December 2011

PLANET REPORT: The nicest thing about December, apart from three planets turning direct, is that the New Moon will occur at 07:08am on Christmas Day. Like a present lying wrapped under the tree full of potential and possibility, this practical Capricorn New Moon trines Jupiter in the sign of the Moon’s exaltation, Taurus, just as Jupiter itself turns direct. Jupiter has been travelling in apparent backward motion since late August but now that it has once again returned to - and will turn around at - the beginning of Taurus, we will be able to forge ahead in those areas that relate to our hopes for the future, especially on financial and material levels.

The seeds that were sown between June and late August can now grow to generous proportions if we have followed all the practical clues that have been strewn across our paths. If we have ignored the clues though, then we might find we have bitten off more than we can chew or that opportunities have passed us by. This phase gives us a second chance to give it all we’ve got. We have until June 2012 to make the most of the grounding energy of Taurus.

On the other side of the sky, Mercury, while in its detriment, is also in Jupiter’s sign and turns direct on the 14th – shortly after revolutionary Uranus also turns direct. Up until the 14th, while we need to prepare for the festive season, we need to keep in mind that life is in a state of flux and that what we thought were plans set in concrete suddenly turn to mush. This phase will take skilful planning and sidestepping around unusual and sometimes crazy developments. The whoosh of energy from the 10th-14th though creates a lovely window in time to examine, ponder, philosophise about and sketch a broad outline for 2012.

There is no rush though because Mars’ unusually long journey through detail-oriented Virgo during the first half of 2012 will be a painstaking, perfection-seeking, almost pedantic experience. Mars normally operates on full speed, barely slowing down to give way when obstacles stand in the way, however on January 24th Mars will come to an apparent standstill and then begin a languorous journey back through the skies until April 14th when he resumes forward direction.

As December gives way to January, between January and April, we need to be prepared to shilly-shally and stumble through events that don’t appear to make sense at first glance. We need to proceed with much more caution and diligence than usual. Look at life events, projects and ideas with an appraising eye – let the critic within come forth – and avoid making a move until all the details are in place (probably not until after April). Pay solid attention to detail despite the urge to throw caution to the wind as the holiday festivities begin. We may be plagued by a vague sense of unease if we leave important facts and figures till later.

It’s a tall ask but because Mercury is out of action until December 14th, if we can squeeze in as much activity as we can into that last week before Christmas, we will certainly feel much better having tied up as many loose threads as possible. Keep all receipts for gifts as Mercury is notorious for items not working properly or for giving the same gifts as others. Avoid big ticket expenditure until after the 14th as well!

The Full Moon of the 11th is a total lunar eclipse in the sign of communications and general movement of mind and body, Gemini. It’s a balance between delicate emotions and razor sharp thoughts and we might find ourselves spoiling the festive cheer by over-reacting. A highly strung energy, try to slow down and think carefully before saying or doing anything.

The Solstice occurs when the Sun travels into Capricorn on the 22nd at 6:31pm.  

ARIES: With Uranus turning around in your sign and your ruler, Mars, going off air on January 24th, the period after December 14th represents a great window in time to get your spiritual, physical and emotional housework completed before the energy turns into something more complicated. On the Boxing Day, Jupiter turns around in your finance zone and the things in life that you value best of all. Something that began last June can now move into the next phase and once the New Moon occurs on Christmas Day, you will gain a whole new perspective. Work on health and your well-being over 2012 as that is one area that will be in the spotlight in the first six months. Mercury retrograding in your long distances, academia, publishing and beliefs sector will throw up a few spanners that clog the wheels of progress but inspite of this, you will gain a good perspective on what to strive for in 2012.

