Stargazing—Weekly Element Forecast—Dec. 21-27, 2009

As usual for this time of year, the earlier part of December is when you seem to be doing all your socializing. There is good news on Monday when Jupiter conjuncts Neptune in your sign for the third time in 2009. This may coincide with an opportunity that you’ve been anticipating for some time. If it manifests, then grab it with both hands. It has been seeking you out! There is a major focus developing in your home as both the Sun and Venus move into Capricorn this week. Early on, you may find yourself involved in a mountain of organizing. You seem to be the one doing all the entertaining. Don’t give yourself so much work that you end up shouldering everything. Christmas is a time for sharing, so share the work, too. Make sure you get cards and presents off earlier than usual. Mercury turns retrograde later in the week, but its effects will be felt much earlier. By the time Christmas Day comes around, and afterwards, you seem more in the mood to retreat from the world and spend some time alone.

Your Love Week—Air Signs:
This is definitely not the time of year for secrets, Air Signs, but you may be made privy to one or two, like it or not. You can expect Monday to be especially romantic and for your partner to bring you a wonderful surprise! Of course, if you think about it, it makes sense. Some of the folks you’ll be seeing haven’t been around in many months, so it’s natural that they’d have stories to tell. And with all of them surrounding you, someone will want you to know what’s going on so that you’ll know what to say and what not to say. The culprits behind all this are four planets in Capricorn. The good news is that Capricorn is nothing if not full of discretion, so you’ll definitely know what to say and what not to say even if you aren’t entirely happy about keeping quiet at all. The better news is that you’re plenty smart enough to navigate any stormy waters, so you’ll have a terrific week and manage to spend some quality time alone with your sweetheart in the process. Saturn’s presence by the way, has made you a tad more serious than usual, Air Signs, but don’t worry. There are times when being serious is a good thing, and this is one of those times. The holidays are here, and Venus will remain in fiery, merry Sagittarius until Friday. That’s when the Moon in equally fiery Aries takes over for her and keep the romance and passion going in all your encounters. If you’re attached, of course, all that lively conversation could mean that your partner will be a bit jealous, so it’s up to you to make him or her feel reassured as only you can! If you’re single, however, let it fly! ‘Tis the season, after all. If you feel the need to let someone know that you’d like him or her to be the happy recipient of that first kiss on Christmas Eve, what better place than under the mistletoe? And what better time than on Thursday?

You’re going to be very busy over this holiday week doing a lot of organizing. Make sure you leave some time for yourself in order to enjoy the coming days. Try to delegate tasks to others early on so they have no excuse for not doing their part. Mars has recently turned retrograde in your sign, which is another reason to plan your days so you can relax and look after your health and wellbeing. With careful handling, you can have so much fun over this week. Your social life is excellent. This is going to be a warm and wonderful week. There is plenty of opportunity to connect with friends and family you may not have seen in a while. You’ll get lots of cards filled with messages of love and appreciation and have plenty of reasons to feel good about life. Overall, you’ll enjoy this festive holiday. You may be going to the house of a friend or family member for the big day and enjoy yourself immensely. Keep the receipts if you buy big-ticket items, since Mercury turns retrograde on Saturday.

Your Love Week – Fire Signs:
You’re about to fall madly in love, Fire Signs. It might be for the first time or you may glance over at your long-term partner and feel it for the hundredth time. Either way, you’ll be so enamored with your current main squeeze that you won’t notice anyone else. And since your signs are already famous for being just a tad on the extravagant side to start with, being in love at this time of year means that you tend to go a bit overboard in the shopping department (maybe even quite a bit). This year won’t be any different; in fact, you may want to do it up even more lavishly than usual. This is a cheerful time of year for all twelve signs, Fire Signs you love. Lavish entertaining is your favorite way to do that, so this is definitely your favorite week of your favorite month. Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one as a guest makes no difference. You’ll still be the star of the show and you’ll still be just as excited now as you were when you were seven years old. This year in particular, however, you’ll be especially happy, thanks mostly to loving, affectionate Venus. She will stay in the Fire Sign of Sagittarius and your house of fun and lovers until late on December 25, which gives you plenty of time to let a certain someone know that he or she is the reason for your holiday cheer. By the way, if you’ve been thinking about getting serious, or more serious, with your current sweetheart, several planets in respectable Capricorn will work with you from Thursday on and prove to be wonderful allies. Talk about the right time for New Year’s resolutions! Of course, your social life will keep you busy, so you may not have time to hit the malls or your favorite boutiques until the very last minute, as per usual. But this time out, the last minute may actually be late on December 24. That might dissuade most last-minute shoppers, but as far as you are concerned, it’s the thought that counts, and you’re right. Besides, the best part of the holidays is being together. So start passing out those hugs!

