As 2017 draws to its close, we are once again in a phase of integration. While plenty of events will happen in our personal and collective lives over these two months, many of the dominant themes have already been set by the astrological weather over the past year – especially the summer of 2017, although the dis- and re- orienting Saturn/Neptune square of 2016 also plays a major role. We are not where we were even a short time ago, and the challenge now is to work with a new set of points on the compass.

   Look for significant news from prominent and powerful women when the month begins, as Jupiter in Scorpio opposes Pallas Athene on the 1st. Pallas is the goddess of wisdom, but she holds a sword, not a quill. She tends to cut through falsehoods and half-truths, and all the more so with Jupiter in probing Scorpio. With Mercury and Saturn aspecting Chiron around the same time, we could have old wounds opened, but might make progress in healing them. It’s a bit like when doctors need to re-break a limb because it has set wrongly. 

   Venus, planet of love and relationship, is quite busy in the first week in November, so we may find that we are focusing on partnership issues. She makes an easy sextile to Saturn on the 3rd, suggesting harmony, but just a day later she opposes Uranus at the full moon. What works for me, you, and us may be on different pages. Relationships in good shape should be fine, but those under stress could show some cracks. The full moon brings a bit of extra energy, and it would be a good time to break out of routine patterns and try something (or someone) new in relationships.

   On the 11th, stoic Saturn and revolutionary Uranus come to terms as they form an easy trine from Sagittarius to Aries. This aspect is most likely to play out at the collective level, where we’ll see strange bedfellows as opposing sides find some common ground. Issues that were prominent in December of 2016 could re-emerge, and for those with long memories, we may see a resonance with 1988, 1999, and 2009. 

   Mercury squares Neptune on the 13th, an aspect that could lead to benign exaggeration, if not outright deception. We may also say more than we intend, or intend something other than what we say. This is the kickoff of a very Neptunian month, when things may not be as clear as we would like. It’s a great time for creativity and imagination, but getting things to settle down to the level of practical (Saturnian) reality could be a challenge.

   Venus is again active at midmonth, as she meets with Jupiter and then trines Neptune from the 13th to the 16th, then goes on to make an easy sextile to Pluto on the 21st. There’s an optimism around relationship at this time, a faith that the future will be better (with someone), and a willingness to work towards a more harmonious and deeper connection with others.

   The new moon on the 18th precedes a Mars/Pluto square a day later. At the new moon in Scorpio, we’re likely to feel the energy as rather implosive, but may find opportunities to externalize it as well. Patience is likely to be in short supply, and reactivity could be quite high.

   Neptune stations to go direct on November 22nd. For a few days before and after the station, it would be best to put things on autopilot (just make sure it’s working!) and tune out for a couple of days. This isn’t a very realistic time, so don’t make practical decisions. There’s a lot of opportunity for creativity and enjoyment, but try not to take it too seriously. Let serendipity guide you, rather than making firm plans.

   As the month ends, Mercury meets Saturn on the 28th. It could be time for a serious discussion, at home or at work. A few folks will called on the carpet around this time, but it’s also an opportunity to say what you really mean, even if others aren’t crazy about hearing it.

   The last month of 2017 begins with a bang as Mars opposes Uranus on the 1st. This is another active and impatient aspect, one that makes it hard to sit still. It’s a great time to go forward with plans you’re sure about, but it could be a problem if you have a lot of free floating energy and feel the need to do something – we could be too impulsive around this time. Burn off extra energy with some sensible exercise.

    On the other side of the spectrum, Jupiter trines Neptune on the 2nd, an aspect that helps to put things into soft focus. We’re ready to deal with heavy issues (Jupiter is in Scorpio, after all), but can approach them with relative optimism. 

   That optimism may be somewhat overblown, as the Sun squares Neptune at the full moon on the 3rd. This full moon is likely to be the very embodiment of full moon lunacy. Things are brought to light and we see what’s going on – or we think we do. Neptune is like a lens that can distort proportions and affect our evaluation of things. Given that we’ve been under Neptunian uncertainty since mid-November, we may have compounded and confounded our illusions. Take in what’s happening, but try to avoid being too reactive.

   As Neptune’s influence begins to abate, Venus makes a square to the god of the seas on the 10th. The illusions and dreams of the past few weeks come to prominence, and we can either throw light on them or sink into deeper confusion. It may be very hard to know what’s going on in relationships around this time.

   The Winter Solstice is on December 21st at 5:08 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. We’ve reached the darkest point in the year, as the Sun slides across the Southern horizon. We’re also just a bit past the new moon on the 18th, so neither the day nor night will be especially bright. It’s a good time to set intentions for the coming year, but also to recap and review the past year. The next few months, until the Aries ingress in March, will be a time to restore and renew for the coming solar cycle that begins at the Aries equinox in March – an incubation period. 

   The Sun isn’t the only one making his way into Capricorn. Saturn returns to his home sign a day before, on the 20th. Saturn was last in Capricorn from 1988 to 1991, and we can expect to see some resonance with the changes in government and institutions that occurred around that time. Most notably, probably, will be Saturn doing some cleanup work on the changes Pluto has made since 2008. Saturn tends to bring laws and formal structures to areas that have been upheaved by the outer planets, although with Pluto still in the sign it could take a while before we really know how the changes will manifest.

   As the year ends, Venus meets Saturn on December 25th. It could be time to commit to going forward in relationships, or time to say goodbye. There will be some engagements announced at the holidays, but some of us may be in less sanguine spirits with this aspect. As we approach a full moon and Uranus station in the first two days of January, New Years Eve is likely to be very active and exciting. 

   Wishing you the best in the New Year!