Tug of War, Tug of Peace
These are dynamic times, and the vagaries of your heart may be a reflection of greater currents swirling around us:unpredictable economic, social and climatic changes are upon all of us. We have moved into a two-year period where futuristic Uranus is tensely opposing repressive Saturn, and this cosmic tug of war between the old (Saturn) and the new (Uranus) was exact on November 4 for the first time in over forty years. In October and November, we saw the Saturn-Uranus opposition express itself through economic and political channels While this presidential election is over, the next occurrence of the Saturn-Uranus opposition is on February 5.
Now is the time to personalize this tension in your individual relationships by revitalizing them and finding ways to change with the changing times. Whether you are in love or waiting for love, this winter presents you with an opportunity to stabilize what's functional – and to change what's not. Instead of circuitously blaming your partner or someone else for what's wrong in your life, it's time to directly address what needs to change. If you are able to consistently choose love over fear, then the next Saturn-Uranus opposition on February 5 should stabilize whatever positive changes you make between now and then.
Passion Play
The winter holidays are fast-approaching, and with the cold setting in on the outside, your heart seeks balance by creating warmth on the inside. Venus, the planet of love, entered the individualistic sign of Aquarius on December 8 -- where she remains until January 3 -- attracting you to new and different ways of expressing your feelings. Rather than taking comfort in the tried-and-true, your personal desires are luring you outside of the box.
Fortunately, your partner is more likely now to give you the additional leeway you want so you can explore your unorthodox needs. But be warned: the planets are piling up in traditional Capricorn, so you're not getting a free ticket to go anywhere your heart pulls you.
Slow-moving Jupiter and Pluto are already in the sign of the sure-footed Goat, and mental Mercury joins them on December 12, followed by the willful Sun on December 21, which is the Winter Solstice. Although this is normally a quiet time when the Sun sinks to its lowest point in the northern skies, this year's Winter Solstice may be quite intense as the Sun conjuncts powerful Pluto on December 22. Unexpressed feelings are forced to the surface like lava oozing or exploding from the depths of an emotional volcano. Love can burst forth with unexpected force, but so can more negative emotions; holding them back is not a viable strategy, for they will get to the surface one way or another. Luckily, you can minimize heartaches by voluntarily working with the intense feelings. Instead of hiding what's going on, seek socially acceptable ways to express what's in your heart.
Turning Point
As the practical Capricorn planets keep your feet on the ground through December, your fantasies continue to tempt you with all kinds of beautiful and crazy ideas. You may feel as if you are alternating back and forth like a pendulum. One moment Venus and Neptune have you in an idealistic bubble of perfect love; the next moment, however, all the Capricorn planets inform you that it was only a dream. Or it may work the other way around: first you are hard on yourself and believe that you don't deserve love, and the next moment you are caught up in a dreamy romance. Either way, these opposing currents build to a crescendo on December 27, when lovely Venus joins dreamy Neptune, blending personal and spiritual love.
But you are unable to maintain any illusions because physical Mars joins the planetary pack in conservative Capricorn on the same day to rudely pull you back to reality. This can be a make-or-break time, for hot Mars also conjoins passionate Pluto on December 28 and your emotions could erupt if you've been withholding a significant feeling. Additionally, there is a New Moon in Capricorn on December 27, reflecting your need to be steadfast and serious. You are not in a joking mood as you strive to reestablish emotional integrity into your relationships. If everything is already stable, then this New Moon offers you a profound chance to make a long-lasting commitment. But if you are in a troubled relationship, your time may run out as you are forced to face the truth.
Either way, being honest and expressing yourself clearly without blame can change things for the better. Don't wait for New Year's Eve to make your resolutions. Use the power of this ambitious Capricorn New Moon to set the stage for your year ahead.
Around the Bend
Your romantic outlook changes with the new year as logical Mercury enters smart Aquarius on January 1 and sensual Venus enters sensitive Pisces on January 3. Additionally, optimistic Jupiter just spent the entire year in cautious Capricorn and enters progressive Aquarius on January 5. Your heart is being freed from the past, but you must still live in the present. You can hear the future calling loudly and clearly, but it will still take a while for you to move your current relationships forward.
Mercury turns retrograde on January 11, requiring you to go back over familiar territory until it turns direct on February 1. The Aquarius New Moon on January 26 is a Solar Eclipse that can turn time inside out and create sudden change. It's conjunction with Jupiter portends a positive outcome -- as long as you don't promise someone what you cannot deliver.
