TRANSCRIPT Ep. 329 | The Shift to Aquarius: Recreate Yourself!

TRANSCRIPT Ep. 329 | The Shift to Aquarius: Recreate Yourself!

Hello Invisible Friend, April here, and the date today is January 19th, 2026. Welcome to Episode 329 of the Big Sky Astrology Podcast.

This week: a thundering horde of planetary connections, and I’ll be grouping them together by type rather than strictly chronologically. As the Sun transitions to Aquarius, a story involving the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Pluto. A final sextile aspect between serious Saturn and unpredictable Uranus. Mars finishes up a lot of work in Capricorn before entering Aquarius. And a Taurus First Quarter Moon.

The week begins with a Monday that has six important aspects that we’ll be talking about. Just to give you some perspective, six aspects is around the average number that we cover in a typical week, let alone one day. So we know this week is getting off to a big start.

Sun sextile Neptune (Jan. 19, 2026, 1:55 pm PST)

The Sun finishes up in Capricorn and transitions to Aquarius. It begins with the Sun sextile Neptune on Monday, January 19th at 1:55 p.m. Pacific Time at 29 degrees 50 minutes Capricorn and Pisces. Here is an opportunity to take imaginative Piscean-Neptunian dreams and start to turn them into something tangible. This could also manifest as a spiritual breakthrough.

Pay attention to little things on this date, because they might be trying to tell you something. This can be a subtle kind of an aspect, and sometimes we just have to be a little more still so that we can really hear and see and sense the messages that are coming our way.

If you are a very creative person, a person who’s just been trying to make a dream come true, this could be an extremely helpful sextile because the Sun in Capricorn is very practical and it’s very task-oriented. It’s a sign that’s especially good at setting out an agenda and then working its way through it step by step.

So, this Neptune in Pisces has all of the dreams, all of the inspiration, many of which have been collecting the entire time Neptune has been in Pisces, since way back in 2011, and many of these dreams have just needed a little bit more Capricorn to help bring them to reality.

Sun enters Aquarius (Jan. 19, 2026, 5:45 pm PST)

The Sun enters Aquarius on Monday, January 19th at 5:45 p.m, Pacific Time. It’ll be in this sign until February 18th. Aquarius is a fixed air sign, which means it really knows what it knows. The fixed quality symbolizes certainty, steadfastness, and sometimes even stubbornness and air signs are connected to the mental realm.

So, Aquarius’s motto is “I know.” Aquarius in modern times has come to be associated a little bit with the planet Uranus. It makes a little bit of sense. They both seem to have a quality of unpredictability, a little bit of rebelliousness, disruption. But traditionally, Aquarius is ruled by Saturn, and it’s a lot more traditional in some ways than we tend to give it credit for. I think that this rulership by two such different planets suits Aquarius perfectly, because it is a very contradictory sign. On one hand, it’s quite traditional and on the other hand very unconventional and rebellious.

During Capricorn’s season, we tend to set intentions for the year ahead. We might initiate some new projects or habits, or routines. Then, during Aquarius’s season, we decide which of these projects are the ones that we really want to do something with throughout the year and further out into the future – because Aquarius is a very future-oriented sign.

This is the season to recreate ourselves, to do something new, to live life in a way that makes us freer so that we can innovate, that we can do the things that are really important to us instead of the things that society has always told us that we must do.

Venus conjunct Pluto (Jan. 19, 2026, 8:04 pm PST)

After the Sun enters Aquarius, it enters into an interesting group of transits involving Mercury, Venus, and Pluto.

Venus makes a conjunction with Pluto on Monday, January 19th, at 8:04 p.m. Pacific Time. That is at 3 degrees 19 minutes Aquarius. Venus is the planet that symbolizes what we enjoy, what gives us pleasure, how we relax into our lives, and when it connects with Pluto, we love what we love with intense passion.

Now this is a very brief transit. We’ll only really experience it for a couple of days, but during this time, we might find that relationships deepen. Given that Venus and Pluto are in Aquarius, this deep connection might not last for very long, but from this transit, we can take away new insights about exactly what we want in a relationship as well as how we might need to change in order to have that.

Venus is also connected with money, with finances, and this could be a day when investments in particular take an important turn for better or worse. So whatever comes about on this date financially, know that very likely the consequences of that may not be very long-lasting.

Mercury enters Aquarius (Jan. 20, 2026, 8:42 am PST)

Mercury enters Aquarius on Tuesday, January 20th at 8:42 a.m. Pacific Time. It will be in this sign until February 6th.

Some astrologers feel that Mercury is very well placed in Aquarius, and it does have its strong points. It’s well-suited to things like science, technology, long-range planning. So, this is actually a very good time to draft your plans for the future – the future of this year, but also the next five or ten years.

