January 2026 Newsletter
Dearest Friends
Kindly note that the days and times given below are in Pacific Time. For Rocky Mountain Time (including AZ) add 1 hr. For Central Time, add 2 hours. For Eastern Standard Time, add 3 hours. For Alaskan Time, subtract 1 hour. For Hawaii-Aleutian Time, subtract 2 hours. For Greenwich, add 8 hours. For Central European time (CET) add 9 hours, for Eastern European Time (EET), add 10 hours.
JANUARY 2026
ORACLE CARD OF THE MONTH: “Loving Friendship” (Venus in Air). 2026 opens with a need for companionship. Our presence, charm, adaptability, refinement, and courtesy increase our popularity. Our keen intellect, agile mind, wit, and lively conversation are attractive to a wide variety of cultured individuals. Thanks to your highly developed mental telepathy, we sense the emotional state of others. The more easy-going, cordial, cooperative, and accommodating we are, the smoother this month will be. Needing a lot of freedom, we are likely to seek new, exciting experiences. Our views on love and friendship could become both progressive and unusual.
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Uranus remain retrograde this whole month till February 3, 2026. Its shadow period remains until March 13, 2026. The degree covered in January (27º57’-27º28’ Taurus) is represented by: “A woman past her ‘change of life’ experiences a new love.” Instability, sudden turns of events, unexpected changes of mind, and surprising occurrences can rock our sense of reality, bringing uncertainty but also stimulation, freedom, and fulfillment. It is essential that we remain flexible enough to welcome the new especially where it disrupts our set plans. When we do, we shall find that innovations and unusual situations are both liberating and exciting, encouraging us to interact more joyfully with life.
Jupiter remains retrograde this whole month until March 10, 2026. Its shadow period remains until June 6, 2026. The degrees covered in December (21º21’-17º28’ Cancer) are associated with the following images: “A young woman awaiting a sailboat”, “A famous singer is proving her virtuosity during an operatic performance”, “Venetian gondoliers giving a serenade”, “A priest performing a marriage ceremony”, and “A hen scratching the ground to find nourishment for her progeny”. Our inner explorations focus on our family ties, romantic relationships, spiritual understanding, gifts, and talents. The qualities we have honed with diligent work come into the open. We could be drawn to deepening our emotions, exploring what makes us feel fulfilled, and investigating the real reason for our incarnation. Searching for the meaning behind our experiences helps us understand ourselves, our place in society, and our connection to others, more deeply.
It is worth noting that again, like last month, ALL the fast-moving planets (the Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Mars) are changing signs this month thus furthering the major reassessment of our personal lives.
Mercury enters Capricorn on Thursday 1/1 till January 20th. During the next 3 weeks we are likely to be concerned with more serious matters and achieving our ambitions through material accomplishments. Practical, realistic, rational, organized, patient, disciplined, efficient, and reliable, we are more careful than usual. Our common sense is enhanced and we think in constructive, pragmatic terms. What we say, we mean. Discriminating and industrious, we have little interest in wasting our time gossiping or allowing ourselves to get distracted. A great period to plan the future. If we are careful to not fall prey to depression, but cultivate faith and optimism, we can fulfill our objectives with determination, decisiveness, and logic.
Venus enters Aquarius on Saturday 1/17 till February 10. During the next 3 weeks, our attitude towards love and marriage, can be rather unemotional, unconventional, and progressive. Drawn to ingenious, eccentric characters, we are more interested in mental stimulation, excitement, and variety in our relationships, than commitment. Romantic attractions can be sudden, rather casual and not necessarily long-term. Friendship seems more attractive than passion. Jealousy, possessiveness, or any sign of our freedom being curbed could send us running in the opposite direction. During this cycle, we are good with money. Our financial attitude is generous and sensible with a particular inclination towards acquiring glittery items, expensive clothes, and gadgets.
The Sun enters Aquarius on Monday 1/19 till February 18. A wonderful month to develop our originality, be more individualistic, and independent. We may become more involved in community efforts, make new friends, and join humanitarian endeavors. Flashes of intuition reveal the truth in a blinding light. Thinking about the future and expanding our social life feel more important than respecting the trappings of society.
