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WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 1. Moon is in sunny Leo today, with no aspects, thus fewer demands from the outside world. This is a good day to share your learnings from the Scorpio Moon cycle. You can do this through the arts, story telling, Internet, or teaching in your own way, by example. We are each making a unique transformational journey. How can you express yours?

THURSDAY DECEMBER 2. Moon continues in enthusiastic Leo, with many loving, creative aspects. Imagery can be prolific and intense. A strong Neptune can put us in dreamland for much of the day. However, a sharp Mars tonight can wake us up.

Today’s energy continues that of Tuesday’s, and adds a note of Venus in Scorpio to harness it to desire. On Tuesday, Mars in Scorpio squared Neptune to energize imagery and visions, perhaps of a sexual, aggressive, or frightening nature. Today Venus in Scorpio joins the mix, to add creativity, and such possibilities as greed and/or deep love. This process will be completed on Sunday, December 5, when Venus and Mars will unite in the dynamic, transformational sign of Scorpio.

This is great love power. Be careful what you love. You can get it.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 3. Moon is in industrious mode when we awaken today. We may feel we must communicate with someone. At 9:52 a.m. EST, Moon goes VOC until it enters Virgo at 6:00 p.m. When Moon is not set in its direction (which is the meaning of VOC), we can be more responsive to our inner impulses and needs. Leo wants to enjoy, and we can enjoy this day in our own way.

Choose an exciting recreation for tonight, rather than letting yourself get bored and restless.

Ideas and communication are increasing in importance this week, for two of the asteroids have just entered air signs. Strategist Pallas Athena is now in Libra, working for social justice. She will be at this work through June. Juno, concerned with harmonious relationships, has just entered Aquarius. The individual and the nonconformist have strength here. Pallas and Juno are cooperating for the cause of individual and national liberation.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 4. Catch up on your errands and odd jobs this weekend. Moon is in Virgo, and we will have the urge to put things in order.

Last Quarter Moon at 14 Virgo occurs tonight at 7:53 p.m. EST. We enter the concluding week of the transformative Scorpio Moon cycle. It’s a time to evaluate—what have we learned? How have we changed? Virgo moon can help us separate the wheat from the chaff. The Neptune-Jupiter air trine dominates the scene now, and gives us an underlying aura of visionary optimism.

At the same time, Saturn rising now in Washington DC promises hard work ahead. For the U.S., that work is transforming consciousness. The effort is to think for ourselves, rather than let our consciousness be transformed through the manipulation of others. Virgo can help here.

According to Carl Johan Calleman’s interpretation of the Mayan Calendar, we begin a new phase in the cosmic time plan today. He says that in this "Fourth Day" the transformation of consciousness is truly beginning. This fits perfectly with the extensive Pluto-Mercury conjunctions occurring now, as well as with the new deeply creative beginning of the Mars-Venus conjunction in Scorpio.

This phase will last until November 28, 2005. At that time, Mercury will again be retrograde, Mars will be retrograde, and the U.S. progressed Mars will be turning retrograde for the first time in its history. The handling of aggression will be a major theme then.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 5. This is a very busy Virgo Moon day. It’s also a very good day to complete plans and ideas for the future. Make an effort to take time out from your busyness to focus on the larger picture, and how you might fit into it.

Love, dedication, and creativity are strong and deep now. Venus and Mars conjoin in Scorpio to begin a two-year cycle of intensity in all that we do. This combination makes great accomplishment possible. In our hands now is great visionary capacity, plus the ability to manifest our visions. Again, let us not let this fine energy be highjacked by others whose ends may be destructive.

This powerful Mars-Venus conjunction occurs at 17 Scorpio. Conjunctions sow seeds which grow during the length of the cycle—as in the sun-moon conjunction at New Moon. Now we begin an extra-long, extra-strong creative cycle—one which can produce much transformation over its lifetime, for ourselves and for others.

