December 2019 Forecast

Sidereal transits

Calculated for UTC

Venus conjunct South Node Dec 2-3
Mercury re-enters Scorpio Dec 5
Venus conjunct Saturn Dec 11
Full Moon in Taurus (Mṛgaśiras) Dec 12
Venus conjunct Pluto Dec 13
Venus enters Capricorn Dec 15
Sun enters Sagittarius Dec 16
Solstice Dec 22
Mercury enters Sagittarius Dec 25
Mars enters Scorpio Dec 25
New Moon in Sagittarius - Annular Solar Eclipse (Mūla) Dec 26
Sun conjunct Jupiter Dec 27
Sun conjunct South Node Dec 30

Venus conjunct Ketu (South Node), Saturn & Pluto
While Venus transits Sagittarius, from Nov 21 to Dec 15, it is conjunct Ketu on Dec 2-3, then conjunct Saturn on Dec 11, and finally conjunct Pluto on Dec 13. 

Venus is friendly with Saturn, just as some restraint is helpful in enjoying the many pleasures of life when taken in moderation, although we can feel a little too restrained and somber when they combine in the zodiac. However, it is not friendly to Jupiter, the planet which rules Sagittarius. These conjunctions can further complicated Venus-related issues, such as relationships and finances/comforts, or the lack thereof. 

When Venus conjuncts Ketu and Pluto it is less straight forward. And it does so after joining with Jupiter, which occurred on Nov 24. Venus and Jupiter combinations can lead to overindulgence, which, when followed by these conjunctions, can show a need to payback for overdoing it. 

Ketu represents losses which, at its best, could be expressed as enjoying the simple pleasures in life - just parring things down and keeping it as simple as possible. However, it also brings up unpredictable outcomes and losses which we cannot know from the outset. The best advice in relation to indulgences, whether sensually or financially, is try not to over spend. And if you do, either with your money or your energy, than accepting that and spending the holidays recovering both. Venus is like our battery juice and needs topping up every so often. These conjunctions imply a drain.  
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Pluto is a different ball game, altogether. It brings things up from the depths of the unconscious. A sort of, 'oh, I didn't know I fancied that', type of thing. Venus and Pluto promote unusual expressions of desire. In modern Western astrology, Pluto is given to Scorpio as a co-ruler but in Vedic astrology we already have Mars and Ketu, thank you!

The reason for this is that they seem similar. Scorpio and Pluto represent hidden things, dark things etc. In love, this can be expressed in 'darker' feelings such as jealousy and possessiveness; again, Scorpio themes. I prefer to think of Pluto as tamas, a Vedic word to describe an impulse that is dark, resistant and inert. When combined with Venus, it brings out the 'denser' and darker feelings in love as mentioned, so 'love and light' becomes 'possessive and dark'. I don't think anyone would appreciate you sign off your emails with those words! The problem with these feelings is not that we have them, that's a given, but it's that we repress or hide them from others. 

What's to be done? Be vigilant of these feelings if they rear their head and watch your reactions to feelings of jealousy, for example, or perhaps an inappropriate sexual impulse that comes up (ahem) at the most inappropriate time. 

And don't judge yourself or anyone else for having any of these feelings. Be kind.

Mercury re-enters Scorpio Dec 5
Mercury moves through the section of the zodiac it has already transited, moving into new territory in Scorpio by Dec 7, as Mercury picks up the pace in the lead up to Christmas. 

This will feel as if things start happening faster, at a time of year we should be slowing down!

Mercury's transit through Scorpio is less capable of keeping communication and everyday tasks professional, as things come up from the depths which can seem inappropriate at times. And although Mars is currently in Libra and being forced to co-operate, Mercury's transit will likely express itself in tones that are more guttural and feral. 

If you were planning to keep communications between family members on a professional note around the dinner table, well, I'm not sure you can bury this one!

