Formulate a strategy, so when life gets hectic — and it will — you can return to it as a kind of personal compass to help you navigate as you move forward.

Overview

Life is full this year and shifting priorities might mean making your personal life your main focus. Saturn’s three-year tour of Aquarius (completing in March 2023) gives you one last shot to make meaningful and long-lasting changes that align with your personal evolution. Dynamic eclipses activate your domestic and professional life, as Jupiter opens up new pathways to generate wealth. The extended cycle of Mars invites you to show up courageously in the areas of happiness, romance and children.

Wealth

In 2021, you got a preview of how life can change financially under the influence of abundant Jupiter in Pisces. Jupiter’s year-long tour is a little erratic this time around, meaning 2022 is ripe with opportunities that may not have fully materialised last year.

Income growth and overall improvements around cash, investments and long-term financial planning are possible until 11 May. Jupiter will then come back to Pisces for a third and final visit from 28 October to 20 December.

As Jupiter slides into Aries, then Pisces and back again, don’t let this stop/start energy derail your belief in your money dreams. The months of May to October are prime for self-development and personal growth that may translate into growing your wealth. Investing in new knowledge or technology infrastructure, developing your skills or a business idea is possible during this period. New ambitions may emerge as you embrace self-belief and confidence about money and how you can make it work for you.

Jupiter lights up your 2nd House of Money just once every twelve years. This rare cycle may see a lucrative new offer at work, you could be the beneficiary of a restructure in the workplace or a prestigious client may come your way. As income increases, so do expenses. While this is a totally normal and expected part of financial growth, you may need to exercise caution as Jupiter activates the longer-running cycle of Neptune in Pisces in April. It’s possible you could spend money faster than it comes in at this time, or you may not see a money situation for what it really is.

Mars in the mix from 15 April to 25 May encourages you to tackle any confusion or uncertainty head-on and with confidence. You may choose to boldly put your interests first. Carving out a portion of your income and syphoning it into a savings or investment account may be a smart move around this time.

Home life

Exciting transitions on the home front are likely as two eclipses ignite the long-running cycle of Uranus in Taurus (since 2018).

Life may be a little chaotic as your home life is in flux, especially under the New Moon eclipse on 1 May. You may be catapulted into new domestic possibilities that help you break free from the past, let go of old conditioning and embrace family life on your terms. The two weeks either side of the eclipse date may bring refreshing yet unexpected events. It will help to remain open-minded about your ideas of what home means to you, as things will likely feel unsettled during this period. At the time of the eclipse, Venus, your personal domestic planet, will be in a stellar alignment. While you may feel like domestic developments are out of your control, having trust and faith that things are working to your benefit will help.

The second eclipse, a Full Moon on 18 November, may highlight the delicate balance between your home life and your professional life. Emotions could run high as you get more honest about your domestic desires.

Uranus’ influence in your home zone in 2022 will be large and obvious. Late July and early August will be particularly eventful as Uranus and the karmic North Node align. This electric and catalytic combination may bring storms into your domestic life, not to cause havoc but to clear your path, bringing more authenticity at home.

Relationships

July 19 to 5 September looks promising for focusing on love. As three planets tour Leo and your 7th House of Partnerships, you might like to make additional effort to show appreciation for the special person in your life.

Set some time aside for some real talk when Mercury tours Leo from 19 July to 4 August. Sure, the general details and logistics will be important, too, but as Mercury makes a series of planetary alignments, be sure to discuss your hopes and dreams for the future.

The Sun’s arrival from 23 July to 23 August is extra special as the Sun is the guiding star of all your relationships. This regular and constant cycle is ideal for recognising the light and warmth relationships, both professional and personal, bring into your life. Going out of your way to make your partner feel loved will see it returned to you threefold.

Lucky charm Venus, from 12 August to 5 September is ideal for indulging in extra romance or a luxury experience together. Enjoying the lighter side of love can help promote connection and togetherness. If you’re single, the cycle of Venus may help you attract someone worth getting to know, especially under the supportive influence of Jupiter on 18 August.

Career and life direction

Your professional ambitions may come into question as two eclipses trigger Scorpio and your 10th House of Profession, Recognition and Fame on 16 May and 25 October. With the karmic South Node being your major career trigger in 2022, you may be feeling dissatisfied with your current life direction or professional path. As you let go of some aspects of your career, you’ll be better placed to fully embrace roles, responsibilities and projects that feel deeply nourishing.

As other parts of your life are coming into alignment this year, you may seek a career path that reflects your changing priorities. As your personal life changes, the idea of having a job, as opposed to a career, may feel more appealing. On the flipside, if you want a professional path you can really sink your teeth into, these eclipses may prompt you to seek a career that supports your desires.

You may be more curious about how you can develop a personal passion, pursuit or hobby into a career path later in the year when Mars, your career planet, moves in reverse from October 2022 to January 2023.

Happiness and children

Retrograde, or reverse, passages from Mercury and Mars bring a flurry of activity and variety about the ways you experience joy, happiness and pleasure in your life.

Mercury’s arrival on 30 April is ideal for organising your social life, booking events relating to children, and your romantic life. The pace may slow down from 9-23 May once Mercury slips into reverse, resulting in confusion or delays. This shorter-than-usual retrograde cycle can help remind you of the importance of communication and really listening and engaging with your loved ones. When Mercury revisits Gemini on 14 June, you’ll have until 5 July to iron out any misunderstandings and take full advantage of any missed opportunities from May.

