Welcome to 2021! After a year of massive changes in relationships, we head into an exciting and unique year when it comes to dating and love in general. Jupiter and Saturn both moved into innovative Aquarius in December 2020, and as they each form energizing squares with wild child Uranus in Taurus in the first couple months of the year, a need for freedom within relationships will be loud and clear. This might create tension for both singles and couples, but it can certainly be exciting and liberating. In 2021, the more you learn to go with the romantic flow and get out of your comfort zone, the more fun you will have.
The best time to get married or take a relationship to the next level is when Venus, Goddess of Love and Desire, spends time in romance-obsessed Pisces from February 25 to March 20. Still, the focus will be more on intellect than on feelings, as Mercury will be retrograding in air signs from January 30 to February 20, May 29 to June 22, and September 26 to October 18. These “backward” transits will cause misunderstandings that could ultimately lead to positive adjustments in how you communicate.
But don’t worry, there will be plenty of room for magic. Three outer planets settle in their home signs this year, potent placements that means manifestation powers will be in full force. If you’re single and looking, Jupiter’s dip into creative Pisces from mid-May to late-July is your best bet for attracting the love you want. This is the time to re-download all those dating apps. If you’re in a partnership, Jupiter and Neptune are in Pisces over the summer, which can bring some seriously romantic vibes your way — making this the best time of the year to take a trip or just focus on giving each other your full attention.
Keep your eyes and your ears open for both of 2021’s eclipse seasons, in the summer and the fall. The May 26 Lunar Eclipse is intense, as it forms a stressful T-square with Jupiter, clouding our judgment. Luckily, the June 10 Solar Eclipse delivers a message that snaps us out of what could have become a boring love routine. Later in the fall, some of our deepest and darkest secrets could be spilled around the November 19 Lunar Eclipse as the Sun, Moon, and Mercury square magnanimous Jupiter. There’s excitement in the air — and a sense that anything could happen around this lunation. Good thing, then, that the last Solar Eclipse brings with it a ton of can-do power when it arrives on December 4.
The year ends with a bang as love-ruling Venus goes retrograde in determined Capricorn on November 19. This transit will encourage us to overhaul our relationships and our closest connections, prompting us to deal with old hurts, revisit past loves, and set new boundaries. It’s not always the easiest transit, but it can have major payoffs that we’ll be able to enjoy once the planet goes direct again on January 29, 2022.
Aries March 21 to April 19
Your sign was under major focus in 2020, so you’ll be glad to hear that the year ahead is set to be a little easier. You shed what no longer served you, but with asteroid Chiron (known as the Wounded Healer) remaining in your sign, the theme of healing past relationships may very well continue — especially during Mercury’s retrograde in the fall. If you’re single, the truth is that you might not even be that interested in finding a partner; after all, 2021 is a year that encourages you to fly solo and embrace your individuality. Whether single or involved, the best time for love is when sexy Venus visits your sign from March 21 to April 14. But what makes this year special is the influence of the North Node of Destiny in your third solar house all year long, which upgrades the way you communicate and potentially your environment too. This influence is the kind that would see you more interested in an intellectual type of person. If you’re partnered, expect your relationships to become less fiery, and more a connection of the minds. ILLUSTRATED BY AMBER VITTORIATaurus April 20 to May 20
The only constant in life is change, Taurus. As wild child Uranus continues in your sign, you’re probably even starting to like it. In 2021, expect surprises and excitement coming into your love life as heavy hitters Jupiter and Saturn square Uranus, most likely rocking your world. If you’re in a long-term connection, this could either make it exhilarating — or even break it. But there’s nothing to worry about, as it will be up to you! Uranus’ job is to liberate you from stale, boring, and outdated connections so you can get in touch with your true essence. If you’re single, fated encounters with eccentric and fascinating peeps will be in the cards — when you expect them the least! This is especially true at the beginning of April and during the Summer, when Venus and Jupiter will shoot your charm off the charts. Finally, the year ahead will most likely require a lot of your energy concentrated on your career, which is why you might not have a lot of time to spare for other areas of your life. ILLUSTRATED BY AMBER VITTORIAGemini May 21 to June 20
