December 2014 Forecast

Mars Exalted in Capricorn 27 Nov. 2014 - 3 Jan. 2015

Mars is now placed in strength where it will remain until the New Year. The beginning of December requires patience, however, as the planet of action is being kept in check by Saturn, the planet of limitation, currently transiting through Mars' sign Scorpio. By doing so, it influences Capricorn and Mars placed therein. This sets up a powerful interaction between the two planets and although they are impulses which do not like to mingle, we are forced to pay attention to the results of this mix.

Saturn is slow. Mars is fast. In the body this can be compared to the nerves signalling the muscles to move. The neurons fire quickly (Mars) and the muscles respond relatively slowly (Saturn). If one has a well placed Saturn and Mars in the horoscope - especially relative to one another - one has the ability to take the appropriate action. When they are in a challenging placement from each other and negatively influencing an individual strongly, there can be inappropriate action. Thankfully Mars and Saturn are in a temporary friendly relationship to one another during this transit and our actions can bring ambitions into reality. Jupiter looks on from its place of exaltation in Cancer and we are granted the wisdom from taking such positive actions. Be wise in your actions and realize that what you want right now may not be what you want looking at the bigger picture. 

Those with Aries or Scorpio ascendant signs feel boosted by their ruling planet in its strongest position and being influenced by Jupiter and Saturn. Jupiter allows for dreams to be made, while Saturn goes about the hard work of actually making them a reality. This is enhanced for everyone, although these two sign may feel more forceful in their opinions and actions. Caution is also advised, especially for those with a Scorpio ascendant, as Saturn creates a need to slow down while you motivate yourself. 

The use of more exacting movements, whether in an exercise routine or in life in general, is a good way to spend the time as we move into the winter months (summer months if you are on the southern hemisphere). Certainly, you should make sure you are sufficiently warmed up for any vigorous exercise you participate in.

Saturn in Anuradha Dec. 2014 - Dec. 2015

Saturn moves into its own lunar sign, Anuradha in December and remains entirely within this sign for the next 12 months due to its retrograde motion in 2015. The lunar sign Anuradha is placed between 3 and 16 degrees of Scorpio. This lunar sign has a connection to friendship and loyalty which can easily become cliques if a threat is perceived from outside sources. Saturn's presence here for the coming year may test our loyalties to certain people in our lives, as well as testing our resolve. 

If you have any planets between these degrees in Scorpio, Capricorn, Taurus or Leo, then this is a year for you to pay special attention to in relation to what that planet represents for you. This will likely be a source of pressure for the coming year. Outworn ways of being must be let go of in order to move on feeling lighter. Saturn will make sure the load is lightened and the path is cleared. This process will differ enormously depending on other considerations in your horoscope and your level of awareness. 

Venus in Sagittarius 5 Dec. - 29 Dec. 

Venus moves into Jupiter's sign on December 5th, just as it leaves its state of combustion. It is a tricky time for relationships as Venus crosses a sensitive juncture between Scorpio and Sagittarius. We will be able to see Venus as the bright evening star from this time. Venus is better suited to the evening time, as the period of the day represents our need to be with loved ones and to indulge and relax ourselves if we are fortunate enough to be able to. 

Venus is not so suited to the sign Sagittarius which represents more meaningful activities, beyond pleasures of the flesh. We may struggle with these opposing needs as we prepare for the holidays - juggling our more sensual desires with those of more meaningful and purposeful activities. Added to this, Saturn and Mars are hemming in Venus, as well as the Sun and Mercury later in the month, which can lead to a more stressful time financially and inter-personally into the New Year. 
 

Full Moon in Taurus 6 Dec.

The Moon reaches its fullest at 12.27 UT on December 6th in the lunar sign Rohini which is placed entirely within the solar sign Taurus. The Moon rules this lunar sign and feels right at home in its sign of exaltation Taurus. This lends itself to a feeling of ease and comfort - perhaps a need to indulge the senses. This may lead to overindulgence in some, which we may see as a necessary balance along with the recent emotional landscape as more planets transit water-dominant signs and the unnerving sign Scorpio in particular.  

Taurus is the opposite sign to Scorpio which feels safe and warm after recent intensity. When our basic needs are met - when we clothe, feed and shelter ourselves - we feel cared for and can care for others. Take some time and energy to care for those who cannot care for themselves. A simple smile on a cold day can warm a heart that has had to contort into uncomfortable shapes in the cold season on our northern hemisphere. 

