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Monthly
Horoscope:
Virgo (August 23-September 22)
December 2008
As 2008 draws to a close, we’d like to give you an astrological medal of bravery. This has not been an easy year for you. (Virgos like Jennifer Hudson and John McCain are two signmates who had tremendous losses this year.) It’s been a time of major internal growth, but that may be hard for you to recognize since you’re smack in the middle of it. So let us acknowledge you now for all it took to forge ahead some days. As Winston Churchill said, “If you’re walking through hell, keep walking.”
That’s not to say the year has been hellish, or even bad. Just…new. Since September 2007, maturity planet Saturn has been in your sign, putting you in astrological boot camp. Some Virgos have completely reinvented their lives—either by choice or out of necessity. Still, even an exciting change can be disorienting. It requires giving up control, something Virgos don’t do readily. You may have spent much of 2008 resisting this, before you surrendered to the inevitability of it all. No doubt you’ve grown massively from the simple act of letting go!
Saturn will be in Virgo until October 2009, so it ain’t over ‘til it’s over. Just remember: these tests of will are building character. Keep reinventing yourself and finding strength within. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
The bright spots of your chart in 2008? Romance, creativity and children. Expansive Jupiter spent the year in your flirty fifth house, bringing single Virgos an abundance of dating opportunities. (Our Virgo friend Linda was juggling eight guys earlier this year. Go Linda!) This part of the chart is ruled by dramatic Leo, so there could have been a few soap-opera moments or melodramatic intrigues along the way, too.
Your passionate nature emerged, and a dormant creative project could have gotten new life. The fifth house also rules fertility, so many Virgos became parents in 2008. Since Jupiter was in a harmonious angle to Saturn, you may have gotten serious about an artistic venture, or matured by parenting either a real baby or a creative “brainchild.”
Virgo, that was all just a warm-up. On November 27th, intense Pluto entered your fifth house, where it will stay for the next 15 years. Pluto deeply transforms any area it touches, even stripping away all that no longer serves us. Now, you’re up for a major overhaul in love, children and creativity. Are you in a relationship that doesn’t resonate with you at a core level? Are you dating to shore up your own self-esteem, rather than to connect with a kindred spirit? Giving too much in order to feel in control? Pluto will not tolerate these habits for long.
Your deepest passions also refuse to be ignored. You may even feel waves
of anger or powerful emotions surge up. That’s your soul crying, “Hey!
You’ve ignored me for too long. Please listen!” Any artistic
venture with a world-shifting message would be great for you, Virgo. Recommended
reading is Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. It’s
a brilliant 12-week program to help anyone recover his/her creative spark
by getting in touch with your true desires. In addition to daily journaling
(called “morning pages”), you’ll talk Artist Walks—essentially,
wandering with no agenda and letting your senses lead you. Your discoveries
will not only be amazing, they’ll lead to serendipitous next steps
on your path.
So what else is up for December? The Sun and energetic Mars are in Sagittarius,
your fourth house of home and family. You could be hosting family for the
holidays, or spending lots of time with yours. Mars can cause tension,
so make sure you don’t sacrifice your own needs to be a dutiful relative.
Otherwise, resentment could quickly brew. The family events or non-stop
traffic in your home will last through the 28th.
One visualization that could help? See every family member as a divine messenger whose energy is a gift to your home. If that’s too Zen and out-there for you, then hand rambunctious little Johnny and hyperactive Susie a treasure map and send them on an outdoor scavenger hunt for oh, three or four hours. Then delegate holiday prep duties to other relatives to avoid a buildup of restless energy. Many hands make light work!
You’ll want to be especially careful to avoid family feuds around December 15, when Saturn in Virgo squares off with Mars. A female relative (possibly a mother or daughter) may not respect your boundaries, or could test your limits. It will be hard not to deal with this situation explosively, so take a major time-out. You don’t have to go into overdrive trying to meet everyone’s demands. Stick to your guns and take time for yourself. Better yet, postpone family time until the 21st, when your mood lightens up significantly.
Our holiday gift suggestion for yourself? An adorable puppy or kitten. On December 9th, beautifying Venus goes into your sixth house, which rules pets. Virgo, you have a wonderful gift for connecting with animals. While you may have trouble receiving love from people, you have no reservations about bonding with a pet. The companionship and unconditional love is healing, and opens your heart chakra to give and receive love. It could be the best thing you ever do for yourself, Virgo.
A work triumph could come right before the holidays, thanks to the Gemini full moon in your tenth house of career and leadership. Don’t follow your colleagues who start shutting down early for the holidays. This is a major moment for you. Say yes to any VIP holiday events where you can rub elbows with major players in your industry. Or, take advantage of a higher-up’s lighter schedule and book a year-end meeting to discuss new opportunities, even a promotion.
Romance hits a high note at the end of the month. On December 27, the Capricorn new moon in your fifth house could bring a New Year’s “baby” a little early. The next day, sexy Mars follows. Put on something bright and bold, and while you’re at it, make sure your 2009 resolutions are bold as well.