|
|
Mercury goes retrograde on December 7, at three degrees Capricorn, until December 27. Mercury retrogrades help us to see, through external events, at what level our Mercury function (or throat chakra) is operating. If our communication skills are lacking in any area, this will be more than apparent when Mercury goes retrograde. Mercury retrograde is a call for greater impeccability in our lives in the areas of speaking, writing, self-expression, and following through on our word. In particular, Mercury’s retrograde in the signs of Capricorn and then Sagittarius on December 13 helps us to more clearly articulate our vision so that we can cause it to be manifest in the world. By clearly stating (in written form, too!) what we want in terms of specific, measurable, tangible results during the retrograde period, we have a much greater chance of manifesting what we want when Mercury goes direct again on December 27 at 17 degrees Sagittarius. Venus moves into the sign of Aquarius December 11 and remains there until January 25, 1998. With Venus in Aquarius, we have an opportunity to broaden or break open our personal value system. Venus in Aquarius helps us to envision a new paradigm of relationship that is in sharp contrast to the codependent model we now have. Since Venus rules the heart chakra, with Venus in Aquarius we want to break free from traditional ways of sharing our heart energy. This could include more openness or experimentation in our relationship forms, wanting to be intimate (not necessarily sexual) with more than one person, desiring to expand our personal love to include expressing impersonal love for those in need of help, and experimentation with different forms of sexuality. Let Venus in Aquarius help you open your heart to greater intimacy and authenticity in all of your relationships. of manifesting it when Mercury goes direct. The full moon in Gemini on December 13 presents the opportunity this month of nurturing ourselves through connecting with others for the purpose of giving and receiving information. It’s a great time to take a class, read up about a subject that broadens your knowledge base, or just get together with friends for stimulating conversation. With the full moon in Gemini, the challenge is to expand our personal network of friends and associates so that we can grow intellectually. Oftentimes we forget about our need for intellectual stimulation, so use this full moon to nurture yourself in this area of your life. Mars in Capricorn is conjunct Neptune from December 14 through December 17. This conjunction is asking us to surrender our personal will (Mars) to divine guidance (Neptune). It’s a particularly interesting transit, as Mars in Capricorn is so into "doing," but with the Neptune influence the emphasis is on "being." Mars/Neptune helps us surrender our strong intention and will so that we can benefit from universal guidance. During the Mars/Neptune conjunction, create strong intentions but then surrender them so that the universe can fill in the details. Deepak Chopra calls this the law of least effort: letting go of the attachment to specific results so that the greatest result can come through us. As we learn how to surrender to this "law of least effort," our ability to manifest little and/or big things in our lives becomes a magical process. Mars is in the sign of Aquarius from December 17 through January 25, 1998. With Mars in Aquarius, the challenge is to focus our will toward greater self-actualization. This may mean looking at any ways that we have been stuck in expressing our willpower or asserting ourselves with others. Mars in Aquarius calls us to break free of any restrictions that keep us from manifesting greater authenticity in our lives. Use the time that Mars is in Aquarius to break through old patterns of making yourself small so that no one will notice. Saturn, which has been retrograde since August 1, goes direct on December 16 at 13 degrees Aries. Basically, this retrograde period has been about taking the time to figure out our game plan for the next two and a half years. Saturn’s two and a half year transit through Aries is a time for us to initiate new actions in our lives that will provide a structure for the accomplishment of our long-term goals. Now that Saturn is no longer retrograde, try to get in touch with the specific, measurable results that would have to be produced in order for you to know that you have reached your goals. The sun goes into the sign of Capricorn on December 21. At the winter solstice, little in nature is left above ground, and all living things have to consolidate and preserve their energies in order to survive the cold of winter. At this time of shorter days and once again increasing light, the earth patiently endures, waiting for new forms to manifest. The Capricorn principle demonstrates how self-reliance and consolidation of power and authority lead to mastery. Our job in the sign of Capricorn is to be positive role models that demonstrate mastery of accomplishment and right use of power and authority. Venus goes retrograde this month from December 26 through February 5, 1998. During Venus’ retrograde we have an opportunity to remove ourselves from the overwhelming and powerful values of the culture so that we can be more objective about what is truly important to us. Freed from the pressures we experience from our family, culture, religion, and society to conform to their values, we have a chance to align our values with our inner selves. With Venus retrograde in Aquarius and moving backward into the sign of Capricorn, we have an opportunity to reinvent our values so that they are rooted in our own unique experience. Once our values are clarified, the natural inclination is to want to share our values with others, to connect and link up with like-minded souls who support our individual values. Since the planet Venus rules or is associated with the heart chakra, there is an additional impetus to connecting with others and sharing what we value with them during this retrograde period. By sharing with and being supported by like minded souls we have an opportunity to share our heart with others; to let down our guard so that we can be truly received and appreciated for who we are. In many ways this retrograde period asks us to look at how we can be more connected with our deepest, most authentic values. James Jarvis, M.A. is a master astrologer and psychospiritual counselor. He is available for astrological and numerological LifePath readings and psychospiritual counseling for individuals and couples Mondays at Bayside Center for Healing in Kirkland [(425) 821-3394] and Tuesdays and Thursdays at East West Bookshop in Seattle [(206) 523-3726]. Join James and Michele Morgan for "State of the Planet 1998: Astrological and Psychic Update for the New Year," January 2nd at East West Bookshop. For a brochure on his services, Transpersonal Training classes starting Jan 12, 1998, or to schedule appointments, please call (206) 774-4975 or e-mail <lifquest @ gte.net>. |
Venus in Capricorn
and Neptune in Capricorn are within a degree of each other, or
conjunct, from December 6 through 10. This Venus/Neptune
conjunction is a classic "manifest your ideals" transit
wherein we have an opportunity to clarify what we value and really
bring our ideals down to earth. With both Venus and Neptune in
Capricorn, we can get in touch with our vision and far-reaching
ideals and retain enough objectivity so that we don’t make
errors in judgment by not seeing all sides of a situation. In
other words, Venus/Neptune in Capricorn helps us to practically
implement our ideals. It is also a call for us to open our hearts
(Venus) so that we can be channels for unconditional love (Neptune)
to flow through us.