Frank Martin Don LLC - Professional Intuitive & Astrological Consultant

This December seems to be a month of incredible volatility with wild extremes of emotions and actions. There’s a lot going on this December --- some of it marvelous, some of it far less so, but none of it done in half measure. This month is a month when we may be rushing around, whether we embrace holiday shopping and holiday activities or not. We may feel as though we don’t have a moment to catch our breath. Not only can we easily get caught up in the frenzy of this holiday period but we might also experience unexpected situations arising that demand our attention or grab our interest.

December begins with three planets in a Fire Sign, two planets in an Earth Sign, two planets in Air Signs and three planets in Water Signs. We have two planets in Cardinal Signs, two planets in Fixed Signs and six planets in Mutable Signs. There are five planets in Positive Signs, five planets in Negative Signs.

The month begins with a Grand Trine in the Water Signs with Mars in Cancer, Mercury in Scorpio and Uranus in Pisces. Our emotions can be strong, our instincts perceptive, and our desire to make things happen unstoppable. This Grand Trine is brief however, for Mercury exits Scorpio on the 1st and enters Sagittarius where it reinforces the Stellium of three or more planets in the Mutable Fire Sign as Mercury joins the Sun, Jupiter and Pluto in Sagittarius.

This emphasis on the exuberant, optimistic and expansive energies of Sagittarius is reinforced both by the Sagittarius New Moon on the 9th with five planets then in Sagittarius and also by Jupiter finishing its transit of its own Sign and in doing so coming to a conjunction with Pluto on the 11th. Let me repeat that during this month and especially the mid part of this month, nothing is likely to be done in half measure. On the contrary, we may experience situations and conditions that are ‘over the top’, incredible generosity, ebullience and excess.

At the beginning of the month, the Sagittarian Stellium is also part of a T-Square in the Mutable Signs, as the Sun, Jupiter, Pluto, joined by Mercury in Sagittarius square Uranus in Pisces and square both the Moon and Saturn in Virgo. This T-Square can have us operating from a fairly high level of nervous energy. Our tendency to go overboard cannot be exaggerated and we shall have to question whether our extravagance is based upon sincere motives or whether we’re getting caught up in the holiday spirit and masking feelings of anxiety, concern and fearfulness. If the latter, we might be operating on that old dictum: ‘when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping’.

The potential for real whipsaws cannot also be underestimated. With the Saturn Uranus opposition in effect at the beginning of the month and a more impactful energy during 2008, we need to be aware of the battle between old and new. We may want to break free from our responsibilities but any changes we initiate have to be well considered, well thought through and embraced only after playing devil’s advocate to see where our liabilities and potential pitfalls might lie. This configuration can have us jumping between the established ways of the past and more daring undertakings of testing new waters. Since this energy can also have an impact on our physical well-being, we do have to be careful of not getting burnt out during this December period and not placing ourselves in environments or around people where germs may be flying. There could be a propensity towards intestinal problems, some due to the high level of nervous energy, some to the variability in temperature and climate conditions and some due to the whipsaw of energy between a manic, frenzied pace and a depressed, lethargic state.

Not that we should assume that this December is overly intense! There’s a lot going on, some of which is planned for, some of which comes out of the blue.

The potential for extremes seems to touch every aspect of our lives --- from our finances and the equity markets, to weather conditions and intense variability, to our activities of much going on and other times of wanting to pull the covers up over our head, to our emotional state of soaring with the eagles and plummeting to fathomless depths. With such extreme energies and the possibility of things turning on a dime or at a moment’s notice, it is important that we take everything with a grain of salt.

When discussing the weather in New England, Mark Twain is attributed to have said that if you don’t like the weather, wait a few minutes, for it will change. The same thing could be said of these times and this December.

While we may have a sense of euphoria operating, there could be an undercurrent of distress that we either try to repress or deny. Such a disposition could place us in harm’s way in terms of our expenditures both in time and money. Slowing down the pace would be suggested but may be largely ignored.

Relationships and social interactions can be quite pleasant in the early part of the month. Venus is finishing its transit of its own Sign of Libra, the Sign of partnership and before it exits, Venus sextiles Jupiter on the 2nd and sextiles Pluto on the 3rd. On the 5th, Venus leaves Libra and enters Scorpio, a Sign of its Detriment where Venus is not too comfortable. But with Venus entering Scorpio and Mercury having exited Scorpio to enter Sagittarius on the 1st, we also have the Water Grand Trine recreated with Venus in Scorpio, Mars in Cancer and Uranus in Pisces. Venus exactly trines Mars on the 11th and exactly trines Uranus on the 18th. While many of our social engagements during this holiday month may be with family and friends, we could also experience some interesting encounters that lead to infatuations or heart-palpitating brief exchanges. The mid-part of the month can provide some especially enjoyable holiday gatherings, especially around the 11th, although this time also allows for a sense of indulgence.

With Mercury in Sagittarius, Mercury squares Saturn on the 6th. We need to watch for delays and feeling a little down, possibly even withdrawn. We could have a tendency to see the half glass of water as half empty and draining with a liability of our seeing the dark side of life and focusing on the negativity.

On the 7th, the Sagittarius Sun squares Uranus. We may want to make changes, stretch our wings but we have to be careful that we’re not acting impulsively, even rashly, as we jump at anything that grabs our interest. A sense of exuberance and wanting things a certain way could lead us down the garden path. We may be stretching our wings, exploring new terrain but it would be far wiser to take a sampler rather than committing to a main course.

The 8th has Mars sextile Saturn. If we haven’t prepared our homes for the holidays, this weekend would be a good time to do so. We might take the time to attend to the obligatory holiday ceremonies with social gatherings, decorations and sending out greeting cards or calling old friends. Much can be readied which probably would be wise as the energy is likely to ratchet up over the following few days.

Sunday the 9th gives us the Sagittarius New Moon with five, count ‘em, five planets in Sagittarius. This New Moon sextiles Neptune, squares Uranus and by Sign reinforces the Mutable Sign T-Square with which we started the month and have been doing the dance throughout the first part of this month. For we also have Saturn in Virgo. Now, this T-Square is ratcheted up. And the ratcheting up is added to by the Jupiter Pluto conjunction, exact on the 11th, and the last hurrah of Jupiter’s year-long transit of its own Sign of Sagittarius before it exits on the 18th to transit Capricorn for the next year.

This fortnight under the influence of this Sagittarius New Moon can have us singing ‘hail, hail, the gang’s all here’ and ‘over there, over there’. We’re looking for a blow-out time and are likely to spare no expense. It’s as if we were aware of the way things seem to be heading and want to avoid the inevitable by focusing on good times with good friends. Fantasyland?, anyone and everyone. Yes, we could easily escape into a surreal world of illusion and making light of situations. But this New Moon also has the influence of Mercury square Uranus. Unexpected situations could arise. We might experience computer problems and miscommunications. We may even find ourselves having difficulty with travel. This two week period could be a wild one.

The 10th has the Mercury Uranus square exact. This energy is my least favorite for air travel and with all travel we have to watch for delays or difficulties along the way.

If we are partying on the 11th, the wine may be flowing and romance may be in the air. Jupiter conjuncts Pluto today and whatever goes on today could be very bacchanalian. The 11th not only has Jupiter conjunct Pluto. We also have the Sun sextile Neptune and Venus trine Mars. If a little of a good thing is good, then a huge amount of a good thing even to excess must be great. In the moment it could be, but with this feel good energy and everything done to the max we would have to keep in mind the possible ramifications and consequences of our actions. Otherwise, we could awaken the next day or two, or further down the road, with a nasty hangover and the need to retrace our steps.

The 12th has Venus square Saturn. If we have been too much for someone, we are likely to hear about it. We may get a wake-up call, get our feet on the ground or crash to the ground after a time of flying high. Suddenly, hard cold reality might step in and make us aware of having overstepped the bounds of logic and reason and instead going on a whim, a hope and a prayer. The bloom may come off the rose but certainly the rose is not going to wither and die. Not with our attention of having a good time and celebrating the holidays royally.

The 13th reinforces our thoughts on prospects and possibilities. With Mercury sextile Neptune, our mind may be filled with all the good things we can look forward to. Our desire for expanding our interests might be enhanced by friends who have our best interests at heart but may in fact be more cheerleaders than practical technicians. We can go off again on our merry way of believing all things to be possible.

There is a great deal of change operating in the third week of December. We end the Autumn Season and come into Winter on the 22nd, as the Sun exits Sagittarius and enters Capricorn. On the 18th, Jupiter exits Sagitarius and enters Capricorn. On the 19th, Saturn turns retrograde. And on the 20th, Mercury leaves Sagittarius and enters Capricorn. With the movement of Jupiter, Mercury and the Sun into Capricorn, we end the Stellium of three or more planets in one Sign in Sagittarius and move into a Stellium in Capricorn, the Sign ruled by Saturn.

This third week of December is an active one with many variations and variables operating.

On the 17th, Mercury conjuncts the Sun. On the cusp of Capricorn, we are likely to want to translate our good feelings into practical application. We may no longer be content with feeling confident, expansive and optimistic. We want to put our enthusiasm into action.

