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Aquarius I The Mark of Exile begins on 19 January 2026 at 8:45 pm EST, as the sun crosses into Aquarius this year. Austin Coppock called this decan The Mark of Exile, while T. Susan Chang called it Winners and Losers. In the Tarot, it’s associated with the five of swords, the card that the Golden Dawn called The Lord of Defeat. The Hellenistic era appears to have honored Dike as the spirit of this particular season. This decan last nine days, twenty hours, and one minute — and this is the point in the year when the Sun’s time in each decan starts to get longer again: the last one was nine days, nineteen hours and 35 minutes. Aquarius II Heaven and Earth begins on 29 January 2026 at 4:46 pm EST.
I’ve written about Aquarius I before in 2025 – 2024 – 2023 – 2022 – 2021 – 2020.
Dike, a goddess of justice in the ancient Greek world, was not the lady with the blindfold and the sword that still stands guard in front of some courthouses. That’s Praxidike (Greek) or Justitia (Latin), who has the power of capital punishment. No, this goddess of justice has scales and a blindfold rather than a sword — she’s the marketplace goddess, the goddess of weights and measures, of standardized coinage, of effective (not always efficient) bureaucracy, of reasonable accommodations by government agencies, of tax collection and budgeting, of proper public expenditures and oversight. In a phrase, good governance.
Like Joni Mitchell crooning about paving paradise, you don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone — good governance is largely invisible until it fails. Once it fails, you become aware of just how much you got from its services. In the modern world, good governance includes everything from standardized medicines (by both weight and quality) to effective sanitation (in treating water and removing garbage), from roads in the sky to roads on the ground, armor for soldiers and food for the hungriest. All of this starts from weights, from measures, from proper accounting, from regulating how much sawdust has to be in a loaf of bread (the right answer is none — but that hasn’t always stopped bakers in the past).
Venus administers the first decan of Aquarius, named The Mark of Exile, which serves as a reminder that Saturn provides regulation and order, but that rules and custom can be strict and cruel — yet there’s a creative beauty to well-tuned and sensible statutes of public duty. In Europe for example, paper sizes are regulated by the square root of two, with A4 being the fourth division of a sheet of A0 paper (which is almost exactly 1 square meter). Which means that if you have a paper cutter and a lot of A0 paper, you can make paper of the A4 size (or any A-series paper down to A6, which is the smallest traditional division). And since this is a standard, it’s regulable in the marketplace — “I’ve got 500 sheets of A6 paper here, of such and such a quality, will you buy?” Add in a standard unit of coinage, or of currency… and standard times the markets are open… and courts for arguing whether or not this sheet of paper is A6 or not… it’s a lot easier than trading chickens, eggs, and tools randomly. Maybe?
It’s worth remembering that Dike dictates no one right way, and neither does Venus. These systems are culturally in flux, and change based on how different peoples and cultures choose to regulate themselves and their systems. But doing without these systems? That’s hard.
The dodeks of Aquarius I belong to Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, and Taurus — and represent the ways in which thoughtful governance arises through argument and testing, debate and compromise, discontent, and finally security. In the first dodek, existing norms are criticized and investigated and double-checked against desired results. In the second, the existing beneficiaries of the status quo and the reformers argue and disagree before settling on a compromise that provides new benefits to some while keeping some benefits for the old stakeholders. In the third, new troubles arise from the new system, before a new stability and delight arises in the fourth.
Dates to Watch
January 20 — Mars trine Uranus and sextile Saturn; Saturn sextile Uranus — Today is likely to be a day when new types of activity and new people present themselves to you in surprising ways. It’s likely to be a day of excitement and personal growth… although that’s not always beneficial! You may also find that your willingness to take risks is increased, and you are more eager to show off or hold yourself back. However, a conservative or regretful streak may emerge later in the day as the results of risk-taking earlier in the day starts to make itself known. Establishing patience early in the day will pay off later.
January 20, 11:40 pm EST — Mercury enters Aquarius — Mercury rises from a state of peregrination, wandering in a land indifferent to their plight, to the status of Triplicity Lord of Air: a magistrate with official duties and great responsibility. With Saturn inconjunct in Pisces, Mercury will be the highest-ranking officer in Aquarius, bringing a level of detailed planning and logistical regularity to the problems of the day. Close proximity to Pluto brings on intense mental activity and a powerful ability to influence others — but you may find that others are more than willing to bring their A-game to intellectual competition with you. You may also find yourself obsessed with one particular detail or point of view, and find it difficult to escape. You’re more likely to find success in talking about ideas than gossiping about people. On the other hand, Mercury’s exact conjunction to Pluto is at 3° Aquarius 24′ on 22 January 2026 at 12:16 pm EST; they’ll be in the same degree from 6:34 am EST until that time, making a great window of time for magical operations designed to improve your loquacity and persuasive powers.
