This has been a year of retrograde transits, and thus, brought its fair share of challenges and frustrations, akin to the feeling of being stuck in the mud at times, with nowhere to go. A state of constantly going back to revise, review, rethink our life and decisions. Finally, we are at the end of the year, culminating with a full moon, promising good things to come in 2019, prompting us to let go of the old and welcome the new. This is a month for relaxation and reflection, not for making any firm decisions.
Venus Strong in Libra till January 1, 2019
Venus is now direct in Chitra nakshatra. On December 4, it goes into Rahu’s nakshatra, Swati. In Swati, Venus can bring sudden developments in relationships. Swati means the “Independent one.” The symbol of this nakshatra is a young plant blowing in the wind, which represents flexibility and agility as well as restlessness. Changes may be swift and sudden with respect to dealings with others. If you can remain open-minded and diplomatic, and take things in stride, you can achieve your goals. To get a more specific idea of how this will affect you, you need to see this transit from the point of view of your moon/ascendant, as well as pay particular attention to the signs ruled by Venus.
Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn can especially benefit from this placement of Venus as it transits in a kendra position from their sign and thus forms a Maha Purush, Malavaya yoga. All facets connected to Venus will get a boost, including sensual pleasures, relationships, luxury and material comforts. Aries can look forward to better relationships, Cancer can look forward to a more fulfilling domestic life, Libra can look forward to improved image, appearance, and vitality, and Capricorn can look forward to career, image improvements.
Mercury remains in Scorpio till January 1, 2019
Mercury has been moving retrograde in Scorpio and reaches 4° Scorpio on December 6, 2018 resuming direct motion. A retrograde planet can give opposite, intensified or unpredictable results from what can generally be expected. Mercury in Scorpio is not in a friendly sign, but it is with Jupiter. Mercury’s skills include being a quick and bright student, so this is a ripe opportunity to spend some significant time with the teacher, Jupiter. Because of the fixed nature of Scorpio, we must make more of an effort to remain flexible with our plans and there will be a need to surrender as well.
Scorpio is currently receiving the aspect of Rahu from Cancer, so this can always amplify, agitate, confuse or obscure the situation. It can also give our mind the intuitive power necessary to process and integrate all that we have learned due to Jupiter’s blessings.
Both Venus and Mercury will be switching signs as 2018 becomes 2019, signaling a new chapter as we all move forward together.
Mars Transits Pisces from December 23 till February 5, 2019
Till December 23, Mars remains in Aquarius, from where it throws his energy to Taurus, Leo and Virgo, all signs that are currently vacant except for the passing of the Moon once per month. If these signs are prominent in your chart, they will benefit from the increased power of Mars affecting them throughout December.
When Mars moves to Pisces on December 23, Mars will gain the support of Jupiter in two ways. Jupiter is the lord of Pisces and from Scorpio is also aspecting Pisces. Jupiter and Mars are considered natural friends, so this gives Mars a nice platform from which to launch his next mission. This transit will be powerful for both Jupiter and Mars additionally because of the parivartana (exchange of signs) that will occur. Mars rules Scorpio where Jupiter is currently placed and Jupiter rules Pisces, where Mars will be. This creates a Parivartana Maha yoga by transit for Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio and Aquarius. Taurus can profit from relationships, as their 7th lord is creating this yoga; Cancer can experience joy in matters related to children; Scorpio can feel supercharged as their lagna lord is creating this yoga and they are hosting Jupiter; and Aquarius can experience career success as 10th house and 2nd house are lit up.
The best news is that the watery environment of Pisces is a safe place to handle the fiery power of Mars. This is a very fertile time for wrapping up and finishing work projects, journeys and courses of study while at the same time pivoting toward new horizons. Mars gives us courage to build or destroy, depending on the objective.
Of course, we also have to factor in the influence of Rahu, who aspects all of the water signs during this time. Mars likes clear cut thinking and set plans while Rahu injects chaos and instability, so this could be a bit of a challenge as we move forward. While we try to navigate new channels, we can’t totally turn a deaf ear to Rahu’s whispered suggestions to “just see what happens,” because amidst the clutter of Rahu’s directions, we can sometimes find inspired gems that help us rise quickly and magically through the genius of innovation. So be focused but leave room for the unknown!
