2014 begins with a powered-up new moon in Capricorn.
Even if you aren’t one to make New Year’s resolutions,
know the new moon offers an auspicious time to set conscious intention.
(I’ll be back at the end of December with an overview of 2014. If you’d like a preview, please check-out the PODCAST link above for my latest Guiding Stars recording.)
December Overview:
The new moon on Dec 1 and Mercury’s advance into Sagittarius on Dec 4 kicks off a two-week optimizing window. For the most part, the stars keep life on a smooth running track. You are wise to tackle that to-do list sooner rather than later.
Mars enters Libra on Dec 7. Mars is a fairly quick mover through a sign, but due to a retrograde cycle in the spring, Mars will tenant this sign through July. Mars in Libra pushes relationship and social matters to the next level. Over the next seven months, Mars turns up the heat on matters to do with partnership, marriage, romance, alliances, social involvements, social causes, co-creative or cooperative ventures, relationship dependency or enmeshments. Activating the Uranus/Pluto transit in 2014, Mars in Libra will keep the fight for justice and social rights going strong, so expect more social unrest, perhaps a lot more. Also watch for new social trends catch a strong wind. Money markets are likely to be more volatile too.
Only hours after the Gemini moon reaches peak, Uranus ends retrograde. Although it seems early considering the day before Christmas is usually a retail boon, Dec 17/18 is likely to produce one last rush or surge before the holiday begins. This can be a high volume couple of days for traffic, travel, and shopping. Watch for striking news, a surprise announcement, or for weather extremes. The end of the semester or the start of your vacation break is well timed with this full moon. Even though we are still on the clock or still scurrying around, most of us will feel ready to check out by this point.
We may hit a stand-still as Venus in Capricorn turns retrograde on the Winter Solstice, Dec 21. If life doesn’t hit a complete halt, at the very least the day is likely to produce a significant slow down. Venus retrograde offers an opportunity to unplug from the world out there and its pressures. It’s time to reap more reward, to prioritize your personal life and to give more quality time and attention to the people who matter to you the most.
Venus retrogrades from Dec 21 to Jan 30. The cycle is best used to reassess priorities, goals, commitments, and ambitions. Are you pleased with your career choices, the reality-base you have created for yourself, or the leaders you have voted for? Are the limitations or pressures getting to you? Do you feel you’ve accomplished enough? Is your fear regarding money, stability, or the added responsibility holding you back? Have you been putting things off? Such questions are typical of Venus retrograde. By the time the cycle completes, you should have a better handle on things.
Venus retrograde calls for internal restructuring, which is exactly what the US government needs to do in order to avoid a complete shut down in the New Year. While the US have critical dates in January and February, this issue and the Canadian senate scandal aren’t likely to resolve any time soon. They will remain as critical forefront issues while Venus tenants Capricorn (to March) and can continue to be a hot trigger through Mars in Libra (to July).
For the most part, the stars are fairly smooth running from Dec 22 to 24, but a building aspect between Mars and Uranus can keep things on edge. The aspect perfects just after midnight on Dec 25. A good night’s sleep doesn’t appear to be written in the stars. If you are out late on Christmas Eve, please put extra attention toward safety on the road.
Stimulating Uranus/Pluto and Mars, the Libra moon on Dec 25 makes for anything but peaceful. The day holds extra excitement and stress. Dec 29 to 31, switch it up, hit the road, and/or get a move on.
Ring in New Year’s Eve in your traditional way. The moon in Capricorn suggests less is best.
Dec 1: New Moon, 4:22 pm (10:59 Sagittarius)
Dec 17: Full Moon, 1:28 am (25:36 Gemini)
Dec 4: Mercury enters Sagittarius
Dec 7: Mars enters Libra
Dec 17: Uranus ends retrograde: 9:39 am
Dec 21: Venus stations retrograde: 1: 53 pm
Dec 24: Mercury enters Capricorn: 2:12 am
*Please note, all times listed are PST, please check your local time zone.
