According to Sandy

On Wednesday December 21, 2016, Winter arrived in the Northern Hemisphere, some places more dramatically than others, but it’s the Winter Solstice nevertheless and always in tandem is the Capricorn Sun. Ambitious, efficient, grounded, practical and patient, this Earth sign is ruled by serious planet Saturn.

There’s no need to have a letdown after the very different upbeat holiday revelry most of us have been experiencing under the Sagittarius Sun. The 10^th sign of the Zodiac can keep us busy networking, tuning up career moves, and organizing whatever needs to be shaped up. Make something happen. Just don’t get so bogged down in responsibilities and being “in charge” that you become rigid and cautious.  Fun can still be had!

Regardless of your birth date, we can still feel Capricorn’s influence as we reach for an upgrade in status, get a thrill directing traffic and telling people what to do and where to go. Being the “top dog” is not a burden. Being in charge is welcome – fun for the boss, but maybe not so much for the employee? Remember to be careful with how you treat others, you can be authoritative with honey, rather than vinegar.

Capricorn Sun = December 21, 2016…5:45 AM EST / 2:45 AM PST

*Gemstone: Obsidian, Onyx *Power color: Black, Gray * Body Part: Bones

FYI:  “The Winter Solstice occurs exactly when the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the sun at its maximum of 23° 26′ (Shortest day / Longest night)

Of course there will more in 2017, April 9^th is next, but for now… The 4^th Mercury Retrograde for 2016 will be in an Earth sign again – Capricorn 10^th sign of the Zodiac. The Communication planet has been slowing down for the last few days, you may have noticed some snafu like occurrences lately, but it stands still on December 19, 2016 – be ready for it. Pay particular attention to what concerns ambitious Capricorn. Business, status, career and authority are at the forefront. Verify, double check and / or confirm negotiations, contracts, appointments, etc. be clear in your interactions to avoid confusion.

Mercury is concerned with all types of information, but also travel, education, tech stuff and small appliances. It’s often confusion generating backward sky motion starts in reliable, conventional, efficient Capricorn and moves back into upbeat, energetic Fire sign Sagittarius on 1/5/17. Then goes Direct on 1/8/17, reaching Capricorn again on 1/13/17.

As always, my urging is to “pawz and refwesh”, (as Elmer Fudd would say): This is a great time to rethink, reassess, revisit, review, rewrite, etc. It is best not to sign anything for a few weeks until after the planet is in direct motion, however if you must commit, be attentive, be mindful.

Of course, life goes on, there are chores and plans regardless of what Mercury is doing. Retrograde chaos is not inevitable. We can mitigate potential misunderstandings by handling the details.

*Mercury Retrograde: 12/19/16  –  5:55 AM EST / 2:55 AM PST

BTW: Mercury just “appears” to go backwards. However, due to the earth’s changing speed as it orbits around the Sun, the positions are such that it looks like a reverse motion from earth.

On Tuesday December 13, 2016 the Sun is in Sagittarius, which means that this month’s Full Moon, is in the opposite sign – Gemini. While the Moon is in the Mercury ruled 3^rd sign of the Zodiac, communication is key. Speaking / writing can tend towards the witty and the clever, but with “Full” energy, our interactions can also be purposeful, powerful and precise. I love this quote from Deepak Chopra:

“Language creates reality. Words are magical power. Speak always to create joy”

(Let us all do that!)

As always with a “Full” phase, finish and complete any old projects hanging around. Clear out any debris to make room for what’s next.

* Gemini Full Moon: 12/13/16 – 7:05 PM EST / 4:05 PM PST

If preparing for the unexpected makes you nervous, just think of the fun you can have. Beginning Saturday, 12/3/16, the Aquarius Moon gives us an opportunity to let go of convention, do some “out of the box” thinking, focus on the welfare of others and be a little rebellious.

