I can’t decide whether to write about Santa Claus (and exercise my
right to be in denial) or the Grim Reaper (who could be the Ghost of
Christmas Present). After all, ’tis the season. But according to almost
everyone from the cab driver to the checkout person to the UPS driver
to the broadcast news talking heads ’tis not the season to be
jolly. And while I’m actually not a fan of Santa — I’m more a
Solstice type, myself — I certainly don’t want to contribute to
the bleak forecasts — nobody needs one more bit of negative
information. Acknowledging reality is one thing; dwelling on the dismal
is another. Unfortunately, it won’t be easy turning this week’s astral
lead into gold. This is the week of accumulated anxiety
discharge, when worries, personal and collective, reach critical
emotional mass and spill out into all sorts of situations, appropriate
or not. You’ll need a strong support system, internal and external, to
process through these waves. So don’t hesitate to ask for help, and
certainly don’t hesitate to offer it.
The source of angst is the ongoing T-Square between the Sun/Mars
conjunction, in Sagittarius, and the ongoing Saturn/Uranus opposition.
Put simply, this is not a great interaction. For while it is packed
with power, T-Squares always represent tension that must be
released. And given our current collective situation, the release
isn’t likely to be pretty. We’re already in the thick of it, but
beginning December 12 when Mars moves into an exact square with Uranus
and the Moon moves into an exact opposition with Mars, and
continuing through December 16, when the Mars/Saturn square is exact,
emotional emissions are even more dramatic — if that’s possible.
As this bundle unravels so will some of us, so be prepared for you or
someone you love to blow a gasket or two. What’s more, because the
discharge happens on the Gemini/Sagittarius axis, we’re in for a whole
lotta words, but probably not a whole lotta love. Mars/Saturn/Uranus
interactions are not particularly sentimental and are well known for
brutal frankness that’s unconcerned with hurt feelings.
Given the current financial meltdown, much of what gets discharged
over is likely to be about money. We are, after all, in the midst of an
economic panic attack that not only seems to get worse daily, but also
seems to be completely resistant to anti-anxiety remedies, no matter
how many billions of dollars we throw at the symptoms. Personal and
collective worry about money has reached such palpable proportions,
it’s as if it’s taken on a life of its own — and everyone is
possessed by fear. Suddenly no one is quite sure how much is “enough.”
And the strain of hyper-caution has set off a negative contractive
chain reaction.
Nearly 76 years ago, when the country faced a similar economic
crisis, FDR, in his inaugural address uttered the now famous
cliché: “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” And the
rest of that sentence (which we never hear) went on to say, “nameless,
unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to
convert retreat into advance.”
This week, we would do well to remember those words, and as we
discharge, to also start breathing again. We made it through those hard
times and we will make it through these.
If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.
ARIES March 21-April l9
It’s your choice: Stay shackled to difficulty, or experience the
freedom of a fresh perspective. Sounds simple, but letting go could be
quite uncomfortable.
TAURUS April 20-May 20
It’s important to honor your personal rhythm, so be careful not to
push yourself so hard you lose track of yourself. Stay in your
integrity and you’ll handle what’s necessary with ease.
GEMINI May 21-June 21
Complex situations often demand complex solutions, so don’t blame
yourself because you are still searching for an answer. Take your time,
and you’ll create the “right” result.
CANCER June 22-July 22
There’s no need to take harsh words to heart, especially if you can
deflect those tough exchanges with humor. So rather than react
defensively, use laughter to diffuse the tension.
LEO July 23-August 22
Get down to basics, and you’ll be in a better position to cope with
a variety of circumstances, all of which require thoughtful solutions.
Keep it simple, be direct, and the answers will be clear.
VIRGO August 23-September 22
Read Cancer above and add this: While it won’t be easy to do, if you
can avoid letting relationship issues become overwhelming, you’ll find
the tension of the week easier to cope with.
LIBRA September 23-October 22
It’s not likely you’ll be able to hold back — so be prepared
for several uncomfortable moments. Sometimes things just need to be
said, and later, amends need to be sincere.
SCORPIO October 23-November 21
Surrender your anxiety to the Divine Mother and ask her for help
assessing what need to be done. Then, listen to your intuition and
blend that internal guidance with good common sense.
SAGITTARIUS November 22-December
21
You’re still figuring out how to balance your need for independence
with an equally strong desire to be integrated into relationships. Even
though it’s frustrating, don’t give up. You will find the way in.
CAPRICORN December 22-January 19
Refuse to brood about what you can’t control, and instead, find the
silver lining. If you’re determined to be positive, you’ll find a
positive solution.
AQUARIUS January 20-February 18
Your words won’t sound as harsh as you imagine, so speak your mind.
Telling your truth will lighten your load and that will eventually
yield benefit for everyone.
PISCES February 19-March 20
Yes, getting under the covers is one possible solution, but staying
on the field and negotiating your way through might be a better choice.
Remember to be firm, but kind, and you’ll do fine.