November 30-December 2: Celestial hash

November  30, the Sun squares Neptune on top of the New Moon square on November 29. These squares from Neptune are difficult and confusing, and nothing should be taken at face value. 

This energy can be depressing, melancholy, tiring or at times you may discover new information. Often things are not nearly as negative as they may seem. A lack of clarity and sometimes awareness is typical of this energy. Dreams over the next few days may seem unusually vivid.

Neptune creates a fog of confusion that some people may use to their advantage and lying or misrepresenting facts is common as is low energy. Enthusiasm can also be affected. Be careful taking medications on this transit.

Other energies should greatly help the day, however. The Moon's trine to Uranus can be exciting and upbeat and Mars enters into a trine to Jupiter which is positive and exciting and can help with money. It could seem electric to some. Later in the week it also sextiles Saturn giving endurance and stamina to complete important projects.

Overall, this will give us balance to accomplish and see a more positive side of things.

December: Stability and Change

The most significant transits and planets in December will involve Jupiter, the planet of gain and expansion along with Saturn and Uranus. Jupiter shows us where our luck will occur and is positive. Saturn rules our structure and Uranus rules the new and the unexpected. During December we will be dealing with all three.

We begin the twelfth month as Jupiter completes its square to Pluto over the first several days. This transit can be considered transformative change but not without struggle as it is a square, and the fanatical nature of the planets involved must be considered as well. This square is prone to power struggles and strong opinions.

Jupiter forms a sextile to Saturn, the planet of structure. This transit is exact December 15-20.

Jupiter-Saturn transits can be positive and events and projects can come together during this time. It is good for business and growth, or starting new ventures but its effects will be fleeting. It will repeat several times in the new year.

However fleeting it is, events that can occur at this time often involve the old and the new, structure can be created and new ventures started or move forward. That said, the window of opportunity is short as this transit will pass quickly as Mercury turns retrograde at 15 degrees of Capricorn, conjunct Pluto on December 19.

As Mercury conjuncts Pluto for several days (December 19-20) new information can be revealed or come to light that was previously unknown. Mercury-Pluto transits are obsessive in nature, and often concern propaganda, arguments and those who try and push their opinions on others. While things may appear to be going well, glitches can suddenly occur that can slow things down and this could represent a turning point again, where we must back up and things corrected.

In the world, this transit will represent heated arguments and a re-look or review of what has occurred. The news media is typically involved with Mercury-Pluto transits and we must differentiate between what is real and what people try and convince us to believe. Pluto rules unabridged power as well as nuclear issues, and this transit will be volatile.

December 19, the US electoral college meets to cast their votes for President. This will be a pivotal time in US history as it is only the fifth time a candidate has been elected that did not win the popular vote, the last being in 2000 when Al Gore won the popular vote but lost the election. At the time of this post it appears that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by close to 2 million votes. This is larger than anyone in history who did not go on to become President.

Mercury squares Saturn in the US natal chart and opposes the Sun (the head of state). Pluto is within orb of its square to Saturn during this period and Mercury conjuncts Pluto. This shows a lot of serious debate and friction.

It is never advisable to begin new projects on a retrograde Mercury (December 19-Janurary 8, 2017). As this Mercury turns retrograde at 15 degrees of Capricorn, this cycle will typically be concerned with security and safety, business and matters of priority. 

On January 5, 2017 it retrogrades back into Sagittarius where it will remain through January 12, and then move through Capricorn again when it turns direct.

What to Avoid during retrograde Mercury

Retrograde Mercury is the wrong time to start new projects, get married, or buy high ticket items as in the end, you may not be happy with your decision. I have tested this theory many times over, and if you start any of the above you do so at your own peril.  

The exception seems to be those who were born with retrograde Mercury, but many of the people you will deal with were not born with Mercury retrograde in their natal chart. This is part of the natural cycle of life and my advice is not to sweat the small stuff!

Best Use of Retrograde Mercury Energy

A retrograde Mercury is, in fact a time for re-doing, re-thinking and re-working projects and issues. In a perfect world we would rest, rethink, and re-evaluate.  Of course, the world is not perfect and we generally have to keep moving, but if you can view this as a period of re-doing and re-evaluating your life and situations, as opposed to starting new projects you are using the energy in the best possible way. We become more reflective, thus thinking can become deeper.