Air sign Aquarius has a stubborn streak (it is one of three “Fixed” signs of the Zodiac, along with Taurus and Scorpio) and is ruled by the unpredictable planet Uranus. It’s all about independence, sudden changes of direction, etc. Relax, go with the flow. Give more attention to another Aquarian trait which is contributing to the universe in some way.  Groups, other people and their causes are a natural concern. Not a bad way to spend a weekend – be spontaneous, share yourself !

This has been a rocky month so far. We can use a “pick-me-up”. The Sun prances into the adventurous, optimistic Fire sign Sagittarius on Monday November 21, 2016. Ruled by exuberant Jupiter, the king of positive thinking, everything is “huge”- ideas, actions, themes. Remember to pause occasionally and look over the landscape – not only to enjoy the view, but also to realize that some of those “sure things” are not. The “go BIG or go home” routine will not always work to your advantage. Certainly be an “of course” for excellent results, reach for the good things, discover something new, pay attention to your intuition (Sagittarians love a good laugh but they are also deep and love to ponder the universe.) but, just be aware of the edges – over confidence can send you too far. Aim for controlled excess.

Just to make it more interesting, Saturn, planet of discipline and limits, which is quite different to Jupiter‘s goal (expansion on steroids), has been transiting the 9^th sign of the Zodiac since last December. Depending on where it appears in your chart, the desire for adventure may be muted, wings may feel clipped, the pace of life seems to slow down. We can still fly, but maybe not so high. Saturn remains in Sagittarius until December 2017.

*Sagittarius Sun – November 21, 2016 – 4:23 PM EST / 1:23 PM PST

*Gem stone: Sodalite * Power color: Lilac, Mauve * Body Part: liver, Hips

BTW: The symbol for Sagittarius is the half man/ half horse Centaur – usually with a wine pouch. Perfect, just in time for a holiday gathering.

Looking beautiful, feeling stubborn and being material? It might be the vibrations of the Taurus Full Moon on Monday. This is a fixed, finance focused Earth sign guided by the elegant, luxury loving planet Venus. Whatever vibes are out there can all be put to good use. Indulge the sensual side while monitoring investments. Share chocolate covered strawberries with a significant other while tallying the checkbook at the same time. It’s possible  😎

As always with a “Full” Moon, it’s a good time to finish what you’ve started. With the grounded Taurus influence, it makes sense to complete any financial dealings and/or improvements to surroundings – beauty, comfort and safety. What do you value most? Who do you need to be – to do what you want and have what you desire?

*Taurus Full Moon: November 14, 2016  8:52 AM EST / 5:52 AM PST

On Saturday, October 22, 2016, the Scorpio Sun will want to infuse us with passion and focus to get projects accomplished, snare that love interest and drill down thru any mysteries that need to be solved. (Think “determination”) Due to the characteristic sensitivity and emotionality of this Water sign, Scorpio’s power will not be served distant and cold – there will be drama, there will be depth, the time is ripe for revelation. Stubborn, secretive, serious, sensual, sizzling – these adjectives all fit Scorpio to a T (or in this case, to an “S”).

Where does intense Scorpio, its traditional planet ruler Mars (energy and aggression) and its modern ruler Pluto (power and transformation), appear in your chart – Sun sign, Ascendant, Moon? Regardless of the House placement, the 8th sign of the Zodiac can uncover deeper feelings for us all. Superficial skimming the surface, in conversation or action, just won’t do. When confronted with an issue, there will only be an apparent yes or a no response – compromise is out of the question. Unlike under a Libra Sun, where decision making can be tortuous, it is black or white with Scorpio, no shades of grey. “Maybe” is not acceptable.

Mercury, the Communication planet, will be transiting Scorpio from 10/24 – 11/13/16. Interactions can be easily heated and more demanding than usual. Be focused and as clear as possible regardless of how deep the vat of emotion. Paint inside the lines to avoid unnecessary confusion and / or hurt feelings. You may get all wrapped up in reacting or acting out and then discover that the “overwhelm” does not quite match the situation. Pausing doesn’t lessen importance, but it can be used as a time out to bring things into perspective and to lighten the atmosphere.  