Dates to watch: Dec 2, 4, 7, 9 – 12, 16 – 18, 21, 24, 25, 28 – 31
ARIES (March 21- April 19)
Moving past the past – it’s on your mind as Dec opens. Of course you can’t think of the past with out thinking about the future – and that’s really the driving force behind everything.
The new moon on Dec 1 could deliver big news or open a fresh door. That could happen anytime in these first two weeks – perhaps around Dec 10 when the moon is in Aries and Mercury trines Uranus. If you have something to plan, negotiate, say, launch, or to take a gamble on, use this activation date. It could be your best, most successful happening day of the month.
For the past eight weeks, Mars has been working you over in Virgo. As of Dec 7 when Mars treks into Libra, you’ll find yourself less distracted or crisis driven. Mars in Libra switches you onto a relationship evaluation track. You’ll find yourself even more motivated to getting your wants, needs and objectives met. Through July, you’ll test pilot a new way of interfacing, relating, and creating.
Along with the transit of Venus in Capricorn, which retrogrades from Dec 21 to Jan 31, you are at the start of a major career or lifestyle shift. It is an essential time for a reality check-in, to reassess material, personal, professional and parenting priorities, commitments, ambitions, and goals. Venus continues in Capricorn to the start of March. March through May, Mars will take a retrograde review too. Expect to plough through plenty in the first half of 2014.
Uranus in Aries ends retrograde on the full moon of Dec 17, so stay alert and keep on watch for the unexpected. Dec 18 can be a day of strain or added emotionalism.
The sun’s entrance into Capricorn and the start of Venus retrograde on Dec 21 can produce a notable energy or attention shift. If you didn’t pull the plug earlier in the week, it’s an ideal time to quit work or to gear down on the extra running around.
Settling in to restful sleep may be near impossible on Christmas Eve, thanks to a triggering Mars/Uranus transit. Avoid caffeine or other stimulants late in the day and please keep added safety to the forefront of your attention. Don’t drink and drive, and do not take unnecessary risks with Christmas lights, fireplaces, matches, sharp objects or angry people. Be forewarned, tension stars continue through the entirety of Christmas Day. The best way to play it is to stay as hands-off and to be as accommodating as you can.
The stars keep the pressure going Dec 28 through the first week of Jan.
TAURUS (April 20 -May 20)
The new moon on Dec 1 and Mercury in Sagittarius, starting Dec 4 can boost you with a positive re-fuel. There is no better time than right now to do right/do better by yourself, to figure out what you really want and to go looking for it. More support, connection, fulfillment, money – there is plenty of it out there for you. It can take time to get yourself to where you want to and need to be – but to stay hopeful and to believe in greater possibilities for yourself is an excellent place to start.
Considering the time of year, Mercury in Sagittarius is also likely to keep your spending and expenses on the ramp up.
If you are looking for new work, rely on commissions or tips, or can pick-up extra hours, know that Mars in Libra, starting Dec 7, bodes well for increasing your pay-check. Mars in Libra can also increase your need or dependency – on the job, or on another coming through for you. Through the beginning of July, Mars puts an added focus on health and wealth upgrades. It’s an ideal time to seek additional training, to work with a counselor or coach, or to take it on as a profession.
Through the start of March, Venus in Capricorn keeps you focused on a desired goal or result. Whether it’s an educational program, a financial commitment, or something more personal, if you take the appropriate steps and action now, by springtime you could net results and reward time.
Dec 16 to 18 can put a lot more on your plate, perhaps unexpectedly so. Be especially careful when travelling and make sure your vehicle is in good running order. Don’t take unnecessary risks. The holiday hype could set you onto a compulsive spending track. Then again, these dates are a good time to switch gears and/or to get the last of your holiday visits and shopping out the way.
As already stated in the intro, the stars are off-kilter on Christmas day. The holiday could be remembered as one of your least favourites. Make sure to keep your health pumped up. Watch food, alcohol, or drug sensitivities and as best you can, maintain reasonable limits at all levels. Dec 29 can get you moving again but the stars continue to be strained through the first week of Jan.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21)
The first two weeks of December is sure to keep your days full to the brim. You’ll see more people, do more, spend more, and handle more than usual, but for the most part it should be a smooth sail, especially so as of Dec 7 when Mars treks into Libra. Mark Dec 10 is a good day to fire it up and make it happen. Mercury trine Uranus makes for great socializing, talks, shopping, sales, or for what have you. The rest of the week through the weekend is nicely set up too.