TAURUS: Jupiter turns around in your sign on Boxing Day and what a wonderful gift to begin 2012 with. Between then and June, you will be handed all the opportunities in the world to stretch yourself further than ever before. Somehow, it is a lot easier to achieve, expand and grow when Jupiter is in one’s own sign, but it does require effort and a willingness to your roll sleeves up and pitch in. Your ruler, Venus, moves into Aquarius on the 21st and this brings out the quirkiness in other people who are unable to commit to long term strategies with you. As hard as it is to understand, give them space to think and do their own thing. From January 24th, you will enter into strange but productive period in the area of romance, children and spare time activities. There is something about one or all of these areas that requires a perfectionist’s touch. Working on the small details is where you will make a breakthrough so that by July, a child, a lover or a hobby has been thoroughly dealt with or plotted out.

GEMINI: It may feel as if life is conspiring against you but it’s really just a build up of planetary energy that needs expression. For a start, your ruler Mercury is retrograde in your opposite sign Sagittarius. This instantly creates a communication issue or of thoughts that run counter to other people’s ideas. It will pay to be flexible but not so flexible that plans, projects and proposals run into chaos later on due to the lack of cohesion. The eclipse in your sign at Full Moon on the 11th suggests steering away from delicate subjects that are likely to cause words to fly. This is a very sensitive time and hair-trigger reactions are on the rise as the month wears on. Luckily, Jupiter is turning around in an area that suggest inner tranquillity and of having worked on issues that could be hotspots at any other time. Expand yourself intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically so that you can pass through difficulties with barely a flinch.

CANCER: The second half of December is always a tricky time for Crabs as this is the half-way point of your solar year and is usually a time of low vitality. It’s lucky for you that you get to experience this in your own time and at your own pace away from the pressure of your working life. Since you are ruled by the Moon, the lunar eclipse on the 11th also suggests that emotions are going be a fragile balancing act but that by the New Moon on Christmas Day, you will be ready to make resolutions and plans for 2012. It’s great that Jupiter is returning to life on Boxing Day after being out of action since late August. For you this represents a solid opportunity to return to a project or idea that you started developing between June and August. This could be a situation with a friend, band or team mate, or someone who orbits in your social activities. It could also relate to personal dreams and hopes that are distinct from your professional life. It may be time to dust down those old goals. What is there in the back of your life that can be revived and examined in 2012? Watch out for Uranus bearing unexpected gifts on a professional level around the 10th.

LEO: With super Jupiter turning around at the top of your chart on Boxing Day, you can be forgiven for continuing to think about your professional and public life long after everyone has logged off for the year. There are amazing things to look forward to once the year commences as far as your career, trade or job is concerned. This area also relates to one’s mother so for others it could be a parental issue that will soon move into the next phase. Startling developments may also occur when you log on. It could be something like a new website, blog or e-book that you have been working on that will also go through unexpected changes. Having said all that, if peace is what you are after this holiday period, then it looks like you may have to defer your time off! Mars is going to be looping around in your financial zone from January 24th so this is a good month to think ahead and use your coin wisely. You may decide to take on the services of a professional book-keeper or accountant where previously there hadn’t been any need. Whichever way, it’s the balancing of books that will matter in the first six months of 2012.

VIRGO: Mars continues to move through your sign ploughing up the turf so that you can plant seeds after April 2012. His extended stay in Virgo is going to have a big impact on a lot of signs but Gemini, Sag, Virgo and Pisces in particular will be feeling the heat, and this means beginning the year in a cautious fashion. Lucky for you that you have Jupiter on your side turning direct on Boxing Day as this will give you a cushion to fall back on when the obstacles and challenges start to appear from January 24th. In the meantime, you also have to contend with your ruler Mercury being retrograde until December 14th and a lunar eclipse on the 11th – both of these factors impact on the same signs. This suggests a highly strung energy that requires inner calm to deal with. Other people are likely to push buttons and create waves but if you know what is happening, you can keep the stress at bay by not reacting.

