Astrological forecast for December 2006.

It has been an abundant season here in the office. And when it rains, it pours. Between getting my 2007 calendar ready, preparing custom calendars, all the readings that have come in, and my public speaking class, I haven’t had time to write my December forecast in advance. Mind you, I’m not complaining. I love my work, and I’m happy to be busy. So let’s get down to it.

Overview

Saturn retrograde begins on 12/4. When planets change direction, there is a period of time when they appear to move very little. Remember, we are looking at the planets against the backdrop of the Zodiac. As the Earth is also moving around the Sun, we witness retrogradation. Now, I don’t consider retrogrades of outer planets like Saturn to have a marked observable effect in the world, like Mercury, Venus and Mars retrograde do. Outer planet retrogrades are very subtle.

What is important is this time, called the “station,” the point at which the planet changes direction. Because Saturn’s retrograde begins this month, Saturn moves less than 1/2 a degree the entire month. That’s slow, compared to Saturn’s maximum speed of about 3 1/2 degrees per month. If this point, 24-25° Leo, aspects a planet in your chart, pay attention.

What’s significant for all of us, is that this stationary Saturn is in aspect to another planet in the sky: Pluto. Saturn is alllllmost, but not quite, exactly trine Pluto in the sky this month. He changes direction just before the trine completes. He will swing back around in August 2007 to complete it. This is a signal, an August “finish line,” a possible target date for plans that are just beginning to “rev up” in your mind this month.

These are two very powerful planets joining forces. Together they represent toughness, endurance, tremendous effort, self-discipline, painstaking research. This is about healing (Pluto) that goes to the bones (Saturn). It’s about transcending (Pluto) your former limitations and old paternal archetypes (Saturn), and opening up into a broader self-awareness and concept of leadership, and awakening a deep responsiveness to your heart’s desire.

During December, there are three planets that will touch off this Saturn-Pluto trine. These planets mark times to apply yourself toward solving difficult problems. Mark these excellent dates on your calendar: December 6-7, Venus touches the trine, time to reach out to others, make connections, heal relationships, make money. December 16-17, the Sun, time to go for it, let yourself shine. December 23-25, Mercury. Time to listen to others, share ideas, and solve problems.

Even with a soft, pretty trine, the energy of these two planets can be a bit turbulent. But trines do tend to open doors and clear a path for us. If you are looking for a healing, remember that Saturn is retrograde, as of December 4. Retrograde means look within yourself. Work on the inner landscape, and you�ll be surprised how the outer landscape responds as time passes! Saturn changes direction again in April, and that’s when we begin to outwardly manifest the changes we have been going through inwardly. This is so subtle that you might not even notice, unless Saturn transits a planet in your chart between now and then.

December 1-4

Friday and Saturday are jumpy, with a Sun Uranus square looming, expect the unexpected. As I write this, on December 1, the dog and cat alternate between bursts of frenetic energy and tired flops onto their favorite spots. Typical for Uranus, you’re either on or off. December 3 and 4, the Moon waxes to Full, and Mercury squares serious Saturn. We have a lot to do, emotionally we are going full tilt, and the mood around us is heavy on Monday.

December 5-10

Much better. The Moon makes friendly contacts to other planets on Tuesday, and we’re in a better mood. Late Tuesday night, Mars moves from intense, guarded Scorpio to easygoing, adventurous Sagittarius. You might feel a change in the air on Wednesday morning. Wednesday’s a great day for almost anything on your agenda, as Venus moves through the Saturn Pluto trine, and Mercury readies himself to come together with Mars and Jupiter over the weekend. Lance might call this a “day of grace.” The energy of the Mars Jupiter conjunction in Jupiter’s home sign Sag, is upbeat, optimistic, risk-taking, good for travel, imports and exports, communications and commerce, games and adventures. It’s a good weekend for work or play.

December 11-14

The mood shifts to a more serious note as Venus enters Capricorn on Monday. Capricorn is serious about life, and gets the job done. Venus is, of course, the love goddess, governing relationships, and she is also associated with money— people may be tightening their belts a bit financially.

It may help the markets that Saturn, Capricorn’s ruler, is trine Pluto (banking), making it easier (trine) to get consumer loans (Pluto). But for the consumer, watch out for wolves in sheep’s clothing. Be aware that the laws governing credit card companies permit sketchy practices that can cost you more money than you thought. Hopefully the Saturn Pluto trine will bring some much needed regulations (Saturn) and reforms (Pluto) to this industry.

Thursday and Friday morning are twitchy, as Mercury squares Uranus. There’s a lot of nervous energy around, and people are so eager to make their points, that they forget to listen. Problems with computers and machines are more likely as well. Friday afternoon, continue to take it easy, and stick to your routine. Even though the Mercury Uranus square has passed, the Moon is Void of Course until 5:42 pm eastern.

December 16-19

Happy Hanukkah. The Sun touches the Saturn Pluto trine between Saturday and Monday morning. It’s a great weekend to get things done, and a wonderful time for my Mom to turn 61 39 years old. I’ll be taking her, as I have for the past 8 birthdays, for a fancy Sunday brunch. Happy birthday, Mom!

Monday and Tuesday are easygoing, as Mercury kisses imaginative Neptune, and Venus kisses inventive Uranus. As you’re clearing the decks for a new Lunar cycle that begins on Wednesday, you can have some fun with this quiet time.

December 20-26

The New Moon comes in with a bang, coinciding with an explosive Mars Uranus square on the 21st. Something different is in the air this Solstice. Have a blessed Yule, and be careful with your candles and fires. Mars square Uranus combines high energy, high speed, with sudden change, and often occurs alongside accidents, fires, injuries. Traffic will be nuts, as it always is this time of year, and there will be some erratic drivers on the road. Don’t freak out, or stay home with your head under the covers, but do be a little extra cautious on Wednesday and Thursday.

Over the weekend, and leading up to Christmas Day, Mercury will touch the Saturn Pluto trine, infusing the air with practical ideas and transformative, healing energies as well.

Stevie

Merry Christmas. Christmas Day features an easygoing Pisces Moon, which occults Uranus in the afternoon. Don’t let the word “occult” scare you, it just means “hide.” The Moon will move directly in front of Uranus, kind of like an eclipse. Something unexpected, and possibly significant, may appear around that time. A Pisces Moon connected to Mars and Uranus (in the afternoon hours) is very sweet, but like my darling kitty, whose chart features a Mars Uranus conjunction, perhaps the Moon too, in Pisces, likes to knock something off the shelf every now and then, just to make sure she has my attention. Christmas day’s Moon is kind of like Stevie: 80% darling precious angel, 20% stinker.

Merry Kwanzaa! The same Moon, minus the stink factor, persists through the 26th. But this Pisces Moon will square uncompromising Pluto, and chatty Mercury. It may be best to just enjoy the day and leave the difficult conversations for another time.

December 27-31

Mercury enters hardworking Capricorn on Wednesday, and we start feeling like getting things done, finding practical applications for the ideas we came up with when Mercury was in Sagittarius during the past 16 days. Thursday through Saturday, we are working under a Mars Neptune sextile, which combines high energy with spirituality and imagination. Put your dreams into action— let yourself be inspired by your higher spiritual ideals. It’s a great time to donate time or money to help others.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s day look pretty good, with a Moon in chatty Gemini. Check your pulse just after midnight eastern time, as the Moon squares erratic Uranus in Pisces.

Mark your calendar!

The best days for you high priority plans are December 5-6, 9-11, 16-19, 23-25, 29-30.
Keep things simple December 2-4, 15, 20-21.