Week 1: January 2023 Week 1, The Week Ahead Horoscope

Venus enters Aquarius this week & sextiles Jupiter bringing some good news! Major revelations are afoot with a gentle, tender, and soft Full Moon in Cancer & a Mercury Cazimi the day after.

Introduction

Welcome everyone to Week 1 of the Week Ahead Forecast. So excited to have everyone join me in reviewing the Astro Weather for 2023. Such an exciting time, and for those who have been long time followers, this begins my official 2nd calendrical year of covering the Astro Weather. I started this newsletter on Sept 16th, 2021 with the intention of getting my writings, my astrology, and connecting the astro weather and our daily lives together to find more ways to be intentional about how to engage and make sense with the world around us. Speaking of forecasting though. I recently recorded my Year Ahead Forecast with my friend Cameron to take an overview of the major transits for 2023. Its a 3 hour forecast so definitely take some time and space out listening to it all, but these weekly and monthly forecasts will act as magnifying glasses to accompany those major transits signified in the Year Ahead.

Monday Jan 2nd 

[7:14 AM ET] The Moon in Taurus square Saturn at 22º34’ Aquarius
[7:30 AM ET] The Moon in Taurus trine Mercury Retrograde at 22º42’ Capricorn
[9:09 PM ET] INGRESS: Venus enters Aquarius
[9:44 PM ET] INGRESS: The Moon enters Gemini
[9:48 PM ET] The Moon in Gemini trine Venus at 00º02’ Aquarius

On Monday, the Moon will make a square to Saturn and a trine to Mercury early in the morning making it a busy but tiresome Monday. After all the celebrations from New Years Day, there is a serious “return back to work” vibe that Saturn gives us, urging us to take care of our responsibilities for the beginning part of the day. Saturn in an overcoming square to the Moon can put a lot of strain, stress, and exhaustion on our bodies, but there is this stubborn conflict between this exalted moon who desires rest, leisure, and comfort, and Saturn who brings pressures of deadlines, authority, regulations, and limitations over towards the Moon. The Moon is able to connect with Mercury just less than an hour after, which is great for taking time to review information, knowledge, to do writing, speaking, and communicating. The Moon trining Mercury is also a nice moment for studying and learning new information too. I know I’ve personally been using this day to get a majority of my writing for this newsletter done. This brings a nice look at things that needed to be revised and reviewed since Mercury is still Retrograding for the next 2 weeks.

Later in the day however, Venus will change signs and enter Aquarius. This is a nice change that takes place and it really sets the tone for the rest of January as a month. Venus doesn’t have too much strength in the air signs, even though she does rule one of them, but it is a place she likes to be in. Air signs are social, connection oriented, and have an affinity for communication, and Venus is able to ease a lot of the social tension we may have been feeling over the previous few weeks. Aquarius is a sign that is associated with orthodoxy, restrictions, the rules that organize society, but it is somewhat of a detached and inhibited sign. Whereas Saturn has been a strong force, dividing and building walls between people, Venus brings a nice balm that allows for talks of peace, diplomacy, and invites us to connect and build bridges with others. Venus. Venus unifies and harmonizes people in this sign through shared visions of what standards, ethics, and rules should be established as a way to maintain care, love, and commitment between others. Venus will be ruled by Saturn here, who shifts the nature of this desire towards something long lasting, committed, enduring, and stable. Aquarius is a Fixed Sign after all, so Venus will try to stabilize commitments in this sign. However, dealing with themes of rejection can also be prevalent as Venus will inch closer towards the serious, austere, planet Saturn. Venus can help loosen some of the stiffness Saturn can bring, ease the excess of contemplation, and provides some flexibility with the rules. The Moon will enter Gemini and then make a beautiful trine to Venus, which really stirs up the opportunity to be social, form new connections, and find support from friends, lovers, and relationships. This is a nice start to the Moon in Gemini transits which have be notorious for being very abrasive, confrontational, and pump your adrenaline since every time its come here it conjoins Mars in Gemini. Venus offers some balm to be able to soothe and calm down our nervous system while still making room for curiosity, conversation, and connection. Monday is ruled by the Moon and Monday nights are ruled by Venus. Their interaction today through a trine aspect is one that is definitely enjoyable, great for artistic pursuits, love, dates, and romance. Go have FUN!

