Astrolore’s Weekly Astrology Weather: December 19, 2016 through December 25, 2016

You can anticipate a busy week ahead. Of course, you don’t need astrology to tell you that! If you celebrate any of the holidays surrounding this winter season, you will likely have a very long to-do list that you are working hard to manage.

Monday brings us to the beginning of another three-week Mercury retrograde. Get to work right away making a list of everything that has been left undone over the past few months. Over the next three weeks, you can get a lot accomplished if you stick to working from that list!
Mars changes sign on Monday moving from unique, eccentric Aquarius into mystical, sensitive Pisces. Remember, that Mars represents your ability to take action. Mars is not delighted to be in Pisces, although artists, poets, and mystics can move forward delightfully at this time.
On Wednesday, we come to the Winter Solstice, when the Sun leaves the fun of Sagittarius behind to enter the serious, cautious ground of Capricorn.
The Winter Solstice, which occurs when the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the sun, lasts only an instant in time (December 21, 2016 at 5:44 AM EST), and occurs on the shortest day and longest night of the year. The Sun’s daily maximum position in the sky is at the lowest point in the year at this time as well. The seasonal significance of the Winter Solstice is in the reversal of the gradual lengthening of nights and shortening of days. The light will return.
 
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An astrological consultation with Astrolore or Jennie will clearly show you the larger picture at play, the universal directional path.
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4 Simple Steps to Managing Mercury Retrograde!
When Mercury turns retrograde, everywhere I turn someone will ask (with trepidation and a touch of fear in their eyes) is Mercury turning retrograde AGAIN??
There is so much unnecessary fear and misinformation around Mercury’s retrograde cycles.
I am going to keep these instructions very simple!

1. Don’t be afraid, worried, or concerned!

I know that it is easier said than done, but please forget all the terrible things you have heard about Mercury retrograde! There are no astrological conditions that we need to block from ourselves in fear! We simply need to pay attention to the best use of certain times and Mercury retrograde is one of them.
I honestly LOVE Mercury’s retrograde cycle! I feel like I can finally catch up with all the things that have been left undone since the last retrograde cycle!
After years of watching and working with Mercury’s retrograde cycles, I have come to love these brief periods scattered throughout the year. I feel that they are a gift. We simply must know how to use them!

2. Get a notebook and a pen – Make a list of everything that you have begun but NOT completed in the past few months.

Start with a clean sheet of paper, quiet your mind, and think back over the past few months. On September 22, 2016, Mercury turned direct at 14° Virgo. Since then, he has zipped along through Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, and into Capricorn at 15° where he is now turning retrograde.
Think about what you have been doing since late September. Look through your calendar, your notebooks, your bills, wherever you will find reminders of everything that you have been thinking about and working on since then. Now, carefully make a list of all the things that you have begun but not completed. Dig deep; there are probably more things than you are aware of.
What about that appointment you have been meaning to make? The project that you tucked into a drawer because you couldn’t find the time to complete it? Moreover, we all have communications that have fallen through the cracks, unanswered emails, texts, and phone calls!

3. Get to work! Accomplish what is on this list! Only what is on this list!

Once you have the list made up, it is easy to follow the perfect plan for approximately the next three weeks (Mercury turns direct once again on January 8, 2017).
Get to work, accomplish the things on this list; nothing more, nothing less. That is the whole trick of dealing with Mercury retrograde. Stick with this list!
Our lives are so busy; we zip from one project to another, from one communication to another. We never seem to have the time to slow down and carefully complete the tasks that we have begun.
Mercury retrograde brings us a gift of time to wrap up all those loose ends!

4. Don’t be tempted to start new projects, begin new commitments, new relationships, or new jobs!

This is the time for clean up only. Don’t move forward until Mercury turns direct.
If you follow these simple steps, you will be amazed at how much you can accomplish during these periods!
Good Luck and Get to Work!
 
