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I always greet the month of Sagittarius with a smile. On the personal level because it is a fiery sign and goes very well with my Aries and Leo natal positions. In a more global sense, it gives us a relief from the intense energies of Scorpio which insist on transformation and change although giving us a number of opportunities to grow and evolve. Sagittarius is a “hail good fellow!” sign, one that encourages expansion through travel, study, adventure, and the visions for potentials and possibilities.

In honor of the Celestial Centaur, I am expanding “Celestial Happenings” and adding two new features. The first is called “Constants.” These are the position of planets that remain more or less constant in their celestial positions for the entire month under discussion. I will be giving out those birthdays within the year that will be most affected by such placements as well as a brief explanation of what to expect. “Astrological Commentaries” is the second of these. When it seems appropriate to do so, I will be making certain comments within the text of “Celestial Happenings” that will serve to explain various principles in astrology so those of you who study our ancient art and science may profit from such information. In this way, I hope that reading this column every month will make your time with me that much more interesting and beneficial for you.

Constants for the month of Sagittarius, 2011

Please note: The entire horoscope must be studied in order to make any one planetary transit or position an integrated dynamic within the whole of one’s life. What follows only pertains to a person’s solar position at birth but what is said will be a definite theme at the current time.

Pluto at 6 Capricorn.
Affecting people born within a day of: December 28, March 26, June 27, and September 29. An intense need to release, transform and transmute that which no longer works and bring forth the reality of one’s creative potential. Aries: Be thy true self. Cancer: Domestic area and personal sense of security to be examined. Libra: “Me vs. Us” is the area under the microscope, what else? Capricorn: How do personal goals and motivations free and not bind?

Neptune at 28 Aquarius.
Affecting people born within a day of: February 17, May 19, August 21, and November 20. The veil must be stripped away to reveal the true reality of oneself in relationship to the world around us. Taurus: The real vs. the ideal in terms of the use of my resources. Leo: My ego is challenged by the society or group in which I am a part. How do I remain me and yet be accepted by that larger world? Scorpio: I’m melting! I’m melting! My desires are either being transformed into an orientation to aid humanity or getting me into a lot of hot water! Aquarius: How valid are my aspirations for a better world? Am I losing myself within my group or social life?

Uranus at 0-1 Aries.
Affecting people born within a day of the equinoxes or solstices: 3/20-21; 6/22-23; 9/23-24; 12/22-23. The new enters my life bringing with it certain distinct disruptions to the old but through these challenges I emerge. Aries: I am more me than ever before no matter what the cost. Cancer: This is a bit scary as I have to leave the familiar and comfortable. Libra: Do my relationships allow me to be myself? If not, I must try life on my own terms. Capricorn: What a struggle! I have to abandon what I have built and commit myself to a new blueprint.

Sagittarius 2011

Please note: All time quoted is in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), also known as “universal time” as the world’s time zones begin at and are calculated from the Greenwich Observatory right outside London. ***

November 22: The Sun enters Sagittarius at 04:09pm.
November 23: Sun trine Uranus at 1 Sagittarius/Aries; Mars trine Pluto at 6 Virgo/Capricorn.

This is an incredibly interesting day for anyone born at the very beginning of Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius or who have these initial degrees at the Ascendant or Midheaven. Definite opportunities present themselves for self-exploration in new ways. Those with important positions at 5 to 7 degrees of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn in their natal charts receive opportunities for advancement in career and finances.

November 24: Mercury turns retrograde at 20 Sagittarius at 7:20am.

Astrological commentary 1: The retrogradation of Mercury occurs as a rule three times a year, lasting between 19 and 21 days each time it does so. For the majority of people (i.e., those with Mercury direct in their natal charts) this is not a time to begin new projects or to sign contracts especially as this retrograde period is in Sagittarius in the following areas: education, publishing, and long distance travel. In general (and specifically in the areas mentioned above) you should expect delays or the need to repeat what you have already put forward. It is a good time for research, editing what has already been written, and introspection. Many astrologers believe that Mercury retrograde is excellent for people who have this planet in this condition at birth. I am not totally convinced that this is true as even if it is a “go ahead” for you, the majority of the world is “going back.”

November 25: Partial eclipse of the Sun at 2.37 Sagittarius at 6:11am.

This eclipse will be an especially potent force for people who were born between November 20 to November 30 (Sun at 27 Scorpio to 7 Sagittarius) and May 18 to May 27 (Sun at 27 Taurus to 7 Gemini). It will also be powerful for those who have the position of the Moon and/or the Ascendant at these degrees. The situations in the houses in your natal chart where these positions occur will be under a forceful need to change. This will be the end of one set of circumstances and the beginning of another. Example: In the First House—these changes will occur in terms of the need to mutate your current environment and/or your relationship to that environment. In the Second House—money and the way you use your resources (financial and otherwise) will come under the “astrological microscope,” etc. In general and in world affairs, there will be some strong efforts to create new policies that will be effective internationally such as in the challenges currently facing the Euro-zone nations or the Arab League.

November 26: Venus enters Capricorn at 12:37pm.

This “planetary ingress” as it is called, can be excellent in a very general sense for advancement in career-oriented relationships especially for the signs Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. See below for some specific dates and degrees of the zodiac so affected.