The major aspect which both Venus and Mars will encounter next is a trine with Vesta in compassionate, imaginative Pisces, followed by a trine with constructive Saturn in Cancer, who is building security. This creates a powerful grand water trine which cannot be stopped. It completes during the week of December 13-20. Pisces is water. It also represents emotions, which will be flowing strongly. These feelings will focus on a secure home.

This is just in time to close up the old solar year, and begin a new one at Winter Solstice. It also completes this Mercury retrograde period. We begin today to set the stage for new beginnings, in time with the beginning of the Fourth Day of the Galactic Underworld.

MONDAY DECEMBER 6. Moon is in sociable Libra, with no aspects. Concentrating on work will be difficult, unless that work involves socializing. We are in the grip of two air trines, and our minds will tend to wander towards fresh possibilities and new ideas, things to which our emotions draw us.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 7. Moon continues in Libra, and we are attracted to sharing with others. We may awaken early, perhaps restless.

At 5:54 a.m. EST, Moon occults, or covers, Jupiter, for the second time this year. It is visible in eastern and central U.S., western and central Africa, and northeastern Brazil. This eclipse at 15 Libra conjoins GW’s Chiron (and the Chiron of many born around that time). Usually Chiron, the Wounded Healer, works well with Benefactor Jupiter. (In mythology, they were half-brothers, and were both raised on Mt. Pelion.) But now, eclipsed, can they work together? This occultation also closely conjoins the U.S. Saturn, and squares the Suns of both the U.S. and of Bush. Both Jupiter and Saturn represent national authority. The indication is of an eclipsing of authority in the U.S. (During the months of November and December, Dick Cheney is also having some very volatile transits.)

To add to its impact, Jupiter is now overhead in Washington, DC.

Twelve hours later, there is another big event in the heavens. At 6:05 p.m. EST, Mercury rejoins Pluto on its retrograde journey. The days since this first conjunction, on November 20, have all been energized by this potent combination. We are undergoing a process of regeneration of our consciousness, mainly in regard to our beliefs. Today’s eclipse of Jupiter, who also refers to beliefs and philosophy, is a tangible part of the process.

During these days, an old consciousness is leaving, and a new one is being born. Today Moon in Libra emphasizes issues of social justice, fairness, equality, and balance. Jupiter, in the costume of the U.S. government, has been very arrogant in regard to assuming power, and defying those Libran ideals—which are, in fact, basic ideals on which the U.S. was founded. These transits today may indicate some kind of come-uppance in regard to that royal mantle.

DECEMBER 8 and DECEMBER 9. This is the end of the Scorpio Moon cycle, and we close it down in grand Scorpio style—with an intense Moon in Scorpio. Moon now in Scorpio gives a final punch to our big transformational process. These are inner days, and we may prefer to be alone, sorting ourselves out in new ways, with Scorpio Mars-Venus showing us new directions. Feelings run deep. Compassion may also be strong.

We are immersed now in endings and beginnings. Death-dealing Scorpio and born-again Sagittarius. Sagittarius is holding the light, Scorpio is helping us to descend to that darkness where all real transformation occurs—like a seed germinating in the earth.

What are we germinating? Our active air signs, full of ideals, can help us provide the blueprints. Retrograde Mercury is giving us time and opportunity to go within ourselves and find our own integrity. Vesta in Pisces is bringing compassion to the fore.

With New Moon on Saturday, we will combine it all into a new seed planting.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 10. Scorpio Moon goes VOC at 6:03 a.m. EST. With no more aspects pulling us into the outer world, we can go even more deeply within. Sun joins retrograde Mercury this morning to light up and energize these deep places. In this dark womb, warmed by Sun, Mercury plants its new seeds, beginning a new three-month cycle.

Pluto, ruler of the underworld, assures that this new cycle will be regenerative. Here we have Sun, who rules the realms above ground, and Pluto, who rules those realms below, joined with Messenger Mercury, who is preparing to communicate this powerful combination after it turns direct on December 20.

At 11:54 a.m., Moon enters Sagittarius, and vivid visions of the future can entrance us. This mood continues through much of tomorrow, until New Moon tomorrow night. At New Moon we are thrust into the immediacy of the here and now.

