STAR CODES
THIS IS THE DARKEST WEEK OF THE YEAR; we need to shine for one another. The sun stands still on Wednesday, Dec. 21, marking the beginning of winter and the astronomical turning point, after which, the light lengthens.
This time can also mark a dark moment as thoughtful Mercury approaches mysterious Pluto, stands still, and retrogrades just a few hours before the electoral college meets. Mercury retrograde can bring about a reversal of decisions — but we can’t predict whether that throwback will be to a few months ago or to challenging decades past.
This year is full of astrological wild cards. Our culture stretched between 2008 and 2015 while Uranus formed a transformative square to Pluto; although conditions are still unsettled, the societal rubber band wants to snap back. It’s our job to not give up in the face of this snapback; we need to hold on to the changes we love and guide our culture in its evolution.
Over the holidays, many people will see old friends and family or revisit conundrums from the past. We may feel triggered into old emotional patterns, or we may long for people who were once with us after Mercury retrogrades and Mars joins Venus in sensitive Pisces on Monday. It’s a wonderful time to savor the past, but let’s not get stuck there.
Expect some snafus this season. Keep extra batteries handy and figure out alternate transportation when tires burst. Prepare to improvise around missing ingredients on old family recipes.
The moon enters outgoing Leo on Friday and lingers festively throughout the weekend. Sunday grows more thoughtful and pragmatic but brings a potential cloud of low-level anxiety or crankiness. All bets are off on Monday as Mercury stations. It will be helpful to take some quiet time midweek to reminisce and reconnect with our roots.
FRIDAY, DEC. 16: People are feeling seasonal stress as Mercury approaches Pluto. There’s a fervency to our sociability, a feeling that we have to hurry up and celebrate.
SATURDAY, DEC. 17: Appreciate a mix of festive holiday sociability with streaks of personal competence winding through technical snafus and an underlying stream of anxieties. Afternoon can bring some real delights as the Leo moon trines Saturn and Uranus; let them feed the soul.
SUNDAY, DEC. 18: An edgy vibe can bring out our crankiness or impatience. Old physical pains may start to ache again. Do healing work, dive into something with lots of details — whether unfinished work or ornament creation — and avoid giving one another well-meant advice.
MONDAY, DEC. 19: Anything — or nothing — could happen. Mercury stations as Mars enters Pisces, so we may spin in circles. Meditation helps; let life be an exercise in patience and mutual support. Tonight, engage in intense discussion as the moon trines Mercury and Pluto.
TUESDAY, DEC. 20: We may have to jump over hurdles but can get a surprising amount accomplished as the moon squares industrious Saturn. Our hearts soften if we can find a moment of peace tonight as the moon enters sociable, egalitarian Libra.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 21: The solstice returns us to the roots of our souls, our work, and our strength. Any moment of quiet or gentle sharing furthers things. Bustling around like crazy may be tempting, but it’s potentially counterproductive.
THURSDAY, DEC. 22: We’re making lists and checking them twice, being both observant and judgmental this morning as the moon squares Mercury and Pluto. Check facts before growling or reposting. Generosity, with a tendency to overdo, returns this afternoon as the moon conjuncts Jupiter. ◀