Weekly forecasts are published every Thursday by the Georgia Straight Newspaper: https://www.straight.com/life/1181051/your-horoscope-december-27-2018-january-2-2019
December 6: New Moon in Sagittarius: 11:20 pm (15:07 Sagittarius)
December 22: Full moon in Cancer: 9:49 am (0:49 Cancer)
December 1: Vesta enters Aquarius: 12:39 pm
December 1: Mercury retrograde backs into Scorpio: 3:12 am
December 2: Venus enters Scorpio: 9:02 am
December 6: Mercury in Scorpio stations direct: 1:22 pm (27:18 Scorpio)
December 8: Chiron in Pisces stations direct: 11:52 pm (27:53 Pisces)
December 12: Mercury enters Sagittarius: 3:43 pm
December 21: Winter Solstice: Sun enters Capricorn: 2:23pm
December 23: Juno in Taurus stations direct: 6:56 pm (20:19 Taurus)
December 31: Mars enters Aries: 6:20 pm
** Please note all times listed are PST, please check your local time
Dates to watch: December 1 – 3, 5 -7, 16, 17, 20 – 22, 24, 31
December Overview:
There is only one more week of Mercury retrograde to go! As of December 1, Mercury will backtrack into Scorpio and on December 2, Venus will advance into this sign. Both planets are working to strip it down further, to get a better handle on what’s in play and what next steps are best.
Hanukkah begins a relatively smooth rolling week. In fact, even with the holiday extras or added challenge of difficult circumstances, overall the stars lighten up on the high stress and roller-coaster track for most of the month ahead. That’s not to say we won’t be busy or that the issues or challenges magically disappear, but rather it’s a month to go with the flow and to let the holidays come and go before resuming full steam ahead.
Mercury will end retrograde and assume direct motion on the new moon on December 6. On December 7, Mars teams up with Neptune to begin a new two-year cycle of exploring potentials, tapping resources, and exposing opportunity that have not yet gained the full light of day. December 8, Chiron in Pisces ends retrograde.
Mercury’s advance into Sagittarius on December 12 can put shoppers, travelers and all matters to do with the holidays into a fuller swing. While higher volumes everywhere are to be expected, it does not look like it will be as crazy out there as it can be during December. In general, Mars in Pisces makes for a softer, smoother, more fluid pace for the entire month. It is an apt transit for musical performances, volunteering, religious or spiritual observance. On the other hand, Mars in Pisces can make for added susceptibility to the flu and such. Pump up on vitamins. Protect your valuables. Mars in Pisces raises the potential for thefts. Road safety is another topic of concern. Please do not get behind the wheel if you have had something to drink or to smoke. Lastly, Mars in Pisces can also find many of us in the mood to skip the big to-do and to keep the holidays simple and as stress free as possible. It’s a good plan.
December 20 can start the ball rolling on the retail cash-in and the overload of travelers, shoppers and last-minute extras. While the full moon in Cancer on December 22 can increase the stress or emotionalism, the sun’s trine to Uranus on December 20, Venus trine Neptune and Mercury/Jupiter conjunct on the Winter Solstice on December 21 keeps the show running smooth for the most part. Know the stars make it easy to over spend or over-do it from December 20 to 24.
No matter where you find yourself, Christmas Day the moon in Leo should deliver an enjoyable, mostly satisfying day.
In the privacy of your own home rather out with the crowds could be the preference for New Year’s Eve thanks to the moon in Scorpio on December 31. Still, something spontaneous or last minute could boost your evening thanks to Mars entering Aries (6:20pm PST).
Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa! I wish you a peaceful and prosperous go of it this holiday season!
ARIES March 19/20 – April 19
December begins on the heels of Venus on a third and final strike with Uranus before she leaves Libra for Scorpio (December 2). You can feel this transit as breakthrough or break-out influence, as a fresh inspiration or opportunity. It can prompt a sudden turnaround on a personal matter or project, a financial trend, or key relationship. Someone or something unexpected could get the ball rolling.
