Astrology Dec 07/Jan 08

Sagittarius - November 22 - December 20

Emotional upsets between December 7th – 10th are easily dealt with if you are not defensive. Cut through illusion and find radical truth (call it intuition) around the 11th. Shift gears from witless spending to true value from the 18th. This will be a major theme for the next year. From the 23rd – 26th is a profound time of giving and receiving. Be centred as well as receptive. Celebrate the re-birth of the Sun with those most intimate to you. On January 2nd someone wants a fight. It’s probably their stressed-out liver (or yours). In any case, avoid a showdown at the Not-OK Corral because it’s all projection and will vanish into mist. If you must confront someone, look in the mirror. Financial deals that arise after the 8th are not solid until the 21st. Act magnanimous and have a party for the neighbours around the 22nd. The year really begins on the 30th when someone who was driving you nuts suddenly starts making sense.

Capricorn - December 21 - January 19

Your unconscious is preparing for big change in Capricorn-ville. Write down dreams and refer to them later. Someone you take for granted challenges your behaviour between the 23rd - 27th. These are the days of the Great Miracle when the Sun seems to stand still (Solstice) and then slowly brings light back to the world. Have you ever wondered what it means that your sign is the keeper of such a great miracle? You will be confronted with this mystery frequently over the next 2 years. In the bad old days, astrologers made a big deal out of secret enemies. In the 20th century it is common knowledge that we have met the enemy and he is us. Don’t shoot yourself in the foot on January 2nd and 19th. Make resolutions after the 8th. Make note of the good things in life on the 21st and shore them up where possible. Listen for underground rumblings between the 24th and 30th. Nothing less than a new world is emerging over the next 20 years and your contribution will be significant.

Aquarius - January 20 - February 17

Your holiday social scene gets active and interesting from December 9th. On the 11th it’s especially dynamic. If you’re not a social person, go out anyway. It opens your eyes or offers an opportunity you couldn’t get any other way. From the 18th - 26th make choices that are good for the planet and your health. It’s all about what you consume. Birds do it, bees do it, even humans do it. It’s how we do it that matters. New Year’s starts with confrontation driven by fear and feelings of inadequacy – yours or the other guy’s. Compassion for the ignorance of humans is your best bet. A moment of grace on the 21st reminds you that life is a web of connection. Celebrate love, life and the power of ideals on the 21st – 23rd. From the 24th onward look deep within and thereby you will express yourself in ways that matter.

Pisces - February 18 - March 19

From December 9th - 18th show the world how excellent in your abilities you are. Before that, prepare. From the 19th, kick off your shoes and take a break. Friends support and celebrate with you in traditional ways. Invite a new person into your circle between the 22nd - 28th. You never know how s/he could change your life. ‘Tis the season to act traditionally but this year we are all asked to challenge the social status quo. January 2nd - 19th requires you to stand your ground with honour and passion. Someone you love makes an offer that challenges you between the 6th - 12th. Accept it because you are equal to the task. If you’re not sure, wait until the 21st. Startling revelations wake you in the night around the 22nd. The world stands poised on the brink of who-knows-what. You too will be required to participate. Let love be your motivation, especially on the 29th.

Aries - March 20 - April 19

Live free and be happy from the 9th - 18th of December. A possible windfall shows up around the 11th. It could be generally good news or a valuable teaching. Remember that spiritual teachers come in all guises. From the 18th be clear about responsibilities at work and with family. Understanding limits enables you to achieve great success. You are expected to put home and family first from 23rd - 26th. The catch, if there is one, is balancing tradition with the actual needs of people in your family or community. January 2 brings you a battle of wits. Speak truth and be kind. The New Year actually seems to get going after the 8th. Prepare for a year in which hard work will lead to great success especially when you balance personal ambition with the good of all. You really start cooking after the 30th.

Taurus - April 20 - May 20

Light candles for the darkest long nights of the year between December 8th - 10th when the day is short and no moon lights the night. Keep the faith for yourself or someone you love on the 11th. Everything else is subject to doubt but the need for love remains. If a friend invites you out on the 18th, go. Your whole life is shifting into a new gear. From the 22nd - 26th challenge all assumptions. Your mind, like a parachute, works best when open. It’s easy to be irritable from January 2 - 8th but not necessary. By the 21st everything that can is going your way. From the 24th - 30th be courageous and acknowledge your potential even if you aren’t quite ready to realize it. Oddly enough your greatest potential has to do with your ability to be truly present to the moment. It’s not where you get to, it’s where you are.