LIBRA: Across from your sign Uranus turns direct on the 10th and this rush of energy will create surprising waves and ripples within important one to one relationships. Unexpected developments that will take issues that began last July to the next phase could catch you off-guard if you haven’t been keeping watch on the undercurrents. This could spell a make or break time, but it could also mean that there is much more space to live and love. Some things are not as unexpected as they seem so in some respects you will know deep down that this is the way it should be. You have so much going on in your inner life that will take until next July to work through that you could be quite happy to retreat into your inner sanctum. There is a lot of work to be done but as early as April you will feel much healthier spiritually, mentally, intellectually and physically. People and events from the past may also come back, either into your consciousness or literally, and it will be surprising how strong their hold has been. The New Moon on Christmas Day could mean that a domestic issue finally resolves itself.

SCORPIO: As with Aries, your shared ruler, Mars, is going to do a series of backward flips in Virgo between January 24th and April 14th suggesting an unusually long phase of analysing, critiquing and restructuring that will last until July. Virgo is an intellectual sign that is concerned with the health of wherever it is situated in one’s chart, and this means that your world of friendships, acquaintances, club and team chums will be up for scrutiny in one way or another. This area also relates to your personal hopes and wishes that are distinct from your career and it may well be time to draw up a new game plan that will make you feel much better on an inner level. It could also be that the health of a friend brings out the nurse within you, or you may embark on a get fit regime where you encourage each other to reach your goals. On Boxing Day, Jupiter turns around in your opposite sign Scorpio launching important relationships to another level. Something that was evident last June but then faded into the background will come forward with gusto.

SAGITTARIUS: You will be pleased to know that your ruler Jupiter is on the move on December 26th. In June, it moved into a new sign, Taurus, heralding a new phase in work and health for all Archers. However, in late August things slowed right down when Jupiter went retrograde. As 2012 opens, life is once again humming along in the right direction. Mercury is also in your sign and retrograde as December opens but from the 14th it will also be travelling in a straight line. From then, you have a brilliant opportunity to get your working life back into order, clear the desks for the New Year as well as renew your vitality and take steps to increase your wellbeing. This is definitely a month to make resolutions and prepare a flexible plan because by January 24th Mars in Virgo will loop around in your career zone bringing delays and challenges that will help you create the perfect game plan in the long run. The Full Moon on the 11th is a lunar eclipse in your opposite Gemini in your zone of relationships. This brings sensitivity to all communications that can easily get lost in translation. Keep as cool as a cucumber and try to think about issues before reacting.

CAPRICORN: Happy birthday Capricorn folk! There’s a lovely New Moon in your sign smack bang on Christmas Day at 07:08am and that’s when your New Year will officially start. In a lovely aspect to Jupiter, there are hidden opportunities that will reveal themselves as 2012 kicks in. Children, romance or sports or leisure time activities are in the spotlight so make the most of it. Before that though, Mercury is off air and creating all kinds of mayhem in communication until December 14th. In your zone of confidential and private matters, there is something about the conversations you have with others that draws out your inner thoughts and you need to be prepared to think before you speak. Sudden changes in domestic arrangements may strike around the 10th. Mars will be looping around in your zone of travel, academia and publishing from January 24th and this suggests that time and energy needs to be placed on these areas right up until July 2012.

AQUARIUS: If you are selling, buying or moving house, your best opportunities may come over the Christmas/New Year period. This is when super Jupiter turns around in your home zone amping everything up to the next level. As December begins, use the time up until the 14th to research lifestyle changes in as much detail as possible so that when Jupiter moves forward you are in a strong position to re-launch yourself. There’s a tendency in the first two weeks for communications to become confused and this means we need to double check everything and take extra care with documents and information. In the longer term, Mars is staying for much longer than he usually does in any given area in our charts, for you he will be looping around in your zone of business, finance or property matters that you have in common with other people. Take your time and check everything and everyone out thoroughly.   

PISCES: December is a sensitive month for Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Piscean folk. With Mercury creating stress within our thought patterns, and a lunar eclipse in Gemini on the 11th, it won’t be until the latter part of the month that you will be able to sink into enjoying the holiday period. It’s hard to think straight in the first two weeks of December, and even harder to get straight answers from others, so there’s a real need to slow right down and think carefully in areas that can’t be put off. Your ruler Jupiter turns direct on Boxing Day and this gift from heaven is a solid base from which to spring into 2012. On January 24th, Mars reaches a pivotal point in a phase that will last until July 2012. Carving out the way in key relationships, other people will play a large part in your affairs in the coming months. Agreements and discussions will need to be examined and re-examined many times before a decision can be reached. Take your time and realise that criticism is sometimes a defence mechanism.  

