"If you shut up truth, and bury it underground, it will but grow."

—Emile Zola

This week begins with the Winter Solstice — the Sun's entrance into the sign of Capricorn on Sunday. Capricorn's ruler, Saturn, has been quite active over the past few months as it makes a last pass through the sign of Pisces before rejoining Neptune in Aries in February. Both Capricorn and Pisces are tightly aligned in their pursuit of truth — material 'truth' (Capricorn) and spiritual 'truth' (Pisces). Of course, it is Sagittarius that is the sign that is most associated with the pursuit of 'truth'. It is in Capricorn that Sagittarian 'truth' is codified, [...]

"Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."

—Harriet Beecher Stowe

The extended Grand Water trine energies that have dominated the environment since the last days of October come to a close this week. The Moon wanes in light and, in essence, there is a feeling that 'the waters are receding'. The potential for a 'fresh start' brings a great deal of optimism but not necessarily a solid sense of direction. Neptune stations direct midweek, joining Saturn in the march back into Aries towards February's Saturn-Neptune conjunction at the first degree of the Zodiac — 0° Aries. Neptune's direct station helps us begin to set aside any irrational fears or unattainable dreams 'washed ashore' by [...]

"Everyone has talent. What's rare is the courage to follow it to the dark places where it leads."

—Erica Jong

Both Saturn and Mercury station direct this week in the midst of the ongoing series of Grand Water Trines. Saturn's direct station raises the stakes, bringing a powerful idealistic zeal into the deeply emotional environment. Saturn's demanding determination is well supported by the new information coming into focus under the direct station of Mercury. However, the strength of Saturn does bring a temptation to try to 'take charge' — assume control in order to demonstrate our mastery over others. But making overt demands in this watery — slippery — environment is only likely to bring about increasingly intense frustration. Grounding is needed in order to tame the idealism and slow down enough to adapt to the stationary direct motion of Saturn and Mercury. Mercury is winding up a review process that [...]