 
WORKING WITH MERCURY RETROGRADE
Monday, December 19, 2016:
In the wee hours of Monday morning, Mars, the planet that represents assertive action, enters Pisces, the most passive of the signs. Mars will remain in Pisces until January 27th.  During this time, your usual self-confidence and ability to take action may feel that it has been turned upside down. Rather than courageously pushing forward, you may find yourself slowing down, stepping back and attempting to ‘feel’ your way forward. Pay attention to your dreams and intuitions.
At 5:55 AM EST, Mercury stations retrograde at 15° Capricorn; between the softening of your assertiveness (Mars in Pisces) and the somewhat skewed logical thinking of Mercury retrograde, you may feel a bit lost as you adapt to this new territory. Mercury will remain retrograde until January 8th.
The Moon in Virgo supports practical considerations and encourages you to improve your circumstances by reaching for your potential.
4 Simple Steps to Managing Mercury Retrograde!

1. Don’t be afraid, worried, or concerned!
2. Get a notebook and a pen. Make a list of everything that you have begun but NOT completed in the past few months.
3. Get to work! Accomplish what is on this list! Only what is on this list!
4. Don’t be tempted to start new projects, begin new commitments, new relationships, or new jobs!

Mercury retrograde brings us the gift of time to wrap up loose ends!
 
PARADOX AND COMPLEXITY
Tuesday, December 20, 2016:
On Tuesday, you will continue adjusting to the more passive nature of Mars in Pisces and the more inward mental work of Mercury retrograde. Both of these require considerable adjustment. Take time to absorb and understand the change and the challenge. Slow down your actions and your thinking.
At 8:56 PM EST, the Virgo Moon squares the Sagittarius Sun (Third Quarter Square) suggesting that your internal and external realities seem to be working against each other. On one hand, you may be feeling free and idealistic, and yet, somewhat critical and nitpicky. It is important that you allow contradictions and paradox to exist side-by-side without trying to change either side of the equation.
At 9:39 PM EST, the Moon enters Libra, settling your expectations as you seek equanimity, calm, and a diplomatic sense of your connection to others.
The Virgo Moon is VOC* (think of it as being adrift, without focus or connection) from 8:56 PM EST until she enters Libra at 9:39 PM EST. Remember, when the Moon is VOC* there will be no result from anything that is begun. This is neutral; not good, not bad, it simply suggests that whatever occurs will not have significant future impact.
 
SUN ENTERS CAPRICORN – SERIOUSNESS & INTEGRITY

Wednesday, December 21, 2016:
The Sun’s movement into Capricorn heralds the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere.
Here in the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice marks the longest night and shortest day of the year. We encounter late dawn and early sunsets. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere has its longest day and shortest night.
Over the coming weeks, you will see the days get longer; celebrate the return of the light.
As the Sun moves into Capricorn, we enter the most serious time of the year. This is the time to focus on developing maturity and taking seriously our responsibilities and commitments. Capricorn insists that we seek accomplishment; it is important to spend time in solitude to explore and understand how closely you have aligned your life with your highest beliefs and integrity.
The upcoming month is not a time for frivolous activities; focus on accomplishment in order to create your most stable, satisfying future.
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WATCH FOR OVEREXTENDING YOURSELF
Thursday, December 22, 2016:
If you have shopping still to do for your holiday celebration, be practical in your spending. With Jupiter joining with the Libra Moon at 1:30 PM EST, you could easily spend more than you intend. The possibility of over extension could show up in your emotional expenditures as well. Watch for over extension in all areas.
This will be a great day for spending time with family or loved ones. Before the Moon goes VOC*, she forms an opposition to Uranus allowing us to make unusual, exciting, or unpredictable connections with others.
By evening, quiet connection with a partner or close friend, will feel satisfying. Remember, you’re still adjusting to the changes of the past few days (Mercury retrograde, Mars entering dreamy Pisces, and the Sun entering ambitious Capricorn). Rest together, with a partner or friend. Some hours of calm quiet rest may be more important than you realize.
The Libra Moon is VOC* (think of it as being adrift, without focus or connection) from 2:32 PM EST until she enters Scorpio on Friday morning at 9:32 AM EST. Remember, when the Moon is VOC* there will be no result from anything that is begun. This is neutral; not good, not bad, it simply suggests that whatever occurs will not have significant future impact.
 