Astrological Report for May 2009

The hustle and bustle of the marketplace slows as Mercury turns retrograde on the 8th. Commercial activity is likely to undergo yet another review phase. Avoid beginning anything new until all the facts are in.

PLANET REPORT: As soon as quicksilver Mercury zips into his own sign Gemini (May 2nd) where he loves to hang out and play, he immediately turns to retrograde direction (May 8th) and heads back toward grounded Taurus. In Taurus, he will take up residence from May 15th to June 15th (NZT). The full moon in intense Scorpio on the 9th at 4:03pm (NZT)will bring hidden agendas and emotions to the surface so the first part of May is likely to be full of passion and strong feelings as well as twists and turns that make life very interesting. Having endured the slow, plodding energy of Taurus since April 11th, like an excited child who is looking forward to going out to play but gets called back to finish off his duties, Mercury’s abrupt u-turn on the 8th will create a cross-current of energy that disrupts the smooth flow of events. This will impact profoundly on our ideas and activities, especially negotiations, communications and anything that requires clear thought, water tight contracts or solid facts. Transport and travel plans could easily unravel now so it is the wise traveler who has plan B at the ready, double checks all arrangements and has back up copies of important documents – insurance is a must for anything this month. In everyday situations, leave home in plenty of time to reach your destination due to detours and delays and have a spare set of keys and other essentials to hand just in case. Mercury is the trickster and it is amazing how things can become mislaid, delayed or complicated. However, this is a great time to reconnect with paperwork, people and projects from the past. From the 15th, industrious Mercury will be forced to function at a snail’s pace when he travels back into thorough, cautious Taurus and this will be when we discover loopholes and potholes that were overlooked during April. June 1st (NZT) will be when Mercury will resume normal reception and this could prove a potent day so aim for this date to act; otherwise wait until after June 15th. A few days after the new moon of the 25th at 00:12am (NZT) occurring in Mercury’s sign, Gemini, will be the time we should sit up and take notice of what is happening around us: discussions, offers and other projects and activities that require agile mental input will be forming and starting to gather pace; watch the tiny details then. Saturn, also in Mercury’s sign, turns direct for the last time in Virgo on May 18th and this means that we are now on the home stretch before it moves out of analytical Virgo and into Libra on October 30th (Saturn has been splitting hairs in Virgo since September 2007). We can finally begin to balance our perspective from then. On a bigger level, Jupiter inches closer to Neptune forming an extended first of three magical conjunctions on May 28th. The second will be July 10th and December 21st. Aim for the high road and reach for the stars (whilst remaining realistic in the current environment) Venus travelling with Mars throughout May and June will bring interesting partnerships that are full of passion and vigour. This is the month to team up rather than go it alone!

ARIES: May is the month for love! With the passion planets Venus and Mars pulsing through your sign until June, this is a great time to push yourself forward or call in your favours. You never know, joining up with someone special could have a financial spin off in June. Other people are bound to sit up and take notice of you now and you don’t even have to do anything special to get their attention. You are in the mood for adventure and if it wasn’t for Mercury turning retrograde in your zone of short trips, neighbours, siblings and making your general communications quite chaotic, this would be the best month for taking off on a trip with a loved one. If you are travelling, get the car tuned or itineraries triple checked rather than leaving things to chance. Information travels thick and fast but don’t believe everything you read, hear or see. Take gossip with a pinch of salt otherwise you may find that the wrong things reach the wrong ears.

