Astrology for January with Jack and Emma

Recap of December

Emma hosted The Storyline’s first community storytelling event, an evening that strengthened her ties to the neighborhood and reaffirmed her passion for stories and connection. Jack, invigorated by building the stage for the event, recommitted to his woodworking craft, embracing it as a source of stability and creative fulfillment.

On New Year’s Eve, under the warm glow of string lights in the bookstore, they shared a cautious yet meaningful kiss—a quiet acknowledgment of something special worth building slowly. They were now on the same path, even if they didn’t have all the answers yet. That evening, as they closed the shop together, Emma turned to Jack with a quiet smile.

“You’ve helped me more than you know,” she said softly.

Jack looked at her, his voice steady but warm. “You’ve helped me too, Emma. Maybe more than you realize.”

The weight of the moment lingered, not with pressure, but with possibility.

January 3 – Mars (retrograde) in Leo opposite Pluto in Aquarius

After their first kiss on New Year's Eve, Emma and Jack decided to take things slow. Both felt a quiet but undeniable connection, something that might be special, but they were cautious. Emma had just started to stabilize The Storyline, and Jack was still figuring out his next steps after returning to town. 

The first week of January was marked by tension for Jack and Emma, as the external world seemed to push them both to their limits. Jack received a call from a former client who had previously stiffed him on payment but now wanted to "reconcile" and commission new work. The temptation was there—he could use the money—but Mars retrograde opposite Pluto brought a tug-of-war between ego, pride, and integrity. Jack spent a day brooding in his workshop, sanding down a rough plank of wood as if trying to smooth out his own inner turmoil. Emma sensed something was off.

"You've been quiet today," she said, leaning against the doorframe of his workshop.

Jack glanced up, sawdust in his hair. "Just figuring some things out."

"You don't have to do everything alone, I’m here..."

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, Jack almost told her. But Pluto opposite Mars had a way of making vulnerability feel like a risk too big to take. Instead, he nodded and changed the subject. 

The same energy subtly pressed on Emma, too. She was trying to finalize the schedule for the new improv night series at The Storyline, but every time she thought she had it settled, another delay or miscommunication popped up. When a few volunteers canceled at the last minute, she was tempted to do it all herself—until Jack, with that same steady calm, smiled and said, "You don't have to do everything alone, I’m here..."

Emma nodded and smiled back. Having someone there to help was new to both of them…

Later that night, after the successful and silly first Improv community show at the Storyline ended, Jack told Emma about his former client, and how that brought up feelings of being cornered, feeling like he didn’t have a choice but to do what the guy who stiffed him wanted. 

Emma took his hand and said, “You don’t have to make a decision now, but you should go with your gut, Jack. If it doesn’t feel right, maybe it isn’t.” 

January 13th, 2025:

The full moon in Cancer hangs like a beacon above, its light casting long, clear shadows, illuminating the night with an ethereal glow. The moon's light holds the potential for emotional truths to emerge, intensified by Mars's retrograde, revisiting past hurts with courage.

As she closes up the shop, Emma's phone buzzes with a text from Jack. "Want to go for a walk? I could use some fresh air."

"Sure. Meet you out front," Emma texts back.

They meet outside The Storyline, the moon's light illuminating their path. Jack grapples with his decision about his former client, feeling the tug of Mars' retrograde energy urging him towards introspection rather than impulsive action.

"I've been thinking about this a lot, and I've decided," he says. "I'm not going back to that client."

Emma's smile is one of understanding and support. "I think you're making the right choice, Jack. It's time to move forward now."

With this revelation, there's a moment of peace, their shadows merging under the moon's light. "You know," Emma ventures, inspired by the clarity of the night, "maybe we could collaborate on something. I know you usually do big woodworking projects, but what about branching out with smaller artisan products too? Like those amazing trivets you were playing around in the woodshop with the other day. Maybe you could make some of those for the Valentine's event? It could bring attention to your work in the community. They really are special, Jack."

Jack feels a sense of alignment with this suggestion, the moon's illumination coupled with Mars' introspective energy guiding his path forward. He knows exactly what's in his heart now. "Yeah, I actually like that idea."

They stand there, the moon's light not just on them but through them, revealing paths not taken and the potential of those yet to be explored. This moment under the full moon is about seeing what is truly important, about making decisions from their higher, most authentic selves rather than from wounded impulsivity.

"Let's do it," Jack agrees, the decision under this moon feeling like the beginning of something meaningful. “Thanks, Emms.”