Mercury retrograde revisits Scorpio as of December 2. It will end retrograde on December 6 and leave Scorpio for Sagittarius on December 12. On the one hand, Mercury can keep you digging through some deep, perhaps painful emotions, in search for answers and solutions that are still hidden from full view. On the other hand, the transit is a good one for re-strategizing and re-empowerment initiatives (re finances and key relationships). Its also good for rekindling the passion.
Mercury works the back end of Scorpio (covering the later degrees of the sign) while Venus works the front end. December 2, Venus enters Scorpio. Both Venus and Mercury are at a finishing off stage for most of the month ahead: Venus to December 17, Mercury by December 24. Venus in Scorpio continues to keep trust and enmeshment issues, intimate relationships, addictions, debt, finances and the karmic work to the forefront. As the month advances, you should find yourself on the gain, at least with some of the sort-it-out end of things. Mars, continuing in Pisces through December 31, is good for creativity, volunteer and holiday activities, but it isn’t the best transit for seeing your way clear. Go with the flow as best you can.
Hanukkah, Christmas Day, and Kwanzaa hold mostly smooth-running stars. Don’t have a plan for New Year’s Eve? With Mars on a fresh sprint into Aries for the evening, your best bet is to take it on as you go along. Consider December as a wrap-up and prepare yourself month. Plan to hit the ground running next month.
TAURUS April 19 – May 20
Whatever has been on brew or hidden from view will gain a much higher profile in the month ahead. As is typical of Mercury retrograde and the time of year, expect to reconnect with folks and to bump into more people you know too. More importantly, Mercury retrograde takes you on a revisit of the conversation or the issue.
A timeline grows shorter. There are important priorities to address and important steps to be taken. You can’t put things off for much longer.
Mercury revisits Scorpio (December 1 to 12), Venus does too. Both planets keep a key relationship or money matter on the front burner. It can be a critical month for sorting it out. Trust, sex, addiction or gambling issues, etc.; you can’t keep it buried or hidden any longer, neither can they. Folks can change their mind or their commitment level. A relationship or circumstance that is already on a self-destruct path may not survive. On the other hand, if it’s meant to be, Venus and Mercury will make it quite juicy and/or unstoppable. A compelling attraction to someone or something is a clue to the important karmic threshold you now face.
GEMINI May 20 – June 20
Back to work you go! Mercury retrograde and Venus on a revisit to Scorpio can put you under a squeeze regarding work, budget, health, repairs or upgrades. You may have to adjust the plan (or your expectations). Both transits aim to help you get it better sorted out. Even so, while Mars is in Pisces (to New Year’s Eve) it is best to go easy on it or them. Stay open ended and to be willing to accommodate. Having said that, don’t take on any more responsibility or pressure than is necessary. It’s the thought that counts, not the price tag. In the mood to downplay or escape the big production this year? Join the crowd.
Mercury retrograde ends on the new moon December 6. By the following week, December 12, Mercury will ingress into Sagittarius. You’ll feel this as a perk-it-up transit. Grab a flight, put on the show, send it out, go skiing. Expect to stay on the go all at all levels for the rest of the month.
The stars are in good shape for Christmas week. Mars enters Aries just in time to kick your Year’s Eve celebration into gear. Don’t have it planned? That could be the best way to play it.
CANCER June 20 – July 22
Sometimes things need to come to a head for significant change and improvement to happen. December opens on the heels of a stressful Venus/Uranus opposition. On the other hand, if you are one of the lucky ones, perhaps this opposition has been fortuitous and/or happy making. Either way, December is up and rolling.
December 1, Mercury retrograde backtracks into Scorpio. December 2, Venus moves forward into Scorpio. Working it from the back and the front end of Scorpio, both planets assist you to strengthen and refortify from within. When you strip it right down, what is your bottom-line? Mercury and Venus in Scorpio put added focus on getting better in touch with what is most beneficial, lucrative, or empowering. Someone could be of major influence regarding a significant change of heart and mind. Then again, perhaps it is you that is of influence.