TAURUS: Your ruler Venus rides side-saddle with Mars in passionate Aries right up until July and this promises a private life that is positively humming in May. Whatever you do this month will have results or consequences in the second half of June when you emerge from your self-imposed cocoon; put as much energy and effort as you can into worthwhile pursuits. Your placid nature is unusually exuberant now so use caution in secret matters if you don’t want to reveal your cards. Channel your energies into charity work, behind the scenes activities or improving health. A wonderful career opportunity will take until December to work through and the only thing stopping you is the breadth of your imagination. Mercury in your fiscal sphere on the other hand cautions you to take your time and wait for the true cost of something to reveal itself. You may have to look at several scenarios before you can truly arrive at a balanced figure.

GEMINI: With your ruler Mercury giving out weird signals, May is a month when you need to bide your time and wait for further developments to be revealed in June. Communications are very important and you will find that what you begin now will go into a gestation stage for the next three weeks - it’s the wise Gemini who can spot the tide turning and pulls back. Take your time and avoid taking too many opinions on board that are based on hearsay. A project or arrangement with two friends looks enticing but something will make you change your mind at the last moment. It’s all food for thought though and there are some great ideas floating around. Your annual New Moon occurs just as your birthday year begins on the 25th so this will be the best time to think concretely about the next twelve months. There is a lot to be attended to behind the scenes and in your private life before you can move forward with confidence. A travel, educational, publishing or philosophical activity will take until December to work out but once it does this could prove to be a magical experience.

CANCER: With Venus and Mars doing a rhumba in your career and life direction sphere there are plenty of people and issues to deal with and there may even be a rush-rush atmosphere going on here. Some of you may team up with a friend to either begin a new business or promote a special product. Great, but do bear in mind that Mercury is going off air on the 8th and will re-enter your friendship zone on the 15th. You may discover that where there is urgency now, this will dissipate and morph into something else after June 1st. Whether you are in business or not, you may have more knowledge or experience than a friend, team member or acquaintance and it seems you will be taking someone under your wing. This lack of experience could lead to later indecision so avoid making too many firm commitments. An activity could commence in your private life or behind the scenes that while it will be all consuming this week, will take until mid-June to really take flight but in the meantime you can iron out all the wrinkles. Work on visualizing a magical outcome for money that is borrowed or lent.

LEO: April was filled with questions about career, lifestyle and parents and a doubtful situation may become even more doubtful when Mercury re-enters Taurus on the 15th. Early May sees Mercury moving out of your groups, friends, hopes and wishes zone indicating that a new situation may need to go into hibernation for three or four weeks before it can take root. Concentrate instead on expanding your experiences with a loved one or partner who is also focused on a travel, educational or publishing venture. You may even find that the two of you are asking the same life questions and that you have so much in common, it’s uncanny. Visiting someone at a distance or receiving a visitor from abroad may also be on the stars providing a nice diversion from the more public areas of your life. A marriage may be announced this month or a partnership issue that will take until December to put firmly into place.

VIRGO: Your ruler Mercury goes retro from May 8th until June 1st so this month will be one of those months when everything seems to happen at once and yet you would be wise to take things in your stride rather than being pressured to make a decision. This applies especially to career, lifestyle, parents or educational or travel-related issues. What you learn this month will ground your thinking and encourage you to be very thorough in the future so go with the flow and look forward to June when the pieces fall into place. This is a great month to work through financial or asset-related topics and in your enthusiasm you will want to make new inroads when it comes to shuffling your commitments around. Mars and Venus traveling through this area together will encourage other people to assist you as much as they can so work hard on all those matters involving taxes, loans, mortgages, credit card debt, claims or settlements.

LIBRA: A travel, educational or philosophical issue will undergo a rapid series of alterations as the month begins. Mercury turns in this sector on May 8th bringing a series of bumps in the road that while interesting can also delay or disrupt a smooth journey. After the 15th, you will return to a financial or property matter that was the centre of your attention in April. There is a big emphasis on relationship issues so perhaps there are joint financial matters to discuss. Do a thorough job of examining all the details and while you will want to settle an outstanding balance, you also need to allow leeway for changes later, especially around the full moon of the 9th when your earnings sphere is highlighted. With passionate Venus and Mars traveling as a duo through your relationship zone this is the month to summon your famous Libran sense of harmony and balance rather than allowing your feathers to become ruffled. A fantastic month to indulge in romance, creativity or child-related activities, you will have three chances this year to create magic in one or all of these areas.

