This Month in Astrology – December 2017

December 2017: December encourages you to explore different ideas, places, and experiences, dear Aries. You have a strong showing of planets in your solar ninth house, pulling up themes of learning, non-routine activities, sharing ideas, publishing, connecting with new people, expanding your interests and mind, and travel. December is a month in which you can be more experimental, spontaneous, and adventurous than usual. The need to "get away from it all" is compelling. Travel or educational plans have a better chance of coming together after the 18th's New Moon, and even better yet after Mercury ends its retrograde on the 22nd.

However, from the 20th forward, you have a strong call to career, responsibilities, duties, or public life with emphasis on your solar tenth house. With Saturn here too (until 2020), career and/or public life is more demanding. This is a cycle for really putting in the work. Saturn's transit is only just beginning and will play out over a few years. You may feel driven to prove or achieve something substantial during this period. Your performance becomes public or everyone’s business somehow. It's a time when you can't seem to get away with as much as you used to -- you're called to task. However, this is also a period of reward for hard work. Give it your all and try not to let the bumps in the road or disappointments deter you. Rewards come from hard work, solid effort, sincerity, and respect or humbleness. It's not a time for getting too caught up in your own press. Learn what you are capable of doing and embrace reality if unrealistic goals have been slowing your progress. However, since you're entering a period of harder work and increased scrutiny, make your downtime truly count. Take care of your body and mind by simplifying and decluttering.

While there can be some reality checks at times this month, from now until August is an exceptionally strong period for intimacy and psychological growth. Imaginative activities or behind the scenes efforts can be rewarding, either (or both) spiritually and materially. Generosity and compassion increase. These themes are due to a Jupiter-Neptune trine that begins this month and remains in effect for the coming eight months. This is an excellent time for your dreaming life, fantasy, belief systems, inner world, intimate relationships, and writing experience.

The Full Moon on the 3rd can bring quite a scurry of activity. This can happen on the actual day as well as in the days surrounding it. However, it's a period of some confusion and possibly misinformation as it occurs just when Mercury turns retrograde, and the Sun is forming a square to Neptune. Delayed travel or issues with communications/transportation systems in your life can wreak some havoc, although this is nothing you can't fix.

Until the 9th, Mars continues its transit of your partnership sector. Although partnerships may be combative, some excellent work-together themes help you out. On the 5-6, you are likely to be feeling pleasantly effective, competent, and ambitious, mainly through your confidence in a person. You are determined, thinking of the long term, and more tuned in to relevant, practical details. This can be a time for attracting reliable, competent, and loyal friend(s).

From the 9th forward, Mars travels through your intimacy sector, digging up all sorts of goodies along the way. It's a time for sinking your teeth into a special project or connecting more deeply with someone or your own desires. While the last week of the month brings some reality checks and practical energy to your world, you also benefit from some sublime inspiration, and you're probably finding it in hidden places or your imagination. This is a period for believing in your plans and faith in your ability to bring your dreams to reality. Intimate matters are warm, comfortable, and natural. Peace with the past, even in a small dose, can be refreshing.

Most of the month, you are likely to be spending and/or earning more with Venus the ruler of your money sector, in your adventurous solar ninth house. You can be a bit extravagant but happily so until the 24th. From the 25th forward, you're more money conscious and practical.

December 2017: The first three weeks are strong for research and strategy, dear Taurus. Mercury is retrograde from the 3-22, but this shouldn't subtract from your efforts -- it simply means a change of approach. Look back before moving forward now. While you should wait to begin brand-new projects until after the 22nd, you can be busy refining or reworking those already in progress and should meet with success. Finances deserve special attention, notably shared money and property as well as loans and support payments. There may be delays or uncertainty in these areas, but December is strong for sorting out long-standing issues and for discovering hidden or overlooked resources, so you're likely to come out ahead. Energetically speaking, the month picks up the pace considerably by the 22nd, and even more so after the 25th. You could feel as if you are moving out of the dark and into the light, and you're likely to find the spirit and motivation to embark on unusual or merely different adventures. Overall, however, this is a month in which you're more heavily invested in your relationships, and there can be less time or energy for personal plans and pursuits than usual.

Until the 9th, Mars continues to push you in the work-and-health department. Hopefully, you are able to pace yourself. The energies of the 5-6 can help on this front: productivity is good and you enjoy tackling a challenging but realistic project. Support is there when you need it most, but it comes in ways that are more practical than symbolic, and it's important to look at actions rather than words. This is a time when you feel a strong compulsion to take charge of health and fitness matters.

From the 9th forward, you pour more energy into your social life or close relationships. Partnerships may be on the combative side, but this is also an excellent time for facing problems and dealing with them straight away instead of dragging things on longer than they should. Alternatively, this is a time of greater relationship activity, whether you become more active with a special person in your life, or if a person in your life helps fuel your motivation to make changes and improvements.

A Jupiter-Neptune aspect that benefits you all the way until August 2018 begins this month and its themes are subtle but inspiring. This is a period of learning a lot through your experiences and interactions with a significant other in your life. It's an excellent and extended opportunity period for forming or strengthening alliances and improving the spiritual or friendship element of a partnership. Friendships can become very cozy, as well. You're likely to seek a kindred spirit now, and a partnership can be a source of inspiration. Another side of this aspect involves the seeking and realization of a long-term dream or goal, which seems more likely now through the support or positivity of a friend/partner. People coming into your life can be creative, artistic, or inspire your creativity. There can be increased compassion and warmth in a relationship in the months ahead.

