Important astrological energies for the month of December 2013:

• New Moon with Sun and Moon in Sagittarius occurs on December 2, 2013.
• Mars enters the sign of Libra and remains in that sign until July 25, 2014.
• Jupiter retrograde in Cancer forms a trine to Saturn in Scorpio on December 12, 2013. Jupiter formed a trine to Saturn earlier in the year on July 17, 2013 and will form a final trine on May 24, 2014.
• Full Moon with Sun in Sagittarius and Moon in Gemini occurs on December 17, 2013.
• Sun enters the sign of Capricorn on December 21, 2013 and the Winter Solstice occurs in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Venus in Capricorn turns stationary retrograde on December 21, 2013. It will remain retrograde until January 31, 2014.
• Mars forms an opposition to Uranus on December 25, 2013 and starts the energy of a cardinal T-square that will last until January 8, 2014.
• Mercury forms a square to Uranus on December 29, 2013 and starts the energy of a cardinal T-square that lasts until January 8, 2014.

The Foundation for April 2014

By Misty Kuceris ©2013

The month of December 2013 may initially appear as a quiet month. But appearances can be deceiving. On December 7^th, Mars enters the sign of Libra and stays in that sign until July 25, 2014. During the end of this month and the beginning of next month, Mars will make critical aspects that create the foundation for what could occur in April 2014.

As the month actually begins, the first energy that welcomes you is the new Moon which occurs on December 2^nd. With the Sun and Moon in Sagittarius, you feel more optimistic about life. Although the new Moon forms a square to Chiron, you can use this energy for healing in your life. And, the trine that the new Moon forms to Uranus indicates that solutions can be around the corner if you’re willing to let go of some old rules and try to think outside the box.

As Mercury enters the sign of Sagittarius on December 4^th you can still look for new solutions to old problems. Just be a little skeptical of what you hear in the media because people will be exaggerating situations and justifying their side of the story. If possible, take time to listen to what others in your life have to say so you can find mutual ground for support.

Be cautious on December 6^th as Mercury forms a square to Neptune because not everything you hear will be true. People have a tendency to exaggerate. At the same time, they may try to convince you of their point of view by not giving you all the information you need. Venus, which went out-of-bounds on October 10, 2013, returns in-bounds a few hours later in the day so you’ll get a clearer sense of what’s important to you. This day could even end up being a good day for meditating on your needs and bringing up dreams which could eventually become a new reality in your life.

It is actually December 7^th and the days at the end of this month which are the most important ones to note. On December 7^th, Mars enters the sign of Libra. Normally this isn’t all that important because Mars usually stays in a sign for about six weeks. However, Mars in Libra will be turning retrograde on March 1, 2014 until May 19, 2014, extending its stay in the sign of Libra until July 25, 2014. This means that Mars will be in the cardinal sign of Libra for over seven months. Again, this may not seem quite so important. However, with Mars in the sign of Libra, a cardinal grand cross will be created around April 24, 2014 between Uranus, Pluto retrograde, Jupiter, and Mars retrograde. So, what happens during this month will be critical to understanding both world and personal events in April 2014.

Mars isn’t really comfortable in this sign, its detriment. Mars likes to take action without regard to other people. But, when Mars is in the sign of Libra, it’s very important for you to take other people into consideration. If you want to be successful in any venture, you need to involve other people. If you push you viewpoint to the exclusion of others, you’ll find people doing everything they can to see that your venture fails. Even learning the art of compromise becomes very important today.

December 10^th is a day where you’ll need to be careful with your words. Mercury forms a trine to Uranus retrograde in the morning hours EST and a quincunx to Chiron in the evening hours EST. Your mind will be very active, perhaps over stimulated. So, you need to be careful not to reveal too much. On the other hand, you may be open to new ideas and concepts which help you overcome problems so you can succeed some specific projects.

Just be careful when driving. It more difficult to keep your mind focused and you could be in an accident. So, the very energy that can bring new concepts into your life could also create disruption if you don’t pay attention.

The fact that Mercury forms a quincunx to Chiron a later in the day confirms that you need to pay attention to your environment so that you don’t get hurt. It also confirms that you need to be very careful with your words. Perhaps some people think that your ideas are just too extreme. You may need to tone them down.

Jupiter forms its second trine to Saturn on December 12^th. The first time that this occurred was on July 17^th not that long after Jupiter entered the sign of Cancer. The final time that Jupiter will form a trine to Saturn in this series will be on May 24, 2014.

