January Horoscope for Taurus:

You're looking at longstanding life issues from new angles now. Mercury is retrograde through the 15th, in the structure-seeing earth sign Capricorn. This gives you a chance to give your plans another look before going forward. You've got eyes to see what has substance, lasting value, and what is structurally sound.

As Mercury starts to come out of retrograde, after the New Moon in Capricorn, you'll get the solid answers you're seeking. This helps you make decisions about practical matters, like career moves, real estate, investments, wealth-protection in a tough economy, and the like.

Re-crafting your Image

The retrogrades in planets of ambition give you a chance to consider your public face. You may go in for a style make-over. You can retreat from the stage awhile now, and consider how you'd like to re-emerge. It's a mini sojourn into a more private space, with a comeback that's marked by more color and glamour.

If you're an artist, an overhaul to your image may be geared around taking yourself more seriously. Your ruler Venus is in status-minded Capricorn through the 19th. This brings out the desire to mingle with inspiring, successful people. It heightens the theme of wanting to be grounded with your talents, so your confidence is deeply rooted. You have the patience to be focused and diligent, as you work quietly for that big unveiling at a later date.

Venus Loves Everybody

Your ruler takes a turn on the 19th, when she moves into collaborative Aquarius. This turning point brings your solo projects out into a wider sphere. It's easier to convey what you're doing to co-workers, friends or across the virtual world. You can experiment and innovate, and find resonance with unlikely characters.

But Venus is glancing both Neptune and Jupiter this month, so watch out for rose-colored visions that make you crazy for love or friendship. You might meet kindred spirits, only to find that they're not grounded in the same reality as you are. The key is finding compatriots that are soaring with inspiration, but also able to see what's right around in 3D.

Finding a New Balance

Saturn in equalizing Libra is also retrograde this month. This lures you into relationship issues that need a second look. There's a Pluto square to Saturn (exact on the 31st) that aids you in expunging what's grown tired and lifeless. You can regenerate relationships, but this can also mean ending those that no longer serve a real purpose.

Artful Innovating

This month unusual people and ideas stream in. Some might offer possible solutions to dead end situations. What evolves from them may involve working with a team, partnership or collective. It opens an alternative path that's a way to get where you're wanting to go.

As sudden events happen -- some of which open doors -- you can meet them in a calm way. You may be more conservative in January, taking notes, which can be used later when you're pressed to take action. Ideas that seem too "out there" at first may be the ones that hold up under scrutiny.

Take your time this month, and use this relatively quiet month to prepare for the upheavals forecasted for most of 2010. Lose any excess baggage (weight), as a gift to yourself. Drink lots of pure, clean water. And get plenty of rest in this season of hibernation, where much is being incubated.