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Sunday, December 29, 2013

January 2014: Setting new intentions, love and responsibilities


We begin the year 2014 with two powerful transits as the Sun conjuncts Pluto at 10 degrees of Capricorn and a new moon conjuncts Pluto at 10 degrees of Capricorn as well, setting off the Uranus-Pluto square that is changing the world we live in and our own lives if it is aspecting your personal chart.

Sun-Pluto is a day to focus on your New Year's resolutions, and you will have the willpower to focus your intent on what you want and perhaps carry through. This is a powerful transit and if your channel the energy correctly it can carry you a long way!

Moon-Pluto transits can sometimes reveal facts/situations, and can border on obsessiveness/ dredging up emotions from the deep subconscious mind, giving us a powerful will to carry through with whatever we wish to channel the energy into, and these two transits can create a deep desire for change and transformation.

On the other end these transits are prone to obsessions, power struggles and even rage. Issues can arise about joint finances, sex, and there may be endings that are absolute in some relationships and situations, and as both the Sun and the Moon square Uranus there can be an element of the unexpected. As the stellium in Capricorn opposes Jupiter, situations may be exaggerated or blown out of proportion. It is important to take charge of this energy as best you can and focus it on a purpose rather than let yourself fall into an obsessive mood or frame of mind. It's all in how you handle the energy. This is a powerful few days, before and after. Do you want to take charge, or be a leaf blowing in the wind? My advice is to take charge of this powerful planetary mix and focus your intentions.

As this transit and new moon set off the Uranus-Pluto square expect to see big events play out in the world as well. Pluto rules oil, nuclear weapons, power and corruption, big business, media, bullies, sex-rape and rage/violence. In the past year we have seen issues concerning the NSA come to light each time this square is set off.

Love and money take a front seat as Venus is retrograde throughout January and this can throw a wrench into the love lives of some. If your relationships has been tottering on the edge, it may end during January. Divorces are common during this period, breakups, but some may re-connect.

Venus in Capricorn is neither lighthearted or exuberant as Capricorn is ruled by Saturn the planet of duty, responsibilities and commitment. Situations concerning love will involve a serious look at responsibilities involved and duties involved and commitments may win out in the end or be a part of the bargain. Those in committed relationships may chose to stay during this period unless the situation is intolerable. Obligations-commitments taken on during the Venus Capricorn period may have enduring qualities that will last.

If you begin a relationship during this time, it may change when Venus goes direct January 31. It is said that love is often never fully expressed if a relationship begins during this time, but it is a period problems may be worked out and serious change takes place that can lead to a resolution of issues or an ending in existing relationships.

If Venus goes stationary direct at 13 degrees of Capricorn on a personal planet in your natal chart it may have a powerful effect on your love life-good or bad, depending on the aspect.

I tell clients the karma of a relationship often plays out during this period, and whether or not the relationship will survive or move forward becomes known during a Venus retrograde period.

As Venus enters its stationary direct period January 28, it becomes part of a T-square involving Pluto, Jupiter and Uranus.

January 28-Febuary 6, Venus is conjunct Pluto. This transit is indicative of obsessive feelings and desires. Sexual issues may arise and we may hear news of rape or violence-obsessiveness toward women during this time.

This configuration (Venus and Pluto) opposes Jupiter at 12 degrees of Cancer, and squares Uranus at 9 degrees of Aries. Venus opposing Jupiter is overindulgence, social boredom, and Uranus brings an element of the unexpected.

Jupiter-Pluto tend toward a 'might makes right' attitude and there may be conflict concerning social-moral issues, with little flexibility among individuals and extreme or fanatical ideals/concepts involved .

Jupiter-Pluto is a powerful transit that on a world level tends toward extremism, and the potential for war and terrorist activities. This transit last occurred late July-August of 2013 when the world was focused on Syria's chemical weaponry. As Jupiter is a financial planet we may see issues in the world financial markets.
Other transits of interest include:

January 2-3, the Sun squares Mars and this is a transit prone to irritation, but can be experienced as energetic and as Mercury opposes Jupiter, situations may be exaggerated.

January 5, the Sun opposes Jupiter. This tends toward overindulgence and exaggeration of situations-events.

