There are two very strong energies this week: 1) strong beliefs and opinions; vs. 2) sensitivity.  This week we have to be careful what we say as we might be misunderstood, leading to "fallings outs" with friends, family or co-workers.  Try to avoid talking about the 3 main "offenders" - politics, religion and money.  Instead keep topics superficial and impersonal, otherwise there is a risk of others taking what you say too personally, even if you had previously been on the same page.  Please keep in mind that this might also apply to you, with you being the one taking things too personally.  Also, we are being advised to concentrate on ourselves, on what is relevant to us in the here and now and involving our immediate surroundings.  Too many people are too passionate (upset, angry) about what is happening in the world when in reality, it has nothing to do with them.  This is indicating a very wounded population that chooses to direct its focus away from self and toward others to distract from its own problems. Instead, turn that passion into compassion for self and others.  Heal yourself and the world will heal as a result. 

Spread: Mini Reading
Cards: The Letter; the Lilies; the Mountain

After many frustrating experiences, you are going through a transition that is enabling you communicate in a more mature manner and, as a result, finally, bring about change.  Movement is coming in, and you are finally able to initiate change, and it is on the basis of how you communicate.    

Spread: 5-Card Mini Cross
Cards: (1) 3 of Pentacles; (2) 7 of Swords; (3) 7 of Cups; (4) Lovers in reverse; (5) King of Pentacles

After a misadventure, you are now in a place where you are taking a guided step in a direction that will lead to new options that you haven't even yet imagined.  What you are doing now isn't quite in harmony with your life plan, but it is an interim project, and that which it is teaching you is of great worth and value, making you more confident and secure, and will get you to a place where you can choose from various alternatives.

Spread: 5-Card Mini Cross
Cards: (1) 10 of Pentacles in reverse; (2) Ace of Cups in reverse; (3) Hanged Man in reverse; (4) Knight of Swords in reverse; (5) Hermit in reverse

Summary:  You are ending the perpetuation/continuation of a family or generational cycle.  This is very likely energetic.  By rejecting it and instead choosing to be more independent and detached and to instead observe rather than get emotionally involved, you are allowing a huge energetic shift to take place.  

Cardinal Energy (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn): The Devil in reverse; You will be freeing yourself from some form of bondage, whether it be a commitment, an obligation, an addiction, a co-dependency or even a bad habit.  Whatever it was you felt trapped by it and powerless as a result.  By freeing yourself, you are empowering yourself.  

Extra message for Capricorn: "There is power in letting go of control."

Fixed Energy (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius): 2 of Swords; Around the time of the New Moon in Aquarius, be careful not to engage in a verbal confrontation.  Keep your mouth shut.  In act, block and shield yourself from anything someone might say to you.  Do not internalize or entertain their words because whatever you focus on at a New Moon has potential to grow and take root.  

Mutable Energy (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces): The Empress; A vital ingredient is coming in to provide a form of nourishment and to help you or a project you are involved in experience a sort of growth spurt.  

Flipper: 9 of Pentacles
Single-Card Pull:  2 of Cups in reverse

This conjunction reveals love-related wounds. With the conjunction in a square to Saturn, perhaps these wounds involve past love affairs that had encountered obstacles, or maybe current love is somewhat challenged.  Some of you may be having issues involving feeling attractive or loveable.  This is a period of healing, however, with Venus supplying something like a balm to the wound.  With the conjunction falling on the 22nd degree of Pisces, the number of the Master Builder, use this time to build yourself up.  In terms of how you define yourself, whatever seeds you plant now will grow.  

Spread: Progressive Reading
Cards: (1) The Devil; (2) 6 of Cups in reverse; (3) 6 of Swords; (4 - extra) The Lovers

The year is a year of deep-rooted emotional healing to get out of the clutches of the Devil and into the welcoming arms of the Lovers.  Healing is transitional, with the energies of the Devil weakening as the year progresses and those of the Lovers getting stronger.  The difference between start and the end of the year will be like night and day.  

Aquarius:
Focus on healing during this sun period.  Your success lies in being balanced and stable.  Only lower your anchor in peaceful, calm waters and surround yourself with positive energies.

Pisces:
The duality and mutability of your sign are likely being expressed this solar month through your indecision or your inability to choose between alternatives.  The options are quite possibly worlds apart and could entail leaving your comfort zone and experiencing life from a different angle.  Perhaps you fear being out of your element.
 
Aries:
You are being tested to see if you can apply any tools you have acquired to better deal with challenges and conflicts.  One of those tools might be discussion. Can you find solutions to frustrating situations? Are you able to negotiate and compromise on disagreements?  Mastering all of this will open doors to you. 
 
