Monthly Vedic Astrology Forecast

New Moon in Scorpio December 9

December's lunar cycle begins on Sunday, December 9 at about 23° Scorpio in the 18th lunar mansion, Jyeshtha. Jyeshtha translates as "the eldest" or "the seniormost" and is associated with the deity Indra, a divine warrior who defeats the dragon and wields the power of truth. Beginning a lunar cycle in this constellation, we have at our behest the courage and power to accomplish daring feats and to meet danger face to face. This nakshatra encourages the use of creativity and wisdom as weapons to defeat whatever dragon we may face; Indra defeats the dragon not using brute force, but by employing strategic virtuosity and finesse. This could be summed up with the phrase, "fight smarter, not harder." Creativity and truth are the best weapons for victory this month, and this new moon also supports pursuits in the material realm. The true wisdom here may have something to do with how one faces holiday celebration (including shopping in crowded venues!)

Sun Enters Sagittarius December 16

The day star enters Jupiter's fire sign on December 16 and stays for about one month, as he does. The Sun and Jupiter are natural friends, which gives some power to the Sun as he transits through Sagittarius. The Sun both energizes and somewhat drowns out the power of Jupiter himself, who entered his own sign of Sagittarius on November 21. When the Sun passes within ten degrees of another planet, that planet is considered to be "combust" and it is sometimes difficult for that planet to make its mark while in the nimbus of Sol. Jupiter's auspiciousness should begin to be more strongly felt as the month of December and the year of 2007 come to a close. By new year, we should really begin to feel some positive influence from Jupiter in whatever area of life that he transits in our personal birth charts. One planet that will have some affect on the Sun this month, and vice versa, is Mars, who will directly aspect the Sun and all of the other planets in Sagittarius from his current retrograde position in Gemini. This creates a great well of energy that we could direct toward transformation and any form of education or self-improvement.

Mercury Transits Sagittarius December 17 - January 24

Mercury joins Sun and Jupiter in fiery Sagittarius on December 17 for a rather breakneck transit, exiting to Capricorn on January 4, whence he will begin a 2.5 month transit. Apparently, there's work to be done there, but that can be next month's topic. For the winter solstice on December 21-22, we see Mercury, Sun and Jupiter all within two degrees of one another and directly aspected by Mars. Winter solstice has somewhat of a "New Sun" energy, just as each month we experience a new moon. Using the planetary configuration of this solstice, we may expect the upcoming year to be marked by positive growth, hope, change, and redistribution of resources. Let Mercury absorb that hope and truth while he quickly passes through Sagittarius, such that it can be spread and communicated throughout the year to come.

Saturn Retrograde December 19 - May 3

Deliberate Saturn begins a 4.5 month retrograde cycle in his current station of Leo on December 19. During that time, Saturn apparently moves backwards from 14° to 7° of the constellation of Leo. Here, we see Saturn observing and affecting the final months of the nodal axis being located in Leo-Aquarus. Saturn will affect (again, still) both the north node of the Moon, Rahu, located currently in the early degrees of Aquarius, and also the south node, Ketu, located in the early degrees of Leo. We may remember during September and October of 2007, when Saturn was instrumental in bringing many to their knees with his direct conjunction with Ketu and opposition to Rahu. Saturn gives us the opportunity in the next four months to tie down and sew up any unfinished difficult and/or painful karmic business that may have come to the forefront recently. This is a call to look within, bringing as much objectivity as possible to the scene, in order to align oneself with the lessons one faces. Both Saturn and Ketu urge, and occasionally force, small creatures like us to let go of that which does not serve us, that which causes us harm, and also that which binds us simply from our own attachment to it. Combined with the Mars-Jupiter configuration during the next four months, we could see much change and growth fueled by the compost of that which has been let go and already served its purpose.

Full Moon in Gemini December 23

A striking site may be ours to behold on the evening of December 23 (weather permitting.) The full Moon will grace the sign of Gemini, extremely close to Mars. It should be wonderful to see and is a glorious culmination of the lunar cycle begun with Indra facing the dragon and all of us rising to the occasion. This beautiful Moon should provide excellent light in our darkest of times here in the northern hemisphere. Talk about holiday lights! The combination of all of the planets located in Sagittarius and Gemini during this time should be a positive influence on holiday travel, communication with loved ones, and celebration in general.

Venus enters Scorpio December 26

For the greater part of the month, Venus transits through her own sign of Libra, which makes all of that holiday preparation and celebration ever more enjoyable. Venus in Libra should make it easy to keep the ideas that give birth to all of our end-of-year celebration in mind. Remember the reasons why we make so much effort to connect and share with others and let that be the driving force behind your efforts this month. Don't get bogged down too much in the physical manifestation of it all; beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Love, beauty and relationship are so very intangible and Venus guides us to that realization this month. Venus moves on into Mars' water sign on December 26 for about three weeks, where the combination of Venus and Mars energy could create some passion as we ring in the new year. The spirit of cooperation, friendship, and the balance of power within relationship is available to us all as Venus passes through the lunar mansion of Anuradha at the turn of the calendar year. Sounds like a great influence on New Year's Resolutions! Happy Holidays to all and may the blessings of the planets reach you wherever you are.