January 6, Back to work as Mercury sextiles Saturn a transit of business and practical accomplishment-conversations.

January 7, Mercury conjuncts Venus and this is a transit of social interaction and pleasantries. Good for business.

January 8, Mars squares Jupiter for the first of several times- Situations can be blown out of proportion, a tendency to take too much for granted, lack of moderation and recklessness.

January 11, Venus sextiles Saturn-events and people from the past, practical accomplishment, the Sun conjuncts Venus-social/love interaction, pleasantries, Sun sextile Saturn-practicality, and Mercury enters Aquarius. Mercurial energy changes, leaving practical and dutiful Capricorn and takes on a broader and more expansive, if not lighter energy for the next few weeks.

January 15, the full moon occurs at 25 degrees of Cancer at 11:52 p.m. EST. Cancer is the most emotional of signs and emotions may be running high. Cancer is the natural ruler of the 4th house concerning the home, family and foundation. As this moon opposes Venus, issues may crop up concerning money, women, love and relationships.

On the heels of this full moon, January 16, Mars squares Venus for the first of several times, and this concerns issues that will arise between the sexes. As Venus is retrograde there may be lovers quarrels, or breakups. Issues about money can crop up as well.

January 17, Venus sextiles Uranus and this is a positive, expansive transit good for love, social activity.

January 19, the Sun enters Aquarius and we enter the "fixed" period of winter. Energy changes, becoming lighter than Capricorn and focused on 11th house matters: groups, friends, hopes and wishes. With 2 planets in Aquarius we are in the Aquarius season!

January 24, Mercury trines Mars and this is an energetic, active transit good for all communication.

January 29, the Sun sextiles Uranus. Great for new ideas, getting a reading. A positive transit!

January 30, a new moon falls at 10 degrees of Aquarius. As it sextiles Uranus, this is the day for new ideas and an expansion of the mind. Get together with friends!

January 31, Jupiter opposes Pluto, exact. (see above paragraphs), Mercury enters Pisces, once again changing Mercurial energies, and Venus goes stationary direct at 13 degrees of Capricorn. Now the fun starts. Situations involving love may change or alter in some ways (or move forward again) but Venus will remain in a shadow period until March 4, when things get back to normal.

Mercury enters its shadow period January 22, and will go retrograde on February 6, at 3 degrees of Pisces.


Thursday, December 19, 2013

Calm before the storm-Years end: Cardinal mismatches and clashes



Happy holidays to everyone!  This holiday season we have a unique blend of planets that may create some unexpected situations on and around Christmas Day depending on where they fall in your chart. If these planets aspect your chart, you will be affected through your daily interactions, and through others. Otherwise, we will see events play out in the world.

The Sun enters Capricorn at 12:11 p.m. EST December 21, and this is winter solstice, or the shortest day of the year. After this days get longer.

On the same day Venus retrogrades (see blog) at 28 degrees of Capricorn and this may cause many of us to re-access our relationships. Venus affects love and money and we may be looking at responsibilities we have toward our relationships and commitments between now and January 31. Some relationships may deepen, others can end if they are not a positive expression of energy.

December 24, Mercury enters Capricorn and we are in the Capricorn season! The Sun sextile Neptune can be a time of inspiration and pleasantries.

December 25 (and the few days before and after) Mars opposes Uranus at 8 degrees of Libra-Aries. Relationships may encounter turbulence, and unexpected events occur. This is a volatile transit and it is best not to set your schedule in stone-prepare for unexpected obstacles and changes that can occur.

This transit will play out in the world, and generally signifies explosions, violence, volatility, and unexpected events.  Of particular interest in the chart of New York City around this time.

As Mars is at 8 degrees it will square Pluto and over the next few days this sets off the Uranus-Pluto square that will involve events that are bigger, and will involve large groups of people. We will all see events play out in the world, and you will be affected if you have cardinal planets: Aries, Libra, Cancer, Capricorn at 6-11 degrees or so.

December 28, the Sun conjuncts Mercury and this is a willful type of transit that can lean toward the ego. Much traveling will occur and perhaps problems with transport.

December 28, Mercury squares Uranus, and this transit will bring unexpected news, issues relating to transport and travel, arguments and changes of mind and mentality.

