Merry Happy Happy Merry…I don’t know where the week went, either.

Since 9:43AM ET on Friday (yesterday), the energy of the day has been driven by the Moon in Scorpio, seeking depth, control and substance.  It goes void at 2:22AM ET on SUNDAY (Christmas Day/Hannukah)…and will remain drifting/wandering until 10:19PM ET. That explains any twists and flakes that may disrupt your efforts to reach Grandmother’s house for your holiday dinner (and do keep in mind that Mercury is still retrograde, also interfering with focus, communication and travel plans).

We haven’t had any exact aspects among the planets — except to the Moon — since December 12th. That changes today, starting with a rare harmony between Saturn and Uranus, exact at 7:17PM ET. This is the first of three exact trines (that’s the technical term for the “rare harmony”) that will happen between now and through 2017.  This easy flow between Saturn and Uranus is one of the dominant patterns of the new year. And may I just say that it is astonishing to note that as 2017 approaches, Spellcheck still underlines “trines” in red because it does not believe it is a word.

Pattern #1: Saturn trine Uranus.

Keywords for Saturn include the old guard, patriarchy, authority, ambition, gravitas, structure, fear, control, limits, brick walls, time and borders. Saturn is in Sagittarius for most of 2017, as it was in 2016. Thus, we expect to see structuring efforts in Sagittarius concerns which include: publishing, foreigners, collective beliefs (legal, higher education and religious), opinions, broad comedy and the need to push boundaries. Possible manifestations include efforts to control the media, collective thoughts, personal opinions and borders. This includes access and censorship.

Keywords for Uranus include disruption, the avant garde, innovation, seismic events, aviation, genetic mutation, shocks, technology, eccentricity, freedom, astrology, fringes, chaos and rebellion. Uranus is in Aries through 2017 and has been there since March 2011, the day of the earthquake in Fukushima. So we the continued potential for innovation and disruption in Aries concerns such as self-reliance (think: gig economy); war (think: drones); automobiles (think: self-driving, Uber et.al); head injuries (think: concussions; amazing tech cures).  Got that?

With Saturn and Uranus symbolically in harmony, we see the potential for cooperation between the old guard and the avant garde; innovation and structure – for better or for worse. What could that suggest? Here’s a recent example, perhaps: the Electoral College — an old-guard institution — votes for the Uranian Trump. Here’s a hypothetical scenario for 2017:  old guard Republican senators like John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Susan Collins break ranks to support a bill introduced by the opposing party to…errm…uhhhh…I have no idea. Russia something? Rosh Hashanah?But somehow they are able to reach across the aisle in a curious coalition.

Another scenario: lawmakers approve tons of legislation to use technology (Uranus) to control, limit or structure (Saturn) access and expression of opinion (Sagittarius) by individuals (Aries). So much for that “controversial” visitor registry President Obama ordered to be dismantled? Perhaps. Another scenario: the Powers That Be (Saturn) are united in their efforts to shake up the system (Uranus). Organized chaos? We shall see.

You are more personally affected by the potential to structure your ambition with surprising innovation if you have a planet or angle around 19-27 degrees of just about any sign, and especially 27 Leo. The exact dates of this trine are Dec 24, 2016; May 19 2017 and Nov 11, 2017.

Pattern #2: Jupiter opposing Uranus and…

Pattern #3: Jupiter square Pluto

We experienced the expansive influence of Jupiter with Uranus and Pluto in 2013 and 2014, when Jupiter in Cancer opposed Pluto and squared Uranus. More recently, Jupiter squared Pluto on November 24th — Thanksgiving Day. The next two hits are on March 30th and August 4th, 2017.

The first exact Jupiter – Uranus opposition happens at 1:32PM ET on December 26th. The next two hits are March 2, 2017 and September 28, 2017.

Jupiter keywords include: collective belief systems, such as higher education, religion, political philosophies and the media; optimism, benevolence, inflation, bombast. Whereas Saturn restricts, Jupiter expands, for better or for worse.  How will it apply its expansive efforts in 2017? Through the sign of Libra. Keywords for Libra include: fairness, balance, relationship, compromise, rational discourse, people-pleasing, diplomacy and the rule of law. Got a conflict? What a horrible concept for a Libra. Conflict? Eek! How can we avoid it?  Can we talk about it? Rationally? Weighing the pros and cons? In court or with some other mediator?

Pluto keywords include: perspective, news from underground, plutocrats, power, seismic activity (volcanoes), breakdown, elimination, transformation, corruption, obsession, regeneration and catharsis. Oh — and radiation — especially when coupled with Uranus, as in uranium and plutonium and nuclear power and arms. Is it any surprise that the Twitterer-in-Chief rattled nerves a few days ago by suggesting the U.S. expand its arsenal of nuclear weapons?

Jupiter opposing Uranus suggests sudden changes of fortune, luck in speculative gambles, breakthroughs and breakouts. It suggests inflation and exaggeration of Uranus in Aries concerns.

Jupiter square Pluto refers to expansion of power and resources, along with exaggeration and inflation of Plutonian themes.  With Pluto in Capricorn, we see the potential of expansion in Capricorn concerns: the Establishment, corporations, government institutions, status, infrastructure.

With Jupiter is in Libra, we see the potential for efforts to expand power and resources to be met with howls of “That’s not fair!” followed by “See you in court!” Or we might see a lot of, “Gee…I can’t make up my mind. I’ll just go along with whatever so-and-so says.” Judgments issued in 2017 when Jupiter is in touch with Uranus and/or Pluto may be shocking, tipping the balance of power.

Meanwhile…over the next two days…

Along with major contacts among Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus, the next two days offer input from other planets that are potentially sweet. On SUNDAY, Venus in “can’t we all be friends” Aquarius harmonizes with Jupiter, Uranus and Saturn at 8:23 AM, 11:35AM and 1:33PM ET respectively. Count your blessings in the Moon void; revel in tidings of comfort and joy; chill and enjoy the day. A dreamy alignment between Mercury (mindset) and Neptune — exact at 11:19PM ET on MONDAY may infuse the next two days with a rosy glow.

This friendly planetary vibe reminded me of two old Looney Tunes cartoon characters: Ralph the Wolf and Sam the Sheepdog. When they’re on the clock, Sam defends his flock against Ralph’s deadly schemes. It’s a cartoon, so naturally Ralph never succeeds. When the two adversaries punch the clock at the end of the business day, they’re the best of buddies. Funny how that is — and here’s a clip so you can see for yourself.

Rumor has it that at the end of our shift on Planet Earth we will all see ourselves in each other  — recognizing that every one of us comes from the same source:  love. Rumor has it. And I’m an idealist at heart.

Thank you for reading this forecast. Thank you to Avid Readers who have shared and supported my work for nearly eight (!) years. I could not do this without you. Thank you especially to Avid Readers who are also clients. I am deeply appreciative of your trust and faith in astrology. Thank you for allowing me to be of service.

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To be continued…