Taurus, 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.

Taurus, you're the sign of luxury and material goods, but your dreams are much bigger than just lounging about in silks, enjoying your jewels. You genuinely want to change the world. You find technology thrilling, and you want to inspire people to think in new ways. As much as we love to say Taurus people hate change, the truth is that you're not afraid to take risks. You're basically psychic when it comes to forecasting trends, and it's part of your destiny to be a trendsetter. With the way things start out in 2016, your climb to the top is looking good.

Mercury enters Aquarius on January 1—which is an awesome, focused way for you to start your new year. Mercury is the planet of logic, and it's currently super high functioning in logical Air sign Aquarius. This combination happens to be highlighting the area of your chart that rules fame and fortune. Again, you want to change the world, and Aquarius is the sign of the innovator. If ever there was a time for you to start thinking and talking about how you want to shake things up, it's now… or at least for the next week. Mercury will go retrograde this month, dipping back into fellow Earth sign Capricorn and asking you to tie up any loose ends, especially around schooling or delayed trips. Mercury will be in Aquarius from January 1 until the January 8, so use this week wisely to plant seeds around success that you will revisit once Mercury reenters Aquarius on February 14!

Your relationships are also very active early in the month, with energetic Mars entering sexy Water sign Scorpio on January 3, where it will steam up the partnership sector of your chart. Scorpio is a penetrating, intense, and psychic sign that also happens to rules the genitals. Mars is a warrior—and Mars loves the chase. Expect loads of passion in your relationships, and, of course, whenever Scorpio vibes are involved, we can expect some mystery. This won't only play out in your romantic relationships. You'll also notice this productive and creative energy in pretty much every equal partnership you enjoy, from relationships you have with colleagues to those you have with frenemies.

January 5 is one of the rougher days this month. Watch out for high-pressure arguments and bitchy attitudes, thanks to Mercury square Mars. People will be super irritated. Squares create tension, which often means drama, but which can sometimes yield breakthroughs: Stress leads to some of our best work, right? While people will be quick to snap today, you could work with this energy productively by simply being a good listener (Mercury loves to talk) and taking things super slow (Mars likes to charge ahead).

Speaking of Mercury, it goes retrograde today in Aquarius. The retrograde ends on January 25. During this retrograde, instead of worrying about traffic delays and mixed messages (although, yeah, you should probably leave ten minutes early, and double check who you're sending that e-mail to), I want you to go inward and reconsider your goals and what you'd like your public persona to be. If there are some classes or lectures you've been wanting to attend, go during this retrograde. If there's a trip, for business or pleasure, you've been needing to take, do it now. Have you been starving yourself spiritually? Reconnect. Retrogrades are all about reevaluating and going inward—they're not just a trendy excuse as to why you're late.

Your ruling planet, lovely Venus, also squares foggy, hazy Neptune, on January 5. This will leave you feeling a little confused and very sensitive, particularly on the social front. If you're having relationship problems, this isn't the day I would suggest trying to work things out; however, if something comes up, please keep in mind that people are having a hard time communicating clearly and realize that much of what's being said is wishful thinking, coming from a place of fantasy or delusion.

What I do like about January 5 is the fact that the Sun, which happens to be in fellow Earth sign Capricorn, is sending you loads of good vibes. It'll be meeting with the planet of power, Pluto on this date. This will inspire you to feel in charge—even when things are wacky and weird. You'll find yourself inspired by philosophical or spiritual teachings: Wise words and mantras will save you today.

Your ruling planet, Venus, meets Saturn on January 8. They're both in adventurous and intellectual Sagittarius, an energy that's all about exploring and expanding; however, the vibe today is pretty serious, especially about Venusian issues, such as money, beauty, and, of course, romance. You could find yourself making major commitments (to stay or go) at this time. That said, the vibe isn't particularly cuddly. Saturn is a cold and grumpy energy that's not at all into snuggling and kissing and baby talk. You might get a ring on your finger or a fat check, but mushy, sentimental stuff is not on the menu. Don't be surprised if you're craving some alone time today. Today you're turned on by wisdom and maturity, and if you do have to spend time with people, a date to a quiet museum where you can be surrounded by old, important, and beautiful things is a perfect idea.

The New Moon in Capricorn on January 9 will inspire you to plant new seeds around personal growth, and January 12 will bring lots of unexpected fun and surprises when your ruling planet Venus trines the planet of shock and electricity, Uranus. An extra dash of luck, love, and popularity will come your way when the Sun in Capricorn and Jupiter in Virgo (both Earth signs like you) trine on January 13. You'll get bossy around a career issue or concerning your reputation on January 14 when the Sun meets communicator Mercury, but I have no doubt people will be loving it— Mercury trines lucky Jupiter on this day as well. Between all the good vibes in the middle of the month, I have no doubt you'll get away with pretty much anything, Taurus!

You'll need to check your over-the-top behavior when Venus squares Jupiter on January 18, and a change in direction in one of your relationships could be on the way— either things need to move forward and the relationship needs to expand, or they need to cool down. (This could also apply to your creative relationships, not just romantic.) While this is stressful, there are some good feelings in the air on January 18: Mars in Scorpio trines Neptune in dreamy Pisces, so people will feel pretty chill and flexible. Tough talks could go over very nicely today.

The Sun enters Aquarius on January 20, shining its love down on the part of your chart that rules success, and Mercury meets Pluto, both in Capricorn, on January 22 (and again on January 30), inspiring super deep words. If you do anything related to publication or media, January 22 is a day to watch out for, Taurus. Same goes if you're working on an issue relating to education, teaching, or even travel. These themes continue to repeat for you, and you're able to use them to your advantage with the planet of attraction, Venus, entering fellow Earth sign Capricorn on January 23

Your mind is in super faraway places, and you're working on so many big, goal-related things, but the Full Moon in Leo on January 23 will ground you and bring your focus your home and family. If you've been living in classrooms, on air planes, in an office, or in general getting way too comfy in places where there typically aren't beds and showers, you'll find the Full Moon in warm Fire sign Leo is perfect for tucking you back into where you belong. January's all about you achieving your dreams, but a Taurus can't be happy without time to be lazy and enjoy the rewards at home with the people they love.