*Gemstone: Topaz *Power color: Deep shades of red *Body Part: Reproductive system (surprise!)

*Sun into Scorpio: 10/22/16 – 7:46 PM Eastern / 4:46 AM Pacific

(Sorry, about the “Hot plate” reference. Heard that in a diner. It sorta fit)

October 15^th and 16^th (West / East) delivers a brilliant, Full Moon in Aries, the 1^st sign of the Zodiac. Ruled by “Warrior” planet Mars, combustible, aggressive, spark plug Aries’ usual “in your face” posture may be influenced by transiting Uranus, the unpredictable planet of change and revolution. (It remains until May 2018.) Remember, you can be radical, honest and direct, rather than just loud and angry.

Do the suggested Full Moon things – finish up old projects, clarify any fuzzy ideas that are hanging around. Use the extra Aries energy to get things done. By clearing out useless stuff, you create space for the new. However, this forceful Fire sign can be a little over the top sometimes. Don’t torch everything while trying to weed out the old, think things through before the ashes start to pile too high.

Full Moon in Aries 10/15/16 – Pacific 9:23 PM * 10/16/16 – Eastern 12:23AM

**During a “Full” phase, the luminaries are exactly opposite each other. The Aries  Moon is fully lit by the Libra Sun – beautiful. No werewolves allowed  😈 

The Autumn Equinox arrives the same day as the Sun glides into charming Libra on Thursday September 22, 2016. Relationships of all types are now in the forefront for the next few weeks – family, friends, marriages, business partners. It’s fun to be with people, to chat, flirt, cajole. This very social 7^th sign of the Zodiac, ruled by Venus, seeks cooperation and genial negotiations in both business and personal interactions.

The Libra way is to see both sides of an issue before making decisions. Seeking harmony by trying to be “fair” can sometimes lead to appearing wishy-washy. Using the “Pros/Cons” list method for making decisions can just draw the selection process out. Be aware that important action can be stalled by over think. Paying attention to instinct and being honest will give a more direct line to a choice. Don’t hesitate to show your spine when needed (some may be surprised when the Libra inner tensile strength is revealed), you’ll still be loved!

Even if it isn’t your Sun or Rising sign, the Libra Sun will still cast a glow. Along with the influence of transiting Jupiter, the upbeat, ”good luck” planet, 9/9/16 – 10/10/17,  you may notice a definite lean towards the lush things in life – music, good food, beauty – to warm and lift spirits. My suggestion for anything Libran is always: meet some fun folks for brunch / lunch!

Libra Sun * Fall Equinox  9/22/16 – 10:22 AM Eastern / 7:22 AM Pacific

*Gemstone: Aventurine * Power colors: Blues and violets * Body Part: Kidneys

BTW:  The Scale is Libra’s Astrology symbol. All other Zodiac signs are either people or animals. (Interpret that however you wish.)

And, Heads up!  Last but not least: Mercury Retrograde ends – the communication planet stops its reverse trek and goes Direct. Give it a few days. Our gadgets will no longer seem to have a mind of their own. 😈 

On Friday, not only do we have a Harvest Full Moon in sensitive Water sign Pisces, there is also a Lunar Eclipse in this last sign of the Zodiac. Emotions, creativity, intuition may be intense. Let’s stay grounded and in the moment as much as possible. Reality may often bite, but it can be handled without escapist, mind altering options. Take care of your inner self.

A “Full” phase is a time to complete projects, look for results, etc. We start to see the end product of what ideas/efforts were begun at the time of the New Moon in Virgo back on 9/1/16.

BTW – “Harvest” refers to a Full Moon that occurs closest to the Fall / Autumnal Equinox. (Which will happen when the Sun moves into Air sign Libra on 9/22/16.)

* Pisces Full Moon: 9/16/16 –  3:05 PM EDT / 12:05 PM PDT