December 2004 Sun Signs

by Randy Spiers

A month of celebration, family, and shifting energies is upon us! Mercury turned retrograde in Sagittarius on November 30th creating communications snafus until December 20th when it goes direct. The Moon's aspects to Mars, Neptune, and Uranus in the first week of the month suggest a lot of energy and passion that require conscious, clear expression. The Moon enters calming Libra on the 6th, but goes into Scorpio... the Moon's sign of debilitation... on the 8th as we light the first candle of Hanukkah. The New Moon in Sagittarius on the 11th provides an opportunity to move away from the routine. That might take the form of Christmas shopping for loved ones or investigating an uplifting book for yourself. Venus moves into Sagittarius on the 16th and immediately forms a square to Uranus putting some short-lived tension into our closest relationship. The Sun enters earthy Capricorn on the 21st marking the Winter Solstice. Aggressive Mars enters Sagittarius on Christmas Day. Try to avoid forcing your beliefs on family members at the Christmas dinner table. The Moon is full on the 26th in its own sign of cozy, nurturing Cancer creating a warm family time for celebration of Kwanza or perhaps a long holiday weekend with family. Happy Holidays!

Sagittarius (November 21st – December 21st)
Happy Birthday to visionary, fun loving Sagittarius! Jupiter, the ruler of your Sun, is now arriving at the midpoint of your house of friends. This is your time to mix and mingle and inspire others with your 'big picture' view of life. In the first week of the month Neptune's favorable relationship to expansive Jupiter guides you to envision things as they could be and say “Why not!” That being said, do remember that Saturn... the lesson bringer of the zodiac... is lurking from your powerful 8th house of change, reminding you that the best strategy for inspiring and being inspired is to keep your feet on the ground. Saturn is retrograde so it is important to reality check your plans and ideas. Fiery, energetic Mars moves into Sag on the 25th ratcheting up your intensity, so be cognizant of your impact on those around you. There is a Full Moon in your 8th house of transformation on the 26th. You are in store for a powerful shift in the last week of the month.

Capricorn (December 21st – January 19th)
In the first week of the month, benevolent, expansive Jupiter transits the heart of your 10th house of career and receives great support from the Sun and Neptune. Creative opportunities are abundant. If you have artistic or healing talents this is a great time to expand them or consider turning them into a career. Whatever your dreams and aspirations in career might be, don't put any limits on them now. Just allow them to percolate and let the miracle unfold on its own. Miracles happen by allowing them to happen and not by making them happen. Saturn's retrograde transit to your 7th house puts relationship rebuilding in the spotlight through March, 2005. This transit is not so much about tension with others as it is about acknowledging and understanding mutual needs and renovating the relationship accordingly. Around the 27th you will likely get more perspective on this.

Aquarius (January 19th – February 19th)
New talents and interests are beginning to percolate now to be revealed and will be revealed in their fullness over time. Your 6th house... health and healing as well as job and life direction... is highlighted this month. Saturn retrograde in this house until March asks you to consider these areas of your life more deeply. This will be a great period to problem solve health issues, to develop a preventative health approach, to focus on diet, to start an exercise routine, and so on. On the other hand, uncertainties about your job may surface. Because Saturn rules your 12th house of spirit it is important to go within for solutions. Events or realizations in the last days of the month will help you to see things with greater clarity. Socialize some at month's end. You never know what important connections you might make. Read that new inspiring book you heard about to stoke the fire in your belly.

Pisces (February 19th – March 21st)
Themes of freedom and creativity abound, but perhaps not according to your ideal. Saturn's retrograde passage in your 5th house of creativity is about developing strategies for your creative part. Not to worry, Saturn, the lesson bringer of the zodiac, will ultimately bring you what you are looking for as you get closer to Spring. For the time being it guides you within to do whatever you need to do to make room for the fulfillment that will come. Still, there is magic afoot for you. In the first week of the month, Jupiter forms a helpful, creative aspect to Neptune who is ruler of your Sun and located in your 12th house of spirit. There are healing energies and opportunities all around you. Use your sensitivity for healing and magic rather than sweating the small stuff you have no control over. Jupiter in Libra in your 8th house offers a choice to expand your intuition or get lost in the drama so choose with awareness.

Aries (March 21st – April 20th)
Plenty of raw energy is available this month, but it will be up to you to refine it and define how it affects you and those around you. Jupiter reaches the midpoint of your house of relationship this month. Jupiter offers the energy of expansion and good fortune, but with the potential for pushing too hard and loss of perspective. Keep this in mind as the South Node enters your house of relationship on the 27th. Issues may crop up around an old, unwelcome relationship pattern. Patience with others may not be easy this month, but it will come. Mercury retrograde in your 9th house tangles communications and undermines understanding until the 20th. Mars enters the same house on the 25th giving you an opportunity to choose tolerance over self-importance.