Ceres enters Scorpio today to support our new creative and regenerative projects. Ceres is currently involved in workers’ strikes and bargaining. She will become tougher in holding firm to her demands.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 11. New Moon at 21 Sagittarius occurs at 8:29 p.m. EST. Being a new moon, and occurring at night gives it a double quality of being within. Closely conjoining Pluto, and the degree of the two Mercury-Pluto conjunctions, greatly multiplies that inner focus.

We descend now to the depths of Pluto in Sag. We glimpse its extremism and destructiveness in all Sagittarian arenas, such as religion, politics, law, morality, higher education, and travel. Pluto during these last several years has been showing us the underside of Sagittarius. Now it comes together in one grand show.

But at the same time, the moon is new, planting seeds of hope. And it is in Sagittarius, a spirited fire sign who is always looking ahead, and ready to explore new pathways. (But is so often unaware of the possible consequences of its actions. We do not know what that archer’s arrow will hit.)

Rebirth is here. It’s time to reap some rewards from the darkness.

Mercury is here, too. So there is full consciousness of this moment. This hearty quartet—Sun, Moon, Mercury, and Pluto—is enclosed by the harmonious, benevolent Jupiter-Neptune trine. The dynamic Mars and Venus in Scorpio are also part of this picture, along with focused Vesta in Pisces, and Chiron in Capricorn, disrupting tradition. Saturn is also gradually drawn into this tight group, and over the course of the 4-week moon cycle will stabilize this big ball of closely integrated energies. Saturn means effort, manifestation, and stability.

Only Uranus, the Joker in the deck, is missing. The rebirth instigated now, then, is along predictable lines. What is in our minds and our lives right now? Where do we want it to go? Sagittarius is a moon of growth, following the Scorpion moon of death.

This powerful moon is particularly important for the U.S. It sits in the U.S. first house, where it stirs the identity of the nation mightily. It opposes the U.S. Mars, and thus either lends power to, or opposes, U.S. aggression. And it squares the U.S. Neptune, both challenging and energizing our adventures—and misadventures—abroad.

This moon presages a rebirth of humanistic philosophy and ideals. Various parts of today’s pregnant energy influence will spring into manifestation during coming days and weeks.

The Sabian Symbol for 21 Sagittarius is

"A CHILD AND A DOG WEARING BORROWED EYEGLASSES. The use of imagination and make-believe in anticipating the higher stages of development. By imitating features belonging to a level of consciousness yet unreachable, the process of growth may be accelerated. LEARNING THROUGH IMITATION."

SUNDAY DECEMBER 12. Moon enters the winter sign of Capricorn at 11:42 a.m. The influx of new moon energy plus Capricorn’s ambition makes us eager to plunge into our current agenda. Energy all day is helpful and harmonious.

MONDAY DECEMBER 13. Moon continues in hard-working Capricorn, which gives us the push we need for accomplishment.

Much additional energy is provided by Sun conjunct Pluto, the powerhouse. This is Sun’s annual influx of transformative, renovative energy. Sun is the director of the show, and Pluto provides the line of the drama’s development. Each year this conjunction reminds Sun of the current theme of growth and change. This theme has been Sagittarian since 1996.

This is a power day, an early step in the development of this powerful New Moon.

Mars in Scorpio is the featured planet now. This is a tough, go-for-it, no-holds-barred Mars. It looks more like war than diplomacy.

Pluto and Sun sit overhead in Washington, washing the capital in power. The U.S. Mars is at the nadir now, providing the foundation for Washington’s action (and Mercury is still retrograde!—not a good time for definitive action).

However, this is the day that the U.S. Electoral College votes are due. It appears that the Administration will strong-arm votes their way, regardless of recounts and the absentee ballot count. (Which in many cases, such as in Ohio, have been delayed and stalled anyway.)

North Node of the Moon represents the general energy direction. It is now completing its one-and-one-half year journey in Taurus. It may be desperate to complete Taurus’ task of providing security, territory, and resources. Venus, Taurus’ helper, is now traveling in Scorpio, where it can attract what it wants—and it will insist on getting it.

