Farewell 2023, and welcome to 2024. In the midst of polishing off the remaining Celebrations (boo, only Bounty bars left) and recycling our wrapping paper, we’re all thinking ahead to the new year. That, of course, starts with January, and our January horoscopes. What can we expect from the first month of the new year?

First, let’s run through the astrological events of the coming weeks. Mercury comes out of retrograde (phew) on 2 January, which will enable us all to move forward free of the chaos. Enjoy clearer communication and fewer technological and transport mishaps. 

On the 4th, Mars enters Capricorn, where it thrives. We’ll be empowered to put plans into action and follow our passions. A week later, the first new moon of the year, in Capricorn, adds to that ‘new beginnings’ vibe. Then on the 14th, Mercury will enter Capricorn: expect to feel a rush of responsibility; a good time for lots of forward-planning and admin. 

Aquarius season begins on the 20th, bringing intense emotions and urging us towards self-expression. The next day, Pluto will enter Aquarius, delivering some creative inspiration, too. You’ll sense everyone wanting to make big changes. 

On the 23rd, Venus, the planet of love, beauty and money, enters disciplinarian Capricorn, prompting a tussle between our wants and needs. Think: wanting to buy stuff but needing to save cash. Frustrating, yes, but a good reminder to prioritise balance. 

Two days later, a full moon in Leo can bring up big emotions, so be prepared for some blow-ups. Then on the 27th, Uranus will station direct. This can bring spontaneity and high emotions. While not quite as tough a time as Mercury retrograde, this can be a period filled with misunderstandings and regret. Think carefully before you speak. 

That’s the overall forecast, but how about what each star sign can look forward to? Read on for your horoscope for January. 

21 March to 19 April

The past year has been marked by a lot of self-doubt. In January 2024, that’s set to change. Your planet, Mars, has moved into Capricorn, where it is exalted. That means that your path will be unblocked – all the plans you’ve been so excited about can finally be put into action. You’re going to enter January feeling inspired and empowered. You’ve been setting up plans for your career and future goals, and now you’re ready to make them happen. 

Work hard this month and you’ll be rewarded. Its arrival might not be instant, but a big opportunity is coming your way. Just you wait. 2024 is going to be all about feeling like your best self: ideas flowing, big things happening, the works. 

20 April to 20 May

Taurus, you’ve been in your transformation era recently. You’ve been reflecting on big topics, figuring out your personal philosophy and how this can help you navigate the shifts in your life. Brace yourself for a breakthrough in January; a real ‘aha’ moment. You’ll feel ultra motivated and purpose-driven once that lands. 

That burst of get-go energy will make you want to build something for the future. You’re thinking about your legacy; you want to create something monumental. You might be experiencing some imposter syndrome, but we urge you to have faith: this big idea could work. 

Amid all that, make your mantra for this month: ‘balance’. Remember that all work and no play makes for a burnt-out woman. Keep some separation between work and home to honour each part of your life as its own distinct sector, worthy of time and respect. Do that and things will flow. 

21 May to 20 June

Whew. Life’s been tough recently, right, Gemini? Good news: things are about to get easier. Not as fun news: you’ll have to do a little more work to get there. You’ve been begging for some calm, and that’ll come… if you do some emotional work. Don’t resist it. Lean in, get into the deep stuff, and prepare to feel a big relaxing release once you do. 

After all that introspection, you’ll want to look outside yourself. Make January the month you make an effort to understand other people’s perspectives and view the world through a fresh lens. But remember that your POV is valid, too. It’s OK to take in a range of opinions and go with your gut anyway at the end of it. 

21 June to 22 July

Partnership is a big theme for you in January, Cancer. You’re looking to either start a new bond, strengthen current ones, or do a bit of both. But you’re aware that change begins with you, so at the kick-off of the new year you’ll be ready to start some new habits and clear any baggage in order to attract the best possible relationships into your life. The message from the stars: keep working on being the best version of yourself, and the partnerships you want will come along soon enough. 

The growth in your relationships might inspire you to make changes in other parts of your life, too. That can feel scary, we know, but it’s so worth it. Give something different a chance.  

23 July to 22 August

For you, Leo, January will be a month that’s all about joy. You’re inspired to connect with things and people that make you happy, plain and simple. What makes you smile? Whatever it is, bring more of it into your life, and be ready to make changes to your routine to make space for it. 

You’re itching for bigger transformation, too (a major case of new year, new me energy). That’s no bad thing, but resist rushing. Go slow and aim for longer-term, sustainable shifts rather than dramatic, quick fix overhauls. By the end of the month, you’ll find your groove. 