On the 18th, Venus trines Uranus and Jupiter leaves its own Sign of Sagittarius to enter Saturn-ruled Capricorn for a year transit. Social interactions can be enlivening with unexpected contacts and exciting twists and turns. With Jupiter entering Capricorn, we might feel as though some of our exuberance has been diminished. We may feel more ambitious, wanting to get on with things and focused on our worldly aspirations.

On the 19th, Mercury conjuncts Pluto. We may be speaking the truth, emphasizing our world view and somewhat self-righteous. Our mind can be laser-sharp, penetrating and our conversations philosophical and long-winded. Saturn turns retrograde on this day, and we enter into the Winter hibernation of the Saturn retrograde. Things may take longer than we like. In any projects, we have to be certain that we’re building upon rock and not upon sand. Let’s not forget the details but rather take into account the specifics and not merely the big picture. We do have to watch for colds, flu and intestinal issues.

The 20th has Mercury leaving Sagittarius and entering Capricorn where it conjuncts Jupiter. Our thoughts turn to our ambitions, how we are seen and how we can best use holiday gatherings to further our personal interests. The Sun conjuncts Pluto. We may feel like we’re going through a vast transformation and in deed we are. Whether subtly or dramatically, we are going through a shapeshifting. We are becoming more focused on mundane concerns and how we can cut ourselves a piece of the pie. Things have to work for us, otherwise we might not get involved. We may seem jaded compared to the more buoyant period we’re coming off from. We are far more interested in bettering our positions and our standing in the world. We are feeling the increasing influence of Capricorn and the lessening impact of Sagittarius.

The lessening impact of Sagittarius is especially felt on the 22nd as the Sun leaves Sagittarius, enters Capricorn at the time of the Winter Solstice, beginning the season of Winter and ushering in a Stellium of three or more planets in Capricorn. At the time of the Winter Solstice, Venus squares Neptune and Mercury opposes Mars. We might find that friendships are called into question with the determining factor no longer being how much we enjoy the company of the other person but rather what they can do for us. What we feel we need to do to get ahead could be in conflict with our personal interests and our family matters. We may feel betwixt and between the old and the new. Our sense of shapeshifting can seem very real as we take a more serious attitude towards life and how we’re doing our living.

The Cancer Full Moon on the 23rd highlights the Sagittarius – Capricorn conundrum, as the Full Moon occurs in the very early stages of the Sun’s transit through Capricorn. The Sun conjuncts Jupiter. We may seek to put on a grand show, exhibiting our generosity and our largesse in a somewhat crass, yet calculated manner. As we come toward Christmas, people may be like peacocks, using social occasions to one better their Easter finery in the cold of December.

The Sun opposes Mars on the 24th. We might be in overdrive seeking to finalize last minute holiday details. Let’s be certain to take time and not rush.

The 25th is Christmas day and today Mercury trines Saturn. Reunions with family and friends can be pleasant, politically correct as we deal with our social gatherings with grace and decorum. Today would also be a good day to blueprint our plans for where we want to go and what we want to do in the days head. Our mind is sharp, drawing upon the analytical and logic. Conversations could be important sounding boards to fine tune our plans and gather needed information.

The 26th has Mars opposed Jupiter. We could be gung-ho to get on with things but we do need to be careful that we don’t overdo. Today is a day not to allow our passions fire into full flame. Rather, today is a day to attend to family matters while taking into account our personal goals. Let’s not rush the river or get caught up in the renewed frenzy occurring out in the world.

The 29th has Mercury sextile Uranus. We could have unexpected conversations which prove scintillating and insightful. Our mind is considering options and alternatives and we’re likely to seek how we can best streamline our operations.

The Sun trines Saturn on the 30th. This last week of December is a good time to line our ducks up in a row, prepare for the year ahead and complete outstanding matters that we don’t want to bring into the new year. With the ability to think outside the box, a renewed energy and a commitment to better our lives, we can address the past and ready ourselves for our future. Venus exits Scorpio on the 30th and enters Sagittarius. Increasingly, we are likely to seek out those people who have worldly experience and an upbeat attitude.

The 31st is New Year’s Eve, the last day of 2007 which in numerology is the universal year of a 9, the completion of a cycle. We’re on the threshold of a dawning of a new day and a new cycle with 2008 being the universal year of a 1, new beginnings. Retrograding Mars exits Cancer and goes back into Gemini on the 31st, all within the realm of an opposition with Pluto. 2007 may go out with a whimper or with a bang, but for many of us, we’ll just be happy that it goes out.

Happy New Year!

December… going to the max, no half measures here…

I shall be in Los Angeles and available for In-Person Sessions from Friday evening December 7th through Sunday, December 9th. If you or someone you know would like to see me for a session while I am in Los Angeles, please contact me to schedule an appointment.

On Saturday evening, December 8th, I shall be giving a talk sponsored by the Center for Conscious Creativity on ASTROLOGICAL ENERGIES: 2008 A Year of New Beginnings.

A brief synopsis of my talk is given here:
"Through the centuries humanity has looked to the stars for guidance, understanding and a foretelling of events. But does astrology have relevance in the twenty-first century? Or is astrology merely an archaic carryover of humanity's 'superstitious' past? In this evening's program, I shall discuss the relevance, even importance, of astrology as a tool by which we can become more aware of ourselves, the different cycles in our lives and the cycles operating on the larger scale of humanity and the collective consciousness.
The times they are a'changing. As we go through a paradigm shift between the old ways and the new patterns, it is essential that we have a roadmap to make us aware of the conditions lying ahead. I shall explain the paradigm shift and explore the new formats in contrast to the old parameters. I'll also offer my insights on the year ahead as seen from an astrological perspective.
The year 2008 provides a major threshold and a crossing from life as we have known it into a new paradigm. Various cycles are being completed, new cycles begun during this coming year. In this program, I shall discuss the dramatic energy shifts occurring during 2008."

My program begins at 8:30 PM and runs until 11:00 PM and will take place at the Theosophical Society - Annie Besant Lodge, 2560 N. Beachwood Drive in Los Angeles. The fee is $20.00. For registration and tickets, please contact the Center for Conscious Creativity through their website: www.consciouscreativity.com

This week starts off in some very pleasant ways. Social engagements may be entertaining and we’re considerate of other people. Our relationships can be fun and enlivening and we’re looking to embrace the holiday spirit. We start the week with partnership-oriented Libra with the Moon transiting Libra and Venus in its own Sign of Libra sextiling Pluto.

As we come to mid-week, concerns might arise. The Moon moves into Scorpio and we have Mercury square Saturn. We may question whether we’re staying within our budget or have gone overboard splurging. It would be a good time to budget our expenses for the holidays and see where we can pare down and where less would be more. While we might feel some limitations imposed on our free-wheeling and free-spending inclinations, we can also be more effective with less expenditure of energy. We can streamline our operations and also scout out some pretty good bargains.

At the end of the week, the Sun squares Uranus. We’re not interested in restraints but rather want to stretch our wings and explore new opportunities and sample new interests. We may be doing our own thing and looking at how we can make significant changes to the humdrum of our lives.

On the weekend, Mars sextiles Saturn. We may be putting the finishing touches on our holiday decorations, planning our holiday schedule and considering what outstanding matters we can put to rest before we get so involved in the holiday spirit.

The weekend ends with the Sagittarius New Moon and five planets in Sagittarius. Whatever our concerns over the past couple of days regarding our budget, expenses and expenditures, we may cast our concerns aside and focus instead on the enthusiasm, optimism and expansiveness of this time of year. We may go for it, even to the point of going overboard with a confidence that everything will work out in the end.

The week is a roller coaster, but a ride we should be familiar with by now. We’re in the twenty-first century and going back and forth between old patterns and a brand new world.

Monday, December 3rd – A Fine Romance – Venus, Pluto, Mercury, Mars. Monday starts the week with an emphasis upon relationship matters. Venus in its own Sign of Libra sextiles Pluto. And the Moon is in Libra where it sextiles Mercury and squares Mars. Today is a good day to get together with that special someone, have a heart to heart talk about how meaningful they are in our lives. This is a day when we can engage in a fine romance, taking an interlude in our fast-paced lives to spend some truly quality time with someone we cherish and deeply care about. We might have to put aside some of our errands or items on our ‘to do’ list. No matter, for this is a day to savor and enjoy the people in our lives.

Tuesday, December 4th – Feeling Groovy – Sun, Neptune. Tuesday continues the ‘feel good’ energy of yesterday. Today, the Libra Moon sextiles the Sun and trines Neptune. Social interactions are highlighted. Plans can be made for fun get-togethers. We may not be too focused on our daily commitments, but that’s not where our thoughts are or where the energy is. Today is a good day to keep the good times rolling. This is the last day of the Venus transit through its own Sign of Libra. Making contact with others, touching base with friends are good ways of using this energy. We are far more considerate of people now than we are likely to be for much of the rest of the month. If we’re holiday shopping, our purchases recently are more geared to the person’s tastes than our purchases may be in the days ahead when we may feel more the obligation of gift giving and looking at what we can get on sale. But this Tuesday is a good time to celebrate our friendships and consider plans for the future.

