In December, Venus, Mars, and Saturn are positioned strongly in their respective signs: Libra, Scorpio, and Aquarius. This brings back certain strengths that have been lacking. Yet despite Mars being powerful in its own sign, it is combust (hidden by the Sun) and in a square aspect to Saturn. This introduces a lot of tension into the mix. What you do with that will alter how you experience it. How do you usually deal with tension? A positive Venus-Jupiter opposition on Dec 12 adds a more buoyant feel as tensions persist elsewhere. The more tense one feels, the more likely indulgence creeps in to compensate. The journey from Scorpio's dystopian to Aquarius' utopian views is a long and arduous one. This journey takes us from our worst fears to the invention of something new. This journey will feel especially relevant by the end of the year, I imagine. Mercury stations retrograde on Dec 13 in Sagittarius, prompting a year-end review, aligning with Jupiter's retrograde in Aries to reconnect with more meaningful pursuits. While this is initially more positive, Mercury must backtrack into Scorpio, where Mars meets with it as it leaves the sign. This occurs on Dec 27, a complex juncture in the month and year. Mercury and Mars conjunctions are already challenging; one wants to talk about it but cannot; one wants to fight. Both conjoining between Scorpio and Sagittarius is complex but it does offer a means to slip out of the gap between our worst fears and our hopes for something better, to observe both extreme predictions. It probably also offers very real expressions of both of these extremes. Despite the setbacks of Mercury’s retrograde, there is much to be grateful for in December. Perhaps it’s because of the setbacks that we take a breath and see what we’ve been missing all along. The downtime offer a pause to reconsider how lucky we are. Practically, however, you may find you are unable to do business as usual, even if you experience it as a nice break because of the delay. Some may use the time to impulsively book a last-minute break, while others find last-minute changes to their plans work out better. Hey, I’m trying to put a positive spin on this! If you are travelling, make sure to keep an open mind about how things pan out. Venus in Scorpio offers a cushion to help absorb more difficult emotions, yet it may also make us feel them more intensely. We must trust we are as somewhere we need to be. As December and the year ends, Mars's strength in Sagittarius, in a trine to Jupiter in Aries, we can foster a positive outlook, promoting self-assured steps forward. This is more the case for certain signs than others, as Mars and Jupiter exchange signs. On Dec 31, Jupiter stations direct, positively influencing (aspecting) Mars and the Sun in Sagittarius. This may feel like we can tap into the silence within, however noisy it is without. All the while, Saturn's aspect to Jupiter poses a challenge, but a much needed restraint. Without Saturn in 2023, I feel things would have been much worse- in wars, and the economy. With Saturn, we can take a long, hard look at our own lives and how we wish to continue. Yet still, we must expect unexpected surprises all along, which are primarily driven by Jupiter and Uranus in Aries, propelling us forward, one way or another. Sign up for a 7-day trial on Patreon and get the full report.
By Nov 2, Venus will have entered Virgo, its sign of debilitation. This does not bode well for the economy, more especially as Venus meets with Ketu at the end of the sign, by Nov 28. Now, every time Venus moves into Virgo feels a bit flat. This year, however, Venus is ‘eclipsed’ by the south node, showing even more potential repercussions.
As Ketu meets with Virgo, Rahu enters Pisces. Rahu leaving Aries may, at least, take the foot off the accelerator for wars around the world. However, Rahu continues to aspect Aries, along with Saturn and Mars in November. This means all 3 malefics are impacting the sign of war. Yet there may be other issues that are rearing their head now, including a potential economic fallout. Rahu in Pisces is no longer strongly impacted by Saturn in Aquarius. In other words, Saturn no longer keeps Rahu in check. Along with all malefics influencing the planet of growth, Jupiter, growth is either hampered, or it’s gained by dubious means that have negative long term repercussions. Rahu in Pisces brings with it so many contradictions we may grapple with for the upcoming 18 months, as Ketu in Virgo has the potential to dredge things up from the past and completely remove any sense of order. This may bring a need to check out of the chaos, through whatever means necessary. Mars moves into Scorpio by Nov 16, conjunct the Sun. The mid-November period is explosive. Mars’ combustion in a place of strength could lead to all kinds of explosive events through the end of the year. Add Mercury into the mix, and everyday pursuits are impacted. Mars aspects Saturn in Aquarius from Scorpio, while Saturn looks back at Mars. This square between Mars and Saturn is always tense. But when we add it to this particular mix, it can be deadly. How we each use this tension will vary. While it doesn’t bode well for peace in the immediate timeframe, we can use these transits to effect real change in our lives. Mars and Saturn are now in their own signs, which means the harsher aspects of our being are more able to express themselves. This can express itself as doing the necessary, however we feel about it. Mars and Saturn may challenge us but without being challenged we never make the necessary changes. Use these cruel planets to work on issues, as opposed to just being cruel to others. If someone else acts cruelly to you, see it as a challenge to respond in a way that improves yourself, as opposed to lashing out with no clear direction. Mars and Saturn combined are like a ninja warrior. Focus your energy to get more done. Because the Mars-Saturn square occurs as Venus conjoins Ketu, and because Mercury moves through the Scorpio-Sagittarius divide at the same time, it may seem as if it’s all too challenging, of course. All may seem lost in a worldly sense. Yet something more important is gained when things seem to fall apart. Venus in Virgo may challenge diplomacy at such a critical juncture. Do what you must. Consider the consequences. Thankfully, Venus doesn’t hang about long at this degree, and quickly moves into its own sign, Libra, by Nov 29. All is not lost. Whatever was, must be relinquished at this stage. Sign up for a 7-day trial on Patreon and get the full report. |