When Jupiter forms a trine to Saturn, it is time for individuals to consider the ethics surrounding laws that leadership implements. If government officials enact Saturnian laws that are patronizing – protect the people no matter what the cost – Jupiter demands to know the actual price. People may want protection, but they don’t want to lose their freedoms. Don’t be at all surprise if you find yourself questioning certain laws and the purpose for their implementation.

Another danger is that laws passed around this time period don’t always take the cost for implementation into consideration. Politicians tend to pass the price off to future generations rather than deal with it now. In your own life, you need to be very careful that actions you take today don’t cause negative ripple effects in your own future, especially around May 24, 2014 when this aspect occurs for the third time in this sequence.

On December 13^th, Mars forms a quincunx to Neptune and you may really feel confused about the direction you need to take in life. Perhaps you need to reconsider some of your plans. Or, perhaps your dreams are too unrealistic and you’re expecting too much. This is a better day to meditate on situations in your life and let the energy flow around you.

When Mercury forms a sextile to Ceres on December 15^th you find yourself listening more to other people. You’re willing to understand their point of view just as they are willing to understand your point of view. Because Mercury is in Sagittarius and Ceres is in Libra, the feelings that you have are more cerebral. It’s more a mutual sharing of ideas. There’s a greater chance to find ways to compromise. And, the foundation that you create today could lead to very good partnerships in the future.

Mercury does go out-of-bounds on December 16^th and will remain out-of-bounds until January 7, 2014. At the same time, Mercury forms a quincunx to Jupiter retrograde. These energies can work one of two ways. You may come up with some ideas that are so “out of this world” that other people think you’re totally unrealistic. Another way this energy could work is that you come up with such unusual ideas that those very concepts open you up to new approaches in life. You may not want to act on your ideas right now, but do write them down. Meditate on them during this time period. See how they can be implemented in January 2014. If they are sound ideas, you’ll be able to act on them without any problems next year. Since Mercury is forming the quincunx to Jupiter, be very careful with legal agreements because what is being proposed today is not necessarily in your best interest. Or, you may be presented with one proposal verbally only to find that it’s changed when you see it in writing.

The full Moon with Sun in Sagittarius and Moon in Gemini which occurs on December 17^th becomes a void-of-course Moon immediately after the full Moon is completed. Normally you want to let go of matters that are no longer important. But right now you can’t full decide what those matters are. Your plans are too grandiose as you consider the future. But, your daily life is mired in mundane details as you try to sort things out. You really need to take the time to be grounded in your life and not go off on some scheme that isn’t based in reality. With Uranus turning stationary direct later in that day you may feel that your decisions are reality-based. But it’s better to just wait for a few days before acting on them.

When Ceres forms a square to Jupiter retrograde on December 18^th, you may actually understand just how unrealistic some of your dreams are. In order for those dreams to be put into action, you’re being asked to compromise on some of your goals. If you apply your sense of ethics, you’ll know just what compromises are appropriate and which ones are not based on your spiritual well-being.

When the Sun enters Capricorn on December 21^st, the final quarter of the astrological year begins. This day is known as the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere and the celebration of lights. People are preparing for winter and are finding ways to conserve their energy.

The winter solstice chart set up for Washington, DC has an Aries rising. This year has been an interesting year with the cardinal ingress charts. The first two ingress charts had a Pisces rising indicating that their energy just extended for about six months. The third ingress chart in September 2013 had an Aquarius rising indicating that during the third quarter of the astrological year, it was very important to consider how national and global events impacted your own local neighborhoods. Now with Aries on the Ascendant, energy for the last quarter of the astrological year becomes more personal and less global.

Spiritually when the Sun is in Capricorn this is the time for you to find mastery both spiritually and materialistically. It’s where you find the balance between your professional and your personal life. It even becomes more important now because Mars, Uranus, and Pluto form a cardinal T-square in this ingress chart: Another indication of a spiritual initiation.

With this cardinal T-square, you need to understand that when you are in harmony with your life, you can focus your energy and manifest your desires. You can move forward with your life and overcome any obstacles. But, if you are out of harmony with your life, you’ll find that other people are trying to manipulate you through fear. You start losing control over your own environment.

A few hours after the winter solstice occurs, Venus turns stationary retrograde. It will remain retrograde until January 31, 2014. This energy can actually work in your favor. As you find harmony in your life, you can think about people in your life who made important impacts that helped you find your spiritual core. You can look at your financial position and create a plan of action that improves it. You may even find people from your past coming back into your life so you can resolve any negative karmic situations. Just be cautious with starting new projects or making major purchases at this time. Often there are hidden costs associated with the project or purchase.