January 22 —Sun conjunct Pluto — It’s likely to be a day when you have to be hands-on and deeply involved. You may find that there’s someone trying to exert unreasonable levels of power or authority over you. It may be an important event, but try not to let it become a profound or traumatizing one. Keep your cool, maintain poise. Stay out of areas with street crime — but be alert to the ways that you encounter extremes of wealth and poverty.
January 23, 4:17 am EST — Mars enters Aquarius, sextile Neptune — Mars drops from being an exalted triplicity lord to peregrine — a tourist in a country slightly hostile to his ambitions, where fact-based opinions and in-depth knowledge rather than assertiveness and action are more likely to be valuable. Research your activities more carefully and plan to act on January 23 with far more deliberateness than with the speedy rashness that you had available to you on Monday through Wednesday this week. You’re likely to be more empathetic and sensitive to other’s needs; low physical energy might only be countered through meditation and attention to spiritual literature… or maybe just a good nap.
January 23-25 Saturn sextile Uranus — These two slow-moving planets will be in a hexagonal relationship for several days. You may find yourself returning to old history, even as new ideas and issues come forward to be integrated into your life. It’s a time to learn from past mistakes, and to make a new pact that re-stabilizes conventionality with experimentalism and new stimulations. Find ways to take your internal realizations into the physical life you lead.
January 26, 12:31 pm — Neptune enters Aries — this is the real beginning of Neptune’s approximately 13-year Aries era — the first we’ve had since 14 April 1861, the day that Fort Sumter surrendered and evacuated its surviving soldiers from Charleston, South Carolina’s harbor, after two days of bombardment by forces of the South Carolina military. Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteer troops to help suppress the rebellion on 15 April… which turned into the American Civil War between Union and Confederate forces. The time before, in 1698, coincided with the first piratical activities of Captain William Kidd; and the end of a war between the native Abenaki people of New England, and the English (Puritan) colonists.
January 26 — Mercury conjunct Venus, Mars conjunct Pluto — Mercury and Venus together are likely to help you admire beauty and express in words what you regard as beautiful or true. Mars with Pluto establishes a desire to take over and dominate whatever is in front of you. Resist the temptation to grab or to seize what you think you can take — you’re likely to destroy it with ruthlessness; accept that limitations and boundaries are appropriate. THere’s a small risk of violent assaults victimizing you — but doing heavy lifting and moving big stuff around can help you avoid that fate. Expect everyone’s egos to be a bit abrasive today.
House Delineations
The First House of self and self-presentation is Virgo, ruled by trining Mercury. The Earth Triplicity rulers are trine (Mars) or inconjunct (Venus, Moon). The South Node is present. DO things that make you happy to be who you are, and store the memories of what you’ve done to bring on joy.
The Second House of money and possessions is Libra, ruled by trining Venus. The Air Triplicity rulers are inconjunct (Saturn) or square (Jupiter, Mercury). Daily expenditures on health and happiness, or to encourage subordinates, are a good idea — but be watchful of how you justify big-ticket purchases for your hobbies or grand gestures for your friends.
The Third House of extended family and intimate friends is Scorpio, ruled by sextile Mars. The Water Triplicity rulers are sextile (Mars) or square (Venus, Moon). Make plans to see your confidants for coordinating plans, but take some old games out of storage for cover. It’s not a great time to bring new people into your inner circle — but widen your acquaintance network and find people with similar interests for later development.
The Fourth House of home, household, and parents is Sagittarius, ruled by inconjunct Jupiter. The Fire Triplicity rulers are inconjunct (Jupiter), square (Saturn), or sextile (Sun). The Lunar Apogee is present. Getting friends to visit your house requires substantial planning and frequent invitations, but weather and interpersonal issues are likely getting in the way. Keep extending the invite, but expect snow delays or rain checks will hamper your schemes.
The Fifth House of pleasures and pastimes is Capricorn, ruled by sextile Saturn. Earth Triplicity rulers are present (Mars exalted) or inconjunct (Venus, Moon). Mercury is present. Find happiness in word games and seek play in ways that put you in the driver’s seat. Help your children practice autonomy, agency, and negotiation in facing difficult tasks.
The Sixth House of daily routines, pets, and injuries is Aquarius, ruled by inconjunct Saturn. The Air Triplicity rulers are all inconjunct (Saturn, Mercury, Jupiter). Sun, Venus, Pluto, and Moon are present, and all are either recently conjunct Pluto or are about to be (or are). Daily plans and routines are more expensive and more challenging than usual, with deep emotional and intellectual gales blowing through them. Creative solutions to everyday problems are required. Connect with your underlings and associates more deeply. Do the pre-work before the work, for better results.
