December will be quite a busy month! Not only do I have Finals, planetary movements will be quite active. We'll cover some of the basic December Sky action as it applies cross-Zodiac: the Very Important Planetary Playas of the month. Ready? Let's go!
Mars continues its Retrograde motion through the Sign of Cancer until the very end of the month, when Retrograde Mars moves back into Airy Gemini through the month of January '08. Some lingering effects may be evident until late April of '08, when Mars returns to the same degree as when the Retrograde period began.
Mars Retrograde in Cancer will likely see us looking back over our home and family lives, the things that make us feel secure (or insecure). If you find yourself running old childhood tapes, feeling as though you're trapped by your upbringing, or replaying childhood scenes with others cast in the roles of your biological family, don't despair! This actually provides you with an opportunity to examine your emotions, to see what truly makes you happy and what you cling to out of habit or early conditioning. As Mars "collects information" in preparation for returning to Direct motion in the New Year, your insights will give you a leg up on harnessing the energy and action of the Red Planet, and working on those qualities that truly do bring lasting satisfaction, as well as uprooting some of those old habits and insecurities.
December 1st will bring us the waning Moon in Virgo, indicating a time to finalize old plans, and begin preparing for a new cycle. Our Virgo Moon will be busy on this day, forming a conjunction to Saturn, Squaring the Sagittarius Sun, and forming an opposition to Ouranos.
The expansive, freedom-loving Sag Sun will form a square with the waning Virgo Moon, implying possible conflicts -- "friction" might be a better term -- between one's conscious will and unconscious needs or desires. Don't worry! Moody though Luna may be, her moods don't last long.
The conjunction between Luna and Saturn indicates the emotions will be stable, perhaps a bit reserved, and definitely unafraid of working to bring about the plans and adjustments necessary to ring in the new cycle. The Moon-Ouranos opposition may lead to a touch of cabin fever, desire to break out of the rut, and somewhat erratic emotional reactions. Again, don't worry! While Ouranos stays put for long periods of time, Luna is constantly on the move.
Mercury will move from hardcore Scorpio into easy-breezy Sag on the first of the month, where it will remain until the 20th. Communication will flow with ease, hidden matters will come into the light, enthusiasm and energy will rule. Just follow the way of the Archer, and keep your communications as honest and straightforward as possible, and there should be little chance of misunderstandings through the first three weeks of the month!
On the second, Venus in Libra will form a waning Sextile to Jupiter in Sagittarius. Sextiles represent opportunities, and a congenial flow of energy between the aspected planets. Your relationships with others are likely to proceed smoothly, so enjoy yourself, your loved ones, and your surroundings to the utmost.
December 3 brings another waning Sextile, this time involving Venus and Pluto. A time of great intensity. You may feel a sense of, or desire for, deeper relations with others -- maybe the smooth procession from yesterday's Venus/Jupiter link will have you seeing your easygoing friends in a new, more complex light.
On the 5th, Luna and Venus enter the intense, occasionally tumultuous sign of Scorpio. Venus will remain in Scorp through the end of the month. Matters of control in relationships may come to the forefront. Passion, not only sexual, but in all important matters will be highlighted during this time. Get ready to throw off the light-heartedness and delve deeply, into the core of what drives your passions and pleasures.
On the 6th, we find Mercury in Sag forming a Square to Saturn in Virgo. A bit of extra attention and care with communication may be called for here. Remember the old saying: "The devil is in the details." Pay attention to those details! Saturn has already begun its "slowing" process in preparation for turning Retrograde, allowing Mercury's position to "drive" it during this time. Remember to be truthful in your communications, and, difficult though it may be, try to keep the judgemental 'tude to a minimum. Even if it's called for. Especially if it's called for!
The 7th brings a Square between the Sag Sun and Ouranos as it moves through the latter degrees of Pisces. Ouranos, energized by its Direct status, is set to show you where your long-held beliefs, ideas, and prejudices may be incorrect or incomplete. While we generally think of Squares as difficult periods, in this instance, the Sag Sun will be more than willing to step up and offer new suggestions, new ideas, and unlock your creative powers.
December 8 finds Retrograde Mars forming a Sextile to Saturn. You'll be capable of both great action and great self-discipline during this aspect, but don't be too hard on yourself. You may notice yourself dwelling a bit on the past during this time. Rather than brooding, take the opportunity to look back over your mistakes and triumphs, and get in touch with what really drives you, rather than what you believe should drive you.
Ahh, new Moon in Sagittarius! The new cycle you've been preparing for since last month finally begins! Trust yourself and your instincts at this time.
At 12:40 p.m. EST on December 9, the new Moon will Conjoin with the Sagittarian Sun, starting your new cycle off in harmony. Be aware, however, that a Square to the Sun-Moon conjunction from Ouranos will occur on this day as well. While some tension may be involved, Ouranos is simply sending a message to the mellowly conjoined Luminaries: this is a time for action. Let go of old patterns that hold you back. Open yourself to new ways of thinking, of doing.The 10th brings a Mercury-Ouranos Square, yet another indication that this is a time to let go of old habits and patterns, and fully open yourself to new experiences. Try (metaphorically!) throwing everything against the wall and seeing what sticks. You're getting further along in understanding yourself, your needs and wants, and well on the way to walking in your Will.