Wednesday, December 5th –The Bloom off the Rose – Jupiter, Pluto, Venus, Venus Scorpio. Wednesday starts off with the continued sense of good cheer toward other people. The Libra Moon is finishing its transit of Libra and in so doing sextiles both Jupiter and Pluto in Sagittarius. In the early morning hours, we are likely to continue our round of phone calls, e-mails and conversations with people both near and far. We’re feeling upbeat, impassioned and interested in the lives of others. The energy quickly shifts as the day progresses. Venus exits its own Sign of Libra to enter Scorpio, a Sign of its Detriment, where Venus is not too comfortable. The Moon also exits Libra and enters Scorpio where it conjuncts Venus. The ugly face of jealousy could raise its head. One moment we might be having a wonderful conversation with a good friend. The next moment we might find that our conversations are less revealing, less ebullient with an undercurrent of doubt and suspicion. We could decide to hold our cards close to our chest, offering only the requisite information and no more. Even our moods can change. We might feel that we’ve offered too much, given away too much and now are looking at giving less rather than more.

Thursday, December 6th – Back to the Reality – Mercury, Saturn, Mars, Uranus. Thursday has Mercury square Saturn. While we might want to broaden our scope, we might question whether we have the resources to do so. We have to be careful not to gloss over details or ignore the specifics. If we don’t get carried away by our enthusiasm, then we could learn to cope with what we have rather than overextending. Headlines could put a damper on our good feelings, raising the question of credit crunches and holiday spending. The Scorpio Moon does sextile Saturn and triggers the Water Grand Trine by the Moon trining Mars in Cancer and trining Uranus in Pisces. We can be incredibly resourceful today. We could find bargains, stretch our dollar, and be far more effective with less expenditure of energy. But we do need to keep focused and not get distracted by the way we want to see things. Today is a day for us to see things clearly and in their naked truth. We may not like everything that we see, but once we are clear and aware of the parameters, then we could move forward judiciously and effectively.

Friday, December 7th – Under One’s Skin – Sun, Uranus, Neptune. Friday could have us champing at the bit. We want to break free of restraints or restrictions. We want to do what we want without anyone clipping our wings. We could be itching to get on with things, to make changes and possibly solely for the sake of change. The Scorpio Moon squares Neptune. What we have to watch for is buying into illusions that seem to remedy our sense of frustration. The new and unique might entice us but they could also lay a trap of needless expenditure and heavy expense. It is important that we find some sort of escape valve to let off some steam. Doing something different, even if the different thing is a mere trifle, would seem a good way to seek release. Otherwise, we would have to watch for indulgences and drinking too much to escape from our daily existence. We want change but let’s keep the expense to a minimum without creating collateral damage or delusional costs.

Saturday, December 8th – Taking Care of Business – Mars, Saturn. Saturday has Mars sextile Saturn. Today is a good day to get our house in order whether preparing our home for the holidays with decorations or attending to outstanding matters that we want to bring to closure before the end of the year. Saturday may be a day of errands whereby we’re going around and checking off things on our ‘to do’ list. This sort of activity may not be what we want to do, especially with the Moon in Sagittarius. We may want to be out and about, having a good time, exploring the world, and shopping for the holidays. The Moon does square Saturn. We may rebel against the errands that we’ve scheduled and want to get out of Dodge. If we bite the bullet and take care of the business at hand, we can effectively and productively handle our tasks and clear the decks for good times later on.

Sunday, December 9th – Anywhere but Here – Sagittarius New Moon, Mercury, Uranus, Sun, Neptune. Sunday gives us the Sagittarius New Moon with five planets in Sagittarius. With its influence for the next two week period, we may find that we’ve gotten wind in our sails, looking to expand and seeking to broaden our reach. Travel plans may be discussed even initiated. The Moon conjuncts the Sun and Mercury, squares Uranus and sextiles Neptune. While we may be gung-ho to embrace new adventures and set into motion our goals for the future, we also have to maintain a sharp eye for unexpected situations that are likely to arise. Today is a day when we may be feeling especially upbeat, generous to a fault, and willing to bet our chips on better days ahead. Good feelings, nice concepts but we also have to be careful that we’re not aware of all the conditions or circumstances that could impact our plans. Let’s remember the old saying that the pathway to hell is paved with good intentions. Not that we’re looking to go to hell, but we are looking at expanding our activities, getting more involved with lots of things and may have the best of intentions. Unfortunately, we might also find that our eyes are bigger than our stomach and our intentions are not matched by our resources. We also have to be aware of unexpected situations that could crop up to impinge upon our plans. Or as Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote: the best laid plans of mice and men are likely to come to naught. Let’s be exuberant, enthusiastic and excited but let’s also keep a grip on reality and be vigilant regarding unexpected situations that might come up.

This week is under the influence of this past Sunday’s Sagittarius New Moon with five planets in Sagittarius. We may be on fire, feeling our oats and even looking to sow some of them.

This week is also the last full week of Jupiter’s transit through its own Sign of Sagittarius and the last full week of Saturn direct. Next week Jupiter moves into Capricorn and Saturn turns retrograde. The more we can accomplish this week, the better it would be. Next week, we might have a splash of cold, hard reality. Things could take longer and we might not have the enthusiasm we feel this week. We are likely to feel exuberant this week and looking to add sparkle to our lives through the holiday activities.

This week begins with Mercury square Uranus, my least favorite energy configuration for travel. There can be traffic problems, air travel issues and also verbal misunderstandings and computer difficulties. No matter what we have planned for this week, we should keep aware that things may not go according to schedule.

Apart from Monday’s Mercury Uranus square, most of the week is very pleasant. There are some nice energies for get-togethers and social interactions. Whether we are meeting people for lunch, holiday parties or merely connecting with them by phone, through the mail or by e-mail, our focus is likely to be geared to the spirit of these holidays. We’re filled with good cheer but it’s important that we avoid overfill.

Monday, December 10th – Missteps – Mercury, Uranus, Jupiter, Pluto. Monday starts the week with the Sagittarius Moon conjunct Jupiter and conjunct Pluto. We’re in the starting blocks, ready to go. We’re feeling impassioned and looking to go for the gold… silver and bronze. Yes, we may want it all. And this energy configuration is reflective of and a prelude to tomorrow’s Jupiter Pluto conjunction. We’re in an expansive mode and not looking at doing anything by half measure. While we’re pumped up and willing to stretch our parameters ever wider today, we also have Mercury square Uranus. We could have some remarkable insights, but we would have to be careful that our ‘ah-ha’ moments aren’t truly dives deep into delusion. Being thrust forward like being shot out of a cannon, we need to be sure to check our direction, our itinerary and be open to possible problems. Communications can be off, travel problems can arise, and we could experience computer glitches. The more we can slow things down, the less likely we are to be caught in the thrashing about that could lead only to miscalculations, and missteps. As the day progresses the Moon moves into Capricorn and that could help us provide grounding and structuring the appropriate format. We may have our head in the clouds but we can also touch ground later in the day. Monday is a day to exercise some restraint and not take things at face value or assume we’ve heard things correctly. Today and tomorrow, it is essential that we not get carried away by good feelings or by our hopes and wishes.

Tuesday, December 11th – Doesn’t Get Better Than This – Jupiter, Pluto, Venus, Mars, Sun, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus. Tuesday is one of those special days. It’s gargantuan, humongous, mammoth and all those other superlatives of overly large. Today we have Jupiter conjunct Pluto. Everything is raised exponentially. If it’s good, it’s very, very good. If it’s bad, it’s very, very bad. No half measures today. We do have to watch for excess and indulgence. People could easily overreach today. But we’re likely to feel expansive, enthusiastic and exuberant. Not only do we have the Jupiter Pluto conjunction egging us on. Venus trines Mars, part of the Grand Trine in Water we’ve been experiencing over the past few weeks with Venus now in Scorpio exactly trining Mars in Cancer today and next week on the 18th, Venus trines Uranus. Our interactions with others can be especially pleasant. The sense of nurture and comfort can be strongly felt today. We also have the Sun sextile Neptune. Friendships matter, and we may find ourselves seeking to contact people near and far. We’re feeling good about life, looking to give a little tenderness and are far more interested in what’s going on with other people rather than just singularly focused on ourselves. All this ‘feel good’ quality is enhanced by the Capricorn Moon sextile Venus, opposed Mars, trine Saturn and sextile Uranus. Today is a day when we could literally move mountains if we use some forethought and strategic planning as well as our confidence and optimism. This Tuesday is one of those days when we might say to ourselves: it doesn’t get better than this.

Wednesday, December 12th – Fixing Up – Venus, Saturn. This Wednesday has Venus sextile Saturn. We can polish our image, even to the point of a personal makeover. We have the ability to both stretch a dollar and also find the most effect and streamlined methods to deal with our routine responsibilities. Planning is everything and while we’re still feeling the exuberance of recent days, this Wednesday also gives us more of a focused, systematic approach to our activities. We are more likely to dot the i’s and cross the t’s today. If we are involved with holiday preparations, today is a great day to deal with the details, look at the specifics of our plans, and begin to address the pieces that make up the total picture. Much can be accomplished today. We just need to take the first step and allow things to unfold in a methodical and reasonable manner. If there have been relationship issues we’ve skirted, this Wednesday gives us the energy to deal with them in a clear, precise manner and to provide a diplomatic resolution to any outstanding conflicts.

