NorthPoint Astrology Journal  Your guide to planetary energies for December 7 to 13, 2015 By Pam Younghans

NorthPoint Astrology Journal 

Your guide to planetary energies for

December 7 to 13, 2015

By Pam Younghans

Highlighted Aspects This Week
TUE: Mercury square Nodes, Sun trine Uranus
WED: Sun square Chiron, Mercury enters Capricorn
THU: Mars opposite Uranus, Venus semisquare Jupiter, Venus trine Neptune, Pluto conjunct Pallas Athene
FRI: New Moon 2:29am PST, Mars quincunx Chiron

THE SCORPIO LUNAR CYCLE that began on November 11 draws to a close this week, clearing the stage for the New Moon in Sagittarius on Friday. True to the themes commonly attributed to Scorpio, the past four weeks have been quite trans-FORM-ative, containing experiences that have altered existing forms in our lives, and therefore changed us, too.

In the days leading up to Friday's lunation, we have both supportive planetary aspects and challenging ones, giving us the opportunity to overcome some old patterns while also opening to new experiences.

WE'LL WANT TO USE our skills of discrimination on Tuesday, and make sure to check the details of any offer before we make a commitment of our time and energy. Mercury in Sagittarius is square the Virgo North Node, an aspect that can reveal ways in which our thinking is unrealistic or where we have the tendency to be overly optimistic or too suggestible.

But, the Sagittarius Sun is forming a harmonious trine aspect with Uranus on Tuesday as well, indicating that this day is well-suited for taking risks, once we've done our homework. At the very least, this Sun-Uranus aspect is likely to stir up a restlessness and impatience with life-as-usual -- but since this is a helpful aspect, it should also provide some outlets that allow us to utilize our desire for change in positive ways. At the same time, we'll probably need to acknowledge and deal with some fears about what the outcome of our actions will be, since a Sun-Chiron square is building in effect and will be exact in the very early morning hours on Wednesday.

PLANETARY ASPECTS on Thursday all occur late in the day, which means their effects are woven into the themes of the New Moon that occurs very early on Friday. Surprises may be in store on Thursday and throughout the new lunar cycle, due to a Mars-Uranus opposition that has our nerves on edge and trying to find a balance between our desire for relational harmony (Mars in Libra) and our need to be uncompromisingly independent (Uranus in Aries).

Thankfully, softer energies are also at play with a Venus-Neptune trine that enables us to bring honesty and depth (Venus in Scorpio) and compassion (Neptune in Pisces) to our interactions. However, with a Venus-Jupiter semisquare also in effect, we'll need to be careful that we don't lose our objectivity and ability to step back to get the larger view.

PLUTO AND PALLAS ATHENE align less than three hours before the New Moon. Astrologer Demetra George writes that "this combination emphasizes the power of ideas to transform reality." When used with wisdom and positive intentions, Pluto and Pallas in Capricorn can inspire new concepts that serve to bring greater order to our individual and collective lives.

The Sagittarius New Moon occurs at 2:29 a.m. PST on Friday. Because the Sun and Moon are in helpful aspect with Mars and Uranus for the lunation, they actually provide an outlet for the influence of the Mars-Uranus opposition. This should ease some of the tensions in the air, and at the same time help us be openminded and more accepting of differences.

But, the Sun and Moon also are part of a disruptive T-square with Chiron and Jupiter at the time of the New Moon. This configuration indicates that our new lunar cycle will challenge us to deal with conflicting belief systems, to cultivate faith when we may be fearful, and to develop new skills and structures for managing problems that arise.

THE SABIAN SYMBOL for the New Moon addresses the theme of finding solutions for long-term concerns:

"In an old-fashioned northern village, men cut the ice of a frozen pond for use during the summer: The foresighted use of natural resources to supply future human needs."

It is always important to live in the present; but it is equally important to consider what we can do now to ensure best outcomes down the road. The villagers in this symbolic image are well aware of the cycles of life, and the wisdom of using resources when they are available.

As we work with the energies of Friday's New Moon, we may want to consider where we want to be six months from now. With foresight, ingenuity, and careful planning, we can better assure that we will have the supplies we need, when we need them.