FRIDAY DECEMBER 1. Moon continues in enthusiastic Aries, with a trine to Saturn to slow it down and lend it purpose. Saturn, in the fire sign of Leo, is moving very slowly right now, due to turn retrograde in a few days. We might find everything slowed down for the next week, as Saturn cools all activity. At the same time, with persistence, we can make steady progress. At 1:40 p.m. EST, Moon trines powerful Pluto, and strong emotions may well up from our unconscious. Immediately Moon goes VOC, and we may feel ourselves hanging in an untenable position. Saturn and Pluto in Aries can be a rather harsh combination, hard on tender emotions, but excellent for hard work. At 8:20 p.m., Moon enters Taurus, and we can ground ourselves—maybe with some delicious comfort food.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 2. Moon in peace-loving Taurus does not guarantee a smooth day, especially since the excitement is rising as we approach Full Moon. And also since Uranus rules on this day, and Uranus plays the part of the Joker in the deck. Unexpected and exciting things can happen today. For anyone whose birthday is today or tomorrow, there will be excitement for the whole of the coming year.

One year which begins tomorrow is Felipe Calderon’s first year as President of Mexico. It will be a roller-coaster year.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 3. Moon is still in Taurus. But Taurus’ common sense may be thrown for a loop today, for Moon has a long connection with Neptune, who tends to cloud and confuse things. Think of fog. Clarity is impossible. However, imagination and creativity are encouraged.

On the other hand, Moon also squares a slow and powerful Saturn in Leo. Here, imagination is stifled by a rigid sense of law and order. A fear of new ideas, which might threaten traditional ways, leads to over-reaction.

Both Saturn and Neptune have a fear of competition, and are subject to fears in general. This will be a day of mixed messages, confusion, and conflicts. Somewhere the heavy hand of the law is apt to show itself unnecessarily.

Don’t be too hard on conflicting drives in yourself, as you might be prone to do. Stand on the mountaintop, look at your different personalities, and find a way for them to work together, e.g., a strongly structured project which also calls for imagination.

It’s easier to be clearly goal-oriented in the afternoon—although at the same time we might run into opposition to our plans.

Moon goes VOC at 7:31 p.m. EST. Relax for the evening.

MONDAY DECEMBER 4. Full Moon at 13 Gemini occurs at 7:25 p.m. EST. Sagittarius and Gemini are mental signs. Sagittarius refers to the higher mind, and Gemini to the lower, everyday mind. Gemini rules elementary school; Sagittarius rules college and other institutions of higher learning. This is the Sagittarian month of philosophy, religion, and laying down those broad moral principles which underlie our lives. In order for these principles to be grounded in reality, Sagittarius also needs Gemini’s facts and commonsense everyday mind. Gemini Full Moon always brings us some necessary information.

Information now will be both heavy-handed and enlightening. Perhaps these two different qualities play a counterpoint against one another. We see the old and the new juxtaposed, the traditional and the progressive, the cautious and the daring. Ideas will most likely be the field of play.

This Full Moon straddles the horizon of the U.S. chart, so the information will also be about our relationships and partnerships—or lack thereof.

At the same time there is apt to be some heavy, risky action. Mars in its home sign of Scorpio and Jupiter in its home sign of Sagittarius are exactly parallel, and will act together—for the next few days. This is the quintessential warrior combination.

Meditation, either group or individual, can be very useful to steady the mind, to allow it to find its center of balance, and to use this strong mental energy for the highest good.

The India-Pakistan neighborhood, and the U.S. West Coast show the most stimulation. A special West Coast meditation for peace could be very effective now.

The Sabian Symbol for 13 Gemini is

“A FAMOUS PIANIST GIVING A CONCERT PERFORANCE. Individual fulfillment in the performance of a social function to which some prestige is attached. Having entered the path which brings him in touch with higher realms of inspiration, the individual is able to become a source of inspiration. His role is to mobilize emotions—to experience more intensely and to see farther. This is the role of the true and ideal virtuoso, whose example helps people to leave behind their pasts and to venture forth into new realms of experience. INSPIRATION.”

This time, as we have discussed, is a time of leaving the old behind and starting on new paths. This symbol certainly fits that journey.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 5. Moon continues in lively, curious Gemini, and our minds can’t stay still. Information continues to pour in. The Worldwide Web is very busy. At the same time, Vesta has just entered Scorpio, and everybody is centering on their power, and protecting it. And Saturn is turning retrograde, which is like circling the wagons and drawing a line of protection. Offense and defense are both strong. It’s a good time to turn towards the football field instead of the fighting field.

At 6:11 p.m. EST, we hit a stone wall, with Moon’s opposition to implacable Pluto. Then, filled with plutonic intensity, Moon goes VOC until it enters Cancer at 1:00 a.m. In the meantime, Saturn is sitting with its baleful eye, ponderously making a turn retrograde, casting a pall over all.