In a few days, Node will enter Aries, ruled by feisty Mars. Aries means new beginnings, meeting challenges, and the courage to push through to a goal. I suspect that legal challenges to the voting tallies will begin to pop up.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 14. We have good work energy early this morning. Later we may feel dreamy or spaced-out, but at the same time our intuition is keen. Moon goes VOC, still in Capricorn, at 6:43 a.m. EST. At 11:10 a.m., Moon enters friendly Aquarius. Public affairs assume greater importance, and we are concerned about the state of the world. Spontaneous discussions pop into our day.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 15. This is a very smooth and friendly people day. It’s a good day to transact emotional business, for we can approach it more objectively. Stimulating energy continues until late tonight.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 16. Moon goes VOC at 3:33 a.m. EST. Be inventive this morning. It’s a great time for brainstorming your own, or others’, projects. At 12:24 p.m., Moon enters Pisces, and we tune into the mystical side of life for the next two days. Intuition and spiritual connections are increased when Moon is in Pisces. Attention to mundane details may diminish. It’s a great time for meditation, spiritual studies, and artistic creation. Freedom and light permeate this day. We may feel that a load has lifted from our hearts.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 17. We continue in the Piscean flow of spirit, with a renewed consciousness. "Let it be," but do pay attention.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 18. First Quarter Moon at 28 Pisces occurs at 11:40 a.m. EST. Pisces adds a universality, a larger spiritual perspective, to Sagittarius’ rudimentary connection to a wide world. At this first quarter we break through into expression of universal principles. Both Sagittarius and Pisces are "dual" signs, with the two fishes swimming in opposite directions in Pisces. Thus we can expect conflicting currents to be prominent now.

Early morning is purposeful, and pregnant with powerful change, for Pluto is still holding Sun and Moon in thrall.

Energy moves very readily now. The integrated pieces of New Moon fall into a dynamic pattern, with our old friend, the Saturn-Chiron opposition, forming the axis of leverage. This opposition refers to re-alignment of established structures, e.g., government, military, and economic, as well as our own skeletons, homes, and families. It means widespread dislocation and relocation.

A grand water trine of Moon, Mars, and Saturn inexorably moves the currents of our lives. Saturn, strong now, implies that destiny is at work.

Retrograde Mercury sits right between Libran Jupiter and Aquarian Neptune, and thus vision is enlivened now. Pisces Moon can carry our imaginations into boundless realms. Saturn can, however, help to keep our feet on the ground.

This is a very dynamic First Quarter. With an aura of inevitability we open up the social spaces of the promise of our Sagittarian New Moon. Powerful Pluto is again overhead in Washington, with Sun also there providing vitality and drama. Pluto itself represents unstoppable evolution. The U.S. Mars again sits at the bottom, showing an aggressive foundation to U.S. action.

The Moon Family shows a history of close elections throughout the world, with the status quo winning by a narrow margin. In the U.S. we had the 911 Hearings, and terrorist czar Richard Clark’s testimony that the Bush Administration was not much interested in terrorism.

The degree of this Moon is that of Black Hole Quetzalcoatl, who was revered as a god in human form by the Aztecs, similar to the story of Jesus Christ. Black Holes indicate energy addictions. A current example of Black Hole Quetzalcoatl is the descendant of the chart for the European Economic Community, growing at a phenomenal rate.

Fixed Star Scheat, in Pegasus, is also at this degree. This star is said to have a strong Saturnian character, with a Plutonic influence added—a configuration which fits right in with this Quarter Moon chart.

In other words, it’s time to gear up for a potent move when Mercury turns direct in two days. We may be getting some revised election results by then.

Moon becomes VOC with this First Quarter. It enters militant Aries at 4:52 p.m. Tonight we’ll have the energy for a fun activity.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 19. No layabeds this Sunday morning. We’re apt to awaken early, and with energy and ambition. We want to do our thing, which likely includes communicating our ideas to others. We may also be attracted to a religious devotion or ritual. Whatever our involvement today, it is enthusiastic and whole-hearted, and we are calling the shots.

