Your horoscope for the week ahead: The moon's movement will lift your spirits as Mercury retrograde ends

Get ready for a big week. Time is flying by at an unprecedented pace. It's noticeable that the days are getting longer and spring is approaching. 

On Monday or Tuesday, depending on your time zone, a new moon in Aquarius will lift your spirits as it kicks off what promises to be a powerful and passionate Year of the Water Tiger in the Chinese zodiac. The crescent moon will then meet up with jovial Jupiter on Wednesday, magnifying those upbeat feelings. 

As the sun and Saturn form a powerful conjunction on Friday, Saturn — ruler of strict and traditional Capricorn — will help you bring order to ideas and worldly matters. It's an excellent time to reinforce your New Year's resolutions, complete administrative tasks, and make clear and specific plans. A bit of discipline may be just what you need. 

The Mercury retrograde cycle will come to an end on Thursday or Friday, depending on where you live. As usual, expect glitches in technology, transportation and schedules. Mercury will slowly pick up speed in the next couple of weeks, giving you a chance to get moving on any initiatives you've been mulling over. As always, be patient. 

Here is your horoscope for the week of Monday, January 31, 2022.

Aries

You have quite a bit hanging in the balance, and what currently sits on the scales has been accumulating for a while. Some are urgent matters, others less so. It might be possible to remove a few of them, yet there would still be enough there to disturb your sleep. At this time of year, life can feel rather tedious, which can make things seem worse than they actually are. But there is a growing glimmer of hope. A shift has begun that is irreversible, and dramatic events are taking place. You have a rare opportunity to change a tired and futile situation.

Taurus

It takes a lot of courage to march out there and strut your stuff. You can't always be sure of how you're going to feel on a given day — especially if you have a tendency to feel scared, insecure or vulnerable. But when the chips are down, you always come through with the ability to take charge and be in control. Your automatic responses serve you well when you need them. You'll notice in the coming week how your strength has a way of making other people feel comfortable around you. You inspire them to fearlessly exceed their limitations. 

Gemini

Even when the wind is blowing in the right direction, windsurfing can be as challenging as balancing on a tightrope. After all, it's not just the strength and the direction of the wind or the flow of that water that's important, but the skill of the windsurfer as well. You may be facing something right now that you can't get the hang of, no matter how hard you try. Don't give up. Take a step back, recharge your batteries and then try again. It's easy to give in to pessimism at times like this. Instead, stay positive, muster your determination and go for it. 

Cancer

You've been thinking of taking up something new. You want to get involved with an opportunity or cause that will add passion into your life. Fatigue is playing a big part in your day-to-day right now. It may feel as though people are acting strange. What you need is a change in thinking. Get some rest — and lots of it. This will rejuvenate your mind. If you try to alter your thought patterns and think about things that lift your spirits, you'll find that whatever is irritating you will ease up and feel less important. 

Leo

The idea of revolution keeps cropping up. This idea is exciting. You can see an appealing lifestyle calling out to you, and the notion of radical change is seductive. You need to free yourself from a situation or someone, and you'll do whatever it takes to rejuvenate and invigorate your life. Keep in mind, though, that your attitude has a lot to do with it. The future holds so much promise. What is needed is an inner transformation. You have the cure. 

Virgo

None of us are perfect. We all have situations in our past that we wish we had handled differently. But giving yourself a hard time will only cause more negative feelings. Not only that, it is thoroughly exhausting. This is a wonderful time in your life because you're learning how to cultivate an attitude of forgiveness toward yourself. Don't waste precious moments dwelling on what you consider to be past errors. It's all water under the bridge. Once you understand this, your personal power will grow by leaps and bounds. 

Libra

It's difficult to harness enough objectivity to know what we are capable of achieving. In your case, it is quite a bit. If only you could be aware of your personal power, influence and abilities. You have many admirers that think the world of you. Yet when you receive a compliment, you always worry that it might go to your head. Well, that's unlikely given your penchant for playing down your talents to the point of being apologetic. The time for breaking this habit is now.  

Scorpio

All you see are your own limitations, but for a mere mortal, you are doing fabulously well.  Contrary to how it may feel, you are far from small or insignificant. Rather, you have the potential to be the leading actor in whatever drama you are performing, as long as you remain driven by the deepest wisdom and most profound inspiration. This week you will tend to mundane issues with such great finesse, how could anyone think that you are less than superhuman?

Sagittarius

You are inclined to walk away rather than accept a recent change or new plan. It may look unattractive at first glance, but if you can take some distance and find the courage to investigate it patiently, you will start seeing the situation in a different light. You might even discover that it becomes quite appealing. There is nothing to lose by applying a little more time and patience. 

Capricorn

Things could be moving a lot more smoothly if only a certain someone would be more sensible and co-operative. It may seem like they are immersed in their own self-centred world, which they are viewing through opaque glasses. A change in their behaviour will take time and a lot of effort, so do your best to stay calm. Don't walk away — your opinion must be heard and appreciated. You have the rare ability to soften obdurate attitudes. Your influence will prevail. 

Aquarius

It doesn't seem fair. You're ready for anything, but the world doesn't seem ready for your groundbreaking ideas, despite your charm and skills in communication. You're dealing with a plethora of challenges right now. People in authority often do not possess the advanced reasoning of your sign. But you know that rules are rules, and they have to be adhered to. Some things just can't be changed. In this case, however, an opportunity to change things for the better is closer than you might imagine.

Pisces

As much as we wish reality were different, we have to accept that we do not live in an ideal world. The unpredictability of it all is what adds interest and excitement. Of course, when we emerge triumphantly from our challenges, it makes the exercise a whole lot more satisfying. Early indications are that you will succeed in your current endeavour — if you want success badly enough. Passion and determination are what make all the difference. Nothing can stop you when you have these two qualities in abundance.