Thursday, December 13th – Limitless Possibilities – Mercury, Neptune, Venus. Thursday has Mercury sextile Neptune. Our mind is optimistic and we’re looking at all sorts of possibilities regarding social get-togethers with friends and regarding our prospects for the future. This day is one when we could get lost in our reveries. Our communications can be pleasant and uplifting. Where a problem could arise is with any parade rainers or naysayers. The Aquarius Moon squares Venus and we could become resentful if we have anyone trying to pop our balloon. Now is a time for us to float free and consider what could be without limitations. We’re not interested in restrictions or the reality of the situation. We could easily spend more than we should based upon what we want rather than keeping strictly to our budget or reasonable expense. If we can keep ourselves from going to extremes, this day can be quite pleasant. This Thursday is a day to dream but not to commit. Today is far better to write in pencil with a big eraser rather than carve our intentions in stone.

Friday, December 14th – T.G.I.F. – Neptune, Mercury, Sun. This week is one to enjoy the holiday spirit with fun times and social gatherings. This Friday has the Aquarius Moon conjunct Mercury and the Moon sextile both Mercury and the Sun in Sagittarius. If we have taken care of our responsibilities earlier this week, then the mid to latter part of the week can be more of a coast. Even if we have things we need to do, we’re likely to put them on hold in order to socialize and focus on having a good time. Yes, it’s holiday time and we’re looking at bringing to a close a year that for many of us cannot end too soon. Friday night can have us partying, gathering with friends or reflecting on past good times. Although we might normally say thank goodness it’s Friday based upon our work week, this Friday the T.G.I.F. may just mean that we have another day to enjoy the holiday cheer and spread it around with our interactions and holiday party gathering. We may feel of the sense of our daily routine looming over our shoulder.

Saturday, December 15th – Keeping the Home Fires Burning – Pluto, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn. In the early morning hours of Saturday, the Aquarius Moon sextiles both Pluto and Jupiter. We may awaken with a burst of energy but that burst may fizzle out fairly quickly. We might have great plans to get away on a day trip, get together with friends on a shopping spree or enjoy a day of recreational activities. Whatever our plans, we may find that we’re sticking closer to home and dealing with errands and fixing up our homes. After that initial burst of energy, thanks to the Aquarius Moon sextile Jupiter and Pluto; the Moon moves into Pisces where it trines Mars and opposes Saturn. Decorating our homes, shopping for family food gatherings and doing home projects may demand our attention. We might find that our ‘to do’ list is long, as we deal with both maintenance responsibilities and the added details necessary for holiday preparations. Today is a good day to have family and friends over, share a meal or just an eggnog. We do have to watch for mood swings and indulgences. Too much alcohol and sweets could contribute to emotional whipsaws.

Sunday, December 16th – Surprising Turns of Events – Venus, Uranus. Sunday is a day when unexpected situations could crop up. Today is a day when we can enjoy the company of those special people in our lives and do something out of the ordinary. We might even find ourselves on a scavenger hunt, hunting out bargains at shopping malls, consignment stores or boutique shops. We are looking to add a little spice to our life. Holiday celebrations we don’t normally take part in can be something that we choose to do today. The Pisces Moon trines Venus and conjuncts Uranus. Today can be an emotionally warming day. We may take in the spiritual events that revolve around this time of year --- pageants, chorales and other outpourings of religious and spiritual groups. And who knows? Santa could come early and on this day we might be the recipient of a wonderful gift.

There is one word that most aptly describes this week: YOWZERS! Yes, this week can keep us hopping with an underlining of intense. There is so much going on this week with the stars that it might be hard to keep up with all of it.

The Sagittarius Stellium [a Stellium being three or more planets in one Sign], which was ratcheted up with the Sagittarius New Moon back on the 9th when we had five planets in Sagittarius, ends as three planets this week leave Sagittarius and enter Capricorn to create a Stellium in Capricorn. Jupiter ends its year transit of its own Sign of Sagittarius and enters Capricorn on the 18th. Mercury enters Capricorn on the 20th and the Sun follows suit on the 22nd bringing in the winter season. Can we say from the sublime to the ridiculous? Probably not. It might be more appropriate to say that we’re going from exuberance, even to the point of irrational exuberance, into hard, cold reality. We might feel as though a dash of cold water has been thrown in our face, providing a wake-up call to move from what we want to what we can make happen for ourselves.

This week also has Capricorn-ruling Saturn turning retrograde slowing things down, creating delays and beginning a winter hibernation when it might be far better to go back over things rather than fully initiating new things.

Add to the mix a couple of Pluto conjunctions this week and we certainly are spicing up the week with a high degree of intensity.

Yowzers!

There are various planetary interactions that can have us caroming from one thing to another all leading up to the Cancer Full Moon at the end of the weekend. Various conjunctions with the Sun and Mercury as trigger points can only increase the volatility that we’ve been experiencing. But this week we might ratchet it up severalfold as Mercury then the Sun each hit off Pluto and Jupiter. We also have Venus trine Uranus, Venus square Neptune and Mercury opposed Mars to complement the week. Of course, such a diverse array of planetary influences may not be so much a compliment as nerve-wracking.

As Bette Davis said in the classic movie All About Eve: “Fasten your seat belts, it’s going to be a bumpy night.” The quote has been altered in recent times substituting ride for night, but we can go one better and suggest that we substitute week for both ride and night.

Yes, in deed, we may find this week to be high on the list of extremes and fitting the exclamation of: Yowzers!

Monday, December 17th – Covering the Bases – Mercury, Sun, Pluto, Jupiter, Mars. Monday begins the week with Mercury conjunct the Sun in the late degrees of Sagittarius. Our thoughts may revolve around merry-making, but with so much going on we could feel intoxicated by all that we have to do. The early part of the day has the Pisces Moon squaring the Sagittarius Stellium as the Moon squares Mercury, the Sun, Pluto and Jupiter. We may feel that we haven’t covered all the bases. We could be somewhat anxious regarding all the plans we’ve made and all the things we need to accomplish to bring our plans to fruition. The early part of the day could have us running around like Alice’s Mad Hatter feeling that “we’re late, we’re late for a very important date”. Extraneous circumstances, well beyond our control, might have thrown a monkeywrench in the spokes of our wheels, and this Monday could find us playing catch-up as we try to deal with those things that we’ve had to put on hold, yet maintain a brisk pace of things we’ve scheduled for today. As the day progresses, the Moon exits Pisces and enters Aries where the Moon squares Mars. The Moon and Mars are now in Mutual Reception with the Moon being in the Sign ruled by Mars and Mars in the Sign ruled by the Moon. We may find that we have to put ourselves out there even though we might be more interested in being at home, by a warm fire with a snuggly blanket pulled up to our chin.

Tuesday, December 18th – The Magic of it All – Venus, Uranus, Neptune, Jupiter Capricorn. Tuesday can be an especially pleasant day. Venus trines Uranus and the Aries Moon sextiles Neptune. Interesting contacts can be made today. The sense of synchronicity, things coming out from the blue, could be strong today. This Tuesday is one of those days when things just seem to happen without our having to make them happen. It gives us the perspective of magic and miracles whereby the universe works and we just happen to be in the right place at the right time. This day can be a fun day to get together with friends, consider prospects and to realize that nothing is impossible unless we believe it to be. Today also has Jupiter leaving its own Sign of Sagittarius and entering Capricorn for its year-long transit. The sense of winter encroaching may be evident, and we could find ourselves wanting to focus our passion and our enthusiasm into something practical and put our spirit into action. We can consider all possibilities, yet also take into account the true reality of anything under consideration.

Wednesday, December 19th – Forward, Back, Stop – Mercury, Pluto, Sun, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn retrograde. The most important characteristic of this Wednesday is the movement of Saturn going from direct into retrograde motion. Suddenly, we might feel as though some things have come to a screeching halt or are taking way longer than we had ever surmised or experienced. There can be a real slowing down now. With Saturn retrograde through the winter period, we could find that things are far better in restructuring and reworking projects already initiated than beginning new projects. Although the universal forces are suggesting a slow down, we may still feel gung-ho to put our imprint on things and start things up. For this Wednesday has the Aries Moon trine the remaining planets in the Sagittarius Stellium of the Sun, Pluto and Mercury. As opposed to Monday when we might have felt we were juggling as many balls as were being thrown to us, today we might feel more on top of things and want to add more to the mix. After all, it’s the holiday season with the underlying theme of: the more, the merrier. And the fact is that we can juggle quickly and effectively, especially as the Moon moves into Taurus where it trines Jupiter just recently in Capricorn and sextiles Mars. We can indeed find the right format and provide the right presentation for what we intend to accomplish. Wednesday also has Mercury conjunct Pluto. Our thoughts and our concentration can be laser-like with the ability to get to the core of any situation. We do have to watch that our tongue isn’t sharp and that we aren’t a little self-righteous assuming that what we want and what we believe come from divine interception. Today is a good day to plan, blueprint and strategize. It would be wise to go slow and be certain that we’re putting one foot in front of the other and not getting insistent as to what we want and how we want it. Otherwise, we could be like a metronome going from one thing to another, feeling blocked and then switching gears, yet never really moving forward but rather just in the process of busyness.