The Seventh House of spouse, peer partners, and rivals is Pisces, ruled by trining Jupiter. The Water Triplicity rulers are either inconjunct (Venus, Moon) or sextile (Mars). Saturn and Neptune are present, and the North Node. Spouses and significant others likely need more from you this time of year, and you need more from them. Your big plans for how you’ve been together are about to change shape slightly, in the direction of how are we responsible to one another? Don’t rush into new adventurism without checking in about expectations and norms. This house is the one most likely to be immediately affected by Neptune’s Entry into Aries on January 26.
The Eighth House of obligation, duty and legacy is Aries, ruled by squaring but exalted Mars. The Fire Triplicity rulers are inconjunct (Saturn), square (Jupiter) or sextile (Sun). New managerial responsibilities and challenging tasks are going to heat up your head, but putting too much trust in a significant other’s opinion is likely to backfire; paid advisors are also likely to serve up more rational advice than your friends.
The Ninth House of higher learning and long-distance travel is Taurus, ruled by squaring Venus. The Earth Triplicity rulers are trine (Mars) or square (Venus, Moon). Uranus is present and retrograde, trining Mars and sextiling Saturn, both by degree. Sudden changes in travel plans and traffic patterns may be required; same-day flights may need to be sought, and last-minute changes to your class schedule may be instituted on you at college or university. Narrow your attentions away from party times and places to the library, if you’re in school.
The Tenth House of career and professional reputation is Gemini, ruled by inconjunct Mercury. The Air Triplicity rulers are square (Saturn) or inconjunct (Mercury, Jupiter). The Lunar Perigee is present. Professional matters and career may require a two-faced or hybrid approach. Working to rule is perfectly acceptable, but remember that management can use the same rules in their own way this time around. Delaying, concealing and protecting information and persons may require a degree of thoughtfulness and careful practice. Don’t speak every possible idea for work in your head, at work — save them for the privacy of home.
The Eleventh House of friends, associates, and allies is Cancer, ruled by the inconjunct Moon. The Water Triplicity rulers are either opposed (Mars) or inconjunct (Venus, Moon). Jupiter is present and exalted but retrograde. If they’re not already part of your secret garden, it’s not a great time to admit newcomers… but some old friends may show up unannounced anyway. Hold to daily routines even if it’s not clear why you’re going through the motions.
The Twelfth House of both obstacles and opportunities is Leo, ruled by the opposing and detrimented Sun. The Fire Triplicity rulers are either opposed (Sun), or inconjunct (Saturn, Jupiter). Long-term planning will be very difficult. Neither your worst fears nor your greatest hopes are likely to come to pass this week, but you’ll have a hard time stopping yourself from rehearsing and performing them regularly. Regular meditation and inner inquiry on why these are your terrors and dreams may be productive — but you’re unlikely to find sympathy or good advice when discussing these issues with friends or your spouse.
Horoscopes by Rising Sign
Decan I of any sign (usually covering the 21st of the month to the first of the following month) is free to all visitors; Decan II is only available to Patreon and Ko-Fi.com subscribers; and Decan III is available to Patreon, Ko-Fi, and MailChimp subscribers.
I recommend reading your Sun sign, Moon sign, and Rising sign for best results. I write them with rising sign in mind, but several people have told me they find that they do better with all three.
Virgo: You may find yourself in a kind of organic retreat from your own self identity, as spousal concerns take center stage and daily habits and routines take over. Looking after clients and subordinates may become a significant source of stress in your life. Remember that you have to take care of yourself, too — do a crossword puzzle, sit and read a book instead of looking at your screen, go on a “quick drive or errand” on short. notice.
Libra: Financial matters may require rebalancing your regular daily expenses — for some this may mean the cup of coffee that you get on the way to work; for others, an overhaul of your grocery bill. It’s easy to justify spending money on your hobbies or your kids, even big-ticket items, but it may be worth putting things on a wish list and postponing them for a couple of weeks. Not every “boycott” has that name, but sometimes going without may reveal just how inessential a given desire really was.
Scorpio: It may be a time for “Netflix and chill” with a few of your friends-with-benefits, if that’s the way your cookie crumbles — but a night of shared secrets, almost-molten brownies or ice cream, and private conversations might be more delightful, even if there’s no nookie, and you’re both too tired to play. You may have to change travel plans based on the needs of a significant other, or learn some new skills in a hurry. Be a friend and ally to subordinates and clientele this week — a smiling face will help a lot.
