Here’s what’s happening in the skies this week:

Saturn square Uranus. The final-ish square between Saturn (limits) and Uranus (liberation) occurs this week.  I’ve been calling this planetary combination “the story of 2021” and indeed it has been, thanks to the spread of Covid-19 around the world which has brought with it some peculiar re-alignments of ideas of control and freedom. Totalitarian influences which usually fall more on the side of control of society are now calling for liberation from Covid restrictions.  Liberal influences which typically rebel against restrictions are calling for severe mandates and lockdowns.

I’m calling this the “final-ish” square because the two will return to a tight alignment in the summer and fall of 2022, although they will not come to an exact aspect after this week.  Will that bring a solution to the world’s problems?  I doubt it, because it seems to me that these problems are caused not by the planetary alignments but by the general dysfunction of human life on planet Earth and especially here in the United States.  But the intense conflict over control and freedom is likely to subside, although that may not be true in the US where the Pluto return in 2022-2024 will continue bring up the poisons to the surface where they can be transformed and released (ideally!).

Retrograde Venus conjunct Pluto.  The alignment of Venus with Pluto is a potent combination which began in early December, and the second phase occurs this week on December 25th (just in time for those family gatherings!).  This alignment is not easy and could expose power conflicts, but it also has the potential to create deep transformation in our self-esteem as well as our interpersonal connections. Venus is in Capricorn where we tend to have a more practical and pragmatic approach to these matters, making it easier to do the work that Pluto requires in order to effect positive transformation.

And now, here’s the forecast for the week ahead. Dates and times are for Eastern time zone, please adjust for your locality.

Monday, December 20.  The Moon begins the week in emotional Cancer, bringing our attention from the weekend’s highly mental Gemini Full Moon into the realm of feelings and human connection.  On Monday there is a harmonious trine from Mercury, in Capricorn where we can be more practical and our thoughts are more orderly, to Uranus. Uranus is the planet of radical new ideas, so Monday is an excellent time to think your way out of a problem, or come up with innovative solutions.

Tuesday December 21.  December Solstice!  The Sun enters Capricorn at 10:59 am, marking the shortest day of the year (Northern hemisphere) as well as the beginning of the new astrological year when the light begins to return. The Solstice has long been celebrated as a portal of energies, and is an excellent time to let go of whatever no longer serves you so that you can move more easily into the next phase.

The Cancer Moon sets off the Venus/Pluto conjunction on the 21st, and everyone is a little more sensitive with the Moon in Cancer so this could be an emotionally reactive day.  Once the Moon moves into Leo at 4:53 pm the heightened sensitivity will begin to subside.

Wednesday December 22.  Wednesday morning, the Leo Moon harmonizes with Mars (in Sagittarius) and Chiron (in Aries) for a burst of fiery positivity; however, by afternoon (EST) the Moon will activate the square from Saturn to Uranus and things could get a little over heated.

No aspects Thursday December 23! It’s unusual for the Moon to make no aspects at all, but that is the situation we have on Thursday so take a break and prepare for Friday’s Saturn/Uranus peak alignment.

Friday December 24.  We often don’t really notice a big planetary event like the Saturn/Uranus square on the day of – it’s not like a Mars transit which activates suddenly and then moves away.  These bigger cycles take a while to build before culmination, but there could be an eruption of some sort. If you are in a family situation that is prone to conflict, this could flare up on Friday and Saturday.

The Moon will move into Virgo very early in the morning (3:30-ish am EST) which should settle things down.  Under the influence of Virgo we want our lives to be effective and run smoothly, and that will provide the motivation to take care of issues before they become problematic.  The Moon makes a nice trine to the Sun that day which is a positive influence, but the few hours around 7 pm when the Moon squares Mars is a trouble spot to watch for.

The Venus/Pluto conjunction will make its second exact alignment Saturday morning and those energies are building throughout Friday, but we also have a harmonious trine from Mars to Chiron that culminates early in the morning on Saturday which will help to facilitate the healing of triggers that are activated under these more challenging influences.

Saturday December 25.  The combination of Mars trine Chiron with Venus conjunct Pluto is an interesting one. If you have the stomach for it, the power conflicts that emerge under Venus/Pluto can be transmuted with Mars/Chiron and the Virgo Moon lends assistance with some harmonious aspects to Uranus (new possibilities) and Mercury (easy expression of emotions).

In addition, a soft sextile from Mercury to Neptune begins to build on Saturday which can help foster a creative solution to problems, as well as heightened compassion and soulful connection.

Sunday December 26. Any stress from the previous few days begins to dissolve under some lovely lunar aspects, as well as the Mercury/Neptune combination described above.  The Moon harmonizes in a trine to Venus and Pluto around 3-4 am EST, and then enters Libra at 11:23 am prompting us to seek balance and greater equilibrium.

I hope you have a wonderful week, full of planetary gifts and soulful connections with loved ones. ❤️

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