Uranus direct and the full moon on Dec 17 can put it over the top temporarily. Dec 18 can be a spill over day.
Venus in Capricorn turns retrograde on Dec 21, just a few hours after the sun enters this sign. By this point, it’s time to pull back and gear down. Of course whether that’s possible or not is the question. The stars are still pumping it and likely you’ll continue to do so too. Fore go the traditional and freshen it up with something different on Christmas day. Invite friends or let them entertain you, the more the merrier. The energy of day could go in waves. Dec 24/25 can also dish up the unexpected, so be prepared for anything goes, keep conversations on the light side, and try not to over-strain yourself or your emotions. Dec 29 to Jan 1, the stars are also cranked up. Keep moving and aim for healthy outlets. Less is best for your New Year’s Eve celebrations.
CANCER (June 22-July 22)
Beyond the sensory overwhelm and actual inundation that holidays bring, the start of the month can find you revisiting an issue or quandary that has not yet been resolved. An exit strategy, a fresh start, your next pay-check, your next semester, your health, your future – the bigger picture stuff can weigh more heavily on you.
Perhaps you don’t have it nailed down or planned out well enough yet, but that’s what the retrograde cycles are good for. Jupiter in Cancer continues in retrograde to the beginning of March. Venus in Capricorn tours retrograde from Dec 21 to Jan 31. March through May, Mars will do the same. The point is, try not to get too far ahead of yourself just yet. Just work on getting through today and let tomorrow show you what it has in mind before you decide on how to play it.
Mars tenants Libra from Dec 7 through July 26. That’s an especially long time for you to sort out your bottom lines, to work on personal life, home, and family renovations.
The week of Dec 10 provides great opportunity. Stay alert; seize it when you see it.
The full moon on Dec 17 can keep you juggling. Dec 18 can get the ball rolling, perhaps unexpectedly. This can be a time of strain or opportunity. All the better if the full moon simply signals the start of your holiday.
You could be up very late Christmas Eve. Mars opposes Uranus just after midnight. Be especially careful if you are on the road at this time. The stars are not optimum for Christmas day nor New Year’s Eve, so try to minimize expectations and to simply roll with it.
Dec 29 to Jan 1, the stars are also on a sharp corner turn. Take it as it comes. This can be a holiday to simply get through and so that you can get on with the rest of life.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
The new moon on Dec 1 and Mercury’s tour of Sagittarius, Dec 4 to Dec 24, keep you going strong. The first two weeks of the month, and especially the second week of the month offer your best time to spring into action, to wheel and deal, to call attention to yourself, and/or to get yourself a good step ahead. For the most part, the stars are well synchronized, bestowing, and easy rolling. Dec 10 can light a spark. It’s a day when your instincts, actions, choices, and performance are especially on track.
Uranus direct and the full moon of Dec 17 could deliver unexpected added excitement. There could be news or an announcement, a visitor or something social to enjoy. If you partied too hard the day before– and even if you haven’t, Dec 18 can be a strained workday. There can be more going on than is apparent. Stay alert, guard your health, count your change, and if you work with the public, beware of shop lifters.
The sun’s entrance into Capricorn and Venus retrograde, starting Dec 21 can see you reach your physical, emotional or spending limit. Yes, it is a time to curb it, although it may take a few more days to really slow it down.
If you are coming home late on Christmas Eve, please be extra cautious. While Mars in opposition to Uranus can keep the excitement going strong, this is also a caustic, volatile or accident prone combination. If you have had a drink, let someone else do the driving, but first, make sure they are okay themselves.
Christmas Day, the stars are on a push/pull. It can be fun but there’s also tension in the air. Don’t expect to please them all.
