Scorpio, 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.

Happy New Year, Scorpio! January kicks off with Mercury entering Aquarius on January 1, highlighting a very private and sensitive area of your chart: one that rules over your home, history, and family. Mercury in Aquarius will find you thinking and working on (and possibly discussing— if you're ready for it!) personal issues that involve these areas of your life. Reconnecting with family is a major theme for this astrological transit, as is getting to know your family history better. Creating a safe and secure home base for yourself is also a theme you'll be working on, as is working out any issues you might have with roommates or landlords. Mercury is a planet that's all about communication; however, you are not famous for sharing personal info so easily… and you totally don't have to! But if you're ready to get things off your chest relating to these sensitive issues, now is a great time to do so— at least, it will be until January 8, when Mercury reenters Capricorn.

Yes, Mercury does go retrograde this month, starting on January 5. Mercury will reenter Aquarius on February 14, so you'll get a taste of these domestic issues now, and you'll return to working on them next month. This month, however, will be mostly about Mercury teaching you more about your communication style. Mercury in Capricorn highlights the part of you chart that rules logic, thinking, and talking. Conversations you've been putting off will come up, messages that you've been waiting to send will now find their way "out there," and messages you've been waiting to receive will finally arrive. As one of the most psychic signs, you're usually pretty good at just guessing what someone is thinking, but this retrograde will remind you that using actual words with other people is really important.

This retrograde will also be big around you connecting with siblings and getting reacquainted with your neighborhood. There's always tons of drama around Mercury retrograde in the media— yeah, totally avoid signing contracts and give yourself extra time on your commute, but don't drive yourself crazy worrying that the world will end. The world didn't end in 2012, and this Mercury retrograde won't destroy things either.

Mars enters your sign on January 3! This is just the boost of energy you need—for few weeks, warrior Mars was limping around in Libra. Libra loves love, getting along, art, and beauty… all the stuff Mars finds totally uninspiring. But this month, Mars will be majorly happy in your sign: Scorpions have built-in weapons (their stingers), and that's just fab for Mars, the fighter.

So, what will Mars in your sign do for you? For one, you'll have way more energy, and you'll feel far less sluggish than you have over the last few weeks. You'll notice people are a little more intimated by you (I know: Good, you're thinking). You'll feel much more in control and assertive. In your love life—or really in any kind of partnership—you'll feel inspired by "the chase" and the process of seduction or negotiation. Mars loves to win, and that's what you're all about this month

Expect some bickering to go down on January 5 when Mercury (a planet that loves to talk) squares Mars (a planet that loves to fight). Balance the rough vibes today by showing off your fab listening skills (you are one of the most psychic, empathetic signs in the zodiac) and taking things slow— whenever Mars is involved, people can get hasty. It's also important to remember that people will feel very sensitive and even confused today due to lovely Venus's square to the planet of fog, Neptune. To top it all off, this is the day that Mercury retrograde begins.

All this said, this could be a very powerful and transformative day for you: The Sun in solid and serious Earth sign Capricorn will meet with the planet of growth and power, Pluto. Some intense conversations will definitely come up on this day, so rely on your intuition (it is sharp AF) to help you through this tense time. The New Moon in Capricorn on January 9 will create a fresh start for you around all these communication issues you encounter; it will help you see (and talk about) things in a new way. Between the New Moon and the Sun's meeting with the planet of transformation and rebirth, Pluto, this is a great time to let go of old thinking patterns.

That said, let's talk about your favorite topic, Scorpio, (other than sex): Money! Mid month is pretty big for you around finance. On January 8, Venus meets with Saturn, bringing you a commitment that could affect your cash flow big time. Also, random (but welcome) news around material matters will come when Venus trines the planet of surprise, Uranus, on January 12. Venus is currently in generous Fire sign Sagittarius, highlighting the part of your chart that rules your talents and bank accounts, so you're learning a lot about yourself on that front. Some action around your day job or your health could also come into play on the 12th— you might be inspired on this day to recommit to any New Year's resolutions you've flaked on!

January 13 and 14 are great days to watch around networking, communication, and connecting with friends. Since Mercury is retrograde, reconnecting with old acquaintances you've been meaning to get to know better is a great way to work with the energy. Send some long overdue texts: On January 13, the Sun in down-to-earth Capricorn trines Jupiter, which is currently in savvy and sweet Earth sign Virgo. Then on January 14, the Sun meets chatty Mercury, which also trines the planet of good luck and growth, Jupiter, on that day. Basically, these planets are all sending each other love—which is awesome because all these planets are about growth, clarity, and confidence!

Watch out for mega overindulgence and laziness on January 18 when Venus squares Jupiter and Mars trines Neptune. Decadent Venus and abundant Jupiter in a tough alignment will make today all about overdoing and overindulging. You'll especially notice this in your social life— perhaps you'll realize that you're spending too much money to show off or drinking too much in order to "keep up" with your crew.

Mars is usually a dynamic energy, but when it's in such smooth alignment with dreamy Neptune, it's easy to forget your worries and lose all motivation to do anything but space out. This could be a great transit to do some exploring under—perhaps go to a lecture about a topic you're unfamiliar with or visit an unusual place.

The Sun enters Aquarius on January 20, kicking off a month-long journey around building a better home, creating more privacy and security in your life, and connecting with family. A lot of the themes that Mercury touched upon at the beginning of the month will come back into play now, with the Sun highlighting this same area of your chart. Start feeling what you want around these issues now so you can talk when Mercury (which is all about talk) reenters Aquarius on February 14.

Two of the most powerful days this month for you are January 22 and 30, when Mercury, the planet of logic and communication, meets your co-ruling planet Pluto, the planet of power and evolution. Mars is your primary planet, but since the discovery of Pluto, many modern astrologers have decided that this intense and transformative planet named after the lord of the underworld belongs to you—clearly, Scorpio, you have a reputation.

Anyway, when Mercury meets with Pluto in driven and dry Earth sign Capricorn, you can expect some straightforward, no BS discussions to go down. Your words will be mega powerful. You're always very persuasive, especially since you're very intuitive, and you can usually guess pretty easily what to say to win someone over. The vibe on these days will work even more to your benefit. You may become privy to some VIP info on these days—use the information wisely. Gossip will come your way, as will some exciting messages.

Themes around communication and information will continue when lovely, seductive Venus enters Capricorn on January 23. This day also brings a Full Moon in fun Fire sign Leo, the sign of fame— you've been concerned with so many private matters lately, Scorpio, and this Full Moon will ask you to create balance in your life by encouraging you to return to the outside world. Show your face to the public! The people miss you, Scorpio! Some news about your career or goals could also be illuminated today.

The month ends on a frazzled but dreamy note: Sweet Venus sextiles fantasy-loving Neptune on January 30, creating a helpful romantic and imaginative vibe, followed by Mercury square erratic Uranus on January 31, bringing some unexpected twists and turns to our day. If you're up for an adventure, things could turn out to be fun. By the end of the month, Scorpio, you will have had tons of important conversations, and you'll be ready to tackle your next project: Building a stronger home base. Good luck, Scorpio!