To many, Valentine’s Day is simply retail hype, but isn’t the world a better place when we put the love to the front instead of the hate?

The moon in Scorpio sets a good backdrop for Valentine’s Day lovers. Note: the mood is sweet and savoury rather than hot and naughty. Single? It’s also a good evening to watch a movie and relax. (Please don’t drive under the influence.)

Venus in Aries continues through the start of March. Feel a sense that something is unlocking for you now? Notice a new inner dialogue, impulse, or evaluation process gathering momentum? Gaining a hint of a circumstance or fresh opportunity on brew, or a battle ahead? Stay observant. It is a preview to that which will stand out as the main feature for the second half of the year. Do not underestimate the karmic threshold-crossing nature of what you/we now face. Progress and opportunity are found in new choices and in the breaking of new ground. Don’t let fear stop you. Reward lies in the direction of courage, new initiatives, and radical reinvention.

Mars enters Capricorn early Sunday morning. Mars sets a timetable for the end of March. It could take that long for you, them, or us to get it under better control. Later in the day, Mercury in Pisces begins a three-week retrograde cycle. Both transits aim to uncover what is most important. They’ll do that by making the reality too obvious to ignore. Mercury retrograde in Pisces exposes what has escaped full view and in so doing clears up uncertainty or confusion. Potentials show their true value. What does not hold good prospect will lose momentum, disintegrate, or disappear.

Aries
March 20 - April 20

By process or a circumstance, Venus in Aries moves you through an important karmic intersection Thursday/Friday. Venus will continue to break new ground through the start of March. You are gaining a preview of what will occupy you in the second half of the year. Mars and Mercury retrograde will spend the next several weeks uncovering/unlocking what’s real, of true value and benefit.

Taurus
April 20 - May 21

Mars in Capricorn, a crystallizing influence, helps you to see the reality for what it is: a step-by-step process. While Mercury retrograde, also starting Sunday, can see you on a backtrack with someone or something, ultimately the transit aims to show you who you can trust, what’s in your interest, and where you need to get better, more fully committed.

Gemini
May 21 - June 21

Thursday/Friday lights a fresh spark. A first date or a fresh conversation hits the spot Valentine’s Day. Social or spontaneous does too. Saturday through Monday, go easy on it; take it as it comes. As is typical, the start of Mercury retrograde can derail plans or intentions. Watch for the week ahead to put something unplanned to the top of the must-do list.

Cancer
June 21 - July 22

Venus in Aries provides a preview or a jump-start to the opportunities and priorities that will overtake the second half of the year. The faster you get on it now, the better down the road. In combination, Mercury retrograde and Mars in Capricorn aim to dispel uncertainty and confusion. Watch for the reality to become impossible to avoid or ignore.

Leo
July 22 - August 23

Thursday/Friday, Venus in Aries could prompt you to jump into it or buy on impulse, instinct, or whim. (That take-charge attitude could win you points with your lover.) Saturday to Monday, watch for something unexpected to eat up your time and move to the top of the priority list. Mercury retrograde can expose something in need of immediate attention.

Virgo
August 23 - September 23

By the end of the week, you’ll begin to feel that you are breaking new ground and gaining on yourself. Trust yourself more. You will continue to gain and profit at all levels. Starting Sunday, Mercury retrograde can take you deeper into a soul-searching review, this regarding how you are or are not showing up for yourself. Mars assists you to build confidence.

Libra
September 23 - October 23

Venus in Aries continues to keep you and the action going strong. Watch for a fresh awareness, emotional undercurrent, or dialogue to get your attention. It is a hint of what could grow in importance and become the main focus in the second half of the year. Use Mercury retrograde to review, replenish, rework it, improve it, and/or to buy yourself more time.

Scorpio
October 23 - November 22

Use Valentine’s Day to catch up on lost time and/or to do right by your special someone. If you don’t have a lover to share your time with, show yourself the love! Saturday though Monday, things may not go according to plan. Watch for something unexpected to overtake you. Mercury retrograde is excellent for checking in with yourself and/or for creative projects.

Sagittarius
November 22 - December 21

You should have no trouble lighting a good fire and keeping that good thing going strong through Valentine’s Day, thanks to Mars in Sagittarius and Venus in Aries in your corner. The moon in Sagittarius keeps you going full-swing through Monday, but as of Sunday, Mars in Capricorn and Mercury retrograde shift gears. Take more time; double-check; don’t race too far ahead.

Capricorn
December 21 - January 20

Thursday, you may have to push past it or work for it a little more, but once over the pressure and into Valentine’s Day, Venus signs you up for good reward. Sunday, Mars in Capricorn supplies you with a fresh energy infusion. The start of Mercury retrograde can produce something unexpected yet timely.

Aquarius
January 20 - February 18

Social, romantic, or on your own, you should have no trouble finding the sweet spot on Valentine’s Day. Along with Mercury retrograde, Mars in Capricorn—starting Sunday—is good for taking more time to yourself, to regroup, reprioritize, and sort out your next game plan. Monday, skip it. Tuesday onward, you’re on an upswing.

Pisces
February 18 - March 20

Whether you’re romantic or on your own, Valentine’s Day is as good as it gets. As of Sunday, Mars begins a six-week trek through Capricorn and Mercury begins a three-week retrograde cycle, mostly in Pisces. Both transits assist you to get clearer on what holds good promise and what does not. Tuesday through the following Tuesday holds good/lucrative potential.