Fated Events and Situations

Retrograde planets often coincide with events that seem fated:  that is events or situations occur that seem to be thrust on us or out of our sphere of ability to control. Business deals and projects fall through, people break up or get back together and we have seem to have no power over what is happening. Issues that have not been previously resolved come back to haunt is. Retrograde Mercury relates to the past and sometimes we reconnect with those from our past.

Retrograde Mercury is a Cycle Not a Date

While Mercury officially goes retrograde December 19-January 8, 2017, it is actually a much longer cycle and events and energy will be altered at different levels during this cycle. The shadow period is when Mercurial energy actually starts to change and we become more retrospective.  This period begins December 2.  The stationary retrograde period begin occurs December 19-20.  The stationary retrograde period is usually when events and situations occur, letting us know the ‘communicator, and the trickster,’ is preparing to weave it’s magic and we are going into a period of altered mercurial energy that will play out for the next number of weeks. It is a period of correcting situations. The stationary retrograde period will be especially significant if it is transiting a personal planet in your chart. Mercury starts its three week retrograde backward December 21-January 7, turning stationary direct at 28 degrees of Sagittarius January 8-9. The stationary direct period is important, and like the stationary retrograde period we become more aware of the potent energy of Mercury in the sign of the Ram, especially if it is hitting a significant point in your chart. It will not move forward at a normal rate until January 28, when it reaches the degree at which it retrograded. This is the period when it's full steam ahead!

On December 23, Jupiter enters its opposition to Uranus. Jupiter-Uranus periods coincide with sudden and unexpected changes and events that can include money and the financial markets, fanatical viewpoints and opinions, and sudden and unexpected change. This cycle has to do with the awakening of human consciousness and combines aspirations and effort as it relates to the potential progress of man. It is prone to extremist behaviors as Jupiter increases anything it touches. It is considered a capitalist oriented cycle and Uranus rules coups and revolutions as well as rebellion against the status quo and it is a powerful agent of change. This transit will repeat several times in 2017.

For some this can increase the need for travel and personal freedom. You may feel more of a desire to do things your own way. In general, many people in relationships will experience a desire for more freedom, and if this is the case you would be wise to allow it and go with the flow as the situation can break down, otherwise.

This transit has an element of the gambler in it. We can expect sudden twists and turns, unexpected events, unconventional pairings, and while overall positive, some things and relationships can end at this time while other may begin.

Saturn will also trine Uranus, and while the energy will be powerful all of December, it becomes exact at 20 degrees of Aries/Sagittarius December 24. The energy will continue to be powerful into January 2017. While Saturn rules the old, Uranus rules the new and revolutionary. This can bring change and stability that can occur without the trauma it is often associated with.

We can experience a practical application of creative and inspirational ideas that can take form at this time and realize progress in personal and professional goals. You may gain or benefit through older established persons, and experienced increased awareness and the ability to focus your concentration on matters of importance. You may experience new goals and methods of performance in work situations, and connect with those from your past. In all ways positive.

While Jupiter will make contacts with both Uranus (erratic-surprising changes) and Saturn (stability/structure) it is also becoming part of a Cardinal t-square that will reach its peak January-February of 2017. A t-square is a difficult transit consisting of three planets that for a t-shape and include an opposition (180 degrees) and 2 squares (90 degrees).

The cardinal t-square is not so different from the Cardinal Cross of 2014, that brought upheaval and chaos to the world resulting in great change.

This t-square will involve Jupiter (expansion, gain), Pluto (power structures, bullies, change and upheaval) and Uranus (coups, change, revolutionary tendencies, explosions and explosive circumstances), and we will once again see great change in the world during the first two months of 2017 which I will write more about in the future.

Other significant dates in December:

December 2, Mercury enters Capricorn. Communication will take on a more grounded and conservative approach for the rest of the month. Capricorn is the sign ruled by Saturn the task master. Thinking and communications will be more rational and well thought out.

December 7, Venus leaves Capricorn and enters Aquarius. Love energy will change and become lighter and perhaps more experimental. While Capricorn loves stability and commitment, Aquarius loves freedom and adventure.

