December 2017 FOrecasts

Mars in Libra until Jan. 15 2018
Mars exchanges signs with Venus in Scorpio for most of December, lending strength to the 'gender' planets; increasing passions and a need for give and take. 

Mars in Libra strives for balance between points of view. While in Virgo, the emphasis was on the details e.g. the details of sexual abuse, and in Libra we get to hear about all of the dynamics involved, as we justice is sought.

Mars is no longer restricted by Saturn, and is instead bolstered by Jupiter in Libra. This can be taken to extremes, of course, creating the potential for attacks based on beliefs. Mars and Jupiter come to exact conjunction on January 6 2018.

As Mars enters Libra it comes into opposition to Uranus in Aries. A volcano is the Earth's way of expressing this intensity. How can you vent this release of energy in a healthy way?!

Jupiter ramps up the ideals in Libra, increasing overspending and indulgences right through Christmas and New Year. Mars brings the fire, the passion, and this initial spark starts something that will blow up by next summer, heating things up on the planet, creating all kinds of explosive events.
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Venus in Scorpio until Dec. 20
Venus in Scorpio is ordinarily a period of intense feelings and sensual indulgence - often to the exclusion of common sense. Thankfully, Venus is helped out by exchanging signs with Mars, bringing more strength to overcome any inappropriate behaviour.

Mars says, ‘yes, but do you really need it’. Venus says, ‘no, but I would love it’! Both sides have to compromise in any kind of exchange. 

Venus brings with it a need to enjoy the darkness at this time of year - to devote ourselves to a cause or to someone close - without getting obsessive, which is just one downside to this transit. ​
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Sun in Scorpio until Dec. 15
The Sun is moving through the dark realms of Scorpio for the first part of December, leading to a bleak slumber before the lights of Christmas, and the hope beyond the fear is experienced in Sagittarius.
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The Sun in Scorpio looks for its light elsewhere; in the dark recesses of the psyche, and the promise we make to ourselves in the dead of night. 
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Ketu enters Shravana Dec. 2
Ketu cuts through the noise and glamour of the festivities this year, as it transits through the lunar sign, Shravana, contained in the sign Capricorn. Shravana is symbolized by an ear, representing our ability to listen - or not. With Ketu’s involvement there is something to surpass, if we are to hear what we really need to.

This brings with it a sense of what needs to be shed in 2017, so that we can move into 2018 with a lighter sense of who we are. Rahu, the opposite side of the zodiac in Cancer is captivating and compelling us to ‘be a somebody’, to create something, and to identify with how we are feeling, while Ketu in Capricorn has a lesson to teach us about ‘being a nobody’, allowing for the dissolution of outworn structures in our lives. 
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Full Moon in Taurus Dec. 3
The month of December starts off on a high, in many respects. That is because the Moon reaches its strongest, i.e. its fullest expression in its sign of exaltation, Taurus. It is fullest on December 3 at 15.46 GMT.

The Moon in Taurus grants us the simple comforts in life, in order to stave off any sense of fear and vulnerability felt by the Sun’s transit through Scorpio at this time of year. 

Once we have dealt with our demons, there comes a time where we just want to eat and be merry. Or to put it another way: once we have filled our bellies, it's easier to deal with those demons!
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Mercury Retrograde Dec. 3 – 23
Mercury slows its transit in Sagittarius alongside Saturn by the beginning of December, and there comes with it a sense of having to coldly view and review all that has gone before in recent times. Seeking the truth requires reviewing the facts. 

While we do this, it is highly likely that our minds feel the pressure of needing to make some big decisions, as Mercury moves back over Saturn's degree in Sagittarius. The truth is not out there, but inside you. Finding it is the task at hand in December. 

There is much to reconsider as the planet of communication joins Saturn while it slowly turns around in the early degrees of Sagittarius and the lunar sign, Mula. Sagittarius represents a new hope, but this only comes about by uncovering things that have been left to fester. Mula represents the uncovering process. Once we have removed the poison, we can begin to heal. Mercury re-enters Scorpio, to re-examine the wounds by December 10, and remains in Scorpio until January 6, filling the Christmas period with passion, intrigue and many misunderstandings. 

December sets up many routes to navigate, while the period itself would be best spent in planning an effective path - not simply running about, wasting energy on detours that only bring you back to where you started from. 