Thursday, December 20th – Shapeshifting – Mercury, Jupiter, Sun, Pluto, Saturn, Uranus, Venus, Mercury Capricorn. This Thursday we lose the Sagittarius Stellium as Mercury leaves Sagittarius to enter Capricorn. As it does so, Mercury conjuncts Jupiter. We may feel ambitious and look to any social gatherings as a way to improve our standing in our community. People may be putting on the ritz, out in their wardrobe best and looking at all opportunities to advance themselves. The Sun conjuncts Pluto today. While we might feel driven, we are also looking at what really speaks to us, what is fundamentally important to our lives and to our living. We’re not interested in the superfluous or the ornamental. We want to get to the core and part of that process is our own transformation. This year has been a year of incredible swings and challenges and now we can take a moment to see what it has meant in the stripping away of the unimportant. Yes, like a stalk of wheat, we too have had the chaff stripped from us. Amidst our challenges this past year, we have been able to let go of elements that no longer work for us. We may have felt that there’s been too much stripping away, but it’s really allowed us to come back to our essence. Thursday has the Taurus Moon trine Saturn, sextile Uranus and opposed Venus. If we will make a ‘to do’ list and plan things out, we can take care of a number of necessary details. We could also come across some interesting bargains or find ourselves investigating new ways of presenting ourselves. We do have to be careful not to step on other people's toes today. We’re a force to be reckoned with but with our intense energy we do not have to bring the house down.

Friday, December 21st – A Brief Respite – Neptune, Moon Void-of-Course. Friday is probably the least eventful day of this week --- energywise. The only planetary configuration operating today is the Taurus Moon square Neptune and that occurs in the wee small hours of the morning. Our sleep state might have us tossing and turning and no matter what our plans for today might be, we could consider just taking time for ourselves, catching up on last minute preparations for the holidays or just tuning out from the whole she-bang. The Moon goes Void-of-Course for over sixteen hours today making no further connections to the planets as it finishes its transit of Taurus and before moving into Gemini. Today may be a day to catch our breath and disengage from the craziness of these times. Evening hours can be spent socializing. Whether we go from person to person, or party to party, or event to event, the daytime respite may quickly end as we get back on the fast track of holiday celebrations.

Saturday, December 22nd – The Winter of Our Discontent – Venus, Neptune, Mercury, Mars, Lunar T-Square, Saturn, Uranus, Sun Capricorn. Saturday [or the late evening hours of Friday night in the western United States] gives us the Winter Solstice when the Sun moves into Capricorn ushering in the season of winter. With the Sun entering Capricorn, we now have a Stellium of three or more planets in the Cardinal Earth Sign as the Sun joins Mercury and Jupiter in Capricorn. Our focus may turn more serious. We might be far more interested in what we are doing in the world and how we can best navigate the volatile currents swirling around us. This Saturday can be intense, for we are also moving toward tomorrow’s Cancer Full Moon [Monday in Europe]. Not only do we have the impact of the forthcoming Full Moon, but this Saturday has Venus square Neptune and Mercury opposed Mars. Relationships can prove problematic. We might feel that people have disappointed us, are not living up to their promises or to our expectations. We may see people in a different light today, and we might even go so far as to tell them so. We could feel pulled between our responsibilities to our families and our involvements in the world. Any way we slice it, we’re likely to feel somewhat discontent. We have a particular configuration today that we’ll have to get used to. This configuration is triggered by the Gemini Moon which creates a Mutable Sign T-Square by squaring Saturn in Virgo and squaring Uranus in Pisces. During this next year, the Saturn Uranus opposition will become exact. For today, let’s recognize the possible experience and truth in the saying that if you want to make god laugh, tell god your plans. No matter what our intentions for this day might be, we could find that our plans go awry. Our desire to do our own thing on the spur of the moment may be in sharp contrast with our scheduled commitments. We may try to do it all, but we do have to watch that we don’t trigger other people’s resentment of us. The more we can juggle and the better we can juggle, then we’re more likely to keep up with all of it. Of course, we might ask ourselves: what’s the point? Yes, winter has arrived and with it, we might feel a sense of discontent.

Sunday, December 23rd – Over the Top – Sun, Jupiter, Cancer Full Moon, Neptune, Pluto, Mars. Is that reindeer we hear over our house? Not today it isn’t. It’s more likely that people are going over the top for a grandiose show of their holiday celebrations. This Sunday has the Sun conjunct Jupiter. We’re looking at making our mark, standing out and even one upping other people. Everything today may be a little too much, taking indulgence and extravagance to an extreme. If we go out shopping today, it would be wise to keep our budget firmly in mind. Today is one of those days when we could easily go overboard both in our spending and in our display of emotions. Today we have the Moon in Gemini trine Neptune and opposed Pluto. We could be trying to cover all our bases and then some, going from one mall to another and trying to engage as many of our friends as possible. The Moon then moves into Cancer where we have the Cancer Full Moon as the Moon conjuncts Mars and opposes both Jupiter and the Sun. We may be nearing the Christmas holy day, but like a marathon runner, we may feel like making a sprint toward the finish line by expending incredible energy and in the process shopping til we drop and partying all night long. Oh, well, it comes once a year… fortunately.