December 30, the Sun squares Uranus at 8 degrees of Capricorn-Aries and this brings unexpected and disruptive situations.

December 31, Mercury conjucnts Pluto and squares Mars  Mercury-Pluto involves obsessive argumentative issues that can concern sex and other situations. Communication is key and the media may be in the spotlight.  Pluto-Mars situations are simmering, volatile, obsessive, even violent and this transit can generate intense feelings one way or another. Sexual abuse, crime and issues connected to joint finances of some type are sometimes connected with these transits.

Again, these transits will set off the Uranus-Pluto square.

January 1, 2014, the Sun conjuncts Pluto and this is a transit of change, power struggles, and bullies who will try and impose their will on others. This transit can indicate destruction, obsessiveness, absolute change, and the ending of old conditions. On the positive side it can generate will power and a desire for personal improvement. many new year's resolutions will be made, and may be seen through!  Pluto rules nuclear weapons and substances, gangs, crime and rape.

A new moon occurs on the day at 10 degrees of Capricorn. This moon conjuncts Pluto making it obsessive and as it squares Uranus changeable and brings the unexpected.

January 2, the Sun squares Mars and this transit is prone to accidents and arguments.

Tips to survive these transits over the holidays:

1-Be calm and try to ascertain if these transits affect your personal chart.

2-Make plans and be flexible to change if it occurs.

3-Undertstand some people will be argumentative and do not engage if it is directed toward you.

4-Be careful and mindful of the energy.

5-Do not expect miracles or vast change in others just because it is the holidays. Be realistic. For many, it is just another day.

6-Harness the energy of the new moon for new beginnings in a positive way.

Some will be more affected than others by these transits. We will see major events play out in the world over the holiday season. Unfortunately, I expect many of them to be destructive or volatile. Issues could involve significant communication issues. Pray for peace and find happiness in all the places you can!

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Mars into Libra and you: The peacemaker/ the romanticist- the next 8 months


Mars entered Libra December 7, at 3:41 where it will remain until July 26, 2014. This is an exceptionally long period for Mars to remain in a sign, but it retrogrades March 2, 2014-May 20, 2014, and as it goes direct we will have to retrace some of our steps again and re-start or reconsider many of our options. Mars was last retrograde in the sign Virgo January 24, 2012-April 14, 2012. Mars retrogrades about once every 18 months ushering in a period of low energy, reconsideration of efforts and situations and slowdowns in projects-situations if not abandonment of situations permanently or for a time to be taken up later.

Mars in Libra is considered at its detriment which means its action can be considered negative, non-existent, misused or weakened. This may represent passive aggressive energy for some, and ideas may not go beyond the thought process, especially when the planet of action retrogrades.

Mars is ruled by Aries, and Libra is the opposite sign and this placement is not as active or action oriented as it would be in some other signs.

Libra is a people pleaser and Mars in this placement is concerned with balance, harmony, justice and avoiding unpleasantness, and some may be more focused than ever on finding or maintaining a relationship. Libra is represented by the scales of justice, and  this placement concerned with justice and fairness.

Mars rules men, sex, action and conflict and wars to name a few.

Libra is the natural ruler of the 7th house of courts, those we know to be enemies Libra rules marriage and committed relationships and in a general sense this is will be the focus of this Mars cycle. Does this mean nothing will happen, or everything will fall apart? No, but action may be delayed, not what we thought or reversed, especially during the retrograde Venus period December 21, 2013-January 31, 2014.

If you are born with Mars in Libra you are naturally in focus with the moods, feelings and ideas of those around you, determined to maintain harmony at all costs. Beauty, justice, relationships, love, romance and peace are forefront in your mind.  Some of those born with Mars in Libra include Abraham Lincoln, Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, Edgar Allen Poe, Bill Gates, John Lennon, Roman Polanski, Dalai Lama XIV, Elvis Presley, Ingmar Bergman, Federico Fellini, Robert Plant, Michael Douglas, and Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela.

Mars goes stationary retrograde on March 2, 2014 at 27 degrees of Libra and this is often the most important period in the cycle when energy can reverse, decisions change, situations become stalled, or in this case relationships that are troubled may change course, entirely.

