Your essential guide to the week ahead from Citizen Femme’s resident astrologer, Zana Wilberforce.
Themes surrounding communication and the art of speaking are likely to crop up this week with a lunar eclipse in Gemini. There could be a need to speak or share ideas in a public format, whether it’s an announcement on social media or a lengthy monologue in a small gathering. Eclipse season happens every six months, which means some significant life changes could rise to the surface at this time. Breathe, think out loud and allow any tangled thoughts to unravel in speech.
As the UK comes out of a nationwide lockdown, there’s hope for a warm weather escape this month and, at the least, some change of scenery. Whether it’s short-haul sunshine you’re seeking or a far-flung getaway in the tropics, discover your latest travel horoscope with this round-up of winter sun destinations.
Capricorn
December 22 – January 19
Health is at the forefront for Capricorn this week as a lunar eclipse activates your sixth house. It’s high time you tuned into the way your body responds to productivity overload, which isn’t unusual considering your ambitious nature. Though you’re a stickler for routine, being bogged down in one place for too long isn’t great for the imagination. For a shift in perspective, look to Oman’s arid landscapes and open spaces as a welcome escape from the city drizzle. Muscat’s surrounding wadis offer a meditative break from the same old city streets back home.
Aquarius
January 20 – February 18
A surge of creativity takes place this week for Aquarius with the lunar eclipse in your fifth house. Projects have been slower than usual as we recover from a series of planetary retrogrades. This two-week period is referred to as the “shadow period”, “retroshade” or an astrological hangover. Seeking out some winter sun is one of the many ways you can rid yourself of retroshade (and lockdown) tedium. We’re thinking of Ubud in Bali for its artsy edge and a laid-back environment where your thoughts can truly flourish.
Pisces
February 19 – March 20
Home comforts are top priority this week with the lunar eclipse in your fourth house. In this time, there’s opportunity to revamp chateau Pisces or move somewhere new altogether. The prospect of new roommates could set life-long friendships in stone for years of antics and legendary dinner parties to come. In light of travel re-opening, you don’t need to fly to a far-flung destination for winter sun. Short-haul sunshine is within reach in the Canaries, where temperatures linger in the low-mid 20s all year round.
Aries
March 21 – April 19
This week’s lunar eclipse in Gemini has you focusing on communication and the way you speak, Aries. This isn’t surprising considering that so much can be miscommunicated through virtual chats and Zoom conference calls. The prospect of winter sun is tantalising, and one that could inspire interesting conversations with new acquaintances. For inspiration, Athens in Greece blends T-shirt weather with culture-rich activities and travel stories that are made for retelling over and over.
Taurus
April 20 – May 20
Money’s on your mind this week with the lunar eclipse in your second house. Wintry weather has called for a bit of a spending splurge recently on homey interiors and cashmere slippers. Mixed with a month-long nationwide lockdown, there’s a restless urge to escape the mundane and pacify your pleasure-seeking tendencies. Swap the routine deliveries on material items for wholesome hikes and alfresco dinners in Pathos, Cyprus, where average winter temperatures remain in the low 20s.
Gemini
May 21 – June 20
A lunar eclipse in Gemini this Monday puts your sign in the spotlight and significant life changes are at the forefront. A shift in how your work week is structured could be part of that change, or how your day is divided into separate projects. Not one to shy away from new beginnings, it’s refreshing to have a different way of doing things. In matters of travel, and in the spirit of changing things up, the Azores is a less obvious winter sun destination rich in wildlife and all sorts of outdoorsy fun.
Cancer
June 21 – July 22
Time for a spot of solitude with the lunar eclipse in your twelfth house this week, Cancer. Making time for rest is top of your list as you begin to set rigid lines between work and play. Working from home is set to continue for a while so there’s no time like the present to set boundaries. This period of independence might inspire a solo trip to somewhere sunny this December. As a sign that requires comfort, Menton in France is a less obvious warm weather location. Positioned on the Franco-Italian border, bouts of sunshine and sorbet sunsets are all the company you require during this period of rest.
Leo
July 23 – August 22
The week’s lunar eclipse illuminates your eleventh house, bringing friendships and relationships to your attention, Leo. Your leadership qualities are needed to bring loved ones together in person or virtually. If a winter jaunt is on the cards after weeks of cabin fever, a sunny escape to Bermuda has Leo all over it. Going all out is part of your charm, and this mid-Atlantic archipelago provides the perfect, rose-tinted backdrop for a close-friends-only island hideaway.
Virgo
August 23 – September 22
An unexpected short trip could be on the agenda as Uranus opposes Venus in your third house this week, Virgo. There’s a need for freedom and movement inspired by weeks of lockdown tedium and the sun’s month-long voyage in Sagittarius, a season of questing and seeking. For winter warmth, we suggest a speedy short haul stop in Sardinia where your busy mind can refresh in the salt-water surroundings. Sleepy sunsets and picturesque vistas paint a portrait that isn’t so far out of reach—especially with those handy organisational skills at hand.
Libra
September 23 – October 22
A need to study or take in new information is at the core of your week as the lunar eclipse lights up your ninth house. For this reason, a warm winter escape that swaps Maldives-style lounging for culture-rich activities is the best way to beat the winter blues for Libra. Brazil blends sunshine, beautiful architecture and pilgrimages to jungle islands. Finalise the trip with a relaxed rainforest retreat on the island of Ilha Grande for a mindful reboot.
Scorpio
October 23 – November 21
Prepare for a shift in perspective this week with the lunar eclipse in your eighth house. This cosmic energy is preparing you to embrace change in a way that feels like a release from any lingering bad habits. The help of some winter sun can help with these psychological changes just by being in a completely different environment. Look into Mauritius for a soul-nourishing interlude if travel is on the cards this month. Hardcore hikes up Le Morne Brabant can lock in a lot of that good energy in more ways than one.
Sagittarius
November 22 – December 21
Time to zoom in on those significant relationships this week, Sagittarius, with the lunar eclipse in your seventh house. Feeling tied down? Now’s the time to reflect on the friendships that really matter and nurture the ones that make the cut. It’s in your nature to chase the sun, so a sporadic warm weather escape to somewhere like Costa Rica wouldn’t be so wild. We can picture you sipping beer on the beach with the laid-back locals or horseback riding to nowhere in particular all in the name of freedom.
Any Questions or Tips to add?