December Starcodes 2009 Heather Roan Robbins

December is filled with surprises, and most of them will not be under the tree. Starting December 1, we have unexpected elements and events to deal with and some tough decisions to make as the festive holiday lights go up and Uranus turns direct after several months retrograde. Expect news or an important discussion about a shocking or exciting plot twist which has been hidden in the works, but now becomes apparent.

As December begins, the Sun, Venus and Mercury are in nervy, generally positive but restless Sagittarius with Mars in extroverted and melodramatic Leo. This line up of fire signs keeps us action oriented, keeps our mind on the holidays, on national and international news, on just about everything; we’re a bit scattered, but very curious. Although Sagittarius is generally positive energy, Mercury approaches an opposition with Pluto on the second week which adds the deeper undercurrent. We’re in a several year rapid-change cycle, and at times, it can feel like too much too fast.

Kids get silly Dec 1-2, mind open up and the scenery changes as the Moon enters Gemini; Venus enters Sagittarius and Mercury sextiles Neptune. Invitations and messages, new negotiations are on the table; keep talking and consider all possibilities. Some changes which appeared to build momentum last summer, but were put on hold for a few months, now pick up momentum. Electrical equipment may sprout poltergeist, but should fall into line soon. Lots of ideas are tossed about, and we need to keep our eye on the prize, remember where we’re going in order to make sense of them. Our nerves don’t want to shut up at night, so let’s gather and talk rather toss and turn.

A Full Moon in Gemini early Dec 2 may fry our nerves and leave us tired and wired, but can really blast open lines of communication. It can change our minds or make us what shake off our shackles and run, whether we just take a personal day out or change our life. Let’s not waste energy, we may have too many choices or feel spread too thin; remember everything is a work in progress. People are ready to try something new, let’s be the ones who open the door.

Every Full Moon highlights some apparent polarity on our lives, and resonates throughout the lunar month. This Full Moon asks us if we want to do something in our life, or just talk about it. Do we want to think globally (Sagittarian) or locally (Gemini), long term or short. And every Full Moon asks us to look beyond this apparent duality to find a synthesis. In this case, we may be asked to think globally and act locally, or talk about action that needs to be taken in the long term, and then follow through on what needs doing today. This Full Moon want motion, but it’s up to us whether we just spin our wheels or get into gear and out of some rut. It helps to pull back and put our actions in the context of the bigger picture to really assess where we want to go.

Dec 3-4 brings a wave of melancholia as feelings catch up to us, rush through us, but move quickly if we feel comfort. Stay involved, some doors close so others can open as the Moon enters Cancer. Don’t try to make sense of it; feel the honesty of the paradox, we really do have mixed feelings.

Dec 5-6 begins slow and picks up. We want something out of the ordinary, something worthy to sink our teeth into- holiday events, a solid learning experience, honest love or real politics. Our self-control or sense of humor is tested as Mercury enters strategic and logical Capricorn, though we’re ready to learn, build, and plan. Sociable and active if a bit touchy; our pride is easily affronted and can be quickly temperamental unless we redirect the energy as the Moon conjuncts Mars.

The winds shift the second week of December; keep an eye on weather, moods, political movements because the situation may be trickier than it seems while Mercury conjuncts Pluto and squares Saturn. We can make real progress where the path is clear, but uncertainty about our future can unsettle or anger people. A confluence of ideas meets tough reality and can catch us between a rock and a hard place. The situation may not be a dire as we think or fear, but is still a wake-up call. We have to look the tough situation squarely in the eye and deal with it in a strategic, disciplined but straightforward manor, sidestepping an ambient attraction to manipulate or control, because it’s bad karma and will tend to backfire.

Throughout the middle of the month, and heading into the holiday season, large aspects are a crucible, melting and forging through some tough challenges, a more solid future, though it may be hard to see unless we have lots of imagination. Check in with older people or those which have had a long illness or depression. Keep karma clean with beloveds, say what needs to be said now; we’re ready for heavy discussion with Mercury in this configuration.

The mood is nervous, brittle, excited, and hardworking Dec 7-9 as the Moon runs through Virgo. Nervous energy needs solid work to do or we get cranky; make a list and check it off. We can obsess on health or relationships and run a critical litany to keep our sensitivity at bay, or stumble on a social awkwardness; but all the tension can melt away in the light of honest kindness.

