2019 Ushers in a Season of Fresh Starts

After a year riddled by retrograde planets and progress meted out in fits and starts, all the planets will be direct (moving forward) right after the new moon on the 5th and, minus a few speed bumps, all systems should be go. A second eclipse on the 20th, a total lunar and super full moon, packs an emotional punch, bookending a chapter-turning month of powerful beginnings and endings. Out with the old and in with the new, indeed. 

By Lisa Lisa and the Star Jam*

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19) Like Michelangelo, goats have been methodically chiseling away the superfluous material from their own marble block for the past decade. With a bunch of planets, joined by a new moon and a solar eclipse in your sign, you begin the year with a bonafide rebirth. Whether you change the font on your business card, test drive a new look, or sculpt yourself a new body, you’re ready to reveal a fresh form. Your relationships take on new shape as well. This is no small feat, so as you put the final touches on your creation, apply a little tenderness. Toward the end of the month, take stock of how you feel about what you’ve accomplished. As you go within, you’re aware of divine protection that has been guiding you throughout the process. 

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18) Before you put the key in the ignition and go, take a breath. For Waterbears, the year starts with all the buzz behind the scenes. The astrological omens coax you to take time out and turn your attention to metaphysical and emotional healing. Securing peace within prepares you to release old ways of being in relationships, and the lunar eclipse later in the month makes way for unattached Aquarians to open up to a new type of partner. By the end of the month, your personal new year begins with a fresh you and vision financially. All the while, you’re motivated to network, study, and expand your social circle. Like any self-respecting Aquarius, you think your way into a radical new version of yourself.   

PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20) With a line up of planets in your house of friends, groups, and objectives, opportunities abound to manifest your wildest dreams. Real fish swim in schools and, this month, you would do well do so, too. Wait, there’s more: the good news planets meet up in your career domain; you’re in demand and effortlessly attract what you love. Meanwhile, you’re stoked to take the lead around finances and keen to make money. Later in the month, the lunar eclipse presses the reset button around your health and habits, highlighting what you need to do or release to sustain your body long term. At the end of the month, slip away and take time to daydream; that’s when Pisces visions can take shape.

ARIES (Mar 21-April 19) Like a man shot out of a cannon, the new year catapults you forward. Action planet Mars, your ruler, is in your sign all month, and you’re revved to get moving and go, go, go. Set priorities around your career. Write them down. If you don’t like what you’re doing, there’s plenty of cosmic energy available to change direction. You’re at a crucial crossroads that calls for authenticity and being comfortable in your own skin at work. Lucky planets, Venus and Jupiter, pile up in your wild blue yonder house, beckoning you to take off for parts unknown; and a lunar eclipse near the end of the month illuminates that which brings you joy and urges you to explore your fun-tier. 

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Bulls like to hang out in familiar pastures. But come the new year, resolve to venture further afield. Try travel, spiritual pursuits, or learning a language – all can offer a different perspective on your own backyard. With so much activity buzzing in your house of long-distance travel and wisdom, stretching your boundaries opens up opportunities for growth. During the first week of the year, Venus, your ruler, still sizzles in your partnership house, ringing in the year on a harmonious note and making New Year’s ripe for a romantic date. Then the planet of love and money joins lucky Jupiter in your house of shared resources, inspiring others to fund you; and you’re flush to pay off debt or invest in ethical ventures. The lunar eclipse toward the end of the month could point you in a new direction professionally.  

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Outwardly, Twins’ energy lights on their social life this month. Collaboration sparks new connections and inspires breakthroughs. But with much of the planetary energy stacked in the hidden realms—of transformation and other people’s money—Twins take a deep dive into their inner world. Mysteries and metaphysics may capture some’s fickle fancies, while others might receive an inheritance or insurance settlement, and still, others might hook up with a business partner that may prove fruitful in the coming months. Meanwhile, Venus and Jupiter join forces in your partnership house, where love or a deepening of an existing relationship is in the air. Twins often balk at being tied down, but this month (all year, really) they’re more likely fans of commitment. Later, the lunar eclipse shines on changes you’d like to see in your community and make around the way you communicate. Yes, even you could improve in this capacity. 

CANCER (June 21-July 22) A focus on relationships sets the tone for the better part of the year. Sometimes co-dependent, Crabs tend to hold onto the past, but a fresh start with someone new, or a reboot around an existing partnership, helps you draw the line with people who drain you. It’s easy to get overstimulated or pulled in opposite directions at this time of year, so make sure to get plenty of rest, take care of yourself, and guard against stress. Fortunately, Jupiter and Venus grace your house of health and work this month, which helps bring balance to your daily rhythms. An emotionally charged lunar eclipse in your money house near the end of the month brings things to a head around your finances. An income stream may suddenly dry up, a new one materializes, or you find yourself a business partner. All the while, action planet Mars, and Uranus the great liberator, run interference in your career house, spurring you to take the lead and take a risk. Our money’s on Crabs making a breakthrough.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Lions can expect at a busy year. In preparation, the cosmic omens call for some adjustments around your health and daily habits. A new diet or exercise program may be in order to revitalize and strengthen your body to keep pace with the new year. Changes in the workplace may also alter a routine-turned rut; and being a fixed sign, Leo doesn’t shift so easily. Thankfully, a friendly jolt of enthusiasm from Jolly Jupiter stokes your ambition and helps you readjust. Both Venus and Jupiter are at your service this month, bumping up your creativity, maybe causing a late-blooming talent to emerge, and you’re back in business. Having this lucky pair in your house of love and romance also could cause a lion’s heart to beat a little faster.   

VIRGO (Aug 23-Sept 22) A planetary party in your fun house paves the way for you to express yourself and find your joy as the new year unfolds. Resolutions and setting intentions are fine ways to kick off a new calendar year, but for Virgos it’s less about planning your future and more about finding pleasure in it. You may feel drawn to sprucing up your home; the more comfortable and ample your environment, the more likely you are to relax and enjoy yourself. As an earth sign, Virgo is attuned to the body and its physical surroundings. Boosting your creature comforts with beauty and ease helps you embody the pleasure principle. Later in the month, focus on your health and healing; when your cup is full, give back and go volunteer. 

LIBRA (Sept 23-Oct 22) Much of Libra’s famous balance stems from the homefront this year. A cluster of planets in your house of home and family brings you down to earth, anchoring your social gifts, and granting you a degree of comfort. With love goddess Venus, your ruler, and lucky Jupiter both in your house of communications and community, you’re primed to learn something new, churn out harmonious messages, and are likely to meet someone in a class. By month’s end, you find yourself bringing more fun to the dating game and feeling more relaxed. All month, you’re proactive around relationships in general. At the lunar eclipse, you may loosen ties with friends who no longer resonate and find your true allies. 

SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21) The cosmic omens beckon you to consider how you communicate. Mastering a new skill, centering your mind and noticing when your phone is distracting you become turning points in building your power this year. This month, good-press planets Venus and Jupiter grace your money house, sharing good vibes around starting a new business or creating another income stream. Want to manifest abundance this year? You can (or at least have the potential to) earn more. With the lunar eclipse and supermoon happening in your career house toward the end of the month, it may be time to make a change; and a newly-minted communications skill or connection could be just what’s needed to lead you in a different direction. Throughout January, you’re driven to start an innovative exercise regimen to sustain your future health. At the end of the month, you make room for family. 

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21) With your ruler Jupiter and lovely Venus focusing their good fortune on you, you’re feeling and looking good. Popular, at peace, and in harmony with yourself—what better way to start off the year? A pack of planets and a solar eclipse in your money house amplify the need for a reset around your finances. All this energy directed from earthy Capricorn demands grounding and insists good-time Sages get down to business. A serious look at earnings and taxes and a plan for leveraging your skills to get in the black is in order. The lunar eclipse near the end of the month inspires you to travel, explore, learn a new language, or publish that manuscript. Whenever Sages lose direction or get bogged down they should grab their credit card and book tickets. But to start off this year on the right foot, make sure you have enough cash to cover the airfare.  

If you know your rising sign, read that, too; it’s often relevant. 

*Lisa Awrey and Lisa Carroll

illustration by @boccaccinimeadows