The heavy emphasis on your intimacy sector in the first three weeks of December suggests a more desirous month or paying particular attention to your innermost desires and needs. Your intimate life is a big deal to you this month, so that time spent developing a key, deep relationship or on your psychological development is time well spent.

Watch for overspending on things you don't need from the 3-22. It's not the best time for lending.

Perhaps the biggest headline of the month is Saturn's move into the sign of Capricorn. Until 2020, Saturn transits in harmony with your sign and moves through your solar ninth house. Overall, this is a more stable, predictable, and practical time for you. You're likely to enjoy a steadier pace now. This transit encourages you to build something slowly and carefully -- an approach that is most satisfying for you as a Taurus. This is also a valuable time for the learning and study of practical skills and brushing up on your knowledge. With Saturn here, you’re challenged to look at life and your future more realistically and practically. There can be important accomplishments in publishing or education for many of you.

These themes will be with you for the next three years, but you're getting hints of it this month from the 20th forward. This is not the time to be idle — you have a great need to make productive use of your time, especially concerning learning endeavors and long-term goals. You might recognize the need to concentrate, focus, and specialize now, and this is a period for adding more structure to your life by setting reasonable but definite goals.

December 2017: December is powerful for partnerships, dear Gemini, as well as for research and review. There can be new beginnings for an alliance after the New Moon on the 18th, and the 22nd brings more forward-looking energy to a relationship. There is a strong focus on partnering, socializing, and getting along with others this month. Later in December, financial or intimate matters take on more importance and may require specialized attention.

Mercury, your ruler, is in your partnership sector all month and is retrograde there from the 3-22. These things suggest quite a bit of work related to a particular relationship, romantic, business, or otherwise. You may be revisiting old issues or feeling stuck at times, but reflection ultimately serves you well. Do watch what you say and how you say it around the days of Mercury's station (the 3rd and 22nd). These are shift days that can be particularly confusing. Some might call you fickle, but it's Mercury retrograde inclining you to hold back, reconsider, or hesitate. This is, in fact, a highly useful process since your mind races ahead of you much of the time, and now you get a chance to digest all that's happened.

The emphasis on relationships this month is strong, and it's important to note that, after a three-year stay, Saturn is now exiting your partnership sector. There can be a sense of relief or release now. Saturn doesn't disappear from your chart, of course, and will turn your attention to financial and intimate arrangements going forward, but the shift that's taking place now takes the direct pressure off.

The Full Moon on the 3rd is powerful for you since it's in your sign, but potentially confusing this year. Full Moons often promote clarity, although they're exaggerated for effect and impact. However, this one brings in complex factors, so aim to reserve judgment! It's still a valuable moment of culmination and epiphany, and it's important to take strong note of any emotions that are stirred at this time -- but take your time forming conclusions and decisions! The 3rd is also the date when Mercury turns retrograde this month, suggesting the need to slow down and rethink things.

Mars continues its transit of your romance and creativity sector, animating these areas of your life, until the 9th. You are very willing to act on your ideas, particularly around the 5-6, and a partner or special someone may be integral in motivating you.

Mars begins its transit of your solar sixth house on the 9th, pointing to harder (and possibly hastier) work. Be more vigilant with health, as this transit can sometimes lead to overwork or the ignoring of needs for adequate sleep and proper nutrition. Channeled well, however, you can be highly motivated to get your work done, to take on a challenge, and/or to pour more energy into health and wellness programs. The trick now is to pace yourself.

While Saturn's change of signs points to areas of life that require more practicality, a Jupiter-Neptune aspect forms for the first time this month and encourages a more spiritual or imaginative approach in other areas. Interestingly, for you, Saturn wants more practicality in your emotional life, and the Jupiter-Neptune influence encourages a more faithful, spiritual, and creative approach to your practical life! Until August 2018, you're in an excellent period for enjoying work, showcasing your skills, finding work, and improving working relationships. There is powerfully creative, generous energy with you for matters related to your career and reputation. This can be a spiritually rich period as well. A vocation or life path/direction may seem to fall into place quite magically. The trick now is to relax on the need to strictly define your end goals and instead to focus on doing your best in the present, trusting that by doing what you love, you'll get where you need to go.

This can be a good time for coming up with creative solutions to problems, discovering a new line of thinking, a program for health management, or work idea. You typically welcome activity and movement in your life, but allowing time to process recent events and to enjoy the moment can be refreshing now.

Saturn leaving its opposition to your sign this month not only takes the pressure off relationships, but it also improves health considerably. This may only be about vitality and optimism, but these things count for a lot. You feel better, which positively impacts health.

On the 20th, 21st, and 25th, your eighth house brings in new guests, and you begin a cycle that's quite excellent for handling bad habits, simplifying your life, detoxing, and eliminating clutter or excess things. There can be a call to action along these lines around these dates. Until 2020, Saturn challenges you to clean up your life related to dependencies, intimacy, and what you share with others, including finances or debt. This is a time for tackling fears of losing control, betrayal, and rejection -- a tall order, but doable! You'll see hints of these themes towards the end of December. You're likely to end the year feeling a little more mature, satisfied, and vital.