Also, mastering new technology can be a bit easier under this influence. So, if you’ve been wanting to try your hand at a new app or a piece of software, this is a really good time to do that.

But part of what makes Mercury in Aquarius so effective at things like science and technology is that it is almost completely unencumbered by emotional baggage. If you have to have a heart-to-heart talk with somebody, wait a few weeks until Mercury has gone into the more sensitive and compassionate sign of Pisces after February 6th.

Sun conjunct Mercury (Jan. 21, 2026, 7:49 am PST)

The Sun comes together in a conjunction with Mercury on Wednesday, January 21st, at 7:49 a.m. Pacific Time at 1 degree 36 minutes Aquarius.

When any planet comes together in an exact conjunction within 17 minutes of arc with the Sun, it is called cazimi, which means “in the heart of the Sun.” When Mercury is cazimi, profound moments of clarity are possible mentally and in terms of communication. The actual cazimi period, when the Sun and Mercury are within 17 minutes of orb, falls between Tuesday, January 20th, at 9:31 p.m. Pacific Time through Wednesday, January 21st at 6:03 p.m. Pacific Time.

This entire period is a powerful time to conceive or deliver a message. Just make sure it’s exactly the message that you intend to send because it will have the power of the Sun behind it.

Mercury conjunct Pluto (Jan. 22, 9:15 am PST)

And on Thursday, January 22nd, at 9:15 a.m. Pacific Time, Mercury makes a conjunction with Pluto at 3 degrees 24 minutes Aquarius.

When Mercury and Pluto come together, you cannot hide from the truth. Anything that has been hidden tends to get dredged up to the surface so that we can deal with it, and sometimes, especially when it’s in Aquarius, it just seems to come out of nowhere. Pluto can also bring out the obsessive side of Mercury – compulsions, addictions. If you need a healthy outlet for this, look to repetitive and absorbing activities like puzzles or playing a musical instrument.

But this is again a very fast transit, so it really only has a strong influence for this particular day. So, use this day to research problems with stuff like bills and bank accounts or to look into your investments and fine-tune things. Especially with Mercury in Aquarius, dig into new technologies that you’ve been wanting to try out.

Sun conjunct Pluto (Jan. 23, 2026, 2:28 am PST)

On Friday, January 23rd, , the Sun makes a conjunction with Pluto at 3 degrees 25 minutes Aquarius. The Sun with Pluto is a combination that insists that we try to rid ourselves of falseness, of qualities in ourselves that we no longer need or relationships that no longer suit us, or work that’s not really in tuned with who we are and where we are in our lives.

This applies to what’s on the inside as well as external circumstances. Externally, it’s a really good aspect for decluttering and shredding old documents, simple things like that that give us a great sense of accomplishment. Internally, this is the right moment for releasing, for letting go of situations, obligations, or habits that are no longer consistent with who you are. Doing a really good cleaning around this date of whatever is unneeded or inauthentic, and be aware of external messages that try to tell you that you are not important.

This is often a consequence of the Sun combined with Pluto. Take the opportunity to reinforce to yourself the attitude that each of us is vitally important. This conjunction falls on the Sabian symbol 4 Aquarius, A Hindu healer, and this is potentially a combination for deep healing and letting go of what is no longer healthy or needed.

Saturn sextile Uranus (Jan. 19, 2026, 9:19 pm PST)

This week also sees a final sextile aspect between Saturn and Uranus on Monday, January 19th, at 9:19 p.m. Pacific Time at 27 degrees 33 minutes Pisces and Taurus. The other two sextiles in this series were on April 4th and August 11th, 2025.

It’s an interesting combination of planets, always whatever aspect they’re making, because they symbolize very different things. And when they come together this week, you might find a few things. You might find that authority figures in your life represented by Saturn might surprise you, might even open up to an unexpected opportunity for new experiences, new assignments for you – especially if there are planets in your chart very close to 27 degrees 33 minutes Pisces or Taurus.

You might find that the world is suddenly ready to see you for who you really are, but you might not feel quite so accepting of yourself. Saturn has this way of bringing out our deepest insecurities and our fear of failure. These are the kind of internal struggles that can really weigh heavily on us.

But I love to see Saturn come together with Uranus, because Uranus transits offer a chance to break free from our self-imposed limitations, and often that’s what they are: self-imposed. During this time, you might be able to begin to imagine living a life without this constant shadow of doubt and fear. If you’ve been doing the kind of inner work that Saturn asks of us, when Uranus comes along, it can really help you break through to the next phase of your life. You may realize that you hold the key to your own prison door and that you have the power to move forward.