The 11th uncovers a Jupiter-Pluto conjunction. Jupiter-Pluto conjunctions are rare enough astrological occurrences to be quite significant: the last one occurred in 1994, and we won't see another until 2020. Jupiter, representing abundance and growth, meets up with Pluto, involved in the deepest, most private aspects of our own psyches and souls. This is a time of real breakthroughs, the Eureka!s and AHA!s. Look inward, and see your own personal truth. Then look outward, and see the bigger picture. If you can avoid the tendency to cling to outmoded ways of thinking and behaving, this will kick off an amazing time of growth, both within yourself, and as part of the larger world you inhabit.
Also on the 11th, Retrograde Mars and Venus form a Trine, representing a gentle, harmonious flow of energy toward pleasurable directions. Venus in Scorpio deals with self-reliance, and Mars in Cancer with the home and family. Retrograde Mars again finds us looking back, perhaps at the home and family environments we had in our youths. The Scorpionic push to take the reins in your own hands may help you finally leave behind any lingering childhood problems and insecurities, and staking our own claims on our lives as independent adults. December is gonna be one hell of an astrological month!
The 12th brings a "waxing" Sextile between Venus in Scorpio and Saturn in Virgo. This aspect represents more mature, lasting types of love and compatibility. If you have such in your life, this will be a harmonious aspect; if such is lacking, this may be the time when you begin to think about it -- to search for it.
On the 13th, Merc in Sag forms a Sextile to Neptune in humanitarian Aquarius. Be cautious about mindless blather -- it's not a time to be talking just to hear yourself speak. Try to keep exaggeration to a minimum. Daydreaming is fine, but Aquarius wants us to see those dreams realized! Communication regarding groups or endeavors aimed at improving the lot of humanity as a whole will be protuctive at this time.
On the 17th, a Conjunction between mental Mercury and the Sagittarian Sun brings communication to the forefront. Think first, count to ten, then speak. Others will listen.
December 18 is the day Jupiter enters Capricorn, where it will remain until early in 2009. This is a time when we may not have to "make our own luck," but we'll discover that we are able to. Self-discipline, the willingness to work to attain the things and qualities you desire, and a focus on the practical and "down to earth" are harbingers of Jupiter in Capricorn. Learn the lessons of personal responsibility well, and apply them in your own life. You may feel the stirrings of an inner war, between your sense of individualism and your obligations to others -- children, parents, bosses and employees, even society at large. It's a lesson we all need to learn as we grow up. Fear not!
The 19th, Saturn turns Retrograde in Virgo, until 5/08, when it re-Directs. With Mars and Saturn both Retrograde now, flexibility is the key word for this period. Analytical, efficient Virgo is fairly at home with the planet of discipline. Tradition-minded Virgo insists that things be done properly, well, and in their proper order. This may not always be possible, especially at such a busy time of year!
Saturn in Virgo may tend to bring up guilt and insecurity, and the planet's Retrograde motion may have you looking back over your life and focusing on your mistakes and regrets. This is illogical and inefficient, so use the energy of Virgo in a practical manner. Think about the things you feel guilt or regret over, and ask yourself if those things were really under your control. If the answer is no, then the solution is simple: drop the guilt. If you regret things over which you truly did have control, then the way out of the guilt-trip is to admit you were wrong, then stop doing them! It's not easy, but it is simple, and logic-driven Virgo should be a big help with this.
The 19th and 20th feature a Sun-Mercury-Pluto triple conjunction, assisting you with bringing matters of authority -- and your relations with and reaction to authority figures -- into greater harmony. We seek pleasure, and may find it in more broad, arching ways than usual. We complete our tasks before jumping into party time. Then -- then, we cut loose!
Mercury enters Capricorn, where it will remain until January '08. The Merc-Jupiter Conjunction on the 20th should provide us with insights on how to bring our thoughts and wishes into practical fruition. The Sun-Pluto Conjunction will show us that self-transformation is crucial, and harmonize our inner selves with our outer personas.
On the 23rd, the full Moon in Cancer begins winding up projects and activities begun during the new Moon of the 1st.
This full Moon coincides with Mars in Opposition to the Sun, Mercury and Jupiter from the 22nd through 26th. The strong Martial energy of this period can make some people feel a bit edgy and defensive, or, conversely, it could have the effect of getting the blood pumping and the feet moving!
A Mars-Jupiter Opposition on the 26th indicates that you should carefully consider all sides of a matter before committing yourself to action. You'll fare much better if you concentrate on the matters that are most important to you -- try not to sweat the small stuff!
The skies get busy again at the tail-end of the month. December 30 will bring a Sun-Saturn Trine, giving you a high level of concentration and the ability to work well and efficiently with others. A Mercury-Ouranos Sextile the same day will bring a sense of renewed excitement and enthusiasm to your daily activities. Whew! After all the hardcore astrological activities of late, it's about damn time you received a new influx of energized enthusiasm!
The 31st will bring a Sun-Mercury Conjunction and Saturn-Pluto Trine. Your inner and outer lives should flow during this time, in an almost Zen-like manner. Your powers of persuasion will be high. When you speak, others will listen (so you might want to make sure you're not saying anything you'd rather be forgotten!). Your confidence level will be high, and for good reason. The end of this month finds you internalizing and assimilating lessons you've been learning all year, in preparation for busting them out in the New Year.