Horoscopes for the January Full Moon in Leo
Amplified individual passion leads to drama and collective creation when fiery Leo shines a light on our deep desires...
Welcome the first full moon of 2024 in Leo! Get revved up and ready to actualize ideas with all the charm and confidence that feline fire sign bestows us lowly humans, because there has never been a better time to focus our individual strengths toward a communal goal. There is a LOT pumping up the energy of this moon - it’s squaring to Jupiter in Taurus, who is also a hop/skip/jump away from Venus, and she just entered Capricorn. This Venusian, earthy quality that the planets are currently cultivating for us will combine with the dramatic, solar energy of Leo and gift us a moon that solidifies our creative and romantic passions, but not necessarily in the ego driven, stage whore way that can lurk in the shadow of the proud lion. This moon will kick off a more focused phase over the next few weeks; one where we are (hopefully) able to shed some stubborn ego and use our talents for big picture wins.
Of course, there is no yin without the yang, and shadowy, destructive Pluto is still pretty close to the sun, which will emphasize some subterranean problems that could rear their ugly heads and get magnified by this fiery moon. Deception, shadiness, and system failures could be exposed in both our individual lives and on the world stage, but we needn’t despair; exposure to light is the best disinfectant.
For this reason, we will explore both the light and the shadow of these whole sign horoscopes as a reminder to stay humble and maintain the balance between individual and collective needs (which is a pretty good summary of the Leo/Aquarius axis as it stands in 2024.)
Make sure to read your rising sign in addition to your sun sign, as the ascendant often has more immediate relevance to our lives.
Leo/Leo Rising (7/21 - 8/23)
THE LIGHT - This moon is all about you, Leo, and of course you love that, but it is time to think about utilizing your strength and passion to accelerate more communal, public progress. As a lion, you are particularly sensitive to the sign of the sun’s current transit, and Aquarius wants you to broaden your mind and your reach. For the Leos in dramatic arts, think about using your talent publicly to spotlight a group cause or goal, whether that is taping a PSA, crowing about a cause on social media, or simply showing up to city council meetings and doing a little spicy public speaking.
THE SHADOW - Try to remember that you are working towards something for everyone, and that we are all ultimately connected. The ego has a way of souring projects when it goes unchecked, and with this moon making everyone a bit extra, you could receive a tongue-lashing if you can’t shut up about yourself.
Virgo/Virgo Rising (8/23 - 9/22)
THE LIGHT - For some inexplicable reason, Virgos hate acknowledging that they have emotions, choosing instead to pay meticulous attention to practical circumstances and solutions while pretending to have no feelings about them whatsoever. This moon needs you to confront buried emotions, Virgo, which means first admitting that you have them; especially when it comes to losses, endings, and insecurities that you harbor. It’s almost as though the stars are giving you permission to wallow a bit in buried sadness, knowing that you will emerge feeling lighter than you have in a long, long while.
THE SHADOW - Don’t get defensive and weird, okay? You cannot delay confronting your emotions by berating your roommate’s closet organization and re-doing the whole thing yourself, although we both know you’ll try. Nit picking other people to avoid your own problems is a recipe for loneliness down the road of life.
Libra/Libra Rising (9/22 - 10/23)
THE LIGHT - You, Libra…you are the light during this leonine moon, as it lands in your 11th house of communal activities and friendship, the guiding lights of your existence as a social butterfly. Expect to be relied on in even more profound ways when it comes to your diplomatic and fair-minded skill set; people are going to be extra and a little egotistical over the next few weeks as tension presents itself between personal desires and group goals. You are often the glue holding groups together and finding compromise, which puts you in a pivotal position during our solar transit through Aquarius.
THE SHADOW - You know you can be an enormous pushover, right, Libra? Do not let collective dynamics and drama override your personal goals and ambitions, or they are likely to rear their heads later on as lingering resentments. Grudges come to light, sooner or later, and Pluto might reveal some long hidden irritations that you’ve tried desperately to ignore in the name of conflict resolution.