You’ve been all about your home life recently; making sure your house, family, and emotional self are all as stable and secure as possible. That’ll give you a great base to move forward with big plans in January. You’ve got the green light, so go for it. We know that in true Virgo fashion, you’ve had a detailed plot lined out for months. 

Don’t forget to make space for fun in the midst of all that planning and action. Something new and exciting (maybe a romance? Fun.) is on the horizon. Stay open to it.

You might also find a new hobby for the new year. At first, you could be wary of the time commitment – another thing to add to your to-do list? Really? – but stick with it. The more you step into this passion, the more powerful you feel. Whatever hobby you choose could require some time and effort, but it will also serve as a powerful respite from any stress in other areas of your life. Well worth doing.  

Remember, too, that often it’s when we’re doing something fun or relaxing that the greatest ideas float into our minds. It’s when you’re playing that you could have big breakthroughs and revelations, expanding your worldview and helping you get closer to the person you truly want to be. 

23 September to 22 October

Communication, communication, communication. Do you find yourself saying that word a lot recently? It’s no wonder: clear, honest communication is ultra important to you, Libra. That’s going to be a big theme for January. Try to remember that it’s not just about logic and winning an argument, though. Allow yourself to communicate your emotions, too. Speak from the heart, and give the people around you that same space to express themselves. 

Mid-month, romance is on the cards. You’ll be feeling passionate and in need of an outlet to express that. Single? Get out there and enjoy the fun of flirtation. Coupled up? Jump on the passion when it arrives and if there’s a lull later on, don’t stress. 

At the end of the month, a sense of calm will land… along with inspiration to reboot your home space. You’ll be in the mood for an interiors makeover, as well as some inner work to match. 

23 October to 21 November

You’ve been focusing on building your worth. Not just money-wise, but self-worth, too. Keep that going through January. Work on habits to build up your confidence and don’t be surprised if you see pay-off by mid-month in the form of some exciting new opportunities. Take chances, especially when it comes to new friendships. Chatting with someone new can teach you a lot. 

Towards the end of the month, you’ll feel like you’re at your peak. Everything you do goes smoothly, you always know just what to say… use this energy, not just with others but with work on yourself. 

Lean on others if you need to; the people you care about are there for you, and ready to remind you just how brilliant you are. 

22 November to 21 December

In January, your priority will be building stability. You need to feel in control, and creating a strong foundation will help with that. Make sure that you know what you really want before you charge forward with this, though. This is a great time to reflect on what’s worth your time and focus. 

Some new beginnings may be on the cards. Change is coming and you might not be entirely comfortable with that (fair enough – does anyone really like change?). Know that with your solid base of self-knowledge, though, you can handle anything. Good things are coming – keep an eye out for opportunities towards the end of the month. 

22 December to 19 January

Something in your subconscious has been holding you back and you know what? You’re fed up of it. It’s time to let it go: the fear of failure, the knocks to your confidence, the doubt. No more of it. Know that the only way to fail is to not try. It’s time to give this a proper shot. As your solar return comes to a close, you are getting charged up to start the year off right – with a motivated, excited, and prepared version of yourself. 

It can feel strange to let go of a past version of yourself, even if you know it’s no longer working for you. Your mantra this month is: onwards and upwards. Take steps forwards and know that soon enough, you’ll feel more confident in each one. Wonderful things can happen, but the key is believing in yourself. 

There’s a lot of excitement for you this month, Aquarius – the festive season, the holidays, your solar return. But mingled in with all that fun is some not-so-great stuff. What obstacles are in your path? What negative voices are chiming in? What’s distracting you from what really matters? Tune into these blockages to joy and listen to what your gut is telling you. It’s time to let go of what’s no longer serving you. 

When you release that mental and emotional clutter, you’ll be free to move forward as a happier, healthier you. With the sun and Pluto moving into your sign mid-month, that energy will be even stronger. You’ll realise the power of your uniqueness and know that you have the ability to do big things. Be warned: you might feel self-criticism rear its ugly head. Be kind to yourself during this time and know that for every ebb there’s a flow. 

19 February to 20 March

For you, Pisces, January is a moment for you to check in and ask yourself a big question: am I at my best? You’re digging deep into your career, dreams, goals, and so on, but have a nagging feeling that it’s your social realm where things aren’t quite clicking. Perhaps you need to network? Or spend some more time with people you know and trust? Could it be time to admit that some relationships just aren’t working?

Towards the middle of the month, you’ll feel ready to make some tough decisions and say how you really feel. Trust your intuition and do what feels right. Once you do, some big lessons will be on the way.

Keep an eye out for people-pleasing tendencies towards the end of January. Now is not the time to say ‘yes’ to everything when you actually want to say ‘no’. Be true to yourself and everything else will fall into place.