18 December 2006 – 24 December 2006
The Week beginning December 18th, 2006
Week as a Whole:
With a New Moon on Wednesday followed closely by the Winter Solstice on Thursday, and both influenced by Mars in square to Uranus, this is a week of endings and beginnings. The Mars – Uranus square suggests a transition more radical than graceful from past into the future. It further suggests that the next three months will set us on a new and uncharted course. We’re finishing energy conditioned by the Sun moving from Saturn to Pluto that enables us to shed old patterns and attitudes. The Mars – Uranus will surprise us with new possibilities and, sadly, increased potential for violence. The week is crammed with potent planetary combinations so many that we may occasionally feel exhausted, and regular breaks to rebalance will be helpful.
On Monday the Sun aligns with Pluto completing the linkage with Saturn that began last Saturday. This chance for an ego reboot will return next summer when the Sun in Leo will again link these two powerful agents of evolution. This is a “heavy” combination that can make every decision, large or small, seem momentous. Keep in mind some are and some aren’t…and in many cases it’s just a feeling, but important changes are happening to us and around us.
Wednesday there is a New Moon at 28 Sagittarius 32 minutes, with a degree symbol of “a fat boy mowing the lawn on an elegant street.” This symbol indicates a disconnect in what we’re seeing in our world. There is the appearance of work by someone who’s never really worked enough to lose weight. If we think about what we’re seeing, there’s an unhealthy pretense of effort by the privileged. The need for real work and sacrifice is implied. I can’t help but think this suggests how the U.S. appears to much of the world.
Notice the six – count ‘em – planets in Sagittarius grouped from 9 to 10 o’clock. That breathless rushing feeling comes from all that Sagittarian energy eager to leap ahead on to the next mountaintop or next idea or next appointment or next whatever. Next being the operative word. The link to Saturn at the 2 o’clock position does help to steady and slow us down a bit. But the Mars – Uranus square is coming into focus and that is anything but calming. People touched by this square will be quite volatile, quick to anger and snap. Restraint of any kind may feel like prison chains. Finding a healthy channel for new activities is worth the effort.
There are no two planets in opposition in this chart, and that indicates a lack of perspective in our thinking. Without the feedback of an opposition, we tend to be subjective and slightly, or more than slightly, out of touch. People lacking oppositions in their birth charts display this inner-directed tendency, people like U.S. President Bush. We should ask for other people’s opinions and points of view since the universe will not supply them automatically. Coupled with all the “full-steam ahead” Sagittarian energy, it’s possible to re-enact the Wiley Coyote dash off the cliff into midair. Meep Meep.
The following evening, Thursday, the Winter Solstice occurs at 7:23pm EST. By this time both the Sun and Moon have shifted forward into Capricorn reducing the Sagittarian crowd to four planets and adding much needed earth energy to the mix. The Sun’s entry into Capricorn has re-created last winter’s resonance between the Sun and Saturn. Saturn is in the Sun’s native sign (Leo) and the Sun is in Saturn’s home sign (Capricorn). We may find ourselves oscillating between Capricornian caution and Leo flamboyance. We also have the chance to strike a healthy ego balance that integrates responsibility with realistic self-worth.
Note in the chart that Mars is at 11 Sagittarius 14 and that Uranus is at 11 Pisces 14. The exact square of these two occurs 6 minutes before the solstice moment. The solstice chart describes the coming three months from now until the Vernal Equinox in March. This exact connection of two aggressive and often violent planets does not indicate a peaceful quarter ahead. Radical political change is likely. The level of politically motivated violence is likely to increase. Situations in Iraq and Darfur will not calm down this quarter. And I hope I’m completely wrong.
We are all challenged this winter to break new ground and refuse to be pigeonholed by other people or by ourselves. The Capricorn Moon and Venus should help to anchor us and help us avoid new for newness sake alone. We should listen carefully to our inner voice when it urges second thoughts and cost considerations. The concerns above about the lack of oppositions apply here as well. Meep Meep again.
Next weekend Mercury retraces the Sun’s path from last week that connected Saturn with Pluto. He links with Saturn on Sunday and then Pluto on Monday. This is a time to articulate our creative will so that others can understand what we want and need. Our speech (Mercury) will have unusual powers to persuade and illuminate. Our words hold fire and can spark the minds of our audience. With Mars – Uranus still in effect, think before sending a fiery shaft of insight into your friend’s consciousness. We can wound as easily as we can heal with this high-powered Mercury.
The time stream calms down after this week; I will be taking a holiday and there will be no reports for the next two weeks. The next Celestial Weather report will be for the week beginning January 8th.
Best wishes to one and all for a wonderful holiday season and a healthy and happy New Year.
Daily Forecasts:
Monday 18 December 2006
Power is changing hands with the Sun aligned with Pluto. When the Sagittarian Moon moves from Mars to Uranus this evening, some of us are likely to feel edgy if not explosive.
Tuesday 19 December 2006
We’re much calmer today and able to understand more of what’s happening as Mercury links with Neptune and Venus links with Uranus this afternoon. The Moon touches Saturn later tonight as we settle into ourselves and the coming New Moon.
Wednesday 20 December 2006
The Moon goes Void at 6:01am/9:01am at the New Moon and armies of fat boys begin to traverse their lawns. The need for personal change toward health should be a part of our New Moon meditations. The Moon enters Capricorn at 8:39am/11:39am.
Thursday 21 December 2006
Despite the inclination to focus inward that comes with the New Moon, Mars and Uranus keep setting off explosions outside that distract us. The Winter Solstice occurs at 4:23pm7:23pm and the Sun begins his slow climb northward as the days grow longer and colder. The Moon has been Void since 8:05am/11:05am. Most of the western world has gone on holiday early.
Friday 22 December 2006
The Moon remains Void until 1:49pm/4:49pm when she enters Aquarius. But there are no connections made today. We’re all looking ahead.
Saturday 23 December 2006
The Moon begins a series of future oriented contacts with the Sagittarian planets that continues into tomorrow. This is time to dream about the future you would like to inhabit. Our future begins in our dreams.
Sunday 24 December 2006
The Moon goes Void at 12:09pm/3:09pm and then enters Pisces at 5:43pm/8:43pm. Despite the other-worldly Pisces feeling, we’re very clear-headed with Mercury making the connection between Saturn and Pluto. Take this time to speak your dreams and plan ahead with your family.
Long Range Forecast:
February 13th – Mercury begins three weeks of retrograde motion that ends on March 7th. Signing important documents should be postponed. Plan to best use this time to re-organize all things mental and communicative. Expect to lose and find something.
Long-Long Range Forecast:
April 14, 2009 – December 21, 2010 - Saturn makes a series of squares to Pluto newly in Capricorn. The end of business-as-usual politics. The nationalistic dinosaurs will enter their twilight times. The transition to organic regional government will not be smooth…the result may be some corporate feudal mixture.
June 24, 2012 – April 17, 2015 - Uranus in Aries forms his first major hard aspect to Pluto, a square angle, since they were aligned in the second half of the 1960’s. Hippie dreams may come true when the ecology and/or petroleum-based economies fail. Plan to live where there is food and water and you don’t need a car. Plan to live where you’ll know your neighbors…maybe even love them. What a thought! We may have to choose between eating grain on a commune or growing very thin in the city.
Notices for Los Angeles area readers:
Ongoing Classes:
10:30am Class in Astrological Methods - Heroes and Villains. On Hiatus until January 13th.
Lectures:
January 7th – 10:00am: a discussion of the Full Moon followed by a talk at 11:00am entitled “Cancer roots and Capricorn branches.” At the New Age Center, 1139 Lincoln Boulevard, 310-395-4346.
Visit the Celestial Weather Web Site at http://www.celestialweather.com
Copyright 2006 Rich Humbert