AstroForecast December 2000

by Lance Rodriguez

December ignites with the fiery sign of Sagittarius to kick off the final holiday season of the year 2000. The sign of the Archer expresses itself positively with enthusiasm, optimism, gung-ho attitudes, expansiveness, aspiration, broad perspectives and tolerance. Its dark side is narrow judgment, hypocrisy, righteousness, smugness, arrogance, pride and the holier-than-thou deprecation. Sagittarius rules the higher courts, higher wisdom, higher learning, exports/imports and the global village concept. The love of travels, journeys, exploration and discovery are dear to this fire sign.

The first day of the final month of the year witnesses an opposition of communicative Mercury and realistic, practical Saturn. Strict fundamentalist interpretations can be quite prevalent with this planetary interaction. Mercury always seeks some form of bargaining, flexibility and dualism whereas Saturn desires structure, stability and status quo. Definition and clarity is required with the two apparently opposing forces. Resentment and embittered feelings are strongly contributing to stubborn and resistant behaviors.

Mars and Uranus engage in a harmonious link with one another on this first weekend of December. Engineering, science and startling innovations with technology gain momentum. Hotheaded individuals can stoke rebellious and/or revolutionary fires to bring down stodgy, stuck-in-the-mud factions. Democracy, politics and earnest debate get a much-needed shot in the arm.

Sunday December 3rd at 2:26pm fleet-footed Mercury enters expansive Sagittarius for its annual 14-day journey. The shot that's heard around the world is an analogy appropriate with this Mercury transit. Sagittarius likes things in the extra large category and Mercury is the loudspeaker for this energy. Collective and professional sports can grab attention or make headlines, especially the "stars" of the game. Exaggeration in communications can be the pitfall with this transit.

The first full week of December launches the annual Sun conjunct Pluto on Monday the 4th that symbolizes strong identification with true self-empowerment. This is a day to recognize personal alchemy as a creative expression. Plunge into the conscious/unconscious depths to transmute personal leaden issues and turn them into gold. Usurpation and misappropriation of power is the shadow issue.

Venus linking harmoniously to Saturn represents strong desires for security and stability in all relationships, financial matters and personal values involving esteem, worth, integrity, respect and dignity. Important career matters require punctuality and deference to decorum. Prudence and judicious finesse combine in a win-win situation.

Wednesday the 6th the Moon crosses the ecliptic at 7:07am indicating a change in emotional temperament. Anytime the Moon heads north or south of the ecliptic seismic or meteorological activities can heighten. The Moon is in Aries this day so fires, volcanic eruptions or explosions can be emphasized.

Mercury is again active on this Wednesday with a harmonious aspect to inspirational Neptune and an inharmonious aspect to "I can't see the tree because of the forest" Jupiter. Writers, musicians, spiritual individuals and artists are highly sensitized to the inspirational qualities of Neptune. Work with your inner vision. Foot-in-mouth syndrome is very strong with the opposition of Mercury to Jupiter. Definitely wear mouth guards on this day!

Friday the 8th at 2:48am is the entrance of lovely Venus in the sign of humanitarian and future-oriented Aquarius for her annual 28-day journey. Astrological lore assigns Venus natural rulership of Friday. Venus engages her more lighthearted, social side through this sojourn. Teamwork, unity and the love of novel approaches to bring about mediation and compromise are strong then. Healthy emotional detachment can be fostered.

Pluto reaches its Post-Shadow Point on this same day of Venus in Aquarius. Pluto has now reached the same degree position it held last March 15, 2000 (the Ides of March). Pluto will now cover new degree positions over the next few months until its retrogradation in the first quarter of 2001. Keywords for this Pluto Post-Shadow Point are the embrace of personal freedoms can allow one to participate generously with others in their own quest for evolution without compromising one's own quest. Death, whether literal or figurative, can sometimes represent being trapped in lower levels of consciousness that may mean a return to the earthly to repeat an incarnation. It can also symbolize an extension of oneself to commit as an allegiance to the more redemptive and regenerating qualities of death.

Saturday the 9th at 8:14am is the second harmonious alignment of Jupiter and Neptune for this year. The earlier celestial dance these two had was last summer on July 27th and the following excerpt from the July forecast will recycle again: "Expansion and growth of Neptunian ruled affairs will begin. Neptune rules all maritime affairs, the petrochemical industry (kiss cheap gasoline prices good-bye, small reprieves here and there, nothing long term!), the cosmetics industries, fashion, filmmaking, pharmaceuticals (scandals can really emerge in this debauched industry), hospitals, asylums and prisons (huge burgeoning populations that will eventually teeter-totter governmental budgets!). As a matter of fact prisons are in such proliferation that they are now becoming rural suburbs! Three strikes and you're out visiting Hooterville. Jupiter rules the legal court systems so the already clogged legal systems will become more overwhelmed with overloaded "let's legislate every crime imaginable into the books to protect ourselves" syndrome that will choke fair access for individuals involved with misdemeanors.

