Where would we be this year without our resident Astrologer Nancy?  Her posts and insights help me to navigate life’s rocky waters month to month.  Somehow she has always been the voice of reason for me throughout the decades.  End this year on a positive note by listening to her interpretations of the energies that rain down from the heavens:

Thought I’d get an early start with the astrological information this month — as it is a busy and active period in the Heavens….

First there will be a second Full Moon this month — a Blue Moon on December 31st — yep — New Year’s Eve — sure to be a merry-maker of monumental moments..memories… and “migraines”….

Especially as our friendly planet Mercury goes into Retrograde motion on the day AFTER Christmas — make sure you have all your receipts — especially if returning an item that was a gift — keep the tags ON…. there will be confusion — but it needn’t be a disaster…a little forethought goes a long way — and if you are prepared with all the tags, receipts, and any other confirmation, your efforts will be quick and easy.

Whew !!!  — Now down to New Moon business — the New Moon crests on December 16th at 7:02 AM in the sign Sagittarius at 24 degrees….  for all you sun sign Sags — it begins a new cycle — especially if born in the later degrees of the sign.  Now we all know Sagittarians are outgoing, great fun, and can be the life of the party…  so it behooves us to be sure to invite a few to our holiday bashes.   This is an upbeat and friendly sign that will help bring us into the holiday spirit, and give us a positive and happy outlook for the upcoming celebrations.  It also has the mantle of sincere spirituality, and we will all feel the enormous pressures that are concurrent in today’s economy, and we will attempt to help those who are less fortunate, alone, or in distress at this time.  It takes so little to perk up someone’s day — a cheery hello, a little card, a phone call, or a plate of cookies.  Take the time to share your good fortune and you will be rewarded ten-fold.

Now everything isn’t “hunky dory” — there are contrasts that we will have to deal with, Pluto in Capricorn is not playing nicely with Saturn in Libra this month and might spark a few tense moments when reality makes us aware that we cannot do it all — or all by ourselves.   We will feel the need to be in control, and we will be uncomfortable with others making plans for us, or anyone telling us what to do.   There must be some compromises along the way — pick your battles — don’t waste your time on those things that are just not that important — it just becomes exhausting, and we must save our energy for more positive tasks.  We all should try to keep our heads when it comes to spending this year… after scrimping and saving all year long, we feel the need to let loose — but resist this impulse and make sensible lists to sustain your goals without breaking the bank.  Talk to your loved ones and perhaps choose just one person to give to this year — or if necessary ask for help in deciding what would be appropriate — there are so many options today — keep the lines of communication open, and be honest with those you care about.  No one wants you to do all the chores, or go deeper into debt.  Back to basics might be a good theme for this year, that old fashioned, common sense, feet on the ground outlook that gets us through the darkest hours.  There will be joy, and fun, and light — keep it simple — keep it classic — keep it real.

Mars the planet of passion and action goes into Retrograde motion on the 20th in the sign Leo lasting several months — so any new plans might not go as planned, there might be resistance to what you want to do.  It might be a good time to put on the brakes and reevaluate just exactly what it is that we want to manifest.  Then we must move ahead in a timely manner with all of our “ducks in a row” – serious planning is the way to go — be sure you have all of the facts and then and only then — move onward.

The New Moon is always a time to write down our affirmations, wishes and any goals we wish to manifest — this New Moon is so important because if comes just before all the activity of the Holidays. All day and evening are great for writing out your wishes. So, it is indeed a great time to make those wishes clear — for a happy and healthy holiday season, for protection for all those who are in peril, and peace for those who are mourning, or anxious, or are in dire need of healing.   Let your wishes reflect all of the deepest desires of your heart and soul.  Feel the energy enter your body as you prepare your list — free your mind of any angst, open your spirit to the highest emanations from the Universe — and marvel at what you can manifest.

Sagittarius loves freedom, adventure, being optimistic, looking far ahead, sports, being spiritual, and has a deep love of life — infuse your affirmations with some of these wonderful ideals.  Be specific and feel the energy gathering from within and then begin to push these wishes into the ether. They will bear fruit, they will come to pass, you will be in control of your future.