Jupiter, Neptune and the asteroid Chiron have been dancing close together in the air sign Aquarius all year long, symbolically connected both to the issues of health-care reform, and respiratory health issues. Jupiter and Chiron perfect their conjunction Mid-December. Most of us will barely notice, but for some this precipitates a need to remember, review and lay to rest painful memories, which can free up energy stuck in the past to use towards the future.

Expect to stumble across an opportunity for learning and be willing to remember and use talents that may have gotten rusty. Because these aspects can stir up our psyche, it can help to find an old talent, say, an arts and craft skill that hasn’t been used since second grade, and make holiday gifts or decorations while the psyche processes. Puttering can be a healing meditation if done with the right intention.

Dec 9-11: Find a tactful way to be completely honest. Keep it egalitarian and know that weaving good community is good for business. A generous time, but we can be generous with time and creativity instead of spending money we don’t have. This is a great time for any holiday parties as people are feeling sociable, relatively forgiving, but with a good memory; do whatever happens at the party, will not stay at the party.

The mood is honest and deep under a Scorpio Moon Dec 11- 13, depression is natural under the aspects, but not necessary. We may need to bear witness to what we do not like. Let the inner scrooge have its say; just know that cynicism and other strongly-tinted feelings can distort our understanding as Mercury semi-squares Neptune. Watch out for a scam or theft, or intentional deceit among the truly scrooge-like. The cynical edge minds the caroling, but the focus helps people finishing term papers or makes in some considered push to finish before the holidays. It's all too easy to compare this holiday to an ideal and find it lacking, or to get stuck on old memories. Don’t count on holiday spirit; do take on a deep and worthy task. Consider skipping the holiday parties and taking a few moments’ private retreat to reenter and recollect.

Dec 14-16 what needs changing? It’s probably more than a light bulb on the solstice bush as the Sun squares Uranus and sextiles Jupiter and Neptune. Just think it through and assess the difference between what needs a temporary change of scene and what needs a permanent fix. Direct, breezy New Moon in Sagittarius breaks us out of our shell and removes some inhibition, making freedom of speech a necessity; we have to add the capacity to listen. Step towards the future.

This next week the mood flickers between sensitive and strangely oblivious; engaged by the world but a little dense close to home, we’ll be happier to meet and work with new people and new ideas, new products and places, but can take what’s more familiar for granted. It’s easy to get too busy, get lost in the bustle, but we can stumble easily if our momentum in interrupted. Instead of a rush, brisk and centered is the way to go.

Dec 17-18 brings in an earthy, healthy note as Venus trines Mars in fire signs under a Capricorn Moon, cooperative and determined, outgoing, flirtatious and impassioned. It’s a good time to break into new territory and connect with new people, as long as we accept their unique autonomy. We are resistant, even rebellious to any sense of feeling controlled. Take action towards a new plan, launch a new adventure.

Take no pragmatic shortcuts Dec 19-21, our actions have magic and represent symbolically our real philosophy; we need to walk our talk. We may feel tested, as if the universe wants to know if we mean all those highfalutin ideals, or lowfalutin, depending on our approach. Look for a real opportunity to give back to the community, to warm the cockles of one’s heart on collective efforts. It’s a good time to involve children in some charitable action and teach by involvement the Sagittarian seasonal generosity. But let’s not get blinded by our ideals and try to help people who do not want what we’re offering; we need to respect personal authorship in this thin-boundaries time, and ask what’s really needed, rather than impose our solutions. The homeless shelter may prefer a large bag of rice than a box of cookies. Don’t try to fix others, instead inspire and support.

New relationships in the early stages can really spark, as Venus squares Uranus, sextiles Jupiter and Neptune. But all this focus on our community connections and new acquaintances can strain our intimate relationships.

Jupiter perfects its conjunction to Neptune, which can make us more permeable, to intuition, to energy of all types, and to germs, our boundaries are thin, easily opened by invasive relatives and germs. This aspect supports any work we do that encourages our sense of connection, like meditation, prayer, magic and ritual. It adds wings or our stories and buoys up our imagination. Remember that the subtle voice with which we speak to ourselves is a form a of prayer, so notice that inner voice; if it is a low, mumbling “I can’t get sick, I think I’m sick, what if I get sick” we can make it happen. So let’s play it a different way. If we decide to tune into one another and send loving kindness around the globe, it will become a tangible force.