Last year featured major relationship shifts for you, Gemini, and you can expect the same for the year ahead. March and April are set to be the most fun months, as cosmic lovers Venus and Mars visit your sign, bringing interesting encounters and fated situations your way. If you’re single, this is your best bet to find a partner that stimulates your agile mind, as well as the best time to take an existing relationship to the next level. But what’s exciting about 2021 is that on-the-surface connections might no longer be your cup of tea — and that’s okay! With the North Node of Destiny in your sign, you’re learning to listen to your inner voice and put your needs first. Unconscious relationship patterns are meant to be released, especially as the May 26 Lunar and December 3 Solar Eclipses arrive. Eclipses are the way the Universe brings change to our lives, so expect an overhaul when it comes to your attitude towards love and romance. Overall, this year is an amazing opportunity to deepen your connections, but you will have to stay honest and serious about what you really want — especially during Mercury’s retrograde in Libra from September 27 through October 18. ILLUSTRATED BY AMBER VITTORIACancer June 21 to July 22
Get ready for a wild ride, Cancer! Your love life is about to get oh, so interesting — yes, even more than last year. As Jupiter and Saturn inundate your eighth house of sexuality during most of the year, you’re about to get a big lesson on intimacy. If you’re single, Uranus in Taurus will expose you to some of the most eccentric romantic options you’ve ever experienced. And while you’re usually a traditional sign, taking chances can not only be fun, it can be exhilarating. This influence will ring especially true during the summer months. If you’re partnered, expect to take a road you have never experienced together before. And in the case a relationship hasn’t been fulfilling enough for you, you will be encouraged to examine how important it is for you to merge with someone at a deep, soul level. Your best months for love are when sexy Venus visits your sign in June, and when she graces watery pal Scorpio from September 10 to October 7. ILLUSTRATED BY AMBER VITTORIALeo July 23 to August 22
Here comes the fun, Leo! As the only Sun-ruled sign of the zodiac, you’re bold, fierce, and always ready for a challenge. And that’s what 2021 has in store for you. The clashes between Jupiter and Saturn with Uranus will be creating a few conflicts between your professional and love lives. If you’re single, this creates an energy of push-and-pull with love interests, and sometimes you might not even be that into being with someone after originally liking them a lot. For those in established partnerships, this year could make you feel out of sync at times, especially as Venus in your sign forms a T-square with Saturn and Uranus in June and July. However, this is also when the best time for love comes, when Venus in your sign overlaps with Jupiter’s dip into the waters of Pisces — and so the fireworks come back for both singles and couples. And remember, Leo, that the Universe is not trying to ruin your high — it’s just pushing you out of your comfort zone to make your life even more exciting. ILLUSTRATED BY AMBER VITTORIAVirgo August 23 to September 22
You have an interesting love ride ahead of you, Virgo. Neptune in Pisces has been surrounding you in a pink cloud of love for a while now (like, since 2012), but as Jupiter visits this same sign from mid-May to late-July, you’re about to experience romance in its full splendor. Still, with so much going on in other areas of your life (most likely at work), it might be hard to find the time to get away and relax with your bae. If you’re single, the truth is you might not even be that interested in getting involved in a relationship. Uranus in Earth sign pal Taurus has been teaching you that you don’t need anyone to feel whole — something that’s actually been quite refreshing. That being said, if you do find yourself interested in dating, the Nodes of Destiny in Gemini and Sagittarius could bring fated connections your way. And even if they don’t last that long, they’re here to teach you something, so keep your eyes and ears — but mainly your heart — open, dear Virgo. ILLUSTRATED BY AMBER VITTORIALibra September 23 to October 22
You’re about to feel what it’s like to be in your element, Libra. As Jupiter and Saturn get comfortable in Air sign pal Aquarius, your charm is about to be off the charts! If you’re single, Jupiter will bring you all the options you would wish for, which at times could be overwhelming. If you’ve been dating someone, Saturn could make this the year you make a deeper commitment with your current love. Your best times for romance come when Venus is in Gemini from mid- to late-May, and when she visits your sign from mid-August to mid-September. And do watch out for misunderstandings, as all Mercury retrogrades happen in air signs from January 30 to February 20, May 29 to June 22, and September 26 to October 18 — this last one being more important, as it happens in your sign. These transits are notorious for making us revise issues within relationships so our connections can better function for us. They aren’t here to hurt you, they are merely adjustments that will ultimately put you on the same page with your current boo. ILLUSTRATED BY AMBER VITTORIAScorpio October 23 to November 21