Mercury enters Aquarius on Tuesday 1/20 till February 6. During the coming 2 weeks, the rhythm of our life is likely to increase quite significantly. We quickly grasp advanced concepts and original ideas. Technology is attractive. We are drawn to anything that has to do with space travel, the future or humanitarian endeavors. Studying a subject off the beaten path and gathering information about something unusual could inspire unexpected thoughts and maybe even revolutionary ideas. Our social life expands considerably. We are attracted to witty, youthful, and intellectually stimulating friends.
Mars enters Aquarius on Friday 1/23 till March 2. During the next 5 weeks our need for freedom and independence is greatly enhanced. Our pioneering and reforming spirit is placed in service of humanitarian endeavors. Mechanical work, or anything related to electronics, engineering, inventions, and science is particularly favored. We only respect traditional methods if they serve us or make sense, but generally are more prone to act in revolutionary ways and feel the strong need to overthrow the established order rather than regenerate or improve it. Enthusiasm, impatience, as well as inconsistent and contradictory reactions tend to mark this cycle during which we are rather insensitive to the public opinion.
We experienced a first glimpse of that cycle between March 30th and October 22nd, 2025, but on Monday 1/26, Neptune re-enters Aries for good this time, till 2038-2039. This new cycle will bring many bold visionary innovations, as well as daring developments in the arts, science, archeology, and spirituality.
The last time Neptune was in Aries was in 1861 marked the beginning of the American civil war which resulted in the abolishment of slavery.
In a need for a more fair economic, political, and social system, voices will rise in support of the rights of marginalized or vulnerable individuals. Revolutionary causes, religious wars could erupt, but there will also be calls for spiritual unity.
Pioneering mystical concepts as well as a new approach to psychic phenomenon will emerge. Inspired visions, the active expression of imaginative impulses, and a considerable creative drive will inspire many.
But on the other end of the spectrum, in those whose spirit is weak, we could see the rise of self-delusion. Unreliable, confused, and detached from reality, they could drift through life rather aimlessly. A struggle with defining their boundaries, an idealized perception of themselves, an inflated sense of self-importance, as well as an over-identification with false images could lead to subtle forms of insanity. In a wish to escape a reality deemed too harsh, strange addictions could be on the rise, opening the door to negative psychic forces.
In those who are more conscious, our ability to inspire others will motivate spiritual unity. Mystical visions and a renewal of faith will bring a complete regeneration.
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The Moon will be Void of Course (V/O –forming no major aspect with any planet before entering the following sign-):
On Friday 1/2 between 4:24 AM and 5:09 AM: when the Moon enters Cancer.
On Sunday 1/4 between 4:59 AM and 5:44 AM: when the Moon enters Leo.
On Tuesday 1/6 between 5:05 AM and 8:57 AM: when the Moon enters Virgo.
On Thursday 1/8 between 3:23 PM and 4:06 PM when the Moon enters Libra.
From Saturday 1/10 at 9:54 AM till Sunday 1/11 at 2:55 AM: when the Moon enters Scorpio.
On Tuesday 1/13 between 2:59 PM and 3:34 PM : when the Moon enters Sagittarius.
On Friday 1/16 between 3:19 AM and 3:47 AM: when the Moon enters Capricorn.
On Sunday 1/18 between 1:57 PM and 2:18 PM: when the Moon enters Aquarius.
On Tuesday 1/20 between 6:16 PM and 10:50 PM: when the Moon enters Pisces.
On Friday 1/23 between 5:17 AM and 5:26 AM: when the Moon enters Aries.
From Saturday 1/24 at 1:36 PM till Sunday 1/25 at 10:05 AM : when the Moon enters Taurus.
On Tuesday 1/27 between 9:58 AM and 12:55 PM: when the Moon enters Gemini.
On Thursday 1/29 between 11:57 AM and 2:32 PM: when the Moon enters Cancer.
On Saturday 1/31 between 1:52 PM and 4:09 PM: when the Moon enters Leo.
