2022 is the year to find your community. And if you're not ready to end toxic relationships, a string of eclipses will do it for you.
Welcome to 2022, star babies! Collectively, we've been through a lot. The pandemic added unprecedented stress and change to all of our lives, which we are still navigating. While there have been hard times, recent years also saw a rise in social consciousness, as demonstrated through the Black Lives Movement. In 2022, everyone is further encouraged to stay true to their moral standards. Saturn, which rules discipline, authority, and government structures, is in independent Aquarius for the year. This influence motivates us to identify our values, live authentically, and do our best to exert change on a grand scale that reflects such values. In other words, 2022 sees us motivated to be the best version of ourselves and continue to work hard to affect policy change.
Venus is still retrograde when the year begins, but the lover planet goes direct on Saturday, January 29. Venus rules love, beauty, and abundance. While she is retrograde, it can be more difficult to navigate relationships. As a result, we feel more salty than sweet. Because Venus is associated with money, this is also an annoying time to collect invoices or get a new job. It's also ill-advised to make significant changes to your appearance while Venus is retrograde. So practice extra self-care during the first month of the year, but wait until February before trying that new hair color.
There are a whopping four Mercury retrogrades in 2022, so grab your pen and paper to add these dates to your calendar. The first begins in Aquarius on Friday, January 14. Then, it moves into Capricorn on Tuesday, January 25, and goes direct on Thursday, February 3. Remember, when Mercury is retrograde, make sure to allow extra time for travel and expect delays. There also tends to be technological annoyances, such as internet blackouts and other slowdowns.
The communication planet goes retrograde again in Gemini from Tuesday, May 10. It enters Taurus on Sunday, May 22, before going direct on Friday, June 3. Mercury retrograde may bring slow internet, but we also have to keep our side of the street clean by double-checking emails, texts for typos and remembering to read the fine print on any important document. The third Mercury retrograde of 2022 occurs on Friday, September 9 in Libra, entering Virgo on Friday, September 23, and going direct on Sunday, October 2. Don't forget that these times also bring exes back from the dead, but don't allow yourself to be pulled back into any toxic situations. The fourth and final Mercury retrograde of the year begins on Thursday, December 29, and lasts through Wednesday, January 18. So, prepare to celebrate the New Year with a Mercury retrograde in place. And, remember never to be the creepy ex yourself.
While Mercury retrograde can be stressful, frankly, the real drama usually occurs during an eclipse. Eclipses are cosmic wildcards. They bring swift and often unexpected endings and beginnings. While ripping off a bandaid hurts, the good thing about eclipses is that it's always for the best, just another instance of the universe pushing you to become the best version of yourself. Circle the dates of these four eclipses to add to your 2022 calendar. A solar eclipse goes down on Saturday, April 30, in Taurus, followed by a lunar eclipse in Scorpio on Monday, May 16. There's another solar eclipse on Tuesday, October 25, in Scorpio, followed by a lunar eclipse in Taurus on Tuesday, November 8.
All of the eclipses take place on the Taurus-Scorpio axis, which is all about transformation. These cosmic influences motivate us to make our dreams come to fruition by identifying which relationships need nourishment and which ones are a waste of time. And, as a reminder, eclipses are stressful. So stay in on these dates and double down on self-care.
On Sunday, July 31, the independent planet Uranus conjuncts the North Node in graceful Taurus. Think of the North Node like the north star. It guides us in a healthy direction towards the light. Following themes created by Saturn's position in Aquarius, this transit reminds us of how our values match up with society. For instance, if you're party friends with a group of people who have beliefs that don't align with yours or are even racist and offensive, 2022 is the year that you finally find a community that supports your values.
The warrior planet Mars goes retrograde starting on Sunday, October 30, finally going direct on Thursday, January 12, 2023. Mars rules how we assert ourselves and is also tied to sexual energy. When it goes retrograde, you may notice you have a more challenging time standing up for yourself, may experience a drop in libido. On the bright side, Mars retrograde can help you cool down and work on emotional regulation if you're quick to anger. It's also the perfect time to focus your romantic energy on intimacy and deepen emotional connections. All in all, 2022 is about not only finding your community but finding yourself and then living by your principles.
