DECEMBER 2006

Merry Christmas! I wish you and your family enjoyable holidays. Two astrological events are important this month – Jupiter’s entry into Sagittarius and Saturn retrograde. Jupiter in its ruling sign emphasizes the activities and issues associated with this planet and sign – exploration, relocation, travel, religion, global trade, politics, philosophy, advertising, public relations, education and the law. Jupiter in Sag is most significant because it joins Pluto and will be applying to the conjunction of Jupiter and Pluto in Sagittarius in December of 2007. This can happen only once every 250 years. The last time was in November of 1758. That year George Washington took Fort Duquesne, England was colonizing India, Prussia and Russia were at war, China was invading neighbors and two important historical figures were born – Robespierre, the French revolutionary and Horatio Nelson, the British admiral. Jupiter brings a positive attitude which will be felt by those whose party won their elections. Saturn goes retrograde on the 6th at 25 degrees Leo and will not turn direct until April 19th. During this time careers and leadership will be restructured, affecting mostly the Pluto in Leo generation (those born between 1938 and 1958). The Sun in Sagittarius until the 21st focuses energy on enjoyment of the holidays as well as travel, religious events, parties, foreign countries, global issues, politics, public relations, education and legalities. The Sun’s entry into Capricorn on the 21st is the Winter Solstice. This is shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere and the time when rituals take place honoring the seed which cannot be seen because it is under the ground, but holds the potential of the coming year. The Sun in Capricorn supports business, leadership, careers, security and organization and personal restructuring.

Mercury (communication, writing, contracts, commerce, workers) completes the retrograde cycle which spanned from October 28th to November 18th. Mercury entered the “shadow” of the retrograde on October 9th when an issue began to take shape on which to work or a transitional situation was beginning. From November 18th to December 5th is the completion phase during which details can be completed, agreements finalized and situations resolved. Mercury will be in Sagittarius from the 8th to the 27th supporting religious events, commerce and social interaction during the holidays. Mercury’s entry in Capricorn on the 27th supports return to concentration on issues of career, business, education and life restructuring.

Venus (values, money, social connections) in Sagittarius until the 11th values beliefs, expansion, travel, religion, education, sports, nature, animals and fun. Venus in Capricorn after the 11th values security and business. Although it is the holiday, those who are forced to change jobs will be concentrating on career options.

Mars (initiation, energy, aggression) in Scorpio until the 6th can be quietly intense or outwardly pushy. Combined with Mercury and squaring Saturn in the first week of the month it can bring anger, aggression, resentment or destruction – stopping at nothing to achieve an objective. How it is used depends on how the person or group is motivated. Mars in Sagittarius after the 6th energizes travel, trade, education, legal matters, religion and philosophy. As it joins the Sun and Venus it supports attention to religion during the holidays as well as having fun at parties and family gatherings. People can feel more positive and energetic but Mars in Sag can also encourage fast driving, taking chances and feeling that you are more right than others in your religion or philosophy.

Jupiter (expansion, opportunity, optimism, travel, foreign trade, education, religion, legal matters) transits 1 to 7 degrees Sagittarius and does not repeat these degrees during its transit in Sag. from late November 2006 thru mid-December 2007. Jupiter in its own sign brings issues of and opportunity thru travel, foreign countries, politics, religion, trade, public relations, education and legal matters. These degrees most affect those born November 24th-30th, May 22nd-28th, August 25th-31st and February 20th-26th as well as persons or entities whose charts have planets or angles from 1 to 7 degrees Sagittarius, Gemini, Virgo or Pisces.

Saturn (structure, foundation, responsibility) begins the month at 25 degrees Leo where it was in November and where it turns retrograde on the 6th. It will repeat these degrees in July of 2007. Saturn has passed the middle degrees of Leo and has brought career changes and shifts in responsibility to many Leos in addition to restructuring in the house of the chart it rules or where planets in Leo are found. Leo relates to royalty, leadership, performing, entertainment, children and creative talents. During Saturn in Leo hobbies can be developed and turned into businesses. This month’s transit most directly affects those born August 17th-18th, February 13th-14th, November 17th and May 15th-16th as well as those whose charts have planets or angles from 24 to 25 degrees Leo, Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio. Saturn’s last transit thru Leo was 1975 to 1978. Review what was happening in your life about 30 years ago, during the half-cycle of 14-15 years (in Aquarius), the quarter cycle of 7 years (in Taurus) and 21 years, the third quarter cycle (in Scorpio) to understand what Saturn in Leo from July 2005 to September 2007 will mean for you.

Uranus (freedom, rebellion, surprise, invention technology) transits 10 to 11 degrees Pisces, repeating where it was in March, October and November 2006. Most affected are birthdays around March 1st, September 3rd-4th, December 3rd and June 1st-2nd as well as persons or companies whose charts have planets or angles around 10 and 11 degrees Pisces, Virgo, Gemini or Sagittarius. Between March and December 2006 they will need freedom, experience chaos or make radical changes. Uranus will be in Pisces until 2011 and supports social revolution. During 1920, the start of the previous Uranus thru Pisces, Congress granted women the right to vote. It was the “roaring 20’s.” Uranus in Pisces supports artistic creativity with innovation and intellect with sensitivity, leading to modern ways of helping those in need and suggesting that the only way that humanity will survive is by caring for each other and doing what is best for all, addressing humanitarian and global issues such as disaster relief and political decisions made for the good of the masses, not just special interests and the wealthy.

Neptune (sensitivity, inspiration, escapism, dreams, trust) transits 17 to 18 degrees Aquarius, repeating where it was April to June 2005 as well as February, August and September 2006. Neptune relates to intangibles such as imagination, inspiration, art and creative writing as well as prayer, healing, dreams and escapism. Birthdays most affected are February 6th-7th, May 8th-9th, August 10th-11th and November 10th-11th as well as charts with planets or angles from 17 to 18 degrees Leo, Taurus, Aquarius or Scorpio. During the retrograde of Neptune (May-October 2006) was an excellent time to release addictive habits, attitudes or behaviors. Neptune transits bring a lack of focus or direction, a sense of drifting or the inability to see a disappointment, betrayal, error or weakness until it’s too late. It dissolves the past in order to make space for the future. On the positive side this can be a time for healing, faith, psychic insights and artistic creativity. Under Neptune in Aquarius you can develop intuition, musical talents, practice meditation and pay more attention to your own inner guidance. You may also need to watch your back and balance faith with fact to see events clearly, not with wishful thinking or being attached to the dream or vision of what you think might have been.

Pluto (power, control, resources, transformation) transits 25 to 26 degrees Sagittarius, repeating where it was February to May 2006 and where it will be July thru October of 2007. Most affected are birthdays around December 18th-19th, June 17th-18th, March 16th-17th and September 19th-20th as well as charts with planets or angles around 25 to 26 degrees Sagittarius, Gemini, Pisces and Virgo. From February 2006 to October 2007 they will have experienced major changes in life such as marriage, divorce, relocation and/or career and financial challenges. These are times in life when counseling or therapy could be required and self-awareness/motivational work found very valuable. Now that Pluto has completed the 24th degree and is three-quarters of the way thru the sign of Sagittarius, it has brought focus, transformation and paradigm shifts in travel, education, travel, religion, politics and global trade.

Specific indications for the twelve signs are as follows:

Note: In addition to reading about your sun sign, you can get additional information by reading about your moon sign, rising sign and the sign on the Midheaven of your chart.

Nancy Bahlman is a professional astrologer with special interests in relating persons to locations using Astro*Cartography and Local Space Charts. Classes now forming.
(248) 546-5407 chartmates@aol.com