December 5 to 7, you can easily get lost or wrapped up. Pump up on vitamins, your immune system can be vulnerable. Emotions are on ready tap too. You can be easily swayed or sweet talked. Creativity is in ample supply but don’t let your imagination get too wild.
Mars tenants Pisces through December 31. You may not know where you are going to but that’s not as important as using the moment as fully as you can. Immerse yourself and let that carry you forward. Mars in Pisces can increase opportunity, but you are required to place faith in a bigger picture perspective. Some call that divine order. Dissolve preconceived notions or expectations, relinquish, move on and ease your way along. Whether its yoga, volunteering, formal observance or private, Mars can also stimulates a more active spiritual practice.
Thanks to a full moon in Cancer on December 22, you can expect to be emotional in the days leading up to Christmas. December 25, 26 can go better than you expect. Providing an energy boost to get you through the countdown, Mars enters Aries on New Year’s Eve.
LEO July 22 – August 22
Coming at it from opposite ends, both Mercury retrograde (starting December 1) and Venus on a revisit of Scorpio (starting December 2) keep you deeply submerged in a self-examination, soul searching process. Call it a natural evolution. Also, it is typically expense and busy time of the year. You are likely to have plenty on your plate regarding home, family, real estate, self employment, and finances.
Hanukkah begins a week with Neptune running the show for the most part. It is an apt influence for spiritual observance, music concerts, volunteering, for opening your heart and your wallet. On the other hand, you could lose steam or focus, feel drained or under the weather for a few days, especially December 5,6. Perhaps a remembrance or an empty space in your heart makes you especially soft around the edges. Go easy on yourself. if you aren’t certain how to play it, put it on chill. Don’t let yourself be talked into more than is comfortable or wise. It won’t take long to bounce back or to find your way again.
Mercury’s advance into Sagittarius on December 12 puts you on an upswing with holiday spirit and the holiday extras.
The moon tours Leo for December 24 and 25. No matter how you spend your Christmas, you are likely to feel satisfied. Keep it simple New Year’s Eve. Something spontaneous or last minute can make your evening thanks to a late entry by Mars into Aries.
VIRGO August 22 – September 22
So much can change and quickly too. December opens on the heels of Venus in opposition to Uranus, a strike it hot, shake it up, or cut to the chase combination. Aiming to get you better directed and more fully committed, both Mercury (December 1) and Venus (December 2) resume their Scorpio agenda. Coming at it from different directions, Mercury is retrograde at the start of this tenancy.
Your ruler (Mercury) ends the retrograde cycle on December 7 but will stretch out the visit to Scorpio to December 12. Venus is not retrograde but through December 17 she is on a final pass through territory she first visited at the end September/beginning of November. Venus has kept you working through something significant – in terms of inner psychology and soul searching, material and social circumstances, relationships, and karmic thresholds. (That pretty much covers it, doesn’t it?)
Despite the fixed nature of Scorpio, both the Venus and Mercury transits are mobilizing. Stuck or held up no longer, both transits compel you to take a deeper dive. Yes, it is time to re-engage, to put ambition and I deserve into action in some more upfront way. Keep digging until you drill through it and come out the other side. Both Venus and Mercury aim to help you better dissect self-undermining patterns, addiction issues, trust issues, etc. Both transits can see you resume something unfinished (and karmic) with a key someone, perhaps a friend, sibling or other family member, lover from the past, etc.
Traveling for the holidays? Mercury leaves Scorpio for Sagittarius on December 12. This transit can take you to the next level with a personal process, the holidays, family, home, and real estate matters. Whether it is a quiet one or a big to-do, Christmas Day (and week) looks good overall. As of Boxing Day (December 26) you are likely to feel infused with more get up and go. On the road, back to work, the gym, the slopes, the diet; one way or another the Virgo moon (December 26, 27) sends you back to it.
Cozy, quiet, romantic or on your own, New Year’s Eve is what you make of it.
