CHEERS — it’s time to eat, drink and be merry!  With the Sun  now in the sign SAGITTARIUS, the holiday season is officially underway.  Kick up your heels and let the good times roll!  A spirit of hope, optimism and generosity is in the air — it’s the month for counting your blessings, sharing your abundance and giving thanks for the good in your life.  Allow the gratitude to flow!  You can find much joy through connecting, communicating and celebrating with family, close friends and co-workers.  ‘Tis the season to be jolly! 

Following the challenges, conflicts & storms of the past SCORPIO month, we are definitely ready for an attitude adjustment! SAGITTARIUS—a mutable fire sign—is associated with inspiration, truth, wisdom and knowledge.  Educational, religious, spiritual and philanthropic ideals will be illuminated during this solar month (along with the sparkling holiday lights).  Hopeful thoughts and prayers for peace will encircle the earth, as this sign is aligned with global consciousness, international affairs and foreign cultures.  We are reminded that we share a common humanity with all beings on this earth — we are one world!

A philosophical, optimistic & adventurous perspective is in play during the SAGITTARIAN month; you may feel fired up to extend your horizons, explore new viewpoints and travel to faraway places ‒ the world is your playground! This is also a great time to catch up on your reading, sign up for winter classes, join a gym, initiate a writing project or take advantage of marketing and networking activities. Stretch your legs, expand your mind and extend your vistas; listen to your inner truth and speak what’s in your heart.

Jovial SAGITTARIUS (ruled by Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system) is infamous for excess and extravagance — no wonder we tend to overindulge during this month!  Since Jupiter is currently in quirky AQUARIUS, this holiday season could have quite a different and unique flavor.  Traditional approaches will be transformed and replaced with a spirit of spontaneity, unpredictability and ingenuity. Social justice, racial & gender equality and progressive ideas may dominate the conversations.  Be original, inventive and unconventional in how you celebrate and interact with others this year!

This fiery SAGITTARIUS month gets off to a particularly intense beginning, accompanied by the peak of “MOON WOBBLE” (the midpoint of a 2-week period of instability due to the Sun-South Node conjunction of November 23).  This symbolizes a time for controlling your impulses and delaying any important decisions for at least the next few days, as all the facts aren’t in yet. This is the first of three conjunctions to the South Node this month, a dicey aspect which tends to shine a light on unresolved issues from the past.  Take on the challenge of clearing up old hurts, disappointments or misunderstandings in family relationships — the truth will set you free!

The flames will be further fanned as Mercury joins the Sun in SAGITTARIUS on November 24.  It will seem that the whole world  is restless and on the move!  Many will travel far and wide to be with loved ones over the Thanksgiving holiday, catching up with each others’ lives and sharing  stories, opinions, good humor, sports, food & drink.  Laughter and lightheartedness can counterbalance the potential for communications to get out of control with the bombastic Mercury-South Node conjunction on November 25.  Do your best to tamp down political rhetoric and replace it with respectful conversations for the sake of peace & harmony! The need to stay safe & healthy, especially with regards to socializing, shopping & traveling, will have us carving out some different traditions this season.

The illuminating Sun-Mercury conjunction in SAGITTARIUS on the 28th could inspire stimulating conversations, as well as encourage deeper understanding of each other’s point of view.  The Hanukkah celebrations that evening may be especially bright and meaningful.  The practical Mercury-Saturn sextile on the 29th will support a realistic & grounded approach to things, as well as help ease you back into the normal week routines.  It also happens to be Cyber Monday, the perfect day for catching great bargains online.

Empathy, kindness and compassion will be inspired by the sensitive Mars-Neptune trine on November 29, followed by the caring Venus-Neptune sextile on November 30.  A healing vibration is in the air; music, dance, meditation, massage, foot reflexology, essential oils, hydrotherapy and furry friends could be especially helpful now.  Pay special attention to your dreams around this time, as they could reveal some deep psychological insights.  Be open to experiences that elevate your spirits and warm your heart; enjoy a concert, watch a touching movie or join up with those who share similar ideals.  Connections with old friends could be stabilizing and satisfying with the Sun-Saturn sextile on the same day.  Make some memories!

Mystical Neptune in PISCES turns direct on December 1 (following a 5-month retrograde); any chaos, confusion or health issues you may have been experiencing should begin to clear up now from this point on.  You could experience a spiritual uplift, as well as a more charitable outlook; you may find yourself happily  contributing to some worthy causes or providing a helping hand to someone in need.  Be kind to yourself, too – make healthy choices.  With creative imagination, you could turn some fantasies into realities.  This could also could be a good time to adopt a new pet.