​Needless to say, Mercury retrograde, in the sign Scorpio, in particular, can create a lot of confusion and travel delays. Be mindful of this in the lead up to Christmas, and plan your route and communications carefully. 
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Sun in Sagittarius Dec. 15 – Jan. 14 2018
The Sun enters sidereal Sagittarius on December 15 and we are once again brought into a power struggle as it lines up with Saturn on the Solstice (December 21). The Sun is at its lowest for those on the northern hemisphere, but regardless of where on the planet you are, the Sun’s conjunction with Saturn at this pivotal time of the year, requires a healthy focus. Otherwise, this can be depressing. 

The Sun/Saturn conjunction – or Saturn’s combustion - occurs every year, of course. However, this year’s timing with the Solstice is even more profound to our sense of well-being, and not necessarily in a good way. Power struggles and identity crisis ensue, as we say goodbye to parts of ourselves that no longer serve us on our journey.

In December, Saturn reaches the point it began to back from at the beginning of the year, so that the journey begins to reveal itself in the distance. Structures in our lives that have crumbled can now be cleared of debris, so we can make our way forward to a truth about this area of our lives. There is much more to uncover in 2018, so patience is required. 

Sagittarius is all about the philosophies we live by, and Saturn asks pertinent questions about them. The position of Sagittarius, as well as Leo, Capricorn and Aquarius, in your birth chart, show the areas of your life affected by Saturn's combustion.  

The transition of the Sun into Sagittarius – known as Sankranti – is a sensitive one in mid-December, as the north node, Rahu, a retrograde Mercury, and a debilitated Moon in Scorpio jostle for our attention. Venus is also caught up in this dark twist so be mindful of the possibility of the mind playing tricks with you at this time.
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Kala Amrita Yoga is in effect from December 8 to 20 - where all of the visible planets line up on one side of the lunar nodes - pivoting a sense of insecurity around mid-month. 

Jupiter enters Vishakha Nakshatra Dec. 16
Jupiter enters the lunar sign, Vishakha on December 16, returning to Swati in 2018 from June 18 to August 2. Jupiter is better placed in Vishakha, as it is said to rule this lunar sign. We need this kind of clarity in the midst of all of the changes taking place at this time.

Vishakha is symbolized by an archway, representing a focusing of our attention on our path forward. Vishakha bridges the signs Libra and Scorpio, showing that our path must take us inward if we are to go anywhere meaningful.

When in doubt, be still and know. 
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New Moon in Sagittarius Dec. 18
The Moon reaches the Sun’s degree at 06.30 GMT on December 18. This marks the beginning of a new lunar month (Pausa). This beginning, as with any new beginning, is full of doubts and fears about the journey we must now take, so take your time around this juncture and be kind to yourself.

Saturn lines up with the Sun for this new Moon phase, instilling a sense of uncertainty about our big visions, and a way forward, while Mercury retrogrades, creating more confusion. 

Remember, it is always darkest before the dawn!
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Venus enters Sagittarius Dec. 20
Venus leaves Scorpio and its passionate exchange with Mars as it enters Jupiter’s sign, Sagittarius, on December 20. This is another exchange of signs, this time between Jupiter and Venus, as Jupiter is currently in Venus' sign, Libra.

This exchange strengthens both planets, and Christmas indulgences are fed, as a result. Relationships (Venus) and beliefs (Jupiter) come together in obvious ways at Christmas, as people come together in places of worship. 

Excluding the influence of the exchange, Venus in Sagittarius has an ideal it would like to meet, but with Saturn’s presence we know we have a ways to go before reaching that ideal.
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Saturn' s influence creates an intense scrutiny on Venus, which is also in combustion into February. The scrutiny is on what or who we truly value, and how we relate to one another.
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Solstice Dec. 21
The Solstice occurs at 16.28 GMT on December 21, marking the lowest path of the Sun for those on the northern hemisphere. The Sun will hang out here for the subsequent three days, before rising one degree on December 25.

On this day, a new life is seeded within us, which will come to fruition later in the course of events. The gestation period lasts while the Sun enters Saturn’s signs, Capricorn and Aquarius, before going through the birthing process in Pisces; finally to be born fully realized as an individual in Aries come spring.

For now, we must plant the intention, the seed and the wish for our lives.

Best wishes to you on the Solstice. 



OM TAT SAT