Yule 2007 through Imbolc 2008
(December 21-February 2nd)

The big news during the six weeks or so between Yule and Imbolc is the heavy weather around the Winter Solstice point – 0° of Capricorn. This is a critically powerful point in the Zodiac, and planets are clustering around it. Here’s what’s going on:

Big, expansive Jupiter has met powerful and intense Pluto at 28° Sagittarius, and they are moving ahead to the Winter Solstice point of 0° Capricorn. The full moon on 12/24 is at 1° of Cancer – the Sun and Moon conjoining or opposing Jupiter and Mars and Pluto. Look for major power plays and extreme events—possibly large storms—on the world stage around this time. Particularly given the timing of these configurations—when so many people are caught up in the often intense family emotions of the season—big parties as well as big emotional eruptions are likely. Extreme behaviors—smoldering anger, great courage, profound examples of generosity, temper tantrums and grandiosity are all to be expected.

As always, the planetary energies bring gifts to those who are willing to work with them. Expansive Jupiter and intense Pluto, as they move into Capricorn, ask us to be profoundly and ethically practical. Financial conditions will continue to deteriorate globally as Pluto moves into Capricorn. The insurance, investment and banking industries are highlighted, and gambling, as well. Big business and big government may well face major losses and will go through profound changes over the 17 years Pluto remains in Capricorn. Have you positioned yourself well for a changing and extremely uncertain economic climate?

Look in your chart for the house in which 0° Capricorn falls, and also note any planets that fall between 28° of Mutable signs, and 2° of Cardinal signs. The house in which 0° Capricorn falls, and the houses ruled by any planets you have in that range of degrees, will give you an indication of how and where the planets will be energizing you at this time.

Work with the planets in your personal life and look closely at your financial realities and the security of your home base. Saturn in Virgo now rewards discipline, restraint, and a keen eye for reality. It also tends to bring health issues to the forefront globally. Look in your own chart for the house placement and aspects of transiting and natal Saturn to trigger some thought and soul searching around where in your life you could use to be more practical and grounded.

In spiritual practice, grounding and centering is called for to keep these energies in balance as we move towards the fires of Imbolc. You might even want to try learning some different practices for grounding and centering. Look at where you need to expand and where you overdo it. Work with the element of Earth and the ideas of manifestation, limitation, and profound change.

Bright blessings of the season!