December 2017: A strong focus on your health and work routines continues in December and gains further traction, dear Cancer, but your social life is a dominant force later this month. With your work, methods, habits, or health, you're likely to be dealing with some backtracking or delays from the 3-22, but overall, December is strong for enjoying your work and health routines or daily life. In fact, taskmaster Saturn is moving out of this area of your chart, ending a transit that first started three years ago. While the rewards of this transit have been great (ideally,  your habits have improved), there has also been a lot of work and effort or serious themes related to these areas of life, and it now feels good to enjoy yourself more -- and more often! Your attention shifts to significant others and partnerships by the 20-21.

Until the 9th, Mars continues to transit your home and family sector. Strife or simply an accelerated level of "busyness" on the home front is a theme with this transit that has been with you since October 22nd, and now things begin to wind down. Around the 5-6, especially, you can be very productive with family or in the home. You might particularly enjoy working on putting recent ideas into action, particularly family, home, and work-related. This can be a time of organizing or re-organizing or returning to a project you left unfinished -- a time when it's easier to get through things quickly and efficiently.

Take note that a Full Moon occurs on the 3rd, bringing strong emotions to the surface as well as awareness of feelings you've been burying, and this occurs just as Mercury turns retrograde. It's wise to wait to draw conclusions and make big decisions.

A Jupiter-Neptune trine occurs this month, and its energies stick with you, in some shape or form, all the way until August 2018. This is a potentially magical transit for romance, children, creativity, publishing, travel, and self-expression. You're drawing on your imagination quite beautifully now. Matters of the heart can be inspiring. There can be wonderful connections made through travel or educational endeavors or shared adventures. A lover, child, or friend migh open your mind or heart to new experiences. Creatively speaking, you are well-received, and your audience is likely to expand. Your sense of drama expands now, as well. Trips or learning experiences could be especially rewarding for you – they can provide a pleasant breather from pressures in your life. You have a keen interest in broadening your mind in general, and finding expression of your personality through your learning experiences, perhaps through higher education or exploring different philosophies of life. You may be in the position to inspire others through what you create now and in the months ahead.

You feel a little freer to express yourself in December, and others are responding to you well, although there may be some clarifications to make with a significant other. News you hear might be touching and inspirational. Your mood is cooperative, and you may be meeting with people who either share and reinforce your perspective on life -- or, at the very least, appreciate it. This is a time for making spirited connections.

From the 9th, you are hyper-creative, romantic, desirous and desirable, and expressive. Mars moving into harmony with your sign is good for health and vitality as well as smooth, natural self-assertion.

Even so, Saturn moves into opposition to your sign from the 20th forward, placing some pressure on you. This transit lasts until 2020 and is very useful for better understanding your relationships and partnering needs. Along the way, you may face some tests to a current relationship's strength. This transit can also stimulate a stronger desire for long-term, real connections, or it may bring a more mature or serious partner into your life. You are more selective when it comes to your close associations. It's true that problem areas in a relationship may be magnified or illuminated in the beginning stages of this transit, and while flaws can appear bigger than they objectively are, eventually you’re likely to get to the point of increased clarity. Decisions are easier when you can see people and things for both their strengths and weaknesses, so aim for this sweet spot. Once beyond the exaggerated stage of realizations, you’ll be in an excellent position to reassess your needs from your relationships. During Saturn's transit, you may find relationships or life's situations a little more demanding than usual, and it makes sense to take better care of your health, particularly seeing to getting regular sleep and proper nutrition.

The Sun and Venus move into your partnership zone on the 21st and 25th, respectively, boosting your interest and personal investment in your relationships for the next while. This combination helps to smooth out your experiences and warm up your social life.

December 2017: Romance, leisure time, creative expression, and pleasure-seeking are in high focus this month, dear Leo. An emphasis on your practical affairs, work, and health and buckling down in these areas are themes later in December, but the first three weeks emphasize having fun and unwinding. You are exceptionally companionable and open to new experiences, although perhaps starry-eyed at times. People or projects from the past could be in active focus from the 3-22. There can be a waiting game, delay, stalling, or catch-up period within these dates, but giving due attention to what you've overlooked means you end up ahead of the game, ultimately. It would be wise to go easy on speculation and spending at this time. Saturn leaving your solar fifth house this month after a three-year stay can find you far less inhibited, and eager to enjoy yourself more freely and spontaneously.

The bigger headlines of December are the start of two new longer-term trends. For one, Saturn encourages you to simplify and work more efficiently, and for another, Jupiter-Neptune stimulates the need for more spirituality and creativity in your personal life. These are widely different themes, but help you to compartmentalize well in the coming months -- something that's good for you at this stage in your life.

The Jupiter-Neptune influence starting now sticks with you in varying degrees of intensity until August 2018, helping you strengthen and make the most out of the positive effects of Jupiter's transit to your home and family sector. There may be increased resources available to you for improving your home life. It can be a great time for psychotherapy and purging as you are willing to look at the root of problems. It's a good time for long-term financial planning and strengthening your financial picture through some form of pooling of resources. There can be more power and resources available to you to establish yourself, primarily through a home or property, but also for long-term business endeavors. You may discover resources that you never knew you had or you find new and creative ways of using existing resources. Help seems to be there when you need it. Imaginative undertakings could boost your income, perhaps combined income for some of you. Connecting intimately with another person boosts your sense of security or lifts your spirits. There may be some material benefits coming from real estate or family. Slowing down in some areas of life can actually help you advance both in your personal and professional lives. You are in need of a spiritual or creative escape from time to time, and this influence nudges you to seek it out.