This Winter begins with the Winter Solstice and the Sun’s entrance into the Cardinal Earth Sign of Capricorn on December 21st – 22nd. Just as Winter in nature in the Northern Hemisphere is a time of going inward and life being expressed more internally than externally, this winter for us can raise various issues that ask for contemplation and focused intent. We could call this our winter of discontent. But discontent talks about a sense of dissatisfaction with the status quo, a feeling that may permeate our disposition and even our actions.
At the time of the Winter Solstice, there is one planet in a Fire Sign, four planets in Earth Signs, two planets in Air Signs and three planets in Water Signs. There are four planets in Cardinal Signs, two planets in Fixed Signs and four planets in Mutable Signs. There are three planets in Positive Signs and seven planets in Negative Signs.
While there is not much Fire to begin the Winter season, we may be more involved in the structuring and restructuring of our plans and projects rather than a passionate display of our creative expression. Our focus may be to spirit in action and practical application rather than philosophical musings about how we would want our lives to be. Now is the time for us to take a hands-on approach to deal with reality as it is and not as we would wish to perceive it to be. The veil of Maya may be stripped away and the Wizard of Oz screen punctured in order to see what is truly going on. This winter is not likely to be an easy sleigh ride, but it does allow us to see conditions as they are and deal with them in a pragmatic manner.
We start the Winter with a Stellium of three or more planets in one Sign in the Cardinal Earth Sign of Capricorn with the Sun, Jupiter and Mercury posited there at the time of the Solstice. Pluto is less than two degrees away from leaving Sagittarius and on the cusp of Capricorn which Pluto will enter during the Winter on January 25th and will briefly transit Capricorn until the 13th of June when Pluto retrogrades back into Sagittarius until finally entering Capricorn to begin in earnest its multi-year transit of the Cardinal Earth Sign on November 26th.
The Stellium in Capricorn with which we start Winter allows us the opportunity to blueprint, strategize and structure our activities and concentrate on our personal ambitions. This Stellium opposes retrograding Mars in Cancer. Our personal ambitions may conflict with our home and family maters. Our conditioning might set up obstacles to an ‘as needed’ response. While we might all do a walk down Memory Lane, remember the ‘Good Old Days’ that are always better in remembrance than the experience; it would be wise to keep in mind the thoughts of the Greek philosopher Heraclitus who indicated that things could never be the same due to continually differing space – time coordinates. Harkening back to the past for solutions for the present or the future may merely prove to be powerless cries into the darkness.
One area where this opposition between the Capricorn Stellium and the Mars in Cancer may be seen will be in the ‘solutions’ proposed for the housing crisis. Band-aids rather than true solutions may be offered as the census politicians seek an easy way out of a crisis made bad by their previous actions / inactions and the inability to take into account cycles.
This Winter also starts with a Grand Trine by Sign in the Water Element with Mars in Cancer, Venus in Scorpio and Uranus in Pisces. Our emotions may be strong, and we could find ourselves avoiding true reality by creating fantastic images for ourselves. Like magicians, people may come forward and pronounce the dawning of a new day. Such a call can fully resonate as once again we are seduced by the promises of an illusory future that take us away from the reality of the present. This tendency can be seen both on a macro level, the collective society, and on a micro level, in our personal lives. Venus trines Uranus but Venus also squares Neptune to begin the Winter season. We may be infatuated by change, the new and the unfamiliar. But in our desire for something different in our lives, we have to be careful not to be deluded or to assume that the image matches the substance. The dance of illusion can begin and we will need to guard our emotions and not get snookered by what we want to believe rather than considering all the factors, dissecting all the aspects and coming to a conclusion from a reasoned judgment. Options and alternatives may seem to be many. The grass may seem greener other than where we are. Our challenge is to be certain that our choices are made from reasoned judgment and careful consideration and not merely by what seems to be most appealing to us at the moment.
This Winter begins with a Grand Cross in the Mutable Signs with the Moon in Gemini, Saturn in Virgo, Pluto in Sagittarius and Uranus in Pisces. We could be all over the place. We do have to watch for a high level of nervous energy whereby we can trifle from one thing to another without giving serious thought as to what we’re doing or why we’re doing it. This Mutable Sign T-Square also engages a dance between old and new with the Saturn in Virgo opposed Uranus in Pisces. We may find our reliance on the past to be in sharp contrast with our desire for change. If we can blend the two, then we could use a visionary approach to bring about change in a methodical, well thought out plan of action. To get to such a blending, however, we could find ourselves like a metronome going back and forth between the old and the new. This configuration also asks us to draw our plans in pencil rather than carving them in stone. Not only might we discover that our itinerary shifts and changes as we proceed on our journey. But we might also discover that unanticipated variables arise that we could never even have imagined, much less considered, earlier in our process. Curveballs may come out of the blue demanding that we be nimble and quick and adaptable to changing conditions. This opposition is engaged for this entire coming year of 2008 and becomes exact on November 4th, election day in the US.
As we make changes in our lives, it would be wise for us to reflect and consider what we are leaving behind and also to reconfigure our plans for the future. Life is a dynamic whereby everything is continually changing, shifting and reworking itself. Back to Heraclitus.
For much of this Winter, it will be important for us to realize that situations beyond our control may alter our scheduled plans. Weather conditions can be extreme at times with intense precipitation and high winds. Our health situation may be challenged with intestinal flus and a general malaise. Any malaise will be the feeling of being unable to cope with circumstances that we don’t totally understand. The more we can be open to the vagaries of change and be willing to adapt to the changing conditions, the better able we shall be at navigating the currents of these times, working with the energies and moving towards our intended goals, all with a recognition and an appreciation that we can change course and move in a different direction at any time.
On New Year’s Eve, December 31st, Mars retrogrades out of Cancer and back into Gemini. On the 2nd of January, Mars opposes Pluto. The energy to begin the year can be quite intense. Extremes may be evident, for nothing at this time is likely to be done in half measure. On the contrary, we may find that actions taken engage an ‘all or nothing at all’ approach.
As we come into the New Year of 2008, we are entering a whole new cycle in numerology. Whereas we are moving out of 2007 which is a universal year of 9, 2008 is a universal year of 1. In 2007 we completed a nine year cycle. It would have been wise for us to have brought to completion those situations that we did not want to bring into the new nine year cycle. Coming into 2008, we enter a year of new beginnings and in deed we are likely to see new beginnings especially with the transiting Pluto changing Signs. The less baggage from the past we bring into 2008, the better. The Pluto energy is a laser-like cutting to the core, in order to transform, get to the essence and then move forward from a fundamental base. The Pluto energy is given witness in mythology by the mythical bird the Phoenix on its funereal pyre, rising from its ashes to soar ever higher. This Plutonian process is seen in Christianity with the crucifixion of Jesus followed by the resurrection and ascension. Pluto may strip us down to the bare bones, but then allows us to rise from our essence, soul and spirit, into a new life. The universal year of 1 and the Pluto transitions speak to 2008 as a dynamic year of journeying into new frontiers. During this process, there may be times when we, as individuals and/or as a collective society, might feel like a camel squeezing through the eye of a needle. The process may not always be comfortable, but let’s keep in mind that any discomfort is truly the growing pains of new birth, a new life, and living that demands we get real with ourselves and our interaction in the world.
The Capricorn New Moon on the 8th of January may offer a means of streamlining our operations in order for us to work smarter rather than harder. Innovative solutions might be presented whereby we harness technological advances and are able to expedite outstanding matters. We could also encounter people from our past or people to whom we owe a debt of gratitude. The more we can think outside the box during this time, the more likely we can come up with ways to accomplish our goals and expand our interests.
Pluto moves into Capricorn on the 25th of January. From the molding of our desires for quality in our living developed over the past thirteen years, we can now put our principles into action. The primary focus of Pluto in Capricorn is the question as to whether we have built upon rock or built upon sand. We are moving into a period when things, virtually every thing, is likely to be tested as to whether it is fundamentally sound or is but a shell of its essence. Institutions are likely to be challenged to see if they serve a true purpose for the future. Even the Earth may go through shake-ups with increased frequency and magnitudes of geophysical phenomena of earthquakes and volcanoes. Yes, we may feel the earth move under our feet. All the old structures in which we have placed our faith may be up for review, open to question. In our own lives, we shall need to look at whether our goals and ambitions have true meaning for us or are merely the material aspirations of a society geared to increased consumerism. We may feel as though life is being contracted, forcing us to do more with less, all the while that those things to which we have not attended demand our attention. Infrastructures may seem increasingly shaky as we combat the consequences of our willingness to accept the adage: ‘if ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. We may find that many different things in our lives and in our society are in need of fixing. We shall get a hint of the next sixteen years during this initial and brief prelude of Pluto’s transit through Capricorn during this coming year from January 25th through June 12th. It would be wise for us to note the areas highlighted regarding the built upon sand or built upon rock concept. For these are the areas we may have to address during the longer transit of Capricorn from November 26th of 2008 into 2024.
On January 28th, we begin the first of the year’s three Mercury retrogrades. We’re all aware of Mercury retrograde and its influence. The impact can be similar to Murphy’s Law whereby ‘whatever can go wrong will’. Last Winter’s Mercury retrograde had two major incidents typical of Mercury retrograde problems with travel and communications. One was the Jet Blue passengers stuck in their plane on the tarmac at New York’s JFK Airport for ten hours. The other incident was the twenty-four hour wait of motorists stuck on the Pennsylvania Interstate highway, a situation that Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell blamed on miscommunications between state agencies.
Whenever we have Mercury retrograde, and this one goes from January 28th into February 18th, it is wise to avoid making important decisions or significant commitments. Often when we act under Mercury retrograde, we leave out important details or are not fully clear about the specifics. During this time, people are likely to leave phone messages without leaving their number. Important information is not given or is misunderstood. This Mercury retrograde occurs in Aquarius and can especially impact air travel, telecommunications and computer glitches. It would be wise to back up information on our computers and to be clear and comprehensive before initiating our communications. The 2nd of February, when retrograding Mercury conjuncts Neptune, could be especially confusing and problematic.
On the 30th of January, Mars turns direct, leaves Gemini to re-enter Cancer on March 4th and opposes Pluto in Capricorn on the 7th, at the time of the Pisces New Moon. This New Moon conjuncts Uranus. With the New Moon’s influence running through the end of Winter, this period of March can see various changes, some of our making, others coming out of the blue. A sense of synchronicity can be strong, the asequential reality whereby things occur not so much of our making but by our keeping our eyes and ears wide open and taking advantage of unexpected opportunities as they arise. In deed, we may find that we’re creating a suspension bridge between the old paradigm and the new paradigm, between old patterns of ways of being and new avenues of self-exploration. Increasingly, we are moving towards the magical mystery tour of life where we no longer try to ‘master’ our universe but rather work in synch with the energies, be adaptable to unanticipated variables and be willing to change our course and direction on a moment’s notice. The key to all our actions in the future goes back to the question of whether we are going to build upon sand or upon rock. If we build upon rock, drawing upon our essence, our spirit and our soul, then no matter what the changing variables may be, we shall maintain a solidity and able to cope with the shifting sands. If we merely look at immediate gain and gratification without considering the consequences of our actions, we could find that we have built upon sand and with the shifting tides our projects and plans can be washed away.
With the Mars Pluto opposition, the energies are ratcheted up severalfold. During this time, we might experience further problems with the housing market and the collateral damage caused by actions taken back during times of easy credit.
March can be especially dynamic regarding the earth’s dynamics. Local areas could experience stalled storm systems with intense precipitation. The earth’s movement of geophysical phenomena could be ratcheted up severalfold. And the ability of institutional agencies to effectively deal with any dramatic events might be questionable at best. For ourselves, this period may force us to take an inventory of our lives. We might have to look at whether we are living our lives with purpose and meaning or if we are merely skating through our life’s journey.
With two Stelliums (three or more planets in one Sign) at the time of the Pisces New Moon one in Pisces and the other in Aquarius, our focus may turn not only to a questioning of our life’s purpose but can allow us to reflect on how we can develop and nurture the life we truly wish to live. Many of us may have a spiritual epiphany whereby we come to recognize areas that are calling to us. We may feel less at the whims of “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” as Shakespeare wrote. We may feel more connected to the universal cycles and understand that our life’s journey has a purpose and an evolving pattern all in accord with divine design.
While the institutions we might once have relied upon for answers could seem shaky, vulnerable and even falling apart; we could discover that the answer lies within ourselves. Our intuitive sense and our willingness to transform can trigger those ‘Eureka’ moments of sudden revelation, insight and total understanding.
This Winter can prove an especially exciting time, a time when we reflect on our past, even take a walk down Memory Lane, but in so doing we bring closure to elements of our lives that no longer serve us or relate to us. This Winter can be a time of exploration and self-discovery regarding the path we might choose to take ahead. Despite the craziness in the world, the possible sense of contraction through ill-conceived plans of the past, through changing cycles and through dramatic events; we can choose to blueprint our future and begin the steps necessary to realize our goals. Every journey begins with a first step.
This Winter allows us to ready ourselves for the journey and to take the first step. In so doing, it is essential to keep in mind the fact that we are on the threshold of a paradigm shift, a change in epochs whereby humankind can no longer try to master the universe but rather realizes the opportunity to be co-creator with the unfolding forces of nature. The key question comes back to whether we choose to build our lives based upon our integrity and that which truly speaks to us as a dynamic individual evolving being or if we will continue to be seduced by the accepted projections of the collective consciousness and our society. Our choice. Always our choice.