Taurus:
After seeing what out’s there, you will settle into somewhere or settle on something or someone.  In other words, you now have a better sense of what you want and are ready to commit to it.  
 
Gemini:
It’s a favorable month for career opportunities.  Any contracts signed now are under a good star.   It’s a good time to commit.   Just make sure to get everything in writing and that any special responsibilities or roles are properly assigned, or at least are well-defined.  Figuratively and literally speaking, everything should be out on the table and clearly visible. 
 
Cancer:
Fluctuations in your mood are very likely.  There will be highs and lows.  You’ll likely oscillate between being happy and feeling depressed.  To get out from under the dark clouds, take people up on any suggestions or offers to do something together or invite them over to your place.  Company would do you good. 
 
Leo:
You are being advised to work on bringing balance and restoring harmony to your life.  Your workload, or any area of your life where you are putting in a lot of hard work and effort, might be becoming burdensome.  Meditation, prayer, and/or stillness would do you good.  The balance might be between family and work. 
 
Virgo:
Worries are burdening you.  As a sign, you like predictability and things going according to plan, however, life is not predictable and plans often have to get thrown to the wayside.  Focus on spiritual healing to better cope with the uncertainties of life.   Go with the flow and deal with situations as they arise rather than always trying to be prepared for all eventualities by worrying about them.  In other words, relax, you are wearing yourself out. 
 
Libra:
There is an existentialist feel to the month.  You see the transience of your life and you begin asking yourself if your efforts will last beyond you.  For example, are you leaving your mark?  Are you contributing?  Have you benefited society and humanity in some way?  This might involve progeny of some kind – through which you live on.  This all sounds lofty, but you are likely looking at your role in the bigger picture. 
 
Scorpio:
Emotions run deep this month.  You will be very passionate about certain things.  Matters related to the heart or activities that you love doing will feel very enriching, rewarding and meaningful.   You might meet someone very similar to you with whom you share a bond of the heart and soul.
 
Sagittarius:
You will find solutions to frustrating situations if you take a moment to reflect upon them.  Before you do, however, allow yourself some time for your head to clear up and for you to let go of hardened beliefs.  Then sit still, and the answers will come to you. 
 
Capricorn:
Some social or outdoor activities might fall through.  Perhaps you will have to reduce them in number.  Maybe there is simply too much going on, for example some events might be taking place on the same day.  It could be a matter of keeping your participation short and sweet, in other words, brief, so that you can see everything and everyone.  

Cardinal Energy (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn): King of Cups; Despite this being a potentially challenging week, you will be keeping yourself together.  You will ride waves, instead of letting them topple you over.  Also, laughter and seeing the humor in situations will help you get through rough patches (waters). 

Fixed Energy (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius): 7 of Swords, in reverse;  You will be returning to (or for) something or picking up where you had left off.  Also, if you are looking for something, it's very likely somewhere where you've already looked.  Go back and check again.  

Mutable Energy (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces): Wheel of Fortune in reverse; It is learning from our experiences that makes us wise.  You will have an opportunity this week to apply your wisdom.  You might get to go back and do something better, or your wisdom might be put to good use in a similar situation.  This is a test of your growth.  

Spread: Single Card Pull
Card: 9 of Cups in reverse
Summary: You'll likely be reminded of emotional wounds involving anger. In order to heal and for the sake of your emotional well-being, please finally forgive.  

First Part: Mercury travels through its shadow, 0-15 degrees of Capricorn, (January 12-27)
Spread: Mini Reading
Cards: The Dog - The Stork - The Tower

Summary:  In continuation of the Mercury in Sagittarius reading, someone from your past from whom you had been separated is coming back.  Perhaps there had been physical distance between you, or maybe one of you had been distant.

Second Part:  Mercury travels through the second half of Capricorn, 16-30 degrees, (January 27 - February 7) 
Spread: Mini Reading
Cards: The Coffin - The Rider - The Letter

Summary:  You are receiving some form of correspondence or a document that will bring about an ending or a major change. 
​It almost feels like a diploma and that you are graduating and moving on to the next phase of your life.  More on this in the upcoming Mercury conjunct Pluto reading scheduled for January 29.

Spread: Single Card Pull
Card: 8 of Pentacles
A Venus-Neptune conjunction in Pisces at the time of the Full Moon in Cancer might mean 1 of 2 things; 1)  You experience dream love, spiritual love or deep love; 2) You are woken up out of a love delusion or fantasy.  Both scenarios would be in your best interests, however.  In the latter, it is to help you experience "real" love.  This conjunction is strongly flavored by the practical, realistic energies of Taurus, the predominant expression of Venus while it is in Pisces.  Physical, realistic love should be pursued instead of idealistic, fanciful love.  This was substantiated by the 8 of Pentacles which urges you to either work on your relationship or yourself in a way that you have either tangible or "Taurean" (worth, value - see following sentences) results.  Couples are advised to spend quality time together, in which they make each other and the relationship a priority and show their appreciation and gratitude for one another.  Those living in romantic fantasy with nothing tangible to show for it are being asked to wake up and to stop wasting time and energy on something that is not real.  Either they should make it real (e.g. physical), or they should instead concentrate their efforts on raising their own worth and value by healing themselves so that they are more whole. 