Mark these periods in red in your calendar and avoid scheduling anything of importance during these times as they would amount to… NO thing!
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Scheduling our activities using the zodiacal position of the Moon
Moon in Gemini till Friday 1/2 at 5:08 AM + between Tuesday 1/27 at 12:55 PM and Thursday 1/29 at 2:31 PM: Excellent for multi-tasking, curiosity, any form of communication, exchanging information, sending e-mails, calling friends and acquaintances. Great also for social activities, attending conferences, reading a book, watching a documentary, gathering data on various topics, connecting with new people….
Moon in Cancer between Friday 1/2 at 5:09 AM till Sunday 1/4 at 5:43 AM + between Thursday 1/29 at 2:32 PM and Saturday 1/31 at 4:08 PM: Perfect for family activities, especially those involving children. Good for spending more time at home, cooking, nurturing ourselves and those we love, inviting the people we cherish over for dinner. Excellent also for drawing, creative writing, humor, and anything requiring imagination and a touch of craziness….
Moon in Leo between Sunday 1/4 at 5:44 AM and Tuesday 1/6 at 8:56 AM + between Saturday 1/31 at 4:09 PM and Monday February 2 at 7:20 PM: Excellent for anything glamorous, dramatic performances, being in the public’s eye, throwing or attending an elegant party, playing with children, romance, and creativity in general…
Moon in Virgo between Tuesday 1/6 at 8:57 AM and Thursday 1/8 at 4:05 PM: Excellent for starting a new fitness program, learning, healthy nutrition, fasting, clearing our closets, cleaning our home, reorganizing our drawers…. Perfect also for detailed work, the focused use of our intelligence, and taking care of small pets….
Moon in Libra between Thursday 1/8 at 4:06 PM and Sunday 1/11 at 2:54 AM: Great for relationships, associations, diplomatic exchanges with others, anything related to beauty (a haircut, buying new clothes, a make-over…), art (especially painting and decorating…), a pleasant social event (concert, art exhibition…).
Moon in Scorpio between Sunday 1/11 at 2:55 AM and Tuesday 1/13 at 3:33 PM: Perfect for scientific research, esoteric studies, self-transformation, shamanism, dealing with the mysteries of life, death, and sexuality, as well as insurances and issues involving personal power.
Moon in Sagittarius between Tuesday 1/13 at 3:34 PM and Friday 1/16 at 3:46 AM: Perfect for traveling, religious and/or philosophical activities or matters related to higher education and the law. Excellent for lecturing, learning, perfecting a foreign language, exploring other cultures… Perfect also for athletic training and tending to large animals (horses….).
Moon in Capricorn between Friday 1/16 at 3:47 AM and Sunday 1/18 at 2:17 PM: Good for furthering our ambitions, asking for a promotion, enlisting the support of people in positions of authority, making a good impression, re-structuring our business, and redefining our long-term goals…
Moon in Aquarius between Sunday 1/18 at 2:18 PM and Tuesday 1/20 at 10:49 PM: Perfect for philanthropic activities, charitable organizations, meeting with friends, making new acquaintances. Good also for inventions, far out, progressive ideas, inter-dimensional and time travel, anything related to UFOs, computers, and technology in general….
Moon in Pisces between Tuesday 1/20 at 10:50 PM and Friday 1/23 at 5:25 AM: Great for meditating, sitting by the ocean, anything related to the sacred, dancing, painting, swimming, dreaming, music, photography, film, sleeping, channeling, connecting with the mystical, the magic and the oneness of all that is…
Moon in Aries between Friday 1/23 at 5:26 AM and Sunday 1/25 at 10:04 AM: Perfect for intense physical activities, anything requiring forceful, direct action and self-assertion. Good also for leadership, spontaneity, good will, being a way shower, initiating new projects or bringing our car to the mechanic….
Moon in Taurus between Sunday 1/25 at 10:05 AM and Tuesday 1/27 at 12:54 PM: Perfect for any financial matter: paying our bills/debts, asking for the money that is owed to us, opening a bank account, investing in real estate, buying, and selling. Perfect also for a stroll in the park, going to the countryside, connecting with our Mother the Earth… Good also for gardening, pottery, sculpting, as well as bodywork…
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This month’s intentional meditation starts on Saturday 1/3. Take out as many blank sheets of paper as you have intentions and place them near a window, on a balcony or in a garden so that they bask in the light of the Full Moon in Cancer at exactly 2:03 AM. Once that moment has passed, gather your Full Moon charged blank sheets and place them in a folder until the next New Moon.
On Sunday 1/18, take out your blank full moon charged papers and write on each a concise, positive intention. Place them on a balcony, in a garden or near a window so that they are out by exactly 11:52 AM for the New Moon in Capricorn. Once that moment has passed, staple them together and put them away in a folder expecting the manifestation of all your dreams….
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Thursday 1/1: Mercury Square Neptune (5:33 AM), Mercury enters Capricorn (1:11 PM)
Our energy could be rather low. Not exactly clear-minded, we could feel dreamy, indecisive, and impractical. A lack of self-confidence, discouragement, little common sense, and a certain weakness of character could lead to unrealistic goals. Our perception of ourselves and our external reality could be distorted by our overactive imagination, attracting confusion and deceit. We should be careful to not fall prey to fraudulent financial speculations, get entangled in other people’s emotional dramas, or overindulge in drugs or alcohol. A day to seek peace and choose quiet contemplation. Regarding Mercury in Capricorn, kindly refer to the opening paragraph.
Tuesday 1/6: Sun Conjunct Venus (8:36 AM)
An auspicious, gratifying day for love, a date, a comfortable relaxed social gathering or celebrating a special occasion. We express our feelings with ease, enjoy socializing, seek pleasant, poised, serene conversations, and wish to spend quality time with those we cherish, as well as new friends. Our eagerness to cooperate with others and please them, attracts to us approval, gifts, and the favors of influential people.
Wednesday 1/7: Venus Conjunct Mars (6:43 PM)
Today, we strike a good balance between the masculine and feminine dimensions of ourselves. Emotionally, we could feel impulsive, volatile, seek fun, yet also assert ourselves with a touch of combativity. Our social life is likely to require more efforts on our part. Drawn to elegant events, we take the time to dress well to make ourselves attractive to the opposite sex. Should we become over-excited or fall into an excess of pleasure, it will be wise to retreat. Expressing our feelings with warmth, generosity, vitality, and passion, we expect that same level of intensity in return.
Friday 1/9: Sun Conjunct Mars (3:41 AM), Venus Opposition Jupiter (9:35 AM)
The competitiveness, self-assertion, enthusiasm, and impulsivity we demonstrate today is great for initiating new projects we both identify with and can accomplish on our own. Actions requiring strength and courage are favored. We just need to be careful to not be too reckless or combative, restless, self-indulgent, engage in meaningless activities, or waste money on frivolities. Because we tend to be open to new emotional experiences, we could fall in love with love, be tempted by infidelity, become too effusive with complete strangers, have a tempestuous love affair that ends in coldness, cut off a relationship before it even had a change to begin, shower a romantic interest with excessive flowery attention, or issue a premature ultimatum. Best to curb our enthusiasm and seek moderation in our things. A great day to ask ourselves how we feel about our character, our choices, and the life conditions we have created for ourselves.
Saturday 1/10: Sun Opposition Jupiter (12:42 AM), Mars Opposition Jupiter (6:25 AM)
Today, we could feel so confident and expansive, with such great faith in our goals, that we may end up making promises we cannot possibly keep. Being pretentious, too grandiose, stepping over other people’s boundaries, making unrealistic demands, or being overly materialistic could be tempting, but should be avoided. An exaggerated need for freedom and independence, a certain rebelliousness against rules and regulations could place us in trouble with authority figures. Foolish, impulsive actions push us to the point of physical exhaustion. Not a good day for any kind of speculation. With a healthy dose of cheerful courage, we can try something we have never done before, plan our endeavors with intelligence, and inspire others to expand their understanding of the meaning behind experience. Even without the necessary resources, we see our projects to the finish line, and against all odds, are successful.
