Jan 4-10, 2008
The weekend begins on a high note as the fiery Sagittarius moon
merges with amenable Venus for Friday-night festivities. By Sunday morning, as
Venus squares stern Saturn in Virgo, the atmosphere won't be so hot. But
since we'll be in the “balsamic phase” of this lunar cycle,
it's likely that nothing too drastic will result from the square. On Monday,
Mercury enters Aquarius, the sign in which it turns retrograde three weeks later.
And on Tuesday, at 3:37 a.m. PST/6:37 a.m. EST, the moon and sun meet in the middle
of Capricorn and inaugurate the new year.

Aries

It's fairly simple. If you survived the trauma Pluto put you through while
it was opposing your Mars ruler on the 2nd, and you're not any the worse
for wear, i.e., didn't hit bottom, feel free to take the weekend off. And
contemplate what you want to happen when Tuesday's Capricorn new moon inaugurates
a new cycle of your career arc. This year, the top of your solar chart, your achievement-oriented
midheaven, attracts considerable attention from the universe at large. It wouldn't
hurt to put your own thoughts out there too.

Taurus

Your Venus ruler zips through the zodiac this year, without slowing down enough
for you to catch your breath. After a fiery but tense January, you're up
for some well-deserved soul satisfaction until Valentine's Day is history.
Career challenges will keep you on your toes in March. Easter is iffy, a sudden
change of heart, perhaps a new group of friends? If you can get away, take some
time in April to refresh and renew your spirit. Come May and the birthday, having
both loving Venus and the creative sun in your sign should bring many happy occasions.
Money in June.

Gemini

Right now, romantic Venus is in your Sagittarius marriage house, so if you're
not attached, by all means, get out of the house. After the pressures connected
with Valentine's Day have lifted would be another good time for making whoopee.
The last two weeks of March can be brilliant careerwise, courtesy of a very friendly
client. Soon after the sun crosses into Gemini, Venus catches up. Make plans to
do something special for Memorial Day, before your Mercury ruler, also in Gemini,
turns retrograde that day. More good loving in September.

Cancer

How about a little night music? Listen for harmonious Venus entering your Capricorn
complement on the 24th. Her seductive serenade continues while the goddess visits
your house of sex and other people's assets through mid-March. May could
be particularly enjoyable; Venus' interlude in earthy Taurus celebrates
all the senses. Come the summer solstice, Venus hooks up with the life-giving
sun to bring you almost everything a Crab desires. After a long, hot summer, romance
and creativity are renewed at the autumn equinox. Once again, the timing proves
impeccable.

Leo

Leo, more than any other sign, is able to chart the course the Lion takes during
the year. Start with your sun ruler's transit of pragmatic Capricorn, with
its emphasis on improving work and health habits. Segue into your Aquarius house
of significant relationships and, as the sun moves through Pisces, discover more
of the resources and attitudes you share. Arian aspirations ignite in spring;
you follow through during productive Taurus. Gemini is quite social, as befits
the variety of associates you've acquired. Rest up during Cancer so you
can spring back into the limelight for Leo.

Virgo

Even with restrictive Saturn in your sign this year, the Virgin will experience
an interesting love life. Romantic Venus is in your Capricorn house of hugs, kisses
and recreation from January 24 until February 17; since your Mercury ruler will
be retrograde then, forget about working. You won't get much done. Venus
settles into your Pisces house of partners on Palm Sunday for three weeks of couple-consciousness.
Curious about the exotic, the esoteric or an expat? Fly away in early May while
Venus accentuates the sights, sounds and tastes that sensuous Taurus offers.

Libra

Since this week's column focuses on the effect your Venus ruler has on the
other signs, read for your significant other and those who might not be in that
category, just yet. On your own, you'll enjoy the goddess's transit
through your Aquarius house of romance and risky ventures that begins right after
Valentine's Day. Her trip through your adventurous Aries marriage house
in April heightens your willingness to try something new. But if you intend to
travel in June, while Venus is in air sign-friendly Gemini, know that Mercury
will be retrograde during that entire transit.

Scorpio

Why is the Capricorn new moon on the 8th different from all other new moons? Because
it is the event that begins the redemption of your financial situation. However,
you'll need to envision what you'd like to see happen after your Pluto
co-ruler leaves enthusiastic Sagittarius for its trip through down-to-earth Capricorn
on January 25. It might take the full 16 years of Pluto's transit to attain
your idealized state, but at least you'll be on your way. 2008 is the year
to reconnect with spiritual brothers and sisters from the '90s.

Sagittarius

Take a minute during the Capricorn new moon on Tuesday to make “new-moon
magic,” i.e., to light a candle and add your hopes for 2008 to the rest
of humanity's. Since your beneficent Jupiter ruler will be in Cap, the earth
sign that delivers what fiery Sagittarius promises, for the rest of the year,
your chances of getting what you want are pretty good. If it's a hot romance,
picture yourself engaged in your favorite sport with the athlete of your dreams
while magnetic Venus is in your Aries house of fun and games in April.

Capricorn

On Tuesday, during the Capricorn new moon, consider sending your hopes and dreams
for the fabulous year you're about to enjoy into the cosmos, where they'll
percolate until they reach perfection and come back to bless you. Too much? With
hyperbolic, optimistic Jupiter in your sign this year, come the summer, you won't
think so. Devilishly horny Goats can expect an infusion of good loving while Venus
is in your sign from January 24 through Valentine's Day, and again when
the goddess enters your Taurus house of romance and risk. May Day! May Day!

Aquarius

Pay attention: The times to put your hopes and money on romance depend on Venus'
circuit of the zodiac. The planet of love, luck and nice stuff is at home in Aquarius
from February 17 to March 12. She twirls through your Gemini house of happiness
from May 24 to June 18. The goddess ennobles your Leo marriage house, soothing
the beast within, from July 12 to August 5. She returns to open-minded, hot-to-trot
Sagittarius, where she is today, from mid-October until Veterans Day. Venus ends
2008, once again in Aquarius, attracting people and presents during most of December.

Pisces

Fish are such dyed-in-the-wool romantics, it hardly matters if you know when your
chances of attracting affectionate partners are good. Here goes anyway: Need a
quickie? January 12. Obsessing over an angel? March 6. Want to look your best?
March 12 to April 4, while Venus is in your sign. Online dating? May's the
month. Cuddling and creative cooking? Mid-June to mid-July, while the goddess
camps out in your Cancer house of pure love. Massage your mate or pick out a new,
improved partner during her transit of Virgo in August.

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