The month of December starts off with a veil of optimism concealing a deeply conservative streak, especially financially. The most popular holiday gifts in the early part of the month will be practical, like serious clothes in brown and black, work boots and new suits. By the full moon on the 12th expect tastes to change to gifts like helpful technology, and clothes that light up your life, and if they include a battery so much the better.

Use the time between the full Moon and Christmas to improve and heal your social relationships. It is a chance to sooth old wounds caused by outmoded, overly conservative thinking. Consider which assumptions might be blocking you from people who can enrich your life.

Be very careful in your last minute holiday purchases. Venus in Aquarius conjunct Neptune can encourage people to go over the top, especially with extravagant technology. Consider overdoing the Christmas lights instead of surprising your honey with a TV the size of your bed. Unusual food gifts or an original holiday menu would be appropriate.

On one hand this will be a very traditional holiday season, quiet, low key, and homey. On the other hand it will be remarkable in its inclusion of diverse social connections and global interactions. Don't be surprised when e-cards outnumber paper ones. Even though the year will end with a mature tone, we'll start the New Year with a heightened sense of the remarkable possibilities found from connecting individual genius with the global community.

Helpful Hint: New Year's Eve will be steamy and fertile, so take precautions unless you are ready for a new addition to the family (keeping in mind that a new baby conceived now would be another Virgo). Happy Holidays!

as printed in the Sonoma Valley Mother's Club Newsletter
December edition