By the time Mercury makes it to the end of Scorpio for Christmas, the Moon will have joined it as they both cross into Sagittarius, and Mars enters Scorpio. This is a particularly volatile holiday period, as we experience a solar eclipse on Dec 2; an eclipse that changes the conversation. 

With Mercury being involved in the eclipse on Dec 26, crossing the eclipse degree by Dec 31, it will at least offer up some insights we can begin to articulate to one another moving into the New Year. 

Full Moon in Taurus Dec 12  Mṛgaśiras
The full Moon in Taurus, at 05.12 UT, is strong in its own sign and feelings of enjoyment and playfulness in the air, on the one hand, but with Venus exactly conjunct Saturn on the full Moon day, and Mars aspecting from Libra, creates a situation where some are not playing nice. When the height of the emotional month is added to the mix, it can add fuel to an already explosive month. 

How this will likely play out is - just as every time the Moon transits from Mṛgaśiras to the next lunar mansion, Ārdrā - our excitement and curiosity leads to emotional storms. That innocent conversation leads to some things being said that you wish you hadn't. When we let our minds wander, and without some restraint they will wander, we can end up down some dark avenues which challenge our composure. This is likely to play out in the UK elections, of course, particularly the day after when results begin coming in and a somber note from the Venus-Saturn conjunction in Sagittarius leads to a gloomy and fearful outlook. 

The full Moon itself can be enjoyable, of course, as the lunar sign involved is a very soft and gentle one, and one which promotes play and travel. I do not wish to be that damp blanket on what is otherwise an enjoyable full Moon, but Saturn's restraint on Venus is less pleasurable than it would have been otherwise. 

Venus enters Capricorn Dec 15
Venus moves out of the way of the malefics in Sagittarius and is the first planet to move into Capricorn. This is important to note, as this sign is about to receive a lot of attention in the coming months and years. 

Capricorn is one of the more spiritual signs of the zodiac, but not in any obvious way. It's one of the most practical and responsible signs, doing the inner and outer work that is necessary. At the Sagittarius stage, we have our big ideas, while at the Capricorn stage we get real and down to work, actualizing those big ideas, which requires we put our back into it. It's one thing to say you're spiritual, quite another to practice daily! Those with Capricorn prominent do the work, often in the background and without any fanfare or acknowledgment.

​Venus in Capricorn is a more sober affair leading up to Christmas, and because it has just met with all the malefics in Sagittarius, we are likely to feel this as a tightening of the purse strings before the holidays. 

As the first of many planets to move into Capricorn, the realism that we feel now will only increase in intensity over the coming months, as we do the work that is necessary to see our vision through, and gather all the skills and intelligence we have developed, to put them to good use; not just for ourselves, but for everyone else.

​This is probably the best expression of Venus in Capricorn; not getting too caught up in our own enjoyments, but instead being able to see what is helpful to others in any given situation.

​Bah humbug!

Sun in Sagittarius Dec 16 - Jan 14
The Sun's entry into Sagittarius, joining the nodes, means we are about to have a couple of eclipses; an annular solar eclipse on Dec 26 and a partial lunar eclipse on Jan 10, 2020.

The Sun's transit in Sagittarius, and the eclipses, are going to change things in a big way on the planet next year and in the coming years, but the degree to which you personally feel these changes will depend on your horoscope; if you have planets placed therein. Regardless, you will likely experience some change in the area of life Sagittarius represents. If you are also in cycle of one of the nodes, Rahu or Ketu, then this will likely be even more obvious. 

The Sun joins the south node, Ketu which show some losses. Whose loses? Well, we all lose, no matter who wins - in a spiritual sense. There are no winners if we are not orientated towards that which we all share, i.e. our spiritual essence and 'non self', expressed perfectly in Ketu and the void we all share, the emptiness we all come from and will one day return. This emptiness is not as bleak as it sounds, as it is full of ... everything!