LIBRA September 22 - October 22
On the last day of last month Venus was on a breakthrough with Uranus. Did you feel it? Did you experience some sudden inner or outer shift? Perhaps it is too fresh/too soon to notice while you are so steeped in a process, relationship issue, or circumstance, but know you are working along an acceleration track. Venus is at work on deep inner transformation in order to help you to resource more of what is naturally inside of you. You are richer than you may realize!
As of December 2, Venus leaves Libra for Scorpio, By December 17, Venus will move past the trigger point for her recent retrograde, completing a karmic staging and review cycle. Venus in Scorpio helps you to get a better fix on yourself and on your empowerment game plan. The transit loans you better sway, swagger, and sexy. Venus helps you to lock on to the target and stay the course with greater effectiveness, resourcefulness, and commitment.
Venus gains added assistance from Mercury’s travel through Scorpio for the first 12 days of the month. Mercury retrograde backs into Scorpio on December 1, ends retrograde on the new moon of December 6, and leaves Scorpio for Sagittarius on December 12. Use the first half of the month to get yourself better situated or to hold power meetings with yourself. Set aside the second half of the month for the holidays and all that comes with it. Whether you have something planned for New Year’s Eve or not, watch for Mars entering Aries at the start of the evening to provide a fresh energy boost, last-minute invite, whim, or entertainment choice. Plan to hit the ground running in January.
SCORPIO October 22 - November 21
Mercury retrograde backs into Scorpio on December 1. Venus, now direct, advances into Scorpio on December 2. You should feel both these transits as replenishing and refortifying. Both help you to get better focused and realigned; to reclaim parts of yourself that you have lost track of in recent times.
Venus will spend all of December in Scorpio, but Mercury is only with you for the first half of the month. Mercury ends retrograde on the new moon December 6 and enters Sagittarius on December 12. Coming at it from different angles, (the head and the heart) both planets can keep you driven, motivated, and ready to do battle on a moment’s notice. Put obsession to healthy use, you will be impressed with what you get accomplished.
Mars in Pisces is also on your side for the month ahead. Although as stated earlier, you may have put yourself on notice for combat duty, Mars wants to peace out, and/or to enjoy a sweet escape instead. This Mars transit can stimulate creativity, imagination, romance, compassion, volunteer activities, or spirituality. Mercury in Sagittarius, starting December 12, is apt for travel, a home move, for welcoming guests or being one yourself.Let the spirit move you.
Enjoy your quiet moments and your easy rolling days this month. Mars enters Aries on New Year’s Eve. Expect to hit full steam ahead on the workload as soon as January arrives.
SAGITTARIUS November 21 – December 21
As of the first of the month, you should feel or see something lift. It could be your health, your attitude or something more. Mercury exits Sagittarius on December 1, but the planet is not gone for long. Mercury in Scorpio ends retrograde on the New Moon December 6. By December 12, Mercury will light your Sagittarius fire again.
Joining Mercury, Venus treks into Scorpio on December 2. You’ll get a full month of Venus hanging out in the privacy chamber of your chart. Both Venus and Mercury in Scorpio put you in the mood to avoid crowded spaces and the holiday excess. It’s a good time to retreat for awhile. Major soul-searching and/or a healing process draws you inward. There’s no place better to be than with yourself. The transits can also see you tap rich creativity or devise a new strategy for where you want to take yourself next.
For the month ahead, Mars travels through Pisces. This transit can keep you soft around the edges. It can also increase your susceptibility or vulnerability, so make sure to pump up on vitamins, watch your food, alcohol, or drug consumption, and put added safeguards in place. If you lose your drive or your way, watch for Mars in Aries, starting on New Year’s Eve to provide you with fresh fuel.
CAPRICORN December 21 - January 20
Whew! You have been wading through a stressful couple of months, especially so if your birthday is on or near January 17 – 20. Venus is moving along, but Uranus and the karmic axis have more to go before they lighten up on you. Even so, there’s enough stellar reprieve to support you in the month ahead.