Spread: 5-Card Mini Cross
Cards: (1) 4 of Rods; (2) 3 of Swords in reverse; (3) 4 of Swords; (4) 9 of Cups; (5) Death in reverse
Summary:  There is great potential for you to become whole within yourself; in other words for you to be able to stand on your own two feet without the need of a crutch.  Currently, however, there is still some resitance to the change needed to achieve this.  Very likely you are holding space for something from you past to re-enter your life, or you are holding on to some other hope or dream.  Very likely the cardinal energies that are connected to this moon (Grand Cardinal Cross) will give you a kick in the butt so that you stop dragging your heels.  You've already experienced much healing, but you still have to come to peace.  

Cardinal Energy (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn): Knight of Pentacles in reverse; Something or someone you had wanted in the past but were not ready for is coming back; perhaps you or they/it weren't ready.  Timing is now better.  There has been some maturation in the meantime as well.  

Fixed Energy (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius): 6 of Cups in reverse;  This energy is interconnected to the Cardinal energy. Something from the past is re-entering your life, but with a new participant.  "Old but new."  

Mutable Energy (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces): the Hanged Man;  Last week you were beginning to see another person's point of view or at least consider it.  It looks like this week you'll be making that point of view your own.  You are seeing things from a new perspective and will be forming a new belief or opinion.  

Spread: Single Card Pull
Card: 2 of Pentacles in reverse
A brief encounter or interaction with another life energy (person, animal, etc.), with whom there is if not a romantic past life connection, then at least a heart-felt one, will transfer enough energy to put us back on track from living a lie to living our truth.

 Spread: Single Card Pull
Card: Queen of Cups in reverse (also The Devil for emphasis) 
Summary:  This is an opportunity for you to transform into a more mature, wiser, better and improved version of yourself. Emotional unhappiness / discontentment that has been bottled up (suppressed and repressed) is likely coming to the surface in the form of jealousy, envy, distrust, suspicion, paranoia and obsession.  We now have a chance to release these feelings and to free ourselves from the emotional bondage, with the end result being that we are empowered.  Things then that had bothered you in the past don't mean that much to you anymore.  In other words, the emotions are no longer keeping you hostage.  

Spread: Mini Reading
Cards: (1) The Dog; (2) The Tower; (3) The Park
Summary:  The energies of Mercury in Sagittarius have a direct connection to the energies of the 1st and 2nd of December 2016, when Mercury was at the same degree marks of Sagittarius before it started its retrograde phase in Capricorn a few weeks later.  The energies of the daily cards (the Stars and the Flowers) as well as the energies of the Life Lesson readings for Sagittarius and Capricorn, which were done on Dec. 1, are also relevant for the collective from Jan. 4 - Jan. 12.  See "Themes for the Zodiac Signs in 2017."

Aries:  A new chapter is about to begin for you, however, you will be performing a balancing act to maintain peace and harmony between two sides of your life, e.g. between your new lifestyle and the old.  Discipline is required and at times compromise might be necessary.

Taurus:  You've been in some negative and/or burdensome pattern that has either affected your health or will still do so unless you turn things around.  You must commit to your well-being!  Luck is on your side, however.  You have an opportunity to rewrite/influence your fate.  In other words, you have power to influence the outcome.  

Gemini:  There is a chance for fights, disagreements or arguments in your social circle, and this drama will drain you, prompting you to take a time out to focus on your emotional well-being.  If that is the case, discipline and limit yourself in regard to social activities.  Doing so will lead to an improvement in your mood.  

Cancer:  It begins with you, it ends with you.  Understanding that you are responsibility for your own well-being empowers you. Rather than wait for someone to deliver, you meet your needs yourself.  This makes you less needy, less resentful and less likely to blame others or even yourself, improving both relations with others and your health.

Leo:  You will be easily influenced by astrology, e.g. by the changing phases of the moons, and this will make you very fickle and mercurial, jumping from one idea or activity to the next.  If you recognize this subconscious trend, you can consciously counteract it or you can employ the help of friends to help you stay balanced, mindful and focused, leading to less wasted resources.

Virgo:  You have attracted certain negative situations to your life that you are resistant to let go of because they meet some need, in other words, they fill a void, and if you let them go, you fear the gap that would be left behind would be even more painful than the negative situation.  View the negative situations as space fillers that you can cut out and replace with positive, joyful experiences, conducive to healing.