We are probably going to be very aware of some kind of loss as the Sun joins Ketu in Sagittarius by the end of 2019. Perhaps it may be the loss of 2019 and I'm sure some of you would be happy to see the back of it! This time of year is a time of completion, of course, but especially so this year as the Sun conjuncts Ketu, as we say goodbye to a year that has been especially challenging. 

We shouldn't down play that. We should acknowledge how hard it has been, whether this has been personally felt or observed in others. But we should do so with the aim of tuning into something beyond all the chaos, all the unrest, all the loss. If we cannot, we cannot have a good relationship with Ketu. 

The Sun is exactly conjunct Ketu on Dec 30, with a sense of needing to say our goodbyes. As this occurs just after an annular solar eclipse on Dec 26, the Christmas and New Year period is one of tying up loose ends, making amends and emptying ourselves for a New Year. It's time to clear out our emotional baggage and any faulty beliefs that can no longer survive in the wake of revelations during the eclipse. 

​The Sun will join Saturn and Pluto in the New Year, which is a stark reality check right from the beginning of 2020. ​

Solstice Dec 22
Whether you are experiencing the extremes of darkness or light in your part of the world, or even if you're at the equator, the Solstice is a transitional phase for the Sun and one to pay attention to. 

For most on the planet, the Solstice represents a lessening of light, but also a return, a promise of rebirth at Christmas, as the Sun rises one degree a few days after the Solstice. Again, whether the Sun is changing direction from its southerly direction to its northerly direction, or vice versa, the Solstice (literally, 'stand still') is a time to take a pause. 

This is especially the case as we experience a solar eclipse on Dec 26. This points to changes on the horizon, as the Sun's change in direction is also eclipsed. The next 3 solar eclipses are close to the Solstices, including next summer's eclipse which is closest to the Solstice, on June 21, a pivotal period in 2020 in more ways than one. 2020 ends just as does 2019, with a solar eclipse, this time a total eclipse, on Dec 14. 

Mercury enters Sagittarius Dec 25
Mercury joins all the planets in Sagittarius; Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto, Ketu and the Sun, just as the Moon enters on the same day, placing all but Venus and Mars in Sagittarius in a muddled mess.

Mercury and the Moon both cross the sensitive juncture between Scorpio and Sagittarius; a section of the zodiac that has had an inordinate amount of attention in 2019. The Moon and Mercury's entry into Sagittarius, and all the planets gathered there, ensures we are so focused on this area of our life that we may temporary lose perspective.

​Mercury's involvement with the eclipse brings some insights but with so many planets gathered together it's difficult to get a clear voice over all the noise. Sagittarius is all about law and order, subjective truth and personal beliefs; all things which are up for a debate. 

Mercury's entry into Sagittarius is followed by the solar eclipse the following day, granting us a period of withdrawal for the new Moon, either because of a need to tune out and detach or a complete shutdown due to too much noise. The lunar mansion ruled by the goddess of death, Niriiti, like her counterpart, Kali, brings with it a need to get to the root of our existential problem, as we take pause to start again.

If you can get clear about what is real and important to you now, your truth, you can put up with the work that needs to be done to see your vision become a reality in 2020. 

Mars enters Scorpio Dec 25
As Mercury and the Moon leave Scorpio, Mars enters from the other end, moving into a strong position for the following few months. This marks a turning point for Mars, as it has been hindered of late and will pick up strength in several signs over the next year.

Mars is strong in its own sign and strong enough to set things off for the holiday period if we do not channel its energy productively. Mars is a malefic which means if you are not doing something productive with it, you will probably be doing something destructive! 

The problem with Mars is that we don't know when to quit. Think of it as a two year old. Keep it busy and you will be okay. Subdue it at your peril! 

Mars in Scorpio is about getting strong, emotionally. We do this by preparing our minds for the worst-cast scenario. If we think the worst, then we are mentally prepared for it. The transition from Scorpio to Sagittarius is of preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. In Scorpio, we prepare, often in the background, in secret, while building our reserves. Obviously, this is reflected in secret activities by everyone, so be aware of that into the New Year.