Dec 29 and 30 calls for extra patience too, especially if you travelling or out with the crowds. The moon in Capricorn on New Year’s Eve suggest low key or downplayed is the way to ring in the new year.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
The start of Dec can feel like a window just cracked open to let you fly out. The new moon on Dec 2 begins an emotional regroup chapter. You’ll start to think and feel a lot differently about yourself, your wants and your needs. When you hold up your own measuring stick, you’ll see you have come a long way from where you started only a short time ago. Of course, it’s probably seemed like a long time to you. You are learning that you are stronger and more resilient than you realized. When you start to question whether you have what it takes, let this reminder be your fall-back anchor.
Mercury in Sagittarius, Dec 4 to 24, keeps you busier than usual, which isn’t surprising considering the time of year. Home can be a hub of activity or a just a place you sleep.
While you are consumed with the holidays, a great deal of your attention is likely to be focused on the future and what it holds for you.
Mars will leave Virgo and enter Libra on Dec 7. Due to a retrograde cycle in the spring, Mars will situate in one particular area of your chart through July. That will give you enough time to make the breakthrough you are aiming for. Of course, it’s all a matter of the evaluations and choices you make along the way, how you recognize the opportunities and how you apply yourself. Mars in Libra puts a higher focus on how you navigate your way through your relationships – to yourself, to your money, to your social world, to loved ones, and to lovers.
Dec 9 is a great move-ahead week. Use this week to accomplish as much as you can while the stars make the getting good. The full moon on Dec 17 can produce a crammed or jammed couple of days. You may have extra spending, juggling, or rearranging to do. Watch for news or something unexpected to contend with.
Venus retrograde, Dec 21 to Jan 30, takes you through an important reassessment, restructuring. It’s not a time to coast, there’s important stuff to sort out. Still, ease up. Take extra time to be with yourself. When heart and mind can relax, the answers will reveal themselves.
Christmas Day is a mixed bag. Try not to project so much expectation onto the day and onto others. There’s tension in the stars Dec 29 to Jan 2, but they also force you onto a more positive move ahead. Cut back on the expense or the work for New Year’s Eve. The Capricorn moon suggests your traditional way of ringing in the New Year is a good way to go.
LIBRA (SEPT 22-OCT 22)
Use the first two weeks of Dec to get what you need to out of the way and off your check-list while the stars make it all easy rolling.
If you haven’t quite gotten into the full seasonal swing just yet, watch for Mars in Libra, starting Dec 7, to launch you. Despite the extra pressure, volume, etc. the week of Dec 9 can run quite smoothly. Dec 10 is a great day to jump into it or to say what’s on your mind.
Mars in Libra will keep you driven and on the go through July. The transit helps you to break new ground for yourself where you’ll appreciate it the most. Someone could show up as positive catalyst or life changer for you.
Venus in Capricorn travels retrograde from Dec 21 to Jan 30. While it is an appropriate time to give family your best, make sure you find time to spend on yourself too. Use the cycle for a personal regroup. Re-evaluate your finances and your emotional investments too. It’s also a good time to start planning or to get to work on a home or a home life renovation.
The full moon on Dec 17 could put life on a social or commerce upswing. Watch for an invitation, news, visitor, an exciting social event, etc. Perhaps it’s time to hit the road. Dec 18, emotions or finances can be especially strained.
The moon is in Libra for Christmas Day but true peace may be hard to find. The day isn’t a relaxed one, but you’ll get through it. You might do well to take a break here and there throughout the day. Dec 29 to Jan 2 also shows tension in the stars. Minimize expectations and carry on.
SCORPIO (Oct 23~Nov 22)
Mercury leaves Scorpio and enters Sagittarius on Dec 4. Beyond a fuller holiday swing and the unavoidable spending, the stars now increase your forward looking and your personal review. You are likely to have some fresh ideas and prospects brewing for yourself and your future. It’s time to figure out how to translate them into something more substantial.
Starting Dec 7, Mars in Libra infuses more life to your creativity and your potentials. This is not a fleeting influence. You’ll have ample time to harness this good energy source. Mars will continue in Libra through the beginning of July.
Venus in retrograde for the holidays presents an ideal time to pull back from the world and to give more quality time and attention to those who matter to you most. Put yourself at the top of that list. Venus continues in retrograde to the end of January. This influence is best used to re-assess your personal, social and professional priorities; to get yourself better organized. What’s most profitable for you to take on? Where should you invest your time, your money, your heart? What is it that should be laid to rest?