One proviso: escapist habits can steal the magic. We can be tempted to seek non-ordinarily reality through a few extra classes of wine the party or try to hide in the sugar cookies, but if we keep that up, it can divert the creative magic of this time and let it pass in a cloud, leaving us more confused than before.

Happy Solstice! The Sun enters Capricorn midday Dec 21, shortest day of the year, and brings our attention back to traditions, to familiar roots, our personal responsibilities and our responsibilities to the earth we walk upon. We are asked bring the sunlight into our hearts and hold it slight within until it return without, and celebrate the fact that starting tomorrow, each day grows longer, even if the winter grows colder. We are promised that life will return after darkness, the wheel of change is constantly turning. This is a wonderful day for a gathering; feelings fill up ands spill over tonight as the Moon enters Pisces.

Dec 22-23 our hearts tenderize, we can get so sensitive that we unintentionally (or intentionally) guilt trip, but that won’t work. It’s better to be open with one another, helpful and low key, undemanding and accepting. The time is ripe for unofficial and heartfelt family gatherings, to connect with people without holiday performance anxiety, as the Sun approaches Pluto and the Moon wends it way through Pisces. Low energy can be hard on those with health challenges, so check in with one another. Our spirits and spunk returns soon.

Christmas has some very challenging aspects, and the se may help us just give us an awareness, through memory, thoughts or experience, that helps us count our blessings and value what we have, and the unique people in our lives. We may have an unusual opportunity to be there for one another as we deal with the biggest challenges in our life, either because an ever brings our mind there, or because we feel safe enough, or triggered enough, to really talk it over. It could also bring up such a clash of egos and will that make for mythic family fights and the kind of events that challenge our spiritual perceptions, unless we choose our battles carefully and don’t get all huffy when other people’s priorities are different from our own. Let’s make this time less about who behaves, and more about our awareness of lasting memories and learning to walk in right relations with one another.

Dec 24-26 brings some really conflicting feelings the Sun conjuncts Pluto and square Saturn as the Moon enters Aries and Venus enters Capricorn. The Sun-Pluto conjunction can trigger a deep reassessment of our lives; leave us wondering if we or some loved one have what it takes to make another round on the wheel of life. In another form of this aspect, it can make for some interesting power plays and manipulations, like a grandmother strong-arming the family to visit, and kids refusing to cooperate. Under an Aries Moon the more leeway we give for sponenaity, for joy, for the funny moments of acceptance, the more joyous a time it can be. Look for quality time versus quantity time. If some family news calls us back to our karmic work ASAP, we need to walk it through but can call on support.

Dec 26 be careful traveling, consider leaving the day before or afterwards as Mercury turns retrograde and asks us to slow down. Be patient if traveling or exploring, let the trip be an adventure, a mysterious journey rather than a tight schedule, even if it’s just a trip to the grocery store.

Dec 27-28 grows less hectic, gives us more real time for visiting; it’s time to deeply nourish the soul under a Taurus Moon. Be gentle around territorial issue. Relatives and friends need shared timing; take the complement from possessive people but don’t let it rush the moment. Venus conjuncts Pluto increases our soul longing and reminds us of what matters; we may be reminded of missing people, or times gone by, or, if we are brave, may love more than ever as our heart cracks open. Love in the face of loss; be loved for what soul not for possessions. Get real.

It may be easier to talk about what we feel, but harder to show it as Venus square Saturn Dec 29-30 under a verbal Gemini Moon. We’re mentally active (if not accurate) and easily distracted over strong but quiet emotions. Easily frustrated, our patience may be tested, or patience may be required as a sign of love; let’s not test one another. Work or responsibilities can get in the way of our love life or our creative urges, but these heavier weights must be honored now.

Dec 31 brings a lower key, more private New Year’s Eve. Parties will be more subdued or can feel a little desperate if we try to party hardy, as we’re not naturally outgoing as the Cancer Moon opposes Pluto. It’s easy to celebrate the end of tough decade, but what we need is comfort and support from one another, shared traditions, shared food, and a chance to share our vision for the New Year.

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