Saturn, on the other hand, encourages you to build some boundaries, restrict, or discipline yourself, and on the 20th, moves into your work and health sector, where it will transit until 2020. You're challenged to straighten out your daily affairs, work, routines, health, habits, and self-care programs during this useful cycle. This energy will take time to play out, but there are big hints of it this month, particularly on the 21st and 25th as the Sun and Venus meet up with Saturn (and move into your work and health sector as well). Obligations to others can be magnified, and responsibilities to your work, routines, or daily chores are illuminated. It can be a time for reassessing projects, seeing flaws or weak spots, and facing reality. Aim to make changes slowly, responsibly, and conservatively -- Saturn-style! The goal now is to make improvements that last years, if not a lifetime. Aim to work hard and do what you can, without pushing yourself too hard. Saturn wants you to work smarter, not necessarily harder. You're likely to see your priorities more clearly with the events of the fourth week of December, and if a new game plan is necessary, it's time to make it. You take on a no-nonsense approach to work and health.

These new influences introduced in December suggest a much more precise division between work and play now and in the coming years.

Until the 9th, Mars continues its transit of your communications sector, keeping your everyday life bustling. On the 5-6, you're in good shape for tuning in to practical goals and priorities. You can be feeling considerably more settled and goal-oriented. Simple, thoughtful gestures work wonders to improve your relations, perhaps reconnecting you with an old friend.

From the 9th forward, Mars moves into challenging aspect with your sign, putting some pressure on you. Aim to relax or take breaks often and to direct excess energy into constructive projects. Whether you’re giving support or receiving it, it can feel right about taking action on emotional matters. Mars in your home and family sector can point to some extra energy focused on the home, perhaps leading to strife from time to time. You can use this extra muscle to work on domestic matters, such as decorating, cleaning, and reorganizing. With this kind of motivation, you can get a lot done. Home is a busy place towards the end of 2017!

December 2017: December is strong for making memories with family and for getting some much-needed downtime, dear Virgo. Domestic life may not always run smoothly, but this is an excellent time for making yourself more comfortable. In fact, after spending almost three years in your home and family sector, serious Saturn moves on this month, and you'll feel less pressured in these areas. From December 21st, a shift of focus to more creative, sociable, and pleasure-seeking activities occurs, although this, too, may not be all about fun. With significant planetary shifts this month, leisure may resemble work from time to time! You'll be having some fun but keeping one foot on the ground, particularly when it comes to money and relationships. If you're going to take risks now, they should be calculated ones.

A Jupiter-Neptune trine forms this month, and this supportive influence is set to stick with you at varying levels of intensity until August 2018. Mars hooks into this energy in December, getting this influence off to a strong start. This is a period for enjoying more opportunities through your communications and contact with others. You're especially motivated to pursue your interests and connect with a partner or share the load. Now and the months ahead are good for sharing your ideas, writing, and joining a cause. Your speech or writing is more creative and inspired during this period. More acceptance between siblings or neighbors and classmates helps iron out problems. Transportation options make transit more enjoyable for some, and might even open up partnering opportunities. You express yourself with increased sway and personal charisma. Partnerships can thrive through increased daily contact and the experience of  a strong feeling of intuitive connection.

The Full Moon on the 3rd occurs in your career and reputation sector. While it can be a time of increased recognition, there can be some exaggeration or misinformation happening around this time. For one, the Full Moon occurs on the day of Mercury's station as it turns retrograde, and for another, it occurs as the Sun and Neptune form a challenging square. Try not to jump to conclusions now. Wishful or fearful thinking can play with your perceptions at this time. The Mercury retrograde cycle from the 3-22 can point to delays and slowdowns. On the other hand, it's a useful time for processing and digesting recent events. You may be waiting for an answer, particularly related to home or work, but this affords you time to reconsider options.

Until the 9th, Mars continues to charge through your finances sector. Even so, around the 5-6, you find the time to pursue practical goals with more courage or self-assertion. It’s an excellent time to organize, particularly around the home, and to sort through your finances. Problem-solving on money, family, and home-related matters can also thrive now. From the 9th forward, Mars transits your communications sector. This excites your interest in projects and endeavors, although it can sometimes point to aggravated or impatient words and moves. Overall, however, you're ending the year on a pleasantly busy note.

This can be a month of spending more pleasurable time and/or money with/on the family or home. From the 25th forward, Venus in your solar fifth house is a pleasure-boosting influence -- a time when you express your feelings more naturally, and your appeal is high.

Another headline of December is Saturn leaving your family and home sector and moving out of stressful aspect to your sign, taking some of the pressure off. If you haven't been feeling very comfortable or settled lately, this situation eases tremendously now. Living conditions or arrangements improve. Saturn moves into the solar fifth house on the 20th and will transit there until 2020! You'll be feeling steadier, less pressured, and more responsible with this long-term transit, and life becomes a little more predictable. The years ahead are strong for living a more disciplined life, in general, and for adding more structure to your leisure time. A hobby can be more consuming, or you work on it more diligently or regularly. This can be a time of special attention to children or creative enterprises.