MONDAY DECEMBER 20. Energy is pushy today, and gives us the ability to work hard. Mercury turning direct at 1:29 a.m. EST will help that push along. We may feel as though we have a backlog of things to do which must be done now. Mercury still sits between Jupiter and Neptune, and we carry that undercurrent of good feeling into Mercury’s new three-month journey. However, this afternoon Saturn may put an obstacle in the way of our headlong rush—even if it is just psychological. By evening the way is clear. We may be up late tonight.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 21. Winter Solstice, when Sun enters Capricorn, occurs at 7:42 a.m. EST. "The King is dead! Long live the King!" applies to this moment. The old year dies, and at the same moment the New Year is born. This is the moment of the Sun’s lowest point in the Northern Hemisphere, but immediately it begins to rise again. Long before Christians celebrated the birth of the Son at Christmas, the birth of the Sun at Solstice time was celebrated. (In the Southern Hemisphere, it is Summer Solstice, a celebration of the moment of peak power of the Sun.)

At Winter Solstice, we open to one of the four major power influxes of the year. We can use this time to empower ourselves to take on our personal mantle, or role, for the year to come.

Many celebrate Winter Solstice as the beginning of the New Year. In its role as setting the time for the Sun’s annual cycle, it can be likened to the new moon, which sets the tone for Moon’s monthly cycle. It is the New Sun. Thus the colors featured are green (Venus) for plant life and red (Mars) for animal blood. Mars and Venus together represent sexuality, and all creativity. New life is conceived now.

This new baby, which will evolve into the growing year, always has its base in the solid social structure of Capricorn. We gather together during this season to affirm our connections with one another. We honor both the past, through family and traditions, and the future, as we celebrate the arrival of the New Year. The new baby needs the support of parents and of community, both represented by earthy Capricorn.

We aim to be solid and practical in 2005.

This year of 2005, our nest is earthy indeed, for Moon, too, is in the earth sign of Taurus, the sign of green gardens, of the earth and its productivity.

Earth signs look for security, and can be practical about achieving it. "Security" can have many different meanings—even for any one of us—but basic security means the predictability of sufficient food, shelter, and loving connections with others.

Fulfilling the needs of earthy Sun-Moon will be the paramount direction for everyone this year. This is supported by the Moon’s North Node in Taurus, pointing the way. Moon refers to daily and emotional needs. This coming year will be very personal and immediate for each of us.

A search for security will dominate 2005, and the asteroids will have major roles.

Ceres, the Great Mother, is now in Scorpio, with South Node, showing that she will have a transformative role in regard to our entire food supply. In part there will be harshness and destruction, and in part a healing and the growth of new lines of supply. There is a hint of both food shortages, and the development of a greater consciousness of our food sources, which augers well for a growing market for organic products.

Vesta is the Keeper of the Flame, and she focuses on protection of the family and of the homeland. She has been traveling in Pisces since mid-April. Vesta in Pisces depends on spirit for providing a home base. We can develop faith during this time. Vesta in Pisces refers to our larger home, which includes the biosphere in which we live. Protection of this larger home, of which we are all a part, can be emphasized. Vesta squares Pluto, and thus crises and disruptions in our weather and in our ecosystems will give us warnings of the consequences of global warning. We may be stirred into taking measures to ameliorate this drastic shift, at least in part given impetus by humans, and especially by those of us who partake of the current U.S. lifestyle (most of us). Vesta in Pisces can also indicate water crises in our lives, and a special concern with the oceans and its life.

Juno in Aquarius shows idealism and community in relationships. People connections will be friendly, but not co-dependent. The growth of small, autonomous groups is encouraged. These groupings can have a variety of purposes—economic, spiritual, idealistic, political, work, or other common interests which can bind people together. The idea of treating one another with respect will grow, along with a recognition that we are all together in this earth journey.

Pallas Athena, the Strategist, is in Libra, working for harmony within diversity. Social justice is a major goal of Pallas now, and she can show us ways to enhance equality. Social injustice is rampant, and thus there will be much conflict, as people rebel against unfair conditions of all types.

