January Electional Astrology: Discovering the Good and Bad Days for Planning

January is here, and in this article I want to take a look at the month ahead from the point of view of electional astrology, focusing on both the lunar elections and the broader astrological weather of the month.

Elections are the art of choosing the most optimal and supportive times for important activities, and in these monthly series I focus primarily on the condition of the Moon (which is a more general election but can be used anywhere in the world).

Lunar elections are essentially the days when the Moon is in a good condition or in a more difficult condition according to traditional western astrology. These are practical guidelines meant to help you work with the flow of time rather than against it.

Beginning of the Month

The month of January begins with the Moon in Gemini, which in general is a good position for learning, communication, and social activities. However, on January 1st, the Moon is squaring Saturn and Neptune. This suggests obstructions and confusion. It’s not a favorable day for important matters, investments, or anything that requires smooth progress. In electional astrology, Moon aspects to Saturn or Mars usually indicate delays and obstacles.

On January 2nd and 3rd, the Moon moves into Cancer, which is a strong position for the Moon. This is usually supportive for emotional matters, family issues, and investments. However, on January 3rd, we have a Full Moon with oppositions to Venus, the Sun, and Mars. While this can be a good time for emotional or spiritual activities, it’s not favorable for more mundane matters such as job interviews, publicity, or anything where you want external support.

Void-of-Course Moons and Mid-Month Patterns

On January 4th and 5th, the Moon moves into Leo and becomes void-of-course. Throughout January, we actually see quite a few void-of-course Moon days. From an electional point of view, this is not favorable. A Moon without aspects is like a messenger who cannot deliver her message. These days tend to bring delays, lack of results, and wasted effort. It’s better to wait until the Moon connects with another planet before starting something important.

On January 6th and 7th, the Moon is in Virgo and making trines to planets in Capricorn. This is a very favorable configuration. Moon–Sun trines and sextiles are always supportive, and when they occur in earth signs, they highlight practical matters such as planning, finances, technical work, and organization. These days are good for job interviews, publicity, and even travel.

On January 8th, the Moon is in opposition to Saturn, which is best avoided for important actions, investments, or travel.

Libra and Scorpio Moons

On January 9th, the Moon enters Libra and forms squares to planets in Capricorn and to Jupiter. While Jupiter offers some support, the energy is still somewhat tense and unbalanced. I would avoid trading or starting important matters on this day.

On January 10th, the Moon is still in Libra but enters a void-of-course state, so this is another day best avoided for anything important.

On January 11th and 12th, the Moon is in Scorpio. Normally, the Moon doesn’t feel comfortable in Scorpio, but in this particular configuration, it is trining Jupiter and sextiling planets in Capricorn. This makes these days modestly supportive, especially for practical decisions and certain investments. If you are planning something very important, I would still wait for a stronger day, but if you have no choice, these days can be used carefully. They are also supportive for fertility-related matters.

Sagittarius to Capricorn: Late Mid-Month

On January 13th, the Moon reaches the end of Scorpio and enters Sagittarius, becoming void-of-course again.On January 14th, even though the Moon is in Sagittarius and in mutual reception with Jupiter, she is not applying to any major aspect. This suggests delays and lack of flow, so it’s best avoided for important actions.

On January 15th, the Moon forms difficult aspects and is not an easy day overall.

On January 16th, the Moon enters Capricorn and begins to approach planets there. While still out of orb, this can be a usable day for practical matters.

On January 17th, the Moon is with Mercury and in opposition to Jupiter. This is a good day for planning, serious thinking, and evaluating options.

On January 18th, we have a New Moon at the end of Capricorn. From an electional point of view, New Moons are generally not favorable for starting important matters. However, they are very good for spiritual practices, meditation, and setting intentions.

Aquarius, Pisces, and Aries Moons

On January 19th, the Moon enters Aquarius, highlighting new ideas and social themes. However, she does not make any major aspects, so this is better used passively rather than actively.

On January 21st, the Moon enters Pisces and trines Jupiter in Cancer. This is a very favorable day, especially for relationships, emotional healing, fertility, and compassionate activities.

On January 22nd, the Moon connects with Saturn and Neptune. This is a difficult day for mundane activities such as surgery, job interviews, or important meetings. However, it can be good for healing work, soul-searching, and closing emotional chapters.

On January 23rd, the Moon enters Aries and sextiles planets in Aquarius. This is a very positive configuration, especially for career matters, publicity, and new beginnings.

On January 24th, the Moon squares Jupiter but still maintains supportive connections with Aquarius planets. This makes it a reasonably decent day, especially for travel or moderate new starts.

End of the Month

On January 25th, the Moon enters Taurus and squares Mars, which can bring tension and conflict. I would avoid important actions on this day.

On January 26th, the Moon remains in Taurus and is supported by Jupiter. This creates a mixed but usable energy.

On January 27th and 28th, the Moon is in Gemini, trining the stellium of planets in Aquarius. These are some of the most favorable days of the month for social activities, learning, exams, job interviews, and expanding your horizons.

On January 29th and 30th, the Moon enters Cancer, which is supportive for family matters, emotional exchanges, investments, and healing relationships.

On January 31st, the Moon continues in Pisces and trines Saturn and Neptune. Overall, this is a positive and supportive day.

The Broader Astrological Weather of January

Beyond the lunar elections, January is quite remarkable astrologically. One of the most important shifts is Neptune moving into Aries on January 26, with Saturn following shortly after in February. When Saturn and Neptune travel together, they highlight themes of confusion alongside the demand for realism. On a collective level, this may influence political and power structures, while on an individual level it asks us to finish unfinished emotional business before a new chapter begins.

Mercury also moves from Sagittarius into Capricorn, shifting our focus toward practicality, seriousness, and realistic goal-setting. From mid-January, Mercury approaches Mars and the Sun, making the period between January 15th and 20th somewhat challenging for communication, trade, and investments.

Throughout the month, we also see a strong Capricorn stellium gradually transitioning into Aquarius. Capricorn emphasizes planning, structure, and security, while Aquarius opens the door to new ideas, innovation, and collective developments. This shift becomes especially noticeable toward the end of January and into early February.

Finally, Jupiter continues to retrograde in Cancer. While retrograde motion diminishes Jupiter’s power somewhat, Jupiter in Cancer remains a benefic influence and may serve as a stabilizing and protective factor during this transitional time.

These are my observations for January from the perspective of electional astrology and planetary weather. As always, use the favorable days for something important and avoid difficult onces, but elections serve as guidlines they do not stop us from living our lives.

You can visit my youtube channel and watch the video on which this article if based, or if you want to learn more about electional astrology, read this article. Thank you for reading and very Happy New Year!