Your horoscope for the week ahead: Take time to rest and recharge as Mercury and Venus continue in retrograde

Mercury and Venus both continue to move retrograde this week. Retrograde movement among the planets is often viewed with a nervous eye. Many think that these cycles create difficulties. And yes, they often do — but only because they want to point out where improvements can be made. 

Mercury, the Master of Strategy, should really be thought of as a personal guide who draws our attention to problems that need to be fixed. Yes, his change of direction can cause issues for us all, but if handled correctly and with the right temperament, they can also become positive turning points.

On Sunday, Mercury disappeared into the glare of the sun and will soon be reborn as a morning star. This act symbolizes a reinvigoration of your hopes, dreams and aspirations. It will be all systems forward now. A new four-month cycle has begun. 

Still, you do need to rest during the long nights of January. Don't feel guilty if you want to retreat and sleep. Bears have the right idea: hibernate and recharge your batteries. Mercury started his retrograde cycle in Aquarius, but this Tuesday he will back up into self-disciplined Capricorn. This is a good time to mull over any New Year's resolutions. Don't commit to them until after Mercury turns direct on Feb. 3. 

Venus moves retrograde in Capricorn until this Saturday. Her six-week retrograde ends most auspiciously as she forms a serene conjunction with the moon just before sunrise. The Roman counterpart to ancient Greece's Aphrodite, Venus is thought to rule our feelings and reveal undercurrents in our relationships. How have they changed in the last six weeks? 

The waning moon reaches her last quarter phase on Tuesday, appearing as a left-sided half moon. She will then continue shrinking into a slim, silvery crescent by week's end. It's time to look over this past 29.5-day lunar month and try to make some sense of it. 

Here is your horoscope for the week of Monday, January 24, 2022.

Aries

You need support and assistance, plus a pragmatic way of dealing with a particular urgent issue. What you want is change, and you want it to come as fast as possible — but not so fast that it disrupts your material security. The universe is guiding you. Help is on the way. The change you seek will come gradually but steadily, through a series of subtle signals that will help you summon enough faith and confidence to recognize what needs to be done and act. 

Taurus

You are a creative and skilled person. Rather than shy away from hard work, you take on challenges eagerly and with dedication. As long as something inspires your heart, you will give it all that you can. But still, there is pressure on you to produce miracles. This is not out of the realm of possibility, but it will require more time. Shortcuts won't work, so resist the pressure to lower your standards. A steady application of a clever strategy is what you need to reach your goal. 

Gemini

Something wonderful is starting to happen, and it looks like it could last a long time. Although you can never be absolutely certain, you know it's wise to follow a positive current. After all, there is good reason to feel confident about the direction things are going. When we can accept that life is full of ups and downs, half the battle is won. It means that you can live through the downs without becoming too dispirited and you experience ups with getting giddy. Stay cool. Don't get too excited. Just ride the wave. 

Cancer

You feel pressure to do better and as though you still have a long way to go. However, your self-image is at odds with how others perceive you. You tend to think of your situation as precarious, whereas others see it as secure. They see you in a much better light. You don't want to be immodest, but you ought to be kinder to yourself. As long as we live in this world, we are bound to encounter problems. If you can just recognize the full extent of your talents and abilities, you'll be able to put them to better use. 

Leo

There is some missing information that you need. It's as if you're trapped in a dream or lost without a map and compass, unable to find your way. Be careful not to blow it out of proportion. Things are better than you think. That missing bit of information will arrive this week and everything will fall into place. Your sense of uncertainty will be assuaged as you gain clarity on  all that is currently nebulous. Simply put, there is nothing to be worried about. 

Virgo

When we get used to cold weather for weeks on end, we instinctively bundle up in hats, scarves and layers of clothing to keep us warm when we venture outdoors. We want to be ready for all possible outcomes. Eventually, though, the weather warms up and all the layers aren't necessary. In the same way, you are worried about a problem that was once prevalent but has now subsided. You can relax and safely adjust your mood to the improved conditions. Soon, the problem will be totally gone, and you can adopt a more carefree attitude. 

Libra

Progress can be a rather strange phenomenon. What sometimes seems like it is really just more of the same. You are yearning for real progress. There is a sense of urgency, since the status quo has become rather painful. While some people resist new developments and take a while to adjust, you welcome change and adapt quickly. Where you need change most right now is concerning your ability to communicate your feelings. You will notice a positive difference this week. 

Scorpio

Because of your determination, success will undoubtedly come to you. The matter at hand means so much to you, and you deserve the best outcome you can get. But it's hard to determine the right strategy since you see drawbacks to everything. There is no perfect way to proceed. You must simply do what feels right and pursue it with resolve. If you are true to your heart and uphold your highest moral standards, everything will turn out in the best way possible. 

Sagittarius

To dismiss a big idea you have as unworkable would be a mistake. With a few tweaks here and there, you can mould it into a success story. Apply a modicum of imagination and a smidgen of pragmatic reasoning, and you'll turn it into a real winner. So don't toss it away or listen to short-sighted advisors. They simply aren't as inspired as you are. You've developed ideas with less potential in the past, and there's no reason why you can't do it again. With your accumulated experience, there is no telling where you can take this. 

Capricorn

Something is burning away in you, and it is undermining your power by reducing your ability to relax. If you try to see the humour in what you're doing, it will help to diffuse your anxiety and give you a valuable degree of objectivity. Once a certain piece of information comes to your attention, you'll see exactly how you must proceed. You have a choice between fretting or trusting that, ultimately, everything will be fine. The choice is obvious. You have all it takes to pull this off. 

Aquarius

If you feel stressed, short-tempered or on edge, it should come as no surprise. You've been mulling over an issue that has a strong bearing on your future. The big question is whether you want to proceed on the road you're following, which seems safe but not very exciting and doesn't offer much in the way of rewards, or if you can muster the courage to head down a riskier road that could offer more payback. Once you make a decision and really go for it, you'll make rapid progress in the right direction. 

Pisces

You have an urge to change everything. It's a very dramatic feeling. You've had too much of the same for too long, and you want to open your wings and fly. A precious area of your life needs revitalizing, and you've been wondering how to go about it. Well, you won't be wondering for much longer. It may seem impossible to you now, but this dream won't be too hard to achieve. Some good ideas are already starting to emerge. This week brings hope. You hold your future in the palm of your hands.