When Mars retrogrades expect new projects to stall or not move forward as expected, personal energy can be lower (Mars rules action), stress can become greater and manifest through health if bad enough, accidents can occur, anger flare, and most of all if this is aspecting an important point in your chart frustration can occur. As Mars is stationing, retrograde or direct, combative energy can occur.

New relationships begun under a Mars retrograde may never get off the ground or fizzle out when Mars goes direct in July: if you begin a love affair at this time, it may or may not work out in the end.

Mars stations for the second time to go direct May 20-June 1, 2014 at 9 degrees of Libra. This will be the second most critical period especially is it is aspecting something in your personal chart. Mars begins to move forward once again June 2, and will repeat the previous cycle. Situations will now move forward again and Mars moves into the next sign, Scorpio July 26, 2014.

Check the list below to see where Mars will retrograde in your chart. If you know your ascendant use that, otherwise go by Sun sign.

Aries-7th house-courts and law, marriage and committed partnerships.

Taurus-6th house-work and health

Gemini-5th house- children, love and relationships

Cancer-4th house- home, family and basic foundation

Leo-3rd house-trips, communication, neighbors, co-workers, an immediate family members

Virgo-2ond house-money, income

Libra-1st house-self and relationships with others

Scorpio-12th house-the subconscious mind, situations-things secret and hidden, hospitals, places of seclusion

Sagitarrius-11th house-organizations, friends and groups, hopes and wishes

Capricorn-10th house-priorities and career

Aquarius-9th house-education, medical situations, travel, outlook

Pisces-8th house-taxes, credit, joint finances with others, sex

At times Mars will aspect other planets and we will feel it's effect more than other times, especially if it is aspecting your personal chart. Keep this list of dates handy to know when to expect 'Mars action'.

December 25-26, 2013 Mars opposes Uranus at 8 degrees Aries/Capricorn This energy is volatile, changeable, potentially explosive, and you should expect the unexpected, especially if it is aspecting your natal chart. We will see volatility play out in the world with this transit. (see December blog) This re-occurs again on 6-25.

December 31, 2013-January 1, 2014 Mars squares Pluto at 11 degrees. This is volatile energy and the combination of Mars-Pluto is prone to arguments, sexual issues and rape, jealousy issues,  concerns with joint finances, and Pluto rules bullies and those with issues and propaganda to convince others of. This re-occurs 4-23 and 6-14.

January 2, 2014 Sun squares Mars This transit is prone toward energetic activities, ego conflicts, accidents and arguments. The Sun opposes Mars 4-8, and will square it again on 7-19.

January 8-9, 2014 Mars squares Jupiter at 15 degrees Libra-Capricorn. This is prone to situations getting blown out of proportion, lack of moderation, recklessness. Could involve relationship oriented issues or money. This will re-occur 4-22

January 16-18, 2014 Mars squares Venus at 18-17 degrees of Libra-Capricorn This transit generally involves trouble between the sexes, jealousy, 'lovers quarrels,' issues over money.

March 2-3, 2014 Mars squares Venus at 27 degrees Libra-Capricorn.

April 8,9, 2014 Mars squares the Sun at 19 degrees of Aries-Capricorn. See Sun square Mars above.

April 16, 2014 Mars opposes Mercury at 16, degrees Libra-Aries. This is prone to arguments, negative news, much debate and issues with vehicles, travel.

April 23-25, 2014-this is part of a grand cross involving Uranus, Pluto and Jupiter all at 13 degrees in the Cardinal signs of Aries, Capricorn, Cancer and Mars in Libra. We will see major events play out in the world, and if this is hitting a Cardinal planet in your chart from 10-16 degrees, you will see major events and changes play out in your life, depending on what is being aspected. This period could mark a major turning point in your life.

Mars opposes Venus May 11, 2014 at 11 degrees Aries. Attractions to the opposite sex, jealousies, desire for romantic fulfillment, events concerning money and partnerships.

June 8, 2014, Mars squares Pluto 11 degrees Aries-Capricorn. (see above)

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, December 5, 2013





Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born July 18, 1918, and died December 5, 2014. He was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary who was imprisoned and then became a politician serving as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. While in prison Mandela began studying the teachings of Gandhi and others who re-shaped his political views toward violence, and by the time he left prison he knew all the people of S. Africa must come together or be destroyed by hate and violence.

