If travel isn’t possible, find ways to satisfy your curious heart through writing, speaking, or immersing yourself in a new book.
CANCER (JUNE 21 – JULY 22):
I tried a fun experiment with Chat GPT for your January horoscope:
January will bring a fresh wave of opportunities to help you reach your goals. Open your heart and mind to the possibilities and nurture the courage to take risks.
Pretty impressive, right? AI technology presents an uncomfortable conundrum. On the one hand, by delegating some of our chores to AI, we become freer. But think of the jobs that could become obsolete from the growth of this technology. (Including mine!) This month, you face complex questions like these that tug at your ethics and pull your heartstrings.
At the beginning of the month, you’re in cleaning mode, with Mars and Mercury going retrograde until January 12 and 18, respectively. What situations feel messy? What needs to be decluttered from your home? Purge and create space for new beginnings.
Relationships are a predominant theme as you fine-tune communication to better relate to your partner and loved ones. The New Moon on January 21 marks a powerful time to exercise your independent spirit. You’ve done a lot of self-work since 2008 as Pluto moved through your sign, and you’re ready to see the benefits of personal growth.
Ground yourself in the wisdom of knowing that you can make things happen if you take small, steady steps into the unknown. All planets are going direct at the end of the month. So, take a risk after January 22 and start something new because trust and courage will guide the way.
LEO (JULY 23 – AUGUST 22):
The new year brings fresh opportunities and new adventures because of the groundwork you laid over the past three years. You’ve committed to growth and blossoming open in ways that will allow your creativity to shine through. This month’s astrology shows you reaching another milestone. Yes! I’m cheering for you, knowing how much pressure you’ve endured.
The first two weeks of the month are for organization and curation. Declutter your home, detox your negative thoughts, and clear distractions. In times of stillness and simplicity, new ideas emerge. Mercury is retrograde until January 18, signalling an intentionally slow start to the year. You can tap into your creative genius with an open heart and still mind. (Also, back up your computer!)
With Sun in Capricorn, it’s a good time for a disciplined approach to health. You have managed your health concerns with courage and determination, and your commitment to your well-being has significantly improved your quality of life. This month’s decisions will help you adopt habits and change your daily routine, especially at the New Moon on January 23.
The Sun enters Aquarius on January 20 and spotlights relationships. Saturn, the planet of commitment, has forced you to see how you limit the flow of love in your life. Relax into the experience of being treated well. On January 6, the Full Moon encourages you to see your partnership from a new perspective. Notice which criticisms are projections. Otherwise, this influence could help you appreciate your significant other and rekindle feelings of love and connection.
VIRGO (AUGUST 23 – SEPTEMBER 22):
January is a month of organization and planning. With Mercury going retrograde until January 18, envision your ideal year and create an action plan. After January 22, all planets are direct, giving you the green light to move forward. On January 29, the Sun forms a favourable aspect to action-oriented Mars, motivating you to start a new project or set a goal for 2023.
This month’s astrology emphasizes schedules, work, order fulfilment, and daily routines. It’s easy for Virgos to focus on life’s details and neglect play. As Carl Jung says, “The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity.” How can you incorporate more play into your life? Creative impulses flow from the spiritual source of inspiration, but we have to relax to receive them. The Cancer Full Moon on January 6 invites you to tune out mental static and be present to allow your genius to shine.
Venus shines in Aquarius from January 4-26, bringing some enjoyment into your workday. Take breaks often, and socialize even when you’d rather not. Consider it your homework to meet at least three other people with the same interests, goals, or professional background, especially on January 9, when Venus and Mars favourably align in your work sectors.
With the Sun in Capricorn until January 20, romance adds warmth to your January. After January 26, Venus is exalted in Pisces, making the end of the month a welcome time for expressing your love through definitive action.
LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 22- OCTOBER 22):
As January settles in, pause and reflect on the last year. Rekindling the brilliance of the past can spark hope. You’ve come farther than you could have imagined, and even if life’s not perfect, you are blessed in many ways. Perfectionism is a little-known Libra trait, and it’s often expressed with decision paralysis. Sometimes, we need to be reminded there are no perfect decisions. We’re weighing pros and cons, and if there were absolute right choices, how boring life would be! Let’s keep this in mind as we’re reminiscing under Mercury’s retrograde cycle until January 18. Practice self-compassion.
The first few weeks allow you to pause and organize for the new year. Start with your home. Is it time for a good decluttering? Clean, clear, and purge! Make space for new things and new beginnings. Under the Cancer Full Moon on January 6, you can release disempowering memories, resentment, or self-negating thoughts. As Venus in Aquarius moves toward Mars in Gemini, you’ll realize love is the way to heal.
The Sun enters Aquarius on January 20, and the end of the month is favourable for fertility, entertaining children, or adopting a pet. If you have had writer’s block or been in a creative slump, you could realize the roots of resistance and pluck them. The New Moon on January 21 sets you free.
Venus and Mars gently push you towards refreshing new connections, reinvigorating conversations, and inspiring collaborations. It’s a powerful time to remember the value of community and partnership as essential ingredients to any fulfilment that comes your way.
SCORPIO (OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 21):
January is a month of organization and planning for you. With Mars and Mercury going retrograde at the beginning of the month, use this time to plan for the year and make sure your goals align with your inner truth. You’ll know if anything’s off-kilter when your joints are stiffer than usual, or your body’s exhausted for no apparent reason. Rest and realign. After January 22, all planets move direct, giving you the green light to GO!
On January 29, the Sun forms a favourable aspect to action-oriented Mars, motivating you to start a new project or set a goal for 2023.