Until 2020, creative expression, entertainment, romance, children, and hobbies are areas of belt-tightening, realism, tests, commitments, and increased discipline, and you'll get big hints of this energy in the fourth week of December. This is a time for seeing a more serious side to your relationships, projects, and undertakings. There may be critique or new information that frames things differently. While this can be about facing reality, the tendency is to see things in an exaggerated way before getting to an objectively realistic spot, so take your time before jumping to conclusions. This is a time for drawing up new or improved plans for reaching your goals. Someone or a relationship may inspire you to get your life into better shape. Consider recommitting to a project or craft with the goal of being more self-disciplined.

December 2017: December brings a high focus on your daily affairs, communications, connections, learning, personal interests, and sharing, dear Libra. Even with Mercury retrograde from the 3-22, you can manage to strengthen your relationships through shows of support and positive actions and make progress on pet projects. Most of December is excellent for collecting information, research, and work that involves refining and editing. Returning to unfinished projects or reconnecting with old studies, places, or people can be interesting and instructive. By month's end, you'll be ready to move new projects ahead. Until then, work on getting things right. Delays or slowdowns may be blessings in disguise as they allow you the chance to think things through more thoroughly. Home and family matters come into sharp focus from the 20th. Life slows down in all the right ways.

Jupiter and Neptune connect through a harmonious trine this month. They will revisit this aspect in May and August 2018, and to varying levels of intensity, the influence of this aspect is in effect until August. This is fortunate for your work, finances, and health. It's a time for subtle boosts to your feelings of self-worth which reverberate positively to many other life "departments." After all, feeling good about yourself leads to taking better care of yourself and to pouring more heart into your work, business, or other pursuits. Writing and teaching or other communications or transportation fields can add to your income or positively transform your work now and in the months ahead. Specific areas of your life, mainly related to income, work, and health, seem to fall into place magically. Your instincts for money and health are excellent, or your generosity and charitableness lead to improved work experiences. This is a time not so much for perfecting your craft or talents, but for rounding them out. Mars hooks into this aspect this month (and early January), pushing things along nicely. The natural arts or bodywork can appeal, soothe, and heal considerably now – earthy activities, massage, photography, pottery, and so forth. Anything that gives form to your feelings can benefit you. A partner or significant people in your life can be more understanding and accepting. You might discover something valuable about your line of work and how to make it more suitable to your mission in life.

The Full Moon on the 3rd pulls feelings up to the surface and can point to interesting discoveries or epiphanies. Even so, it happens when the Sun forms a square to Neptune and Mercury stations as it turns retrograde, and wishful or fearful thinking can obscure things just for now. Reserve judgment. The retrograde cycle itself from the 3-22 occurs in your communications sector and can certainly point to delays and slowdowns, but the workarounds you find as a result of mishaps can end up helping you or turning your attention to things you've overlooked. Venus in this same sector (until the 24th) helps cushion the blows as well. Your words may not be perfect, but your manner and charm make up for it.

Until the 9th, Mars continues to transit your sign, and while this can be a fiery, impulsive aspect, there is a sound and patient energy to it around the 5-6, when you may be in the position to take the lead in an important matter. You are acting and communicating with a little more authority, and you could find yourself guiding or teaching others. Reconnecting with an old friend may figure strongly now. From the 9th forward, Mars moves through your resources sector, stirring up ambition to increase your earnings or levels of security and comfort (or both).

The big headline of December is no-nonsense, serious Saturn moving out of your communications sector and into your home and family sector. Granted, this moves pulls Saturn out of harmony with your sign and into a position of challenge, but it does alleviate some of the pressure or inhibition you've felt with your everyday affairs, connections with acquaintances and siblings, and general mental outlook. From now and until 2020, home, family, personal, and nurturing/sustenance matters are areas that require increased discipline, realism, tradition, and structure with Saturn's shift. You're challenged to bring more order to your home life. Outworn or poor structures may break down now, and it's time to rebuild. While this transit has a few years to play out, you're likely to see hints of it now, particularly in the fourth week of December when both the Sun and Venus enter your home and family sector and immediately meet Saturn there! This can be a time of a new commitment to organizing home life or a family or home-related project. New responsibilities or limitations may emerge now, but this can get you into a position of feeling strong and in charge if you aim to meet your obligations and get organized. Start small and go from there. Saturn favors careful, responsible, slow-but-sure moves. It makes sense to deal with pressures instead of putting them off. You end the year mindful of what needs doing, but patient and relaxed.

December 2017: December is powerful for gathering information and for inspired money-making ideas or improved finances, dear Scorpio. While you may want to wait before launching your more significant business or financial plans until after the 22nd, do pay particular attention to the ideas coming to you throughout the month, make refinements and edits, and do your research. Your initiative is stronger than usual from the 9th forward, and your courage increases. From the 21st, life gets busier and perhaps a little demanding. You could be the go-to person for information and know-how by month's end.

Until the 9th, Mars continues to work in the background of your solar chart. You're not yet ready to pursue your desires directly or openly. Around the 5-6, you crave some method after the madness, and it's a great time to get some things done, particularly if it’s about a behind the scenes project or if you have the chance to work independently or without distractions. Healing, quiet, rejuvenating activities can figure strongly. You are ready to take on intellectual challenges, and your problem-solving skills are brilliant. You may even find the energy and gumption to put a tricky problem behind you once and for all. After the 9th, Mars transits your sign -- an influence that lasts until January 26th and that boosts your confidence and courage, but often decreases your patience! Life accelerates, and this is a good thing for you right now, but pacing yourself makes sense.