Your love life went through a lot of change in 2020, Scorpio, and this trend will continue in 2021. As Uranus deepens its presence in Taurus, you’re starting to like the bold energy of this exciting planet — even with all the surprises it brings you. This coming year, Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius join the party to throw even more curveballs your way in the form of out-of-nowhere hookups, break-ups, and make-ups. For a sign that likes routine as much as you do, this can feel crazy at times — but ultimately, you’re learning to be more in control of yourself, and not necessarily your environment. But there is some pretty exciting news, too. Venus in Pisces from February 25 to March 20 and Jupiter in Pisces from mid-May to late-July are going to feel oh, so dreamy for you, that you might even forget there is an outside world as you cuddle it up with a new (or acquainted) babe. Overall, 2021 can be a lot of fun, if you allow yourself to go with the flow. ILLUSTRATED BY AMBER VITTORIASagittarius November 22 to December 21
You’re one of the savviest signs out there, Sag, but when it comes to love you, just like others, have a lot to learn. With the South Node of Destiny in your sign for the entire year, you’re in for a year of big, meaningful changes. If you’re single, your approach to relationships could be really black and white. On one side, your ruler Jupiter’s visit to romance-obsessed Pisces from February 25 to March 20 could see you finally deciding to commit. But because Jupiter will spend most of the year in individualistic, freedom-seeking Aquarius, you might not even be interested in dating at all — and that’s okay! If you’ve already met your match, novelty and variety help to keep the relationship interesting, especially around the June 10 Solar Eclipse in Gemini. This year’s eclipses are meant to bring major changes into your life, so the more you embrace their flow of energy, the better your year will be. You’re a big-picture kind of person, but this year will teach you that by being curious about what makes your partner tick, you’re really setting the tone for some serious fireworks to take place. ILLUSTRATED BY AMBER VITTORIACapricorn December 22 to January 19
You are about to feel much lighter, Capricorn. With Saturn finally out of your sign, keeping up with your love life might suddenly feel easier. If you were too busy for love in 2020, you will now be able to relax and spend more time connecting with the one you love. If you’re single and looking, Venus in your sign in January infuses you with the desire to dedicate more of your time and energy to love. After all, with Uranus in earth sign pal Taurus, romantic relationships could have a totally different flavor, even for you. So in 2021, Capricorn, expect to be attracted to an unusual type. And if you’re partnered, enjoy relating with your love in a new and more exciting way. The May 26 Lunar Eclipse and Cancer season in June could bring emotionally heavy relationship times, but they can also make you stronger. Finally, the year ends with another Venus transit, this time featuring an intense retrograde period, which will put your relationship to test as you set sail into 2022. ILLUSTRATED BY AMBER VITTORIAAquarius January 20 to February 18
What a year to be an Aquarius! With both of your rulers, Saturn and Uranus, setting the vibe for the entire year, you’re the star of the show. Mercury’s first retrograde cycle of the year is through your sign, kicking off a completely new way for you to communicate your romantic needs and desires. Abundant Jupiter will be spending most of the year in your sign, attracting you more romantic opportunities than you know what to do with. If you’re single and looking, this might be the year you find that amazing person that fills your heart, but that also leaves you room to express your uniqueness. Now more than ever, you’re receiving the cosmic blessing to be yourself — and whoever you date must be aligned with your eccentric and freedom-seeking nature. If you’re in a long-term partnership, taking your relationship to the next level is definitely a possibility, if that’s what you wish. Life will be moving at a rapid speed, so make sure to schedule some quality time with your love as you juggle such a busy year. ILLUSTRATED BY AMBER VITTORIAPisces February 19 to March 20
You have a lovely year to look forward to, Pisces. With both of your rulers Neptune and Jupiter together in your sign from mid-May to late-July, you’ll be getting a glance at what manifesting the love life of your dreams looks like. But before getting there, you’ll have to find that sweet spot between “feeling madly in love” and “completely losing yourself in your partner.” If you’re single and looking, you could suddenly be attracted to someone who is not your usual type, especially when lovely Venus in your sign connects with wild child Uranus in February and March, and again once Virgo season arrives later in the fall. You see, Pisces, whether you’re single or committed, the Nodes of Destiny are in Gemini and Sagittarius throughout in 2021, setting you up for a deep, meaningful transformation. 2021 is about shedding your old beliefs in order to make room for newer and healthier ways of being in love. And for that, you will have to — at least once in a while — keep your feet on the ground. ILLUSTRATED BY AMBER VITTORIA
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