There can be important paperwork to do, financial juggling, plans to make or break, people to meet, or conversations to have around the full moon of Dec 17. This can also be a time to switch tracks, to hit the road or hop a plane.
Christmas day can take you from one extreme to another. Emotions or more can surface unexpectedly. There can be strong undercurrents, disruptions, eruptions, or surprises. Dec 24/25, keep the peace as best you can, and put extra safe-guards in place.
By the last few days of December, you are likely to be ready to hit it full force again. Dec 29 to 31 can be time to straighten it out with someone or to confront something you have been putting off. New Year’s Eve, relax, minimize. You could gain a late evening energy boost, but outside of that, the evening comes and it goes.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22~DEC21)
You’ll pick up better speed now, especially so as of Dec 4 when Mercury advances into Sagittarius. The first two weeks of the month are your best time to get a move on. If you have something to say or to negotiate, someplace to go or something to do, know that Dec 9, 10 are particularly opportune.
From Dec 7 through the beginning of July, Mars in Libra stimulates your social life, creativity, and financial potentials. This Mars transit can keep you busy with new projects and goals. It’s the right time to break into a new market or to try on a new lifestyle. A new or existing relationship can move along at a faster pace. Too Mars in Libra can bring a new professional relationship or partnership into being, or it can take an existing one into new territory.
Through March, Venus in Capricorn keeps you focused on gaining better ground for yourself. To the positive, it can enhance your finances, your profile or reputation, and bring you more personal, professional, or relationship reward. It’s a good transit for professional development and/or for taking on a more responsible role. Parenting or your relationship with a parent, mentor or authority figure can feature more prominently too. Venus in Capricorn can see you develop a new appreciation for stability. It makes the idea of commitment more attractive. Of course, it can see you take on more responsibility or burden you with more liability too. While in retrograde, Venus in Capricorn can take you through an important re-assessment period. What are your priorities and goals? What’s realistic, what’s limiting, what’s putting you under pressure? What is the rationale behind perpetuating your reality base? Is the past catching up with you? Do you need to revise your rules? The retrograde transit can be especially productive for sorting out your priorities and for refortifying yourself from the inside out.
Dec 17/18 can set wheels in motion, perhaps unexpectedly so. To the plus, the full moon can produce social excitement, a synchronistic conversation or meet and greet, or a great find. Then again, it can spark a difference of opinion, needs or interests. Things surface for a reason. One way or another, it sets the stage for a positive air clearing or a necessary set-the-story straight.
Dec 25 catering is in order, but some are harder to please than others. It is likely to be a busier, fuller and more stressful day than you’d prefer, but it will be over quick.
Dec 29 and 30 can put you back into action, but for your New Years Eve celebration, quiet observance is best.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 ~ Jan 19)
Looking good, feeling good. Getting ambitious for more? Venus in Capricorn is a great confidence booster. Thanks to the upcoming retrograde cycle, Venus will extend her benefits package to you through the beginning of March. This is a wonderful transit to play up your assets and to enhance what Mother Nature gave you. The attraction planet brings you more favour and attention. Change your style, website, social profile, or more, upgrades to your personal or professional appearance can only do you good.
Venus retrograde, Dec 21 to Jan 30 is best used for a check-in with yourself. It is a time to reassess your lifestyle, your professional, or personal goals. Look for more add-ons, upgrades, for different ways to empower yourself and/or to make a stronger impact out there in your world. Experiment more; revise as the opportunity presents itself.
Mars in Libra, starting Dec 7, is also an enhancement influence. It signals the right time to dive into a new career or career project or to vie for more attention and recognition in your chosen field. Mars in Libra is also favourable for marriage, moving in together, or for making your relationship status official. Continuing through the start of July, you’ll have plenty of time to develop a new professional or lifestyle pathway.
The full moon on Dec 17/18 can put you under added strain. Try to keep your schedule open or lighten your work commitments light as there could be unexpected things to juggle. Also give yourself extra time for travel, errands, shopping, or meetings. Things can easily eat up more time than you anticipate. It’s great if you can get it all in one place or wrap up a couple of things in a single session.
