December 2011 Astrocast

Key Events:  

Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse (18:11 Gemini): December 10, 2011

New Moon (02:34 Capricorn): December 24, 2011

Retrograde Planets: 

Uranus:  July 10, 2011 - December 9, 2011

Jupiter:  August 30, 2011 - December 25, 2011

Mercury:  November 24, 2011 - December 14, 2011

Easy Reference

Sun   Moon  Mercury   Venus   Mars   Jupiter   Saturn   Uranus   Neptune   Pluto  

1st House   2nd House   3rd House   4th House   5th House   6th House   7th House   8th House   9th House   10th House   11th House   12th House

Aspects     Sign Rulers     Fire-Earth-Air-Water     Cardinal-Fixed-Mutable

Moon Void of Course Table   Eclipses

Lunations and Long-term Aspects

The Full Moon on December 10th is also a Lunar Eclipse which occurs in fellow Air Sign, Gemini, your 5th house of entertainment, romance, children, creativity, ego expression and speculation.  If your birthday is right around February 8th this will have a stronger effect toward bringing something in this area to your attention.  Remember that eclipses are like lunations on steroids and may not manifest right away, but conversely they can also sometimes manifest before they actually occur!  Nonetheless, their effects may not be triggered for months.  If may also have one or more natal planets which connect with the eclipse besides the Sun, directing this energy your way.

The eclipse family of which this one is a part has somewhat unfortunate implications for relationships.  There may be issues of confusion, unrequited love, or other matters which cloud the situation.  Therefore making definitive decisions at this time is not advised until you can get a clear picture of what action, if any, is appropriate.  This specific eclipse forms a T-square, which is a stressful aspect pattern, with transiting Mars in Virgo, your 8th house of transformations, sex, death and regeneration, debt and shared resources.  Be extra careful while Mars is in this sign which will last until July 4th.  Typically Mars is not in a sign for that long but this encompasses a retrograde period which prolongs it.  Mars in the 8th can predispose you to accident or injury, perhaps as a result of seeking intense experiences that put you at risk.  If you are so-inclined, bear that in mind, especially if your birthday is right around February 3rd. 

Mars in the 8th also has sexual connotations, especially with the trine to Venus in Capricorn, your 12th house.  The 12th house is the house transcendence which implies the potential for a rather interesting encounter.  Both Mars and Venus are connected with the eclipse Moon, however, in your 5th house of romance, making this even more interesting albeit promising.  The connections, however, are not terrifically positive and imply that if you do have some sort of passionate encounter it won't necessarily involve the kind of love you're looking for.  This brings us back to the confusion related to this eclipse, so bear that in mind and approach potential romantic partners with caution.  Mars in the 8th could definitely bite you in unfortunate ways.

Neptune is still in your sign and on his way back to his home base in Pisces, which will occur February 4.  If your birthday is right around February 18 Neptune is sitting on your natal Sun.  This can drain your energy and make you dreamy at best and confused at worst.  You may have no interest in much of anything other than laying around watching science fiction movies or reading romantic novels.  This, of course, is not necessarily a bad thing if it is well placed.  Doing this on the job probably will not have favorable results.  Neptune is at the apex of an aspect pattern known as a triangle of potential, however, which suggests that your imagination or some enlightenment or inspiration may help you out of some other dilemma.  Jupiter is still retrograde in Taurus, your 4th house of memories, endings, cultural roots and home environment, past and present.  Jupiter is a benefic planet whose expansive energy typically brings luck but while doing the backstroke this energy is internalized his philosophical side comes out, particularly with regard to ethics issues which may be troubling those of your born around January 21.  Jupiter is opposing Saturn in Libra which could represent a legal matter, something related to higher education, or perhaps your beliefs and expectations which also comprise your political and religious views.  If that's the case clearly some inspiration could help.

The New Moon on December 24 is in Capricorn, your 12th house of angels and demons so-called because this house includes spirituality, enlightenment, inspiration, institutions, charitable acts, seclusion, confinement, hidden enemies and self-undoing.  A New Moon is an excellent time to embark on something new which relates to the house in which it occurs making this a favorable time for you to work on your spiritual side.  Start yoga classes, learn to meditate, or pursue something of a charitable nature.  The lunation trine Jupiter, still retrograde in your 4th, which may bring more assistance in dealing with the ethics issue noted earlier.  Be prepared for sudden flashes of inspiration or insight which could take you by surprise.

If your birthday is right around February 4 this is a favorable time to take charge and deal with something that relates to your friends and how you enjoy yourself.  If you need a bit more alone time, no matter how much you love your friends you have the right to look after your own needs.  This month your natal Sun is forming a triangle of potential with the lunar nodes, giving you some extra help toward dealing with such issues.  If you use the New Moon's implications to pursue something to feed your spirit this may be just what you need to resolve any other challenges.

Venus enters your sign on December 21, bringing her blessing your way until mid-January.  This is an excellent time to ask for something, such as a raise, or meet people generally.  You may encounter so many activities and demands from all this outpouring of charm, however, that it actually presents some challenges.  You are also likely to hear from all sorts of people you may have lost touch with for a while, considering Mercury's placement in your 11th house of friends, organizations, groups activities and goals.  Learn to say "No" in a tactful and caring way so that you can pursue your own agenda.  Maintaining balance is important during this busy time of year as you gradually ease into your solar return time.  Given the overlap between solar returns, your new cycle is starting to phase in now.  For more information consider getting one of our solar return reports for a detailed overview of the coming year.

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