Sagittarius: You’re likely to find the greatest contentment at home, handling household trouble as it arises. Big visions clash with realistic fears in the interplay between your housemates and your hobbies. Financial realities clash with both hobbyist activities and plans to earn more money. Private gatherings of friends may be delayed, but you’re loved even if current friendly interactions seem primed for difficulty. A new approach to entertainment may present itself shortly, even as health issues resolve.
Capricorn: Interactions with children may be important this week, and a review of your leisure activities may reveal both special insights and new ambitions. Financial matters need some daily review; be wary of those expanding daily budget items like lunch out with friends or the quotidian coffee. Limiting contact with your extended family this week may have rewarding results, but it’s not a sustainable plan in the long term. Help your spouse to dream big after January 26, but set reasonable guidelines for achieving those objectives together.
Aquarius: Shed some light on your daily routines and habits; be creative about shaking them up. Should your route to and from work be adjusted? Are there creative ways to address your emotional concerns of the last few days with follow-up actions? Financial constraints may prevent you from putting your beliefs into action, but you have clear ambitions for the future that you can start to address with a side hustle or starting the learning process to get where you want to go.
Pisces: Close friendship with a spouse or significant other is always desirable, and right now the strength of the relationship is powerfully aided by mutual hobbies that you share with friends. However, some recent upsets may be making you question loyalties and wondering what the future holds; limits, rather than possibility, seem to govern your thinking. Yet there’s value in both limits and long-range vision — what does a shared life look like a decade and a half from now? Is that what you want? Will things always be as they are now? Why or why not? Look before you leap.
Aries: The next ten days are likely to be heavy with a priority on professional responsibilities, followed by secondary objectives related to networking and mutual aid that carries costs — both financial and labor-intensive. Long-distance travel and new learning may crop up suddenly. Remember that home and household and family are always a place to return to; be cautious about who you invite in. Long-range planning for yourself may be difficult until January 26 — even then, don’t say “no” to every crazy idea before you’ve studied it.
Taurus: You may have to go on an unplanned journey this week of some length or some distance; and it might involve the inner journey to learning you didn’t think you needed, or travel to a physical location you hadn’t planned on. Some of it may be a testament to your professional responsibilities — some of it an ambition to deal with a situation you didn’t expect. Protecting or assisting close friends or family may be high on your agenda. It’s not going to be ‘fun’ exactly; yet you may find some little-tested abilities that are pleased to be “back in the game.”
Gemini: Professional matters are at the forefront of your days, but it may be hard to see how to achieve certain objectives — a supposed ally may be acting in ways that you find stressful, or even indicate new rivalries are being formed. Your financial situation may be improved by a friend, but it shouldn’t be under this much stress to begin with. Remember to learn to cope with realities rather than protesting against supposed injustices. Take your chair at the conference table and become an effective communicator and influencer by being the expert, a practical realist rather than an idealistic philosopher.
Cancer: Friendship and its benefits are going to be much on your mind this week, but the obligations that come with those benefits may feel intellectually odious. There’s also sorts of heavy lifting and shifting to be done, but a lot of people will seem more ambitious to show up and chat that huff and puff and chip in. Remember that many hands make the work light — but also go more slowly. If you want to do the work alone, it will be faster but heavier. The journey may be short but the vision is worth the wait.
Leo: Your long-range plans, and your big hopes and dreams, probably need to surrender to the hard realities of what your boon companion needs from you on a daily basis. Limit yourself in a professional context — do what needs doing, but don’t be extravagant about volunteering extra time. A look back at old plans may require a visit to private reflection time. It’s easy to spend more money than you have; easy to take on bigger labors than you agreed to — but the promised reward may not be equal to coincident expenses. Track your receipts and mileage this week, and submit for reimbursement.
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If you want to read some of my astrologically-oriented poetry, the largest collection is called A Full Volume of Splendor and Starlight, available through my Etsy shop, and containing poems and hymns to the planets, constellations, decan deities, and Moon Mansion angels. While not astrological, Festae contains hymns to some of the older Roman gods and spirits from the calendar created by Numa Pompilius, the second ancient King of Rome.
I use iPhemeris for my charting software, and screenshot it to make charts. I want to thank the team that develops iPhemeris for the addition of Terms and Decans to their charts. I also use Hugh Tran‘s Physis typeface to craft logos for this blog, as well.
I use Christopher Warnock‘s The Mansions of the Moon as the basis of my Moon placement delineations, and Austin Coppock‘s 36 Faces for much of my planetary delineations. Neither gentleman endorses me.
