The last four years have been charged with intense aspects among the outer planets. From 2012 to 2015, Uranus squared Pluto, spurring deep changes and highlighting our need for transformation at the social and political level, while also upsetting the apple carts of our personal lives. From late 2015 through most of 2016, we were working our way through a square of Saturn to Neptune, an aspect that dissolves our sense of structure and makes it hard to find direction. Since September, we’ve been in the rebuilding process, creating new realities that will carry us through the next several years.

Until Saturn meets Pluto in 2020, we have no hard aspects between the four outer planets, although there are some easy connections and Jupiter will be quite busy. It’s unlikely that we’ll be feeling particularly settled or secure, and the skies will keep us hopping as they always do. Yet we may begin to feel that we have slightly more influence and a greater sense of orientation than we’ve had for the past few years. On the other hand, the outer planets in a sense step back and hand the controls over to us, testing our ability to steer though changing times.

The month begins with the Moon waxing out of the New Moon on October 30th, in the sign of Scorpio. The Sun makes an easy trine to Neptune on the 1st, opening up possibilities for creativity, and the ability to imagine greater opportunities. This is a good time to set your vision for the coming month.

On the 5th, Venus makes an easy trine to Uranus. Try something new in your relationships, or perhaps try someone new. This is a good time to balance your personal needs with your partner’s, and that may mean you could use some alone time. There’s a playfulness and flexibility about this aspect that you can enjoy – a week later Venus moves into Capricorn and the relationship vibe becomes more formal and goal-directed.

The goddess of love isn’t the only planet changing signs in the second week of the month. Cosmic Warrior Mars leaves Capricorn for Aquarius on the 9th, stoking up our fight for truth, while Mercury helps us to articulate beliefs and see the big picture when he slips into Sagittarius on the 12th.

The Full Moon in Taurus on the 14th is likely to help make the weekend of the 12th/13th a fun time. Get out (or stay in) and do what you really enjoy. 

After the Full Moon, the fog descends as Neptune becomes the star of the show. The planet we associate with hyper-sensitivity, other worlds, spirituality, and illusions, stations to go direct on the 19th. Neptune stations tend to be watery and emotional, and can make it challenging to assess data realistically. That’s especially relevant to relationships, as Venus is in aspect to the god of the seas as he stations. The day before, Mercury squares Neptune, and information may be inaccurate or exaggerated. This is a wonderful time to exercise your imagination, take in a film, go off on a fantasy, or meditate, but it isn’t particularly good for practical matters.

Things get more intense the following week, as Mercury meets Saturn on the 23rd, while Venus, Jupiter, and Pluto get into a tense square alignment over the next few days. Jupiter/Pluto often means power plays, typically at the global level. Yet Venus in the mix suggests we’ll be bringing the energy down into our personal lives, as well. Struggles and conflicts may simmer beneath the surface, at least until Venus squares Uranus on the 29th and things erupt. 

The 29th is also the day of the New Moon in Sagittarius, a good time to slow down and contemplate what 2016 has been for you. There’s still a month to make changes and accomplish things before we ring in the New Year. 

With the Sun square to Neptune on the 30th, we may find that we are revisiting some of the uncertainties of mid-month. Be careful not to idealize or demonize people, most of which are probably just ordinary humans like yourself. 

The last month of the year begins on a constructive note, as Mars trines Jupiter and sextiles Saturn and Uranus under a waxing moon. Through the First Quarter Moon on the 7th, it’s a great time to focus on being productive. There’s a nice mix of personal assertiveness with the ability to keep the collective in perspective, so that while we push ourselves forward, we’re unlikely to push others out of the way.

As the Sun meets Saturn on December 10th, egos may be brought down to earth. This aspect keeps the tone serious, and it isn’t the best cosmic weather to ask for a favor from those in authority. Some of us will feel pressure to tow the party line, whether or not we’re really in agreement with it. 

A more independent energy prevails two days later on the 12th, when the Sun trines Uranus. It should be easier to stand up for yourself, and maybe even change accepted beliefs and assumptions. With the Full Moon in Gemini just a day away (the 13th), we’ll see the results of the first half of the month’s efforts and conflicts.

Mercury stations to retrograde on the 19th, backpedaling through the skies until January 8th. The usual Mercury retrograde miscommunications, technical snafus, and traffic snarls are to be expected. Perhaps Mercury is reminding us that this is a time to slow down and appreciate the end of the year with friends and family.

The winter solstice is on December 21st at 5:43 a.m. EST. The Sun has reached the nadir of his yearly cycle, spending most of his time below the horizon. Of course, it is just at the darkest time of year that the light begins to grow as the sun begins his northward trek towards summer.

Easy energies prevail on the 24th and 25th, as Venus makes merry with Jupiter and Saturn. Formalities and festivities coincide nicely, and graciousness hangs in the air. With Saturn in an easy trine to Uranus on the 24th, we may see some softening among political and social factions that have been bristling against each other.

Jupiter opposes Uranus on the 26th, an aspect that often manifests as technical innovations and progressive social policy. Uranus is especially powerful, as he is stationing to go direct on the 29th, so this aspect should have a lot of energy behind it. Even with Mercury retrograde, we may see the advent of new technology.

The 29th is also the day of the New Moon. The usual quiet of this time of the month will be challenged by Uranus’ station, which generally lowers the threshold of frustration and creates an edgy, impatient vibe as well as brilliant insights and ‘Aha!’ experiences. With Mars meeting Neptune just a couple of hours after we ring in the New Year, we’re likely to find that 2017 starts with a jolt of energy.

Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!