MYSTERY AND INTRIGUE
Friday, December 23, 2016:
The rest we required on Thursday evening will serve us well when the Moon enters emotionally penetrating Scorpio at 9:32 AM EST. Throughout the afternoon, this powerful Scorpio Moon engages in harmonious conversations with the Sun and Mars.
The intensity of your emotions can be used for practical purposes. You are powerfully driven to push forward as you approach your deepest desires.
This may be a simple day but the results of connections made may powerfully move your life forward.
There is no need to keep your deepest desires undercover. Allow others to support you and offer support to others, as you each engage in the transformation of your lives. A sense of mystery and intrigue show you are on the right path.

 
STABILIZE ECCENTRIC PROCLIVITIES
Saturday, December 24, 2016:
Saturday holds a very important transit that presents important keys to the coming months. At 7:20 PM EST, Saturn trine Uranus; this is the first of three ‘hits’ of this aspect. The second will be on May 19, 2017 and the third on November 11, 2017.
This transit brings the defiant, independent, and eccentric, revolutionary energy of Uranus and the stabilizing, responsible, conservative authority of Saturn into a harmonious conversation. Uranus questions the places where Saturn is stuck. Saturn shows Uranus how to bring responsibility and stabilization to revolutionary shocking realities.
Considering how these two energies may support each other in the midst of our current political catastrophe certainly gives us food for thought. Uranus upsets and revolutionizes; Saturn brings maturity and restriction. Keep in mind that this is a harmonious connection. Harmonious for whom, we must ask?  We have no idea what is happening behind the scenes politically; we do know there are powerful energies at work.
Within the context of your personal life, this may show up as you struggle to stabilize your more eccentric proclivities or work to break out of places where you are stuck. Much depends on where this occurs in your chart. If you have personal planets between 18 and 22 of Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius), you are feeling a deep flow on these issues.
 
LOVE <3
Sunday, December 25, 2016:
It is a delight to find that on Sunday, which so many people are celebrating, provides us with an entire day of the Scorpio Moon VOC*. This enables us to easily relax into a holiday. There is nothing to be done. Enjoy wherever you find yourself. The Scorpio Moon encourages us to stay deeply connected to profound emotions.
Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and sensual pleasures is incredibly active on Sunday. First, she forms a lovely, flowing trine to philosophical Jupiter at 8:22 AM EST allowing your understanding of love and beauty to expand.
When she sextiles Uranus at 11:35 AM EST, she asks you to look outside of your conservative expectations to see unexpected or unusual opportunities that may be presented to create beauty or build on loving connections.
At 1:32 PM EST, she sextiles Saturn offering the possibility of mature stabilization of love. These delightful Venus aspects promise you a delightful day.
Unfortunately, of course, you may have personal transits that override all this pleasure and beauty. Even so, you will feel this; remain open to the enjoyment of it.
As you head into the evening, the Moon enters Sagittarius at 10:19 PM EST, you may want to stay up late enough to spend some time in the expansive emotional energy that comes forward at the time.
Absorb and extend outward to others, all the love that you can muster on Sunday.
The Scorpio Moon is VOC* (think of it as being adrift, without focus or connection) from 2:22 AM EST until she enters Sagittarius at 10:19 PM EST. Remember, when the Moon is VOC* there will be no result from anything that is begun. This is neutral; not good, not bad, it simply suggests that whatever occurs will not have significant future impact.
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* In these weekly reports, I am exploring the major aspects formed by transit between the planets.  I do not consider every aspect that the Moon makes each day as they can be numerous and are often fleeting moods.  I will consider the final major aspect formed by the Moon prior to its VOC* time, as that aspect holds its influence throughout the VOC*.
* The aspects under consideration: conjunctions, textiles, squares, trines, and oppositions.
* The planets I work with: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.