Taurus (April 20th – May 21st)
As the month begins, Neptune, the planet of delusion and confused thinking, forms a harsh angle to willful Mars and materialistic Venus in Scorpio who are opposing your Sun. This is the astrological recipe for passion but not necessarily the kind you might be hoping for. It would be more apt to call this 'passionate upheaval.' The energy crescendos somewhere between the morning of the 8th and noon on the 10th when the Moon transits through Scorpio which is its sign of debilitation. Oh, tenacious one, check your ego at the door and leave your passive aggressive self at home. Fortunately, retrograde Saturn is in your third house of communication helping you to find a new way of articulating what you believe and what is important to you. Jupiter's transit of your 6th house is favorably aspected by Neptune and may have you thinking and dreaming about your future. There is something special in the air, but the uncertainty of change may be scary. Read a book or go to a workshop that supports you in a new, more relaxed, less defended state of mind.

Gemini (May 21st – June 21st)
Mercury, the ruler of your Sun sign, is retrograde in the 7th house of relationships. Communication with your significant other or clients is not what it could be. There is lots of conversation but not enough understanding. Saturn casts an aspect on Mercury which will help you get to the root of the situation, however. Allow your heart to become your organ of speech and hearing. Saturn is retrograde in your 2nd house of talents, self-esteem, and money. Between now and Spring, create a game plan to bring forth those talents that are more at the core of who you really are. Decide what would help you to feel free and whole and let it percolate. Money conservation and budget scrutiny are important now. Jupiter's 5th house transit continues to raise the possibility for romance as well as creative expression particularly from the 16th onward.

Cancer (June 21st – July 23rd)
Your Sun sign is the site for Saturn's retrograde transit. The next several months will involve personal inventory taking to decide which beliefs and patterns are 'keepers' and which are not. Don't hesitate to dream, but 'a day at a time' is what you need to focus upon. Your houses of romance and relationship are highlighted this month. There is some uncertainty or confusion that needs to be sorted out. Is someone not being straightforward about their needs or acting 'needy?' There is passion there, but let it be used for blissful experiences rather than 'crabbiness.' The 12th to 14th may be the toughest days in this regard. As Christmas approaches home life – your favorite area – and relationships are positively supported. The Full Moon this month happens the day after Christmas in your Sun sign. Be with family. Take care of others. Feed and revel with friends. You likely to meet interesting new friends or contacts before month's end.

Leo (July 23rd – August 23rd)
Expanded thinking and communication are major themes this month as Jupiter continues through your 3rd house. Not only is this a good period to take the lid off of limited thinking, the Sun, Mars, and Venus transit of your 5th house is likely to inspire your creative self. Venus' presence here bolsters the possibility of romantic encounters mid-month and afterwards. Asteroid Chiron in the last degrees of your 6th house through February, 2005 provides the opportunity to expand your knowledge of healing or to consider a healing practice. Any health issues should be tended to now with professional advice.

Virgo (August 23rd – September 23rd)
Benefic, expansive Jupiter, now at the heart of your 2nd house of money, will be joined by the South Node on the 27th. Start early to examine spending and saving habits that might be taking you in the wrong direction. There is plenty of inspiration at the beginning of the month to consider developing new talents or skills that can add to your creative fulfillment. While you may love order and shun surprises, this is a magical time for spontaneity of creative expression. Your thoughts and words carry a lot of passion this month. With Mercury retrograde, however you need to be satisfied in your own wisdom and truth without expecting others to 'get it.' Be patient... particularly later in the month and especially with family members.

Libra (September 23rd – October 22nd)
Philosophical, probing Jupiter is reaching the halfway mark in your Sun sign where it will spend another 10 months. Jupiter rules your 3rd house of communication and the mind and helps you to formulate whatever you might want to teach, speak, or write about. It is also a favorable time for expanding business horizons. A favorable, creative aspect from Neptune to Jupiter on the 1st supports these activities, but Mercury retrograde in your communication house may have you tongue tied or at least muddled in your thinking for a brief period. Once Mars enters the 3rd house on the 26th, you can more easily turn thoughts into written words or action. If you are looking for an opportunity to transform your relationship with your family the last week of the month could hold an opportunity for breakthrough. There is an old issue or two to lay to rest so that you can restore much needed peace and harmony within yourself.

Scorpio (October 22nd – November 21st)
The transit of Mars and Venus through your Sun sign is already in progress as the month begins. This has ignited your intensity and passion. Neptune now sharply aspects these two – the God of War and Goddess of Peace and Love. All this makes for a disorienting entry into the merriest month of all. Actually, this period can be a wonderful lesson in tolerance and understanding of others if you don't take things too seriously. Are you looking for more disillusionment or joy during the holidays? There is great power to heal and uplift in what you have say and share with others. You are at a turning point in accessing the self-trust that will allow to more freely express that part of you. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, or Kwanza with your tribe, it will be a very special time for you.

Randy Spiers, holistic teacher and astrologer for thirty years, blends the best from Vedic, western, and Toltec traditions. Contact him at 1.888.393.1222 (toll free) or by email at info@thespiritualastrologer.com.