There’s way too much going on this week for a snappy heading! So I’m just going to dive right in.

Venus/Pluto conjunction.  Venus and Pluto conjoined last week and Venus is virtually stationary as she prepares to turn retrograde on Sunday December 19th, so this aspect will continue really until the end of December. when Venus begins to retrograde away from Pluto.  This is a potent combination which has the potential to create deep transformation in our self-esteem as well as our interpersonal connections. Venus is in Capricorn where we tend to have a more practical and pragmatic approach to these matters, making it easier to do the work that Pluto requires in order to effect positive transformation.

Speaking of Venus, Venus turns retrograde December 19. The retrograde cycle of Venus lasts for 40 days (see more on this interesting subject) and like all retrograde cycles offers an opportunity to take a step back and re-assess our values, relationships, priorities, attachments, and principles.  Under Venus retrograde, relationships can be repaired and re-discovered, and while it’s true that these are not the best times to begin new relationships of any kind. a relationship begun under a retrograde Venus can help us to learn more about ourselves.

Mars and Mercury change signs. When planets shift from one sign to the next, there is a change of focus in the matters associated with that sign. Mars has been in Scorpio, one of its rulership signs where it is at its most potent, and the intensity of aggressive force and competition has been palpable.  On Monday the 13th, Mars has just moved into Sagittarius.  This is a big move – from the intensity of Scorpio into the happy optimism of Sagittarius – and this new energy can help us all to be a little more confident in our efforts to motivate ourselves towards something positive.

Meanwhile Mercury also changes signs on Monday, moving from Sagittarius to Capricorn, and for a few weeks our thought and information processing will take more of a practical focus. Capricorn isn’t the happiest sign in the zodiac, but it’s the most helpful for finding ways to focus our attention in order to accomplish a purpose so if there’s something you’ve been wanting to do, now is the time to make the plan!

art by Bychovsky Illustrations

Gemini Full Moon on December 18th at 11:35 pm. The Gemini Moon is ruled by Mercury, planet of the mind and information, expanding our minds and filling us with curiosity and a yearning to understand life’s secrets.  Every Full Moon contains a polarity within it, and while polarities are opposites they always have something in common that links them together.  Gemini and Sagittarius are the most similar of the six astrological polarities – both are concerned with knowledge although they each have a different approach.  Gemini is hungry to learn as much as possible about many different things – there tends to be a lack of discrimination and a deep curiosity about a broad spectrum of topics.  Sagittarius is more focused and seeks a more specialized understanding and tends to be less verbal than Gemini.

Mercury rules this Full Moon, and is locked in a square aspect to Chiron (wounding and healing) which suggests that a soul wound (Chiron) is struggling to emerge and may come to a head at this lunation. However, the Sagittarius Sun harmonizes in a sweet sextile to Jupiter, the solar ruler, which amplifies any confidence and optimism we can muster.  Retrograde Venus and Pluto are still conjunct in Capricorn and this aspect is embedded in the Full Moon chart, inspiring (or forcing!) us to turn within for the re-assessment described above. And finally, Mars is conjunct the South Node of the past, so we may find there is something from the past that must be cleared up before any progress can be made.

Lunar changes this week:

  • The Moon begins the week in Aries.
  • Moon enters Taurus 3:10 am EST on Tuesday December 14.
  • Moon enters Gemini 3:42 pm EST on Thursday December 16 and energies build for the Full Moon.
  • Moon enters Cancer 4:41 am December 19.

My work has always been and will always be free to everyone, but your donations energize and inspire me to continue creating useful content and are gratefully accepted.
Venmo or Paypal

Love the art? You’ll find it on my Pinterest board here.

 

Share this article...