Jupiter in your sign is another supportive influence you've been enjoying since October. This month, it forms a supportive aspect with Neptune. This aspect will line up again in May and August 2018, effectively creating an overarching theme that's in effect until August. Under this influence, creative and romantic endeavors thrive. There is a magical quality to your appeal as well as your creative works! This is a personally popular period. Your style stands out as unique. You might find that expressing yourself creatively helps to define yourself and to understand yourself better -- it's a confidence-booster all around. Your creative abilities are reflected in your outlook on life and love and romance are life experiences you strongly identify with now. Love, love affairs, and other social activities help to enhance a healthy self-image. Mars hooks into this aspect in December (and in early January) getting it off to a good start. Both competitive and cooperative activities can do well. Creatively and romantically, you are in good form – and in a good light, as well. Others are drawn to you magnetically.

Another big headline of December is Saturn's change of signs. Saturn first entered your sector of finances and resources three years ago, and now is set to move on. This takes some of the pressure off in business, with money, and regarding practical affairs.

Saturn moves into your communications sector and will stick around there until 2020. During this new cycle, there can be increased daily responsibilities or commitments. Serious study or training and detail work are likely, as well as the possibility of decreased interactions with others and tests of your ideas and studies (whether or not they're sound and worth your time). This is a time for learning the value of waiting for strategic moments to express yourself and to choose your words more carefully. Sometimes, after holding back opinions or concerns until you've truly processed them, you may no longer find it wise to express them at all. While others may wonder why you're so quiet, this is, in fact, an important learning experience for you, as you discover that what you say can impact the direction of your life in profound ways. This can be a time of heavy study or an exceptionally busy daily life. This transit will play out over the next few years, but you'll get some hints of it in the fourth week of December when the Sun and Venus enter your communications sector and in almost no time meet up with Saturn there! You might see a project or endeavor in an entirely new, and likely very realistic, light. There can be significant news coming in, a deadline to meet, or you could be feeling the weight of your responsibilities. If you can manage to tackle matters one at a time, step by step, you will find that you sidestep the problems of feeling overwhelmed and get closer to your goals as a result. If you need to concentrate, try unplugging or otherwise tuning out distractions so that you can get to a satisfying sense of progress. Be extra cautious when it comes to making important statements, as your words have more staying power than usual. While you are likely taking things more seriously than is warranted, you might also find out where you stand on a matter, and this helps clarify your next step. After thinking things through, you're likely to recognize that everything can be managed given time.

You end the year on a busy, alert, and inspired note. You're courageous and ready to take on challenges, but you're also picking your battles wisely.

December 2017: The month ahead is a strong one for you, dear Sagittarius, particularly regarding personal influence and finances. The New Moon on the 18th launches a period of increased personal power and charisma, and on the 22nd, Mercury ends its retrograde cycle in your sign. This gives you the green light to begin moving personal projects ahead.

You have a big showing of planets and lights in your sign this month. True, Mercury is retrograde for close to three weeks in your sign (from December 3-22). However, this gives your emotions and feelings the chance to catch up with your mind, which is often ahead of the pack. Huge insights and possibly the beginnings of significant new ideas can emerge now. Venus is in Sagittarius until the 24th, adding loads to your charm, and the Sun is in your sign until the 21st, increasing your personal influence and presence. Mercury does help you as well. While you may be putting your foot in your mouth from time to time, you're also working on clarifying your thoughts and ideas, and you're getting plenty of room to do so. By January, you’ll have a very keen sense of what you want and need.

Mars is working behind the scenes in your solar chart from the 9th forward, however, so that while you’re highly noticeable and in demand, there is part of you holding back. This may, in fact, increase your appeal to some! It also points to benefits from mingling, putting yourself out there, and enjoying contact, but reserving judgment and conclusions for a later date.

Your ruler, Jupiter forms a beautiful aspect with Neptune, and while this influence will stick with you until next August, it forms for the first time now, and its themes are particularly strong. There is greater joy in being of service to others during this period. Your perceptions heighten. Your ability to make sacrifices for others increases, and you can build your confidence in yourself as you help and support others. This can be a period for developing your psychic abilities and understanding your family connections more intuitively. Work on building your faith now and in the coming year! It will help you tremendously when Jupiter in Sagittarius comes around next November.

This can also be a time for getting in touch with past conditioning that makes you what you are today. Periods when you completely relax and retreat, removing yourself from everyday affairs, will be especially beneficial. You are likely to learn that privacy and more downtime are good for your soul. You may be able to gain property or support from family, or you could secure a loan or mortgage that helps you to improve your home life.

Until the 9th, you’re in big demand socially. You can accomplish something very practical around the 5-6. Mercury and Saturn align in your sign, and both bodies harmonize with Mars in your social sector. Emotions settle and you crave some order. This is a very practical time when you can have a strong desire to produce. Others might want your advice now. Express yourself and stay flexible - be spontaneous if you feel right about something in your gut. This can be a time for lending someone a hand or acting upon an idea. While you are likely to gain others’ respect, you may be hiding behind a manner that is quite the opposite to what you are truly feeling, which may be vulnerability. Remember that support may not be forthcoming if you act as if you are just fine without it!

The 12-15 is a powerful time for looking back and personal reflection. This can also be a period when others are talking a lot about you as well! The Sun aligns with retro Mercury and Venus follows suit, all in your sign. This comes just before your new beginning -- the New Moon in your sign on the 17-18 -- when a personal reinvention is in the offing.