Mercury retrograde backs into Scorpio on December 1. Venus enters Scorpio on December 2. Both should see you communicate with greater impact and connect on a deeper level. As is typical of Mercury retrograde and December, you are sure to interface with more folks than usual. Both Venus and Mercury aim for quality over quantity. You won’t want to waste your time on things or people that don’t grab your heart or intrigue your mind.
The spiritual message of the holidays is never lost on you. Mars in Pisces taps your softhearted side and your generosity. Mars in Pisces enhances your creativity, your acting ability, musical talent, and stream of consciousness. The transit can keep you busy with volunteering, socializing, shopping or catering to the public. You’ll find you are more at ease in social settings. You are likely to share more personal information than you usually do. This Mars placement can also lower your physical immunity. Make sure to pump up on vitamins and stay away from folks who are obviously under the weather. Capricorn usually has good boundaries and limits, Mars in Pisces just the opposite. Please watch your alcohol or drug consumption and whatever you do, do not drive when impaired!
Well timed for making a bit of noise, Mars enters Aries just as New Year’s Eve gets under way. Watch for late energy or inspiration boost to usher in 2019. By all means, let’s put 2018 to bed and plan to hit the new year running!
AQUARIUS January 20 – February 18/19
December opens with Uranus still in retrograde and still tightly engaged at a transitional threshold with the karmic axis (north and south nodes of the moon). You can still feel under pressure, not quite freed-up and still working your way through it. At the same time, you can feel bolstered by the knowledge a corner has been turned and that a finish line or goal post is not so far away now.
The month opens with Mercury continuing in retrograde motion too. December 1, Mercury retrograde backs into Scorpio, to finish retrograde on the new moon December 6 in this sign. December 2, Venus will advance into Scorpio. Both planets are results driven. Both put added concentration on taking back your power, getting it under better control, and on making a bigger impact where you know it will add up the most. These transits can take you through an important restructuring process, internal or external. What do you want and how are you going to go about getting it? It’s time to review and revamp your personal and/or professional goals, to put more effort into building a better reputation or material status. Your career aspirations can be undergoing significant change too.
Venus tenants Scorpio for the month ahead, while Mercury is on a short run, advancing into Sagittarius on December 12. This transit will increase the attention on the holidays, travel and social activities. More importantly, Mercury is looking beyond this month to the future and its prospects. You’ll get there soon enough, in fact, sooner than you anticipate. The holidays will come and go. The stars are in good shape for Christmas.
Use this month to finish up and get better prepared. Mars enters Aries on New Year’s Eve. Expect January to hit a fast track right out the starting gate.
PISCES February 18/19 to March 19/20
Mars in Pisces loans you plenty of fuel to keep yourself going strong for the whole month ahead. December 1, Mercury retrograde backs into Scorpio. December 2, Venus advances into Scorpio. Both planets can prompt an ease-up on recent tension, pressure, or worry. Perhaps it is simply a matter of being distracted by the holiday extras. Then again, both planets can prompt a change of plans, mind, or heart. Intuition can provide you with stronger messages and/or a better sense of direction. Listen up, open up, feel your way along. Don’t push, go with the flow instead. Answers and clarity is the natural result of an ongoing internal process or circumstance.
Something may need to be finished off, cleared away, or surpassed, especially through this first week. As of December 7, Mars and Neptune join forces. You can feel this as fresh inspiration or an energy boost. Along with Mercury into Sagittarius, starting December 12, it’s time to let the holidays take the lead, whether that means signing off (i.e. escaping as much as possible) or logging on for them. No matter how you spend your holidays, there’s good going in the last two weeks of the month. You may gain a late nigh boost from Mars entering Aries on New Year’s Eve. Watch for January to be a steam roller month!
Rose on Guiding Stars EA Radio
Audio of Rose’s appearance on Kristin Fontana’s Guiding Stars Evolutionary Astrology radio show, broadcast on Wednesday’s at 10 AM Pacific, 1 PM Eastern on www.healthylife.net