Your Milky Way Horoscope Dec. 14-20, 2008

Mars in Sagittarius squares Saturn in Virgo on Monday. We’re supposed to put a positive spin on everything nowadays, but this is a classic transit for a bone fracture. Can you skip the ski day and just take pictures or something? And salt that ice by the side door, would you?
The Sun is inconjunct the Moon on Sunday. On the one hand, it is a very creative aspect for couples to get together and do their holiday decorating. On the other hand, prepare for having to negotiate differences in taste. Maybe the gold trimmings can go on the tree in the front room, and the blue trimmings on the rec room tree??
BTW I want to give a mention to the Holiday Control Journal available from the FlyLady people at FlyLady.com. If you always feel overwhelmed by the Thanksgiving-to-New-Year’s ordeal, give the Control Journal a shot. It’s free, just go to the site and print it out. It breaks down all the tasks that have to be done to make your holidays run smooth. If you make this part of your annual routine, you will never again have to run out at the last minute to find a gift for Aunt Mable because you forgot.

Economic Forecast for the Christmas Shopping Season

Having spent several years tracking the behavior of Christmas shoppers by the timing of Mercury stations, retrogrades and direct motion, I find that all that history is not applicable to the upcoming Christmas shopping season. Mercury is not retrograde any part of the holiday season proper; in fact, the last retrograde was Sept. 25 thru Oct. 15, ending right about the time all heck broke loose in the stock market.
Nevertheless, I will plunge onward with a stab at the behavior of shoppers this holiday season by looking at the flavors, so to speak, of the personal planets during these last few weeks of the year.
Let’s start with Mercury.

Christmas Week, December 2007

Merry Christmas, everybody! Christmas morning this year is an at-home, private event. Forego the rushing from house to house; just let the kids stay in their jammies, put out a cold buffet of cheese, crackers and finger foods, and let everyone relax. Feel the love for a minute. Evening is right for visiting the grandparents, tho. — Many of you received a lovely fashionable scarf for Christmas. Do you know what to do with it? Go to Missus Smarty Pants at http://missussmartypantsmall.com/CDA5240F87574D8387EBDE8FEC733210/page/page.asp?id=15830 for free directions on how to use your oblong scarf to great effect! (Free webpage.)
Readers can follow not only their Sun sign horoscope but also the sign of their Ascendant for further clues to how your week will develop

Aries – March 20-April 19 – Ann Miller – Your career really gets a boost this week and all through the coming new year, woo-hoo! Discipline in your health routine will keep your batteries charged for what is sure to be a busy, demanding year. The home front on Christmas eve will probably be a snarl of short tempers and frustrations. Just pitch in with last minute tasks, and tell the spouse to let go of the rest — it’s not worth the aggravation she gives herself.

Taurus – April 20-May 20 – Fred Astaire – Artistic discipline is the keyword for the week (and for almost two years, really). If you write, get in the habit of writing something every day. If you paint, sing, play, whatever, find a good teacher or educational program and apply yourself every day. For Christmas, just having the loving mate you lucked onto is enough. Show you appreciate every minute.

Gemini – May 21-June 20 – Bill “Bojangles” Robinson – You will be so tempted to blow your gift budget and pull out credit cards in last minute shopping. Stop! Stop! You’ve spent enough, done enough, and all they want from you is your presence (not your presents). And the latest gossip, of course, which you are all too glad to dish out.

Cancer – June 21-July 22 – Rasta Thomas – Aim to get done with preparations by Christmas eve, because by that time, you will be as tired and cranky as a toddler who’s missed his nap. Spend Christmas eve counting blessings. Plan a simpler Christmas Day, let the kids help with tasks, push some family get-togethers back to the weekend when everyone has had a chance to catch their breaths.

Leo – July 23-Aug. 22 – Mata Hari – If you didn’t get what you hoped for Christmas, or if you got gift cards, you will eagerly scoop up discounted fashions on Wednesday. Only don’t run up some more credit card debt, for pete’s sake. Your health takes a turn for the better. Ailments or injuries of long standing may finally heal properly.

Virgo – Aug. 23-Sept. 22 – Marge Champion – Your creative urges are revived and demand expression. Try shopping for art supplies or a class this week, especially Friday. You will enjoy a year-long boom in any creative endeavor — now, this may mean having a baby, but usually it means writing a book, or getting a play produced, or painting a picture, etc. Fri. & Sat. are best days.

Libra – Sept. 23-Oct. 22 – Fayard Nicholas – Christmas eve day at work has folks blurting out their frustrations. Just do your part to get deadlines met before the office closes for the holiday. Seek out after Christmas bargains in art supplies for painting, photography, or music. Invest in You. Your muse settles in for a spell, so she needs to feel welcome and honored. It feels like your connection to the sacred is worked out in your medium.

Scorpio – Oct. 23-Nov. 21 – Savion Glover – The volume of messages picks up considerably this week. People you re-connect with, and new contacts, too, remain in touch for at least the coming year. Writing projects also start to bear fruit, with you finding a publisher and an audience. In the artistic arena, start seeking a strong teacher if are serious about learning more about your craft.

Sagittarius – Nov. 22-Dec. 21 – Merrill Ashley – The big hot-air balloon that carried you through 2007 is continuing on its merry way without you. So sorry, but it is back to normal for you… You’ll survive being just folks, honest. You’ll have time for renovating the home electrical system, and a new phone or computer hardware or software. A disciplined approach to work pays off.

Capricorn – Dec. 22-Jan. 19 – George Balanchine – You get a real boost of expansive good cheer this Christmas. Just about everyone sends you sincere best wishes. Even if 2009 brings challenges, a guardian angel spreads protective wings around you. On the creative front, formal classes in something like painting or even landscaping can light a fuse. Painting or photographing still lifes provides endless material for experimentation.

Aquarius – Jan. 20-Feb. 17 – Mikhail Baryshnikov – You are often generous to a fault, and this year is no exception. Rest assured, you are appreciated and darn near irreplaceable. The week may start off with an upset stomach, so take special care not to overdo on spicy or unfamiliar foods. Don’t plan anything for Thursday morning, you may be on a sugar high from holiday sweets or drinks.

Pisces – Feb. 18-March 19 – Marius Petipa – You probably gave yourself way too much to do this week, right? Now you’re tearing your hair out as usual trying to keep up. Hold on now, just take 15 minutes per task or per room. If you don’t have 15 minutes, take 10 minutes. Or even just TWO. It will get done, just jump in where you are, and set some small chores for the kids so they feel like they are a real part of the family, too.