In the Stars December 17-24, 2023 . . . Shining Light on the Astrology of the Week

The Sun continues to shine in Sagittarius for a few days until it moves into Capricorn on December 21, the Winter Solstice, and darkest night of the year. Enjoy the exuberance of the next few days.

Mercury turned retrograde on December 12 (13 Eastern time) for a three-week backward spin until January 2nd. When Mercury is retrograde, there are often mix-ups and mistakes with written and spoken words. Electronics, appliances, cars, and equipment are more prone to breaking down. During the Mercury retrograde period it is good to review, revise, and re-think projects and plans.

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Sunday morning, December 17, is a lazy one as the Moon is void of course until 11:48 a.m. when the Moon moves into Pisces. You may as well enjoy a leisurely breakfast and read the Sunday paper, or putter around your house in the morning, as void of course energy in undefined.  The Moon conjuncts Saturn, focusing us on plans, goals, and duties. The mood is upbeat in the evening as the Moon sextiles Mercury and Jupiter.

On Monday, December 18 Mercury retrograde makes an optimistic trine to Jupiter, expanding thinking. These planets are in earth signs, making it an excellent time for planning. A Moon-Venus trine in water signs Pisces and Scorpio respectively gives a romantic, passionate energy. Later in the day the Moon makes an edgy, tense square to Mars; however, the Moon sextiles Uranus, enabling us to snap out of a tense moment and turn our attention elsewhere.

Tuesday morning, December 19, we will be slow to wake up due to an early morning dreamy Moon-Neptune conjunction in Pisces, and we may want to sleep in. The Moon is void of course 1:03 p.m.-2:46 p.m.PST, during which time it would be best to pause and do something routinethat does not require decisions. With the Moon in Pisces, and Mercury retrograde, this void Moon time is especially cloudy and unclear. The Moon bursts into Aries at 2:46 p.m. PST, shifting energy toward bright, ambitious, and initiating. A Moon-Mercury square in the evening may stir up trouble if we have not done adequate planning and preparation.

A Venus-Uranus opposition occurs on Wednesday, December 20. Relationships may shift—perhaps a start-up, break-up or a breakthrough. This aspect provides an opportunity to re-think partnership. The day calls for adventure. In the evening, a Moon-Mars trine supports quick, decisive action.

Thursday, December 21 is the Winter Solstice, the time of the year when the Sun ingresses into Capricorn, and the darkest day of the year that marks the beginning of winter. Thursday’s energies are mixed. A benefic Saturn-Mercury sextile before sunrise inspires planning, and spawns practical activities for the day. On a discordant note, the Aries Moon conjuncts Eris and squares Pluto. Use this energy to get a lot accomplished. The Moon moves into its exaltation in Taurus at 6:49 p.m. PST, making benefic aspects to Mercury and Saturn. In addition, the Sun and Moon form a flowing trine. This will be an especially active day.

Friday is buoyant, thanks to a Moon-Jupiter conjunction. The Sun conjuncts Mercury retrograde, moving us to reconsider plans and long-term goals. With the Moon in exalted Taurus, go for an evening of sensual pleasures: delicious food, good wine, inspiring music, and feasts for the eyes.

Saturday, December 23, is book-ended by two dynamic aspects. The Taurus Moon conjuncts Uranus early Saturday morning, perhaps bringing surprises, and certainly breaking routines. In the evening the Moon trines Pluto, providing dynamic, passionate, powerful energy for getting practical matters accomplished. In addition, the Moon opposes Venus and sextiles Neptune. This is a good day to address relationship matters gently and compassionately.

Christmas Eve, December 24, holds the friendly energy of the Gemini Moon. While the Moon-Saturn square may make us feel uncomfortable, the Sun-Saturn sextile offers stability and dependablity. Mars trines the North Node in Aries, driving us toward our aims.

Christmas Day’s planetary aspects are idealistic in the light of Venus trine Neptune. Hard realities set in as the evening wears on when the Moon opposes Mars, and they form a tense square aspect to Neptune, altogether forming a T-square. We could expect an ideal Christmas morning, but as the day wears on we will be ready for guests to leave

                                                                                                                                                                                                           The Week in Short:

Sunday: Moon VoC 4:03 a.m.-11:58 a.m. PST. Attend to plans and duties, and then enjoy an upbeat social evening.