December 10, the Sun conjuncts Saturn. This is overall negative and tiring energy, and not the best day to start new projects. Often we hear bad news in the world.

December 13, a full Moon occurs at 22 degrees of Gemini This Moon sextiles Uranus giving it a futuristic edge but it also opposes Saturn the planet of restriction and responsibility. Go toward the Uranus energy and try something new.

December 19, Mars, the God of war and planet of action leaves the sign ruled by Uranus and enters the water sign Pisces. While Mars in Aquarius is about going against the establishment in many different ways, Pisces is the sign ruling spirituality and compassion for others. Action tends to flow, rather than happen in sporadic bursts while in Aquarius. This will work well for water signs.

December 21, the Sun enters Capricorn and this is the Winter solstice and the first official day of winter. The Sun in Capricorn can be rich and warm, and we are more focused on stability and matters of priority.

December 25, Christmas Day, Venus trines Jupiter and this is a positive, hopefully and warm transit. Venus sextiles Uranus lending a spark of something new and exciting and Venus also sextiles Saturn which can connect us with those things most important and people from our past. This year we are blessed with positive transits at this time. Merry Christmas!

December 31, Mars conjuncts Neptune and this is an interesting transit to end the year on. Mars-Neptune periods typically coincide with low energy, confusion, and delusional circumstances. On the other hand, the energy can be directed toward the imagination, compassion for others or glamor. Make the most of it and let your imagination soar as to the possibilities the New Year can bring. Be careful if you drive or travel as Neptune is also associated with drugs and alcohol. Happy New Year!

New Moon in Sagittarius-the luck of the draw

November's new Moon falls at 7.43 degrees of Sagittarius. Sagittarius is ruled by the expansive planet Jupiter, and is the natural ruler of the ninth house of travel, world view, foreign adventure, education and medicine. New Moons typically represent new beginnings or some type of seed being planted for the future.

While Sagittarius is associated with expansion and enthusiasm, this Moon also squares Neptune, the planet of illusion, illusion and confusion.

This can confuse matters, and create misleading scenarios. At times this energy can be tiring and melancholy. On the other hand, it can be dreamy, creative great for readings, and dreams can be vivid and intense.

Venus also squares Uranus and this will also have an effect on this Moon. Venus rules love (our social lives) and money, and Uranus rules the erratic and unpredictable.  

New people you meet on this transit will have to withstand the test of time as Uranus transits can mean you meet someone you know will be significant and they are gone the next day. You may want to something new and different with this transit and it can be a day for something unusual.

In some cases, if other indications in your chart show this, relationships can end as Uranus can mean, 'freedom at any cost,' or it could suddenly change in some way. This would only occur is your relationship is unstable to begin with. Money can also be unpredictable and at times this shows financial swings.

JFK and Oswald: Two lives on a collision course

It's been 53 years today since America's most loved President of the 20th century was gunned down in Dallas, Texas one sunny November day in 1963 that some reading this post will remember as the day Camelot ended.  Jack Fitzgerald Kennedy was riding in an open motorcade with his wife Jackie, and Texas governor John Connally and his wife, when gunshots rang out fatally wounding Kennedy and injuring Connally at 12:30 p.m. on November 22, 1963. By 1 p.m. the President was pronounced dead, and America descended into a deep state of mourning that would change a way of life forever.

Two days later his alleged assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald was gunned down on national TV by Jack Ruby as the world watched, and many believe the true nature of the shooting has never been revealed and conspiracy theories exist to this day as to who was actually responsible for the death of the 35th President of the United States.

President Johnson created the Warren Commission—chaired by Chief Justice Earl Warren—to investigate the assassination, which concluded that Oswald was the lone assassin. The results of this investigation are disputed by many. The assassination proved to be an important moment because of its impact on the nation and the ensuing political repercussions. (Wikipedia) However, the HSCA (United States House Select Committee on Assassinations) concluded that those investigations were flawed and that Kennedy was probably assassinated as the result of a conspiracy.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born May 29, 1917 at 3:00 p.m in Brookline, Ma.  He had a 7 degree Gemini Sun with a Venus in Gemini falling next to his Sun which accounts for his charm and charisma with the ladies and the public as well. His womanizing and affairs that were so prevalent during his Presidency the Secret Service was said to have no control over who entered the White House during his reign.