He was the first black South African elected to the office. He and his government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling and overcoming institutionalized racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation.

He was born to the Thembu royal family, studied law, and became involved in anti-colonial politics. He rose to prominence in 1952. In 1962 he was arrested, convicted of sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government, and sentenced to life imprisonment and served 27 years before becoming President until 1999. He died a beloved man who held the esteem of leaders and people worldwide, and Americans loved him.

 In retirement he continued to do all he could to promote his causes that included AIDS-HIV prevention and detection and will be forever known and loved because of his charismatic, peaceful approach and has been compared to Gandhi.

Mandela was born a 25 degree Cancer, the most sensitive of signs, with his Sun in the 8th house of transformation. He transformed himself many times over, and 8th house Sun individuals can have an interest in the mysteries of life and their works-life are often known posthumously.  Some of his many transformations began when he attended law college, leaving his early life, where his Father was a reigning nobleman from a clan of Kings. He became a revolutionary, prison inmate and South African President, Nobel peace prize winner, Author, in his lifetime. While a Cancer, the 8th house is ruled by Scorpio, giving him an intense and magnetic quality while projecting Cancer's sensitivity.

27 years in prison is shown by Mercury conjunct Saturn in his 9th house of legal matters and world view, square his moon at 20 degrees of Scorpio in his 12th house. (prison)

Mercury-Saturn at 16-15 degrees of Leo in the 9th also shows a a lung infection/tuberculosis he contracted in prison  leaving his lungs damaged and a source of illness he suffered for the rest of his life. This transit gave him a serious and deep manner of thinking he projected in his writings and speeches along with a determination and will that could never be broken or changed .

Neptune lies in Leo at 6 degrees making a stellium of 3 Leo planets in his 9th-8th houses and gave him the ability to dream big (Neptune-Mercury) and give his dreams concrete form.(Saturn). He may have had a intuitive rapport with others or recognition of future events before they happened with Neptune in the 8th.

His ascendant falls at 23 degrees of Sagittarius, the truth-seeker, teacher and philosopher ruled by Jupiter. His Jupiter is considered exalted falling in Cancer in his 7th house of enemies, he was known for his demeanor and lack of bitterness he portrayed toward his captors and enemies, even while serving 27 years behind bars. Cancer rules the 4th house home and family and he left many grandchildren and always had a deep love of family.

 Pluto and Jupiter are conjunct at 5-1 degrees of Cancer in his 7th house showing powerful enemies (Pluto) and (Jupiter) his ability to overcome his them.

Mars lies at 12 degrees of Libra, the sign of justice, peace and balance in his 11th house, giving his work a worldwide approach and appeal everywhere. Mars in Libra is the peacemaker, the seeker of truth and justice.

With his Scorpio moon square Uranus at 26 degrees of Aquarius , his emotional life was not always smooth, being married three times and denied time raising his children, especially while in prison. In one interview he spoke of the saddest time in his prison life being when he saw his Mother for the last time (Moon) and knew at the time he would not see her alive again.

Uranus in his third house lies in its own sign Aquarius, where it is at its most powerful at 26 degrees. Aquarius rules freedom, brotherly love and harmony, and with this planet in the house ruling his mind, his ideas would take on worldwide recognition (11th house) and he stated that once he discovered prison was aimed at taking away all human dignity, he knew no one would stop him or hold him down. Freedom would ultimately be his destiny and his calling in life no matter whether imprisoned or not.

His Venus in Gemini in the 6th house (work) sextiled his Mercury-Saturn, and trined his Uranus (popularity-success) gave his the charm, charisma and the ability to speak and inspire others around the world.

Long Walk to Freedom, a movie based on his book is a box office smash in South Africa and around the world, December 2013. “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela

RIP Nelson Mandela

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Telling it like it is



Mercury enters Sagittarius November 4, at 9: 42 EST, and Sagittarius is the sign of big, bold and extreme (sometimes blown out of proportion) ideas and styles of communication. Mercury rules our thinking and speaking, leaving now the intense and brooding sign of Scorpio for something bigger, brighter and at times, not exactly grounded.