Tuesday Jan 3rd

[12:36 AM ET] The Moon in Gemini sextile Jupiter at 01º28’ Aries
[2:47 PM ET] The Moon conjoins Mars Retrograde at 08º40’ Gemini

On Tuesday, the Moon will be enclosed for a few hours as it moves from the aspect of a trine from Venus over to a sextile to Jupiter. This enclosure between the benefics is very supportive and it looks like spending time with friends, forming alliances, and it brings a nice dash of good luck over the next few days. The Moon is actually pulling together the aspect between Venus and Jupiter that will perfect by January 4th. Together, Venus and Jupiter help give the Moon this extra boost of support needed to get through the last and final round of Moon/Mars conjunctions while Mars is Retrograde in Gemini. The benefics were not able to aspect Gemini previously, but now that they are able too, especially Venus, the ability to temper the malevolent, agitating, and aggressive influence of Mars is a lot easier to do. The emphasis of Air Sign and Gemini planets means that matters of communication, journalism, learning, and education are being emphasized right now, but with the benefics here, we can find support to combat the disinformation, delays, and contradictions Mars has been highlighting in this house. In many ways, this conjunction feels like a closure to this ongoing story of Mars Retrograding through this house Gemini rules in this chart, and it is hopeful ending since the benefics have come together in an alliance to push their harmonizing, unifying, and moderating influence over to Mars. However, there is one last push or blockage that needs to be overcome since the Moon will conjoin Mars today. We can definitely start to feel this energizing influence come around, which can spur action, give us encouragement to take initiative, and move quickly, but it can also bring agitation, friction, and start conflict. The benefics are in aspect, but the Moon meeting with Mars is strongest because it is a conjunction. This type of connection can be a moment where we are called to cut ties, separate connections with others, and choose independence. The station of Mars becomes especially loud tomorrow and we finally get some more momentum to move forward after the 2 month long delay. The Moon will be separating from Mars throughout the rest of the day and this tension/stress will start to wear off. Whereas Mars can agitate and inflame our nervous system, its next aspect will be a trine to Saturn who is a nice moderating influence that allows us to get serious, contemplate on our action, and be careful of the consequences.

Wednesday Jan 4th 

[4:07 AM ET] Venus in Aquarius sextiles Jupiter at 1º36’ Aries
[6:53 PM ET] The Moon in Gemini trine Saturn at 22º49’ Aquarius

On Wednesday, the Moon will immediately not connect with any planets after it connected with Mars yesterday, but today it will be moving towards a trine towards Saturn. Saturn is in its home sign in Aquarius and in the trine aspect, it offers a healthy amount of delay and slowness into our day on Wednesday. Saturn in the trine aspect can show wisdom, support, and favor from elders, older people, people who manage limitations, restrictions, and regulations, from the dead, ancient and old knowledge, whether it be from books or from memories. This trine also provides us with a certain level of seriousness and a timid nature, contemplating, and waiting throughout the day. This trine takes place particularly late, but before this happens, the exact connection between Venus and Jupiter goes exact which brings some good news between the house Aries and Aquarius rule in your chart. Venus is the planet of friendliness, love, and joy, and Jupiter magnifies and amplifies the excitement of Venus, working in collaboration and assisting Venus in her efforts to create peace and harmony. There is an extraverted feel to this sextile since they’re in Fire and Air signs who share the quality of Heat, which expands, moves outwards, and is more of an active quality. The benefics are planets who typically want to help and moderate the extremes that life brings so that life can flourish and grow, so if there is a part of your life where you’re seeking some assistance and wanting the favor particularly of judges, teachers, appointed people, artists, women, children, and managers of affairs this is a great time to extend an olive branch to seek the peace between two parities or people.

Thursday Jan 5th 

[9:14 AM ET] INGRESS: The Moon enters Cancer
[12:50 PM ET] The Moon in Cancer square Jupiter at 01º47’ Aries