His Virgo moon falls at 17 degrees in his 11th house of groups and trines his Mars/Mercury in Taurus accounting for his skills as a great orator, but as Virgo rules the 6th house of health, he suffered from various health issues all of his life.

The most astounding thing about President Kennedy's chart is the fact that 5 out of 10 planets fall in his 8th house that include Mars, Mercury and Jupiter in Taurus, and his Sun/Venus in Gemini.

The 8th house rules death, regeneration, sex, other people's money and inheritance, and has a connection to the mysteries of life, deep knowledge and secrets. Mars and Mercury lie at 18-20 degrees of Taurus in a conjunction, and these planets square Uranus which lies at 23 degrees of Aquarius just outside the cusp of his 5th house in Aquarius. Uranus was stationing retrograde on the day of his birth and Mercury was stationing direct on the same day making this a powerful combination! Uranus square Mercury made him a brilliant politician and speaker. He had many ideas and was responsible for initiating Project Apollo which would culminate in the moon landing in 1969, and Uranus rules spacecraft.

Kennedy lived out his life as the wealthy son of a businessman, investor and ultimately US President. He was known throughout the years as a man with many mistresses that included Marylin Monroe and Judith Campbell, Marlene Dietrich, Mimi Alford and Jackie's press secretary Pam Turnure to name a few.

Anyone born with the Sun in the 8th house tends to live lives characterized by intensity, drama and crisis. During his Presidency events included the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Civil Rights Movement, the building of the Berlin Wall and the Vietnam War.

As a youngster Kennedy was beset with health problems that included colitis, and later back problems, Addison's disease and hypothyroidism.  His elder brother died at age 29, and early in his marriage Jackie suffered a stillbirth and he lost a second son.

The fatal configuration in his chart that spelled out his assassination was the square (90 degree angle)  between Mars/Mercury at 18-20 degrees of Taurus in his 8th house and Uranus at 23 degrees of Aquarius in his 4th house, which rules end of life. Mercury, Mars and Uranus in such a configuration indicates risk taking, accidents, guns and explosive incidents. Those with planets in the 8th house, especially the Sun often leave a legacy that lives on long after death.

Lee Harvey Oswald was born October 18, 1939 in New Orleans, La.

He was a former marine who defected to the Soviet Union in October 1959 until June of 1962. Oswald was initially arrested for the murder of police officer J. D. Tippit, who was killed on a Dallas street approximately 45 minutes after President Kennedy was shot. Oswald would later be charged with the assassination of President Kennedy as well, but denied involvement in either of the killings. Two days later, while being transferred from police headquarters to the county jail, Oswald was shot and killed by Dallas nightclub owner Jack Ruby in full view of television cameras broadcasting live.(Wikipedia)

Oswald had a 24 degree Libra Sun in the 4th house opposed by a retrograde Saturn in Aries at 28 degrees. These individuals often see challenges where they do not exist, and need constant reassurance of their self-worth which is often low. The Father may be non-existent or abusive in some way.

His moon lies in Capricorn in the 7th house in the sign of its detriment. The moon shows our emotional life and outlook and Capricorn is ruled by Saturn. Moon-Saturn, or moon in Capricorn individuals can appear cold and have a hard time expressing emotions, or they can be insecure. Achievement can be the most important thing in life, and perhaps even more so if they are not successful.

Like JFK, Oswald has a complex chart with difficult angles, and what stands out are three major oppositions which involve a T-square with  Mars, Pluto and Mercury. Oppositions and T-squares are stressful aspects, but t-squares are often found in the charts of successful people and are often considered 'drivers' toward success. In Oswald's case he was successful in assassinating the President of the United States, but otherwise considered a loser, and we can trace his problems to the T-square and three major oppositions in his chart. With transits like this an individual would either give in to the stress of the T-square pattern and succumb to the oppositional energies at work, or take the same energy and allow it to drive him toward success. In a strange way Oswald did both. According to reports and documentaries he was driven to do something that lifted him out of the mundane, and he was quoted in one documentary as saying he wanted to do something people would remember for a thousand years.

You can understand a T-square like this: There is a 180 degree opposition, and both are making a 90 degree square to a third planet, like an isosceles triangle!