With Mercury in retrograde, and the 2nd Full Moon on New Year’s Eve in the sign Cancer, it is a wonderful time to look back and reflect on the past, family ties, and traditions, and hone in on our future goals, wishes and desires.

However, since many of us will be celebrating and partying on this New Year’s evening — be aware that Cancer is a water sign that rules the stomach, and any overindulgence in food or drink will have some of us reaching for those products that promise “quick” relief.   Water rules emotions and they might overflow with all manner of feelings.  And with Mercury Rx — make sure your plans are fixed in stone — or confusion will entail — double check all of the details and you will be fine.  Enjoy the festivities of these wonderful Holidays with élan — my wish for all of you is that you have a safe Holiday Season, and one in which the memories will be warm for many years to follow.

Eat ~ Drink ~ and be Merry ~~ and may the Spirit of these magical days reach deep within you and ease your worries, enliven your daily life, and enrich your soul… Blessings to all.

Tags: Blue Moon December 31, ducks in a row, Full Moon on New Year's Eve, holiday spirit, Mars planet of passion, Moon in Sagittarius, New Moon affirmations, New Moon December 16, Pluto in Capricorn, Retrograde Mercury, rewarded ten fold, Saturn in Libra

Nancy, our resident Astrologer, has been receiving inquiries as to “what the heck is going on with the planets?!”  I too have opened many a private email asking me what’s up with the craziness?  Here to explain it is Nancy’s take on Saturn, the king of teaching planets:

Yes folks, Saturn the planet of teaching and karma is changing signs and might be stirring up a bit of mischief as it moves on — right now it is in the 29th degree of Virgo — and 29 degrees of any sign is always a significant point.  For some arcane reason, it is as if just by moving into another sign, there is a build-up of energy that intensifies as the transition is taking place.  Just as if you yourself were moving from a comfortable home and going into an area or place that was new and unknown — there is an intensity, perhaps anxiety that accompanies the move, even if it has been planned for and known about for some time — we fear what we don’t know — we are uncomfortable with the onset of a challenging new experience.  But there is good news — these changes help us move along, get us out of the comfortable traces that have turned into ruts, and bring us to new awareness of where we are, where we want to go, and where we should be.

Saturn moves into the sign Libra on the 29th at 12:09 PM EDT — it has been in Virgo for approximately 2 1/2 years — so it takes Saturn about 30 years to traverse the entire Zodiac and hit every one of the twelve signs.  When the “Hippies” told everyone not to trust anyone over 30 — they had a point — by the time we are 30 — Saturn has covered the entire 360 degrees of the Zodiac — and we are changed just by that experience alone.  In each sign, Saturn has attempted to teach us the lessons that sign wishes to impart.  And these lessons are modified by the “house” they reside in within our own charts.  Needless to say — those challenges we face all the time might be sparked by Saturn crossing over a natal planet or house cusp.

There is an upside to Saturn that is seldom mentioned — there is a Saturnine reward system that is as steady as its teaching system.  When we “listen” to what we are being shown, told, or forced into doing by Saturn — and we attempt to abide by the lessons that are being imparted, we get a bonus — a prize — a reward…  Now — we are all not going to win the lottery, or find our one true soul mate, or even find the perfect job… but we will be rewarded in kind with the lessons we have learned, be it patience, anger management, not giving up, being better listeners, just about anything we NEED to learn in this lifetime, is probably going to be Saturn’s goal for us.  And we will be rewarded unequivocally with equal and amazing results.

