The overall astrology of 2022 has us buzzing with the anticipation of a new beginning — as well as relief that the previous year’s planetary drama is now behind us. The cosmos, on the other hand, isn’t wasting any time getting things moving in January, as the entire first month of 2022 is jam-packed with planetary activity, from New Year’s Day to the very end.
To get a sense of January’s overall vibe, consider the latter half of December, which saw some significant planetary shifts that set the tone for the month ahead. Venus went retrograde on December 19, a transit that will last until January 29 and will have us digging beneath the surface of our love lives while rehashing relationship dramas. The sun then entered Capricorn, kicking off Capricorn season, the majority of which occurs in January. Finally, just days before New Year’s Eve, Jupiter enters Pisces, where it will remain until May 2022, illuminating our fortune.
There are many more twists and turns in January’s fiery planetary action. We’ve got a lot of Capricorn energy going on, which allows us to start 2022 with a grounded and pragmatic mindset that’s ideal for crushing New Year’s resolutions. An exciting new moon on Jan. 2 adds some motivation to the occasion, while a sentimental full moon on Jan. 17 asks us to let go of all those pent-up emotions beneath the surface. Mercury retrograde will swoop in mid-month to throw a wrench in our mental gears, but Aquarius season will still bring us a slew of new and futuristic ideas. In addition, both Uranus and Venus retrogrades will end before the end of January.
Baby, that’s just the tip of the astrological iceberg. Are you ready for your January 2022 astrological forecast? Continue reading.
Capricorn Energies and a New Year’s New Moon
Capricorn is the zodiac’s cardinal earth sign, and the first three weeks of the year are dominated by Capricorn season 2022. Capricorn season emphasizes our hardworking sides and focuses us on laying solid foundations for our goals, so it’s a fantastically disciplined energy to carry us into the new year. Along with the sun, Venus is retrograde in Capricorn, amplifying the earthy vibes and asking us to be serious about our values.
The Capricorn energy truly peaks on January 2, 2022, during the first new moon of the year. The sun and moon will align in Capricorn at the time of this powerful lunation, sending a lucky trine to the unpredictable planet Uranus, inspiring us to keep an open mind as we set solid goals for the coming year. It’s an excellent time to manifest and focus on your immediate needs.
While Capricorn season ends on January 19, the energy of this cardinal earth sign will not be finished with us just yet. Jumping ahead to the end of the month, action planet Mars enters Capricorn on Jan. 24, making us extra efficient and plan-oriented in our approach to achieving our goals. Instead of taking wild risks and taking shortcuts, we’re more likely to stick to tried-and-true methods that ensure we get what we want, even if it means putting in a little extra effort. One day later, communicative Mercury — which will be retrograde at this point — will re-enter Capricorn, giving us a second chance to revisit the New Year’s resolutions we made in the final days of 2021.
The First Mercury in 2022 Retrograde
Mercury, the mental planet, lives up to its busy-body reputation this month, as it quickly kicks off the planetary action by changing signs, entering airy Aquarius on January 1 PT/ January 2 ET. Mercury in Aquarius focuses on communicating with friends, thinking unconventionally, and working collaboratively toward shared goals.
The forward motion, however, comes to a halt on Jan. 14, when the first Mercury retrograde of 2022 begins. This retrograde begins in Aquarius, then moves back into Capricorn, where it will moonwalk for the rest of the month. Instead of focusing on the future, this time should be spent reviewing the stability of our recent decisions and paying closer attention to how we interact with those around us.
A Full Moon that is cathartic On January 17th
With so many planets currently converging in practical Capricorn and aloof Aquarius, the January 2022 full moon in sensitive water sign Cancer will feel cathartic — but also intense. The full moon is in opposition to Pluto, the transformative planet, which could result in deep emotional revelations and crisis points. A positive connection to the Nodes of Destiny, on the other hand, makes this a potent moon for letting go of the past and paving the way for a more aligned future.
The Movement of the Nodes
The North and South Nodes, also known as the lunar nodes or Nodes of Destiny, will enter Taurus and Scorpio for the first time since 2020 on Jan. 18. The North Node represents our fate and collective life direction, whereas the South Node represents lessons we’ve learned and things we need to let go of. We’ll be learning how to let go of our need for power and control in Taurus and Scorpio, while also embracing our values and finding comfort in new ways.
This nodal shift also coincides with a new set of eclipses that will occur on the Taurus/Scorpio axis of the zodiac throughout 2022 — thankfully, we won’t have to deal with them until April.
Aquarius Season’s Cool Breeze
The sun will leave get-sh*t-done Capricorn on January 19 to join mental Mercury and serious Saturn in the eccentric realm of Aquarius. This solar ingress officially begins Aquarius season 2022 and feels like a zodiacal breath of fresh air. The forward-thinking energy of Aquarius season allows us to give the practical plans we made during Capricorn season an unconventional, out-of-the-box spin. It also motivates us to connect with friends and participate in our communities, even if Mercury retrograde tries to sabotage our social plans.
Uranus and Venus Retrogrades are coming to an end.
While we must contend with Mercury retrograde’s antics, the latter half of the month also marks the end of two planetary retrogrades. Uranus, the wild-child planet, will exit its five-
month backspin on January 18. This direct motion ushers us into a period of collective change and unexpected shifts, so we should keep an open mind as we proceed.
The month will then come to a close with the end of Venus retrograde on Jan. 29. The love planet will finally swing back into her usual groove after six weeks of backspinning, allowing us to charge ahead in matters of romance, money, and beauty. Because Venus will be in its post-retrograde shadow until February, go slowly and allow yourself time to process the adjustments and realisations you made during the backspin.
Depending on your time zone, a rare “Black Moon”
If you live in the Pacific time zone, the second new moon of the year will occur in the final hours of January, making it a “black moon” — a term that refers to the second new moon in a calendar month. This new moon, which occurs in futuristic Aquarius, peaks at 9:46pm PT on Jan. 31 / 12:46am ET on Feb. 1, bridging the gap between one month and the next. Regardless of where you are, this new moon is a beautiful time to set hopeful intentions and embrace your most unusual wishes as we close out the first month of a new year.