SCORPIO: Your annual full moon on the 9th marks the halfway point of your solar year and highlights your image, style, appearance or general attitude to life. Something is bound to reach a culmination in the first weeks of May but try as hard as you can to leave options open due to Mercury turning retro around the same time. Re-entering your relationship zone on the 15th, there will be a need to rethink all those arrangements and agreements that you thought you had sealed. Relationships at work look set to be very interesting too this month and you may find you team up with someone who is as passionate as yourself about a pet project. You will be amazed at what you can accomplish as an energetic team. Others may find that health or exercise improves dramatically when the two of you decide on a special regime – a healthy sense of competition is evident in whatever you do on day-to-day level. At home, between late May, July and December there is sure to be a wonderful arrival or addition to the family. Other Scorpio folk may even find their dream home or find the means to renovate or add on!

SAGITTARIUS: With your ruler Jupiter teaming up with mystical Neptune from late May and then again in July and December, the remainder of 2009 is set to hold special experiences that will come in three stages. While May is not the month to begin anything but rather to map out and analyse, you can help get the magic going by visualizing and dreaming of what you would like to achieve or do in an ideal world. Until then, May is a funny month because you will be focusing on a partnership issue that is less than clear cut and there are still plenty of facts to come to light. Wait until the end of May to seal any deals or put your trust in a newcomer. Take care of your physical wellbeing too as there will be a return to a medical or health concern. On a romantic note, this is a fantastic month to play and have fun. There is someone special to share your moments of leisure or to team up with creatively. There could even be a child who inspires you to create something very special.

CAPRICORN: Saturn, your ruler, turns direct on May 18th and will commence the last leg of his journey through Virgo. In your sphere of the big picture in your life, you have been on a steep learning curve where there has been little room to take shortcuts. You have had it quite tough when it comes to mapping out a clear cut picture but hopefully by June you will have arrived at a sensible game plan after dealing with all those tiny details. From October, you will be in a prime position to rebuild a career or restructure your lifestyle and the more you put in now, the better the results then. There are still delays to face during May though so this is not the month to rush through anything that will be life-changing, especially at work or with a health matter. The more thorough you are now, the better the results later. At home, life is heating up and some of you may even be considering moving in with someone who is as passionate about home and family as you are.

AQUARIUS: Your ancient ruler Saturn turns direct on May 18th so a shift occurs this month that will relate to a long-standing joint financial issue. With Mercury turning retro on the 8th, this is the month to really concentrate on how you can boost your earnings so that loans, taxes, credit cards or assets can be attended to with much more ease than has been possible. A dream can actually come true this year with regard to your earning power and this will become progressively achievable over late May, July and December. Use the reflective feel of May to truly look at all sides of your game plan and you may discover some little gem you had completely overlooked. Use your famous logic to look at all sides of the puzzle now. Short trips are possible this month with someone special; or a neighbourly get-together could be the way you meet a very forthright person who you click with on an intellectual level. After the 15th, you will need to return to a domestic or family matter.

PISCES: Your private life is brimming with a special feeling that will continue to grow over the months July and December. Anything that has been hidden or behind the scenes will become more obvious and manageable but it will be the power of your own insight that will have the greatest impact on those evasive people or issues. Your whole life direction will slowly change this year and the only thing stopping you will be your imagination and belief in yourself. Financially, there is a powerful alignment with someone who shares the same passion about a property, financial or business activity but this will require a thorough examination of the facts and a great business plan. Wait until June to really set sail and in the meantime draw up an outline of what you hope to achieve. A relationship or partnership issue will begin to move ahead from 18th and you can rest assured you are now on the final leg of this difficult period that began back in September 2007.