December 2011
By Bob Mulligan

The whole month serves as a reminder that we only own what we give to others.  This is an exciting time, but it is still just "the calm before the storm." Helping others is a good method for overcoming any fears of inadequacy. The ongoing major aspects between planets fail to come to exactitude, but do become activated by the personal planets all month; these aspects point to a large scale cultural transition which began in 2008 and won't be complete until 2015.  Even though there is pain in the world, this month is relatively peaceful; this is a time to appreciate the goodness of the world in which we live. 

The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse occurs December 10th at 9:38 AM EST. Eclipses are an intensification of thought processes.  We usually associate them with external phenomena because they occur at the time of external changes in the world: earthquakes, political disruption, natural disasters, and weather extremes.  "But why?" we may ask.  They are the externalization of a universal thought process reaching a conclusion.  Lunar Eclipses are about endings.  With Mercury (messenger of the gods) Retrograde, and closing in on a Trine to Uranus (god of higher thought) we are turning back and picking up a key we saw before.  This allows us to jettison the entrapping mindset we have been living in.  Mars (god of war) is in Virgo (sign of analysis) Squaring the Eclipse.  This release of higher mental energy allows us to embrace the change that is upon us.

The Sun enters Capricorn at 12:30 AM EST on December 22nd. This is our Winter Solstice.  This moment not only describes the circumstances for the next Solar month, but also tells us of the events in the world over the next three months.  Two prominent features of this map are the Sun is Trine Jupiter and Square Uranus.  This promises us abrupt and lucky changes.   It is also true that the Sun’s Conjunction to Pluto will give us an ironic foreshadowing of events coming over the next four years. 

This last New Moon of the year comes on December 24th at 1:07 PM EST. Coming so close to the Winter Solstice and on Christmas Eve, there will be lots of excitement and personal expectations with it.  The New Moon is a time of renewal and rebirth. Pluto (god of life and death) being so close this lunation at the beginning of Capricorn (sign of structure) we need to release our own personal past in order to put our feet on solid ground as we enter the new year.  Mercury (god of information) is Conjunct the North Node of the Moon while ruling the South Node.  This is a time of relating the ideas and facts we have gathered to fulfill a higher purpose.  Personal change is unavoidable now.

From the 1st to the 4th everyone is in a hurry and there is so much passion that we easily get swept away.  Now is not the time for aggressive criticism, but rather for finding practical common ground and working from there.

From the 5th to the 11th we are in a most productive cycle. We are happiest when our attention stays focused on immediate and achievable goals. Try not to spend much time now gathering new facts in order to make decisions. We all have a habit of planning for our future in a world that no longer exists.  Joy is found by being in the moment.

From the 12th to the 18th we can see a clear picture of the future that makes sense for the first time in a year.  Comprehensive planning and hard work brings us to positive outcomes in many areas of our public life.  However, the world turbulence and our professional goals may seem less important; our friends, family, and private lives in general hold our attention.

From the 19th to the 25th the illusion that "we have seen this all before", evaporates.  Being honest with ourselves, we know we are in uncharted waters.  We have an invitation to a new pattern of relationships.  Abrupt changes of circumstances hide the fact that real lasting change will require long term effort.  The good news is we now have new tools and new goals.

From the 26th to the 31st stillness hangs over the world as we are preparing for a gigantic shift, which in reality has already happened, we just have to recognize it. Powerful feelings can be the energy used for true healing.

1st – Thursday – Venus Conjunct Pluto – Our impulse is to translate our passions into practical activities.  Maintaining balance is not easy but is part of the formula for success.

2nd – Friday – Sun Parallel Mercury, Sun Square Mars – High octane conversations can get out of hand.  Stay patient and detached and the path to accomplishment becomes clear.

3rd – Saturday – Sun Semi-square Saturn – Reaching the limits of our current pattern of growth, it is time to re-evaluate.  Some may be stirred up by the momentary excitement.  New ideas are fine but look at the big picture and keep one eye focused on the bottom line.

4th – Sunday – Sun Conjunct Mercury, Mercury Semi-square Saturn, Mercury Square Mars, Mercury Semi-sextile Venus -  Getting the world to live up to our expectations is not so easy.  Our beliefs are not supported by the facts.  We need to learn from our immediate experiences and then examine our picture of the world.
5th – Monday – Mars Semi-square Saturn, Venus Trine Mars - An eye for detail helps us achieve harmony.  With a little effort and some common sense we can find real and lasting connection with each other.

6th – Tuesday – Tension and frustration can disappear if we stay connected with each other over common ground.  Involvement with each other over practical concerns helps cement our pattern of relationships.

7th – Wednesday – Venus Semi-square Neptune, Mercury Parallel Pluto – We can be overly influenced by other people’s opinions as well as by world circumstances at the moment.  On the other hand, we have the opportunity to be a force for good.  Other people will hear what we have to say if we remain calm.

8th – Thursday – Sun Sesquiquadrate Jupiter, Mercury Semi-sextile Pluto – Big ideas have to be made practical.  Planning is necessary in order to bring other people along with the project at hand.

9th – Friday – Nervous energy and impatience can stop us from achieving very much.  It is better to sit still than to run in circles.  Our best strategy now is to just take in new information but stay with our prearranged plan. 

10th – Saturday – Uranus turns Direct, the Full Moon at 9:38 AM EST is a total Lunar Eclipse – Making sense of the nervous energy today seems to require meditation.  So much new information is coming to us that we need to keep our attention on what it is that we are doing.  Turbulence in the world can keep us all on edge.  Staying focused on your own ultimate values and purpose can give peace of mind.