You are likely to feel the energy shift as Venus turns retrograde on the Winter Solstice, Dec 21. Venus retrograde coincides well with the holidays. It is an ideal time to stop the outer world spin for a little while, to recharge your private life and your internal batteries. Having said that, Dec 25 can be a stressful, push/pull day. Try to keep it on a light note and don’t let yourself get overly rattled by others. Be especially watchful on the road and careful in the kitchen too.
Although Venus is retrograde, it doesn’t mean you’ll be on stop mode. Mercury in Capricorn, Dec 24 to Jan 11 is sure to keep you on the go.
While the moon in Libra on Dec 25 puts the focus on others, the moon in Capricorn for your New Year’s Eve celebration suggests it’s a good time to make it all about you. Ring it in your way.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20 ~ Feb 18)
Social, professional, or personal, the new moon on Dec 2 and Mercury’s advance into Sagittarius, Dec 4 to 24, offers a refreshing lift. The switch helps you to feel more hopeful and optimistic than you were just a short time ago.
Attitude is everything. You’ll also feel a positive boost once Mars enters Libra on Dec 7. Whether you see an actual change or it’s just the temporary distraction of the holidays, you should find that you worry less about finances or a loved one.
More and better options are out there. Mars loans you greater confidence and brightens your social, romantic, and financial prospects through the beginning of July.
Through the beginning of March, Venus in Capricorn helps you to refortify from within. You’ll see the wisdom in getting a better foundation set before you reach out for more /take it out there more fully. It’s an ideal time to buckle down into a creative project, a study, or to work on your relationship with a significant other or a mentor. Venus retrograde, Dec 21 to Jan 30, provides an opportunity to step back a little more in order to gain a better perspective on your priorities. Perhaps there’s a specific matter that has challenged you. Be patient, let time do its job. You will get a better handle on it in the months to come.
Christmas Day is likely to dish up one thing after another. The energy of the day is high, and strained. Your best bet it is to simply roll with it.
A movie or TV entertainment can be the way to go New Year’s Eve. The moon in Capricorn suggests you’ll enjoy it best if you can avoid the crowds and the expense.
PISCES (Feb 19 ~ March 20)
Dec’s start finds you clipping right along and managing quite well for yourself. You’ll find you have a good sense of direction and that most of what you are going for seems fairly easy for you to accomplish or produce. This is especially so in the first two weeks of the month. Dec 2, 9, 10 are particularly smooth running days.
Mars in Libra, starting Dec 7, can see you spend more money, which is no surprise given the time of year. Through July, Mars in Libra also brings the opportunity to better your material position. Mars brings your creativity or a collaborative project to life. It also raises your libido. Regarding intimate or close relationships, Mars in Libra runs the gamut. It can bring the two of you closer together or it can pull the two of you further apart. Mars in Libra can take you through a fertile, cooperative, and loving chapter, or it can see you confront issues of co-dependency and enmeshment.
Through the beginning of March, Venus in Capricorn defines and crystallizes the shape of things to come. It’s a natural progression. Venus retrograde, Dec 21 to Jan 30, is appropriately timed for the holidays. It’s a time to shift your attention away from your social life and outer world distractions and to spend more quality time catering to your personal life and interests.
The full moon Dec 17 can produce a couple over the top or strained days. You can find yourself pulled in too many directions at the same time. As of Dec 21, you could feel a big shift.
Although Dec 24 can be fairly smooth running, by late evening you can feel the strain of Mars in opposition to Uranus. True peace and restful sleep can be hard to come by. Tension continues through Christmas Day. Despite the complexity and demands of the day, it’ll be over before you know it. The last few days of December can see you on a push ahead. The stars are active, strained, and at times, argumentative. Ring in the New Year’s Eve in your traditional way.
Interested in an audio version? On the last Wednesday of each month I talk about the month ahead on Guiding Stars, Healthy Life.net radio. Please check out the archived radio podcast of November’s forecasts – it is posted under the podcast link above…