Sunday, December 21, 2008

AstroTurf

** Your Starcast for December 21 to January 18 **

The Winter Solstice is marked each year with the Sun's entrance into practical Capricorn, which occurs this year on December 21. This is a great time to reflect upon the past and make plans for your future. On December 22, the Sun conjuncts Pluto, now located in Capricorn as of last month. Energetic Mars enters Capricorn on December 26 when you have the drive to accomplish anything you set your mind to! Then, the new Moon in Capricorn on December 27 marks a new beginning. When Mars conjuncts Pluto on December 28, direct this powerful energy toward something you want to achieve. Old 2008 ends with a major review, as Saturn turns retrograde on December 31. Then, Mercury's entrance into independent Aquarius on January 1 begins the year with innovative ideas. The planet of love, Venus, enters the most spiritual sign of the zodiac on January 3, reminding you to see beyond human imperfections, and only the best in everyone. Teamwork is your motto as Jupiter's entrance into Aquarius on January 5 shifts the social climate. It's time to join with others to accomplish your personal goals. The full Moon in Cancer on January 10 reminds you to pay attention to your feelings. On January 11, Mercury turns retrograde in Aquarius, and it's time to conduct a thorough review of your plans for the year ahead. Then, retrograde Mercury joins Jupiter in a conjunction when you'll have plenty to say -- and so will everybody else!

December 21: Sun enters Capricorn

The Winter Solstice is marked each year with the Sun's entrance into practical Capricorn. This is a great time to reflect upon the past and make plans for your future as the Sun illumines a pathway toward the achievement of your goals. The earthy practicality and the drive of this sign present an opportunity for you to take your ambitions and really do something with them! Just like Capricorn's symbol the mountain goat, it is time to climb to the top.

December 22: Sun conjuncts Pluto

This is quite an intense and creative conjunction and is prominent in the new Moon that occurs on December 27. Conjunctions mark new beginnings, yet this particular one is so powerful (partly because Mars is close by) that it requires you to be clear about where you direct your energy -- otherwise someone else is likely to take charge. Do what you need to do to make sure you feel empowered. Then, create something amazing!

December 26: Mars enters Capricorn

Energetic Mars in such an achievement-oriented sign gives you the drive and resourcefulness to accomplish just about anything you set your mind to -- be it starting a business, sticking to your diet, writing a book or finding a mate! There are few placements that have the sheer tenacity of this combo, so make a list of what you want and get going!

December 27: New Moon in Capricorn

This is the last new Moon of the year in ambitious Capricorn, which is fitting as you reflect upon this past year and plan for the new one. Strategize and focus on what you want to achieve in the year ahead. With dynamo Mars and powerful Pluto conjunct this new Moon, it will be important to be in charge of your emotions so that you can utilize the driven nature of this combination. Although some will take this energy and try to dominate or railroad people into doing what they want them to do, the best way to use this new Moon is to have plans or projects and pour into them everything you've got! You will be amazed at what you can accomplish!

This new Moon will most affect those born December 25-29, March 26-30, June 26-30 and September 28-October 2.

December 28: Mars conjunct Pluto

This conjunction has a reputation for being power-hungry although a more enlightened way to use this energy is to take its strength and power and direct it toward something you want to achieve. If you play well with others and don't try to run everything by yourself, influential people will align themselves with you. If you are a control freak and have alienated those who could help you, now may be the time to reconsider what you are doing. Be pro-active instead of reactive and you will be miles ahead of most people. Chances are, you'll earn a few extra karma points along the way!

December 31: Saturn turns retrograde

Saturn is the builder planet. As you are creating the life you want, every now and then it's important for you to review your progress and to make sure that where you are headed is still where you want to go. Saturn turns retrograde once a year providing you with the opportunity for this important review. This retrograde period will last until May 17, 2009. For the best results, correct those areas that are built on a shoddy foundation and weed out anything that is no longer relevant to your life.

January 1: Mercury enters Aquarius

If you've never recorded your thoughts in a journal, this is the perfect year to start as the communication planet enters into the sign of the independent thinker on January 1. Aquarius is a sign known for uniqueness and innovation, so make sure you break out of old ways of thinking. This is your chance to get a fresh start in a new year!

January 3: Venus enters Pisces

The planet of love adores being in the soulful sign Pisces. Enough talk! Enough running around! Words and busy-ness are antithetical to this transit, which lasts until February 3. Instead, find time to sit and watch a beautiful sunset, commune with nature, visit an art museum or meditate for peace, as the concept of love is not only personal when Venus travels through such a universal sign. This is also a great time to meet your soul mate or strengthen the spiritual bonds in an existing relationship.

January 5: Jupiter enters Aquarius

Jupiter takes about one year to travel through a sign and has been in ambitious Capricorn, an earth sign, since December 18, 2007. Earth signs are interested in tangible achievement; air signs (Aquarius being one) are interested in the world of ideas. Jupiter is a planet that has to do with social systems and has something to say about how we relate to the outer world. Because Aquarius is focused on groups and teamwork, expect the year ahead to be one where you are interested in finding like-minded groups and participating more in your community or in the world-at-large.

January 10: Full Moon in Cancer

Last month when the December 27 new Moon was in Capricorn, it was important to be ambitious and find a mountain to climb. Full Moons are always a culmination of what you began at the last new Moon. With this full Moon in security-oriented Cancer, it is important to tune in to your feelings. Worldly ambitions need to be balanced with personal needs. What do you do to soothe and calm yourself? Do you take a bubble bath, eat comfort food, or curl up on the couch with a good book? You'll feel extra sensitive now, and tuning in to your personal needs is a perfect way to step back from all of your out-in-the-world tasks. Saturn's trine to the Moon provides a supportive environment to enhance your security and emotional well-being.

This full Moon will most affect those born January 9-13, April 9-13, July 12-16 and October 13-17

January 11: Mercury turns retrograde

Are you ready for your first Mercury retrograde of the year? The communication planet retrogrades three times a year (although in late December of this year, we will have a fourth one that ends 2009 and begins 2010). This one starts in group-minded Aquarius, returns to Capricorn and won't turn direct until February 1. All Mercury retrograde periods are about returning to previous thoughts, discussions and ideas. Reserve decision-making until Mercury turns direct. Mercury retrograde periods are famous for misunderstandings and glitches in communications and travel systems. Double-check meeting times and travel arrangements, and wait to buy vehicles and communications products of any kind.

January 18: Mercury conjuncts Jupiter

This conjunction may be the only major aspect for the week, but when Jupiter amplifies communicative Mercury, you'll have plenty to say and so will everybody else! Because Mercury is still retrograde, this marks a week where the dialog gets louder about what everybody is already thinking and talking about. Some of the discussion will feel exciting; for some of it you may want to get some earplugs! Whether you join the conversations or not, one thing is for sure -- you won't be able to ignore them!

Enjoy the Sun's transit in Capricorn!



No comments: