Leo (23 July – 22 August)
Take some time out if you can at the beginning of 2018. This is when there’s a Full Moon in Cancer, the sign previous to yours, and the private, hidden sector of your horoscope, ideal for a retreat or quiet time. The Full Moon is exact on the 2nd but you will feel its influence on the 1st.
Plus, on the 2nd, live-wire Uranus turns direct in Aries and the star sign that rules travel and distant horizons in your horoscope. Do something meaningful early in the year, but make sure you close the door properly on the year that’s past, before you look ahead. Trust your intuition and if you want to visit somewhere last-minute, make it happen.
Once the Full Moon begins to wane, it’s back to more serious business when you’re getting to grips with new or old projects. Action planet Mars is in Scorpio and your home and family sector until the 26th, so it’s full steam ahead for a domestic project, moving home or organising a big family get-together.
Note, however, that Mars rules anger as well as action. If you’re working in close proximity with family, there could be more arguments or disputes than usual.
You do, however, have lucky Jupiter on your side and Mars and Jupiter connect in Scorpio on the 7th. This is brilliant for enthusiasm, energy and whipping up support or inspiration for what you want to do.
As well as cracking on with the domestics in January, it’s a good month to consider your work and routine, your fitness and your health. The trick is recognising how the two are connected and to bring in a third element as well to complete the mind-body-spirit link.
Both the Sun, your ruler, and the planet of relating, Venus, are in Capricorn as January begins, the Sun until the 20th, Venus until the 18th. Plus, there are two slower-moving planets in Capricorn and they are Saturn, which moved here at the end of December and Pluto, which has been in Capricorn for a long time, 10 years to be exact.
This means you’re having to take these areas of your life seriously and it’s important to consider the long-term picture and what you’re working towards. There might be discussions about a family business between the 7th to the 10th or looking at how you can support one another within your family, depending on what’s happening on the job front.
Certainly, it seems as if these two areas of your life are more closely linked than usual and this is confirmed on the 16th, when the major Jupiter-Pluto connection takes place. These two big planets meet three times throughout 2018 and this is their first encounter.
Jupiter-Pluto themes are about transformation, seeking out hidden riches and digging deep to find the gold in life. There’s a wealthy element to Jupiter and Pluto, but also a protective element. When one person’s down, other people rally around to support those who are weaker.
Plus, the following day on the 17th, there’s a New Moon in Capricorn, a symbol of new beginnings and an excellent date to make a fresh start or set new intentions. This would be a brilliant time to apply for a job, consider working from home or set up a business that gives you more freedom and time for your personal life.
Get matters confirmed early on this year and then you can sit back a little and relax, or at least have a clear vision where you’re heading and why. Capricorn is also the sign of service in your horoscope, and when you have worthy goals lined up that benefit others and society, you can be even more effective.
The trickiest weekend for work and health is the 13th/14th, when both the Sun and Venus clash with unpredictable Uranus. You might have to change plans suddenly or perhaps you’re let down in some way during this planetary picture. This could also be a tricky weekend for love.
Communication planet Mercury enters Capricorn on the 11th where it remains until the 31st. This is the time to get serious about what next, especially when Mercury encounters Saturn on the 13th and Pluto on the 24th. Step up your game and be authoritative especially if you want to get your own needs met, either with regard to your work or your health.
Fun is also on the agenda in January, as Mercury retraces its steps through your fellow fire sign Sagittarius up until the 11th. Get creative with your ideas for play, fun and entertainment. This prepares you well for Mars’ move into Sagittarius on the 26th, where it remains until March 17th.
If life’s a bit too serious throughout the first half of January, even more reason to focus on your passions in life and embrace them wholeheartedly. This includes love and the second half of January could turn out to be spectacular for your 1-to-1’s.
This is because love planet, Venus, enters Aquarius and your relationship sector on the 18th, closely followed by your ruler, the Sun, on the 20th. Make time for your close relationships and work at your partnerships, both personal and professional.
The most significant date is the 31st when communication planet Mercury enters Aquarius but, more importantly, there’s a second Full Moon in your sign of Leo. This Full Moon is a power point in the heavens because it’s a Lunar Eclipse and this continues the Leo/Aquarius eclipse cycle which began in August 2016 and completes in January 2019.
Eclipses often coincide with dramatic events and, although you’re wise to wait a few days before making a big love or partnership decision, this indicates a powerful time for your love life.
The Lunar Eclipse often presents an opportunity to take advantage of your situation, although you can’t rule out the fact that other people may make their demands known too. Be honest and open and don’t try and play games where love or partnership are concerned.