Pallas and Juno will work together to promote humanistic ideals.

The Chiron-Saturn opposition is prominent now.

Chiron in Capricorn, and Saturn in Cancer have been opposing one another since July, and I’ve been talking about them every month since then. Their basic meaning is disruption of security structures, so that they can be re-aligned. Cancer and Capricorn form the major polarity in the U.S. chart, and any action here always means action on the part of the U.S. Administration. When a formation is long-lasting, such as this one, it means very deep and basic change. Many security structures are now changing in the U.S., including many that are unknown to the public.

Venus and Mars, the Creators, knit the year together.

We’re still at the beginning of the Venus-Mars in Scorpio cycle which began on December 5. 2005 will thus be extraordinarily creative, and will encourage fresh ideas and new talents. Mars itself is still in penetrating Scorpio, ready to do whatever is necessary to achieve its goals. Its close trine to Saturn in Cancer shows that it will build security, and that it will leave permanent results.

Venus, on the other hand, has moved into free-wheeling Sagittarius. She sits directly between Pallas and Juno, and is ready to take risks in relationships.

Mercury sits close to Venus, blending intellect with heart. Mercury itself is between Jupiter and Neptune, as well as Pallas and Juno. Idealism in partnerships will be strongly emphasized.

These patterns were established while Mercury was retrograde. Thus much rethinking and review will be part of the year’s processes. And yet, today Mercury is freshly direct, and we can move ahead as we need to.

Moon is waxing, and this supports goal-oriented, creative development. New Moon seeds planted after December 11 will show the year’s lunar potential. Patterns set at First Quarter Moon, last Saturday and Sunday, will show the type of growth we will nurture.

GW Bush is now in the midst of his 30-year Saturn return, and will begin his 12-year Jupiter return in January. 2005, from now through August, will be a major life turning point for him. At Solstice, Jupiter conjoins his Moon, indicating much growth for him this year. His nadir is on the Solstice midheaven, indicating that his privacy will be open to public scrutiny.

The Sabian Symbol for 1 Capricorn is always the same at Winter Solstice, and very appropriate it is:

"AN INDIAN CHIEF CLAIMS POWER FROM THE ASSEMBLED TRIBE. The power and responsibility implied in any claim for leadership. The energies released through group cooperation (Libra), deepened and emotionally experienced as forces of great potency (Scorpio), and given meaning and conscious purpose (Sagittarius) are now stabilized and hierarchized. AUTHORITY in a vital group situation."

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 22. Moon continues in solid Taurus. We may be moving slowly, and our minds may not be attending to our obligations. We do want to accomplish some results, but on the other hand, we need to take time for a meditation or contemplation break.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 23. Morning is early, energetic, and possibly argumentative. At 8:41 a.m. EST, Moon goes VOC, and we may have some pieces to pick up. At 11:32 a.m., Moon enters Gemini, and the remainder of the day is hot wired and exciting.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 24. This is a high-energy day, with lots of good feeling being passed around. Christmas parties will abound, and so will good spirits, in more ways than one.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 25. Moon goes VOC at 8:30 a.m. this morning, with a big impact. It remains VOC in Gemini for the rest of the day. Gemini always means lots of movement, of both mind and body, but with VOC, much of the movement will be aimless. This will be a spontaneous, interesting day—fun at home, but not the best day to be on the road. We are building up to Full Moon, and that adds an extra tension to the day, and an air of expectancy.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 26. Full Moon at 6 Cancer occurs at 10:06 a.m. EST. Capricorn means hard work, discipline, and responsibility. Cancer comes along to balance Capricorn’s self-sufficiency with sensitive nurturing and emotional connection. Capricorn nurtures the adult within us, whereas Cancer nurtures the child within us. Capricorn tries to stay conscious and goal-oriented. Cancer is very attuned to the unconscious. They both are family-oriented, and have security as a major goal.