2022 Predictions, By Zodiac Sign
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
You're the first sign of the zodiac and love to get your way. Unfortunately, you experience financial frustrations early in the year when Venus is retrograde. You want to level up in life but feel stuck. Thankfully, when Venus, the planet of abundance, enters your sign in May, you're ready to make bank. Plus, the lucky planet Jupiter enters your sign, Aries, bringing blessings to your love life and career. 2022 is a great year to go first.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Sure, darling Taurus, your ruling planet Venus is retrograde when 2022 begins, but don't let that get you down. Frankly, it would be best to focus on the eclipses that occur on the Taurus/Scorpio axis throughout the year. These will be times of significant change, but it's all pushing you towards your destiny. When the independent planet Uranus conjuncts the North Node in your sign, Taurus, you receive a major push from the universe to transform into a more evolved version of yourself.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
Your ruling planet, Mercury, goes through four of its infamous retrogrades this year, Gemini. You're still as desired as ever, so always double-check that your work emails are typo-free and that you're sexting the right sidepiece. But when the asteroid Ceres, which is associated with marriage, delicious food, and the home, enters your sign, you find yourself feeling more concerned with home and family life than partying. The summer should be especially romantic for you, as the lover planet Venus dances through your sign.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
You're ruled by the moon, and as a result, are sensitive, intuitive, and throw fabulous dinner parties. Your emotional depth is your strength, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Just make sure to double down on self-care this year, especially during the eclipses in fellow water sign Scorpio, as this energy can make you paranoid. 2022 isn't all stressful, however. The latter half of the year brings blessings on the love and financial front.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
Leo, you lovely lion, you will get so many things that you want this year. Because your ruling planet is the sun, the spotlight always seems to shine on you, and that's just how you like it. So just make time to factor in cat naps during 2022 because two solar eclipses will shake up your world. The theme for these eclipses is transformation, so while they may feel hectic, you'll end up on top (and maybe with a new job or love interest). Oh, and Leo, don't cut that gorgeous mane during Venus retrograde.
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
You're the healer of the zodiac, Virgo. As a result, you tend to put more effort into taking care of others rather than yourself. But don't forget that the tarot card associated with your sign is the hermit. Sometimes, you have to withdraw to focus on yourself. Your ruling planet, Mercury, is all over the place in 2022, so an extra dose of self-care will do you well. Retreating to refocus doesn't mean that you're doomed to be alone. This year, especially around your birthday, brings surprises and blessings to your love life.
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
When 2022 begins, your ruling planet, Venus, is retrograde. Because the planet rules love, beauty, and abundance, it's easier to feel as if you shine dimmer during this time. But you don't at all; it's just a time to regroup and re-establish your goals regarding love and money. Because when the year ends, with marriage-oriented asteroid Ceres in your sign, you will feel like the shinest earthling in the world.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)
Your intensity is a blessing and a curse, Scorpio. On the one hand, you're mysterious and so charismatic you put a spell on people. On the other, you can be jealous and sometimes even manipulative. The 2022 eclipses fall on the Scorpio/Taurus axis, which means that these chaotic moments will affect you more than most. However, if you can get through the eclipses without picking fights, you'll end the year like a phoenix, which is considered the highest evolution of a Scorpio.
Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)
Let's be honest, Sagittarius. With lucky Jupiter as your ruling planet, nearly every year is a good year to be the archer of the zodiac. But when Jupiter, which rules growth, expansion, and higher learning, goes retrograde during the second half of 2022, you finally have to face the false narratives in your life. And yes, that may mean finally blocking your toxic ex's phone number.
Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)
You're a natural-born leader, and fine, you're almost always right. People look at Capricorns and assume that they have everything put together, and that's the image you like to present. But this year, when your ruling planet, strict Saturn, is in independent Aquarius, you have to prioritize yourself. How much of your happiness is sincere, and how much depends on the opinions of others? Answering that question is your 2022 goal, you devilish sea-goat.
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
The planet Saturn, which rules government structures and responsibility, is in your sign this year, Aquarius. You're the rebel of the zodiac, and as the water-bearer, it's your job to fight injustice. 2022 sees everyone else trying to get on your level thanks to your influence on the usually-stodgy Saturn. But while you're out there trying to save the world, Aquarius, don't forget about yourself. And you need to pay attention to your personal life, because when it comes to money and love, 2022 is one for the record books.
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
You're perhaps the most emotionally deep and psychic sign of the zodiac, Pisces, but that blessing can also be a burden. In 2022, you finally find healthy and effective ways to manage the stress and anxiety of having such knowledge. The messenger planet Mercury teaches you how to stand up for yourself, and when your ruling planet, Neptune, goes retrograde, the stars snip out the losers in your life for you.
Posted on April 19th, 2022
