The New Year started with an astrological "bang" in the form of a Fixed Grand Cross. This means that four planets squared off 90 degrees from each other in the Fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Individuals born under these aspects can expect numerous challenges in their lives. Furthermore, the points of the square are in four different Elements, i.e. Fire, Earth, Air and Water with the planets in each significantly different in character from the signs where they currently reside. Can you spell C-O-N-F-L-I-C-T? So if you started this year a bit confused, you probably are not alone.

The Sun and Moon in Capricorn would give Goats the limelight, especially with Venus just going retrograde and heading back into that sign. They will feel good about themselves and exhibit more charm than usual for these conservative folks. However, with their ruling planet, Saturn, also retrograde, there may be some areas of their life where they feel stuck. This will continue for several more months, so muster patience and prepare everything you can in the meantime to be ready to move forward in late spring.

By the end of January, Aquarians will be in the spotlight with not only the Sun in their sign but Mercury and Neptune as well. This will make them more talkative and idealistic than usual. With Saturn in opposing Leo, they also will see numerous delays, many of a personal nature, and charisma notwithstanding, will either learn patience or be quite frustrated.

Fish have had Uranus, planet of change and surprises, lurking in their Piscean midst for a month or so now. Some of these changes had a deep impact on their lives and the emotional impacts will be emphasized while the Moon transits Pisces later in the month.

Rams also will have numerous challenges this month in such areas as communications, finance and relationships with the Sun, Venus and Mercury squared off in fellow Cardinal sign, Capricorn. The Full Moon on January 14 will also square those born between April 9-18, and they should brace themselves accordingly.

Bulls have plenty of energy with Mars trekking its way through their territory and they may find their usually patient nature tried more than usual. Those born in the first week or so of May could find some frustrating delays and feel as if no one understands them. In spite of the fact that bulls always move a bit slowly, the pace will even drag more than they prefer, especially if they’re trying to get something significant accomplished at home. Even their ruling planet, though in fellow Earth sign, Capricorn, isn’t much help while it’s retrograde.

Gemini’s may have a few surprises and if they have any unpaid traffic tickets or the like they'd be well-advised to pay them along with any other things like late car registrations or inspections. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Pluto is also probably still messing with those born around June 15 by dragging up things from the past that you’d prefer to forget. Some of these things were possibly hidden until recently and the fact you need to deal with them should not be ignored. As if being a Twin with two personalities isn’t enough, this transit of Pluto has probably not been easy and has unearthed any number of things you had hoped to ignore. However, your life will run significantly smoother and you’ll be happier in the long run if you take care of business. Then you can move on in peace.

Crabs have a Full Moon to look forward to on January 14 and those born between July 12-22 will probably be particularly affected. This is not the best time of year for you anyway with the Sun opposite your sign, but the fact Venus and Mercury are there also will make communications, particularly regarding your finances or love life, rather difficult. But don’t fear entirely, because Jupiter in fellow Water sign, Scorpio, is likely to throw a bit of luck your way and any changes or surprises are likely to be pleasant in the long run.

Lions may also find that they’re in a figurative bog; retrograde Saturn is going to put a bit of a damper and a more serious than usual demeanor on those born around the first week of August. Don’t expect much progress until May or so. The New Moon on January 29 will also have more punch than usual and their relationships will probably undergo a bump or two in misunderstandings, possibly because Mars is out there aggravating that Leo temper. Money could also be a source of contention, so balance that checkbook and pay off those Christmas bills as quickly as possible.

Virgo’s born around September 3-9 should get a nice burst of energy with the Full Moon on January 14 with a nice Grand Earth Trine to motivate them to take care of any outstanding finances or other practical matters that require attention. The Full Moon itself will have the most affect on those born September 9-19, but the affect should be positive. Mars and Venus are transiting fellow Earth signs, Taurus and Capricorn, so male-female relationships should run fairly smoothly. Expect some possible events at work, however, that are out of the ordinary.

Libra has probably had better months than this one. With your ruling planet, Venus, not only retrograde but squared off in Cappy as well, your fair nature is likely to be tried substantially. Nonetheless, things should improve significantly toward the end of the month when the Sun, Mercury and Neptune slip into Aquarius and throw helpful trines your way to straighten it all out.

Scorpios should have noticed numerous significant events in their lives the past several months as Jupiter strolls through their sign trailing it’s usually positive and expansive influence. Those with birthdays around the first week of November would be most affected. Some challenges may come along the end of the month but their affect will depend on keeping both eyes open so as not to be fooled or distracted away from the true issue at hand. This should not present much of a challenge to most Scorpios, who are generally suspicious by nature. Any changes, particularly in the creative part of your life or involving your children, if you’re a parent, should be positive. The Full Moon on January 14 should likewise be positive, but the New Moon on January 29 could bring more challenges to the home front as well as a few delays.

Archers have been in deeper thought than usual for some time now as Pluto plods through Sagittarius. This planet can cause tremendous upheavals and unearth all sorts of subconscious tangles. If you’ve felt as if you’ve been through an identity crisis or other wringer the past year or so, Pluto is probably to blame. This is true for other signs as well, depending on where it fell in your individual chart. For those born before the middle of December it’s probably almost over; those born around December 17 should brace themselves. Uranus could throw some domestic problems your way, but the good news, if there is any, is that any delays brought by Saturn will probably work out to be ultimately in your favor. Expect the delays to manifest themselves around January 29 with the New Moon.