The big news about this Moon is the entry of Moon’s Nodes into the polarity of Aries-Libra. For the next one-and-one-half years we all work with this axis, which refers to single-minded focus on self vs. cooperation with others. Can we combine fulfilling our own needs, and allowing others that same privilege? Justice and equality will be big issues. Competition is emphasized now. Can we turn it into cooperation? Both of these signs often find themselves in conflict situations, Aries because it likes challenges, Libra because it’s willing to stand up for justice.

Emotions flow freely. They include both needs for nurturing, perhaps in the form of "tough love," and doing things differently. Also, families in many parts of the world may be disrupted by tough treatment.

This is an excellent day for visualization and meditation.

Moon is out-of-bounds, i.e., with an extra-large declination. This indicates that people, represented by Moon, will be unpredictable.

This Full Moon crosses western United States, Europe, eastern Africa, and, as always, Japan.

Over Washington DC sit Mars, Venus, and Mercury in the adventurous sign of Sagittarius.

The Sabian Symbol for 6 Cancer is

"GAME BIRDS FEATHERING THEIR NEST. An instinctual dedication of self to new forms of life. We deal with spiritual forces (birds) placed within a social context. Action is definitely oriented toward the future. A new wave of life is starting and a concrete—and no longer symbolical—preparation is made for it. At a social we can speak of the pioneering efforts dedicated to the building of a new culture, new institutions. What is being built is instinctively, but not yet consciously, offered to a higher level of consciousness. An appropriate key would be SYMBIOSIS, a deep unconscious cooperation between different levels of existence."

MONDAY DECEMBER 27. There are a great many harmonious aspects rolling through the heavens today. This makes for ease of action in whatever we choose to do. Moon in Cancer connects us to our own territory, and to issues of home, family, and security. Healing is emphasized today and tomorrow, when the Chiron-Saturn opposition is exact. Moon is conjoining Saturn to make it not just a national re-alignment, but a very personal one. We may all feel a jolt, as we shift our energy channels.

Moon and Saturn are overhead in DC at this time, so the jolt may emanate from the Capitol. Jupiter, often beneficent, is rising in Washington. It may not act in its usual manner, however, because it has undergone two lunar eclipses in the last two months. It still conjoins Bush’s Moon-Juno combination, and we shall see its action, whatever it might be.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 28. This may be a lazy morning. Moon continues VOC in Cancer through the morning. At 12:14 p.m., it enters determined Leo. I say "determined" because Leo will project its story, and this is what we do for the next three days, with gusto.

We have a lot of help with the story line, e.g., North Node suddenly in Aries gives us a hero, Chiron opposing Saturn shakes up the status quo, and today Venus conjoined Mercury gives us a love interest. All of these are great story elements!

Venus and Mercury put together love and intellect, heart and mind. They still sit between Jupiter in Libra and Neptune in Aquarius, all of it an extremely idealistic combination. During this December, our higher ideals are being nourished.

Moon in Leo, over these next few days, makes lovely trines to all the Sagittarius planets, thus activating the story’s courageous characters. We can move along in an adventure story of our own making.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 29. Moon continues in its creative Leo journey. Today Sun enlivens Pallas Athena, who is now strategizing to create peace with justice, and harmonious relationships. Some relationships may feel a turning point, or a breaking through to new ground, today.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 30. Moon goes VOC at 9:54 a.m. EST, but remains in Leo for the entire day. This can be a fun and very creative day. In fact, Moon will trine North Node in Aries tonight, so it’s not really void of course. It does have an aim, and that aim is to meet new challenges. Since Moon is in a fire sign, and connected with fire sign planets, it does this with enthusiasm and confidence.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 31. There are, in fact, two new challenges right in front of us. One is obvious: the New Year. The other one is an impulsive aspect. Mars squares Uranus at 2:46 a.m. EST. Mars is in Sagittarius and Uranus is in Pisces. Neither of them are very stable signs, and the aspect itself is unstable and unpredictable. The basic meaning is a sudden application of energy. There may also be an urge for freedom, or for revolution. There may be a struggle for survival, and violence is possible. Emotions are the driving force here, for Moon in Virgo is part of this story. Virgo Moon often relates to health issues.

However, tonight it all comes together very well.