Mercury enters the sign of Capricorn on December 24^th and your thoughts turn towards more serious matters in your life. You think about the direction of your life and what it means to your family. You consider your responsibilities and how they play out in your daily life.

The time period between December 25, 2013 and January 8, 2014 is very important because events which occur during this time period will have a significant impact in your life in April 2014. If at all possible, make notes and keep a journal of events that occur and the dreams that you have at night.

On December 25^th, Mars forms an opposition to Uranus and starts creating the energy of a cardinal T-square which will be active until January 8, 2014. Mars, as it forms the cardinal T-square, is in the sign of Libra. As already written, Mars is not comfortable in the sign of Libra because Mars wants to lead while Libra wants to work with others. But, what makes this cardinal T-square more important is the fact that it starts with an opposition to Uranus, moves into a square to Pluto, and ends with a square to Jupiter retrograde.

Because Mars is uncomfortable working with other people, you may find that situations turn volatile today. Patience is not a word that others know. They may want to get things done too quickly and not care about the consequences of their actions. They may feel as if you’re stepping all over their toes. Or, they may be feeling that you’re not willing to listen to them. It’s going to be difficult not to find yourself drawn into their energy. So, it becomes very important not to start any arguments at this time. There will be no winners. It’s also important not to move too quickly because you’ll miss important details or feel frustrated yourself. Do the best you can to maintain your patience. If you need to separate yourself from others right now, that may be a good thing.

Since this is the start of the time period where events of today will reverberate again in April 2014, you may find that you need to stand up for your rights. You may need to make decisions about directions in your life. And, you may find that some of those decisions aren’t accepted by people who are important in your life. Try, the best you can, to consider your loved ones as you make some of these decisions. As much as you may not like the idea, you may need to compromise instead of just rushing into the decision.

Maybe it helps a bit that Mercury forms a sextile to Neptune on December 26^th. You find it easier to turn inward and reflect on the good things in your life. Your intuition is very high and your empathy even higher. It’s not a day for major decisions because you won’t have all the facts, especially if they involve any legal matters or documents. At the same time, you may find yourself drawing highly spiritual people into your life that gives you a sense of being loved and accepted.

Be very careful on December 27^th when Mars form a quincunx to Chiron. You may take physical risks that can lead you into jeopardy. It’s very easy to be over confident when this aspect occurs. But, that could only get you in trouble. You need to pay attention to your environment.

On December 29^th, a second cardinal T-square energy begins with Mercury forming a square to Uranus. This cardinal T-square will also last until January 8, 2014 as Mercury moves from the square to Uranus into a conjunction with Pluto, an opposition to Jupiter retrograde, and a square to Ceres.

Because Mercury in Capricorn brings out the serious nature of your personality, you need to be careful when you’re discussing matters with other people. They may be on the defensive and feel as if you’re attacking them with your words. On the other hand, you may feel as if other people aren’t willing to listen to you. You may feel as if they are dismissing your words. This is not a good time to negotiate. Nor is it a good time to try and explain your actions. Rather, try and keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself unless you want to use this energy to cut certain relationships out of your life. Again, make a note of the events that occur on this day and keep a journal of your feelings and dreams. You may find that some of the arguments people made were actually of value to you and inspired you to make some major changes in your life. Or, you may find that relationships you ended really created a healing experience.

It’s very important to continue being careful as you communicate with others on December 30^th. Mercury forms a sextile to Chiron in the morning hours EST and you feel as if people are willing to listen to you. But Mars forms a square to Pluto in the evening hours EST and suddenly you feel as if people are entrenched in their ideas and unwilling to listen to anything you have to say. Perhaps you can use the energy of this day to try and understand what the other person has to say. But, don’t take the time to try and reason with the individual because it will be very difficult.

As the month ends, Mercury forms a conjunction to Pluto on December 31^st and you still feel that you really can’t communicate with other people. Rather than trying to get your point across, take the time to understand what’s important to you and focus on your own goals. While this can be a difficult time to communicate with others, it could be a good time to delve into your own subconscious needs and really understand what is driving you. This is also another important day to record in your journal.

As the month of December 2013 ends, the two different cardinal T-square energies created by Mars and Mercury will continue into January 2014. With Mars in Libra, you really need to pay attention to relationships in your life and how they will affect you in April 2014. With Mercury in Capricorn, it’s important to understand the facts so you can make sound decisions over the next few months. What occurs now will be important to you in April 2014.