Monthly Vedic Astrology Forecast

Mars Enters Aquarius December 1

The month of December begins with Mars moving into Aquarius from Capricorn on December 1. His position is particularly noteworthy because he holds much influence at this time. The first half of the month particularly is going to be very Mars influenced, as three other planets are posited in Mars' sign of Scorpio. The Sun, Mercury, and Venus are all in Mars-ruled Scorpio, giving Mars lordship and influence over these three planets.

The Mars influence can be warlike, powerful, and aggressive. Mars can fight, protect, and defend, as well as build, engineer, and research. None of these terms come to mind when describing the typical holiday season, but nonetheless, Mars' influence will certainly be prevalent this December. This could make for stressful shopping, difficult traveling, and a general feeling of angst.

Mars, toward the end of November, was enjoying his exaltation in the sign of Capricorn. In world events, this could be symbolized by the "War on Terrorism," and its relative apparent success as portrayed through the media. The unspoken fact that corporate interests have definitely been served by this war is represented by Mars (power, drive, and force) in the sign of the serious, goal-oriented executive, Capricorn. With Mars moving into Aquarius, the sign of humanitarian interest, we may see a shift into a more peace oriented environment. Nonetheless, Mars is less comfortable in Aquarius, evoking a feeling of "all dressed up to fight and no place left to conquer." This can certainly feel frustrating.

Mars' movement into Aquarius puts him in position to be aspected by Jupiter. The expansive energy of Jupiter in the communicative sign of Gemini suggests a focus on portraying the events of the war during the intense, Mars dominated early weeks of December. The ever-present, larger than life media coverage of the current war shows the energy of Jupiter in Gemini. Normally, we would look to Jupiter as our guide at this "spiritual" time of year, as he is the planet of celebration and joviality. Jupiter's aspect to Mars could show an incongruous attempt to go through the regular routine of holiday celebration while bombs are dropping elsewhere, certainly providing a distraction from the normal holiday cheer.

Saturn Aspects Venus and Mercury December 1 - December 7

The effects of Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and relating, and Mercury, the planet of communication, interchange, and thought will both be minimized somewhat during the beginning of the month as they are aspected by Saturn. Saturn energy is known to limit, deny, or destroy. Saturn is retrograde throughout the month, giving him strength. Saturn is also bolstered by the dominating presence of Mars in one of Saturn's signs.

Planets on the Move December 12 - December 22

Mercury moves into Sagittarius on December 12, followed by the Sun on December 16 and Venus on December 22. This shows a gradual easing of the underlying tension that may be present during the first part of the month. Sagittarius is the sign of religion, philosophy, and is also more conducive to celebration and to reaching the true meaning of the holiday season. Venus, Mercury, and the Sun will join Ketu, the South Node of the Moon in Sagittarius. Ketu's fiery, selfish, and intriguing energy could be quelled somewhat by the preponderance of other planetary influences around him. On top of that, those four planets in Sagittarius are aspected by retrograde Jupiter, who is posited in Gemini and aspecting his own sign of Sagittarius. This bodes well for the end of the month. Though the shopping season may be a bit rough, the actual days of celebration may prove to be a bit more joyous

New Moon December 14

The new Moon occurs on December 14, in its sign of debilitation, Scorpio. Mars' rulership of Scorpio gives Mars one last hurrah as he leaves his mark on the new lunar cycle, even though the Scorpionic influences of the early part of the month will begin to wane with the mass exodus of planets into Sagittarius. Even though the Mars influence will be waning, it will not be forgotten. It may be difficult to initiate new projects during this new Moon.

Overall, it seems that the planets are telling us to stop, look, and listen this holiday season, rather than to go, buy, and do. Use this month as a time of reflection. During the second half of the month, Mercury and Jupiter will be in exchange of signs, giving communication and expansion a special boost. It would be a good time to celebrate by sharing philosophy and communicating, exchanging ideas and understanding rather than strictly material goods in the form of "presents."

Full Moon in Gemini December 30

The year 2001 comes to an end with the full Moon in Gemini on December 30. The moment of the full Moon occurs in late morning of that day, and a few hours later, Mercury changes signs, from Sagittarius to Capricorn. The full Moon joins retrograde Jupiter and Rahu in Gemini, while Ketu, Venus, Sun, and Mercury are stationed in Sagittarius. I am seeing the symbolic face-off here of new and old world. Gemini represents the connectivity and free exchange of ideas within the global village, and Sagittarius symbolizes the cleaving to traditional and established religious and philosophical mores. Indeed, this is representative of much of the tension that we feel in the worldwide social arena.