Sag's are known for speaking the truth, at least the truth as they see it. Mercury is considered at its detriment in Sagittarius and the problem is this can translate into 'uncensored,' and the truth may set you free, in ways you did not intend. In other words you or others could lack tact.

The downside is you may need to censor your speech before it comes out of your mouth and the upside is your ideas may be bigger, more flamboyant and more novel than any other time.

Sag's are known for being quick witted and thinking on their feet.

Everything begins with an idea, and now is the time to let your mind expand (9th house) and see how far it can take you.

Being born with Sagittarius in Mercury means you mind is alive with new ideas, concepts and visions. There are the best of conversationalists and always looking for a new vision. They are gifted in science, the arts, as educators, activists, sometimes lawyers and debaters, and are always looking for the next mental adventure.

 

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

December 2013: the Sagittarius season-looking at situations differently

We begin the twelfth month of the year with little fanfare compared to some of the previous months this year and things may seem calmer than usual until month's end, giving us a much needed break in terms of stressful aspects.

Mercury, the planet of communication and thinking,  is in its last week of heavy and intense Scorpio as we begin the month. The mental energy will change considerably as Mercury enters Sagittarius becoming more expansive if not jovial, as we are now in the Sagittarius season. As Mercury changes the way the world communicates, along with ideas, change in our collective thinking, proof comes again that nothing and no transit good or bad, can last forever.

With the Sun and Mercury in Sagittarius and a New and full moon falling on the 9th/3rd house axis we are in a period where traveling, education,  thinking, acting and communicating will come into focus take on the energies and concerns of the ninth/third houses.

The ninth house is about travel, education learning and ideas, governments, philosophies and sometimes legal or medical matters,  as well as expanding our own personal horizons and reaching out for new ways, concepts and methods in our personal lives. When the planets transit  the third and ninth houses, this is one of my favorite periods as new ideas seem to emerge from nowhere, and for many, the holidays are a favorite time of the year to visit friends and relatives. So, keep an open mind as to where your thinking may go, and remember some of the greatest ideas all begin with a single thought.

December's New Moon falls at 10 degrees of Sagittarius, December 2 at 7:22 p.m. EST, setting off ninth house themes. The moon squares Neptune which will bring water related weather conditions to parts of the country and may cause some inertia or confusion/misunderstandings on a personal level. It may be hard to go back to work after the holiday!  Whatever relief we get now should be enjoyed as toward the end of December the energies of the Cardinal grand cross that will involve Uranus, Pluto, Jupiter and Mars will be building again, and we will see much activity related to this in the early months of 2014 if not the end of December.

Mercury sextiles Mars on December 3, and this is the day to put ideas in concrete form and take action. December 4, Mercury enters Sagittarius, changing Mercurial energies and setting a lighter, more intellectual tone through December 23. December 6, Mercury squares Neptune, again bringing water related weather conditions, and this is a transit of confusion, and a lack of clarity. Make serious decisions on this day and you may live to regret them, or be misinformed. Don't take the energy seriously wait a few days and see if what you believe is actually correct.

Mars enters Libra December 7 at 3:41 p.m. EST where it will remain until late July of 2014! Mars usually transits the signs for 40-60 days but in 2014 Mars will retrograde in April and we will all retrace our previous steps before moving forward and may have to go back and correct certain situations. Libra is the natural ruler of the 7th house of partnerships, marriage and committed relationships and these are the areas we could be challenged in. The 7th house also rules courts and those considered 'open enemies,' or those you know to be enemies.

Jupiter trines Saturn in December and the aspect becomes exact on December 12. This is positive energy for financial matters, or starting new projects and it is possible we could hear some positive economic news. Those most favorably affected will have personal planets at 16-18 degrees of Cancer or Pisces. This transit should help us all to some degree this month and bring welcome financial news and some may see increases in money or business depending on where it is hitting your personal natal chart.

