After the fireworks of this past weekend, we might like to believe conditions will settle down to normal this week, but not so. In fact, this week hails the beginning of a retrograde Mercury period, which will last from December 10 until December 30. Wacky things can and do take place under retrograde Mercury, including delays, seemingly capricious changes of plans, sudden doubts or misgivings, and general scheduling mayhem. So all this starts to creep into picture this week. And then on top of that, just next Monday retrograde Mercury and Mars will arrive at the same degree of the zodiac with Pluto, bringing great intensification to all issues related to complexities in travel, commerce, and communications. These issues will begin to enter the picture toward the end of this present week and then will carry through next week until the very Full Moon itself on December 21, due to additional factors. In other words, this week marks the onset of a three week period containing substantive challenges. However, these same three weeks contain a few opportunities here and there for those willing to adapt. Let’s see how it works this week.

The Moon is now in the waxing phase, New Moon having occurred at 12:36 pm EST this past Sunday at the 13 degree of Sagittarius. This means that the next month will be conditioned by the Sagittarian urge to broaden horizons and expand potentials. Restlessness and desire for change are sure to be palpable, for Sagittarius is a mutable fire sign and its constantly flickering light will leave a psychic trace upon us until the next New Moon, which will take place in durable Capricorn. For now, however, quick and unexpected turns in the road capture the mind. And with the waxing Moon to power things along, discoveries are apt to be made if we venture out even just a little bit beyond the present known boundaries. These boundaries might be geographic, intellectual, or social. Every dimension is open for consideration.

Monday December 6^th brings this restless trend into sharp focus as the Moon itself sails through the seekers’ sign of Sagittarius. Along the way, the Moon makes a square to Jupiter and Uranus this day, strongly bringing to our attention the urge to explore surrounding territory for options lying just beyond our previously established boundaries. Then just before 5 pm EST, the Moon joins Mars, also in excitable and adventurous Sagittarius, turning up the heat on all our impulses to search and hunt for distant or even exotic finds. We are interested in cultures different than our own so much that we will go out and find them. Exercise-oriented folks are likely to max out at the gym. Athletes should take care not to overdo, especially 4 -5 pm EST this day. Then the Moon enters Capricorn shortly after 6 pm EST, cooling our heels and bringing our attention to basic duties for the evening.

Overnight between Monday and Tuesday is primarily peaceful, especially after that blowout expenditure of energy on Monday afternoon. Many will sleep like logs, rising with thoughts proper to the Capricorn Moon -- all the things which must, should, and ought to be done. The energy shifts even more profoundly in this direction on Tuesday evening, for Mars finishes its time in fun and adventure-oriented Sagittarius and at 6:49 pm EST moves into pragmatic Capricorn to stay there for a more than a month. This means that Tuesday night there begins a period of more than month during which themes related to Capricorn will motivate our actions. Capricorn is a sign connected with worldly power, with prestige, status, accomplishment, and proof of competence. Efforts to advance professional status will therefore abound while Mars activates this archetype from this December 7 until mid January 2011.

These very intentions get a nice boost on Wednesday the 8^th as Venus, now direct, returns to repeat the sextile to Pluto and the Moon interacts harmoniously with Jupiter and Uranus. Taken altogether, this means that Wednesday contains excellent opportunities to favorably impress decision makers and gate keepers. Business and commercial connections will proceed amicably this day. Cooperation will be more forthcoming than not. Particularly advantageous are the hours 10 am -8 pm EST. This time period can be utilized for any important objective to good effect. Officials in large organizations are likely to be sources of help for those seeking it.

Thursday the 9^th and Friday the 10^th bring a bit of a mind-bender, however, for Mercury goes retrograde at 7:06 am EST on the 10^th of December, therefore strongly impressing the 9^th and 10^th with its shifting of perspective, changes of opinion, and potentials for disorientation. The mind wants to take a different course when Mercury changes direction. Sometimes this ultimately works out for the best, but the working out may take as much as 2 months to complete. Therefore, avoid rash action these days, even if the temptation to take it is great. More information is needed.

That’s the thing with retrograde Mercury periods. They all tend to bring up issues in which bits and pieces of crucial information are either missing or incomplete. Generally the full and accurate information does not surface until some time well after the retrograde period. That’s why it is a good idea to wait and watch during retrograde Mercury, which this time takes place from December 10^th - December 30^th. All during this nearly three week period, there will be changes of attitude, shifting policies, reversals of statements, and many contingencies that can’t be nailed down. Often under retrograde Mercury, appearances are not true to actuality. Reserving judgment will help protect a person from taking a false step.

So Friday we begin all this in earnest. This can be acceptable if we are willing to slow down and see what new perspectives come to our attention. Friday the 10^th otherwise promises interesting connections arid new angles of conversation with friends and acquaintances.

The weekend also promises largely pleasant and congenial conditions, though there is big stuff brewing. It is probably fair to say that the weekend represents the calm before the storm. The storm itself is powered by a triple conjunction in Capricorn, becoming exact on Monday. The three planets involved will be Mercury, Mars, and Pluto. This is a powerhouse combination making for a very strong impact. It will therefore affect about a week before and after this date, with the strongest portion of the effect taking place on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday - the 12^th, 13^th, and 14^th of December. Easing into our experience bit by bit, this unusual configuration will creep up on us and then dramatically burst into manifestation on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Urgent situations and sudden crises are likely to arise. A tremendous release of long contained pressure is likely to occur in various areas of life, including the planet itself. Earth movement and changes in topography are likely. On the psychological level, the same is true. For some, this will bring a therapeutic catharsis by getting issues out into the open. For others, bottled up rage may be so severe that outward expression becomes sneaky, violent, or otherwise injurious. This is consequently a period to take great caution. Places of commerce such as malls and shopping areas could be problematic. Dangerous driving is likely to be evidenced during this period as well. Many persons will be rushing to shop for the holidays, and the consequent tension may lead to aggressive driving and other precipitous behaviors. Staying to oneself or simply avoiding much travel is not a bad option these days. Tension is inevitable around this period, and some of it may go right out of bounds. Stay cool and stay safe.