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SKYWATCH FOR DECEMBER As December begins, four planets are now in lighthearted Sagittarius with only two remaining in the intensity of Scorpio. Venus, the Sun and Jupiter have joined Pluto in Sagittarius, and Mars and Mercury are following closely behind, still in Scorpio but soon to move into Sag. By December 8, six planets will be in Sagittarius and the focus will have shifted from the transformation and secrecy of Scorpio to adventure and exploration under Sagittarius. Saturn is within a degree of a trine (harmonious aspect) to Pluto, the closest it will get to this aspect until August of 2007. When the Lord of Karma and Lord of Transformation dance together, it is an amazing thing to behold: Saturn builds form and Pluto seeks the destruction of the old order and emergence of the new. This is the first hint of the power of change that this dynamic can bring, although we won't see its full flowering until the cycle peaks in August. The Sun makes a square to Uranus at the beginning of the month which is exact on December 2, setting off fireworks and creating some excitement to mark the beginning of the month. Behavior may be more impulsive than usual during these few days, but the creative impulse is strong now. Watch for fresh ideas that seem to come out of nowhere. The Moon is Full in Gemini at 7:25 pm on December 4, with Uranus forming a tight aspect (T-square) to the Moon and Sun which are now opposite each other. During the Full Moon, the lunar unconscious principle faces off against the solar conscious principle. The Sun illuminates the Moon at this time, casting a bright line on the deep workings of the unconscious, empowering the Moon to reveal her inner secrets. Uranus is the planet of innovation and rebellion, and because the Moon is in Gemini, the sign of communication and the processing of experience, Uranus calls on us now to open up to new ways of thinking, new technologies that open doors to awareness.
Saturn turns retrograde on December 5, and the influence of the opposition between Saturn and Neptune wanes during Saturn's retrograde period. Shortly thereafter, Mars enters Sagittarius and with Mercury and Jupiter moves into position to form a sextile, a harmonious aspect, to Chiron that has the potential to open up new possibilities (Jupiter) for healing (Chiron). Mercury provides the ideas and Mars the energy to accomplish this. These planets are all working together until around the 13th when Mercury moves out of reach, but the conjunction of Jupiter and Mars will remain in effect until around December 17. Throughout the month though, Jupiter is in tight aspect to Chiron as it approaches the exact sextile on December 28. There is an openness (Jupiter) to healing old wounds (Chiron) - an ability to create new ideologies (Jupiter) that bring about new wisdom (Chiron). This could be a very positive aspect for the world's political problems as well as provide aid to our personal lives. On December 7, Venus conjuncts Pluto, and a few days before this event we will begin to experience an intensification (Pluto) in our relations with others (Venus). Passions run high now, but the trine of Venus to Saturn which echoes the trine to Pluto will help to keep the intensity at a level where it can be useful (Saturn). On the 9th, the Sun makes a harmonious aspect (sextile) to Neptune, a lovely day for spiritual (Neptune) contemplation and activities requiring creativity and imagination. Venus leaves Sagittarius for the responsible sign Capricorn on the 11th and the focus now turns to our responsibilities in relationship to others. Relationships serve a purpose under Capricorn, and this is a good time for business associations. Venus in Capricorn could also be good news for corporations and perhaps therefore the stock market. Mercury squares Uranus on the 15th, making it difficult for us to communicate clearly. Uranus has a disruptive quality and in seeking to open our minds to new ways of thinking it sometimes has the effect of creating anxiety, particularly for those of us with planets in the mutable signs (Pisces, Virgo, Sagittarius, Gemini). Over the next few days, on the 16th and the 18th, the Sun conjuncts Pluto and forms a trine to Saturn, making it easier for us to release the old bonds that have been holding us back as Pluto transforms the structures in our life so that they can better accommodate our new vision. This process is completed by the sextile of Mercury (thoughts) to Neptune (transcendence) on the 19th which aids in the integration of our experience (Mercury) and opens our creative channels (Neptune). Venus is sextile Uranus the same day, and we may find ourselves involved in surprising encounters (Uranus) with new people (Venus). All of this sets the stage for the New Moon on December 20 at 9:01 am EST. The energy for the lunations (New and Full Moons) typically begins about three days before as the luminaries (Sun and Moon) begin to move into place. The New Moon is a time of new beginnings: the energy of the Sun and Moon are working together during this time and the conscious and unconscious aspects are fused and operate as one. Projects or plans that begin during the New Moon tend to be more successful, since there is a greater integration of spirit that coincides with the event. This New Moon is in Sagittarius, the sign of adventure, experiences that expand us, bringing new possibilities and a new optimism. In Sagittarius we search for a truth that we can call our own, and break through barriers that have held us back. The Sun and Moon are both tightly conjunct Pluto for this event, adding an intensity and a transformative quality that can provide the fuel for us to propel into a new dimension of awareness and growth. Pluto urges us to let go of anything that no longer serves us, and to surrender to the loss of those things over which we have no control. Saturn's discipline and structure trines the New Moon/Pluto conjunction, facilitating our ability to create a plan for a new future and implement it with great success. The Sun enters Capricorn on the Winter Solstice, December 21 at 7:22 pm EST, with Mars in tight square formation to Uranus. This is the darkest time of the year, when the days are short and the nights long. In Capricorn we face our limitations and responsibilities, putting enjoyment aside for the time being. The seriousness of Capricorn is still tempered by Jupiter, Mars and Mercury in Sagittarius, which is a much more light-hearted influence. Still, preparation for the coldness of winter is underway once the Sun enters Capricorn and begins the process of settling in until spring. The aspect between Mars and Uranus creates a restlessness and sets the stage for arguments and conflict. Add more care to your travel at this time (from the 18th through the 24th) since this restless energy can lead to accidents and reckless driving, particularly for those of us with planets in the mutable signs of Gemini, Sagittarius, Pisces and Virgo. Mercury's conjunction to Pluto and trine to Saturn on the 24th will facilitate problem-solving as Pluto lends its ability to probe into the deepest mysteries and help open our thinking process (Mercury) to deeper aspects of which we were previously unaware. The addition of Saturn helps to stabilize things and adds a firm foundation from which to act. Mercury will leave Sagittarius for Capricorn on the 27th, The harmonious aspect between Jupiter and Chiron culminates on the 28th, linking Jupiter's optimism and buoyant attitude towards life with Chiron's pressure for releasing old wounds. This is a wonderful time for global healing, perfect for the end of one year and the beginning of a new one!
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Uranus
is called "The Awakener," it shakes up our old routines
and provides inspiration but it is hampered by a square of Mercury
to Saturn that same day. Saturn enforces limitations, and in the
difficult aspect to Mercury it seeks to restrain our thinking
and may keep us from realizing the full potential of the Uranus
influence. As with any such conflicting dynamic, the key is to
negotiate the two influences. Saturn loves form, and while Uranus
seeks to burn through tradition and establish new patterns Saturn
will resist this. During the Full Moon our ideas and plans can
come to fruition, and using Saturn to create a new form through
which the Uranian ideas can be expressed will help to integrate
the dynamics of these two great gods.