December's full moon falls at 25 degrees of Gemini on December 17, at 4: 28 a.m. EST. Gemini is the natural ruler of the 3rd house of travel and mental concerns, neighbors, immediate family members and neighbors. It is here our concerns will lie at this time. There is an emphasis on ideas, mental concerns and communications of all types. On the same day Uranus begins its stationary direct movement at 12:39 pm, EST and this may increase the energy/affects of this full moon. As this powerful planet stations to move forward we could see breakthroughs in medicine, technology and science to name a few. As Uranus is part of the Uranus-Pluto square and the Cardinal square of 2014 this is significant and events will start to amp up, good or bad. If it is going direct on a personal planet in your own natal chart, you could have unexpected, unusual or remarkable things happen to you, depending on what and how it is aspecting.

December 21, the Sun enters Capricorn and the Winter solstice occurs at 12:11 p.m. EST. It is the time at which the sun appears at noon at its lowest altitude above the horizon. After this, days will get longer.

Also on this day, Venus retrogrades at 28 degrees of Capricorn, not going direct until January 31, 2014. There can be big shifts in love energies (sometimes money in Capricorn) with this transit. DO NOT get married or engaged on a retrograde Venus! Many divorces and separations occur when this occurs about every 18 months. If you begin a relationship on this transit it could change when Venus goes direct. If you meet someone on the direct station of this transit (January 31 or the week of) this can be an extremely powerful time if it is making a positive aspect in your chart!

December 24, Mercury enters Capricorn and with the Sun and Mercury here, the Capricorn season has begun! Capricorn is concerned with 10th house matters: priorities and business and being a Cardinal sign events become larger when aspected.

December 25, and the few days before Mars opposes Uranus, becoming exact at 3:33 a.m, EST. Expect to see unexpected events, changes and try and be flexible with your plans as they may not all come to fruition as you expect . Arguments and disagreements can occur and this powerful transit will play out in the news and we will see volatile, unexpected and explosive situations around the country and around the globe in the hot spots. This is the most powerful and volatile transit of the month. Mars-Uranus is indicative of guns, explosions and violence. Christmas is generally a time of escalated domestic violence and we will likely hear news of this and other situations. The key in our own lives is to maintain flexibility.

December 29, the Sun and Mercury are conjunct at 7 degrees of Capricorn and this configuration squares Uranus at 8 degrees of Aries. This is a transit of stress and sudden and unexpected news that will play out in our lives if is making an aspect in your chart and in the world. People will seem willful and changeable in personal matters, priorities and business.  We could see or hear shocking events and situations and some of the news could involve the media. The Sun squares Uranus exact December 30, and this has to do with unexpected change/explosive situations coming to a head. Also on December 30, Mars squares Pluto and this is a transit of violence, volatility, anger and frustration. Pluto rules bullies, sex, crime and agendas and power struggles,  and your could experience some volatile situations this day. In the world this transit will play out in terms of violence, police, guns and weapons and will likely manifest in the hot spots around the globe in an intense manner. There will be those who push their agendas personally, and in the world arena. Many situations will be revealed for what they are at this time.

December 31, Mercury conjuncts Pluto and squares Mars in the morning hours, EST. This is obsessive and argumentative energy. Situations will be revealed and mental changes can occur. You may notice this in people around you, or you may feel obsessed by a single thought. Be careful driving, and I expect accidents, problems with transportation and problems relating to others. Pluto rules bullies and those pushing their personal viewpoint. On the world stage situations will occur that could involve media, violence against women, and agendas.

January 1, 2014 the Sun conjuncts Pluto and this is a transit of change, and power struggles and issues. January 2, the Sun squares Mars and this can be an energetic but angry transit if it is aspecting your personal chart.

Between December 25, and January 2, the stressful aspects mentioned above will once again set off the Uranus-Pluto square we all live under. By December's end the U-P square is separated by 3 degrees but this is well within orb for this most powerful transit to be set off bringing major events to the world and in your personal chart if it is aspecting something. In 2013 we have seen events related to turmoil in the Middle East, catastrophic weather events, mass shootings, political and gridlock polarization in the US, slow economic growth, and general anger in the population and I have no reason to believe this time will be any different.  When the U-P square is set off, events become larger and can in effect, relate to the world and large segments of the population. In the end, this transit will change the world like it did in the 1930's and again when Uranus and Pluto were conjunct in the 1960's.

The key to positive holidays this year is to remain calm, cool, collected and flexible, and remember to always put peace ahead of everything else. Good luck and Happy holidays to all!