December 26th – January 1st

Communicate Responsibly & On An Equal Footing

 

This week’s headline items: Mercury’s Station phase intensifies on Tuesday and ends on Sunday; it’s time to take action on our New Moon intentions from Tuesday early afternoon on; the third US Pluto Return of the year becomes exact on Wednesday; Mercury comes to a halt and starts its 3-week Retrograde phase in Capricorn, on Thursday early morning; the first Quarter Moon in Aries becomes exact on Thursday evening; and Mars starts to slow down again (stationing) on Sunday.

 

There will be three Moon Void of Course (VoC) phases this week: Monday early afternoon (for a little over 13 hours); Wednesday night/Thursday very early morning (for a little over 4 hours), and Saturday morning (for almost 4.5 hours).

 

Before we get to this week’s Forecast, a gentle reminder…

If you want to stay on the pulse of all the planetary shifts for this coming year and see how an understanding of these energies can serve you personally, join me on a monthly basis in 2023!

I am offering an additional $36.00 discount for the YEARLY STAR Membership until Jan. 6th!

That reduces the cost from $27.00 per month to just $20 ==> Click here, add the YEARLY STAR MSH to your cart, and at checkout, use discount code: “HAPPY2023!”

 

Now, this week’s Forecast…

 

Monday, December 26th:

Monday, the Moon remains in freedom-loving, forward-thinking Aquarius all day. It will journey there until Tuesday very early morning (Dec. 27th). The energy of the Aquarian Moon relates to our instinct for improvement. Reactions are more intellectual than emotional, and interactions are more impersonal than personal. We are likely to have an increased fascination with the new and unusual.

Social gatherings, anything connected with group ideals and goals for the future, brainstorming, new ideas and methods, and progress are promoted while the Moon moves through Aquarius. Again: we have our eyes on the future — or outer space 🙂 Personal freedom becomes paramount.

Monday very early morning, we may feel pulled in two quite different directions: On the one hand, we experience a need to connect with like-minded people while remaining objective; on the other hand, we want to make space for pursuing our financial vision — and we also want to break free from outdated value systems.

As such, we may have to address what we value, both in others and in ourselves (this in turn, informs our self-worth); as far as possible, make adjustments and find creative solutions when it comes to these energies. (the Moon in Aquarius squares Uranus in Taurus, exact at 2:35am EST) 

Monday afternoon, at 1:19pm EST, we enter a Moon VoC that will last a little over 13 hours, until 2:34am EST (Tuesday every early morning). Use this intuitive time to focus on a long-term vision for your communities that involves a mature and realistic approach. As best as you can, take your time, and do your best to come from a place of integrity.

As always with a Moon VoC, as best as you can, don’t start anything brand-new, stick to routine things, or go with the flow. You may also want to plan Monday early afternoon until Tuesday very early morning ahead of time.

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Tuesday, Dec. 27th:

Tuesday, the Moon remains in freedom-loving, forward-thinking Aquarius and VoC until 2:34am EST (see Monday morning and afternoon for details).

Tuesday at 2:34am EST, the Moon enters creative, sensitive Pisces, where it will journey until Thursday early morning. This Moon placement often finds us more sensitive, intuitive, idealistic, and imaginative than normal. We also have a greater capacity for compassion, sympathy, and affection for all — but especially for those who suffer or can be regarded as the underdog.

But… that very idealism could also be our downfall at this time: We tend to see the best in everyone and everything, and when reality doesn’t match our idyllic vision, we might feel upset and even victimized by those harsh realities. A way out of this is to channel our idealism into spiritual or creative endeavors.

It’s also a great time for releasing fears — especially the ones based on a sense of separation — and experiencing “oneness”. Feelings tend to flow more freely; as best as you can, let them — in fact, “going with the flow” is the best way to go for the next couple of days.

Neptune is the ruler of Pisces — and it is currently in its own sign, making these next two days a great time to take a look at our inner spiritual connection to our “higher Self”, “Source”, or “God/Goddess”.

It’s also a great time to allow “what is”, as it is, and to go with the flow, following our intuitive voice as much as possible. We are being asked to tap into the “feminine” energies within ourselves, so we can start to vibrate on a universal frequency.