January 14 – Venus in Pisces square Jupiter in Gemini

The energy of this transit was expansive but scattered. It brought out the dreamer in Emma—and maybe a little too much of the "big picture, no details" kind of thinking. She woke up with the idea to host a Valentine's Day-themed poetry night at the bookstore. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and Jack found himself agreeing to help build additional seating before he even realized what he’d signed up for.

But Jupiter in Gemini was tricky—it made everything seem possible until you were in the weeds. By noon, Emma’s plan had gone from "a simple poetry night" to a "Valentine's Day extravaganza," complete with live music, food, and decor. 

"I thought this was supposed to be simple," he says with a lopsided grin, tapping the hammer against the seating bench he's building.

"Simple... but magical,” she says, gesturing vaguely toward the air as if simplicity floats somewhere in the ether. 

Jack noticed her exhaustion and set down his hammer, "Emma, I think you need a break."

She looked up at him, her eyes tired but grateful. "I don’t have time for a break, Jack. There’s too much to do."

He raised an eyebrow, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "That’s exactly why you need one. How about we go to that new movie we both want to see? Just... take your mind off things for a while."

Emma hesitated, the stress of the bookstore’s future weighing on her. But something about Jack’s suggestion, his presence, made her pause. She let out a long breath, then smiled, albeit a little reluctantly.

"Thanks, Jack, a little break may be just what I need," she agreed.

January 19 – Venus conjuncts Saturn in Pisces (Mercury sextiles Venus and Saturn)

With Venus meeting Saturn, reality hit. After weeks of floating in possibility, Emma was forced to deal with her budget for the Valentine's Day event. It was tighter than she thought. The light, dreamlike energy of Venus in Pisces met Saturn’s cold hard facts, and it felt like waking up from a pleasant dream into a gray, wintry morning. After closing the shop, Emma sat in the cramped office in the back of the store, calculator in hand, papers all over the desk, frowning at the list of expenses.

Jack walked in, carrying a box of hand-carved wooden trivets to show Emma for the Valentine’s Day event. He saw her face and raised an eyebrow. "That bad, huh?"

She sighed, rubbing her temples. "I didn’t think table linens would be so expensive. It's... discouraging."

He set the box down on a pile of books, and tilted his head, looking at her like he was measuring how much he should say. Finally, he sat across from her. “You know, you don’t have to do it all at once. The whole 'magic' thing? It’s still magic even if it’s a little messy.”

His words echoed the grounded wisdom of Mercury and Saturn working in harmony. Emma exhaled, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. "You're right," she admitted, glancing at him with a smile. 

"Don't worry," he grinned. "It will all work out, just the way it’s supposed to."

The past few weeks had been full of tension, but tonight felt different. With Venus in Pisces conjunct Saturn, the weight of their unspoken feelings seemed to settle into something more solid, more real. 

“Want to hang out for a bit?” Emma asked Jack.

“Of course, but not in the office,” Jack reached out his hand and led Emma to one of the new comfy love seats Jack built for the Event.

Jack turned toward Emma, his voice quiet. "You know, I admire what you’re doing here. The way you’re putting everything into this place... it’s inspiring."

Emma felt a warmth spread through her chest. She hadn’t realized how much she needed to hear those words. She smiled, looking down at her hands before meeting his gaze again. "I don’t always feel like I’m doing enough, but... thank you. I guess I’ve been so focused on making this work that I forgot what it means to have someone in my corner."

Jack’s eyes softened. "I’m here for you, and you’ve been there for me too."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the weight of the past few weeks finally lifting.

“I have an idea that may help,” Jack said. “What if we put the Valentine’s trivets for sale in the shop now? It could build interest for the event, and help you cover some of the costs of the… tablecloths right?” 

Emma is overwhelmed for a moment by his kindness and nods in gratitude. They spend the rest of the evening coming up with ideas to make the magic happen. 

January 21 – Sun conjunct Pluto in Aquarius

A day of raw truth. This transit brought something to light that changed the way Emma and Jack saw themselves—and each other. The bookstore had been bustling, and the trivets Jack made had been selling out each day since they shared them on the Storyline’s Social Media page. More than enough to cover some of the costs, and pay for Jack’s artisan work. To celebrate, Emma and Jack went out to a local bistro for dinner, then took a walk back towards the shop afterward. 

"You know, Jack," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I’ve always had these doubts about myself. About whether I’m capable of doing this... making The Storyline something real. Something lasting."