Whomever you’ll be sharing this holiday with, it all looks splendid. A great time will be had by all. The best thing about this is that everyone is going to be willing to chip in and share the work. It will be a communal effort. You may feel a powerful urge to do what you can to bring joy to the hearts of those who are suffering. You have a warm and compassionate heart and a gift for making others feel better just by sharing a few words with them. Something about your presence can be quite special.  Meanwhile, Mars has turned retrograde, so it’s time to consolidate your efforts after working hard to obtain new contracts or a new job. There’s no need to try quite so hard, since you’ll be wasting your time. It’s better to go with the flow. Remember not to burn yourself out. Give yourself a chance to rest and relax, and then you’ll emerge from the holidays feeling recharged. Mercury turns retrograde at the end of the week, so be especially careful when making New Years arrangements.

Your Love Week – Water Signs
Oh, what a week, Water Signs! Thanks to the Sun and Venus in extravagant Sagittarius, on Monday and Tuesday you’ll be spending like there’s no tomorrow. Just try to remember that there will be a January, and that’s when plastic will turn into paper – paper statements, that is. Of course, this week will be about far more than gifts and expensive evenings out, especially for you, the most intensely emotional sign of them all. Once again, Water Signs, Monday will be a big day for you, and this time out it won’t just be due to a career situation. No, this time you’ll be delighted with news about both your career and friendships. Venus and Neptune will get together on Monday to bring you a lovely surprise that could turn out to be both financial and romantic. Sound like a puzzle? Well, suppose you were up for a raise, promotion, or year-end bonus, and suppose that were to happen just in time for an especially merry holiday season. Wouldn’t that mean that your evenings out with your sweetheart would be a bit more festive than usual? That’s what is on the agenda. If you’ve been working hard, you shouldn’t be surprised when it happens. Oh, and don’t worry if it’s delayed a bit. It’s definitely in the works. Just keep on doing what you’re doing, which is impressing the higher-ups and letting them know just how devoted you really are to your job. In the meantime, don’t forget to enjoy every single minute of the coming week, complete with all the warm feelings you absolutely live for! You’ll be reminded of the people who make your life special, and you’ll be making quite a few “announcements” to that effect on Thursday and Friday, much to the delight of your loved ones. They will remember how many times you’ve walked over hot coals for them, advised them, and helped them out of problem situations, whether they’ve asked for it or not. Your specialty has always been knowing what others need even before they do. This time, however, if someone decides to give you something special, don’t refuse, and do be sure that they know how hard it is for you to receive.

If you want to hold a party, consider Monday. It will be everything you could hope for. Jupiter moves to conjunct Neptune, which suggests that you may be offered a new opportunity associated with your job or perhaps a completely new job. You may need to juggle deadlines and organize everything for the days ahead. Try to take some of the pressure off yourself, and don’t suffer in silence. You don’t have to be the one carrying the burden; share it with others. If you’re single, the week ahead also holds plenty of promise in the romance department, especially near the weekend. As Venus moves to conjunct Pluto, one meeting may turn into a relationship that seems to develop very quickly. You may get a sum of money as a gift from work or another source. Come Christmas Day, all the planets will have moved into Capricorn, which suggests that you’re going to make enjoyment your business. Being a Virgo, you will no doubt have all the details attended to so that everyone will get the maximum opportunity to relax and enjoy your excellent hosting skills. It will be fabulous!

Your Love Week – Earth Signs:
It’s your lucky week in many ways, Earth Signs! To start with, there is a pack of planets in an Earth Sign, Capricorn, all making it entirely impossible for you to even think about spending the holidays alone. In fact, if you’re attached, you two will likely be a lot less “alone” than you’d like to be, with a house full of expected and unexpected guests. Of course, once they’re all assembled, you’ll be tickled to be surrounded by so much love, but as per usual, the planning will be the stressful part. There are times when things just automatically seem to be going our way. It’s been a while since that has happened for you, but this will definitely be one of those weeks, courtesy of a pack of planets in Earth Signs. Mercury and Pluto are already there, but they’ll be joined by the Sun on Monday and loving Venus on Thursday. Don’t worry if you’re doing the traveling. You’ll be received in royal style, as befits someone who spends as much time as you do taking care of others. If you’re single, of course, with all that activity going on in your house of love affairs, well, let’s just say that we’re hoping you got your shopping done early, because you definitely won’t have time for anything other than socializing this week. Oh, in order to avoid any awkward moments, warn your family and friends that you might be bringing more than one “guest” to the party. As dutiful, respectful, and responsible as you are, of course, you’ll probably want to do all the entertaining yourself. Your partner, who has probably become used to this, will be more than happy to accommodate your guest list no matter who shows up at the last minute. Yes, you should definitely prepare for unexpected last-minute guests, since Mercury will turn retrograde this week, calling back all kinds of folks from the past, and you will be delighted to see every one of them. If you’re a guest rather than a host, be sure you’ve got your directions right, by the way. Mercury retrograde has been known to befuddle even the best of us, so leave early and have a plan Be ready so that the holiday will turn out exactly as you’d planned.