Weekly Horoscope: December 18 - 24

Winter Solstice 2016 - Darkness Before The Dawn

Winter Solstice 2016 and a retrograde Mercury puts us into something like stand-by mode this week. Mercury doesn't quite get to a conjunction with Pluto before going retrograde, possibly leading us to believe that we've missed our chance to grab the Brass Ring and meet our destiny. However, this is just an extended period of refinement before we return to implement the visionary ideas that have been fomenting since the last New Moon (November 29th 7° Sagittarius). Next week's New Moon (December 28th, 7-8° Capricorn) revitalizes the vision with the practical determination to succeed. Mars lands in watery Pisces this week and heads towards the South Node and Neptune, which creates a murky fog, wringing out ambition and potentially bursting a bubble of expectation and optimism. Again, this is most likely to be a transitory situation which helps to purge the unworkable elements from our visionary goals, ultimately leading us to envision a more practical, manageable approach. The Jupiter/Saturn sextile that is with us all week helps to stabilize the situation, despite the challenges, and produces a remarkable spirit of cooperation and goodwill.

The Virgo Moon on Sunday keeps us tightly focused on chores and details and, with Mercury slowing down in Capricorn, our broader visionary goals seem to drain away. Mercury stations on Monday and we may feel a nagging sensation that we have missed the chance to take hold of our destiny. Mars arrives in Pisces, which is also likely to dampen our sense of ambition. Mercury turns retrograde on Tuesday but the chaotic atmosphere also increases adaptability, producing a general feeling of freedom and safety, despite the slowdown. The Winter Solstice on Wednesday brings an unraveling effect that could have some us feeling like we're on the 'knife's edge', filled with uncertainty. Thursday morning provides a burst of energy and productivity before the VOC Moon produces a new round of indecision and uncertainty. There is an undercurrent of subconscious activity and determination produced by Friday's Scorpio Moon, which provides some degree of emotional reassurance — even though there is little desire to talk about it. Saturday offers the opportunity for a profound 'letting go' which provides space for a new and more practical sense of determination.

Read Today's Forecast