Mercurial Messages through the Zodiac
December begins with blustering energies and stormy situations while willful Mars opposes electrical Uranus, and Mercury retrogrades at the last degree of Sagittarius. Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius for December can help us have jolly moments, make us restless and ready to travel for the holidays, but it can leave us stretched too thin and scattered unless we husband our energy carefully. Honesty furthers, and new layers of revelations flow, but let’s keep our skepticism nearby to sift out misinformation. To use this exciting, exploratory, if willful, energy field, we need to stay centered, prioritize safety and honesty, and look for misunderstandings under any tension.
Let’s keep our lives simple, and stay on target. Make lists, check them twice, forget who is naughty or nice but make sure to follow through on intentions. Order presents early and allow time for corrections and delays. Most of all, keep a sense of humor. Saturn enters Capricorn on December 19, followed by the sun on the winter solstice December 21, and we are called back home to family and traditions. We can sort out the Mercury retrograde follies and travel to our heart’s home for the turn of the year after Mercury turns direct on December 22.
Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 19)…Put safety and kindness first through December 7. Mid-month, communicate succinctly and carefully, and follow up on loose ends. Pick up pieces from the past and make them your own. Re-weave old contacts after the winter solstice, and prepare to take on new responsibility at work in the year ahead.
Taurus (Apr. 20-May 20)…Clarify expectations around your responsibilities to others as the month begins. Tend to long-term health issues and pace yourself; you’ll be healthier and more efficient if you do less and stay focused. Engage an opportunity to expand the heart through compassion, love or creation around the winter solstice.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)…If creative differences cause tension amongst beloveds in early December, keep your heart open; just witness what you see and stay out of the middle. Encourage camaraderie and help others with their complications mid-month, and the helpfulness will be returned from another direction after the winter solstice.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)…If you feel tugged between demands at home and at work in early December, honor the needs of all involved; they need your empathy more than they need specific results. After the winter solstice, center down through personal traditions and moments alone, no matter how busy life gets.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)…If you feel tension between you and your neighbors or siblings, don’t dig in your heels or argue back; practice diplomatic authenticity instead. Take good care of your health around the winter solstice before you get overextended. Find a way of being of service to others while still being kind to yourself.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)…Back away from the tug-of-war and listen to everyone’s concerns if you notice tension around the allocation of resources, of money, materials, time and energy; look for a way to honor all needs. Bond over a creative approach to work, or social justice efforts, after the winter solstice.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)…Some minor conflict in your environment can actually help reconnect you to your core and help you disconnect from the opinions of others. Mid-month, practice contented independence as people around you become distracted or moody; welcome them back as their attention returns after the winter solstice.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)…If Mars stirs the corners of your psyche, listen to the stories but don’t take them as a plan for action. Find a constructive channel for inner tumult and deepen your self-knowledge. Keep communication clear around allocation of resources mid-month, and reconnect to siblings of the heart after the winter solstice.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)…If you feel misunderstood, don’t get mad, get clear; work patiently to clear the fog. Also work to perceive yourself more carefully. It may not be an abundant winter solstice this year, but it can strengthen ties with those with those who are truly present.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan.19)…If caught in disagreements at work, practice leadership through example as the month begins. Sidestep any hint of collusion and focus on the common goal. Process some intense internal dialogues mid-month. Honor your personal needs, rest and re-center for the year ahead after the solstice.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)…It can be easy to argue over philosophy, but will it further? Walk your talk and teach by example. Keep the lines of communication clear and don’t let misunderstandings create unnecessary community tension mid-month. Connect with family of spirit and take a personal retreat time after the solstice.
Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20)…Go gently this month. Let life be a centering exercise, see the humor in small snafus. Don’t get caught up in other people’s melodrama, just love them through their pain. Gentle honesty and humor helps mid-month. Reconnect with old friends, revisit old traditions after the solstice.