Mars trine Uranus (Jan. 19, 2026, 9:56 pm PST)

Mars makes a group of aspects this week and moves into a new sign. It all begins on Monday, January 19th at 9:56 p.m. Pacific Time with Mars and Capricorn trine Uranus in Taurus at 27 degrees 33 minutes. Mars is the action planet and it rules drive, ambition, physical energy, sexuality, and Uranus is a planet of shake-ups and sudden developments, sudden insights. When these two planets get together in a trine, which is a harmonious aspect, it can spark all kinds of breakthroughs, especially in the way we assert ourselves and go after what we want. You might find this week that you feel a powerful urge towards self-preservation, like it’s suddenly very clear what you need to do to protect your time, your energy, your sanity.

This is a great aspect for using both technological and interpersonal skills, especially in your job. The moves that you make now could shift the whole trajectory of your career in some exciting ways.

Now, it’s true this transit can bring some impulsiveness and recklessness. It’s terrific for bringing spontaneity, but maybe not so great for, say, multitasking. You just need to be a little more mindful this week of your movements and your focus.

And sometimes we just need to get good and angry before we’re willing to change, and Mars is the anger, Uranus is the need to change. So, this combination can bring the spark that says, “I am ready to change, I am ready to do things differently.” Just make sure that you’re moving towards something that is actually better and not just reacting in the moment.

Mars sextile Saturn (Jan. 19, 2026, 10:02 pm PST)

Mars sextiles Saturn on Monday, January 19th at 10:02 p.m. Pacific Time at 27 degrees 33 minutes When these two planets are in aspect, we explore the ways that we direct our physical energy, our determination, even our competitive influences in constructive ways. The sextile in particular brings, often, an offer or an opportunity or a new idea of how we can step up our game in a particular area of life, especially with our work. It can sometimes bring a promotion or just additional duties, which we can say yes or no to. But if we do say yes, it generally works out pretty well when these two are in a sextile.

Mars sextile Neptune (Jan. 22, 2026, 10:39 pm PST)

Mars sextiles Neptune on Thursday, January 22nd at 10:39 p.m. Pacific Time. It’s at 29 degrees 54 minutes Capricorn and Pisces. This is the very last degree and in the last minutes of both of those signs, and that gives this combination extra intensity.

Mars in Capricorn is a good worker. It’s very talented at envisioning long-range goals, breaking them down into actionable steps so that we can attain them. But as Mars in Capricorn comes together with this Neptune in Pisces, there is an opportunity to work a little more fluidly to pursue your goal, but to be willing to take the occasional detour. Neptune is a flowing influence and it encourages us to go with the flow. So, however clear your vision is of what you want to accomplish, don’t get too attached to the way you get there because Neptune might have some different ideas for you.

This also can be an aspect that encourages you to work towards spiritual goals, not just your worldly goals. That’s Capricorn stuff. It’s an earth sign; it’s focused on what we can accomplish in the real world. But Neptune in Pisces works a little differently. It asks us to look into whatever it is we’re trying to accomplish and think about how that is impacting your life, and the world, in a spiritual sense. Are you making the world better, even if it’s just your little part of the world, because life is made up not just of the things that we perceive with our senses but also the intangible things like love and meaning.

Mars enters Aquarius (Jan. 23, 2026, 1:17 am PST)

Mars enters Aquarius on Friday, January 23rd at 1:17 a.m. Pacific Time. It’ll be in that sign through March 2nd.

Transits of Mars show us how and what to work and fight for, and while it’s in Aquarius, don’t be afraid to be a little bit shocking or controversial. Speak up about your convictions. You’d be surprised if you look at the charts of people who are very vocal and active in national politics, you will often see Mars in Aquarius. And when Mars is in this sign, things like freedom, equality, and independence are among the things that we find we really want to work toward and fight for. And I think that what Mars in Aquarius individuals share in common is a distinctive individuality and, in many cases, being unafraid to ruffle feathers in order to get their point across.

Taurus First Quarter Moon (Jan. 25, 2026, 8:47 pm PST)

And now it’s time for the Moon Report. We begin, as always, with the week’s most prominent lunation. This week, that is the Taurus First Quarter Moon, on Sunday, January 25th at 8:47 pm Pacific Time at 6 degrees, 14 minutes, Taurus and Aquarius.

The First Quarter is the first action point of the lunar cycle that begins with the New Moon. We start to initiate some of our New Moon goals, in this case, the recent Capricorn New Moon, and we take some kind of action toward them. We might not be exactly sure what we’re doing because the New Moon is a very dark phase, and we don’t always know which way we’re headed.

But at the First Quarter, we decide we are going to do something to move in this new direction. Taurus will take action, but it doesn’t normally act quickly. This is a First Quarter Moon when we take some kind of action, but we take our time in doing it.