Jupiter Retrograde in Cancer 8 Dec.2014 - 8 April 2015

Jupiter stations retrograde on December 8th at 28 degrees of Cancer. It will move back to 18 degrees of Cancer by April 8th, remaining entirely within the mystical lunar sign Ashlesha. This occurs at a sensitive juncture in the zodiac between the watery sign Cancer and the fiery sign Leo. Though being retrograde can strengthen Jupiter's significations, it can make them more internal and tricky to manifest in our external environment. Internally Jupiter represents hope, optimism, faith, discernment and meaning. Externally Jupiter represents money, the law, advisers and children. 

As Jupiter moves back through these degrees for the following few months we reassess what brings meaning to our lives in relation to the areas Jupiter governs in a general sense, but also more specifically in the area of life it rules in our own horoscopes. Look to the signs Sagittarius and Pisces and the houses they represent. Then look to the sign Cancer to see where in your life you will be reassessing in relation to these two areas.

In a general sense, the sign Cancer represents the home, our sense of security, our mother and the sense of safety we attain from our private world. Jupiter moving back here brings a need to review what meaning we can gain from our inner world and domestic life. The influence of the lunar sign, Ashlesha adds a mystical, sexual and dangerous quality which can be channeled beneficially through Jupiter's influence into activities which help us to change the impulse into something more meaningful. 

Mercury in Sagittarius 13 Dec. - 31 Dec. 

Mercury joins the party in Sagittarius on the 13th and, although we are feeling more gregarious in our communications, there is plenty of tension in our interactions as we prepare for the holiday period with Saturn and Mars' influence on the sign. The final preparations for the holidays become more lively and directed - perhaps with a tinge of fear and selfishness. 

Mercury and Sagittarius do combine better than Venus and Sagittarius. Mercury in Sagittarius communicates frankly. An inward search for the right words at the right time is highlighted by Jupiter's retrograde motion in the caring sign Cancer.

Sun in Sagittarius 16 Dec. - 16 Jan. 

Sagittarius represents the faith we attain having worked our way through some inner turmoil and come out the other end with a stronger sense of purpose. Ultimately, this represents faith in ourselves, but we may need to be guided by many teachers and life experiences before we can reach that place. We begin to look at what gives our life meaning and search for those people and experiences which can bring a more philosophical taste to our lives. Of course, this is the time of year that even atheists find themselves in a church - usually against their will. Nevertheless, it is a time to experience something holy, Godly and other-worldly at places of worship. 

While the Sun moves through Sagittarius in December it is hemmed in between Saturn and Mars, the two planets that get a bad rap - and for good reason. Our fear (Saturn) and selfishness (Mars) do nothing for our sense of confidence. Thankfully, Jupiter is in its place of exaltation and retrograde, intensifying a need to look within for what we lack externally. There is always a deeper need to find something more meaningful beyond the pomp and show of the festive season. 

Solstice 21 Dec. 

The solstice occurs at 23.03 UT this year - the northern hemisphere experiencing the winter solstice and the southern hemisphere experiencing the summer solstice. 

This period is a low period - whichever side of the equator you find yourself on - in the sense that the Moon is dark (new Moon phase) and the Sun is about to change its direction from our perspective. For the subsequent three days the Sun does not appear to move on the horizon, but instead remains fixed to a particular point. This is known as Sankranti or 'transition' in Vedic astrology - a time when the Sun changes direction in the sky - rising one degree on the horizon for the northern hemisphere on Christmas day as the 'Sun of God' is born again. 

The Sun changing direction brings a need to re-adjust ourselves with this turnaround. Take some time out during the busy holiday period to re-adjust yourself in order to come into alignment with these changes and to conserve energy for this new Moon period. 

New Moon in Sagittarius 22 Dec.

The Moon reaches the same degree as the Sun on December 22nd at 01.36 UT. This occurs at 6 degrees of the sign Sagittarius and within the lunar sign Moola, meaning 'root'. This lunar sign points to the galactic center which represents our roots in a more mystical sense, as we reach back into our roots for the Christmas period by connecting with family and our ancestry. 

The Moon, Mercury and Venus are now all hemmed between Saturn and Mars for this new Moon phase so we may have to feel the stresses and strains for the final lead up to the holidays, as we prepare to spend time, energy and money on the Christmas holidays. 

This new Moon is the beginning of a new lunar month and, as such, a good time to take the time out to begin again. The Moon reaches the next sign, Capricorn by Christmas day and transits alongside Mars in its place of exaltation. A good use of this new beginning would be to get out and active rather then staying at home and arguing with Christmas guests about who got the biggest slice of cake! 


OM TAT SAT