It’s almost midnight before Saturn completes its turn-around. In the meantime, besides powerful Pluto, it has caught up the personal planets—Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars--in its dragnet. Saturn’s turn inward will strongly affect our personal lives. This winter we may feel as though we’re swimming against the current. However, Jupiter in Sagittarius—the light of hope—will keep us afloat. (Our credit cards?)

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6. Moon travels in Cancer, and we are concerned about the home front. Security issues are front and center today. Families, of all kinds, grab our attention. Since we all belong to the human family, this pretty much covers the territory—although we often forget that we are all brothers and sisters, regardless of the color of our skin. Today we are sensitive, and emotionally receptive. During the next two days, we clearly define our values. Moon goes VOC at 8:13 p.m. EST.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 7. Moon continues in emotional Cancer, but it is void-of-course for the entire day. Energy and ambition may both be low. Remember that things started during VOC periods often fizzle out; It is safest to continue with projects already in progress.

At the same time, we are in midst of an important Venus transit. Venus is about everything which gives us pleasure, including love and money. We want to ground those values now, pin them to something in the real world. It’s the Holiday season, and gift-buying and giving is one way to do this. However, restrain yourself. The outcome of actions initiated during VOC moon are uncertain. Instead, do homey things to bring cheer and love into yours and others worlds. For instance, this would be an ideal day to decorate your home or office for the holidays. Or to do some holiday baking.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8. Planets have been moving into adventurous Sagittarius, one by one. Early this morning, Moon moves into Leo, another dynamic fire sign, and throughout the day Moon joins harmoniously with the Sag planets to move us to action. Finally we are coming out of the Saturnian doldrums, and shifting into higher gear. This is a good-feeling, high energy day.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 9. Exuberant energy continues, but in the early afternoon we may feel sapped by Neptune. Take a nap. Neptune asks of us to take time for dreaming. Best not to push yourself during that time. Save your energy for evening, when stimulation is high, and we are ready for action. This is a great party night. Six planets are in Sagittarius, and adventure calls. Do, however, look before you leap.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 10. Moon occults Saturn early this morning. This occultation is visible in the far north—Norway, Iceland, and most of Britain and Greenland. The eclipse lasts from about 9:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. UT, or GMT. This may be midday, but midday in the far north during this season remains quite dark. However, this occultation of Saturn affects us all in regard to the affairs of Saturn. It occurs while Saturn is still nearly stationary, and thus its impact is strong. Saturn relates to tradition and authority. This eclipse may presage the fall of a leader.

There is high excitement in the air. Last night Mercury conjoined Mars, today Mercury conjoins Jupiter, and tomorrow Mars and Jupiter get together. This is a very tight triple conjunction of three active planets in an active fire sign, Sagittarius.

Mercury, then, starts a new one-year cycle with Mars and Jupiter together. Mercury is movement and communication. Mars means strong, assertive movement. Jupiter means adventurous risk-taking movement—both physically and verbally. Words, ideas, and bodies will all fly through the ethers at a rapid rate. This is excellent energy for moving forward into new projects and endeavors, as well as for finishing up old ones.

Moon goes on to trine Venus and Pluto, which often relate to money, and then goes VOC at 3:35 p.m. EST. At 4:31 p.m., Moon enters Virgo, and begins an exciting journey stimulating our 6-planet Sagittarian lineup. Moon starts tonight with challenging squares to our warrior planets, Mars. This is not apt to be a quiet night, wherever you are.

MONDAY DECEMBER 11. Moon in Virgo, a discriminating, receptive sign, gets much support today from Venus, who just entered earth sign Capricorn. These common sense, grounded signs are an excellent counterpoint to the high-flying Sagittarian planets with which we’re being inundated. Advice: Listen to the ladies.

Today we have the Jupiter-Mars conjunction, known as the warrior combination, setting Mars’ course for the next two years. This is a very energetic—I-can-do-anything combination, and in Sagittarius will push us out into the world.

As if we didn’t have enough happening, Uranus, who also opens us to new horizons, begins to come into the picture today. For one thing, Moon opposes Uranus, so we get to feel its shock value in an emotional way, perhaps upsetting our carefully laid plans or timetable. For another thing, both Mars and Jupiter today begin their journey towards making a challenging square with Uranus. Mars squares Uranus exactly on the Solstice, making this an explosive solstice. Jupiter, who moves more slowly, squares Uranus next year to continue the project which they begin together today. From today on, we feel the excitement mounting.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 12. Last Quarter Moon at 20 Virgo occurs at 9:32 a.m. EST. It is release time, and discriminating Virgo would like to choose what to release. However, events now look more like destiny than choice. Moon exactly conjoins the South Node of the Moon, a point connected with fate, destiny, and karma. South Node tends to be a point of letting-go. Mercury, Virgo’s ruler, has a say here, and Mercury is part of the Jupiter-Mars powerhouse, ready to swing its weight in support of Jupiter, who is, after all, the King. What does Jupiter want?