Virgo, 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.

2016 opens with the Sun in fellow Earth sign Capricorn, which highlights the part of your chart that rules parties, romance, creativity, and having a good time. Not everyone can appreciate the dark and dreary days of winter, but with the Sun in driven yet devilish Capricorn, you Virgo people are have an easy time letting loose—which is saying a lot, because y'all are so uptight. Anyway, let's take a look at what the first month of the year has in store for you, lovely Virgo!

Your ruling planet, Mercury, enters cool and logical Aquarius on January 1. This highlights the part of your chart that rules health and your daily routines, so this will be fab for keeping your resolutions, especially if they involve kicking a bad habit or improving your schedule. Mercury won't be in Aquarius for long—Mercury retrograde starts on January 5 (and ends on January 25), and Mercury will dip back into Capricorn on January 8.

Capricorn had a reputation for being the most hardworking sign. It's the sign of success and mastery in the material world, and it's usually thought of as serious and dry. However, there's definitely a fun and devilish side to Capricorn— you can't work so hard, climbing to the top, without having sense of humor and being able to have fun. Mercury's retrograde in Capricorn will give you a chance to catch up on the fun you may have missed while you were stressing about the holidays. You'll find time to pick up any creative projects that may have fallen to the wayside. Past crushes will come around, and/or dates that you had to flake on could finally end up happening. You need to catch up on your partying— that way, when Mercury reenters Aquarius on February 14, you'll really be ready for those New Year's resolutions around healthy habits.

Of course, Mercury retrograde isn't great for signing contracts or making travel plans. Especially because Mercury is your ruling planet, any issue concerning communication will be tricky during this time. Don't believe everything you hear, and continue fact-checking everything like you always do, Virgo. Give yourself extra time when you commute and triple check who you send your messages to. Don't tell lies because you'll probably get busted. Expect to run into all of your exes. Mercury retrograde has its difficulties, but you're always prepared for the worst anyway, Virgo, so I know you'll be alright.

Mars enters psychic Water sign Scorpio on January 3, so expect your intuition to be razor sharp over the next few weeks. Your communication style may become a bit more aggressive, too. This combination will be highlighting the part of your chart that rules communication: Mars is the planet of War, and Scorpio does have a built in stinger— this is not an energy you want to fuck with, so we can be pretty sure no one will want to fight with you.

Watch out for some arguments on January 5, when chatty Mercury squares Mars, a planet that's always ready to fight. Your word will be particularly stinging, so be very gentle! Also on this day, Venus squares foggy Neptune, meaning that people will feel confused and sensitive. A chance for creative transformation could come on January 5, so try to take your frustration out on your art— the Sun will meet with the planet of power and change, Pluto, and it will be very important that you channel your passionate energy properly. Amazing sex or a will party are also on the menu tonight (if you're up for it, Virgo). Today also marks the first day of Mercury retrograde, so definitely mark this date in your calendar and see what happens!

Home and family are also on your mind this month, and you'll find yourself making some interesting commitments around domestic issues on January 8 when lovely Venus meets with the planet of structure and commitment, Saturn, both in warm and generous Fire sign Sagittarius. The next day's New Moon in Capricorn brings fresh vibes to the issues that Mercury retrograde is asking you to work on—like creativity, dating, and having fun. An unexpected but happy surprise comes your way on January 12; it will tie home and intimacy together in an interesting way. Perhaps a loved one will move in? Or maybe a drawer will be devoted to you at someone special's house? Or maybe some cash will come your way from an unexpected place, allowing you to build a studio in your home (I'm thinking big Virgo, but these are horoscopes, don't hold it against me!)? Anyway, you get the idea— something awesome and cozy and lovely is coming your way.

More bunches of good luck will come your way on January 13 when the planet of abundance, Jupiter, which happens to be in your sign, sends major good vibes to the Sun, especially around creativity and dating. Conversations and heart-to-hearts will go beautifully on January 14 when the Sun and Mercury meet in down-to-earth Capricorn and Mercury trines Jupiter— people will be thinking big—perhaps too big for your minimalist taste, Virgo, but it's all coming from a sincere and genuine place.

The Sun enters Aquarius on January 20, bringing your mind back to some of the issues from the early part of the month involving your schedule and habits. However, you're not done with fun or play for the month by any means, Virgo! Two of the most powerful days this month for you are January 22 and January 30, when your ruling planet, Mercury, meets with the lord of the underworld, Pluto. This is a massively transformative experience, and it will affect your creative and romantic world on deep levels. Your words will be hugely powerful on these days, so make sure your heart's desires are known. If you're planning any performances, openings, readings, parties, or romantic get-togethers, these two dates in January are hugely powerful.

Venus enters confident and lusty Capricorn on January 23, sending you even more blessings around love and creativity; however, the vibe is much more conducive to powering down. There's a Full Moon in Leo on January 23, which will ask you to find some balance—which, considering the month you've been having, will mean turning your brain off, spending some alone time, and totally zoning out. Catching up on sleep is a great way to use this Full Moon's energy.

The month closes with some unexpected tension, when Mercury in Capricorn squares wild Uranus in impulsive Aries on January 31. You'll be surprised to find you have very deep feelings for something you previously hadn't considered. As a result, a change of plans will need to go down— but a detour doesn't need to be a bad thing! Uranus likes to shake things up, and while you are the zodiac's favorite control freak, you're definitely inspired by change and by seeing things in a new light. 2016 is off to a fun start, and being that you are the most hardworking sign in the zodiac, I'm glad you get to do some extra partying before the daily grind kicks back in. Happy New Year, Virgo!