Ask yourself: Is my “Higher Self” asking for more introverted/inner-love time? If I tune in with my intuitive voice, what am I receiving? Sensing?

Where in my life have I become too disconnected from life? Love? God/Goddess? What is my connection to the spiritual realm? What about the “heart realm”? How could nature and/or animals teach me about those realms?

Do I need more downtime? More resting-time? More compassion? How might being kind to myself and trusting the process of Life create a more loving connection with the universe?

Tuesday from 12:23pm EST on, it is time to start taking action on our New Moon intentions! If you set Intentions on Dec. 23rd or 24th – after the New Moon became exact — today (Tuesday) will be the best time to take relevant actions.

If you wrote your intentions down, go back and take another look at what came through intuitively. If you didn’t write anything down, get quiet for a moment and check in with yourself: What actions are calling to me?

Also, on Tuesday, Mercury’s Station intensifies, as Mercury is preparing to come to halt on Thursday morning (beginning its 3-week Retrograde phase). We feel Mercury’s energies even more strongly during this intensified Station phase. It will remain at its most intensified until Dec. 30th in 24 degrees of Capricorn. Going with the flow is definitely recommended at this time.

Pay attention to anything “in your face” in any of the following areas: long-term goals, worldly achievements, communications, short journeys, transportation of any kind, communication devices, processing information, learning, writing, teaching, or sharing. You will get a chance to re-organize yourself once Mercury goes retrograde.

Be extra patient if you intend to buy, sell or ship big-ticket items, especially if they are transportation or communication devices like anything connected to planes, trains, cars, phones, computers, iPads, etc. Best of all (if possible): wait until after Feb. 7th, when the post-Shadow phase is over.

Here are some questions you could ask yourself during the Mercury Station phase: Do I experience any discomfort around my long-term goals? Am I debating whether or not there are enough worldly achievements in my life? Could I allow myself to slow down so I can become more aware of my starting point? What might I be able to achieve if I had a better understanding of my current reality? Might I be able to approach things more realistically?

Some of us will feel the effects of the Mercury station more than others: those of us who have Gemini or Virgo as our Sun- or Rising-Sign (Ascendant); and those of us with personal planets in 22-26 degrees of Capricorn, Cancer, Aries, or Libra.

 

Wednesday, Dec. 28th:

Wednesday, the Moon remains in creative, sensitive Pisces all day (see Tuesday very early morning for details).

Wednesday early morning, an opportune Venus/Neptune aspect becomes exact at 3:52am EST. We started to feel this aspect build from Monday on, and it will remain strong until Thursday evening. This is an opportunity for compassion and kindness in our social and work-related interactions. We are more attuned to the subtleties of human interaction and are more inclined to cooperate with others.

We tend to “feel” each other on an energetic level now, a sensitive approach is therefore recommended. This is also an opportunity for imaginative or romantic interactions. Remember: opportunities are openings; they aren’t necessarily handed to us — we have to “take” them and make something of them.

Ask yourself: How might meditation or mindfulness — simply being present in the now-moment to all the energies inside and around me — support my long-term goals and collaborations with others? What might transpire if I brought 5% more compassion and acceptance toward my inner and outer long-term processes?

Do you have your Ascendant, Career Point (or any personal planets) in 21-25 degrees of Capricorn, Pisces, Scorpio, or Taurus? If so, you may be more aware of this opportunity. This is also true for those of us who have our Ascendant or Sun-sign in Taurus, Libra, or Pisces (Venus is the ruler of Taurus and Libra; Neptune rules Pisces).

Also on Wednesday, the third and last US Pluto Returns of this year becomes exact at 27º33’ of Capricorn; the first was exact on Feb. 20th; the second one was exact on July 11th (when Pluto was in its Retrograde phase). The process of transformation has been unfolding. This process started 5 years ago, in January 2017, when Pluto started to approach its exact return point (coming within 10º of its natal position).

This is a once-every-248-year event that facilitates a major breakdown and rebirthing process — and since the United States is a fairly young country, she is experiencing this transformative event for the first time since the country was founded in 1776. The re-birthing process is long, but the initiation will be completed by the end of this year. A new era begins.

==> Feel free to also watch my brief video on the subject.

Wednesday night/Thursday very early morning at 1:21am EST, we enter a Moon VoC that will last a little over 4 hours, until 5:36am EST (Thursday early morning). Use this intuitive time as an opportunity to be guided by inspiration and fully commit to a project or task that might serve you long-term. As best as you can, listen and trust the subtle messages in your heart that stir you toward success.

As always with a Moon VoC, don’t start anything new, stick to routine things, or go with the flow as best as you can. You may also want to plan Thursday early morning ahead of time.

 

Thursday, Dec. 29th:

Thursday is a big day (astrologically speaking). The Moon remains in creative, sensitive Pisces and VoC until 5:36am EST (see Tuesday very early morning and Wednesday night for details).

Thursday at 4:32am EST, Mercury comes to a halt (at  24º21′ Capricorn), and starts its 3-week Retrograde phase, slowing things down tremendously until Friday evening. Give yourself extra time to go to work or to get things done. If you are traveling today, just simply go with the flow… you’ll get there… eventually 😉 The same is true when it comes to all our technological devices…

With Mercury being Retrograde, its energy feels stronger inside of us, helping us recognize what is out of alignment and pointing to how we can begin realigning ourselves with the outside world, starting from within. We can ask ourselves: What feels out of integrity in my life? Where am I not exercising my right to be my own authority on something? What needs to be reorganized? Reconsidered?

Mercury will spend its entire Retrograde phase in Capricorn, the sign most concerned with long-term goals, business dealings, economic status, social rules/regulations and self-mastery. This provides extra opportunities to re-evaluate our long-term goals and connect from within to a place of integrity and autonomy, and tap into our own authority.

We can bring a more mature approach to life, so this is also a chance to readdress anything from the past that felt out of integrity, unrealistic, or unsustainable for the long term and is now ready to be cleared or changed. This process begins internally and works its way out, offering a chance to honor and communicate maturely and truthfully.

This Retrograde phase will last until January 18th, 2023 (reaching 8º9′ of Capricorn at that time). People worry about Mercury retrogrades, but it’s important not to stop one’s life during these times. As mentioned above, certain things may take longer — but a retrograde gives us a chance to resolve things that have been keeping us from being in alignment with the outer world — especially things that came up since Dec. 12th (when Mercury entered its pre-Shadow phase).

Take time to investigate your own thought processes: What feels too busy to me? What if I got really clear about that? What if I could create realistic and sustainable outcomes where that once seemed impossible? What would a mature approach or realistic way of dealing with life look like right now? Where do I still need to put in some work to achieve this?

For the next 3 weeks, we get a chance to get in touch with our inner dialog, connecting from within to see where we need to be more aware of what we are thinking and communicating. We may also get to reorganize any data that we have accumulated over the last three months since the last Mercury Retrograde phase (in September).

This is also a chance to readdress anything connected to any interactions or verbal exchanges from the past two weeks; this is also a process that begins internally and works its way out, providing a chance to tune in and communicate more clearly. It’s time to rethink, retool, and release what no longer works.

As always: with a Mercury Retrograde phase, always read the small print — and re-read a contract before signing (if you have to sign something) — or ask another person for a second opinion…

Basically, during these periods, it’s best to be aware of any details we might have overlooked, check in with our intuition, and stay open to renegotiation or adjustments down the line!

In general, Mercury Retrograde is a great time for re-evaluating and re-organizing. This is especially true for our thought patterns and decisions (particularly those made in the 2 weeks prior to the start of the retrograde) — but it’s true of our lives in general: we can reach a clearer understanding as to what works and what doesn’t, and what needs to change.

Reconnecting with “old” friends, clients, neighbors, business partners, colleagues, and family members (especially siblings) is also favored at this time …

Mercury also represents our day-to-day mind; this is also experienced more internally at this time. When it comes to communication, make sure that what you say, write and hear is the same as the intended meaning — and use the spell-checker 😉

Another thing to take into consideration: how does each Mercury retrograde phase affect your personal birth chart? Do you have any personal planets that Mercury will align with during its retrograde journey? The houses of your chart each represent different areas of your life — which of the houses in your chart is affected by this retrograde?

If you are familiar with your natal chart — take a look at your natal Mercury and where Capricorn lands in your chart to see how this might play out for you 😉 If you prefer that Lia or myself take a look at this for you, feel free to book a 25-minute Reading with Lia or a 25-minute Soul Purpose Reading with me.

As with any retrograde, some of us will be more affected than others, depending on how it interacts with our personal chart. If you have your Ascendant, Career Point, or any personal planets in 6-26 degrees of Capricorn, Cancer, Aries, or Libra, you will be more affected by this particular Retrograde phase. This is also true for those of us who have a Gemini, or Virgo Sun- or Rising-sign (Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo).

Thursday at 5:36am EST, the Moon enters pioneering, fast-paced Aries, where it will journey until Saturday early afternoon. Life is an adventure; we’re more open to new ideas and enthusiastic about new projects. Patience is certainly not our strong suit at this time, but we can decide quickly and act immediately.

Our independence and dynamism are important to us right now, so we may find it hard to be disciplined or accept advice at this time; in general, our responses to others tend to be more assertive or even aggressive. If you find your foot tapping, try hitting the gym or finding other ways to burn off the body’s excess energy.

This Moon placement starts the build-up towards the first Quarter Moon (exact later today at 8:21pm EST).

Thursday morning, a Mercury/Venus alignment in 24º of Capricorn becomes exact at 8:58am EST. We started to feel this aspect build from Sunday night on, and it will remain strong until Saturday afternoon. This is an excellent time to start sharing about art projects (or anything arts-related —visual arts perhaps) and any teaching endeavors. This alignment indicates an ability to communicate from the heart — and connecting to people we have an affinity with is essential – business and personal.

We want to connect harmoniously and peacefully and communicate responsibly and on an equal footing. We tend to have a strong sense of fairness at this time and want to be in touch with people who meet us halfway. In general, we are very agreeable and enjoy socializing.

We also thoroughly enjoy the written and spoken word — literature, wordplay, puns, moving conversations — especially if connected to social rules, government plans, or career goals.

Do you have your Ascendant, Career Point (or personal planets) in 21-27 degrees of Capricorn, Cancer, Aries, or Libra? If so, you will feel this alignment quite strongly. This is also true for those of us who have our Ascendant or Sun-sign in Virgo, Gemini, or Taurus  (Mercury is the ruler of Gemini and Virgo; Venus is the ruler of Taurus and Libra).

Thursday evening, at 8:21pm EST, the first Quarter Moon in 8º of Aries becomes exact. We started to feel this aspect build from the moment the Moon entered Aries earlier today at 5:36am EST. The Moon in pioneering, enthusiastic, fast-paced Aries makes a challenging aspect to the Sun practical, cautious, accomplishment-oriented Capricorn.

We feel compelled to take action. Last week (on Dec. 23rd) saw a SuperNew Moon. “Seeds” planted then are probably “sprouting” by now — and making their first real contact with the outside world. This is, therefore, a time to stretch and grow — and create some forward momentum. We may feel anxious or unusually busy.

As best as you can, go one breath at a time. Allow for changes, remain flexible (as much as possible), and find creative solutions for your day-to-day dealings with others.

Do you have your Ascendant, Career Point (or personal planets) in 6-10 degrees of Aries, Capricorn, Libra or Cancer? If so, you will feel the effects of this first Quarter Moon more strongly than otherwise. This is also true for those of us who have our Ascendant or Sun-sign in Leo or Cancer (the Sun rules Leo; the Moon rules Cancer).

 

Friday, Dec. 30th:

Friday, the Moon remains in pioneering, fast-paced Aries all day (see Thursday early morning for details).

Friday early morning has lots of potential for healing around family, the “mother archetype”, home, and our past in general. We may feel more sensitive and insecure about what we identify with and around our ability to be assertive; this gives us the opportunity to give ourselves some compassion, acceptance, and nurturing in the face of our sensitivities and limitations. (Moon conjuncts Chiron in Aries, exact at 2:55am EST)

Friday evening, a somewhat challenging Sun/Mars aspect becomes exact at 6:21pm EST. We started to feel this aspect build from Thursday evening on; it will remain strong until Saturday evening. We feel uneasy about something, sort of awkward; we must make a choice. We need to develop inner awareness, so we can make adjustments.

This might concern compromising with others. Our enthusiasm might make us impatient or hasty with others. As best as you can, keep choosing the “better” alternative, adjusting as needed.

When life slows down, or becomes uncomfortable, simplify and be patient. We are changing and growing in ways we can’t comprehend. Stay as open and observant as you can — especially since Mars is still in its retrograde motion, and its energy will therefore seem “louder” internally.

Do you have your Ascendant, Career Point (or personal planets) in 8-10 degrees of Capricorn or Gemini? If so, you will feel this aspect quite strongly. This is also true for those of us who have our Ascendant or Sun-sign in Leo or Aries (the Sun rules Leo; Mars rules Aries)

Friday late evening, we get an opportunity to take action on our personal goals in a very concrete way and bring a new level of focus and authenticity to our future visions. (Moon in Aries sextiles Saturn in Aquarius, exact at 9:52pm EST) 

 

Saturday, Dec. 31st:

Saturday, the Moon remains in pioneering, fast-paced Aries until 12:08pm EST (see Thursday early morning for details).

Saturday at 7:44am EST, we enter a Moon VoC that lasts for almost 4.5 hours until 12:08pm EDT. Use this intuitive time to make some adjustments and find creative ways to work with the energies at play: On the one hand, as best as you can, follow your inner compass and take care of your own needs; on the other hand, deepen your authentic connection to whatever you are building long-term.

As always with a Moon VoC, don’t start anything new, stick to routine things, or go with the flow as best as you can. You may also want to plan Monday late morning until the early evening ahead of time.

Saturday at 12:08pm EST, the Moon enters steady, peaceful Taurus, where it will journey until next week, Monday late evening (Jan. 2nd). We love all physical comforts, prefer consistency, and would rather stick with what we know works well. In other words: change is not our favorite thing, and “rushing things” goes against our grain.

What is our favorite thing for the next two days? It’s probably slowing down and getting in touch with whatever delights our senses 😉

 

Sunday, January 1st:

Sunday, the Moon remains in steady, peaceful Taurus all day (see Saturday early afternoon for details). HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! May 2023 bring the change we have been waiting for — towards stronger alliances and common humanitarian goals.

Saturday night/Sunday very early morning, a Venus/Pluto alignment in 27.5º of Capricorn becomes exact at 12:25am EST. We started to feel this aspect build from Thursday night on; it will remain strong until next week, Tuesday morning (Jan. 3rd). This alignment brings out our passionate side. We uncompromisingly seek deep, totally authentic connections with others.

Our instincts are very strong right now, our inner wolf is wide-awake, and we can sniff out any unclean intentions right away. As best as you can, be completely truthful about your motivations and needs – if you try to duck this, it could get ugly since everyone knows what everyone else is up to anyway.

What if you took 100% responsibility for getting what you want and need? What is the highest path to achieve that? As best as you can, find creative solutions and remain flexible. And as always, when Pluto is involved, choose the power of love over the power of fear — whenever possible.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself: What if I became 5% more aware of my personal power? Where might I have given it away to others? And how might I begin to reclaim it? Where do I still look outside of myself for permission or approval? For what’s “right” or “wrong”?

What fears or concerns do I need to let go of to have more of what I really want? Am I living to protect myself from long-term harm or worst-case scenarios? Or with an open heart, feeling empowered in my daily choices?

Do you have your Ascendent, Career Point (or any personal planets) in the following placements: 25-29 degrees of Capricorn, Cancer, Aries,  or Libra, or 0 degrees of Aquarius, Leo, Taurus, or Scorpio?? If so, you will feel this alignment quite strongly. This is also true for those of us who have our Ascendant or Sun-sign in Taurus, Libra, or Scorpio (Venus is the ruler of Taurus and Libra; Pluto rules Scorpio)

Also on Sunday, Mercury ends its Station phase and gets back to its normal pace through the sky — but moving backward through the sky, as seen from Earth (that’s what “retrograde” refers to). We have a chance to do some internal work on thinking and/or communication issues that came up over the last couple of weeks in connection with our long-term goals and reputation out there in the world.

