Hi Everyone

Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving!

The last month of 2015 – how did we get here so quickly? – promises a continuation of the seemingly directionless and unsettled energy we have been in since October. We start with three planets (Mars, Uranus and Pluto) in cardinal (initiating) signs. Mercury joins Pluto in Capricorn on December 9^th to make it four and the Sun joins them both on December 21^st. Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and the Sun (until the 21^st) are in changeable, restless, multi-talented mutable energy. It is a wonderful time to explore, albeit perhaps superficially, different ideas, ways of thinking and being.

I didn’t forget Venus. She spends most of the month in Scorpio, a fixed sign – i.e., sustaining energy, can be stubborn and unwilling to change. Scorpio brings with it a deep understanding of others with a capacity to heal or to use it for power over another. Venus is the planet of love, so we have here the energetic opportunity to deeply (Scorpio) understand one another with love (Venus). Those with planets at any degree of Taurus, Leo or Aquarius may be more aware of this energy – also those with planets in the other water signs, Cancer and Pisces.

The powerful square between Saturn in Sagittarius and Neptune in Pisces continues for the entire month. Saturn can represent limitation, lack, delay, discipline, tenacity and/or wisdom. Sagittarius is a fire sign that deals with our developing understanding of truth, our belief systems and our “group” or tribe. This combination can strengthen our resolve and discipline (Saturn) to continue on our spiritual path (Sagittarius). Neptune, the higher octave of Venus, is very strong in her own watery realm of Pisces, which desires to merge with something greater and is aware that there is more to each of us than what we can perceive with our five senses. One of the most positive ways to view this square is to recognize that it can provide structure (Saturn) to our dreams (Neptune); it can provide dedication (Saturn) to our quest for Truth (Sagittarius) and for atonement (Pisces); and it can increase our compassion (Neptune) for ourselves and others. The trick here is to not let the fear that the fiery quest of Sagittarius will boil away the water of Pisces’s sensitivity; or conversely that the sense of being overwhelmed (Neptune in Pisces) and/or the stern discipline of Saturn will inhibit the innate optimism of Sagittarius’ quest for Truth. Those with planets in the other mutable signs (Gemini and Virgo) will be the most aware of these energies.

Lest the cardinal signs feel left out, beginning on December 20^th through the end of the month, there is a powerful t-square configuration involving Uranus in Aries, Mars in Libra and Mercury plus Pluto in Capricorn. Uranus and Mars are on opposite sides of the zodiac from one another – the warrior (Mars) and the rebel (Uranus). Lots of innovative (Uranus) ideas for change to benefit the individual (Aries) and the energy (Mars) to balance the needs of the individual with the needs of others (Libra). Both Uranus and Mars are in a challenging relationship with Mercury (how we think and communicate) and Pluto (transformation, decay, underground) in Capricorn. I believe this t-square will continue to present opportunities for all of us to see, both individually and collectively, where structures, i.e. thought patterns, belief systems and “world views” need to be changed.

And, Uranus changes directions on Christmas Day at 10:53 p.m. ET. He’ll be at 16⁰ Aries. What this means is that basically the planet stops and pulses energy before it starts moving again in the other direction. In this case, Uranus is ending its long retrograde motion (since July), so the rebel, innovator, humanitarian in all of us can now express more freely and our quest for who we are in truth (Aries) can move forward more easily. I’d watch for more innovative ideas, some perhaps a little “out there,” especially from those with planets in Aries, Libra, Capricorn, and Cancer from 10 – 26⁰ and from the other fire signs, Leo and Sagittarius.

And December’s full moon also occurs on Christmas Day. She’ll be at 3⁰ Cancer balancing home, hearth, nurturing (Cancer) with society, structure, systems (Capricorn).

Speaking of Capricorn, the Winter Solstice is December 21^st when the Sun enters this sign at 11:49 p.m. ET. As you all know, this is a festival in many traditions of the return of the light, as the days slowly begin to get longer. And may our light continue brighten as the days lengthen!

I hope you all have a most joyous holiday season!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret