Peace on Earth

21ST The Sun enters Sagittarius ~ Happy Birthday Sagittarians! This very high-spirited energy is cheerful, positive, spontaneous, fun loving and curious. If we can position ourselves under its influence if we feel held back or weighted down we will seek buoyancy by moving on from such things. This carefree tendency would shirk the restriction of organisation too. There will be increased playfulness, a need for freedom, independence and serendipity which includes a tendency to stretch out in all directions. We will have no endurance for jealousy or being dictated to. Questions draw us into broader subjects, books, movies or the web for information. Automatic pilot jumps to conclusions, forms assumptions or speaks before thinking.

When under the influence of this sign there can be blinders on our willingness to see opposite viewpoints. Duality and paradox will teach consideration and objectivity while it expands our focus. Many will answer the call of the outdoors expending energy in winter sports. Momentum can easily pick up whisking us off in each course of direction without reaching the objective. So taking little steps will have longer range effects. This is an ideal time for expansive research, drawing from new sources, and journeys of the body and spirit.

With Venus entering Scorpio we explore our emotional depths; to see how we can access and release more aliveness and vitality in our relationships. Fascination for intriguing adventure, thrill of amusement and sex, or some other obsession can become addictive. Feelings will be intense and existing relationship ties will deepen. We are called to pay attention to the private parts of who we are and we experience extreme and immediate reactions to people.

We would be sensitive to and possibly paranoid of conspiracy in our affairs. We are focused on how open we feel in expressing ourselves and survey the restrictive mind messages that are suppressing our passion and vitality. Accepting the fact that we project these realities into our experience we need to ask ourselves what fear or intensity blows the possibility of fulfilment away? We can have innocent experiences that break the "taboo" or forbidden.

Scorpio represents humanity's shadow; the powerful emotions of rage, anger, jealously, sexual intensity and grief that most people find difficult to deal with. These aspects of Venus in Scorpio will make us feel vulnerable in relationship. Feelings are too complicated and difficult to put into words if we anticipate rejection, or are concerned with being misunderstood. The possessive and controlling instincts will alienate others by not giving them enough space.

23RD An air of austerity affects most everyone. For those with a strong work ethic, willingness to shoulder personal responsibility and are well grounded in their relations with others there is much progress. We can form strong commitments, contracts or partnerships. But for others, stress around limiting belief systems, personal insecurities, or fears of commitment may become obstacles in the way.

Too many conditional demands can be presented when things are out of harmony. Some come on strong to intimidate or overpower. Relationship with a considerable age difference will need to resolve projection. The younger can be overpowered by an older; sometimes a cold merciless authority. Partnerships created for material security, formed due to social or personal pressure and perhaps duty will be a poor reflection of a meaningful relationship. Feelings of oppression, frustration, and dependency spring from these conditions.

Chaos, restlessness, impulsiveness, a sense of urgency, accident, disruption of the status quo, drastic action and many changes of plan are examples of how influences of this time can be felt. Room for improvement comes through reorientation which flows through these conditions. We receive the karmic results of our use of free will too. There are consequences for our actions depending on what we have caused. Motive is always important, so what is experienced now depends upon the purity of intent. Cause and effect cannot be escaped; we create it we fix it.

The egotistical individual will fare the worst. They are obvious because of their demands. The recognised and realised ego will be an example of change. An accident would result from frustration, egotistical behaviour, feeling restrained, impulsiveness, distraction, or simply moving too quickly to be safe. Explosive change only happens if we need to break away. New solutions lie dormant until we act on them. The unexpected brings new opportunities and new solutions.

Energies descend into the realm of the past picking up burdens of anger, hurt, pain or unresolved warfare. It is time to heal not bear arms with the ghosts of the past. Unexpressed anger when ignited can be ugly, vile and violent. Meditate, mediate and meet when calmer heads prevail. An upwelling of courage gives us super powers. The animus is actively seeking supremacy and is licensed to do anything in the name of survival. Anger and wilfulness surface in the archetype of the warrior. Greed can strike the hearts of the underprivileged. Those who feel they have no rights can become explosive. Illness as a way of controlling others can manifest. Fevers, anaemia, hot rashes, headaches, weak muscles or suicidal feelings occur if someone feels people have turned against them.

24TH We are fiery, impetuous and passionate during the Gibbous Moon which should heat up romantic relationship and increase retail profit. Most importantly we need to value ourselves, be true to our values and avoid the pitfalls of being human. The weak willed fall prey to many temptations that they enjoy in the moment and regret later. The resolute and secure of us will find the right connection or get on track with our pathway of purpose. It is a crossroads that will test the integrity of self. What happens will depend on our motive and intention. Watch out for those who are purely out for themselves. Avoid high crime areas. The police will be busy with domestic disputes.

We pay attention to where we are inclined toward giving our power away for the benefit of relationship. This opposes interests that are central to our being and creates tension with our ability to direct energy into personal goals. It is important to uphold the deepest essence of self. Relationships that form now probably have some connection to work or are formed while doing chores and errands. Focus is turned inward so there is a notable absence of intimacy, a pulling back or withholding emotionally. Issues in existing relationship are equality, scorekeeping, conflict between demands and needs, not sharing values, excessive expectation and attempts to control, manipulate or overpower. Be very clear in creating boundaries and communicating expectations. We must not sell ourselves short or expect others to do that for us. Most of all do not take things personal.

We can decide to be more disciplined. With the help of stabilising influence it is not as difficult to get out of bed in the morning. Our actions are well scripted and we feel in control of our impulses. This is a good time for hard physical work. We have more endurance to finish what we start. We can prevail over adversity. There is a streak of persistent. It is an especially good time to start a diet and exercise program. We can get in touch with our bodies and we see them for what they are. Self-discipline and self-motivation, a cooling of passions, increased focus in work and activities, and a sense of purpose are coming on-stream. We feel in control of our passions and our impulses, and we face life with more purpose and maturity. We are more practical than usual, and our progress in most projects is perhaps slow but steady. This is an opportunity that needs to be grabbed.

25TH Focus, extreme narrowed attention to personally relevant stimuli at the expense of other stimuli, takes us out of the loop with others. A build up of chores, jobs, responsibilities and requirements is the centre of our devotion. This can be painful for those wishing to attend to self-development or social enjoyment. Discontent and dismay can be prevalent around what we are committed to. Long range goals consume our time and can cause us to sink into loneliness and isolation if we do not consciously try to pick ourselves up. Patience and self-discipline as well as willingness are needed to sort out priorities.

Sorting out our relationship to authority adds meaning to life. We need to be honest with ourselves when we analyse the layers of personality surrounding authority. It will be telling if we can realise where we assume too much authority at the cost of other people's integrity or if we are unable to cooperate with another's authority. Hang-ups, especially repression and denial, will come to the surface but some people simply sink in deeper. Being truthful is very important on the evolutionary scale, if that is important. Being forewarned is being forearmed; this can be a workaholic drudge with many difficulties. All we can do is bear with it. For the realistic person there is nowhere to run.

26TH  Mercury turns direct with a punch. There is a lot of assertion to this forward movement so be careful what is said to whom and how, we need to control our emotions, words and actions to avoid going overboard. Maintaining control is possible but it is not our first response. The rush of this ability to move forward needs to be creative not just assertive. So many changes have occurred since November 6th that we need to be organised and focused as we take our first steps. We will be weaving what we have come to comprehend during the retrograde into our experiences of life and its higher understanding now that it is direct. Curiosity is enhanced and we are looking for listeners. But if everyone is looking for listeners we need coordination so everyone will get heard. We are consciously choosing different pathways; variety instead of familiarity. Our quest is a more fulfilled sense of purpose. It requires letting go. To evolve we must let go and let nature take its course. We need to trust that whatever must be eliminated from our life makes room for what is meant to be in our life.

27TH If we have not done what is meant to be done by now we will be under great pressure. Karma surfaces in everything we are involved in whether we choose it or it is chosen by others and we are a part of it seemingly through no fault of our own. Own it, know that it belongs and it cannot be blamed away on others. This is a time when the individual seeking self-realisation will stand out head and shoulders above the rest; sterling in the face of adversity. They will be a shining example of endurance, perseverance and alchemical ingenuity.

Natural forces are at an accelerated high pitch. They have been building since September 25th. The strength of this energy is synonymous with earth change, natural disaster, explosions, eruptions, accident or fire. Manmade acts of violence could include: mob violence, gang warfare, constructive protests going wrong, homicide, terrorist acts and bombings. Overt energy becomes covert and manipulative. Be more careful and cautious depending on where you are. This is very raw energy reaching eruption intensity.

Each individual experiences a stirring of the deepest part of our psyche. We are freed from attachment by realising what really sustains us in moments of crisis or loss. But this can also ignite repressed anger, compulsion and difficult to control urges so there will be a clearing. In our individual situations we are able to clear the air of ongoing conflicts. We transform negative into positive power. Real power stems from the creative integration of life experience. It is an appropriate time for renewal and psychological work. It is time for empowerment.

We have the opportunity to accomplish a profound objective or to wreak havoc the choice is ours. Strong energies will magnetically attract people with equal strength. Power struggles are avoided if we maintain a mindfulness of interdependence. Extreme events can nevertheless occur. Medical procedures, heavy cleaning, and elimination are needed.

28TH The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse illuminates the "I am" and shines its reflection upon the "We are". It is clear we each connect with an understanding of where our path needs to go. In many cases the "I" will blend with the "We" and the path is parallel. There are many other situations there will be the need to liberate from the detour a relationship would put us on. Residence issues are in a state of flux. Financial issues and custody of children can be lethal battles. We seek to escape the harshness of our everyday burden through reading, watching movies or seeking other creative entertainment. Comedy is a healthful recreation. Laughter is good medicine.

When things are breaking down there is no either or, right or wrong, black and white answer. We need to co-create our reality in terms of inclusivity. Find a way to satisfy the needs of everyone involved by participating in a co-committed way. Even where there is difficulty, we can create a very strong partnership by working on our differences now. There are difficult choices and some conflict and we need non-traditional answers. Notice the father issues that surface, let them go, we do not need to carry these around with us throughout our lifetime. Whether male or female, we need to claim our masculine side in our own way according to our own image. We can work things out with others and still remain true to ourselves.

December 1st Consider for a moment the notion of unconditional love and what that really means. This will help us find ourselves during a time when it is hard and confusing to do what is best to love one's self. Letting go of attachments that hold us back and reconnecting to our own web of life is key. It is easier to lean back on our dependency needs and continue with what we are used to. But there is no resolve to be found there. How we have been loved and cared for has an impact on us now. But it is how we need to love and care for ourselves that we are seeking. If we love ourselves more and take better care of our own needs then we are ultimately better at fulfilling the needs of others.

The abundant energy brewing can be risky and overwhelming. The mind floods with stimuli that will tax the circuitry while it expands our inner spectrum. Most of all we need to recognise where we are involved in an inappropriate way. This can be conflictive as we must make choices that move away from what was. Meanwhile we can be so consumed with what we are attending to that we expose ourselves to accident or incident. Taking on too much inwardly, or being stretched in the outer life, and trying to go too far too fast creates clumsiness. Our minds are so engaged that we lack control of the physical body. So rashness is a problem. Restless energies are impulsive, we cannot stand still.

What we have left undone will trip us up in our eagerness to move forward. We must clean up our act and step away. But self-discipline is lax; we stretch our compliances, take liberties and exercise other abstract freedoms. We play mind games with ourselves. Competitive instincts are intertwined with taking care of others or being in service to others and mixed together with unrealistic expectations. We are left drained and unappreciated if we try to help. Others feel we have put them down. It is a no-win.

2ND People are important during the Disseminating Moon. Our social connections, friendships, significant relationships related or otherwise and circle of connectivity will be the hub of our operations. While there are still financial woes and worries in the air there is also a more positively curious atmosphere amongst most people willing to do what must be done. Focus needs to be on food, health and proper sleep or hygiene. We are processing the many intensely profound events of recent times. These will change everyone touched by them.

4TH Ceres regresses back into Gemini reminding us to be with friends, listen to others, talk to them, learn, educate ourselves and teach others. This is a part of the ability to nurture the self we are developing. With all the shock and awe of recent times we need to feed the nervous system to restore and maintain good health. Those who feel intellectually inadequate attempt to impress or manipulate others. Food festivals or gatherings are likely. Be careful as small incidents can involve cars or driving.

6TH We are spinning our wheels duringthe Last Quarter Moon. Emotions run high. The spirit of things will soar. The unknown and worrisome is put aside. We must therefore be extra careful not to over-ride our reality, break the bank or overstep our boundaries. Good times can be had by all if these extremes are avoided. It can be a boost, a change of routine and a chance to get away from home to do something different.

7TH An out of the blue influx of low physical energy causes physical strain. There is susceptibility to allergy, minor infection, chill and fever. Conserve energy and confront fear. Repolarise rather than cave-in. Other people's advice is demoralizing. No matter how much we wish for it the consequences we have created by our actions will not go away. Stressful feelings of doubt, discouragement and inadequacy arise. Sudden upsets occur with hopes and wishes, friendships and group endeavours. This time of release and commitment requires personal sacrifice. Motive is important. When feeling hopeless and self-questioning we give up and take the easy way out. Desperation gives rise to deceitful action. Evasiveness provides discouraging consequences. Take the high road.

9TH Happy Hanukkah!When we run into blocks and challenges we shift our inner focus adapting to the new information. If we go back over what has been done before we eliminate a backlog by correcting mistakes. With what is normally a masculine expression turned feminine we are interested in things central to our being. However, our willpower and inner dialogue need to be brought into alignment. We need to concentrate and direct our energy to make this an easier and productive time.

This is a serious and sombre Balsamic Moon. It is the dreaming stage of our lunar cycle but our rational mind is turned toward facts, figures and details. The seed ideas that come of this time will be constructive and remedial. Our vision quest can be nonetheless potent, in fact made even more so by the tone and tenure of the planets. While paying attention to the surface value of things we sometimes forget to make right the infrastructure that supports it. Keeping that in mind, being resourceful and thorough, the journey of exploring potentials for the month ahead can be exciting.

10TH Mercury is re-entering Sagittarius after its retrograde back into Scorpio. We reacquaint ourselves with the quickening that stimulated the molecules of our being back in late October early November. Having dipped back into the transformational pond we enjoy a return to enthusiasm, hopefulness, optimism and curiosity. We are restless, buoyant, have many questions and want to have fun. Our mind and mouth are quick to blurt out what might be too blunt or we might enjoy the shock and awe of delivery. The impulse is to pester, pick other people's brains. But it is easier to let go of erroneous beliefs.

13TH The New Moon is lively. Expect the unexpected. Serendipity will cause many to cross paths. Positive surprise is exciting. Enthusiasm and cheerfulness buoys wellbeing. Strategies lead to understanding. The true source of chronic illness is revealed. For some it will be the misplaced sense of responsibility for those who should be responsible for themselves. Others may discover the depth and breadth of pollution in the air, water and food supplies. New approaches to drugs and alternative treatments are favourable. So many people want to travel but are unsure of where to go.

Get ready to invite chaos and excitement into life. The pent up energy of Uranus retrograde is released as it turns direct. Intuitive, telepathic, clairvoyant and inventive impulses flow. Meditation leads to new insights. A gurus' input is positive. Inspirations lead to positive solutions. Knee-jerk reactions can thrust us into a position we did not anticipate. Uranus has a job to kick us out of our rut to remind us that change is the only thing we can really count on. Try and stay centred. We need to do things that ground us and bring our life back into a simple focus. We need to provide stability by maintaining routines important to our inner essence. Otherwise be ready for leaps forward.

High speed deconditioning will fast forward to egalitarian response patterns as we are attempting to adapt to in the moment. New and different choices test our perceptions and loyalties. We are mutating, reassessing our place in the world and involvement with other people and things, trying to maintain compliance but are rocked out of our habituation. A merge has to occur between perception and need. Frustrations and dissatisfactions with one's marital or parental role, childhood and children will surface. This is meant to shake us out of our old response patterns.

What we thought we understood, we do not know anymore. We wonder what the truth of every matter actually is. The impulses or risk-taking we are quick to act on will be against our better judgement. Old patterns, wounds, blockages, complexes, anger or unresolved issues are triggered with the intention of transmuting them. How we handle the restless clash of competitive instincts, ideals and values will set us apart from others as well as from who we used to be. Wherever things are broken we can figure out how to fix it by thinking unconventionally

There can be either great pain or great anger in this process. Letting go, authenticating our expectations and accepting diversity means we have to be willing to be a maverick, follow the pioneer within, take a risk or choose an avant-garde path. Whatever life hands us; we need to find a way to make it work in a way never before tried. We need to follow our instincts, reach for more freedom and let innovation lead us toward a broadening that expands our horizons of what can be. Instead of settling for what there is, be the perpetual seeker of what can be created.

For some this influence can encourage passive-aggressive behaviour. Otherwise it can lead to bullying, criticism, quarrels, breaking the rules, defensiveness, wearing blinders and being one-pointed.

15TH Fun loving interest in playing games or simply being enthusiastic our flexibility inspires us to crave something new. With Venus in Sagittarius relationships can expand as well as our personal taste in clothing, art or home decoration. Free spiritedness enters the relationship realm also so know that people simply need more space to find themselves or express their true selves. It takes nothing away from us to give it to them. Boundary crashing and the verbal foot in mouth dance are symptoms of taking this energy too far out of bounds. We can be drawn to nature, sports, plants, stones or wild life as in zoos. Observe what others do when given too much rope. It is a worthwhile exercise during this occupation. This high moral plane inspires a connection with whatever we consider to be divine and the development of unconditional compassion. Our hearts can grow through mindful sharing and loving receptivity. Art and music take us out of our normal bounds and we want whatever is natural, large and impressive.

16TH The Crescent Moon phase is very promising. It incubates; hatches, develops new forms of income as well as makes profitable our most important activities. Positive input from others comes when it is necessary. Our essential motivation is creating the connections needed to create our quest. Old friends are important. We see ourselves so much clearer through their eyes. Transitional energies are at work to make sure we do not go down the wrong path. We simply cannot seem to make those connections. Confusion and lack of clarity would interfere with illusionary ideas.

18TH Since we are turned inward to follow our own path we can identify where others are limiting our freedom or compromising our rights. There is turbulence so if anything narrows our options or limits our scope it will generate resentment. The atmosphere is impulsive and forceful. Defence mechanisms, reactions, discomfort or anxiety can impede. Objectivity sizes up the situation. Pure selfishness and self-interest will be domineering and overbearing. Overestimating takes on too much and foolish risks lead to accident. Be wary of overexcitement, overconfidence, a lack of moderation and the inclination to hasty action and opinion. Curb financial overextension. Understanding the situation with insight, employing an acute sense of timing, and staying within our limitations in a self-aware manner we can amaze others with our luck. Those who think they are super-human test their strength to find out they are an ordinary human being.

Juno in Capricorn creates and cements long term relationship or causes some to decide to forego marriage. To have the most positive result we will have to make sure the conditional aspects each partner brings to the relationship are workable. This influence is not as favourable for a lopsided relationship in which one side is in charge and controls the other who is obedient. Equality is the primary quality of an enduring commitment. If a need for respect and stability is threatened, one or both sides will withdraw emotionally to contemplate their options. Social acceptability and propriety is more important than emotional sharing in this environment. We want to lead, we want to be followed. We must not use our power and conviction to hurt someone who relies on us to shore up their self-image. We look for people to help us navigate the social world. Juno in Capricorn favours building financial and business success. If under stress, we may feel like a social misfit, or that our place in society is not good enough.

19TH Even though we want to work cooperatively with others there are some circumstances that make us feel so headstrong that we no longer want to do them. There is a better and more creative solution or direction. There is some defensively aggressive energy in the air that can affect people's reactions. Nonetheless it is a favourable time to take a firm stand in a highly creative way. Gender equality and creative independence are important issues.

The First Quarter Moon breaks up old conditions that are holding us back. It may come as a shock rather than a plan nevertheless it clears the decks so we can find ourselves in a better position. Be careful with finances, we feel like cutting lose and going for what we want maybe as a surprise for others but it is the wrong idea. Conserve and scale down. So many relationships are affected by confusion, disorientation, dysfunction and fear. Keep calm and carry on.

20TH The bonds that hold people together are slipping. They are morphing into greater balance. Some can experience dissatisfaction with how others care for them. Repressed anger over feeling dominated, overruled, incompetent, inadequate and powerless can surface. The effort we need to make is to adapt, adjust, apply more effort and allow the changing circumstances. It can simply be one person's need for more independence. Otherwise it can be someone's ambition that needs achievement. These adjustments are necessary for continuance. Call upon courage, confidence and self-reliance to balance fear with adequacy. We tend to avoid the needy and we are suspicious or over reactive in response to them. Physical activity will improve vitality and help to balance willpower.

We cannot be led, there is no argument supporting tradition and we will not indulge the frivolous. Transformation puts a clash into life. We are changing, growing and expanding therefore our conditions of compatibility are different maybe changing still. Even deep transformative experiences seem out of place with keeping up appearances. We cannot avoid complication and will feel stifled and frustrated if we try. The task is to bring conundrum, paradox, riddle, contradiction or puzzle into harmony. It is a highly creative process at work that is equally as challenging.

21st Happy Winter Solstice ~ The shortest day of the year. Each day after this gets longer. The increase in daylight fluctuates between seconds and minutes every day until the Equinox then the light regularly increases by four minutes every day.Happy Birthday to all Capricorns! 

Also, Happy Blessed Twelfth B'ak'tun ~ it is the end of the Mayan long-count calendar when it is reset to begin again marking a new age.

25th Merry Christmas

26th Happy Kwanzaa

January 1st Happy New Year 2013 ~ We will continue mopping up from 2012