Gemini - May 21 - June 20

It feels like a battle of wits up until the 9th. From there magic is afoot. A special someone emerges around the 11th to encourage and delight you – at least until the 18th when s/he may want more. If you want more too this need not be difficult. A big challenge between the 20th - 26th is about trust and sharing. Contrary to what many believe it is often easier to give than receive because giving makes us feel powerful and in control. ‘Tis the season to give unto absurdity. Be aware of the exchange of energy. January arrives with a bang on the 2nd when the challenger returns. You feel this again on the 19th and 24th. In a way you are shadow boxing. How would it be different if you weren’t defensive? A dream or hunch on the 21st guides you. Play the game of life for fun on the 22nd. It’s a Happening. Deep, dark metaphysical mysteries begin to present themselves on the 25th. Freedom, such as is possible, is yours after the 30th.

Cancer - June 21 - July 21

Open to the task at hand. You can’t make it go away but you can do an amazing job. Stress before the 9th is to be expected. From the 9th - 17th your exceptional abilities are clear. From the 18th turn your attention to relationships. The holidays are demanding on this front. It’s a tug of war from the 22nd - 27th and you have a choice; take it on with love or fear in your heart. Love means you dance. Fear means you defend. January is a time to get rest and tend to your health. A change can be as good as a rest so a weekend getaway qualifies as therapy. Make your relationship intentions clear between the 8th - 22nd. A passionate evening around the 19th helps clarify what your heart desires. If you make a commitment, things get down and deep very fast. On the 29th keep love alive with words. On the 30th your rest period ends. Rub your hands together and jump right in.

Leo - July 22 - August 22

Much of December has the feeling of Mardi Gras for the planet. From the 18th we gradually slip into the Lenten season which will give us an opportunity to find a new planetary balance for the good of all. It will take awhile. Celebrate the extravagant excesses of Leo-ness around the 11th. Be creative, not gluttonous. If you aren’t feeling big, a more subtle honouring of all things visionary, creative and life-affirming is in order. From the 22nd - 26th everyone’s challenge is to balance the status quo with the needs of the people. “How much is enough?” is the question. “Enough is as good as a feast!” is the answer. January encourages your social conscience. Speak truth to power on the 2nd and 24th. Listen well to Mother Nature as she speaks to you through that body of yours from the 8th. Financial reward merits celebration on the 21st. On the 28th resolve to let the other person finish a sentence before you respond.

Virgo - August 23 - September 22

A year of bringing your domestic life to perfection comes to fulfillment around the 11th. If you have something to offer to those who have been by your side along the way now is the time to show it. You may think you’re not interested but love comes knocking from the 20th - 27th. Don’t believe everything Love says on the 22nd. Stick with how Love acts. Let go the Virgo notion that love can only ultimately cause pain. It’s a circle not a line. There is pain and there is joy. New Year’s take its toll. Give yourself until the 6th to recover. What it means in the world to be a Virgo is starting to change between the 20th - 29th. Maybe you could be the first Virgo on the block to show the rest of us what that change might look like.

Libra - Sept. 22 - Oct.22

Sometimes it’s not about ultimate truth. Sometimes it’s about spin. It’s about the image you conjure. This is not a bad thing – it’s how we get the word out. Get your word out by hook or by crook between the 9th - 17th. As you might expect, family is the thing from the 18th - 27th. They want you but they want you the way they think you are, not necessarily the way you actually are. Be nice but don’t cave in to their expectations. It’s your holiday too. Catty behaviour on the 2nd of January is a bad way to start the year but you (or the other guy) can wipe the slate clean and start again on the 8th. If family members act up, create peace in the valley on the 21st by practising compassion. It’s not easy being human, let alone related. Leave them behind and hang with your friends on the 22nd. But return again to the comforts of home on the 29th. There’s no place like home…

Scorpio - Oct 23 - Nov 21

Share a candle on a dark and moonless night with someone special between the 7th - 10th. Do holiday shopping on or about the 11th and find the most amazing gifts. Holiday travelling makes sense this year. If you don’t go away, introduce foods, customs and people from other cultures into your tradition between the 22nd – 27th. Meet all challengers on January 2nd with a strong sense of your own worth. From January 12th - 19th and on the 24th the theme of self-worth continues. Bottom line is – it’s hard for people to love you if you don’t love yourself. Friends (the loyal and long lasting kind) are there to remind you that they care on the 21st and the 29th. Frustrating restrictions which derive from indebtedness of one kind or another begin to dissipate from the 30th. It may take a while but it’s all going in a better direction.

Jollean Schaffer is a practising astrologer in Toronto. She would like you to understand that Sun Sign astrology has its strengths and its weaknesses. Take it lightly, use it as you will. For consultations call (416) 424-3079. Visit her website at www.lighttravels.com/JulieSimmons