My intention here is to give an overview of the planetary movements over December & January and then follow up with more information in the January e-news. At-a-glance, here’s why things have been so full-on for many of us:
12 December, Jupiter aligned with Pluto and the Galactic Centre. In brief, this combination can bring up hidden or suppressed issues from the past to be dealt with and cleared. It can also bring massive transformative life changes, as shown in the Death card in tarot. For some this might feel like a ‘Get out of Jail Free’ Monopoly card whereby a long-term block finally shifts offering a sense of freedom and relief. Yet some might experience it as a confrontation with a difficult fear, as represented by the Devil card in tarot. If this if the case for you, remember that Jupiter’s influence will ensure that there’s a silver lining with every cloud.
18 December, Mars’s closest approach to Earth between now and 2016. Of late, Mars is being very attention-seeking in the cosmos. Having been retrograde since 15 November, Mars’s energy is still very intense, and now being so close to Earth it’s important not to ignore the red planet. See ‘24 December’ for a discussion of this.
19 December, Jupiter moved into Capricorn. After spending 12 months in its home sign of Sagittarius, Jupiter has now begun its Capricorn visit. Jupiter spends about a year in a zodiac sign so will shower its blessings on Capricorn for the next twelve months. This combination encourages freedom within commitment and joy within responsibilities. On its initial entry into Capricorn we might get itchy feet and want to escape our commitments and responsibilities, but usually this is a passing phase as we adjust to the exciting challenge of finding ways to bring more fun, adventure, lightness and laughs into life’s more serious ventures.
20 December, Saturn shifted into backward motion. Being the ruler of Capricorn, it seems quite significant that Saturn shifted retrograde just 2 days after Jupiter moved into Capricorn. This intensifies Capricorn themes and is likely to encourage us to reflect on whether we are happy with our current commitments or want to make some changes.
22 December, Summer solstice. In the Southern Hemisphere this is the day of longest light and represents the height of celebrating the summer season. For a number of years now the solstice has been aligned with the Galactic Centre. Does this remind you of something? Pluto has been aligned with the Galactic Centre all of 2007 and, as mentioned above, Jupiter is there right now. The Galactic Centre is the birth-death-rebirth point of our galaxy and many planetary alignments have bringing it strongly into focus. It’s interesting that this coincides with a time when humanity is not only aware of, but also becoming active about, the possible death of many life forms on our planet through climate change.
24 December, Full Moon in Cancer aligning with Mars Retrograde. Visually this full moon will be the fullest full moon between now and 2023. If you’re out admiring this historic full moon on Christmas Eve also take note of the red planet nearby – that’ll be Mars. Watch out for conflict on this day because Mars is still retrograde in Cancer, and nearly every account of Mars retrograde energy that I’ve heard from clients, students, friends and family has been intense. Skeletons have been coming out of many family closests (Cancer is closely aligned with families and with the events in the past) and usually these skeletons emerge through tempers suddenly flaring (Mars). Be gentle with your husbands, fathers, brothers, grandfathers, uncles and male friends, boyfriends or any man anywhere basically! As men generally carry the Mars energy more strongly than women, they are likely to be feeling quite intense & possibly even volatile during this Mars retrograde phase. Yet women are not exempt because many women identify strongly with the masculine energy. Another effect of Mars retrograde is volatility on the roads. There’s been a lot in the news lately about dreadful car accidents. When Mars is intensified the incidence of road rage, speeding and impulsive actions is increased. So please be careful and do your best not to rush when driving, even if running late. Make a note to keep a look out for, and steer clear of, erratic drivers.
25 December, Full Moon & Mars effects continue. For as long as you can visually see the full moon with Mars nearby, the effects will also remain, so on Christmas Day this will be the case. (By the way, NASA has plans for a giant rocket named Ares, still being created, to visit the Moon in future years. Ares is the Greek name of the Roman God, Mars, and NASA is publicising this plan at the same time that Mars (Ares) is next to the fullest Full Moon between now and 2023. Interesting synchronicity…)
2 January 2008, Mars opposite Pluto. This could be an explosive start to the New Year. When Mars aligns with Pluto, deep stuff rises to the surface. With Mars very active at the time of Christmas and New Year, it is not a season to be silly but instead a season to stay alert and to take an objective ‘growth opportunity’ view of any interrelationship volcanoes that erupt. This is the second hit of Mars opposite Pluto. The first was late September.
8 January 2008, New Moon in Capricorn. More Capricorn energy! This is a wonderful time to write down your plans for the year and to see how possible they are. Get out a 2008 diary and map them out. Keep in mind your goals for the next 7 years as you go. Capricorn likes 7-year plans.
26 January 2008, Pluto shifts into Capricorn. This is the big cosmic event that everyone’s been talking about (well, astrologers anyway!) I’ll explore this in the January e-news.
31 January 2008, Mars stations Direct. All of the intensity of tempers flaring, road accidents, deep frustration etc that we’ve been experiencing since Mars went retrograde on 15 November will begin to ease from 31st January. We won’t be completely out of the woods until Mars leaves Cancer mid-May 2008, but at least Mars will be moving forwards again and be able to express itself less disruptively. This is a lovely New Year’s present from the cosmos, but between the summer solstice and the end of January we’ll still need to take things gently and stay prepared for possible eruptions.
Best wishes with navigating the cosmic fireworks from now until the end of January, and I’ll look forward to renewed contact in 2008.