I think that Mars' transit in Scorpio will fuel hidden activity within groups of people who come out 'all guns blazing' when Mars enters Sagittarius in February. 

With Mars moving through Scorpio and Sagittarius at the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020, we can get too caught up in the worst-case scenario, and must remind ourselves if we are dwelling there too long. Again, Mars doesn't always know when to quit. Find your strength, which is not something obvious in Scorpio, but is an acknowledgement of our vulnerabilities, the chink in our armour which lets us now we are alive, and reminds us to strengthen our internal defenses.
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New Moon in Sagittarius - Annular Solar Eclipse Dec 26 - Mūla
This solar eclipse begins a year of great change. Yes, necessary change, but change is change and we can sometimes struggle to adjust. This is the first of 7 - yes, 7! - eclipses between now and Dec 2020. 

Hold onto your hats as the pace picks up into the New Year. If you have your birthday around Christmas or just after the Solstice in June, then this is an eclipse to pay particular attention to. But if you have any planets or sensitive degrees, ascendant etc., in Sagittarius, any change will probably make itself known to you by the New Year and into spring, especially as Mars crosses this degree by Feb 21. ​The eclipse begins at 9 degrees, nearly 10 degrees of Sagittarius.
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The new Moon in Sagittarius is in the lunar mansion, Mūla, which means 'root', reflecting our roots in the solar system, as this is the sign through which we can see the Galactic Center. This is where we see a black hole, and we're just now learning some things about what they really are and how they behave. One of the main characteristics as I can tell is that they create distortions. This is analogous of Ketu and this eclipse. 

I think we're going to see a lot more about black holes in the coming year. What we think of as empty is full of potential. But I also think next year will spark panic at the sheer sense of loss. Ketu represents an awareness of what is beyond, ultimately. Although we may experience losses on the way there, once we get there we are full of awe and wonder at the perplexity of our origins from a cosmic perspective. 

In our everyday life, we will probably be aware of the things that bring shock and awe, the sheer devastation that is unleashed in the New Year because of this eclipse. Ketu is headless in Vedic myth for good reason: it taps us into something beyond the ego, but it can also show a lack of consideration - someone not thinking. Hence, this eclipse and the subsequent transit of Mars, in February and March, is bound to set things off that shock us.

​This may come in the form of cyber attacks but it may also play out in physical attacks that grab the worlds attention, reminding us all that our life is fleeting and our existence is fragile. 

And when we're reminded of this, we can live more fully, as long as we are not focused on what we have lost, but instead, focus on the part of our being that is witness to all of it. 

Where does that thought come from? This is one question to ask during this new Moon and solar eclipse in Sagittarius and the lunar mansion, Mula. And the most important question to ask: Who is thinking that thought? ​

For timings in your area, click here: 
​https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2019-december-26

​Sun Conjunct Jupiter (Dec 27) & Ketu (Dec 30)
The year ends with saying goodbye to what has been and can no longer be. The Sun highlights the many hidden aspects involved as Jupiter and Ketu get closer together.  

As Jupiter edges closer to Ketu, Saturn edges closer to Pluto, as systems continue to feel the pressure to reform and we try to grasp the meaning behind it all. With Jupiter coming to exact conjunction with the shadow of the south node in the New Year, it crosses the eclipse degree from Dec 16. We may also be at a loss as to reasons we should go for it and lose hope. Sagittarius has little to do with reason, anyway; it's about believing in something for no reason at all, but that we sense it is true for ourselves regardless, as and when we have a belief we cannot shake, no matter what facts we are presented with. 

The year ends in a confusing manner, as systems continue to collapse and hidden dynamics make themselves known; sometimes perplexing us; sometimes enlightening, but always shocking us out of our stupor.

We can either ignore these impulses or wake up. Both will be evident from the end of the year, as many decide to drink themselves into a stupor, while some decide enough is enough and choose to take action while others slumber. 


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OM TAT SAT