Vogue Arabia, January 2019. Photo: Alvaro Beamud
As we move through the New Year, it’s crucial to align our ongoings as earthlings with the cosmos in order to manifest abundance and prosperity — also, to be aware of those times when we should avoid certain situations, or hold off on making decisions. The stars can guide and navigate us in the months ahead to help us live our best lives.
Solar Ingresses
The Solar ingresses of 2023 mark the different energies that are coming our way each month.
Aquarius: January 20
The Sun in Aquarius is a time of innovation and humanitarianism.
Pisces: February 18
The Sun in Pisces stimulates the imagination and intuition.
Aries: March 20
The Sun in Aries pushes us to embrace our passions and desires.
Taurus: April 20
The Sun in Taurus urges us to embrace creation and romance.
Gemini: May 21
The Sun in Gemini brings us information and news.
Cancer: June 21
The Sun in Cancer ushers us to embrace our emotions and sentiments.
Leo: July 22
The Sun in Leo inspires self-expression and artistry.
Virgo: August 23
The Sun in Virgo helps us understand and investigate matters.
Libra: September 23
The Sun in Libra urges us to partner and find balance.
Scorpio: October 23
The Sun in Scorpio allows us to transform and connect.
Sagittarius: November 22
The Sun in Sagittarius asks us to expand our intellect and horizons.
Capricorn: December 22
The Sun in Capricorn is a time of reflection and pragmatism.
Equinoxes and solstices
Equinoxes and solstices mark the beginning of the seasons, and occur when the Sun enters cardinal signs (which are the initiators of the zodiac): Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn.
March 20 brings the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and fall equinox in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as the beginning of Aries season. Also, it brings equal day and night hours.
June 21 brings the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as the beginning of Cancer season. Also, it’s the longest day of the year.
September 23 brings the fall equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the spring equinox in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as the beginning of Libra season. Also, it brings equal day and night hours.
December 22 brings the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as the beginning of Capricorn season. Also, it’s the shortest day of the year.
The Nodes of Destiny
Every 18 months, the Lunar Nodes of Destiny switch signs. They will enter the signs of Aries and Libra on July 17, and will leave this axis on January 11, 2025. When the North Node of Destiny is in Aries, our egos push us towards putting ourselves first, while the South Node of Destiny in Libra wants us to partner due to comforts of the heart rather than passions. Finding a balance in relationships that allows for autonomy and commitment is hard to find — but essential.
The eclipses of 2023
Eclipses are powerful and fated lunations that occur on the nodal axis. There are four in 2023 (two solar eclipses which are potent new moons and two lunar eclipses that are intense full moons).
The solar eclipse in Aries on April 20 wants us to break free from the constraints that hold us back. The lunar eclipse in Scorpio on May 5 urges us to dive deep into our emotions. The solar eclipse in Libra on 14 October helps us define partnerships. The lunar eclipse in Taurus on October 28 opens our eyes to the true nature of others and ourselves.
Mercury Retrograde
Miscommunications, travel mishaps, technological breakdowns, and false news are problems brought on by Mercury retrograde.
The beginning days of 2023 occur when Mercury retrograde is in Capricorn, a period that begins on 29 December 2022 and lasts until 18 January 2023.
Mercury retrograde starts again during the spring on April 21, and ends on May 14 in Taurus, making us reevaluate commitments and helping us to repair relationships.
The next Mercurial backspin of 2023 occurs from August 23 to September 15 in Virgo, and aims to help us understand ourselves on a soulful level.
The final Mercury retrograde of 2023 lasts from December 13 to January 1 in the signs of Capricorn and Sagittarius (Mercury retrograde moves into Sagittarius on December 23). This retrograde will affect travel and plans over the holidays.
Venus retrograde
Venus retrograde is a transit that brings issues in love and finances to the forefront of our minds. In 2023, this astrological phenomenon occurs from July 22 to September 3 in Leo, bringing up drama from past relationships and making us assess the future of our current partnerships. This transit is asking us to move towards who and what we love most, while honouring our own needs in the process.
Venus star point
The Venus star point is the Sun’s yearly meet-up with Venus. This year, it occurs in Leo on August 13. The 13th is a great day and opportunity to express our romantic desires to others. It’s not a time for holding back – go big or go home when speaking from the heart.
Mars retrograde
2023 begins at the tail end of Mars retrograde, which began on October 30 in Gemini and will last until January 12. The backwards motion of Mars has exhausted everyone and even caused major arguments to occur. Therefore, it’s important to start off the New Year right and apologize to those you’ve upset or talk through issues.
Jupiter
Philosophical and encompassing planet Jupiter will remain in Aries until May 16, when it enters Taurus. Jupiter will remain in the fixed earth sign until May 25, 2024. At this time we will be making calculated risks in all aspects of life, and starting to understand art from a soulful perspective. The retrograde cycle of Jupiter in Taurus occurs from September 4 to December 30, which will make us extra cautious in matters of money and love.
Key Dates:
Venus and Jupiter connect on March 2, encouraging us to make major declarations of love.
The Sun and Jupiter in Aries align on April 11, boosting our confidence.
Pluto in Aquarius and Jupiter in Taurus square off on May 1, heightening power struggles.
The North Node of Destiny and Jupiter link up on June 1, bringing luck our way.
Saturn’s entrance into Pisces and retrograde
Austere and karmic planet Saturn enters Pisces on March 7 and stays there until February 13, 2026. This is a moment of contemplation and healing. The caveat is that it may be hard to commit to a relationship or situation at this time – unless our spirit is aligned with the project or person. The last time Saturn moved through the constellation Pisces was May 21, 1993 to April 7, 1996. Saturn will be retrograde in Pisces from June 17 to November 4, urging us to reflect on our humble beginnings and contemplate our future. Fantasies can become reality now — so be careful what you wish for.
Uranus retrograde
Uranus retrograde in Taurus occurs from August 28 to January 22, 2023. The “Great Awakener” planet will be slow to implement change during its moonwalk.
Neptune retrograde
Tender Neptune will be retrograde in Pisces from June 30 to December 6. The planetary backspin allows us to see through the elusive and deceptive veil of Neptune.
Pluto’s planetary shift and retrograde
Transformative Pluto enters Aquarius on March 23, leading to a change in diplomacy, changes in how we invest money and what we invest in, communal governments, advancement in space exploration, and more unionized workers. Pluto moves back into Capricorn on June 11 during its retrograde from May 1 to October 11.
Originally published in Vogue.co.uk
