Jonathan Pearl - Star Pearls Column

Star Pearls 12*18*06

Appointments with planets
Star*Watch
Straight to the Moon
Wandering Stars

Dear friends,

Holiday season is time to be merry, right? We slack off work, party-hop, drink, eat, drink some more and shop more in 3 weeks than most of the year combined. Yet what word do you hear slipping out in conversations more than you'd expect? The s*ss word - stress.

Stress is abundant in our frantic bizy-crazed culture, but you'd think that around the holidays people would start to relax. Many do. But if you agree that these weeks seem to have their share of stress, read on.

From an astrological point of view, the holidays begin with Sun into Sagittarius. The whole country celebrates the event with a big Thanksgiving feast and official announcement of shopping season. At first everything seems great, and holiday parties in early December are a welcome treat. But the closer to winter we get, the more people seem on edge. The Sun in Sag moves closer and closer to Pluto - exact this year early Monday 12/18.

I not doom-saying Pluto - this day doesn't mean some disaster, personal or global. But Pluto brings an intensity, compulsion and all-or-nothingness to the Sag pastimes of eating, shopping and finding the answer to the meaning of life.

From the moment the Sun enters Sag, it knows it has to meet up with Pluto 3 weeks later. It's like a day you have to move and simply cannot bring it all with you - some things have to go. You know it will be fine in the end and you might even be looking forward to the results, but the move itself may ask, or demand: What are you willing to leave behind? And that causes some stress. 3 weeks before the move, everything is fine; a week before the move it is on your mind - what will you give up? What makes the cut?On moving day the 'take it or leave it choice' is fully occupying you. Then afterwards you have the relief that it is done.

All transits are like this - as soon as they are applying they are in effect; when they pass we have the imprint of the experience and then we go on to the next.

If you are meeting up with Venus, your anticipation builds like going on a first date. If Jupiter is headed your way, it's like going into the boss's office when you've got a raise coming. But Saturn is the opposite - the dreaded 'we have to let you go' meeting. Or the icky doctor's appointment with the extremely uncomfortable test. OK, yes, there may be some underlying good to the Saturn transits but I'll save that for another column with the Sun in Capricorn or Aquarius.

This week, enjoy the few days with the Sun in Sag after Pluto. This is the best of holiday times - enjoyment without compulsion and optimism without force. Good times, faith in whatever you have found it, music, fellowship and the knowledge that despite some endings, everything will turn out OK.

Holiday special! Give two life readings as presents, get a free question answered for yourself. Email me and I'll set everything up. For selections please visit the Services page.

I'll be talking on my fave topic 'Homer's Odyssey Through the Zodiac' at the January meeting of the San Francisco Astrological Society on 1/25/07. Watch next year for more details.

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Star*Watch - More info here.

Sun * in Sagittarius, entering Capricorn on Thursday. We act to expand horizons, experience what is further out and go beyond all limits. Most of this is good but easy to overdo. Sun into Capricorn marks the return of the light and the real New Year!

Moon * New Moon in Sagittarius on early Wednesday 12/20. We are more at ease; located for the Bay Area (and pretty close anywhere on the Pacific coast) it is an especially good week for a new exercise plan.

Monday 12/18 * Moon in Sagittarius, Sun conjunct Pluto early. With Sun past Pluto the pressure is off. Enjoy last gift giving midday, warm up the body with some motion in the eve. We value long time friends and partners the most, and communicate well with business partners.

Tuesday 12/19 * Moon in Sag. A broadminded imagination counters our tough trap, and the unexpected appeals. The body is fierce with warrior energy. With solstice on Thursday, we are like trees about to let go of a leaf.

Wednesday 12/20 * New Moon in Sagittarius, into Capricorn 8:40 am. We awake with fresh hope and optimism, then get to work on our plans. We cannot resist another gift for our long time love. A day for writing holiday cards the old fashioned way - with a pen.

Thursday 12/21 * Moon in Capricorn, Sun into Capricorn 4:25 pm, Mars square Uranus. Sun in the first sign of winter is the true New Year. We feel the birth of ambition and the knowledge than only long hard work will make our goals happen. Even if you've got lots to do, this is the morning for a lover's breakfast. Warrior Mars squaring off with the rebel Uranus means unexpected events with men, action takes a turn and definitely a day to take caution against all accidents.

Friday 12/22 * Moon in Capricorn, into Aquarius 1:50 pm. In Capricorn we are focused on our personal accomplishment; in Aquarius we network with community with less of an agenda. Still we value our professional partnerships and even though most taking off for a long weekend some may even look forward to another round of work. If the job doesn't have some pleasure it's time for a new one.

Saturday 12/23 * Moon in Aquarius. Since last August, we may have lost some art in our lives or the music has turned older or darker or both. A night for old stories or movies like The Fountain.

Sunday 12/24 * Moon in Aquarius, into Pisces 5:45 pm, Mercury trine Saturn. With Mercury trine Saturn we are thinking seriously, and may realize the best way to accomplish our goals is through our extended community. Moon into Pisces in the eve enjoys warm cozy connections.

Have a stellar week!

Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl

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Wandering Stars - the planets

Mercury * in Sagittarius. Mercury in Sag wants to learn, explore and experience a variety of concepts and forms of communication. But we have one good idea after another! Mercury in Sag through December 27.

Venus * in Capricorn. We're serious about partnerships now and value things that last. We're willing to put in the work hours to achieve what we want. Venus in Capricorn loves older things, people, traditions and may have a thing for knees. Venus in Capricorn until January 4.

Mars * in Sagittarius. Mars in Sag means men act like the confident archer - more upbeat, assertive, athletic and always in pursuit of prey. This placement energizes the thighs. Mars in Sag through January 17 2007.

Jupiter * in Sagittarius. Jupiter is opportunities and expansion and in his home sign of Sag, improvements and abundance come easy. Jupiter in Sagittarius through December 2007.

Saturn * Retrograde in Leo. Concrete Saturn is moving into the 2nd pass of an opposition with destabilizing Neptune. All long term structures are not as solid as they seem. Saturn in Leo through September 2007.

Dragon's Head * in Pisces. We advance towards peace, arts and spirituality, and partnerships are also a must. Without the sweet embrace of love, substitutes can be not just an occasional indulgence but a routine.

Dragon's Tail * in Virgo. As placements go, this is a bit tough. The Dragon's Tail is like the tai-chi master doing quiet movements but little else. How does this function in the sign of accomplishment through detail & perfection? We let go of ways we are unnecessarily restrictive. Hard work is a virtue, but unless guided by a Pisces wholeness will never bring us true peace.

* * * MAY ALL BE AUSPICIOUS * * *