Dec 19 – 25

Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn

What to expect: Review
What to watch out for: Questions ourselves
What will it affect? Communications, contracts, travel

On Dec 19th mercury goes retrograde in Capricorn. Mercury has been traveling in Capricorn since the beginning of the month when we sought authoritative opinions, and approached things with skepticism and caution. As mercury turns and goes back over this ground, we check and double check the structures in our lives and the structures in our world. We also check in on who really has authority, who is just postulating and what words will actually help us to achieve. Mercury retrograde is not a good time to start anything new. And, no, it’s not the best time to travel either, though many of us will be unable to avoid it over the holidays. It is a time to go over communications and re-visit, re-do, re-vise. The only thing to caution with mercury in Capricorn is that sometimes we actually did have the right answer the first time. As you go over everything, don’t let doubt or insecurity make you second guess what you know is right. Mars goes into Pisces on the same day, so we may be a little more tuned into our intuition. However, we may also become less decisive.

Why? Mercury retrograde, Mars in Pisces

Vacation Time!

What to expect: Enjoyment
What to watch out for: Nothing!
What will it affect? Relationships, acquaintances, social gatherings.

Between the 20 – 25rd of December Venus will connect with Juno and Jupiter. This is a great time to start your vacation. The moods will be jolly and gay and we’ll feel like socializing. We have a desire to connect with others and especially our beloved. On the 22nd we will feel this even more strongly with the Moon joining up with Jupiter. We may be joining together for the season, or we may be joining together for a cause. Venus is still in Aquarius and very focused on humanitarian values, as well as time with friends and associates. It’s an enjoyable time during which differences can be embraced.. Venus is at a degree where she has found resilience despite disappointment and disillusionment. She connects with others and feels a sense of grounding in the communion and ceremony. There is a uniqueness and practicality combined in this energy as well as openness to change and new ideas. For that reason, Christmas dinner (if you celebrate Christmas) may not be so bad!

Why? Venus Sextile Juno, Venus Trine Jupiter, Venus Sextile Uranus, Venus Sextile Saturn, Saturn Trine Uranus, Venus Sextile Transiting Ceres

Dec 12 – 18

Integration

What to expect: Opportunity for Integration
What to watch out for: Overwhelm
What will it affect? Thoughts, beliefs, wounds, fairness.

The Full Moon on December 13 is in Gemini. A Full Moon is when the Moon is opposite the Sun. At this Full Moon the moon is also in opposition to the sun AND Saturn. This makes for a very serious full moon. We are still deeply connected with a wound, clashes with authority and ideas that have been forming over the last little while. At this full moon we have a chance to creatively integrate all that has been passing through our thoughts and move towards understanding. This is because the Full Moon will help to create an aspect pattern called the mystic rectangle. Experiences are best integrated through creativity involving writing, words or stories. Additionally, the full moon favours ceremonial processes. The moon is in Gemini, an air sign, and the sun in Sagittarius, a fire sign, so we can use the elements of air and fire in ceremony. Burn incense or sage; use the wind to churn the embers.

Why? Full Moon at 22°Ge25′

Giving

What to expect: Focus on giving
What to watch out for: How we give
What will it affect? Various Causes

Between Dec 14 – 18th Kindness, compassion and philanthropy comes to the forefront. This time, the energy is focused around a caring for causes. We feel compelled on a large scale to champion causes and many will find this kind of support important and necessary in order to maintain the fabric of society. Sites like Razoo, charity for good, charity navigator, and Canadahelps come into focus.

Why? Mars Conjunction Transiting Pallas, Sun Sextile Transiting Pallas

Week Dec 5 – 11th

Innovative Breakthroughs

What to expect: Innovating ideas
What to watch out for: Becoming overly fierce
What will it affect? Social change, humanitarian efforts, partnerships

Dec 6th is a good day for innovative thinking. We’ll have the ability to access breakthroughs in our projects and have the drive towards necessary changes. Our humanitarian energy also continues with Venus entering Aquarius on Dec 7th. Values centred on individuality, freedom and change come to the surface. It’s also a great time for coming together in an inventive or innovative partnership. These are not necessarily business or romantic partnerships, but partnerships that centre on ideals, political alliances and humanitarian efforts. We are also highly motivated by change and independence and are fiercely protective of rights related to freedom, food and sustenance.

Why? Venus Entering Aquarius, Mars Sextile Uranus, Mars Sextile Ceres

Team Problem Solving

What to expect: power in teams
What to watch out for: letting the energy pass
What will it affect? Communication, solutions, plans for the future

December 8 and 9th are a great days to come together for team building or team learning. This can be as simple as a mastermind meeting or as complex as a formal team exercise. I once participated in a team exercise that involved a group of us from diverse backgrounds on a simulation of the Titanic sinking. We had the ship blue prints and a map of the surrounding area including depths and icebergs. W also knew, with the benefit of hindsight, that there was a way to save everyone. Having this kind of optimism was really helpful because in the knowing we felt inspired and almost competitive to find the solution before the ship sank. With the sun aspecting Jupiter we may be able to access a similar kind of optimism and faith even though we don’t have the same benefit of knowing the outcome.

Why? Mercury Trine North Node, Sun Sextile Jupiter

Clashes with Authority

What to expect: Questioning authority
What to watch out for: Open wounds
What will it affect? Structures, beliefs, social movements

The Sun conjuncts Saturn on the 10th and then squares Chiron on the 11th. At the same time the Sun trines Uranus. A major clash with authority opens wide a wound. In this clash lies an opportunity for healing and change. This revs up some energy that will carry us towards the end of the month. In your businesses and lives, this may be you clashing with authority and if you are in authority, others clashing with you. On a social level this energy is reminiscent of the flower child movement o f the 60’s and is likely to be named a movement of its own in a similar vein. Artistic expression and communication through music and spirituality will help to nurtures independence and freedom. This time it will have a Saturnian feel – traditional, sorrowful and wise-

Why? Sun Conjunction Saturn, Mercury Neptune, Sun Trine Uranus, Sun Square Chiron, Sun Trine Ceres, Venus Opposition Vesta