December 2010 Horoscope

Change your ways

by Jeff Jawer

The warm feelings of the holiday season are often countered by the stresses of travel, party planning and family reunions. This year is no exception and could, in fact, be even more intense than usual. On December 21, the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, there is a Full Moon that is also a Lunar Eclipse. This occurs in the last degree of Gemini, which is likely to reveal situations where we've spread ourselves too thin and need to eliminate activities, attitudes and people that have grown unproductive. If we're unwilling to make these changes, they may happen without our consent.

Revolutionary Uranus' challenging 90-degree square to the Full Moon provokes sudden and unexpected changes that can rock the world. Plans can shift without warning, arousing a sense of uncertainty that can undermine the warm and fuzzy feeling of the holidays. However, those willing to leap instead of waiting to be pushed can free themselves from situations that take more than they give.

The Sun's union with transformational Pluto on December 26 is another destabilizing force. Power struggles may ensue with resentment undermining trust. If bitterness threatens the harmony of the holidays, the best option is to focus on a single issue and address it with as much reason as possible. Although resistance to change can be expected with this hard-nosed alignment, an honest, heartfelt connection could allow even the most stubborn individual to recognize the need to alter old patterns.

Controlling the pace of change could be the key to making successful adjustments. Uranus, the planet of freedom, turns direct on December 5. This forward shift indicates a more overt expression of its qualities. Independence, originality and impulsiveness are Uranus' chief characteristics that make compromise more difficult. Still, the trick is to recognize where radical moves are desirable and then to manage the transition to these newfound experiences in a responsible manner. In fact, the more dramatic the change is the more important it becomes to handle it with planning and patience.

This note of caution is also useful because Mercury turns retrograde on December 10. The backward cycle of the communication planet lasts until December 29 and marks a period during which the flow of information becomes more complex. Misunderstandings, overlooked details and technology tangles are frequent during Mercury retrograde. On December 18, Mercury backs into outspoken Sagittarius, which increases the likelihood of careless speech and sloppy handling of complex matters. Slow down, double check data, and review ideas before sharing them can reduce errors and embarrassing comments.

We do, though, want to be optimistic when the month starts, especially with the New Moon in enthusiastic Sagittarius on December 5. This visionary sign sends hearts and minds far beyond the present to visualize more desirable and meaningful days ahead. The tendency to lose sight of current matters to let minds float in future dreams is partially balanced by responsible Saturn's harmonious 60-degree sextile to the Sagittarius New Moon. It suggests that others can provide objectivity needed to balance hope with reality, increasing the chances of making these visions come true.

December 2010 Horoscopes