Hi Everyone

I can’t believe that I’m writing Astro Doings for December already, but here it is! Two planets change directions this month; we have the sixth (of seven) exact squares between Uranus and Pluto and, of course, the Winter Solstice. Let’s take them in order.

December 6^th: Full moon at 14⁰ Gemini occurs at 7:27 a.m. At the time of the Full Moon, the Sun, Venus and Mercury are across in the zodiac (an opposition) in Sagittarius – the sign of the quest for Truth. Uranus in Aries and Jupiter in Leo will trine (easy flow of fire energy, generally ignored) the Sun in Sag at this full moon. This can be a time of throwing caution to the winds (before the onset of winter) and/or a time of inspiration. However, each full moon represents a turning point where we need to decide whether we’re going to continue as we are or make a course correction. Gemini explores everything – endlessly curious – only to find that apparent opposites are points on the same continuum. Mercury is also square (a growth opportunity!) Chiron, currently in Pisces, the sign of all that is numinous. This combination of planets assists in not only in changing our minds (domain of Mercury, which rules Gemini,) but also a change of heart.

December 8^th: Speaking of seeking truth, Jupiter, ruler of Sagittarius and the largest planet in our solar system, stations retrograde (i.e. stops and then starts going backwards, from the earth’s perspective) at 3:41 p.m. at 22⁰ Leo. Attention all Baby Boomers who have Pluto in Leo – this may become a time of deep-seated transformation (Pluto) and assistance in expanding (Jupiter) our awareness of the Divine within each of us (Leo). I’ve written previously that all fire signs (Aries, Leo and Sagittarius) are on quests – Aries for High Self; Leo for the Divine within; and Sagittarius for Truth. Jupiter will continue in retrograde motion until April 2015. Jupiter retrograde provides an opportunity to let go of limiting beliefs and, like any planet in retrograde motion, tends to send us inward. We may also have some news stories around this time that people are not buying as much as they have been or were expected to in our ever-expanding (Jupiter) spending frenzy.

December 15^th: Sixth of the seven exact squares between Uranus in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn. Much has been written about this square, so I won’t go into it more here. Both planets will be at 12⁰ of their respective signs and so those with planets in the middle of signs may feel this square more than they have the others.

December 21^st: This year’s Winter Solstice is a really busy one:

• At 5:45 p.m. Uranus, the planet of rebellion, revolution and revelations, stops and starts going forward (stations direct) at 12⁰ When outer planets change direction it takes them some time before they really get going again, so Uranus will be sitting at 12⁰ through the end of the month. He will square the Sun, Mercury and Venus as well as Pluto.
• The Sun enters Capricorn at 6:03 p.m. This is the official start of winter and the shortest day of the year. The last third of December will have four (of the eleven) planets in Capricorn: Sun, Mercury, Venus and Pluto. That’s a lot of earth energy, focused on structures, though patterns, belief systems (and other systems, like governments, health care, etc.). In its highest expression, however, Capricorn represents the union of heart and mind for spiritual growth. Its symbol is a combination of the symbol for Aries (the head) and Leo (the heart).
• The Moon enters Capricorn (a new moon) at 8:25 p.m. at 0⁰. New moons are always a great time for new beginnings and this is doubly so, since both the Sun and Moon will be at 0⁰ Capricorn, the beginning of the sign. New plans, new structures, new ways of thinking will all be favored at this time.

December 23^rd: Saturn (what would an Astro Doings be without talking about Saturn!) moves into Sagittarius at 11:33 a.m. This represents yet another new beginning as Saturn begins his time in Sagittarius. (He will make a last visit to Scorpio in the spring/summer of 2015, but more on that later.) He will square (growth opportunity) Neptune in Pisces for the rest of December – providing a chance to strength the structure (Saturn) of our understanding of truth (Sagittarius) and our belief in what we cannot see (Neptune in Pisces).

Finally, air signs, take heart! After a long drought, Mars enters Aquarius this month, so the realm of visionary ideas (Aquarius) will have a strong advocate and lots of energy (Mars).

I wish you all a joyous holiday season as we celebrate the return to the Light in ourselves and in our world.

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret