Planetary Influences - December 2017

Full Moon in Taurus- December 3

The full Moon for the month of December 2017 occurs on December 3rd which is a Sunday. During the full Moon, the Sun is placed in the opposite house of Scorpio, being ruled over by Mars. The Moon is in the house ruled by Venus. Thus Mars and Venus are in each others’ house and this exchange of houses creates a good bond between them.

Mars stays in the house of Libra, being ruled by Venus till January 16th, 2018. Venus is staying in the house of Scorpio, being ruled by Mars till December 20th.

The exact opposition of Sun and Moon takes place at 18 deg Taurus for Moon and 18 deg Scorpio for Sun. The Moon in Taurus is quite alone in the house with no other planets in the near vicinity, hence the Moon is quite strong without any planetary influences.

But then the Moon gets the energy of Venus being in its home of Taurus. Thus much feminine energy would be felt at this point of time. Venus is now moving closer to the Sun for combustion later on and now probably it is readying for the event it seems..



Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius/Scorpio-( December 3 – 22)

Mercury transiting the house of Sagittarius from November last slows down and reverses its motion on the 3rd of December. Presently Mercury is with Saturn. In its retrograde movement, Mercury enters the house of Scorpio where the Sun is currently going direct. The exact conjunction (0 deg) of the Sun and Mercury takes place on December 12th in the house of Scorpio. The Sun and Mercury then part ways and Mercury travels towards Venus where it conjoins Venus on December 15th, in the house of Scorpio. And this Mercury-Venus combination is aspected by Rahu or the Moon's north node from Cancer and likely to affect our general performance for the day. The retrograde Mercury finally goes Direct on the 22nd of December in the house of Scorpio. However by then Venus would have transited to Sagittarius.

This Mercury retrograde period is an excellent time for delving into analytical and communication related studies or experiments as Mercury rules over these. Some skeletons might fall of the closet for some natives due to the aspect of the Moon's node on the retrograding Mercury, be cautious.

In general, this Mercury retrograde period can be best used for slowing your general working. There would be a feeling of erratic energy around, beware. Do not rush things, instead wait for Mercury to go direct. Do revise, re-edit, rework or refine your projects on the anvil.

Sun Enters Sagittarius - December 15

The Sun transiting through the house of Scorpio all through November, transits to the neighboring house of Sagittarius on the 15th of December. It spends about a month's time in Sagittarius. Thus the Sun would have bid adieu to Venus and Mercury in Scorpio.

On the 21st of December, the winter solstice occurs and the Sun would be joining Saturn at 7 deg Sagittarius. The Sun rules our individuality and ego. As the Sun travels along with Saturn this season, it is likely to bring about some negative energy around. The power of Saturn is likely to crush some and transform some, be prepared.

New Moon in Sagittarius- December 17

The Moon would be joining the Sun at 3 deg in Sagittarius on December 17th forming a New Moon. And this conjunction would be approached by Saturn, however there would not be any other planetary influences on this New Moon.

The Moon rules over our mind and our emotional self. The Moon would be strong when it is full. However it would be at its weakest when it is New as it is totally eclipsed by the Sun. Hence you would feel a lack of energy and vitality during the days leading to the New Moon. However this period can be best utilized to relax, and contemplate your future plans. Avoid any rifts and try to develop a calm atmosphere around.

Venus Enters Sagittarius- December 20

During the start of December, Venus would be travelling so close to Sun that we lose the sight of the morning star. Then Venus enters the zodiac house of Sagittarius on December 20th and stays there till January 13th of 2018. During this transit, Venus would be flying past the Sun and Saturn. The morning star now becomes the evening star where Venus would be now visible in the western sky in the evenings after sunset. And this phenomenon continues till late October, 2018. Venus in the house of Sagittarius is a strong position as Jupiter is the ruler of Sagittarius. Jupiter and Venus are now in an exchange of houses adding to their strengths. Both Jupiter and Venus likely to teach valuable lessons in life during this time period. Though Jupiter is posited with Mars and Venus is placed with Saturn , both malefics, their effects are mitigated thanks to the benefic Venus and Jupiter. Hence positive results can be expected this time of the year. Venus in Sagittarius promotes academic pursuits and creativity. Also relationships would be greatly enhanced during this period.