In a T-square, the planet that is at the apex that squares both ends of the opposition functions as the catalyst in the entire configuration, mediating between the planets in opposition. This is an open, unstable, stressful aspect pattern. In the case of Oswald those planets that are both being aspected are Mercury and Venus at 6-11 degrees of Scorpio, squared by Pluto and Mars.

Oswald's Mercury which rules thinking and the mind- was in the most intense of signs: Scorpio, along with Venus which is considered at its detriment in Scorpio.

On one end these planets are squared by Pluto at 2 degrees of Leo which would show a person  with impatience toward others who do not think as they do. Skepticism and cynicism turns into fanaticism, and obsession and mental turmoil. An inner restlessness can drive the native to obsessive searches for knowledge and a preoccupation with death. Venus-Pluto shows jealousy and conflict in relationships, and can indicate abuse toward women in a man's chart.(At its worst. Not all men with this transit abuse women-Oswald was reported to be abusive toward his Russian wife)

On the other end Mars squares his Venus, debilitated in Scorpio, and again showing lack of a stable relationship/money and of even greater concern, Mars squares Mercury making him mentally over sensitive, verbally abusive, and constantly upset.

Mars also opposes Pluto from the 8th house in the T-square and this shows an obsessive nature and a tendency to think about death along with the potential for violence.

There is actually a second T-square in his chart using an orb of 9 degrees that involves Mercury and Mars at 11 degrees of Scorpio/Aquarius and Uranus at 20 degrees of Taurus. Uranus makes him/the configuration mentally unpredictable, unstable and prone to outbursts of violent behavior.

The general definition of Mars-Mercury-Uranus is unpredictable violent situations and Mars rules guns. His life was a powder keg ready to explode.

Like JFK's transit, Oswald's Mercury-Uranus transit can be indicative of brilliance, but it can also indicate scattered thinking and it has been written this transit can give genius for incurring the wrath of others. This transit can cause the individual to assume his opinions are the only valid ones, refuse to compromise with others, and thinking can become unbalanced. As a child, Oswald was described by several people who knew him as withdrawn and temperamental. Oswald attended the 7th grade but was often truant, which led to a psychiatric assessment at a juvenile reformatory. The reformatory psychiatrist, described Oswald as immersed in a "vivid fantasy life, turning around the topics of omnipotence and power, through which [Oswald] tries to compensate for his present shortcomings and frustrations, and detected a "personality pattern disturbance with schizoid features and passive-aggressive tendencies and recommended continued treatment. In January 1954, Oswald's mother returned to New Orleans, taking Oswald with her withdrawing him from treatment.

Based in the configurations in his chart Oswald was an unhappy man, obsessed, mentally unstable and desirous of committing an act that would bring notoriety or fame without regard to who was harmed in the process.

A T-square is a powerful aspect as stated before. An individual with such a configuration would sink or swim in life, is one way of looking at it. JFK himself had a square between Uranus, Mars and Mercury in fixed signs like Oswald and reacted much differently to this energy! Of course conditioning, education and wealth impacted his decisions in life.

The configurations is Oswald's chart manifested themselves in a fatal way with JFK's chart.

Taking the T-square involving Uranus, Mars and Mercury in Oswald's chart and placing it over JFK's chart it falls directly on JFK's Mars-Mercury in his 8th house of death!

Uranus-Mars-Mercury is a violent combination of planets that pre-disposed the individuals toward a violent synasty.  Additionally, Oswald's Saturn squared JFK's Saturn showing coldness, competition, and possible paranoia toward JFK's approach in handling national matters.

Oswald's Pluto in Leo conjunced JFK's Neptune in Leo which between two individuals shows concern with large scale political, economic and social changes that affect humanity as a whole. It is said natives with this configuration can share in some way a common destiny shaped by large scale forces  of change within society.

There are other aspects too numerous to mention at this time. Destiny played out between these two men and society was made all the worse for it.

To all those who remember this infamous day in history, and to those who only hear and read of it, this day is remembered as the day America lost its innocence and hope for which it has yet to recover.

"Has anybody here seen my old friend Abraham?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people,
But it seems the good they die young.
You know, I just looked around and he's gone.

Anybody here seen my old friend John?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people,
But it seems the good they die young.
I just looked around and he's gone.