Positive outcomes of this Jupiter/Neptune dance will be the increase of spiritual aspirations, human compassion and genuine charity. Idealists, futurists, utopians and philanthropists propose new philosophies and perspectives to stimulate the imagination of the world as to new directions to pursue. The arts can flourish under these influences and a mini-Renaissance can emerge in this early stage of the new millennium. These two planets symbolize the access of hope, faith and inspiration as an integral human endeavor."

The annual Gemini Full Moon occurs Monday the 11th at 3:03am coupled with the Moon being Perigee (closest approach to Earth) the following day at 4:35pm that can heighten emotionalism. This is the release phase of the Moon for the next 14-day period until the next New Moon. Issues to consider releasing are gossip, mental distraction and scatteredness, clutter whether physical or mental, boredom, nervous habits, nail biting and incessant babbling. The angel associated with this lunation is angel Scheliel. Keywords associated with this lunation are harness your mental focus otherwise you can shoot off in myriad directions without accomplishment of anything. Pursuits for freedom and the breaking of ruts to introduce variety are healthy and satisfying. Mobilize your inner anger against the lethargy that surrounds you.

Power brokering and reconciliation are in an extraordinary combination on the 12th of December. Mergers, unions and finely crafted associations emerge as unlikely partnerships that defy imagination. An elderly stateswoman makes a unique proposal that extends an olive branch to diffuse rancor.

As the third weekend of December comes to a close many adjustments are on the table for individuals to digest. Fatherly and authority type males come into sharp focus this weekend. A two steps forward and one step back situation develops. It maybe easier to pull a camel through the eye of the needle than what this male can handle. Mental paradigm shifts occur and opinions vacillate. Healing old wounds must now be positively supported.

Thursday December 21st at 7:37am is Winter Solstice (Yule) when the majestic Sun enters ambitious Capricorn for its annual 30-day journey. Ancient lore associates the Winter Solstice with the birth of light and the birth of the new astrological year as it corresponds to the New Moon phase. This is the longest night of the year therefore mimicking the dark of the New Moon. The birth of light is associated with the fact that from this day forward light will increase daily until the Summer Solstice. Facilitate the identification of patience, discipline, responsibility, pragmatism, accountability and sobriety. Negative expressions of the zodiac Goat are pessimism, limitations, melancholy, despondency and the "Oh, I've been dropped in a deep, dark tunnel and can't see the light at the end of the tunnel for I fear the light is a freight train coming at me!"

Mercury rapidly joins the Sun and enters Capricorn on Friday the 22nd at 8:03pm for a 2-week journey emphasizing down to earth analysis and no nonsense applications. Mental discipline can be acquired readily and late-night ponderings have practical outcomes. Reticent communications develop and sometimes the less said works favorably under this Mercury transit. Learn to bide your time while being very observant to other individual's behaviors. Uncanny timing is Capricorn's forte.

Mars enters mysterious and magnetic Scorpio on the 23rd at 8:37am for an approximate 45-day period. Investigations and intense research reap bountiful rewards. Speak softly and carry a big stick is a prevalent attitude with this planetary activity. Sexuality draws attention whether favorably or unfavorably. This weekend bodes well for sudden relationships or friendships.

Christmas Day at 11:22am is the annual New Moon in Capricorn that also happens to be a Solar Eclipse! Solar Eclipses tend to have very strong effects that can last a minimum of 3 months up to 18 total. Capricorn is so heavily linked to the business/corporate world and success-oriented individuals. Those born during the first week of Capricorn, Cancer, Aries and Libra will be very sensitized to this eclipse. Astrologically the Sun is symbolic of the vital, creative life force, confidence, authority, will power, healthy risk-taking as well as romance and children. New Moons are excellent for new beginnings and initiatives. Capricorn enjoys stable, sound and secure structures whether physical, emotional, mental or spiritual. Capricorn is the architect of the zodiac and will be driven to accomplish the pinnacle of its perceived success. Angel Geliel is associated with this lunation and eclipse. Key cities in the United States that are under heavy influence on the Astro*Carto*Graphy Map of this eclipse are: Miami, Pittsburgh, Shreveport, Des Moines, Minneapolis-St. Paul, El Paso, Phoenix, Tucson, Casper WY, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Seattle. Miami is the epicenter of the A*C*G map lines for this eclipse with the Sun, Moon and Mercury lines converging on this city. Keywords associated with this lunation are create singular and purposeful focus as a prime motivating factor to attain effectiveness in the real world. Unswerving truth is worth its weight in gold. You are the backbone and fiber of this wisdom.

Inflationary pressures, concerns and adjustments descend upon the financial markets as December comes to a close. The last Friday of the year can see a downturn in the traditional blue chips market. The heavier question will be is there life after death for the Nasdaq?

New Year's Eve arrives with the Moon in enigmatic Pisces and people are now ready for escape from day-to-day reality and doldrums. Curious images from the collective past filter into consciousness, some haunting and disturbing while others uplifting and hopeful. Some celebrants are intoxicated with grandiose visions that deceive and entice vulnerable egos. The truly faithful know that this too shall pass; a new spiritual citadel beckons her future inhabitants.

I want to thank all of you for your kind support throughout this eventful year. May your holiday season be filled with mirth, happiness and divine love. May the year 2001 be prosperous, fulfilling and treasured with everlasting peace for each of you and your loved ones. God bless!