The Mercury-Uranus inconjunct (December 1) and the Sun-Uranus inconjunct (December 3) could stir up some disruptions on the domestic scene, requiring some adjustments in attitude, words and action.  There may be a few kinks in the works, but honest and straightforward communications could free you up from any misunderstandings and ultimately bring family members closer together.The NEW MOON (and SOLAR ECLIPSE) in SAGITTARIUS will be galloping along  on December 3 at 11:43 pm PST.  Adventure awaits — explore opportunities to travel, learn, teach, write or promote those things you believe in.  Most of all, practice what you preach!  You could find this a good time to re-examine your belief systems and reaffirm your faith; strive for understanding and tolerance.  Political machinations, global health, foreign policy, international trade, immigration issues, higher education, religion, sports and ethics will likely be the hot topics for the next few weeks.

A lot of creative & productive energy will be stirred up with the energetic Mars-Pluto sextile on December 6.  An important contract could be signed or a new enterprise launched.  However, the potential chaos & confusion of the Mercury-Neptune square. along with burn-out from the excessive Mars-Jupiter square (on December 7), could take its toll.  Avoid running off in all directions, taking on too much or leaping before looking; be on the alert for scams,  miscommunications or unconscious behavior patterns that could  interfere with forward progress. 

The transformative Venus-Pluto conjunction (in CAPRICORN) on December 11 could stimulate some dynamic and potentially long-lasting  social connections over the weekend.  Due to the intensity of this aspect, outgrown relationships could possibly be purged at the same time.  Make it a point to catch up with longtime friends, honor the older members of your tribe and add some cultural enrichment to your life.  On the same day, the expansive Mercury-Jupiter sextile can add a positive note and inspire some lively, informative conversations.  Advertising and promotional activities could also be very successful now.

By the evening of December 11, the Sun-Neptune square could lead to dissipation, avoidance or victimization—or heighten your spiritual or psychic sensitivities.  Utilize your powers of visualization and discrimination to channel this escapist energy in wholesome ways.  Otherwise, things could quickly get out of hand.  Don’t pass on unverified information, stay conscious — and take our public health officials seriously when they warn us that virus transmission rates could accelerate exponentially this month. Take special precautions and be self-protective if you find yourself in dicey situations.On December 13, Mercury leaves SAGITTARIUS and joins Venus & Pluto in CAPRICORN. Sobriety is in, excess is out as the work week begins!  However, Mars finishes its transit of SCORPIO and begins its new 6-week cycle in  boisterous SAGITTARIUS — also on the 13th.  It picks up where Mercury left off — in the sign that does tends to do things in a big way.  Hold your horses!  The reckless Mars-South Node conjunction on December 15 cautions us to channel this high-spirited energy in reasonable ways.  Be mindful of the tendency to shoot off your mouth, drive too fast or spend impulsively and extravagantly!  Instead, it would a be good time to set up travel plans, finish writing your holiday cards and make sure your packages are in the mail.  Positive thinking will take you a long way. . .

The final weekend before Christmas will be an especially hectic one, considering that the FULL MOON in SAGITTARIUS-GEMINI culminates on Saturday, December 18 at 8:36 pm PST.   A whirlwind of frenetic activities, such as parties, open houses, concerts, air travel, road trips and last-minute shopping could have you feeling quite overwhelmed, overextended or stressed out.  You will have to consciously rein yourself in from going overboard, promising more than you can deliver or biting off more than you can chew.

So. . .take a few deep breaths and try to stay on track; keep your communications clear and stay alert & sober when on the road.  Transportation issues could arise, so allow extra time to deal with potential traffic jams or long airport lines.  Make sure that your communication channels are clear and straightforward — honesty will be the best policy.  The news & social media will be working overtime now, as there is always a lot to talk about with this particular Full Moon.  Some significant information could be outed!  Maintain your sense of humor and don’t take yourself too seriously —laughter will be the best medicine!

Early on December 19, Venus turns retrograde in CAPRICORN (until January 29, ’22).  This particular retrograde cycle comes up every 19 months and lasts for 6 weeks, representing a time for re-evaluating your social alliances, group involvements and collaborative efforts. Reconnect with friends & lovers, re-examine your tastes and pleasures, and put your life back into balance.  With the polarizing Saturn-Uranus square building up to a stressful peak in the next few days, you’ll want to do whatever you can to make peace & harmony your major priority.

The exuberant Sun-Jupiter sextile will brighten up the spirits on the evening of December 19 — “live well, laugh often, love much.”  As the final hurrah of this solar month, the spontaneous Mercury-Uranus trine will electrify the energy field on December 20 and inspire some unexpected connections & magical experiences.  ENJOY!

Fall is coming to an end as we get ready for the WINTER SOLSTICE (which arrives on December 21), so make good use of this expansive SAGITTARIUS month — think big, aim your sights high and shoot for the stars!  Best wishes from my home to yours for a SAFE, HEALTHY & LOVING holiday season!!

 

©2021   Diane Elizabeth Clarke