Anybody here seen my old friend Martin?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people,
But it seems the good they die young.
I just looked 'round and he's gone.

Didn't you love the things that they stood for?
Didn't they try to find some good for you and me?
And we'll be free
Some day soon, and it's a-gonna be one day ...

Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up over the hill,
With Abraham, Martin and John."

Abraham, Martin and John lyrics-Dion

Thanksgiving and Black Friday

Thanksgiving falls on November 24th this year. Here is wishing everyone a wonderful holiday! With a little foresight and knowledge of the transits ahead of time we can avoid holiday pitfalls and problems.

November 23, Mercury conjuncts Saturn at 16 degrees of Sagittarius. It looks like many people will be finishing up work projects, and attending to serious matters this day.

This can indicate a cautious mental outlook, worry or anxiety and a heavy workload. There could be delayed communication, transportation issues or issues with relatives. Don't let heavy responsibilities or too much work or negativity affect your holiday spirit-plan ahead now.

By late afternoon, Thanksgiving Day, Venus conjuncts Pluto at 15 degrees of Capricorn. Venus rules money and women and combinations like this can get too intense. This can indicate very intense emotional experiences which can either demean or uplift. Go for the love! Drama and family drama may play out with this.

Romantic relationships especially, can be affected by too much intensity or jealousy. As the Moon is in Libra this is indicative of a desire to be with loved ones, but early evening hours can get intense as the Moon (women) squares Pluto.(power struggles-issues)  Let go of heaviness, save that for another day, and enjoy the day.

November 25, is black Friday in the US and with Venus still conjunct Pluto I would avoid the malls/shopping centers at any cost. That is, unless you are ready to defend yourself against another shopper who is ready to fight over the same item. Venus conjunct Pluto=a desire to acquire at any cost. It wouldn't surprise me if we don't see riots in the stores. Maybe not literally, but then again..

Hope you have a great holiday and remember what Thanksgiving really is: Thanks giving. After all, we all have so much to be grateful for!

Jupiter squares Pluto: the clash of philosophies and ideas

Jupiter is square Pluto and this transit becomes exact November 24. Between now and then this aspect is at its most powerful period, and after the 24th it will start to wane in terms of its strength. But, that does not mean the aspect is immediately over, and it will repeat itself several more times in the new year and its effects will be long lasting and have great consequences. 

In December, Jupiter will oppose Uranus and this will become part of another t-square involving Uranus and Pluto, complicating the aspect and bringing large and important events to the fore.

Jupiter-Pluto transits can indicate religious, moral and other types of power plays among individuals, coercive tactics and fanatical belief systems. Personal philosophies may become evident and come into question. This transit  is indicative of impatience along with arrogance and pride along with the possibility of neglecting small but very important details.

Some individuals may try and reform those around them while neglecting their own personal development and be convinced they are right in many matters. In other words, power struggles are a major possibility. As Pluto is in Capricorn and Jupiter in Libra it could involve business matters or relationships, and this is not limited to romantic matters.

This transit will especially affect those born under Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) at 14-18 degrees, or have Cardinal planets at these degrees.

Sometimes with transits like this situations reach conclusions and matters end or come together. This is an important period in many ways.

If you were born with Jupiter square Pluto you may be a very dogmatic person and personal viewpoints and bias may be important, but you could alienate others with your forcefulness. You could have certain religious philosophies, or self created dogmas of some type and the important thing to remember is that all people must come to their own conclusions, and your personal convictions may not match everyone you meet. Sometimes this transit can be found in politicians with strongly held beliefs, especially religious beliefs.

In the world this transit will play out in terms of power struggles concerning ideologies and beliefs-in other words politics.

There will be increased need in the world to recognize various collective problems and concerns. Reform will likely become a theme, but there will be clashes over reform and what it means. (Pluto) There may also be an issue with knowing who is capable of discerning and implementing reform as opposed to individuals who view themselves as demigods who hold all the answers. This transit creates the necessity of the highest level of ethical performance which may not come about easily and people can be swayed and mislead by powerful and manipulative messages both on the world stage and in our personal lives.

There has been a clash of ideas over the past year, and I do not look for these clashes to resolve with this transit or when Jupiter opposes Uranus in December.