On Thursday, the Moon will leave Gemini and return back to its home sign, Cancer. The Moon entering Cancer starts building momentum for the Full Moon which goes exact on January 6th and I am a fan of this Full Moon in particular. The Moon coming home, or any planet for that matter, means the planet has more support and resources to be able to bring about the things it signifies. The Moon is a planet whose primary significations revolve around safety and protection. The Moon in a literal sense is the planet who controls the tides of the Earth, but also stabilizes the weather and the seasons. Without her, the Earth would be a lot more of a crazy place to live on. She takes the harsh and abrasive light of the Sun and softens it. We are able to look at the Moon with no problem, but the Sun’s light is blinding and harsh. The Moon rules the sign Cancer, and in a similar way the Crab’s hard exterior of a shell protects their soft, fleshy, interior, the Moon shows up as a nurturing and protecting influence in our lives, creating the conditions that allow life to be sustained. The Moon was often considered benefic by Medieval Astrologers for this reason, amongst many other. The Moon wants us to prioritize our comfort and to quite literally take a chill pill. The Moon conjoining Mars could have inflamed our nervous system and made us feel agitated, but the Moon coming back home feels like a nice soothing moment of rest and relaxation. The Moon’s only aspect she makes today is a square to Jupiter in Aries who is in the overcoming position, and the abundance of cardinal energy brings strong, fast, and quick culminations in the houses the Cardinal Signs rule in our chart. This square to Jupiter can bring an optimistic, cheerful, and joyful feel into our lives. Jupiter can represent liberation from binds, restrictions, and limitations. Any sorrow or melancholy that Saturn, any agitation and frustration Mars can bring, Jupiter’s inclusive and supportive nature is able to alleviate all of that. A big theme of Jupiter is freedom and liberation, and these are the first tastes of the Full Moon we get which invite more comfort, ease of mind, and happiness. Jupiter bestows generosity, grace, compassion, repairs harm, and grants forgiveness. This is one of my favorite aspects of the week since Jupiter in the 10th position from the Moon is a very strong indication of gaining favor, recognition, and achievement whether it be from authority figures, from public matters, with bosses, or in career. Celebrations and cheer galore!

Friday Jan 6th

[6:07 PM ET] LUNATION: Full Moon at 16º21’ Cancer
[8:35 PM ET] The Moon in Cancer opposes Mercury Retrograde at 17º34’ Capricorn

On Friday, the Full Moon in Cancer will go exact in the sky, and it is one of the calmer lunations we’ve had in a while. The Moon is in their home sign, Cancer, representing the fitness and strength to bring security, safety, nourishment, and comfort. Cancer is concerned with safety, trust, and intimacy and in many ways, this time period is defined by understanding what those things mean to us currently. This Full Moon is a good moment for sharing a tender, soft, and heartfelt moment with someone since the malefic planets will not be in a position to disrupt or interfere with the goodness of this Full Moon. Both Mars and Saturn will be in signs that don’t make an aspect to Cancer, therefore there isn’t anything (other than the Sun) pulling this Moon towards emotional extremes. This is truly about finding a safe space where we feel supported and protected to be vulnerable and intimate with others.

This Full Moon also comes right as a Mercury Cazimi is getting ready to form on January 7th, which brings important revelations, realizations, and news about things that needed to be revisited with boundaries, rules, regulations, limitations, and restrictions in the sign of Capricorn. In may ways, this Full Moon can look like moving past some restriction that prevented us from feeling a sense of tenderness and support for our emotions. This conjunction to the Sun ignites Mercury with energy, inspiration, and a period of mental clarity. The Moon is also at the halfway point in her cycle as she opposes the Sun too. The Full Moon + Mercury Cazimi in contrasting signs shows how the Moon is pulling on us to add more empathy, share our emotions, and feelings with others that we’ve been holding back and trying to regulate. Capricorn Season can sometimes bring up issues of rigidity, restrictions, and regulations but the Full Moon highlights what happens when we are no longer able to hold back our tears, emotions, and feelings. Themes around our family, our roots, the home, and rethinking how we can create safe and protective spaces is an important theme for this Full Moon, and I am quite excited for it. There may be a tinge of feeling mentally scattered or polarized as the Moon will make an opposition to Mercury, which can highlight. Ultimately, this Full Moon brings into light what we need to feel secure and safe. Cancer is symbolized by the Crab who has this hard exterior and this tough shell, protecting it from the precious, soft, and tender flesh that hides within. When we see the Full Moon here, it brings these qualities of what systems of support we have to soothe and calm our nervous system in times of stress to a full light and culmination.

This Full Moon is a major contrast to the Full Moon in Gemini last month when it was conjoined to Mars, which was really stressful, filled with nervous tension, and Retrograde madness. This Full Moon feels a lot calmer and softer than the previous one and I think it will provide a lot of nice balm and healing for people. Thinking about the way you need to best be taken care of is a good question to reflect on. How do you want to be cared for? What actions make you feel the most safe and taken care of? Check to see what house this Full Moon falls in your chart to see the topics and themes that are being brought to a full culmination.