Jack turned to her, his expression serious. "Emma, you’ve rebuilt that place from the ground up. It’s already real. And I’ve seen what you’re capable of."

Emma shook her head. "I know, but I’ve always second-guessed myself.”

Jack reached down to hold her hand. They stopped in front of the StoryLine and turned towards each other.

"I understand, Emma - I’ve had the same feelings about making a go of it with my work too. But you’re not alone in this, remember?"

The weight of his words settled into Emma’s chest, and for the first time in a long while, she felt the stirrings of hope.

January 26 – Venus in Pisces trine Mars in Cancer

The Valentine's Day event was only a few weeks away, and the collaboration between Jack and Emma had brought a ton of interest. All the tickets sold out as soon as they were released. That night, as snow fell softly outside, Emma finished rearranging the biography section. Jack had dropped in to fix the wobbly leg on one of the antique reading chairs, and when he was done, Emma invited him to stay for a drink.

They chatted about silly things for a while. Favorite songs, least favorite songs. Their stories wove together like threads in a tapestry. They found out they both had read the entire Goosebumps books series when they were kids.

"Remember 'Be Careful What You Wish For'? That one creeped me out," Jack said.

"The whole idea of a wish coming true but hurting others..." Emma shook her head, her voice trailing off.

"Exactly! I always think about it when I'm making a wish. I add all these mental disclaimers, just to be safe," Jack laughed.

"You know what? After reading that when I was a kid, I vowed to not make any more wishes. Just in case."

“You mean you don’t wish?” Jack asked, puzzled.

“Never, not since I was nine.”

Jack couldn’t believe it. His voice was quiet when he said, “You ever think about what you’d do if you weren’t afraid to wish?”

Her eyes met his. “All the time.”

“Maybe it’s time to let that go, Emms. Wishes are beautiful,” Jack suggested gently.

“Maybe you’re right…” Emma nodded, a moment of clarity passing between them. It was as if a weight had lifted, the idea of reclaiming the simple joy of wishing now seeming like a possible new beginning.

January 29 – Mercury conjunct Pluto in Aquarius, New moon in Aquarius 

The New Moon in Aquarius at 9° infuses the night with a sense of liberation and innovation, the air buzzing with the energy of four planets conjunct in this sign. Pluto, just a degree away, adds a transformative depth to the night, making it a powerful time to set intentions aligned with their highest ideals and long-term aspirations.

As the day ends, the bookstore quietens, the last customer leaves, and the subtle influence of Mercury conjunct Pluto at 1° Aquarius begins to sharpen their thoughts. There's an insistence on clarity, a refusal to settle for the superficial. Jack and Emma, feeling this energy, sit on the stage he built at Christmas, surrounded by an atmosphere that encourages deep communication and transformation.

"Can I tell you something?" Emma asks, her voice tentative yet filled with the honesty the night calls for.

"Of course," Jack replies, his gaze steady on her.

She looks down at her hands before meeting his eyes again. "I almost didn't do this. Any of it. The store, the fundraiser, letting you help me last month. I almost just… gave up."

Jack leans forward, his expression one of understanding. "Why didn't you?"

Her breath hitches, the truth illuminated by the New Moon's transformative light. "Because I knew I'd regret it more if I didn't try."

Silence settles between them, not uncomfortable but charged with the weight of their confessions. Jack nods, absorbing her words, feeling the pull of Mercury and Pluto's alignment urging them to cut through mental clutter to the heart of what matters.

"I've realized something," Emma continues, her voice stronger now.

Jack raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's that?"

"I've been so afraid to wish for anything because of what might go wrong, but you're right, it's time to wish for something beautiful. To let go of that fear."

Jack raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's that?"

"I've been so afraid to wish for anything because of what might go wrong, but you're right, it's time to wish for something beautiful. To let go of that fear."

Jack takes her hands in his.

"Let's make a wish together…"

Emma looks into Jack's eyes. She takes a deep breath, her voice barely a whisper as she says, "I wish for a story that unfolds between us, one that's full of surprises, where each page reveals something new and unexpected about who we could be together."

There is a space of silence before Jack speaks.

He smiles, and says, "I wish for a love that writes its own chapters, one where every twist leads us closer, and any ending is the beginning of something extraordinary.”

“Jack, what are you saying? Are you saying that you're falling in love with me?” Emma asked as tears filled her eyes.

"I'm saying I already am, Emms."

Emma doesn’t hold back her tears anymore, she lets them fall down her face, as she says, “I love you too Jack.”