Last but not least on Sunday,  Mars starts to slow down (station) at 8º of Gemini in preparation to go direct again on Jan. 12th, 2023 (after its 2.5 months Retrograde phase). This station will last until January 24th. Mars represents our assertiveness, independence, and “male” energy Also: new initiatives, going after one’s goals, and physical actions.

During the station, these energies will be “in our face” — we become more aware of them, but we’re not necessarily able to do anything about them yet. This may bring up frustration or even outright anger. With Mars in Gemini, something we say or hear might bring up annoyance, impatience, or simple anger; we may express that anger in our inner dialog or written words.

Ask yourself: When I observe my inner dialog, what am I most aware of? What do I become most aware of when I consider my ability to learn or teach? What single action step would take me one step closer to sharing something that I have been meaning to share for quite a while now? What might be possible if I took it one moment at a time, staying very present with “what is”? What would impatience do? What has it done so far?

Is your Sun sign or Ascendant in Aries? Or do you have your Ascendant, Career Point (or personal planets) in 6-11 degrees of Gemini, Sagittarius, Virgo, or Pisces? If so, you will feel a stronger connection to this Mars station.

And…

A heads up for next Monday (Jan. 2nd): the Moon remains in steady, peaceful Taurus until 9:44pm EST. In the very early morning, an opportune Mercury/Neptune aspect becomes exact for the second time within the last 9 days — at 1:44am EST. We started to feel this aspect build from Dec. 22nd on; it will remain strong until next week, Wednesday early morning (Jan. 4th) — an unusually long time due to Mercury’s Staton/Retrograde phase. A challenging Sun/Chiron aspect becomes exact in the late morning at 11:02am EST. We started to feel this aspect build from Friday evening on; it will remain strong until next week, Thursday (Jan. 5th). At 5:16pm EST, we enter a Moon VoC that lasts until 9:44pm EST. At 9:09pm EST, Venus changes signs from productive, accomplishment-oriented Capricorn to freedom-oriented, forward-thinking Aquarius, where it will journey until Jan. 26th. And last but not least, at 9:48pm EST, the Moon enters chatty, versatile Gemini, where it will journey until Thursday morning (Jan. 5th) More about all the details in next week’s Forecast…

 

One More Announcement:

Join me for our next FORECASTING FORUM, live on Friday, January 6th, 2023, at 2pm PST/5pm EST/10pm GMT (London time).

How can you make the most of 2023?

In this first Forum of the year, we will talk about what to expect in 2023:

• Saturn moves into Pisces on March 7th
• Pluto moves into Aquarius in March for 3 months, giving us a preview of what’s to come in 2024 and beyond
• Pluto also Squares the Moon Nodes for most of 2023
• Jupiter moves in Taurus on May 16th

If you want to align with the upcoming energies, join me live or sign up for the mp4 video presentation.

To join for FREE every month, become a Star Member on my site.
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Here are two testimonials from our participants after joining one of our recent Forums:

“Thank you so much Sonja for the tips!” — Smitha

 

“A jammed-pack session that I’ll definitely listen to again and again. Thank you.” — Cathy E.

To register for this month only, click here — the EARLY BIRD SPECIAL is available until Jan. 4th at midnight EST!!!

ALSO! If you want to stay on the pulse of all the planetary shifts for this coming year and see how an understanding of these energies can serve you personally, join us every month in 2023! ==> I am offering an additional $36.00 discount for the Yearly Star Membership until Jan. 6th!

That reduces the cost from $27.00 per month to just $20. Click here, add the YEARLY Star Membership to your cart, and at checkout, use discount code: HAPPY2023!

Have a fantastic week! Stay whole-hearted and healthy, and if you need support, feel free to reach out!
Many blessings,
Sonja

PS: To apply my forecasts and videos to your own birth chart, watch my 30-minute class on: “How to Read Your Birth Chart” and feel free to go to my Facebook Fan page for my daily forecast snippets.

 

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