11th – Sunday – Mercury Semi-square Venus – Now is not the time to make everyone happy or to become overly social; realize that long lasting harmony and happiness will require holding on to life’s enduring fundamental principles regardless of what other people think.

12th – Monday – Family and security are very important now….take the time to listen to people with whom you live.  Family and friends require extra attention.

13th – Tuesday – Jupiter Semi-sextile Uranus, Sun Semi-sextile Venus, Mercury turns Direct – Try some new ideas out but experience in a way that doesn’t put anything at risk.  Now is not the time for bold steps; instead, measure carefully your attempts to change circumstances and luck will smile on you.

14th – Wednesday – Sun Parallel Venus – It's a great time for networking.  Social life can have extra benefits of helping to resolve some long standing issues.

15th – Thursday – Mars Contra-parallel Saturn – We can plan to take a great leap forward but certain obligations need to be addressed first.  Prioritize and take care of important details.

16th – Friday – Mars Sesquiquadrate Jupiter – We jump into our work today with enthusiasm.  We need to be careful that commitments are in line with time available.  Get the most practical details handled first.

17th – Saturday – The way to have facts and values agree is to take a leap of faith, trust your higher intuitions, and at the same time make sure that you can live with the results of your actions.

18th – Sunday – Venus Square Saturn – Relationships can seem burdensome and less interesting than other aspects of life.  Still, being patient with details and showing a willingness to understand what others are going through will lead to some very productive meetings.  Go the second mile; it will be well worth the effort.

19th – Monday – Venus Semi-sextile Neptune, Sun Sextile Saturn – It's a day of reckoning.  Some things that seem impossible are very achievable; some things that seem easy and natural turn out to be pure fantasy.  Separating fact from fiction is not easy but necessary.

20th – Tuesday – Mercury Semi-sextile Pluto, Venus enters Aquarius, Sun Sextile Neptune, Venus Square Jupiter – This seems like a long day because so many different things happen over the course of it.  Take some chances; explore, try something new.  Any artistic pursuit will find a favorable audience.  Happiness comes through moderation.  A win turns into a loss only if we go beyond our abilities.

21st – Wednesday – Venus Sextile Uranus, Mercury Parallel Pluto – Well, both mind and heart are excited.  As a whole, the world is ready to try something new.  Translating thoughts into actions is easy if we have the will to focus our energy on just one thing.

22nd – Thursday – Sun enters Capricorn, Sun Trine Jupiter, Venus Sesquiquadrate Mars, Sun Square Uranus – It’s the beginning of a new chapter of life. We are given the opportunity to erase years of difficulties; all we have to do is to adopt a new attitude and viewpoint.  It sounds easy but to accomplish this requires sweeping change.  Luckily this is possible now.

23rd – Friday – Our appetites can be bigger than normal.  Are we really getting what we need? Sometimes we do too much of the wrong things and get into trouble. Relax and examine motives.

24th – Saturday – The New Moon is at 1:07 PM EST - It is a quiet day but there is much luck and abundance if we have the eyes to see where to put our attention. Meditation at this time can be unusually deep and very productive.

25th – Sunday – Mercury Parallel Venus, Jupiter turns Direct – We exchange pleasantries and are able to find the right words and thoughts to promote harmony.  Our vision of the future tends to be hopeful and positive.

26th – Monday – Mercury Semi-square Saturn, Venus Semi-sextile Pluto – Ordinary methods of proceeding are blocked….We have to switch our way of doing things in order to feel effective.  We need to be grateful for small gains and allow circumstances around us to germinate for a while.  

27th – Tuesday – It is a powerful and very social day…It is as if the world is more peaceful and innovative solutions present themselves.  Friendships matter and this is the time to cultivate the positive connections with people.

28th – Wednesday – Mercury Sesquiquadrate Jupiter – We move like a steamroller directly toward our goals.  Our vision is  focused on things unseen so it may take extra work to incorporate the will and intention of the people around us.  Take the time to listen.

29th – Thursday – Sun Conjunct Pluto, Venus Parallel Pluto – We can have deep connections with others if we are able to find balance between our personal life and our professional goals.  Be willing to reformulate underlying assumptions about how you spend your.  Some things that seem necessary really aren't; discard them.

30th – Friday – Everyone seems to be jumpy…our central nervous system seems to be doing some new exercise.  Conflict can emerge through misunderstandings.  So many things that seem urgent are not very important; enjoy the excitement without being swept away by it.

31st – Saturday – The pace of life picks up as we feel an urge to complete a few things on the last day of the year.  Even though there is tremendous energy now, finding inner peace does not necessarily mean spending time in isolation, it can just mean enjoying the moment without expectations.

Bob Mulligan is available for personal appointments, astrology classes, and astrological material.  Call him at 239-261-2840 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Visit our web site, www.theastrologycompany.com

"2012 – The Year of Finality" Bob gives a talk about the most important year in our lives…This next twelve months is much bigger than you could ever expect.  Each of us will alter our path, our expectations, and values during the next twelve months.

Are you ready for the news? Come; learn how to benefit from the coming crises.  Now is the time; make your own changes positive and permanent.  This talk will be on Saturday morning at the Salt Cave, December 17th, 9:30AM – 10:30 AM. Cost is $25 which includes a session in the Salt Cave.  RSVP 239- 403-9170.  As you know, seating is limited so call in advance to secure your place.