What a buzz we have starting off this month of holiday celebration. The further we get into December, the more intensely we are likely to feel it, and for some it may be experienced in the extreme. Fortunately, if you’re reading this post now, you will soon understand the planetary patterns behind this uptick in supercharged energy. While others may be carried away, you will be able to use your awareness of astrology to CHOOSE how to respond.

So let’s talk about this big buzz and when we’ve seen it before. I’m guessing that most of you reading this were not born in the mid-60s. But you may recall from your history books that in much of the world, it was a time of upheaval, with a push for freedom and empowerment. Issues that were hot included civil rights, women’s rights, income inequality, affordable health care and the environment. Did you know that the phrase “climate change” was first expressed in 1965?

Now these issues are hot again, and the pressure to resolve them is greater than ever. Would you be surprised to learn that a powerful and disruptive cycle between two planets – Uranus and Pluto – began in 1965 and 1966? The second stage of the Uranus-Pluto cycle began in 2011 and builds to a burst of intensity in December. Astrologers who study these cycles anticipated years ago that issues that erupted in the mid-60s would be back with a vengeance in the first half of the 2010s. And they were right.

It is no coincidence that these critical social issues are up for us now. We are right on schedule! Let’s keep that in mind as we look at December and focus on staying serene.

The first notable shift happens on December 4th, when Venus enters Scorpio. Venus refers to women, values and aesthetics — what we love and how we love them. In Scorpio, what and how we love needs to have emotional depth and substance. On the downside, Venus in Scorpio can be unreasonably jealous and possessive in its efforts to maintain control. On the upside, if you happen to be a Scorpio – or have many planets in Scorpio – you may be quite the social butterfly between December 4th and December 30th.

On December 6th and December 9th, Mars will barge in on the ongoing dance between Uranus and Pluto. Mars is the planet of action. It refers to outbursts of energy, anger and warfare. The potential for sudden outbursts, experienced as accidents and violence, increases when Mars makes contact with Uranus and Pluto. Keep this in mind when you are watching the news.

You will feel a need for an energetic release more personally if you were born around the 6th through the 9th of January, April, July and October. If you know your horoscope and you have planets halfway through Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn, you will also likely feel the burn! Find a way to release this energy constructively through exercise or intense work on a project you can do on your own. Resist the impulse to lash out. This too, shall pass.

On December 11th at 5:29AM ET, light a candle and make a list as we re-set our intentions for the New Moon in Sagittarius. Around the 18th, on the First Quarter Moon, we can expect a challenge to those goals, with appropriate adjustments made. At the time of the Full Moon on the 25th, we can expect illumination on the success or failure of our goals for the cycle. If we succeeded, we can consciously release our success into our reality; if we failed, we let go of whatever did not work. After the Third Quarter Moon on January 2nd, we can review our achievements, tie up loose ends and get ready to begin another New Moon on January 9th.

A New Moon in Sagittarius suggests an opportunity to focus on collective belief systems – law, religion, philosophy – as well as “big picture” means of communication; e.g., publishing, broadcasting and academia. What do you believe and how are you getting your message heard? A Sagittarius Moon needs to tell the world what it thinks and know that its righteous opinion is respected. If your horoscope is personally affected by this New Moon, you are likely to feel a need to express your beliefs big time during this lunar cycle, backed by a rose-colored vision.

Communication may be especially intense on December 19th and 20th, when Mercury makes contact with Uranus and Pluto. Mercury refers to how we need to think and communicate. Watch for sudden revelations, corruption exposed and ideas that challenge the status quo. If your horoscope was personally affected by Mars between the 6th and the 9th, it will also be affected by Mercury. Would you like to talk about it?

On December 21st at 11:49PM ET, the Sun enters Capricorn. Happy Winter Solstice! Capricorn is an earthy, practical and ambitious energy that needs to make things happen. Use it to draft your list of New Year’s resolutions between now and 2016.

The Full Moon on December 25th happens in Cancer, a sign that needs emotional and home(land) security. Take time to create a nourishing, nurturing space for you and your loved ones. Cherish the comforts of home and family if you can. At 10:53PM ET, the rebel planet Uranus turns direct after five months of appearing to move backwards in the sky. When a planet moves forward, we expect a release of energy in matters ruled by that planet. With Uranus we can expect a sudden revelation or other disruption of the status quo. But since you are reading this forecast, the surprise won’t come as a shock. You can use your awareness of planetary patterns to help others stay grounded in these interesting times.

Next month we’ll look at what’s in store for 2016. Happy holidays!

About Elisabeth
Grace Astrology Elisabeth discovered her love of astrology when she was nine. Armed at 20 with a BA in Philosophy from Wellesley College, she soon headed to Hollywood. She enjoyed an illustrious career as a movie marketeer. eventually moving to New York to scatter her pixie-dust over television news. Along the way she did a tour of duty in the music publishing industry, and as an actress/stand-up comedienne.

Now Elisabeth is a certified professional astrologer, consulting with clients all over the world. She has presented talks in New York and Tokyo, and would be delighted to talk to you. Astrology is an amazing tool for understanding why you are the way you are, and why things happen when they do.

Because of her work in news, Elisabeth noticed an uncanny synchronicity between planetary patterns and what we see in the headlines. She shares her insights in a daily astrological forecast posted on Grace Astrology.

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