Saturday Jan 7th

[7:56 AM ET] CAZIMI: Mercury Retrograde conjoins the Sun at 16º56’ Capricorn
[9:40 PM ET] INGRESS: The Moon enters Leo

On Saturday, we’re still dealing with the cooldown from the Full Moon in Cancer which brings important culminations and a climax of collective energy, but as I described earlier, Mercury conjoins the Sun today which brings another type of climax. Whenever Mercury conjoins the Sun while it is Retrograde, this marks the halfway point in its Retrograde cycle since its orbit from the perspective of Earth is bound to the Sun. Generally speaking, whenever a planet conjoins the Sun, the planet is said to be reborn and starting a new cycle. With Mercury conjoining the Sun, it shifts from the Evening Star phase where it is visible after sunset, to the Morning Star phase where it will be visible before sunrise, providing Mercury with more energy, vitality, and clarity to move past the delays and trickery that a Retrograde can introduce. Take a look at the sign Capricorn rules in your chart, because the house this Cazimi is located in can point to some important themes around the types of revelations that are had during this time. Coming to realizations, having revelations, a eureka moment, light bulbs flashing in our brain, the sudden spark of joy when one finds the answer to a problem/issue they were having is some of the energy that surrounds a Mercury Cazimi. Mercury has plunged into the Heart of the Sun these two days make for days where many things are making sense, coming to light, and the themes of protection & security inform the decisions and choices we make. Chose what makes you feel safe, taken care of, and protected.

The Moon will then enter Leo towards the end of the day which will start to change some of the energy we’re dealing with going into the rest of the weekend. This Leo Moon looks pretty nice, aside from the fact there is an eventual opposition to Saturn, similarly to the Gemini Moon, the benefics are both here to witness and add a moderating influence to the seriousness of the events Saturn can bring. The Moon will connect with no planets for the rest of the day ET but it will be moving towards a trine to Jupiter into Sunday.

Sunday Jan 8th 

[1:59 AM ET] The Moon in Leo trine Jupiter at 02º08’ Aries
[11:52 AM ET] The Moon in Leo opposes Venus at 07º01’ Aquarius
[2:19 PM ET] The Moon in Leo sextile Mars Retrograde at 08º14’ Gemini

The Moon in Leo shows a desire to be recognized, affirming someone’s identity, boosting their ego, and to express ourselves and a beautiful trine to Jupiter in Aries takes place over night which can be the source for this boost of confidence we’re getting. The connection of these planets in fire signs affirms our actions, impulses, and urges us to put out best foot forward. Jupiter provides acceptance, optimism, happiness, and enjoyment on Sunday. There’s some level of excitement that is built with this trine and it is also a time of receiving important wisdom, knowledge, and insight potentially from astrologers, from dreams, omens, and engaging with divination. Jupiter is a spiritual and divinatory planet in a similar way to Mercury. This is a great time to hang out with friends, see loved ones, and again great for flirting, love, and romance since the Moon will then make an opposition to Venus in Aquarius. This tension between Leo and Aquarius adds a little flare to help offset the coldness and distant nature that Aquarius can sometimes bring in our lives. Leo, especially the Moon here, feels like a warm spotlight, not abrasive and burning, but soft and gentle. This seems like in many ways we able to have our identity seen, validated, and affirmed by others as the Moon connects with Venus. The Moon will then pull together the trine forming between Venus and Mars together as it makes a sextile to Mars who adds an energizing influence that also isn’t super harsh or abrasive. A sextile to Mars is like a pinch of spiciness in our food. Not enough that way its oversaturated, but just enough so you feel a kick. A little tension and boldness is good, and can go a long way with trying to form partnerships and agreements, but too much can cause too much tension between people so the partnerships and bonds between people are severed, like sandpaper grinding against your skin. This is a nice weekend that is filled with action, excitement, and fun as the Moon is enclosed in benefics from Saturday into Sunday. The Moon’s next aspect after sextiling Mars will be an opposition to Saturn which can bring a serious, grave, and melancholic tone to start the beginning of next week, and put a lot of stress on our body, but we’ll cover more of that next week.