Now for all the Librans out there what does Saturn have in store for you in the coming couple of years?  I’ll try to answer in a non-threatening and calming way — Yes there will be tests in store, there will be disappointments, there will be times that you won’t want to face — BUT — think about what is going on in your life right now — are you happy with the status quo?  Are there things you know you should be changing?  Are there relationships or friendships that aren’t working?  Do you wake up each day looking forward or are you dreading the next sunrise?  Everyone knows their own needs and wants and desires, but sometimes we need a little push in the right direction to keep on our pathway.  Along with Saturn, Pluto has changed signs and is in Capricorn — this will give early Librans a little more stress but will make those situations that need changing much clearer.  These are dynamic planets and they are working to make you sit up and take notice.  Jupiter the planet of good luck also changes signs and will move from Aquarius, into Pisces and Aries and back to Pisces…  when it is in Aries it stimulates more activity and will spur you on to make those changes you need to make.  This period is from late July into early August — you may find the strength and energy to get out of a draining situation, you will find the determination to break free.  Stand up and fight for your right to be happy and fulfilled.

There will be positive and negative people coming into your life during this Saturn period, and you must be aware to pick up on the clues as to whom to trust.  With our economy being stressed and people looking for an easy way out — you could be vulnerable to that sad tale or sob story–check the facts, don’t take someone new at face value.  No I don’t want you to become so insular that you won’t be open to new and good experiences, but just be your own best counsel — if something doesn’t sound right — check it out — if it sounds too good to be true — well — you know the rest!

On April 7th Saturn Retrogrades back into Virgo — so yes Virgos (and Libras and the rest of us) — might have to go back to some situation we thought was settled and reconfigure the outcome.  It might be as simple as a car repair that returns or as monumental as the fact that your new house has a lien on it that wasn’t discovered when the home was purchased… just be aware of what is going on now and make sure you cover all that you humanly can — then let it go.  Keep all your papers and correspondence from this time period so you will have your information at your fingertips if something unforeseen should occur.  Forewarned is Forearmed — preparation goes a long way in easing tense and complicated negotiations.  Saturn will then reenter Libra on July 21st.  So early Librans and late Virgos are going to be in the throes of Saturn’s pull for a good part of the next year.  Please take note — this can be the opportunity of a lifetime — pay attention — keep your eye on the prize — take one day at a time, and make each day a little better than the last.  You can and will survive and flourish during this period — and just might find that you are a stronger and healthier person than you ever thought you could be.  Work with the Universal energy and it will bring you to a higher plane of existence in the here and now!

Jupiter is giving you some protection and an infusion of cautious optimism during much of this period.  You will find yourself feeling more in control and you will be much more courageous in your dealings with others.  They will know where you stand without a doubt — and there might be some who will be surprised to see you not compromise or back down to ensure keeping the peace — yes you want balance, you need balance, and usually will do anything not to create chaos — this year — you find extra strength to speak your mind and focus on your own needs.  Especially women, we tend to put ourselves last in the reward system, but there comes a time when you have to reinforce your own person and make others accountable for their egregious behavior toward you.  Don’t accept second, third or fourth place — it is time you make sure that you are at the head of the line… not in a boastful or “in your face” kind of way — but in a mature, I know my worth, and I’m not accepting anything less than I should have modality.   When Mars enters your sign on July 29th until September 14^th you will feel a burst of energy and will find yourself being more pro-active in seeking what you want.  This new assertiveness might take others by surprise, but you have been working toward this “new” you for some time now, and you are not going to want to go back to the agreeable but unhappy ways of the past.

This may be a challenging time span for many Librans, but we all must remember that the sign Libra is somewhere in all of our charts — and that area will be where your next challenge might manifest, it is up to you to know yourself and your goals, and purposefully chart a course of action to offset any negative encounters or roadblocks you might encounter.  Indeed if you have learned the lessons of Saturn in Virgo, you might just get your reward as it transits Libra — there is a wonderful balance in the Universe, even if at times it seems we are only seeing the dark side — there is always light — and as Jone reinforces in all of her postings “Reclaim Your Light”  — it’s your right and your duty — and only good will come from facing your fears and conquering them — I leave you in the luminescent glow of the Light!

Tags: 29 degrees of Virgo, accepting your worth, Aquarius, Aries, becoming insular, Capricorn, challenges we face, Jupiter, Librans, October 29, Pices, planet of teaching and karma, Pluto, protection, Reclaim Your Light, Saturn in Libra, Saturnine reward