Monday, the Moon remains in pioneering, fast-paced Aries all day; it will journey there until Tuesday early evening. Life is an adventure; we’re more open to new ideas and enthusiastic about new projects.

Patience is certainly not our strong suit at this time, but we can decide quickly and act immediately.

Our independence and dynamism are important to us right now, so we may find it hard to be disciplined or accept advice; in general, our responses to others tend to be more assertive or even aggressive.

If you find your foot tapping, try hitting the gym or finding other ways to burn off the body’s excess energy. This Moon placement also started the build-up towards the first Quarter Moon (exact later this evening).

Monday at 5:44am EST, Mars re-enters protective, emotional, safety-oriented Cancer, still in its retrograde motion. It will remain there until April 17/18th. Due to Mars’ current Retrograde phase, it already journeyed through Cancer from September 4th until November 3rd, 2024.

Think back to late October/early November 2024, when Mars was in 28-29 degrees of Cancer. What did you focus on back then? What were you trying to accomplish?

This is a time when we like to go after projects that channel our energy into our home, family, or real estate. What is a simple action you could take in one of those areas?

Until April 17/18th, we need to feel secure before we act. We’re unusually protective of ourselves and our loved ones and so prefer to handle situations peacefully and humanely.

We could thus appear to be going rather slow at times — but with reassurance and confidence, we are more likely to be protective, helpful, and dependable.

If you have an Aries Sun-sign or Rising-sign, you are going to feel more emotional during this time. You may experience more conflict at home or the need to assert yourself with your loved ones.

If you are a Cancer Sun-sign or Rising sign, you will feel quite energized for the next 14.5 weeks. Channeling this energy into physical exercise or a project might be advisable.

Monday morning, a challenging Mercury/Neptune aspect becomes exact at 8:56am EST. We started to feel this aspect build on Saturday morning (Jan. 4th); it will remain strong until Wednesday evening (Jan. 8th).

This aspect asks us to stretch ourselves and grow. We may experience a lack of clarity and objectivity. We might make embarrassing errors, neglect important details, or carry some delusions now. Our lack of clarity may make it difficult for others to understand us.

We are also more imaginative now and easily swayed by the opinions of others. We can be highly creative and inspired under this influence but also overly sensitive, touchy, or impractical. What might a creative or intuitive approach look like right now?

Please know that it can be hard to follow routines. Likewise, concentrating on monotonous tasks and work or studies involving attention to detail or rote learning may also be challenging. As best as you can, be compassionate with yourself and others during these 5 days.

Ask yourself: What do I feel and perceive when I go beyond all stories, all assumptions, and all meaning?

Do you have your Ascendant, Career Point (or personal planets) in the following: 24-29 degrees of Sagittarius, Pisces, Gemini, Virgo, or 0-1 degrees of Capricorn, Aries, Cancer or Libra? If so, you are more affected by this aspect.

This is also true for those of us who have our Ascendant or Sun-sign in Gemini, Virgo, or Pisces (Mercury is the ruler of Gemini and Virgo; Neptune rules Pisces).

Monday at 6:56pm EST, the first Quarter Moon in almost 17 degrees of Aries becomes exact. We started to feel this aspect build on Sunday afternoon, when the Moon entered Aries.

The Moon in pioneering, enthusiastic, fast-paced Aries makes a challenging aspect to the Sun practical, cautious, accomplishment-oriented Capricorn.

We feel compelled to take action. Last week (on Dec. 30th) saw a New Moon in Capricorn. “Seeds” planted then are probably “sprouting” by now — and making their first contact with the outside world.

This is, therefore, a time to stretch and grow — and create some forward momentum. We may feel anxious or unusually busy.

As best as you can, go one breath at a time. Allow for changes, remain flexible (as much as possible), and find creative solutions for your day-to-day dealings with others.

Do you have your Ascendant, Career Point (or personal planets) in 7-12 degrees of Aries, Capricorn, Libra, or Cancer? If so, you will feel the effects of this first Quarter Moon more strongly than otherwise. This is also true for those of us who have our Ascendant or Sun-sign in Leo or Cancer (the Sun rules Leo; the Moon rules Cancer)