Mars arrives in Gemini and your 5th house on 20 August. The usual six-week visit will last a total of seven months, continuing until March 2023. Your curiosity about what makes you truly happy will be emphasised once Mars embarks on a retrograde phase on October 2022 to 11 January 2023. This cycle will challenge you to examine what you really love. You may discover hobbies, social activities or things you have always enjoyed no longer hold the same importance to you.

Plans involving children may be delayed during this time. Practice patience and avoid rushing into things before they are ready. Frustration can mount, so harness any stress or confusion by asking more questions. Setbacks may be blessings in disguise, buying you extra time to come up with a solution as you think about the best way forward.

Adventure and discovery

Your travel axis, the 3rd and 9th Houses describe topics involving learning, travel, adventure, teaching, writing and publishing. In 2022, it’s your 3rd House, also known as your local sector, that is the most active. You might find there is more on offer closer to home, or that your personal life is so action-packed there is less motivation for large-scale travel.

Jupiter in Aries (not seen in over a decade) will open you up to new opportunities in your local area. From 11 May to 28 October, you may be especially motivated to be a tourist in your own city. Staycations and weekends away closer to home may be enough to provide the fresh perspective you’ve been looking for.

Opting to undertake a major study or teaching project is possible under Jupiter’s wisdom-seeking influence. Expanding your mind with new knowledge can help you to develop a new skill — particularly with regard to language and communication. Your ability to confidently explore these topics will be boosted once Mars enters Aries from 25 May to 5 July. Mars may help you take decisive action, seize new opportunities or more boldly speak your truth.

As Mars and Jupiter join forces on 29 May, push ahead with whatever feels motivating or inspiring at this time.

Friends, networks and groups

A window of opportunity to make time for friends, alliances and your community groups remains open as the year begins. Until 24 January, Mars in Sagittarius will encourage you to put friendships first. You may be inspired by arranging social events and get-togethers with friends, colleagues and those within your wider social circles. Mars may even encourage the confidence to step up into a leadership role within a community group or charity organisation. Making the most of friendship in January may be important as it isn’t one of the main areas of cosmic focus for you this year.

The dual influence of Mercury and Venus may liven up your social life again when they visit Sagittarius and your 11th House from 16 November to 10 December. This period is ideal for re-establishing plans and projects from January and organising social events as the old year becomes new.

Personal growth and self–development

Wise Saturn continues to ask more from you this year. Under his stern guidance, you’ll be able to make choices that better reflect your changing priorities.

Saturn will leave Aquarius in March 2023, making this the final calendar year to let go of old rules and traditions as you lay a fresh foundation for the next 30 years. This cycle of maturity will encourage you to make well-considered choices about your future. You’ll gain clarity about what is important to you and what isn’t. Promises and commitments you make to yourself will be your number one focus.

Overall, 2022 is a dynamic and change-inducing year for you. As it begins, Mercury will retrograde through Aquarius from 13-26 January. While brief, this cycle will invite you to go within and ask yourself what you really want out of the year. Without input from other planets, this is your chance to get up close and personal with yourself. Journal your thoughts, feelings and desires. Formulate a strategy so when life gets hectic — and it will — you can return to it as a kind of personal compass to help you navigate as you move forward.

As per its reputation, the retrograde phase of Mercury may highlight delays or setbacks. Personal plans and projects could go awry during this time. If they do, they’ll provide another opportunity to get curious about the things you really want. Confusion may become clear once Mercury returns to Aquarius and your 1st House on 15 February to 10 March.

After a few early hiccups, a renewed confidence will help you push forward thanks to Mars from 6 March to 15 April. Your assertive attitude will help you put your needs at the top of your list. As Mars pushes against Saturn on 5 April, you’ll be a force to be reckoned with as you develop the courage and determination to pursue your short-term and long-term goals.

Time-out and spirituality

Time for solace and serenity will arrive from 24 January to 6 March when Mars tours your 12th House of Rest and Relaxation. For the first time in two years, you’ll be able to make doing little a priority. Quiet time will feel important here, which may mean reducing non-essential tasks or embracing the word “no”.

Despite that, there could be some obligations that will demand your attention. If that’s the case, eliminate distractions and focus your efforts. Be sure to schedule some time to recharge as you do.

Making decisions about the most private parts of your life can become easier thanks to a Venus retrograde cycle that began mid-December 2021 and concludes 28 January 2022. This once-in-every-eight-year cycle may bring new realisations about your spiritual life, dreams or intuition. When Venus and Mars align on 17 February, you may opt to make your spiritual side a more important part of your being.

Birthdays and planets

If your birthdate is listed below (not all will be), you have a special planet influencing you in 2022. Here’s what’s ahead and how to harness the planet’s power for your own growth.

If your birthday falls between 20-29 January, lucky Jupiter will sextile your sun. Opportunities will be easy to create as minimal effort will take you further than usual. Big-picture plans, dreams and visions are more likely to manifest — the only condition being that you’re willing to say yes!

If your birthday falls between 31 January and 8 February, radical Uranus will square your sun. As life breaks open, you’ll realise that anything is possible. You may need more personal space as you experiment with new ways of being. Chaos may be your catch-cry this year as you push back on the rules and embrace authenticity and freedom.

If your birthday falls between 1-15 February, Saturn will pass over your sun. This once in every thirty-year cycle calls for embracing your more mature side. Gaining clarity about who you are and how you want to be recognised may lead to making firm personal choices. As you let go over certain obligations, you’ll more fully embrace the ones you deem important.