December 13- New Moon caught up between frying pan and fire

Mercury Transits Scorpio December 5 – 26

Mercury as ruler of communication and exchange of goods, data and energy is a very important energy in our day-to-day life. With the smoky, confusing quality of Rahu, who is also transiting in this sign, we may find it difficult to communicate, especially due to ambiguity about desire and motivation that seems to be coming from hidden parts of the psyche.

Mercury dipping back into Libra may have brought some light and understanding in its retrograde movement since Nov 6, and perhaps a bit of ease in self-expression due to Libra also being occupied by Venus, ruler of Libra, and Saturn, the stern but truthful force that perhaps urged Mercury for a spell to sit quietly for a few moments before trying to speak.

On December 5, Mercury returns to Scorpio, into the ghostly clutches of Rahu, currently in occupation of the early degrees of Scorpio as he prepares to change signs. Mercury is easily influenced. Running into Rahu again, we may see our way of communicating morph Rahu-style. After all Rahu moves retrograde, Mercury just did that, so they have a lot in common right now.

The short advice is that Mercury in Scorpio under Rahu's influence could really drag one beneath the surface, the result being that we could lose touch with what's really true and important. Keep the ultimate goal of universal love in mind and pay extra attention to the karma you create through your actions at this time. However the remedy  lies just 12 houses away from Scorpio, in the sign of Libra. Saturn, exalted in Libra, will be there for us: sitting in the light, thinking of others in a very true and realistic way, remaining calm and silent.

Venus Transits Scorpio December 11 – January 3

December begins with Venus, along with Mercury and Saturn, in her own sign of Libra. Venus, Mercury and Saturn are all natural friends, and generally have harmonious relationships with one another, doing well while in occupation of one another's signs. The first five days of December, we have the planet of communication (Mercury), the planet of love and relationship (Venus) and the planet of truth and restraint (Saturn) all in occupation of the creative and idealistic sign of Libra.

Even though Rahu is on the horizon of also entering this sign, we should have a good chance to see things clearly for what they are during this first portion of the month. Mercury exits into Scorpio on the 5th, then Venus follows behind on December 11th, holding her breath, taking the plunge and paddling quickly to keep up with her friend Mercury. Venus runs into exact conjunction with Rahu as she enters Scorpio.

We can view Mercury and Venus as a pair during this month, making their way through the dark waters of Mars' sign, Scorpio. Just as we are entering the darkest time of the year in the northern hemisphere, Mercury and Venus will also be traversing a sign that draws us below the surface of things.

When we find ourselves in a chilly, dark environment, we often notice ourselves contracting away from the discomfort and fear of darkness. If we can relax our shoulders and open our hearts, listening for the drips of water in the dark cave in which we sit, we may find that we can perceive more than we assume. This is a time to reach deep within and listen to the song of our heart; in the stillness, we may get a glimpse of the mysterious inner fire that drives us.

The beauty of Venus and Mercury traversing this place together gives us reassurance that while we are required to face the difficulties of life as an individual, the truth is that our friends are nearby, doing the same, and this creates confidence that we are not alone and that we aren't even separate.

If your loved ones are traversing difficult situations at this time, the best help you can give is to let them know that they are not alone. Or if you are walking with fear through challenging places, try to relax a bit to feel the presence of others and to know that you are not alone in the darkness. It is through this connection and exchange of love that we become strong enough to face challenges.

New Moon in Scorpio December 13

Venus and the waning Moon walk past Rahu and into Scorpio on the same day. The Moon in the early degrees of Scorpio is in its state of debilitation and in addition, the waning Moon becomes weaker as it moves toward the new Moon phase.

The Moon and Sun will join early in the morning on December 13 in the lunar mansion namedjyestha, which translates as "the eldest." This new Moon is in the last degrees of both jyestha and the sign of Scorpio and marks the territory where we reach great maturity in our relationship with material manifestation.

The day leading up to the moment of the new Moon, amavasya, begins just before dawn on Wednesday, December 12 (12-12-12!) and extends to the early hours of Thursday, December 13. This is a good time to gather in your energy and take it slow and easy, contemplating upon what's coming to completion and also upon what is emerging on the horizon.

At this time, we will have Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Rahu all in occupation of Scorpio. This grouping will be flanked on either side by Saturn in Libra and Mars in Sagittarius. This condition of having difficult planets (like Mars and Saturn) on either side is called papakartari yoga, and can create the challenging feeling of being caught between a rock and a hard place.

What is the way to deal with this feeling of powerlessness that may arise due to the planetary configuration at the middle of the month, just at the time when all is expected to be merry and bright? When you're sitting in the middle of your living room, surrounded by strands of broken lights, feeling the pressure of making everything feel warm and fuzzy, who will be there to inspire you and lead the way out of the darkness? Watching from across the zodiac, chuckling and ever-merry is our fearless leader, Jupiter, occupying the middle degrees of Taurus and creating an expansive aspect to the many planets in Scorpio.

Jupiter is what causes us expansion, joy and faith as we move along our path in this life. Amidst the darkness and chaos, Jupiter is there to lead us toward the light in a positive, cheerful and contented manner. So if you find yourself feeling squashed into a position of powerless frustration and despair, close your eyes and ask Jupiter for a little bit of inspiration, knowing that you are where you are meant to be and opening yourself to the expansive lessons of whatever situation presents itself.