Ringing in the New Year - 2023

As 2022 comes to a close, all is well without a single square between the planets. Mercury, Mars, and Uranus are all retrograde, inviting calm and quiet into the last days of the year. It’s a wonderful, peaceful time to reflect on the last year and look forward to the one yet to come. When Mercury retrogrades, he often brings people from our past back for a visit, and with Venus nearby last week, it’s very possible that old friends popped back into your life with tender words to remind you that they still care. Overall, it’s a warm and fuzzy close to the holiday season.

There is only one piece of caution to heed on New Year’s Eve as Venus is exactly conjunct Pluto. This brings power and depth to romantic endeavors but can also indicate a desire to control and manipulate others through charm and pleasure - consciously or unconsciously. Be careful not to let New Year’s Eve celebrations set you up for expectations, disappointments, and the desire to control others that could flatten the magic of this night. If this pitfall can be avoided, the seas of love and friendship can sail you towards powerful connections with those closest to you.

While the planets remain harmonious, there are two squares with asteroids to consider. On New Year’s day 2023, the Sun squares the wounded healer Chiron. If you find yourself emotionally hurt on January first, physical activity can help you shake it off as Mars lends a helping hand. Plan a hike, an intense workout, or a fun project at home to start the year off right.

In addition, Cupido will square Saturn for the entire month of January, asking that love affairs proceed slowly and with good boundaries in mind. This aspect, perhaps annoyingly, asks that commitment be considered alongside all of the fun that comes with falling in love.

The asteroids Pallas (Athena), Cupido, and Ceres, along with the planet Neptune are all highly activated in early January with grand trines, a kite formation, and a mystic rectangle. This will be a time to tune into life’s subtleties. Mercury, Venus, and Mars are all engaged by these asteroids during the first two weeks of 2023. What I see in these aspects is an opportunity to communicate unspoken truths and bottled-up feelings with those that are closest to you. It is a time to rely on intuition and emotion more than rational, linear thinking. This period is concluded with a T-square from Venus to the Lunar Nodes, asking us to let our hearts dictate our path in life, even if it means surprising changes.

There’s so much more to come in 2023 and I’ll be posting again soon. For now, enjoy a beautiful and rich start to the new year!