Gemini, January 2016

In our monthly horoscopes, we provide a more in depth look at what's happening in the sky. You can read the rest of our monthly horoscopes here.

A big part of 2015 had to do with sorting things out with your family and figuring out your home situation. While that will continue into 2016, the beginning of the month opens with your ruling planet, Mercury, entering fellow Air sign Aquarius, inspiring you to think about ways you can escape, travel, and expand your world. Home and family is important, of course, but a Gemini can only go long before they feel the itch to explore and meet new people.

Energetic Mars enters passionate Water sign Scorpio on January 3, and this will have a huge impact on your everyday life. Over the last few weeks, warrior Mars has ben dillydallying in lovely, diplomatic, and kind Libra, which has been awesome for your love life and for creative inspiration. However, this has not been so great for actually getting shit done. With Mars in Scorpio, you'll be knocking things off your to-do list left and right. You'll also be inspired to check in on your health and wellbeing. This is an amazing time for you to kick bad habits— Scorpio is the sign of rebirth, so if you really can't picture a life where you don't smoke a pack a day or text your ex, trust me: Scorpio's vibes, especially when matched with Mars's fire, will take care of that for you. Also, if you met some cuties over the last few weeks, Mars in Scorpio will put them to the test, showing you whether or not they can actually be integrated into your everyday life. If they can't help you walk your dog or lend you their toothbrush—or, you know, actually text you back, you'll find out with Mars in Scorpio.

January 5 is 75 percent stressful, but the 25 percent that's good is gold. Let's start with the bad news: Mercury, your ruling planet, squares Mars. Mars loves to fight, and Mercury likes to talk, and squares create tension. You're one of the smarter signs in the zodiac, so I'm just going to leave that there for you to piece together, and I will move on to today's most important detail: Mercury goes retrograde. I know; it's horrible. Not really— retrogrades are actually great times to rest and rewind and to tackle issues that you've been waiting to address. Mercury rules the mind. Just like our brains need to power down every night, Mercury needs to chill too. That said, retrogrades definitely can bring stress, and being that you're a Mercury-ruled sign, you're one of the only signs in my book that really, truly, deeply has the right to complain about Mercury retrograde and use it as an excuse for why you're late or why you didn't return a text. You lie all the time, Gemini, so it's great that your pal in the sky, Mercury, is watching out for you and giving you the perfect excuse.

This Mercury retrograde begins in fellow Air sign Aquarius, and it'll have you considering what schooling, traveling, or expanding you need to do before you begin planning some important career goals. Mercury then reenters Capricorn on January 8. Capricorn is a materialist Earth sign, and Mercury will be there for most of the retrograde. Mercury retrograde in Capricorn will be all about you figuring out your financial situation, especially in terms of how it affects your partnerships. You'll also find yourself tackling issues around debt and taxes during the retrograde, as well as intimate issues like sex and spirituality. If there's unfinished business, Mercury retrograde will lead to you it. Mercury retrograde ends on January 25. As lame as retrogrades can be (don't sign contracts, don't plan trips, you know the drill and I'm not going to repeat it for you—you've heard it before. Just open Instagram on January 5 and watch the inspirational "how to survive Mercury retrograde" posts fly), at least you get a chance to revisit issues that do need your attention. Also, Gemini, since you're a sign that's very into language, I would like to leave you with this tip: Remove anyone from your life or feed that calls Mercury retrograde "Mercury in retrograde." This is so, so wrong.

January 5 also brings some stress, due to lovely Venus in Sagittarius square dreamy Neptune in sensitive Pisces. Again, squares bring tension, and when Neptune's stressed out, delusion and even lies surround us. Don't believe much of what you hear. Remember that people will feel very sensitive, and fears around relationships could come up today. Your partners could also reveal some jealousies they have around your career or popularity.

The good news? You're amazing at fudging numbers, Gemini, so I think you will be able to take my forecast of a 75 percent crappy day and turn it into whatever number you want. The Sun conjuncts Pluto—both of them in driven Earth sign Capricorn—also on January 5. While you're pretty confident to begin with, I think this combination will bless you with even more self assurance. Pluto is the planet of the underworld and of power and change, while the Sun rules our sense of self and our goals. You'll feel super in charge under this influence, and no matter how sensitive or sticky the issue, you'll be able to come out on top.

January 8 will be a big day for your relationships this month, both romantic and non-romantic. On this date, the planet of beauty and harmony, Venus, meets the planet of structure and commitment, Saturn. Today's vibe will be interesting— on one hand, Saturn's serious and reserved influence won't make today particularly cuddly; however, merged with Venus's cooperative and lovely energy, this will be a very interesting day for commitments. If you're hoping for things to get serious, today you'll know what's up, whether that means y'all will be together forever or not.

The next day, January 9, there will be a New Moon in Capricorn, which will bring some fresh energy to your sex life. Capricorn is a lusty Earth sign, so plenty of fun is on the way for you, Gemini. This New Moon will also bring a fresh start to your financial life (especially if you owe money—this could be a great time to tackle your debts), and you'll also notice a boost in your intuitive abilities. Good luck and ease around communication for all these themes will continue on January 14, when the Sun meets your ruling planet, Mercury (the planet of communication), and Mercury trines Jupiter, the planet of growth and abundance.

The good vibes will continue on January 12 and 13. Lovely Venus in adventurous Sagittarius will highlight the part of your chart that rules relationships. There, it'll trine Uranus, the planet of surprise, on January 12, bringing you some unexpected excitement. Home life is looking mighty comfortable as well, with the Sun in Capricorn trine the planet of abundance, Jupiter, which is in Virgo, bolstering the part of your chart that rules home and hearth. Mid month will be both safe and secure yet fun and adventurous, despite Mercury retrograde madness.

A dash of tension will come up around your home and your partnerships when lovely Venus squares Jupiter on January 18. You might find there is a change in direction. If someone's been exaggerating something, it will come out today— but every problem has a solution, right? A little bump in the road won't through you off; in fact, maybe some drama is just what you need to inject some life into your relationship. Mars in Scorpio trines forgiving and spiritual Neptune also on January 18, so I don't think people will really be in the mood to fight!

The Sun enters fellow Air sign Aquarius on January 20, beginning a month-long journey around, well, journeying. If you've felt tied down to a place or situation, things will begin opening up now. Chances to travel are coming you way, Gemini.

The most powerful days of the month for you are January 22 and January 30, when your ruling planet Mercury meets the planet of domination, Pluto. You'll be very, very hard to say no on these days—you'll be super persuasive. But please use your powers for good, Gemini! Don't let your weaknesses get the best of you. Being manipulative might get you what you want for now, but it's not true power, and things will eventually fall apart if they're built on tricks and lies.

January 23 is busy, with Venus entering Capricorn. Capricorn is a no bullshit sign, so with the planet of love and cash hanging in Cap, you'll find things are getting super serious! Checks are being written, deals are being made, and sex is super intense. Your ability to suss out lies will be also be incredibly strong. There's also a Full Moon in fun Fire sign Leo today, which will bring all kinds of news to light. You'll address some gossip or misunderstandings today— again, your intuition is super strong at the end of the month, so trust your gut!

The month closes with your ruling planet, Mercury, square Uranus on January 31, which can be a super disorganized and frazzled vibe, so don't plan any important meetings or conversations today. However, do leave time open in your schedule to be spontaneous! Random genius breakthroughs, invitations, and inspirations will hit you. 2016 is off to a good start, Gemini: Happy New Year!