December begins with Sun-square-Uranus on the 2^nd, in the 11^th degrees of Sagittarius and Pisces correspondingly. You may recall that Uranus just turned direct on 11/19. The Sun's square will bring to the light of consciousness desired changes that will more accurately reflect the direction you want your life to take. Bruno and Louise Huber designate both Saturn and Uranus as having to do with order - Saturn maintains established order, while Uranus seeks a new order to accommodate the natural processes of change experienced throughout life. When a new order is making itself known to the old order, it can look like chaos, but in fact, it's simply different from the "known" order of Saturn.

Mercury squares Saturn on the 4^th in the 26^th degrees of Scorpio and Leo respectively, just before Saturn goes retrograde the following day. Some hard but necessary insights will surface, requiring deeper probing to uncover the motivation behind certain attitudes and thought patterns. You likely will not like what you see, but before any change can occur you do have to see your "rational" hang-ups, and there's quite possibly no better influence to fulfill that task.

Saturn's retrograde always induces a so-called reality-check. You don't have to like or agree with what you see, but you do have to accept it as the “reality” that's in-your-face. If Saturn's retrograde conjuncts a planet in your natal chart, that aspect of your psyche will undergo even more intense modification. Clearly, Saturn is a significant influence in the early days of December as well as later, when the Sun transits into Saturn's own sign of Capricorn. Since Saturn is so very misunderstood and maligned, I'd like to offer a counter to the typical interpretation by looking at a Rune, Iss, which eloquently addresses the principle we know as Saturn. In Rune Power, Kenneth Meadows describes Iss as "…the slowing of an energy process that causes density and prevents dissolution…a stabilizing force that shields what is happening at deeper levels." The stabilization is particularly relevant during the retrograde period, and Saturn's protective quality is too often forgotten.

Mars moves into Sagittarius later the same day, the 5^th. The urge to act, to do, is always happily situated in a so-called Fire sign. Basic optimum and enthusiasm can be an energizing force, creating hopefulness. It can also predispose us to trying to do much too fast all-at-once. The coincidence of Saturn retrograde may well be a tempering influence, or possibly a frustrating influence, depending on your attitude and basic make-up.

Mercury follows Mars into Sagittarius on the 7^th, (bringing the number of planets in Sagittarius to five!) and catches up to Mars on the 9^th. Due to Mercury's recent retrograde cycle, we've experienced Mercury conjunct Mars three times in less then three months - on 9/15 in Libra, 11/11 in Scorpio (with Mercury retrograde), and 12/9. Responding defensively to perceived offenses is always a possibility with this conjunction, but it's also very possible to use your intellectual energy to accomplish specific goals. You can moreover employ this aspect to tell someone something you've wanted to say, but have been too shy or reticent to do so. This conjunction's occurrence in Sagittarius means that you can present what you have to say in the broadest context possible - and context is everything when trying to foster understanding!

The following day, December 10^th, Mercury conjoins Jupiter and Venus enters Capricorn. Mercury-Jupiter enhances creative thinking, an ability to look into the future and imagine what could be. It can also influence you to be the "cockeyed optimist", so don't let the "vision thing" get out of hand! At its best, this conjunction can help you understand the broadest implications of anything you decide, consider, or say. Foresight is underscored.

Venus' entry into Capricorn calls attention to the accountability that comes with caring for others. It isn't unusual for more practical issues to be overlooked or outright ignored in relationships, but now is the time to work out details that will preserve any relationship through times of trial. The nuts-and-bolts can be successfully attended to.

Mars conjuncts Jupiter on the 11^th, in the 4^th degree of Sagittarius. This is a very high-energy combo, and you can use it accomplish physical tasks. Further, because Mars-Jupiter is in Sagittarius, you'll be cognizant of acting in the best interests of the future, not merely the here-and-now. Do not, however, take foolhardy risks!

On a more practical level, the Sun trines Saturn on the 16^th, bringing a measure of realism into your plans for the future. Coordinating your hopes/dreams/motivations within a levelheaded schema ensures success. Order and arrange your plans in accordance with the very real parameters presented by the "real world".

Next, the Sun will conjoin Pluto on the 18^th - a yearly event since Pluto first transited into Sagittarius in 1995. Pluto creates an intensity that can be likened to life-or-death experiences, and you'll be very aware of the razor-edge closeness between the two! This makes you pay very, very close attention to yourself and everything around you, and to act with unusually heightened awareness. And if you don't, you'll later wish that you had!

On the 21^st, Mars squares Uranus in the 12^th degrees of Sagittarius and Pisces correspondingly, just six minutes before the Sun transits into Capricorn, marking the Winter Solstice. The affect of Mars-Uranus depends on how you've been attending to the inevitable need for creative change in your life…or not! If you feel explosive, then you haven't been paying attention, and it will feel as though Life itself is taking over the process. If you want to have a say in this, I strongly recommend you take the initiative without waiting for the proverbial kick-in-the-pants! Either way, you're likely to be happy with the final results, which could take some time to fully develop.

The Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, offers another change and the possibility of bringing something out of the "dark" - something you've been hiding or avoiding about yourself. Yes, Scorpio is usually the sign reputed to make you face the Shadow, but Capricorn is the sign that enables you to work with and even master it within the bounds of the physical world. Bruno and Louise Huber developed a Moon Node chart specifically to unveil the Shadow, "our own dark side, if we mean by 'dark' not something ghastly, but something unknown, hard to get at, and not standing in the light." They noted that the Shadow addresses "questions concerning the meaning of existence", and this can also be said of Capricorn. With Mars-Uranus so closely aligned with the “darkest” day of the year, this time is favorable to delve into your Self and effect change(s) in ways that have never before been presented in your lifetime…and never will be again.

Lastly, Mercury moves in to Capricorn on the 27^th, creating a different mindset in preparation for the New Year. Mercury in Capricorn turns attention to knowledge based on real-life experience, not idealistic dreams. You can only know what you know; the rest is speculation, and in the final analysis you can only proceed in life based on what you know - not what you hope you know. There will always be a time for dreams, hopes and wishes, but now is not the time! Mental strategizing must take a realistic turn.

On that note, I wish you all a most happy holiday season!