Wednesday 1/14: Mercury Opposition Jupiter (12:17 AM), Venus Sextile Saturn (10:19 PM)
Today, promising more than we can deliver or chewing more than we can swallow is ill-advised. If a situation seems too good to be true, it probably is. Not exactly diplomatic, we could be so honest that it brings us trouble. Business dealings tend to be exaggerated. Official engagements seem boring. A legal entanglement could prove more costly than necessary. Our social life may not be super exciting, but we approach it with seriousness, dedication, and a need for a long-term commitment. We may be more reserved, sober, cautious, and self-controlled than usual, but the more gracious, respectable, calm, and patient we remain, the more likely we are to enjoy a supportive, dependable relationship. A day best spent cleaning and reorganizing our home, stabilizing our finances, making a significant purchase, learning a new language, planning a long-distance trip or enjoying a long hike in nature.
Saturday 1/17: Venus Sextile Neptune (12:33 AM), Sun Sextile Saturn (2:41 AM), Venus enters Aquarius (4:43 AM), Sun Trine Uranus (8:59 AM), Mercury Conjunct Mars (11:40 PM)
Daydreaming leads to inspiring visions. Our creative talents are enhanced. We are sensitive to romance. Our authority is put to the test. We may have to reevaluate our obligations, renew our sense of duty, and are required to be as practical, grounded, and stable as possible. New exciting situations, as well as fundamental, sudden changes create unexpected good fortune favoring self-improvement. Competitive, and going straight to the point, we tend to be decisive, frank, and outspoken. Vigorous physical exercise can help us blow some steam off. Regarding Venus entering Aquarius, kindly refer to the opening paragraph.
Sunday 1/18: Mercury Sextile Saturn (8:09 PM), Mercury Trine Uranus (9:38 PM)
A great day to initiate a project requiring sharp mental energy, quick decisions, competence, and demanding intellectual work. We are inventive, witty, and intuitive. In the face of rapidly changing circumstances, our mind works fast, inspiring us to a brilliant alternative plan. Our confidence in our ideas and beliefs is so strong that once we make up our mind, we just dive into forward action. Whatever plan we formulate, we execute it with energy, vigor, resourcefulness, and enthusiasm. Alert and perceptive, we handle difficult people quickly and efficiently. Travel is favored, yet despite perfect planning, things may unravel quite differently.
Monday 1/19: Sun Sextile Neptune (1:56 PM), the Sun enters Aquarius (5:45 PM), Venus Conjunct Pluto (8:04 PM), Saturn Sextile Uranus (9:19 PM), Mars Trine Uranus (9:56 PM), Mars Sextile Saturn (10:02 PM)
Our awareness of beauty is particularly refined and our receptivity to the invisible, greatly enhanced. More selfless than usual, we are particularly sensitive to the suffering of others. Today, we could meet someone whose influence changes our life. This relationship feels karmic bringing intense emotions to the surface. Sudden changes, unusual opportunities are both practical and timely. New approaches are encouraged. Recognizing the potential of creative, original ideas, we give them a practical form and apply them in a concrete manner in our daily lives, combining harmoniously the old and the new. Independent, determined, ready to drop our inhibitions, and willing to take risks, our decisions are daring, inventive, and constructive, and our ideas, original and dynamic. An excellent day to launch an independent enterprise and improve ourselves both mentally and spiritually leading to significant breakthroughs in our personal growth. Not easily deterred by delays or hardship, through constructive actions, a willingness to work hard for what we want, discipline, patience, and an ability to blend common sense with our enterprising spirit, we can achieve steady progress. A great day to reconsider our career choices with care and seriousness. As long as we don’t expect fast results, our courage, practicality, keen judgement, patience, and self-control help us lay a solid basis for the future. Regarding the Sun in Aquarius, kindly refer to the opening paragraph.