November 27: Venus trine Jupiter at 1.40 Capricorn/Taurus.

This can indicate some very welcomed financial news for people born within the first 3 degrees of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn and/or who have these degree on their Ascendant, Midheaven, or as the positions of their natal Moon, Venus, or Jupiter. In general, this is a “feel good” day, although I cannot imagine anyone feeling good in Syria unless by this time the shooting stops in that troubled land.

December 1: Venus conjunct Pluto at 6 Capricorn.

This is an excellent position for people born within a day or two of the dates mentioned above in the “Pluto at 6 Capricorn” entry under “Constants.” It is also rather propitious for people who have important natal positions at 5 to 7 degrees of the earthy signs. Opportunities for financial and/or career advancement are possible. Will likely be a very important day in the stock market and in the banking industry—financial secrets emerge.

December 2: Sun square Mars at 10 Sagittarius/Virgo; Northern Node conjunct Mercury r. at 14 Sagittarius.

People may be very short tempered especially at airports as delays are likely for all long distance travel. Differences of opinions may also flare up over rather minor issues. People with 9 to 11 degrees of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, or Pisces in their natal charts or with natal Mars and/or Mercury at these degrees are especially prone to anger and impatience today.

December 4: Mercury square Mars at 11 Sagittarius/Virgo.

Road rage is likely as is impatience at ticket and security lines at airports. If you have 11 degrees of the mutable signs prominent in your natal chart, especially in terms of your natal Mercury, Mars, or Uranus, I would advise you to stay home and yell at the computer or TV screen rather than to go out and about.

December 5: Venus trine Mars at 11 Capricorn/Virgo.

How nice! This planetary combination is quite pleasant and supportive of relationships especially of a financial or professional nature. If you have 10-12 degrees of Taurus, Virgo, or Capricorn prominent in your chart (especially the Moon, Venus, Midheaven, or the rulers of houses 2, 6, or 10), you are likely to receive some form of social or financial bonus today.

December 6: Sun conjunct the Northern Node at 14 Sagittarius.

At its best this is excellent for people of various religions and philosophies to find a common ground. At worst, it exaggerates the sense of “my god is better than your god and my religion is the only truth.” Let’s wait and see what CNN reveals today. If you happen to have 13-15 degrees of Sagittarius prominent in your chart [especially the Sun (Happy Birthday), Mercury, or Jupiter], this may be a time in which you come into contact with some very helpful knowledge.

December 10: Total Eclipse of the Moon (Full Moon) at 18.11 Gemini at 2:37pm.

Astrological commentary 2: An eclipse of the Moon indicates that the form nature of a set of circumstances (indicated by the house position of its occurrence) in your life is to be changed. This is different than a solar eclipse which may really end such a condition for good; solar eclipses are therefore more profound and “final” in their effects than are lunar ones.

Example: Lunar eclipse on Venus in the 7th house—the form of the relationship needs changing; the shared values in the relationship need examining and reorienting. Solar eclipse in the 7th house—the relationship ends (unless some very intense process takes place to make the relationship a totally different one, in any event that does mean that the relationship as it was definitely ends). This eclipse is in Gemini and as such it will affect thoughts, opinions, and communication. In my chart for example, this eclipse is conjoined my 7th house Saturn. I would think (how Gemini of me!) that this will have a lot to do with the forms of responsibility I assume in relationships and my teaching dynamics as a mentor in many people’s lives. It may also affect the need to be more “saturnian” relative to certain writing commitments (Saturn in Gemini). Please keep in mind that “change in form” can also mean “change from good to better.” The key to success in any “change of form” is detachment from old patterns and the willingness and openness to accept the new (and better!).

December 14: Mercury goes direct at 3.54 Sagittarius at 1:44am.

And not a moment too soon!

December 18: Venus square Saturn at 27 Capricorn/Libra.

Astrological commentary 3: This square is particularly powerful because it is one that is in mutual reception. Venus is in Saturn’s sign (Capricorn) and Saturn is in Venus’ sign (Libra). This energetic juxtaposition reinforces the tension existing in this 90 degree angle. Keep this “reception” principle in mind also even if one planet is in the sign of the other, e.g., Mars in Gemini opposing Mercury in Sagittarius. Here there is no mutual reception, but Mars in this example is in Mercury’s sign and in opposition to that planet and thus this opposition carries more weight and potency than if there was an opposition of Mars in Leo and Gemini in Aquarius (neutral signs). In the case of this particular Venus/Saturn square, situations involving money and responsibility in relationships may easily come to the surface. This is of course especially the case if 26-28 of the cardinal signs are prominent features of any natal horoscope.

December 20: Venus enters Aquarius at 6:27pm; Sun sextile Neptune at 28 Sagittarius/Aquarius.

This is a lovely day to be with friends or to engage in educational programs with people of like minds. Enjoy yourselves!

Alan is available for individual consultations and mentoring. Please go to here for details or contact him personally via email.

***To calculate the correct hour for your local time in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, please note that for EDST subtract 4 hours; CDST minus 5 hours; MDST minus 6 hours; PDST minus 7 hours. In Britain add one hour, CEDT add two hours, and for EEDT add three hours. For my friends in Australia, NZ, and other points south of the equator, I know that the time adjustment that you need to make to GMT is already familiar to you.

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