New Moon in Jyestha, Mercury’s nakshatra, on December 7
On December 7, at approx. 8 am UTC, we have a new moon at 21 degrees Scorpio, in the nakshatra of Jyestha, whose ruling planet is Mercury. Mercury will be in Scorpio along with Jupiter and will join the Sun and Moon. This new moon receives the aspect of Rahu, which remains in Cancer. With all this water energy, there can be some confusion; however, with Mercury and Jupiter situated therein, we can be sure blessings will come to the surface, though any decisions pertaining to what Scorpio represents in your chart should be postponed to a later date.
Nakshatras, or star constellations, are passive forces, which need the planets to activate them. To reflect on the deeper meaning of life, it is vital to note the nakshatra placements as this will reveal the inner motivation of the planet that resides there. The nakshatra ruler of Jyestha is Mercury and the ruler of Scorpio is Mars.
Jyestha nakshatra is ruled by the planet Mercury and also by the deity Indra, the king of the devas, or divine beings. The combination of ruling planets and deities of this region of the zodiac makes this a place of deep action, protection, courage and great effort. Jyestha is known to be very persevering and capable of accomplishing anything they set their minds to, so this would be a great time to focus your energies in order to succeed in your goals. It’s a great time to build support networks, also it would be a great time for new business ventures, as Mercury, who rules Jyestha, signifies commerce and business. It is a fantastic time to plan and organise in these areas of life. Even though Mercury is now direct, since it is receiving an exact Rahu’s aspect, it is best to not to take action till early in the year when Mercury leaves Scorpio. Instead, we can quietly plan at this time. The beneficial presence of Jupiter and Mercury near to the Sun and Moon during this time will help us research, learn and seek wisdom.
Sun Transits Sagittarius December 16 – January 15
The Sun moves from the deep waters of Scorpio into fiery Sagittarius, where it feels comfortable normally, however, we currently have Saturn there as well. Here, the Sun will pass through the gandanta zone of Scorpio and reach Mula nakshtra. And for its entire stay, it will be with its enemy Saturn. Saturn gets combust with the Sun’s close presence, and dates to watch are December 29 till January 7, where it is deeply combust.
Normally, a Sun/Saturn conjunction can create friction due to the opposing energies that they represent. And when very close, they are combust, bringing out the darker qualities of Saturn. In the early stages of combustion, you may work efficiently and with clarity but as it gets closer to combustion, it can make work intense, cause problems between co-workers, and resistance to authority. However, Purva Ashada may be a more welcoming environment for the meeting of Sun and Saturn this year compared with last year in Mula.
December 21 marks the winter solstice, when the Sun has reached the turnaround point of its southern journey. The Sun will be at 6° Sagittarius on this day. If you do greet the Sun on this day, know that you will be gazing in the direction of the center of our galaxy. It is a good day to center the mind and realign with your core purpose and heart’s desire.
Full Moon in Gemini, in the nakshatra of Ardra, on December 22
At approximately 6 pm UTC on December 22, the Moon becomes full in Gemini. The Sun is in Mula and the Moon is in the nakshatra of Ardra, ruled by Rahu. Again, we have Saturn’s aspect to this full moon, giving our efforts a dose of reality and caution. The ruling planet Rahu, is currently transiting the Moon’s sign of Cancer, adding emotional depth to this full moon, just in time for the holiday season. Both the luminaries in the nakshatras of the nodes, will activate the nodal axis as well as Venus, being Saturn is firmly placed in Purva Ashada now, Venus’ nakshatra. Again, relationships will be affected, and with Saturn’s presence, again, it is important to practice caution and delay important decisions till early in the year.
In Vedic astrology, Ardra resides in the sign of Gemini. This nakshatra is represented by a teardrop, which can symbolize both sorrow and renewal. It symbolises intense lessons in order to clear old patterns and gain a new understanding. The ruling deity is Rudra, the God of Storm, the destructive aspect of Shiva, who brings chaos and confusion. Rahu, the ruling planet of Ardra, also brings disorder and a thirst for knowledge. If you have significant points or planets in Ardra, including Sun, Moon, ascendant, you will be feel this energy quite personally.
This is a good time to undertake anything that requires a high level of investigation and research. The highest level of Ardra is transformation through cleansing, making this a good time for letting go and anticipate a new year of new beginnings. So follow your intuition and be open-minded about any unexpected opportunities that arise. Perhaps we are experiencing a preview of one of the major astrological foundations of 2019, the moving of the Rahu-Ketu axis into the signs of Gemini-Sagittarius, which occurs in March 2019.
The outer planets, Neptune and Uranus, are making a harmonious aspect with this full moon.
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