Taurus is also pretty practical and a little bit cautious about moving forward. This might be a time in which you’re thinking, okay, I wanted to do this at the Capricorn New Moon, but first I need to take stock. I need to make sure I have all the things that I will need to do this new project. And I also want to make sure I have the right amount of time to do it and that it’s not going to cost me more than I want to pay.

So, you can see with Taurus, there’s a certain amount of deliberation here with the First Quarter Moon and you will move forward, but not necessarily really quickly.

At this First Quarter Moon, we have a lot of planets in Aquarius: the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Pluto. That’s what I’ve been talking about through this whole episode. The Moon being in Taurus is naturally giving some friction to all of those Aquarius planets, maybe slowing them down a little bit, and maybe trying to take all of their energy down on a more practical level.

Lunar Phase Family Cycle

This is the First Quarter in the Capricorn New Moon lunar cycle, but also the First Quarter in a lunar phase family cycle that began with the New Moon of April 27th, 2025, at seven degrees, 46 minutes Taurus. Wherever that point falls in your birth chart, would have been a time of beginnings for Taurus things. What was it that you wanted to plant, to build, to set into place?

Now we’re at the First Quarter in that lunar phase family, where we are ready to take some initiative. Nine months from now, the Full Moon on October 25th, 2026, will be near this point at 2 degrees, 45 minutes Taurus. That is the moment when we can look around, see what it’s taken us to get where we are now and what it’s going to take us to get to the other side.

The Last Quarter in this lunar phase family comes on July 26th, 2027, with a Last Quarter Moon at 3 degrees, 29 minutes Taurus. My mother was a Taurus, bless her heart, loved her dearly, and she took time to get up to speed and gain momentum. And then when she did, nothing could stop her. Nothing would get in her way. And I think that’s what the Last Quarter in Taurus is going to do for us in this lunar phase family cycle.

Void-of-Course Moon periods

Let’s look at the Void-of-Course Moon periods for this week.

On Tuesday, January 20th, the Moon in Aquarius squares Uranus at 6:16 pm Pacific Time. It’s Void-of-Course for 4 hours, 34 minutes, and then enters Pisces at 10:50 pm. When the Moon makes a square to another planet as it’s going Void-of-Course, we know there is a message of conflict. And when the Moon is square Uranus, keep an eye out for disruptions, restlessness, sometimes even accidents.

Aquarius is a fixed sign, so you may find conflict between your desire to keep things as they are versus the world’s intention to throw you off course and get you doing things a little differently. Try to use this Void-of-Course Moon time to get used to welcoming change a little more in small ways, moving things around in your home, eating something different for dinner, eating at a different time. The Void-of-Course Moon is always a good one for instituting a new habit that you want to continue going.

On Friday, January 23rd, the Moon in Pisces makes a conjunction with Neptune at 5:17 am Pacific Time. It’s Void-of-Course for only nine minutes, then enters Aries at 5:26 am. The Moon coming together with Neptune can find us a little bit impractical, a little bit dreamy, but it is an excellent combination for sympathy, intuition, and imagination. This is a good Void-of-Course Moon time to introduce a new routine in your daily life that gives you space to indulge those sides of yourself, maybe by doing some music or artwork or even just some journaling, taking the time to be guided by your intuition and your imagination.

And on Saturday, January 24th, the Moon in Aries squares Jupiter at 1:36 pm Pacific Time. It’s Void-of-Course for 20 hours and 29 minutes, and then enters Taurus on Sunday, January 25th at 10:05 am.

The Moon in a hard aspect to Jupiter can awaken optimism and the urge for adventure, all those lovely Jupiter things, but it can also bring out poor judgment and the tendency toward overindulgence, especially with the Moon in Aries, which is very impulsive. Jupiter is in Cancer, so be sure not to overdo it in, say, spending money on your home or planning a trip that you really can’t afford.

I don’t want you to not enjoy this exciting Moon in Aries and even the activation to Jupiter, such a fun and lovely planet, in a sign like Cancer. Just try not to overdo it.

No Listener Question This Week

Well, as I mentioned, we won’t have time for a listener question this week, but next week is a little lighter and we should be able to get back to that segment then.

So if you have a burning question about astrology that you’d like me to answer on a future episode, leave a voicemail of one minute or less at speakpipe.com / bigskyastrologypodcast. Or you can drop me an email at april (at) bigskyastrology (dot) com and be sure to put the “podcast question” in the subject line.

Donor Thanks

Well, that’s everything on my show sheet, so I’m going to wrap this one up.

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That is it for this episode. Join me again bright and early next Monday. And until then, keep your feet on the ground and your eyes on the stars!