After January 20, the Sun shines in Aquarius, reminding you that creating a more harmonious living space is self-care. Make repairs and improve the flow of energy. Your partnership could undergo a renovation early in the month, but by January 29, love makes way for forgiveness.
On January 23, the Aquarius new moon offers brilliant insights about your career, especially if you’re job-seeking or starting a business. If you’re proposing an idea, pitching a concept, or marketing, fine-tune the messages you’d like to deliver.
Your inner wisdom can help you navigate life’s challenges; trust yourself. The Full Moon on January 6 allows for a breakthrough. If you can’t figure something out, stop trying and allow the answers to arise from your intuition. Sometimes, the answer is divine timing, and while that may not be the answer you want to hear, it reminds you that you’re a part of a cosmic order… a divine plan.
SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 21):
Last year brought you insights into the relationship between risk and reward. Saturn’s influence helped you identify worthy investments of your time, energy, and resources, while Jupiter’s movement through Pisces inspired faith. If you gambled and lost, you could recoup some of those losses. We’re constantly creating and manifesting in tandem. Your loss might have meant someone else’s gain, and it will all come back around. Jupiter shines in Aries all month long, helping to weigh out those scales.
With Mercury retrograde until January 18, you watch life in rewind mode for the first half of the month. It’s a sweet and nostalgic time but it comes with a warning. Stay present and celebrate the gifts in your life right now. Be proactive by deep cleaning and decluttering to let go of the old and create space for the new.
The Cancer Full Moon on January 6 helps organize your finances and balance budgets. Stay open to receiving help from others. With Venus in Aquarius from January 2-26, you are more connected with friends, making it an excellent time to get to know your neighbours or be a part of an online community.
Saturn in Aquarius focuses your attention on writing, speaking, teaching, and learning. The Sun enters Aquarius on January 20 and urges you into a creative process. The New Moon on January 21 supports you in taking the first step toward realizing your creative genius. What better way to start the year than in a state of self-awareness that leads to self-love?
CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 22 – JANUARY 19):
January starts slowly, with both Mars and Mercury going retrograde. You’re focused on organizing for the new year. Mercury is moving through your sign, highlighting details you may have missed when closing out 2022. Life will start moving forward at light speed, but keep things slow. Relax into 2023.
After January 22, all planets are moving direct, and it’s time for rapid action and change. On January 29, the Sun forms a favourable aspect to Mars, sparking a passion for a project. Dare to go beyond your perceived limits. Keep climbing that hill, knowing you’re at a new peak this year.
On January 6, the Cancer Full Moon invites you to seek understanding in relationships. Your conflicts may arise from projecting aspects of yourself onto others. It’s easy to misperceive someone because they remind you of a parent, sibling, or bully from childhood. Connecting with others’ hearts can be a remedy for projection. Can you relax and not feel responsible for others’ future paths?
Jupiter shines in your home and family sector, making this a time to be cozy with those you love. You might be inspired to make changes to your home. Make home projects a focus until the Sun enters Aquarius on January 20. We shift gears, moving from nostalgia to relief. You’re not the same person you were two years ago, and you don’t have to go back into unsupportive relationships or unrewarding jobs. You can follow your heart’s desire, and the Aquarius New Moon amplifies the potential for economic abundance.
AQUARIUS (JANUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 18):
Your sign has a unique polarity. On the one hand, it’s a sign of radical individuality; you’re not one to follow the crowd. On the other hand, Aquarius is associated with groups and communities. One among many. What links the two sides? Authenticity. How much greater our communities and groups can flourish when they’re made up of individuals free to be themselves? January is a month of self-expression and collaboration.
With Venus moving through your sign from January 2-26, you could find yourself joining more online groups. Use this time to connect with friends and come up with creative ideas. On January 21, the Aquarius New Moon is a great time to launch new projects and set goals.
If you’ve been dedicated to a goal, following a sacred call, or helping others, you will receive the gifts promised this year. When the Sun enters your sign on January 20, open your heart to receive.
Venus, the planet of harmony, moving through your sign, relaxes your nervous system, allowing you to enjoy life. You might have a spontaneous getaway around January 13 when the Sun forms a favourable sextile aspect to Neptune, heightening romantic possibilities. Love feels gentle and cozy.
Mercury stations direct on January 12 when you come out of a post-holiday fog. Don’t push yourself too hard, remembering there’s a season for everything. Trust me, the rest of the world’s feeling the slow start, too, until all planets move forward after January 22. Until then, ease into the new year.
PISCES (FEBRUARY 19 – MARCH 20):
Do you feel exhilaration when you know something good is coming your way? You might not have any context, but you sense it with every cell! Jupiter moved through your sign most of last year. This month’s astrology invites you to see sprouts of all the seedling ideas you’ve been manifesting. Maintain a spirit of hope, especially after January 26.
The Cancer Full Moon on January 6 brings big feelings, and you may recall lost memories or rekindle relationships with loved ones. Mercury stations direct on January 18, and the start of the month feels more like a retrospective of the past than a brand new beginning. After January 22, that spirit changes, and you’re ready to tackle any obstacles in your way.
The Sun enters Aquarius on January 20, lending light to your finances. You’re ready to change your relationship with money, a shift that starts with a willingness to be open to love. You deserve to feel abundant and free. As the Sun forms a favorable aspect to Jupiter on January 24, make a talisman to feel the wonder of all you’re creating.
Venus enters your sign on January 26 and activates your social life. Because it is a month for introspection and self-discovery, conversations with friends could inspire creative ideas or help you establish new goals. Set clear intentions for your year on January 21, and then let go without clinging to outcomes. On January 28, the Sun squares the North Node, pushing you beyond fear and helping you realize joy.
Read more and connect with Rachel Lang go to  rachellangastrologer.com