Tuesday 1/20: Mercury Sextile Neptune (6:34 AM), Mercury enters Aquarius (8:41 AM)
Today, our mind and our intuition are in harmony. We are mentally sensitive and spiritually attuned. Music and poetry awaken deep emotions. Open-minded, multi-dimensional in our thinking, visionary, and compassionate, our imagination is intensified. A wonderful transit for artists. But not so great for anything requiring a practical attention to details. We could overlook some important information, be a little forgetful, and lack discrimination. A chance is offered to us to correct past laziness, clear a previous mistake, and erase old misunderstandings or misconceptions. A trip could prove both strange and enchanting. Regarding Mercury in Aquarius, kindly refer to the opening paragraph.
Wednesday 1/21: Sun Conjunct Mercury (7:49 AM)
A great day for engaging in small trips, doing errands, learning something new, teaching, writing, setting goals, buying, selling, trading, and enrolling in a training program. Talkative, curious, and eager to improve our skills, we are also likely to be more sociable than usual.
Thursday 1/22: Mercury Conjunct Pluto (9:15 AM), Mars Sextile Neptune (10:39 PM)
Today, our mind is shrewd, probing, penetrating, and powerful. Able to X-ray situations and people, we understand deeper truths, are aware of what caused present challenges, and wish to solve the mysteries of life. We could also need some isolation and solitude to mull over our plans and search for answers within. It is also possible that we may become entrusted with some secret information of grave importance that needs to be handled with careful responsibility. Regenerating our health, investigating our shared finances, and exploring the deeper meaning of death and sexuality are attractive. We may not have much control over some of the changes we are likely to experience. Yet, they open interesting new horizons. A certain restlessness or dissatisfaction may make us want to try something we have never done before and seek new opportunities. Meaningful creative artistic pursuits are encouraged. No easily fooled, we readily detect insincerity in others and are protected from adversity and deceit.
Friday 1/23: Mars enters Aquarius (1:17 AM), Sun Conjunct Pluto (2:28 AM)
Regarding Mars in Aquarius, kindly refer to the opening paragraph. Today, more specifically, we need to face aspects of our personality we may not be particularly proud of. Old psychological problems, rigid patterns of behavior could be exposed, needing to be released. Letting go of the past, re-evaluating our beliefs, reassessing our values is necessary. A day of subtle, but profound inner changes that help us clean our slate, that we may move forward in more rewarding ways.
Monday 1/26: Neptune re-enters Aries (9:37 AM)
Kindly refer to the opening paragraph.
Tuesday 1/27: Mars Conjunct Pluto (3:02 PM)
Our physical charisma is enhanced. Feeling bolder, more energetic, fearless, and powerful, we are willing to work harder to reach our goals. Our efforts, persistence, self-confidence, courage, enthusiasm, and unflinching ability to face danger enable us to exert a tremendous influence on others that inspires them. The changes we implement today result in long-lasting effects. At its highest level, this transit can bring a powerful regeneration leading to spiritual enlightenment. We just need to avoid explosive situations or dangerous neighborhoods, stay away from potentially manipulative, greedy, destructive, or violent individuals, and make sure we do not give in to uncontrollable passions or immorality.
Thursday 1/29: Mercury Conjunct Venus (2:17 AM)
Our outlook is calm. We think with our heart and feel with our mind. Our need for companionship is enhanced. This transit is excellent for light social activities, visiting a neighbor, gathering with friends, calling someone we enjoy the company of, and pursuing mental endeavors in partnerships. Our literary and musical talents as well as our intellectual appreciation of art, harmony, balance, and beauty are enhanced. Financial dealings are favored. We could be interested in generating an income from a business related to art, beauty, as well as any form of communication.
Wishing you a powerful start of 2026!
In Loving Light.
Michelle Karén, M.A., D.F.Astrol.S.
Astrologer, Shaman, International Conference Speaker
Author of Astrology for Enlightenment (Atria Books, Simon & Schuster)
Founder of the Online Llankay, Munay, Yachay School of Shamanic Studies
www.facebook.com/ michelleKaren8867
www.youtube.com/c/MichelleKarenAstrologerShaman
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