Perhaps the biggest headline of the month, however, is Saturn leaving your sign (it won’t return until 2044!). This can feel like a relief or release from pressures. You're crystallizing lessons learned and seeing the real benefits of the work you've done in the past few years. Even though Saturn’s tour of your sign has likely helped you prioritize and take care of all sorts of practical odds and ends in your life, it can feel as if a weight lifts off you when it leaves, and this comes at just the right time. Saturn’s transit of your resources sector will stay with you until 2020. This new Saturn transit will develop over time, and is an important period for a more responsible and realistic approach to money and possessions. Belt-tightening is in order and very useful. It's also a time to declutter, reduce waste, and make good (more efficient) use of your resources.

In the last ten days of the month, you’re more inclined to want to settle in and enjoy yourself as the year comes to a close. Security and comfort are big themes, and this is particularly true of the last week of December. A realistic look at what you have and what you have to offer is in store.

December 2017: There are some loose ends to tie up this month, Capricorn, but you pull out of your shell by the 21st, beginning a robust cycle for personal influence. Even though you're inclined to need extra time to yourself in the first three weeks of December, others are more demanding of your attention from the 9th forward. All month, your social life is inclined to move in magical ways. Those endeavors -- and possibly relationships -- that are in private or behind the scenes tend to figure strongly and thrive in December, although there can be moments with Mercury's retrograde from the 3-22 when past matters seem to come back to haunt you! People from your past could be involved now. By the 21st and the 25th, the Sun and Venus are in your sign, and you're both clearer and more visible, beginning a fabulous period for charm and attractiveness.

A Jupiter-Neptune trine occurs for the first time this month, and while it's going to be influencing you until August, this December introduction colors the month quite imaginatively in spots. This long-term aspect can point to an expansion of your social life and friends base and/or the dreaming up of exciting new paths for the future. This is a powerful period for imaginative interactions and communications. Your ideas are inspired and inspiring. A sibling may introduce you to a new group or friend. Networking is active and successful for you this year and opens you up to many new possibilities and ideas. Happiness and fulfillment through the expansion of your mind, widening your social circle, travel, and connections to people of a different cultural background than you are indicated. This aspect stimulates your idealistic nature, and you're likely to yearn for a connection to more spiritual or creative pursuits. A friend could be integral in achieving your goals, and partnering with a friend in some tangible way can be part of the picture.

Until the 9th, Mars is still at the top of your solar chart stimulating your ambitions. Around the 5-6, you may be working hard after finding a channel for your considerable energy. While you stand to win much in the form of rewards and recognition professionally now, you are also holding back a bit on a private matter. Decisions about long-standing problems and the past may need attention. You can have a strong urge to settle issues that have been left unresolved, or you might experience a situation in which the past seems to be catching up with you.

While your social life is active from the 9th forward, your heart isn't entirely in the game. You are doing a lot of processing of feelings and affections until the 24th. Taking your time with your decisions and drawing conclusions about feelings makes sense now. Venus' move into Capricorn on the 25th is powerful, even though it first meets stern Saturn. Certainly, you're attracting positive attention and enjoying a little more clarity about your affections now.

The biggest headline of the month for you, however, is Saturn, your ruler, moving into your sign on the 19/20. This transit that lasts until 2020 is a time of increased personal responsibilities, attention to detail, and efforts to maintain and improve health and personal affairs. You are challenged to become more efficient regarding energy levels and time management. This is a period of increased personal scrutiny -- a cycle for learning what habits and attitudes are working for you and which ones should be left behind. 

The Sun and Venus move into your sign on the 21st and 25th, quickly meeting up with Saturn and pointing to a possible reality check or prompt/drive to take on responsibility.

So, while you're opening your mind and heart and welcoming more imagination, you'll also need to hunker down and deal with some practical matters. Around the 27th, you’ll have no time for conflict or competition, and the usual goals or desires that goad you on tend to fall into the background long enough for you to consider more spiritual or neglected emotional areas. You are looking for inspiration, and something you read or that's communicated in your networks can be just the ticket. This is a fabulous way to end the year. 2018 will bring more of these themes of getting your life in order but also thoroughly enjoying what friends or group associations have to offer.

December 2017: December brings plenty of opportunities to explore friendships, group associations, and long-term goals, dear Aquarius. It also holds some magical appeal for business, reputation, and finances, even with Mercury retrograde from the 3-22. The New Moon on the 18th brings new energy to friendships and long-term goals. From the 22nd forward, you'll benefit from working on clearing up any problems that have cropped up with friends.

December is a month for feeling especially hopeful, emotionally satisfied, and socially popular. Friendships might be renewed or revitalized, even with (and possibly because) there are hurdles to clear and issues to resolve. While the month finds you in mostly good spirits, there are some key times to watch. Expect the Full Moon on the 3rd, for example, to be confusing. While Full Moons always serve to illuminate us in some area of our lives, this one occurs just as Mercury retrogrades, and it forms a square to Neptune. Emotions that bubble up to the surface are valid, of course, but information coming to light now may not be complete. It's best to reserve judgment.

Until the 9th, Mars continues to move through your adventure sector, encouraging spontaneous self-expression. Especially on the 5-6, you're in a strong position for bringing a little more order and clarity to your life. You can be a little more assertive than usual without ruffling too many feathers. Grab any opportunity that arises now that pulls you out of your usual routine and adds a dash of adventure to your life. Problem-solving or active involvement with a friend or group can figure strongly.