Monday: Excellent day for planning. Passion and enthusiasm abound.

Tuesday: Sleepy, slow start to the day. Moon VoC 1:03 p.m.-2:46 p.m. PST, after which we can be productive and make the most of the rest of the day.

Wednesday: Relationships may shift: breakthroughs or break-ups. Create new expressions of pleasure.

Thursday: Winter Solstice. Serious conversations and grounded activities abound.

Friday: Buoyant, optimistic day. Reconsider plans and long-term goals. Enjoy a beautiful evening of sensual pleasures.

Saturday: Expect surprises; tackle tasks with verve and strong intention.

Sunday: Friendly day. We are reminded of responsibilities and driven toward our aims.

Monday: Christmas Day is infused with idealism, but we circle back to reality toward evening.

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I am available for consultations. Contact me at ccoleman829@gmail.com or through my website at www.cathycolemanastrology.com

Ten Things to Do with the Venus in Scorpio (December 4-29) 

1. Love deeply.

2. Write a poem to express your deep feelings.

3. Review your investments and research other investment options.

4. Make a commitment to increase your savings and investments.

5. Listen to provocative music that taps into deep feelings.

6. Purge your stuff and give things away.

7. Get a massage.

8. Listen deeply, and say only what is necessary.

9. Read a deep, transformative biography, or a mystery.

10. Take some solitude.

Moon Void-of-Course: This is the time when the Moon makes its last major angular aspect with a planet before it moves into the next zodiacal sign tropically. This void time, when the Moon is not aspecting a planet, but rather floating on its own, is a time when things don’t come together and it is difficult to make good decisions. Purchases made during void Moons often turn out to be unsatisfactory and not work out. Appointments often don’t come together, and meetings don’t result in progress or sound, lasting decisions. We more easily get lost or meander in trying to get somewhere. The VoC Moon times for the next month are listed below so that you can plan meetings, decisions, and purchases at times when the Moon is not VoC; and use the void times for gardening, reading, and routine task work.

Void-of-Course Moon times for the month ahead (one lunar cycle):

Pacific Standard Time:

December 17: 4:03 a.m.-11:58 a.m. (Moon into Pisces)

December 19: 1:03 p.m.-2:46 p.m. (Moon into Aries)

December 21: 6:46 p.m.-6:49 p.m. (Moon into Taurus)

December 23 at 10:39 p.m. through December 24 12:14 a.m. (Moon into Gemini)

December 25 at 11:55 p.m. through December 26 at 7:14 a.m. (Moon into Cancer)

December 28: 2:57 p.m.-4:22 p.m. (Moon into Leo

December 30 at 9:18 p.m. through December 31 at 3:53 a.m. (Moon into Virgo)

January 2: 3:35 p.m.-4:46 p.m. (Moon into Libra)

January 5: 3:40 a.m.-4:39 a.m. (Moon into Scorpio)

January 7: 12:21 p.m.-1:08 p.m. (Moon into Sagittarius)

January 9: 10:24 a.m.-5:33 p.m. (Moon into Capricorn)

January 11: 6:32 p.m.-7:01 p.m. (Moon into Aquarius)

January 13: 1:58 a.m.-7:28 p.m. (Moon into Pisces)

GMT (Greenwich Mean Time):

December 17: 12:03-7:58 (Moon into Pisces)

December 19: 21:03-22:46 (Moon into Aries)

December 22: 2:46-2:49 (Moon into Taurus)

December 24: 6:39-20:14 (Moon into Gemini)

December 26: 7:55-15:14 (Moon into Cancer)

December 28 at 22:57 through December 29 at 0:22 (Moon into Leo

December 31: 5:18-11:53 (Moon into Virgo)

January 2 at 23:35 through January 3 at 0:46 (Moon into Libra)

January 5: 11:40-12:39 (Moon into Scorpio)

January 7: 20:21-21:08 (Moon into Sagittarius)

January 9 at 18:24 through January 10 at 1:33 (Moon into Capricorn)

January 12: 2:32-3:01 (Moon into Aquarius)

January 13 at 9:58 through January 14 at 3:28 (Moon into Pisces)

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