An unhelpful fog prevents a clear vision at the start of this week, as the square between the Sun and Neptune stirs the pot of delusion and misunderstanding. Obfuscation around goals is a possibility, as are self-aggrandizement and negative self-talk alike. This becomes all the more likely since Mercury will square Chiron, which may set old wounds to itching, distracting from progress. However, for those that can focus up in spite of challenges, there are ripening fruits. The Sun is also departing from a sextile to Saturn, which may serve as a reminder to color within the lines to produce the prettiest picture. Mercury is also casting a trine to the North Node, which may show us the way to implementing material goals, and should be especially valuable to those engaging in administration or other organizational concerns. The Moon in Capricorn lends support to this aspect, creating what is known as a Grand Earth Trine in the evening and through the next day (Thurs 12/15,) providing rich grounding energy. This seems a strong contrast to Neptune’s influence. It may mean that the path forward means relying on one’s full range of senses, as what is in our line of sight does not tell the whole tale.

This array may also yield surprising results; Uranus is the master of stunning revelations and “Eureka” moments, and he is still very much in the above mix. In a more contentious aspect, we could expect major disruptions to be triggered, and this may in fact be the case for some. But for the most part, shake-ups from this array should prove productive. Mercury will spend the remainder of the week in contact with Uranus, so while Wednesday and Thursday are the hot-button days, seeds planted here may erupt from the ground before the solstice.

On Friday (12/16,) Venus begins to trace some of the same ground that Mercury just passed over, making uncomfortable contact with Chiron in Aries and setting off insecurities around attraction, aesthetic, and general agency. This square will perfect on Monday, 12/19, and then Venus will begin her own trine to the Uranus-North Node conjunction. At the same time as Venus is making this journey, the Sun will begin to lock into a contentious aspect to Jupiter. This looks like the type of adversity to raises us up and asks us to do better, a challenge to boost fellowship and confidence. However, this aspect will not perfect while these planets are in their current signs, as Jupiter will move into Aries before that can happen.

Jupiter already made its way through Pisces earlier in the year, making ingress into Aries in mid-May. He went through a retrograde phase which saw him moonwalk it back into the final two degrees of Pisces at the end of October, and we have been treated to another month and a half of Jupiter in one of his seats of natural strength, where his ability to inspire hope, confidence and belief are firing on levels that feel transcendent and emotional. Jupiter is about expansiveness and generosity, about the best virtues humanity has to offer, which is the reason that Jupiter has long been associated with the character of the venerable sage. In Pisces, we were treated to one of the purest expressions of this planet.

It’ll be different in Aries. It will be Tuesday (12/20,) Mars’ Day, when Jupiter enters Aries. This is appropriate given that this will be a Mars-oriented Jupiter; planets in Aries take their marching order from Mars. This is not ideal, since Mars is currently retrograde, a warrior in the throes of frustration and self-undoing. One hopes that Jupiter’s new connection to Mars will be a balm to such feelings, but if so, the salve is not likely to kick in until they are within range of a positive relationship by degree, and unfortunately they will not get close to a sextile until Mars stations and then turns direct next month.

Still, Jupiter in Aries is like the old martial hermit living on the mountain, willing to teach his secrets of efficacy to any brave enough to fight through the dangerous environs he chooses to call home. The spirit of benevolence becomes a code of chivalry here, the expansive nature applied to self-assertion in all of its forms. The fighting arts are the clearest manifestation of this, but there are a lot of less punchy ways to work within a philosophy of will.

Next week brings the new moon, the Winter Solstice, and for those that celebrate, Christmas Sunday.

For this week, Happy Hanukkah! Until next Hump Day.