From the 9th forward, you have Mars at the top of your solar chart, and this can be one of the most ambitious periods of the year. This transit lasts through to January 26th and lights a fire under you to pursue your passions, reach for the top, and grab opportunities to advance your goals. Desire meets courage! There is especially enterprising energy brewing for your work or public life and responsibilities. The 12-15 is huge for gaining a wholly new or different perspective on a friend, friendship, or project/dream/goal.

A beautiful aspect between Jupiter and Neptune that will stick with you until next August forms in December, and with a Mars-Neptune trine reinforcing it, you are in fantastic shape along the lines of practical matters, business, and financial improvement. It's also a healthy time for carrying yourself with more self-respect and attracting positive attention. You may be joining with people who further your career or personal interests, and through their support, faith in you, or wisdom, you are encouraged to reach your highest potential. There can be almost magical dealings with money and career growth. Some of your most natural talents --  the things that come easily to you -- meet with appreciation and possibly reward. Business should subtly improve this year, and you are likely to be backed by superiors. Your ability to earn a living from what you love doing increases in the months ahead, or you grow to love your work.

One of the most significant pieces of news this month is Saturn's sign change, as this only happens every two and a half to three years and represents a shift in your attention to order and discipline. With this sign change, Saturn moves into your privacy sector, and until 2020, you're in a critical cycle for spiritual renovation, clean-up, and better attention to mental health. You are challenged to take care of unfinished business, as well as to regroup, process, and heal. It's important to rid yourself of regrets or perceived failures and disappointments as a Saturn-Sun cycle enters its last leg before coming full circle in 202 (when Saturn will begin its transit of your sign).

By the last week of the month, you'll be in need of extra rest and time to recoup or to reconsider. You are beginning a period best used for emotional renewal, tying up loose ends, and laying low. Your hunches or ideas can be very much worth your attention. Even if it seems counter-productive, sometimes slowing down helps us move forward as we stop overthinking, and this can be the case now. If you are looking for answers to nagging personal problems, you may very well find the necessary resources with only a little effort. Genuinely inspired ideas are possible now.

December 2017: The month ahead is strong for new approaches in your career or with your reputation, networking, friendships, dear Pisces, as well as education, sharing or publishing, and travel. The New Moon on the 18th brings fresh energy for career and reputation matters, although it's better to wait until after the 22nd to launch new projects. This is also a time when inspiration comes suddenly, and you could pick up fresh, and possibly radically different, interests or goals at this time.

As well, December presents excellent opportunities to expand your experiences and to impress others with your two planetary rulers, Jupiter and Neptune, in harmony with one another (and with your sign). This long-term influence begins this month and will stick with you and support you all the way until August 2018. Some of you could meet a significant friend or a romantic interest through travel or other activity that involves breaking the routine. Publishing can be in focus. Communications thrive. You're going entirely new places with your mind and/or body! Publishing or self-publishing can figure strongly now and can be quite successful. Teaching, guiding, and learning are also prominent themes. It can be a time of tremendous personal appeal as well as life-changing, positive experiences that expand your mind. You have increased faith, not only in yourself but in life itself, which helps you to achieve what you set out to do. Teaching may play a significant role in your life. Authors might find a broader audience. Trips, new interests, and diversions could be especially rewarding for you–-they can provide a pleasant breather from pressures in your life. You have a keen interest in broadening your mental experiences in general, and finding expression of your personality through them, perhaps involving higher education or exploring different philosophies of life or belief systems.

While the Full Moon on the 3rd is designed to awaken your true feelings about a matter, there can be some confusion afoot. Career and reputation are robust this month, but there can be some backtracking or delays involved from the 3-22. In the week following Mercury's direct turn on the 22nd, news arrives that pushes things forward.

Until the 9th, Mars continues its transit of your intimacy sector, and you're building up plans and strategies for reaching your goals. Your intimate life, whether or not you're sharing it with someone, is animated and energetic. Especially around the 5-6, useful energy is with you for focusing on a project that's important to you or your career. You have abundant stamina that enables you to accomplish a lot, and your x-ray vision is sharp. Business matters should thrive, and you can quickly and easily drum up support for your ideas.

From the 9th forward, you're in excellent shape for asserting yourself, connecting with your desires, and expressing yourself courageously and adventurously. Although words may not go over perfectly while Mercury is retrograde from the 3-22, your body language and manner very often compensate and get you where you want to go.

Saturn changes signs on the 19/20, and both the Sun and Venus on the 21st and 25th meet this planet that encourages order and discipline in your sector of friends, groups, community, and hopes/wishes. This Saturn transit will last until 2020 and is only just beginning, but you'll start to see hints of the energy around these dates. In the cycle ahead, it's time to scrutinize, put to the test, and authenticate your social life and happiness goals. It's a time to either make dreams a reality or put them behind you. You'll be seeing your connections and projects more clearly, although sometimes sternly.

The last week of the month pulls up social themes after heavy focus on your career, responsibilities, and the material world. A Mars-Neptune trine influences the week and reinforces the themes of learning, sharing, and seeing the world through new eyes. While you'll need to be a little firm about boundaries in your relationships, aim to reduce stress and to let go of unreasonable pressures, even if it means disengaging yourself from tense feelings or thoughts, and removing yourself from unpleasant environments. Others are likely to appreciate and enjoy your point of view and unique perspective, and you may be moved to reach out and support or help someone in need.