by James Jarvis, M.A. By adding the universal year 1999 (1+9+9+9=28) to the 12th month of December, we come up with the vibration of 40/4. The 40/4 month is about practical accomplishment on the physical plane. This month the challenge is to develop single-pointed focus and concentration. It is also a time to learn how to delegate responsibility to others. By letting go of the need to be overly responsible or in control, you will empower others to tap into their own innate abilities to be productive as well.
December 5-11 Mars sextiles Chiron and Pluto
Mars in Aquarius is in positive relationship with both Chiron and Pluto in Sagittarius from December 5-11. These combinations speak to the channeling of tremendous willpower (Chiron/Pluto) into humanitarian causes (Mars in Aquarius). Hopefully, we will see a tremendous global relief effort benefiting those that are in need of physical sustenance and emotional support. On a personal level, this is a good time look at how we can each help out in this area. Is there a particular humanitarian cause that speaks to you? Look to the issues where you are feeling outraged or "righteously indignant." This will give you a clue as to where you truly want to make a difference.
December 5 Venus enters Scorpio
Venus journeys through the sign of Scorpio from December 5 until December 30. Venus in Scorpio is a very powerful placement, and calls us to pay attention to the deepest parts of who we are. The reason the sign of Scorpio is so often maligned is that it represents the process of purification of what psychologists call the shadow. These are the powerful emotions that most people find very difficult to deal with: rage and other forms of intense anger, jealously, sexual intensity, and grief.
The Scorpio process demands that we dive into the center of this intensity and embrace it as a vital part of our humanness. For many, though, there is a great fear that if they truly embrace their intensity they will surely die. As a result, many people choose to repress their emotional intensity, their sexuality, and their vitality.
The moon in Sagittarius invites us to move intoour own wisdom by practicing and experiencing the presence of spirit in our lives.
Venus in Scorpio is a call to integrate these "taboo" areas into the heart of who we are. Use this time to access how open you feel to expressing the Scorpio force in your relationships. Are you suppressing your passion or vitality because of restrictive messages you received during childhood? Do you fear that if you were to express the intensity of your emotions you would blow your loved ones away? Venus in Scorpio is a time be a spelunker of your emotional depths; to explore how you can access and release more aliveness and vitality in your relationships with others.
December 7 New moon in Sagittarius
On December 7, we have a new moon cycle starting at 15 degrees Sagittarius. A new moon occurs when the sun and moon are in the same sign, and signifies the joining of solar and lunar energies. With each new moon, we have an opportunity for a new quality to emerge into our consciousness.
With the moon in Sagittarius, the focus this month is on emotional self-expression, heightened idealism, and nurturing ourselves by embracing our spiritual quest. Moving beyond the love of spiritual knowledge (books, classes, workshops), the moon in Sagittarius invites us to move into our own wisdom by practicing and experiencing the presence of spirit in our lives.
December 10 Mercury enters Sagittarius
Mercury will be in the sign of Sagittarius from December 10 until December 29. With Mercury in Sagittarius, there is a focus on broadening ones mental faculties. The Sagittarius energy helps us to tap into our natural wisdom rather than relying on external knowledge. This involves learning to trust our own ability to be in the presence of our wisdom.
To really trust our wisdom requires that we allow ourselves to be in the moment; to sink into the part of ourselves that is the wise old man or wise old woman. Mercury in Sagittarius is calling us to allow higher wisdom to flow through us. Its a time when we can truly trust our natural way of knowing and share our wisdom with the world.
December 18 Pluto conjunct Chiron
Pluto in Sagittarius will be within one degree of Chiron in Sagittarius from December 18 until January 7, 2000. With Chiron and Pluto conjunct in Sagittarius, the focus is on healing the wounds we have around trusting our inherent wisdom. On a personal level, it is a time for our sages and philosophers, our wise women and men, our crones and priestesses (you know who you are), to come out of hiding and to share their wisdom!
It is now time to throw off the injunctions that have prevented us from speaking the truth as we know it.
Pluto and Chiron in Sagittarius will empower the truth, but only if it is spoken. It is now time to throw off the injunctions (from past and present lives) that have prevented us from speaking the truth as we know it. This may look like letting go of the thought that we must have advanced degrees or special training to validate and prove our spiritual authority, or it may require that we learn to let go of the conscious mind long enough so that our inherent wisdom can surface on its own without censoring.
December 21 Sun enters Capricorn
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 ever-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 who demonstrate mastery of accomplishment and right use of power and authority
December 22 Full moon in Cancer
This month, the full moon is very at home in the sign of Cancer, the symbol of the Great Mother. The focus this month is on discovering what we need for nurturing and comfort. Most of us are better at nurturing other people than ourselves, so this month is about "nurturing the nurturer."
Spend some time by or in the water (preferably hot) this month. Examine your needs for being dependent on others. Is it really hard for you to ask for help? Do you go out of your way to look independent so you dont have to acknowledge your dependence needs? Open yourself to the nurturing influence of "the Mother" this month; you might be surprised at how she is always close to you through a myriad of helpful friends and loved ones!
December 30 Venus enters Sagittarius
Venus journeys through the sign of Sagittarius from December 30 until January 24, 2000. With Venus in Sagittarius, the focus is on sharing our joy and enthusiasm with others. The root word of enthusiasm is en theo or "in God," and it is this attribute of divine inspiration represented by the sign of Sagittarius that wants to flow from our hearts at this time of year. Again, the focus is not so much on what we say or believe, or even give to each other in the form of gifts, that counts. What really counts with Venus in Sagittarius is our ability to share our presence our love, energy, and receptivity with others.
December 30 Mercury enters Capricorn
Mercury will be moving through the sign of Capricorn from December 30 until January 18. Mercury in Capricorn activates our left-brain abilities of logical, sequential, and linear thought. With Mercury in Capricorn, your ability to focus on strategy will be enhanced, and you will probably find it easier to map out what steps you will need to take to manifest your goals. Or it may be that at this time you will be able to more clearly focus your mind on what your actual goals are.
This is a great time to accomplish a lot, particularly if the focus is on writing, speaking, or any form of communication. Its also a great time to physically ground all of the details youve been tracking in your mind by making master lists of what you want to accomplish and then prioritizing the goals on your lists. Mercury in Capricorn helps us to manage and structure the contents of your mind so you can plan in detail how you are going to go about accomplishing your goals.
Use this time to get linear, logical, and organized! Mercury in Capricorn helps us focus our minds in a systematic way. If attention to details is a problem for you, usually this transit can help out. If making lists of things to do is difficult, get out some large paper and crayons, and just brainstorm all the things youve wanted to do. Just getting it out of your brain and onto paper will help you be more objective about what to do next!
James Jarvis, M.A. is a master astrologer, professional life coach, and transpersonal counselor. He combines an M.A. in Transpersonal Counseling, 28 years experience with Eastern and metaphysical traditions, and 15 years coaching and empowering clients to actualize their full potential. James will return to Seattle January 6, 7, 10, and 11 for individual consultations and to present his yearly State of the Planet lecture Friday, January 7, at East West Bookshop. For information, call (206) 523-3726. James is available for astrological consultations and life coaching sessions by phone. For a brochure of his services, or to schedule a complimentary half-hour life coaching session, call (831) 688-0574 or e-mail: jamesjarvis@mciworld.com.
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