Winter 2007… build upon rock or build upon sand…

This week is Christmas week and the week preceding New Year’s. With the energies operating this week, we could be focusing on parties and having a good time. People may be out shopping looking for bargains and willing to cast their financial fate to the winds. The sense of immediacy, with its aspect of immediate gratification, can be strong this week. Not only do we have the Leo Moon accentuating our right to fun and good times, but Mars is also involved propelling us to move faster, act in a hurry and to have several things going on at the same time.

The early part of the week may have us gathering with friends and family. Reconnections with people from our past can be pleasant, even if obligatory. Although this week may have us concentrating on good times and social get-togethers, in the back of our mind we’re considering where and how we want to proceed with our own personal interests.

The latter part of the week gives us the impetus to tie up loose ends of this past year. Not that we necessarily will clear the decks, but our intention is to bring to close this year and enter 2008 unencumbered. Our thoughts may reflect upon this passing year’s events.

This week is a good week to enjoy the festivities of this holiday season and to take care of outstanding matters by addressing their specifics and details.

For many of us, we might feel like saying ‘Devil, get thee behind me’, as we move toward to the end of 2007 and look forward to the start of 2008, a year of new beginnings.

Monday, December 24th – Preparing the Way – Sun, Mars, Mercury, Saturn, Uranus. Monday starts the week in overdrive. But what else is new? The Capricorn Sun opposes Mars in Cancer. We also have the Moon in Cancer opposed Mercury, sextile Saturn and trine Uranus. We may feel pulled between our usual responsibilities and preparations for tomorrow’s Christmas. Today is a day when it would be wise to make a ‘to do’ list and to prioritize. Although home and family matters might demand increased attention today, we could find that we can streamline operations if we have the entire blueprint of what needs to be done in front of us. We might be able to be more effective with less expenditure of energy. Planning today is essential for we might otherwise find that we’re going back and forth, going hither and yon, and being repetitive in our motions or doing the same thing more than once. Some wonderful surprises could also present themselves, so let’s be sure not to over schedule ourselves so that we can take advantage of unexpected opportunities. We may feel we’ve got a great deal to juggle today. If we pick up the pace without getting overwhelmed, we can juggle what needs to be done and still have time to add spontaneous moments of joy and contacts.

Tuesday, December 25th – Gathered Around the Hearth – Mercury, Saturn, Venus, Moon Void-of-Course. Tuesday is Christmas Day. Happy Christmas! The day starts with the Cancer Moon trine Venus. Our focus may be on the get-togethers with family and friends. Our home may be the center of gatherings as we look to spend some special moments with those special people in our lives. The Moon then goes Void-of-Course for close to eleven hours making no further connections to the planets as it finishes its transit of Cancer and before entering Leo later in the day. There may not be a great deal of energy on this day. People might prefer quiet get-togethers without overly exerting themselves or feeling that they have to be on the fast track. This Christmas Day also has Mercury in Capricorn trine Saturn in Virgo. We have a Mutual Reception between Mercury and Saturn, for Mercury is transiting the Sign ruled by Saturn and Saturn is transiting the Sign ruled by Mercury. Our thoughts can be crystal clear and it would be wise for us to use some of the quiet of the day to go off, strategize, blueprint and give thought to where we are going. Let’s remember that while Christmas is an important holy day in Christian theology, it is also celebratory of the Winter Solstice, which heralds the birth of light from the darkness. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Solstice is the day when there is the least daylight but also celebrates the growing light that peaks at the Summer Solstice. For ourselves, it would be wise to consider what we want to birth as we enter this coming year of 2008, a universal year of a 1, a year of new beginnings.

Wednesday, December 26th – Back At It – Mars, Jupiter. Wednesday has the Leo Moon and Mars opposed Jupiter. If we took some time to catch our breath yesterday, then on this Wednesday we could find ourselves back at it, doing life at full tilt. We’re looking for fun and good times, wanting to put our creative mark on everything we do. We’re looking to stand out and not merely be part of the action. We want the action all right, but we might also be interested in being the circus master. If there is a party, a movie, a concert or some other pleasurable pursuit, we’re up for it. Although our responsibilities might be calling us, we’re unlikely to respond. We do have to watch for extravagance today. We might decide that today is a good day to seek out those after Christmas bargains and find ourselves meandering through malls, boutique shops and other repositories of stuff for us to purchase. It would be wise for us not to get caught up in the post-holiday frenzy. As if everyone took a deep breath, we’re likely to find that people are out and about in the early morning hours, having caught a second wind, and ready to go at it once again.

Thursday, December 27th – Cutting Through – Lunar T-Square, Neptune, Venus, Pluto. Thursday could be slightly confusing. We might feel like Wrong Way Corrigan heading off in an intended direction only to wind up somewhere completely different. We still have the Leo Moon during much of the day. So we’re still looking for some good times. Today’s Leo Moon creates a Fixed Sign T-Square as the Moon opposes Neptune and squares Venus. Our relationships might be dicey today. Either we could have expectations of other people or other people could have expectations of us. Either way, there can be a great deal of expectations that might not be based upon reality. People could get in a snit and even elements of resentment could come up. Today is not a day to draw comparisons, for we would be holding standards too high. Even some of our plans today might not do for us what we thought they would. We could be dealing with disappointments as things take longer than we would like. Scheduled appointments with other people could have us waiting for them or wondering why they didn’t show up on time. The main thing for today is to cut ourselves and other people some slack. The Moon also trines Pluto and that could be our saving grace. Instead of jumping at anything and everything that holds some element of allure, it would be wise for us to truly consider whether plans have any real meaning for us or are merely a use of our time that could be better used doing something else. Being discerning today would keep us from raising our expectations only to have our hopes dashed. As the evening approaches, the Moon exits Leo and moves into Virgo. Illusions and delusions drop away as we become more analytical and focused on the specifics.

Friday, December 28th – Putting Into Motion – Mars, Jupiter, Sun, Saturn. Friday could have us tidying up from the week’s activities and also preparing for New Year’s celebrations. We might take time to deal with outstanding matters and clear the clutter in order to bring less baggage of this passing year into the new year. The Virgo Moon sextiles Mars, trines Jupiter, trines the Sun and conjuncts Saturn. We might want to move forward on new projects and initiate new plans. But this Friday would be far better dealing with issues that have yet to be resolved. Although we may feel in harness tending to obligatory tasks and dealing with routine chores, it is far better that we tie up loose ends now rather than tripping over them in the new year.

Saturday, December 29th – Bright Ideas – Mercury, Uranus. Saturday could give us some of those ‘Eureka’ moments, those times of revelation when all the pieces seem to fit neatly into the puzzle. Mercury sextiles Uranus today. We might hear from people we haven’t heard from for awhile, or we could have some very interesting encounters. Our thoughts are scintillating and we have the ability to generate the most appropriate and expeditious means of accomplishing our goals. The Virgo Moon contributes to the mix by the Moon trining Mercury and opposing Uranus. Although we might be challenged to do things in an unfamiliar way, any stretch out of our comfort zone would also open the door to ways of being more productive with less expenditure of energy. We might feel our moods going through some ups and downs today, but the key element is to be open and willing to making necessary changes in our lives. The idea of ‘out with the old in with the new’ is not merely associated with the coming to the end of one year and the beginning of a new year. This attitude is also reflective of where we are in our lives, getting rid of the outworn and useless and concentrating of the new and exciting that is more in sync with whom we are becoming and where we want to go.

Sunday, December 30th – The Responsible One – Sun, Saturn, Pluto, Venus, Lunar T-Square, Mars, Jupiter, Venus Sagittarius. Sunday has the Sun trine Saturn. Whether we are enjoying a long weekend or just a usual weekend respite, this Sunday allows us to take care of business. We’re approaching the end of 2007 and the more we can put things in order, the better we shall enter the new year. We may find ourselves being called upon to attend to other people’s needs. Early in the day, the Virgo Moon squares Pluto and sextiles Venus. We may have to make choices, cut back on some of our plans and realize that we might have to learn to do more with less. The Moon then moves into Libra where it creates a Cardinal Sign T-Square with the Libra Moon square Mars in Cancer and square Jupiter in Capricorn. Our personal interests may have to take a back seat as we deal with obligatory commitments to family members and to our community. We may want to initiate plans and actions, but much of these start-ups may serve other people more than they serve ourselves. Venus exits Scorpio, a Sign of its Detriment where Venus is not comfortable, and enters Sagittarius. Suddenly, we may seem far more effusive, exuberant and interested in broadening our social realm to people of different backgrounds and different cultures. Although we might feel as though this Sunday has us responding to other people’s interests, in the long run such consideration can benefit our interests as well.

This week celebrates the concept of ‘out with the old, in with the new’ as we end the year of 2007 and enter 2008. No greater truth in this statement than this threshold crossing into 2008, for not only are we ending one year and entering a new year, but the crossing from 2007 into 2008 also represents the ending of a nine year cycle and the beginning of a new nine year cycle. In numerology 2007 has been a universal year of a 9, and 2008 is a universal year of a 1. Yes, out with the old, in with the new.

Change is not always easy, and we are certainly likely to see the uneasiness of it during this week. With the most significant energy configuration this week being the Mars Pluto opposition, champagne bottles may not be the only thing popping over the course of the week. This opposition can in deed wreak havoc and its influence is already noted by the assassination of Pakistan former prime minister and opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

With the Mars Pluto opposition casting a pall over the week, we might experience more incidents of intense energy releases. Such releases could take the form of further violent activity amongst humankind, atmospherically with intense cyclonic winds during storm systems and even geophysical phenomena of earthquakes or volcanic activity.