Scorpio/Scorpio Rising (10/23 - 11/22)
THE LIGHT - This is an excellent time for Scorpio to dig into the practical steps toward higher-minded goals, and Leo is here to help you do that with gusto. The sweet spot for you, Scorpio, at the bisection of private passion and public recognition, is about to have an enormous light shined upon it. You will realize that it is possible to experience both things at once if you break with Scorpionic tradition and put yourself right out in the public sphere with honest intentions instead of keeping your desires a secret-y secret. The pay-off could be huge.
THE SHADOW - With ruling planet Pluto in Aquarius, some of the less desirable Scorpio tendencies like obsession, self-loathing, and grudge-holding could hobble your big dreams by stopping you before you even get started. Egotistical and manipulative tendencies might satisfy the control freak in you, Scorpio, but the people you’re trying to work with will not appreciate them.
Sagittarius/Sagittarius Rising (11/22 - 12/21)
THE LIGHT - You, Sagittarius, will be right at home with this full moon due to the comfortable feeling of a fellow fire sign traversing your ninth house of exploration and philosophy. Let the charisma of Leo infuse your expansive intellect, Sag, and think about how you can communicate your deep thoughts to other people. Teach a master class, write a blog post, and be on the lookout for like-minded groups to join - Jupiter in Taurus wants you to think bigger. Your mind is admirably elastic, and the world needs more people like you.
THE SHADOW - Sometimes you are a flighty mess, dear Archer, and Pluto isn’t totally convinced that you aren’t hiding some ulterior motives with your constant traveling and need to change scenery. Are you fleeing something, Sag, or refusing to confront internal fears? It is true that solitude, with only our thoughts as company, can reveal honest and ugly parts of ourselves, but self-reflection is key if you want to move forward.
Capricorn/Capricorn Rising (12/21 - 1/20)
THE LIGHT - An ending you’ve been waiting on may finally close out with a flourish, perhaps leaving you with more material benefits than you had at the beginning, Cap. (And we both know there is nothing Capricorn loves more than material benefits.) January has been full of internal exploration for many diligent Sea Goats, and this dramatic full moon wants you to continue that good work. With Venus now in Capricorn, hopefully you’ve also spent a lot of quality time in the bedroom/dungeon/sex club. But it behooves you to ask yourself, if you’ve acquired the money, luxury, and hedonism for which you’ve been striving, what do you plan to do with it all? Is there a way to apply your natural diligence and drive to a more holistic, communal goal?
THE SHADOW - All this earth energy has the tendency to turn you into a money-hoarding, spreadsheet checking obsessive, dear Capricorn, so be sure to stop and think about the ‘why’ behind your acquisitions and obsessions. You too easily become enslaved by your own possessions, like a dragon with treasure, so resist the temptation to turn into Scrooge McDuck and seek out more spiritual sources of nourishment. Capitalism is not actually a deity, and expensive stuff cannot be a substitute for meaning.
Aquarius/Aquarius Rising (1/20 - 2/18)
THE LIGHT - That warm, pulsating sensation in your chest is passion and gratitude for the individuals in your life, and it is different from what you normally experience; a distant but loving feeling toward the higher aspirations of humanity. Cherish moments of connection with your people, Aquarius, for they also remind you of your own needs and aspirations, which are easily subsumed by your collectivism fetish. Enjoy the creature comforts of your birthday season and indulge in the 5 senses - let yourself be the focus for a change.
THE SHADOW - Unfortunately, Aquarius, your ego has a tendency to occasionally tarnish what are otherwise good intentions. It’s not that your ideas are bad or crazy, (okay, some of them are, but usually not) it’s just that you get blustery when challenged. Your clear feeling of superiority alienates some people, and it can diminish the message you are trying so hard to telegraph. It sounds horribly jejune in 2024, but it remains true that in order to change minds and habits, we have to meet people where they are, not where you wish they were.
Pisces/Pisces Rising (2/18 - 3/19)
THE LIGHT - Damn, Pisces. You have rarely felt as inspired and motivated as you can expect to be over the next 2 weeks, and it’s not just anticipation for your own solar return; the Leo moon is bestowing new confidence and verve when it comes to upgrading daily routines and practical habits that will (hopefully) improve your life. This is a big deal for Pisces, considering how overwhelmed you get at the prospect of retooling any of your administrative life tasks, so take advantage and clean your house, assess your diet, tighten up your grocery list, etc. You may hate that shit, but it’s going to make your life easier in the long run.