Libra:  Your cardinal nature pushes you to take charge and to take matters into your own hands, but if you do so, you might sometimes be intervening and interfering with the universe, getting in your own way and becoming your own roadblock.  This year will be about gaining the confidence to simply sit back and let the universe do its "thing."

Scorpio:  You can enjoy a new beginning, set off on a new journey, if you allow new energies into your life rather than waiting for old energies to come back.  

Sagittarius:  Take the high road.  See the good, see the positive.  Spread joy, spread happiness.  Then, what goes around, comes around - very likely in 2018.  

Capricorn:  This is a year for reconciling your private, secretive side with your public, outward side.  It's like the boundary is beginning to dissolve.  You might have the desire to not only open up more, but also to let people in.  There might be more of a willingness to express your feelings and beliefs.  You will likely be more demonstrative and outgoing as well.  

Aquarius:  After a misadventure, you are getting back on track.  You will find something you feel enthusiastically about and that you believe in.  This new pursuit will bring out your potential and help you be in your element, allowing you to heal and to feel like a new person as a result.  

​Pisces:  You are not a victim.  It's not just you who experiences misfortune.  Life is full of both good and bad luck.  Happiness is a choice.  By changing your perceptions, you can cultivate happiness.  

 Spread: Progressive Reading
Cards: (1) 4 of Pentacles; (2) Ace of Coins in reverse; (3) Strength in reverse
Dear Capricorns, Be sure to take breaks to recharge yourself or find some creative outlet to counterbalance any controlling, hoarding or obsessive compulsive tendencies you might exhibit in regard to providing (material) security for yourself.  Treat yourself to nice things every once in a while, and make sure it's not just work and seriousness but also some fun and playfulness. 

Cardinal Energy (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn): Queen of Cups in reverse; You begin to value something you hadn't appreciated before; perhaps it had previously not met your standards, expectations or requirements.

Fixed Energy (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius): 9 of Swords in reverse;  You begin to develop coping mechanisms to better deal with things that would previously have caused you a lot of anxiety.

Mutable Energy (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces): King of Swords in reverse; You begin to open up to other peoples' points of view, or at least, begin to consider them.

Aries: Identifying vulnerabilities and strengthening the core. 
Taurus: Bringing heart to creative ventures.
Gemini: Getting a taste of your potential.
Cancer:  Feeling the fire.
Leo:  What you focus on grows.
Virgo:  Spiritual and otherwordly experiences.
Libra: Making sure your own needs get met.
Scorpio: Your defense mechanisms might be limiting you. 
Sagittarius: Flushing out the grief.
Capricorn: Past-life wisdom.
Aquarius: How to deal with slights.
Pisces: You can be anything you need to be. 

Spread: 5-Card Mini Cross
Cards: (1) King of Cups in reverse; (2) 3 of Swords in reverse; (3) The Heirophant; (4) 2 of Rods in reverse; (5) The Moon
Summary: Though we are not quite emotionally stable or secure, our hearts are in the process of healing, and we will soon get over past disappointments involving restrictions in love and dreams and illusions that did not leave the "drawing board."  It is a time for enjoyment of a physical nature (sex, food, drink, clothes, luxuries, pleasures, etc.) as long as it stays moral (no lying, cheating or stealing).  

Spread: 5-Card Mini Cross
Cards: (1) Ace of Swords; (2) 6 of Cups in reverse; (3) 8 of Rods; (4) The World in reverse; (5) The Chariot
Summary: We are now thinking and communicating in new ways.  A new cycle/phase is beginning in which we can apply the wisdom we've gained from the experiences we've had to better take charge and to determine the direction our lives will take. We are in the process of establishing new behaviors, habits and patterns that, through reinforcement, will become more deeply entrenched (become routine) and will really take off / speed up toward the end of this lunar cycle.  

Spread: 5-Card Mini Cross
Cards: (1) The Devil; (2) 9 of Rods; (3) Ace of Rods; (4) 4 of Swords (5) 5 of Cups in reverse
Summary: The previous retrograde cycle (July 29 - Dec. 28) gave us a time-out for rest, recuperation and healing that helped free us from the "Devil" whom we let have control over us.  This allowed us to begin seeing other options and alternatives again, so that we are now in a better place for a new beginning in the direct phase of Uranus, which we wouldn't have been ready for (or maybe wouldn't even have wanted for that matter) earlier.  

Spread: Micro Reading
Cards: Tarot: High Priestess; Lenormand: The Tree
Summary: A portal opens / the veil between the physical world and the spiritual worlds is not as thick.  A time of increased fertility.