In our own lives, we may find things ratcheted up several-fold this week. What we need to be careful of are knee-jerk reactions and making assumptions based upon limited information. This week would be a prime week for misjudgments and miscalculations. The more we can slow things down, not get caught up in a whirlwind of activity or overload, the better we shall be to handle situations.

It would be wise for us to clean house this week, to rid ourselves of the clutter of busy work and to prioritize our activities and to concentrate on where we want to focus our interests.

Everyone may be a little on edge this week, questioning and wondering where we go next. This week may be better spent doing an inventory taking and eliminating the dross of the past rather than fully initiating our New Year resolutions. There will be time for that with far better energies as we come into next week with its Capricorn New Moon.

Monday, December 31st – Other People’s Issues – Sun, Mercury, Mars Gemini. Monday is New Year’s Eve and the energies are certainly appropriate for socializing thanks to the Libra Moon. This Libra Moon squares both the Sun and Mercury in Capricorn, so it will be important for us to recognize that we may be overly considerate of other people’s needs or could find ourselves taking care of other people’s matters. The question as to where we put our energy is important today. Plans made may seem obligatory, and we could feel as though we’re doing things that we’ve committed to but would rather not do. Let’s keep in mind that plans are made during a particular space time coordinate and that in the present time such plans just might not work for us. Even if we have to disappoint other people, we need to see what we want to do in the moment. Ending the year kowtowing to other people’s needs may not be a great way to end the year and begin the new year. Today also has retrograde Mars moving out of Cancer and moving into Gemini and closer to exactitude of the Mars Pluto opposition that occurs on Wednesday. If we plan to go out and about on New Year’s Eve, it would be wise to be certain of weather conditions and to recognize that everyone out there may have a very short fuse.

Tuesday, January 1st – Better Together – Lunar Grand Trine, Neptune, Pluto, Mars. Although we’re increasingly feeling the Mars Pluto opposition exact tomorrow, this first day of 2008 can be especially pleasant. For much of the day, we have the Libra Moon which creates a Grand Trine in the Air Element by trining Neptune in Aquarius and trining Mars in Gemini. The Moon also sextiles Pluto. Today is a great day to get together with a good friend or our significant partner and reflect on where we want to go and what we want to do. A drive in the country, a walk in the park, or some other form of stepping out of our regular routine would be a good way to bring in this new year. Let’s keep in mind that this new year of 2008 is all about new beginnings. Although some beginnings and changes might not always be our favorite, the more we can use this day as a day to focus on our hopes and wishes and not feel tied to the restrictions of our past, the more we are launching the new year in a most positive framework. Even if we choose to stay home and merely stay put, let’s allow our minds to wander and consider all the possibilities for ourselves during this coming year. No matter the backdrop of the world at large or the world around us, it would be wise to keep in mind, almost mantram-like, the concept that what the mind can conceive, the body can achieve. No place for negative thoughts or falling into fear-based thinking. Now is a time for us to embrace the idea of being co-creators of our destiny with our natural unfolding.

Wednesday, January 2nd – More Than Champagne Bottles Popping – Mars, Pluto, Jupiter, Saturn, Sun. If we’ve been seeing the world through rose-colored glasses, this Wednesday could offer a different perspective. Today has Mars opposed Pluto, an energy configuration that is likely to daunt us now and again in March. Although this year represents a year of new beginnings, some times in order to get to new beginnings we have to get rid of and eliminate certain things from our lives. Whether we’re ready to do so or not, this day can bring a major exclamation mark to our lives and the world in which we’re living. Make no mistake about it. Mars opposed Pluto is a major energy configuration, very dramatic and very intense. The energy is a major release point and like a volcanic eruption it can either be quiet and effusive whereby there is a constant but gradual venting like the lava flow of Kilauea or it can be explosive like the blow out of a Mount St. Helens. Either way, the landscape is transformed significantly. We may feel the same way today. Hopefully, we can mitigate the potential for explosive force and find our transformations and changes to be more a natural unfolding instead of a radical ripping apart. Wednesday also gives us the Moon in Scorpio, a Sign co-ruled by both Mars and Pluto. The sense of getting rid of the dross and getting down to the basics and the fundamentals can be reinforced. The Moon sextiles Jupiter, sextiles Saturn and sextiles the Sun. If our focus is to do an inventory taking with the idea of clearing away the old and the outdated, then we can harness today’s energy in a form of restructuring and shapeshifting our lives, our schedules and our projects. We do not have to be controlled by the energies swirling around us. Through our awareness, we can work with the energies and do the necessary tai chi moves to skirt potential disasters and flow easily with the energies.

Thursday, January 3rd – Looking for the Out – Uranus, Neptune, Mercury. Thursday continues with the Scorpio Moon which today trines Uranus, squares Neptune and sextiles Mercury. We could be looking at making changes today, streamlining our operations and embracing the concept of working smarter rather than harder. The more we can expedite our activities, the better it will be for us to be able to consider new projects and new interests. We may continue to weed our garden of those involvements that no longer work for us. We may feel that we have to get lean and mean with our lives, focusing on those things that truly speak to us while stepping away from the extraneous or things that are merely a waste of our time. We do have to be careful that we don’t jump at things based on our desire for change or based on the image without considering the details or the specifics. Our thoughts can be perceptive, our conversations to the point and our insights quite remarkable. We just have to watch that we don’t get carried away with ourselves and assume that we are super human.

Friday, January 4th – Somewhere, Someone Beyond – Venus. Friday has the Moon moving out of Scorpio and moving into Sagittarius. The intensity of the week can suddenly lighten up. Even if we’ve been somewhat withdrawn, focused on clearing the decks and preparing ourselves for the year ahead, Friday sees a brightening and a far more exuberant and engaging quality. The Sagittarius Moon conjuncts Venus. We are likely to look at socializing today and this evening. We may not feel content with our lives as they have been. We might want to stretch beyond our normal parameters. The different, the exotic and those with experiences broader than our own can be quite appealing today. We are looking to be worldly, to embrace people and cultures that are different to our own. Whether we engage in contacts with people foreign to our culture or we choose to dine on ethnic cuisine, we may seek to move beyond our normal circumstance. Our enthusiasm today may be quite contagious and we’re likely to find a supporter[s] for broadening our experience and social circle. This Friday can be a fun day, one to start the move beyond our inventory taking and clearing away of earlier this week and begin to add uplifting and exciting ingredients for our future.

Saturday, January 5th – Picking Up the Pieces – Lunar T-Square, Saturn, Uranus. Saturday has the Sagittarius Moon creating a T-Square in the Mutable Signs by squaring Saturn in Virgo and squaring Uranus in Pisces. The sense of being betwixt and between can arise today. Let’s keep in mind that for much of this year we are likely to do the dance between the old, traditional ways and the new, innovative approaches as Saturn and Uranus continue their opposition. This Saturday could find us dealing with errands, responsibilities and the fine details of our everyday lives. At the same time, we may be champing at the bit to just chuck it all and do things on the spur of the moment. We may feel somewhat anxious today, perhaps a little out of sorts as we deal with habitual patterns all the while resenting that we cannot fully break free. It would be important for us to try and give time and energy both to our obligations and to our whims. If we don’t attend to our errands, we could create a backlog that will only slow us down. And if we don’t allow ourselves to act spontaneously based upon our whims of the moment, we could both lose some interesting opportunities and also resent the rigidity of our lives. We may not get it down perfectly to begin with, but over the course of the year, we shall have the opportunity of creating the suspension bridge between the old and new. We may go back and forth for awhile until we have created the slats of the suspension bridge, get to the other side of our new way of being and can then cut the ties to our past and let the past be the past. Today is a day for us to learn the juggling act between our old and the new.

Sunday, January 6th – Me or Thee – Sun, Uranus, Venus, Saturn, Neptune, Mars, Pluto. If we think of Sunday as a day of rest, this Sunday could certainly challenge that concept. This Sunday could prove a very active one and may feel akin to a high wire act. The Sun sextiles Uranus. We are looking at instituting changes, shapeshifting and embracing the new year in a new way of expressing ourselves. We want to be free. We want to be ‘me’. Great in the abstract but not everyone may necessarily applaud our desires or our intentions. This day also has Venus square Saturn. People from our past, or past relationship issues and certainly the old modus operandi of our relationships can come forward to enforce how we are known by definition based upon our past experiences. We might feel as though other people are putting monkey wrenches in the spokes of our wheels and creating limitations to our full self-expression. For much of the day, we have the Sagittarius Moon which today sextiles Neptune, opposes Mars and conjuncts Pluto. We could easily get caught up in dreams of what could be, the potentials of our lives if we did not have the restrictions, the limitations, the demands of people who have known us. Similar to the energy this past Wednesday, things could ratchet up and prove to be quite intense. We have to be certain not to build up a head of steam that might only be released by an explosive outburst. Let’s be certain to find ways to vent any frustrations, deal with people without anticipating their acceptance of our desires or new interests. Often it is best for us to keep our cards close to our chest and not reveal everything that is going on with us. This Sunday is one of those days.