Peggy Allison is the author of The Fundamentals of Astrology: A Comprehensive Guide for the Beginner. She is a professional astrologer who lives on St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands and prepares personal astrological charts. Contact her at 340-774-2932, 340-513-3755, or through her e-mail.

ARIES (March 20-April 19)

The sun travels to Aquarius on Friday. Expect the unexpected from the sun and the planet of surprise, Uranus, on Saturday. New moon Monday in Aquarius. This can provide new energy. Make your wish and set your goal for the month. Mars goes retrograde Monday. This is an important aspect. Mars will be retrograde until April 13. While the red planet is retrograde, you may reconsider some of your options. Expect business to slow down. We are in for a few changes. Allow yourself more time to do things.

TAURUS (April 20-May 19)

The sun travels to Aquarius on Friday. Expect the unexpected on Saturday when the sun teams up with Uranus, the planet of the unexpected. Mars will become retrograde Monday until April 13. Mars is the planet of action and energy, and those functions will slow down, so expect delays during this retrograde period. Mars usually spends only a few weeks retrograde, but this time he will not return to direct motion for three months. New moon Monday in Aquarius. Make a wish and set your goal for the month.

GEMINI (May 20-June 20)

New moon Monday in Aquarius. Your head is full of new and unique ideas. Write down your wishes and set a goal for the month. Mars, the planet of action and energy, goes retrograde Monday. Changes are on the way. Mars usually remains in a sign only a few weeks, but this time the red planet will be retrograde until April 13. This could unravel a few of your plans. Give yourself a little extra time to get things done. Mars will be retrograde in Virgo, so detail and analyze your plans for the home front.

CANCER (June 21-July 21

Aquarius will host a new moon on Monday. Your head is filled with new and unique ideas. Write down your wishes and set a goal for the next month. Mars, the planet of action and energy, goes retrograde Monday. Changes are on the way. Mars usually is retrograde for just a few weeks, but this year, it will remain retrograde until April 13. This could unravel a few of your plans. This may cause delays, so slow down. Give yourself more time to do things. Mars’ retrograde will occur in Virgo, which gives you time to detail and analyze your plans with folks on the home front.

LEO (July 22-August 22)

Keep an eye on your finances. Do a reality check before you leap forward. On Friday, the sun arrives in Aquarius. Your relationship department is in the spotlight. On Monday, a new moon joins the sun in Aquarius. Write down your wishes and set a goal for the month. Monday is a busy day. That’s the Chinese New Year (dragon). Mars, the planet of action and energy, goes retrograde. This will be a long retrograde for Mars—three months. Mars and Mercury supply you with common sense.

VIRGO (August 23- September 21)

You may find yourself in the detailing and analyzing department this week. The sun travels to Aquarius. Your house of daily work is in the spotlight. The sun moves to Aquarius on Monday, accompanied by a new moon on Monday. Mars entered your sign November 12, 2011, and goes retrograde in your sign on Monday. The red planet will remain retrograde until April 13, 2012. Remember, when a planet goes retrograde, things slow down. Expect your projects to take more time than usual.

LIBRA (September 22- October 22)

Be open to new opportunities. Remain focused. The sun arrives in Aquarius on Friday. Good for you. You air signs get along. New moon in Aquarius on Monday, which shapes up as a busy day. Write down your wishes and set your goal for the month. Mars, the planet of action and energy, goes retrograde and will remain there until April 13. Things will move slowly for the next few months. You will experience delays. Go ahead with your work while the red planet is retrograde, but do not promise more than you can deliver.

SCORPIO (October 23- November 21)

You may find yourself busy this week. The home front takes center stage. A new moon occurs Monday in Aquarius. This may be why you are feeling a little anxious. Do not forget to write down your wishes and set your goal for the month. Monday brings the Chinese New Year. It’s the year of the dragon. Chill out and remain focused. Mars goes retrograde on Monday. Mars is the planet of action and energy. The red planet will go direct on April 13. Now, step back and prepare for delays. Take care of business. Get ready for new business when Mars goes direct.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22- December 20)

The sun lands in Aquarius on Friday, and this puts your communication department in the spotlight. On Monday, the new moon joins the sun in Aquarius. Write down your wishes and set your goal for the month. On Monday, China greets the year of the dragon. Now chill out, and hold up on the arrow. On Monday, Mars, the planet of action and energy, goes retrograde in your career department. The folks in authority slow down a bit. The red planet will be retrograde for three months, until April 13. Revamp a few of your plans during this period and you will reach your goals. Just reset your timetable.

CAPRICORN (December 21-January 20)

This is the last day of your birthday month. You later-born Capricorns are known as cusp babies. I am a cusp baby—a later-born Leo born on August 20. Later-born Capricorns may have a little Aquarius in their charts. Read both signs. On Friday, the sun moves to Aquarius, and on Monday, a new moon occurs in Aquarius. Monday also brings the year of the dragon in China. Mars goes retrograde Monday. This is huge. The red planet remains retrograde until April 13. Things will slow down for the next three months.

AQUARIUS (January 19-February 17)

The sun arrives in your sign Friday. You early-born Aquarians are cusp babies and may have a little Capricorn. I am a cusp baby, born August 20, so I read both Leo and Virgo. You cusp Aquarians should also follow Capricorn. A new moon falls in Aquarius on Monday. Also on Monday, Mars goes retrograde and China celebrates the year of the dragon. Mars remains retrograde until April 13. Be patient, even though things do not move at the pace you would like.

PISCES (February 18-March 19)

Should you feel anxiety this weekend, it’s the new moon Monday in Aquarius. Write down your wishes and set a goal for the month. On Friday, the sun takes up residence in Aquarius. Monday brings up the Chinese New Year (dragon), a new moon in Aquarius and Mars retrograde. Mars will be retrograde until April 13. The long retrograde will allow more time to reach your goals. Mars is the planet of action and energy. Do not launch new projects while the red planet is retrograde.