New years are synonymous with new beginnings; we like to think that we’re being granted an opportunity for a fresh start. The planetary energies don’t always support this philosophy, though. Some years, Valentine’s Day coincides with Venus and Mars at loggerheads with each other. In some ways, the dates we have on the calendar are irrelevant when the planetary alignments speak differently.

Happily, this year the planets are in sync with the new-year energies. Jupiter’s opposition to Uranus and square to Pluto are very much a case of liberation from the old, stagnant, and restrictive. This T-square is rather dramatic, excessive, and impulsive. To make the best of it, we need to have given some thought as to what we would be better off without rather than responding in a knee-jerk reaction to whatever seems oppressive in the moment. Ideally, we will identify what has become restrictive and limiting or humdrum and repetitive and seek to make changes.

Saturn’s harmonious link to both Uranus and Jupiter is wonderfully supportive of any desire to patiently manifest creative change. Also, let’s not forget that this is a number 1 year (2 + 0 + 1 + 7 = 10, which reduces to 1), perfectly supporting the energies of new beginnings, change, and growth. This is one year when we should not be trying to preserve the status quo or hold on to whatever has had its day.