THE SHADOW - We have to remember to take changes slowly and diligently, lest we sabotage our own progress with distorted reality. Dramatic, pie in the sky aspirations could set you up for heavy disappointment down the line. You are not running a 5k in one month if you’ve barely left the couch all winter, and you should not expect yourself to immediately love spinach juice at 5am if you normally rise at 9am with a chocolate croissant. Baby steps, my fantastical fish, baby steps.
Aries/Aries Rising (3/20 - 4/20)
THE LIGHT - Life for Rams will feel very expansive over the next 14 days. Passion projects are starting to look viable, love is in the air, and more doors seem to be opening, or at the very least, coming slightly ajar in the way that lets a teeny crack of sunlight beam onto your face. Redefining yourself and your life’s purpose this past summer has been intense, often coming into conflict with the desires of groups and collectives in your life, but this moon offers up a bit of respite and well earned reward.
THE SHADOW - For most Aries, the space between, “I have notched a small success and shall celebrate rationally,” v.s., “I have proven that I am objectively the greatest person to ever live and everyone must succumb to my will,” is about the size of an atom, so be very aware of the temptation to paint yourself with one broad, egotistical stroke.
Taurus/Taurus Rising (4/20 - 5/21)
THE LIGHT - Usually you don’t want to leave the house because it’s too much work and the food you have at home is way better than the food anywhere else. But lately, Taurus, you’ve been feeling stirrings of the home improvement bug. Whether you are looking to lightly rearrange because of an article you read about feng shui or you want to knock down walls and install a wood-fired stove for communal pizza parties, the impulse to center home and hearth in new ways should not be ignored.
THE SHADOW - Look, shoving a bunch of paint swatches in your purse doesn’t automatically make you Martha Stewart, but sometimes you behave as though you are, and that the world will crumble if you cannot match your kitchen to the exact shade of olive in your head. Is this intensity rooted in pure aesthetic desire, or does it have something to do with your control issues? Be careful, too, of overextending your resources to overhaul your living space. Most of us don’t have Martha Stewart’s bank account, either.
Gemini/Gemini Rising (5/21 - 6/21)
THE LIGHT - Talking all the talk and ideating all the ideas is your favorite pastime, Gemini, and this moon is giving you the chance to do exactly that in a more public facing way than is usual. You may end up mediating disputes in friend groups, taking the lead on academic discussions, or lecturing an enraptured audience on your favorite, very specific artistic medium. People from the past might also pop up unexpectedly at events or in long distance correspondence, giving you the chance to freely expound and landing you squarely in your happy place.
THE SHADOW - Beware the tendency to over commit with your words - your tendency to bulldoze other people in conversation may come back to bite you. The Plutonian shadow that normally obfuscates your indecision, manic tendencies, and flighty delay tactics is being burned away by this Leo moon, which means that no amount of word salad will overcome things spoken carelessly or thoughtlessly.
Cancer/Cancer Rising (6/21 - 7/22)
THE LIGHT - A productive Crab is a happy Crab, and this moon is fostering a deeply inspiring environment for you to hunker down and create some of the stability for which you often yearn, Cancer. Harness the emotions that sit so close to your surface to create sustainable growth for the future by looking for opportunities that inspire you; apply for jobs that speak to your soul and can utilize your vast emotional bandwidth, scroll Pinterest to find inspiration for the deck you want to build, or start a community garden - whatever floats your boat, as long as you are committed. Following your heart’s desire has a way of getting the rest of the universe on board with what you need to succeed.
THE SHADOW - Your slightly unpredictable moods can lead to questionable financial decisions, and Pluto might reveal a few past errors that affect the current material landscape. If you’ve been avoiding a money situation or are dodging bill collectors, now is the time to get a handle on it, since Venus can help smooth over rough patches and introduce new ways of generating revenue. You can’t build a house up on an incomplete foundation, so deal with the root problems of your financial inertia instead of hiding from them.