MONTHLY OVERVIEW:
The Sun is in Capricorn, your tenth house of career and success. You’re ready to hit the ground running, tackling your New Years’ goals like a linebacker gunning for the NFL championship. Not so fast, Aries. Mercury is retrograde (backward) in Capricorn until the 15th, slowing down your big plans. Divine timing is on your side after that, anyway. On the 15th, a solar eclipse in Capricorn opens a whole new avenue, and you’ll be glad you waited.

Surrendering control is a theme that will color much of 2010. On January 17th, expansive Jupiter, enters Pisces, your twelfth house of endings, rest and healing. Jupiter will be here until June, then again from September until January 2011. During this time, your greatest growth comes from letting go. Explore the Taoist principle of “wu wei”—which translates roughly to “doing by not doing.” Being the calm, still eye of the storm (rather than the actual tsunami) can be an interesting challenge for your action-oriented sign. Try it: amazing spiritual growth awaits you.

When the Sun enters Aquarius on the 19th, tap into colleagues, friends and networking events. A creative or forward-thinking group project could capture your attention. If you’ve been hunkered down at your computer, get out and socialize—you’re far more likely to advance your goals this way. On January 30th, the Leo full moon joins your ruling planet Mars, helping you finish a back-burnered assignment or creative endeavor.

 

LOVE & ROMANCE:
Pat Benatar said that “love is a battlefield,” but for you, it’s more of a schoolyard. There are so many lessons coming your way this year. Maturity planet Saturn is in your seventh house of companionship until October 2012. It’s time to become an adult and an equal player in your partnerships—to feel the gravity of commitment. You’re in relationship boot camp, Aries, and there’s no dodging the draft.

Saturn will be retrograde here from January 13th until April 7th, a time to retrace your romantic history, and take honest inventory of your mistakes, lessons and weak spots. Think of it like doing a doctor’s physical exam, or a fitness test with a personal trainer—you’ve got to be honest about where there’s work to be done.

Between now and mid-March, Saturn squares off with transformational Pluto, which is in your tenth house of fathers, men and authority. Daddy issues? No more dodging those, either. You learned from your father’s example how to be in relationships, and not all of that serves you anymore. If you have unrealistic expectations of your partner, overly rigid standards or insecurities, ante up. If you haven’t sealed the tomb with an ex, it’s time to either give it an all-out final try or close the crypt for good. Let that all go at the Leo full moon on January 30th, an important day to release frustration or emotional blocks. Passion and sexual chemistry are also strong around this date.

 

MONEY & CAREER:
The year begins with a ton of career activity. The Sun, Venus, Mercury and Pluto are all in Capricorn, your tenth house of success. You’re itching to implement your goals and start a prosperous year. Tweak your plans for the first half of January, as Mercury’s retrograde station could prevent others from understanding your vision. Test-market an idea on friends and family before presenting it to the bigwigs, and refine until it communicates clearly. Just because it makes sense in your own head, doesn’t guarantee others will get it. Don’t get frustrated—this is an important stage of the process.

On the 15th, a Capricorn solar eclipse drops you on a powerful path. This eclipse joins forces with peacemaker Venus, indicating that your new direction could involve the arts, culture or working with people. Your romantic partner could also become a business partner, or you might even meet a love interest through work. You might also work with your father or an older male mentor. The energy will mount between now and June 26th (the Capricorn lunar eclipse), so give yourself six months to accomplish your first major milestone.

 

HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL:
Sleep, self-care and serenity are the holy trinity of 2010. You rarely get enough of any of these, and now, you must make them a priority. On New Year’s Eve, a Cancer lunar eclipse fell in your home and family sector. If your home doesn’t feel like a restful haven, turn it into a clean, cozy sanctuary fast. You needn’t break the bank; just try a little creative fabric draping, put well-edited objets on display and add some throw pillows. Do the words “white sale” mean anything to you?

On January 17th, Jupiter begins its yearlong tour of Pisces, your twelfth house of rest, healing and release. It will be a challenge at times, and you may feel like you have absolutely no control over your life. Aries, the only irony is that many of us think we do. Surrendering the wheel does not mean defeat. It’s been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing again and again, but expecting a different result.

Jupiter will advance into Aries from June through September, so prepare for this new beginning by clearing the clutter and toxic ties from your life. Until then, you might try mystic or spiritual healing—and nothing is too “out there” to dabble in now. Hypnotherapy, past-life regressions, energy healing…why not explore? Jupiter will travel with experimental Uranus for most of 2010. Group healing, meditation and therapy can also be helpful. If you’re battling an addiction or co-dependence, this is a valuable time for recovery.