Galactic Greetings All!

This week we will see a continuation of themes emanating from last week’s lunar eclipse in Sagittarius (it’s still technically eclipse season until the Full Moon on 12/18!) as we gear up for Venus retrograde beginning on 12/19. Let’s get into it!

Astrology Watch

Mars sextile Pluto, 12/6

Mercury square Neptune, 12/7

Mars square Jupiter, 12/8

Venus conjunct Pluto, 12/11

Sun square Neptune, 12/12

Mars sextile Pluto, 12/6 + Mars square Jupiter, 12/8:

Mars continues to occupy Scorpio, the sign of its domicile. Tensions have the potential to run high at this time, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to move mountains and take charge of objectives which require stamina, determination and focus. With incredible focus and determination, Mars in Scorpio invites us to operate in a private, occulted and sacred manner. The square to Jupiter now animates our containment into spaces of broader visibility. It may be the time for you to bring something hidden and precious out into the open to be received by the public.

Incredible waves of ambition, drive and proactivity are available to us now, but beware that this combo boils the blood much faster! If there’s something you’ve been putting off (like the holiday shopping), this is an excellent time to take charge and get it done!

Mercury square Neptune, 12/7 + Sun square Neptune, 12/12

Echoing from last week’s rainbow ride (or foggy sojourn), Neptune continues to imbibe our consciousness with a slow drip of euphoria (or disappointment).

The Sun + Mercury square off with Neptune to shed light on a confusing situation, or to run away with our imagination. Watch the tendency toward avoidance at this time. The challenge will be to stay present with what is being shown, and yet, the celestial combination invites us to take another hit. The best way to navigate this transit is to tap into your spiritual practice, to divine with your tarot cards, horary or prayer – it’s time to sit quietly and listen for guidance, listen to music or go for a long drive. With Mercury in Sagittarius, it can be far too easy to jump to conclusions, blow things out of proportion and loose grip on what’s happening. Not to worry, Mercury enters Capricorn on 12/13, when the glitter will settle, and we can assess the situation again with clarity.  

Venus conjunct Pluto, 12/11, but really, December, January, February and 1st week of March

While we will technically experience 3 exact conjunctions between Venus and Pluto before, during and after Venus’s upcoming retrograde in Capricorn (12/19/21 - 1/29/22), Venus has been creeping slowly into this exact conjunction with Pluto for two weeks now. Indeed, we’ve already been steeping in this magnetic energy, but now it’s time to take a sip.

Venus’ prolonged connection with Pluto will help us to uproot major components of previous and current relationships – helping us to dive deeper, to find our truest desires, readily hold space for the most intimate topics, as well as reckon with the imperfect, raw, wild complexity of our shadow. None of us are perfect. Recently I’ve been contemplating how motherhood is one of the biggest heart activations of my life – and yet it’s also one of the ugliest mirrors I’ve ever looked into. Our relationships are spaces of vulnerability, where we trust enough in someone to reveal our desires, complexities and our joy. The more we open, the more vulnerable we become. There’s something so beautiful about willing ourselves to be broken open – to let the light in – at the price of revealing the things we don’t love about ourselves either. Let love be the catalyst for wanting to do better. Relationships are intimate arenas of personal growth – but especially so through March 6th, 2022 when Venus finally exits Capricorn.  

Stationing in a conjunction with Pluto, we can expect major financial themes to emerge on the world stage (hello billionaire tax and workers’ revolution). And in our personal lives we can expect impactful opportunities to confront, heal and resolve personal dramas. The more we are willing to deep-dive, the stronger the reward. January 2014 would be the last time Venus was retrograde in Capricorn, so think back to what was going on, or what you were paring down in your life at that time.

Mercury in Capricorn 12/13 - 1/2/22:

Mercury shifts into Capricorn on 12/13, facilitating a much-needed dose of grounding. With a readiness to fill our pockets with earth stones and place one foot in front of the other, Mercury in Capricorn is strategic, cautious and discerning. Coupling with Venus in Capricorn, Mercury is here to clarify and focus our long-term priorities. From now until January 2nd, take advantage of Mercury in Capricorn to help you with careful planning, strategizing, budgeting or trimming excess distractions.  

Mars in Sagittarius 12/13 - 1/24/22:

Motivated by the call of adventure, the warrior planet enters Sagittarius, ignited by the possibilities promised by distant horizons. Wonder, exploration and discovery animate us into being. Mars in Sagittarius offers the invitation to expand beyond our comfort zone of behavior. Take the scenic route, plan a vacation or fall into a wormhole of research. Mars in truthseeking Sagittarius sets us on a quest for the Holy Grail (or is it the magic of pussy-power?) Mars is peregrine in Sagittarius (minus the last few degrees) offering an aura of wild freedom – but also a tendency to scatter one’s forces. If you feel “unfocused,” remember that for right now, it’s all about the journey. And the celebration. Cheers!

Note, however, that when Mars first enters Sagittarius, it will align with the south node; this is considered to be a highly volatile and dangerous alignment. According to ancient interpretation and in my own observation, this aspect can manifest as accidents or attacks on the world stage. Not trying to fear-monger, but to empower you to stay vigilant for these few days before enjoying the celebratory nature of this transit through Jan 24. 2022.

Next week’s edition is a doozy! Venus retrograde, the Gemini Full Moon, our third exact Saturn-Uranus square and the start of Capricorn season. Just in time for the Holidays (whew). Enjoy the rest period!

Study Astrology with me!

Big Blessings,

Catherine