Aries Monthly Horoscope

MONTHLY OVERVIEW
Here comes the sun, Aries—and not a second too soon. Last month was filled with will-testing intensity, as a whole slew of planets gathered in Scorpio, your eighth house of intimacy and intrigue. After a hair-raising month of micro-focusing and digging deeper than your impatient sign likes, you’re back to yourself. The energizing Sun is in Sagittarius, a fellow fire sign that rules your ninth house of expansion and optimism. Goodbye, dark days in the underworld. Hello, bright side of life! For the first three weeks of the month, adjust your lens to a wide-angle view. Breathe easy as your perspective broadens and your biggest dreams take flight (at least in your head...which is where all good plans begin anyway). With the Sun here until December 21, expand your horizons by signing up for a self-development workshop, jetting off to Tulum (perhaps to mark the end of the Mayan calendar?) and mingling with folks from backgrounds different than yours.

By the second week of the month, life is bustling. On December 13, a new moon in Sagittarius lights up your ninth house of expansion. If you’ve had your eye on a degree or certificate program, this is the day to put your John Hancock on the application. Or, if you’ve been grounded in your daily life, overwhelmed by work or personal concerns, now is the time to set your plans in motion for a trip of a lifetime (trekking through the archipelagos of South America, perhaps?). If you can’t leave home, set an intention on this day for something that will blow the ceiling off your current life. Set a lofty goal to read all the great works of 19th-century Russian literature or to spend every Sunday for the next six months wandering around heretofore unexplored neighborhoods in your own city.

That same day, change maker Uranus goes direct (forward) in Aries after being retrograde (backward) since July 13. For the last five months, you’ve likely been feeling restless, unrooted and even more impatient than usual. Perhaps your ideas have started with much sizzle, only to promptly fizzle. Your energy has been especially scattered and as a result, some of your projects haven’t exactly been taking flight. Or you may have had temper flare-ups so potent those around you were left walking on eggshells, since the strength of your short fuse didn’t seem to exactly match the circumstances at hand. (We can see the perplexed retailer at Sephora, profusely apologizing for not having your go-to moisturizer in stock.)

After the 13th, you can get back to your maverick ways, taking more creative risks and expressing your edgier views without offending people. Those around you will admire your unstoppable renegade attitude, instead of whispering behind your back that you’re a rebel without a clue. The forward motion of revolutionary Uranus could also herald lightning-bolt insights into your life path or purpose. Aries, these revelations can go as quickly as they come, so make sure you keep a Moleskine on hand to record anything that crosses the transom at this time.

On December 21, Sun moves into industrious Capricorn, your tenth house of professional success and long-term goals. This solar shift will further settle you down and give you added juice to put solid structure and plans behind those eureka moments. Who knows? With the end of the Mayan calendar on this same day, you might just see the “end of the world as you know it”—and step boldly into your power-player shoes. And if you’re worrying that the world will actually end (Aries DO have a paranoid streak at times), fear not. Humanity is just elevating to a more spiritual, unified frequency.

The month ends with a powerful full moon in Cancer, your fourth house of home and roots, on December 28. Family dynamics come to the fore, since this moon forms a challenging T-square with surrender-or-else Pluto (in Capricorn, your tenth house of public recognition) and moving-suddenly-ahead-at-all-costs Uranus (in Aries, your first house of personal goals). Let’s just say...this may not be the New Year’s cakewalk you envision. Perhaps obligations with relatives are the source of stress, as you feel pulled in too many directions, as if you were a real-life marionette. Or you’re bubbling over with an intense pressure to achieve, an instinct that could be linked to an old habit of wanting to impress a father figure or other relative. (Another possibility? That father figure telling you outright, “If you want to be successful, you must do X and Y!” even though you’re totally inclined to do Z.) There’s a palpable tension between fulfilling others’ expectations versus following your own bliss.

You could end up in reactive mode, wondering why and how your buttons were pushed so quickly, when you’d really intended to approach a situation with big-picture thinking. If you’re feeling a bit schizophrenic, you can thank a nearly unavoidable polarization between your bratty side, your nurturing side and your uber-competitive side. Sheesh...that’s a lot to reconcile. Your best bet is to turn to a trusted pal or colleague to offer the perspective that you, despite your best efforts, just can’t see right now. Asking the right person for help can keep you calm and grounded, as the winds around you swirl with change.

A mere few days later, New Year’s Eve brings a more festive atmosphere, with the moon transiting Leo, your fifth house of passion, which forms a supportive, happy angle to magnetic Venus in Sagittarius, your ninth house of travel. Perhaps you’ll accept an invite to a fancy party, one that causes you to cross city (or country) lines. Wherever the celebration, shimmy on over to the mistletoe while it’s still up. Get your glamorous fun on, since the energy of the crowd will be every bit as intoxicating as the flute of champagne you’re holding at midnight. Splits on the dance floor, anyone? You could give that attention-grabbing disco ball a run for its money. Now that’s what we call ringing in the New Year. Bid 2012 a passionate adieu!

LOVE & ROMANCE
Dim the lights and draw the shades. For the first half of December, love planet Venus sashays through Scorpio, your eighth house of intimacy and secrets, giving you a one-track mind for getting all tangled up in the sheets and speaking sweet everythings into your paramour’s ears. (Why not “sweet nothings,” you ask? Rule #1 of the deep-diving eighth house: Thou shalt not engage in meaningless chitchat...in the boudoir, in the elevator or...ever.) If you’re in a relationship, expect to plumb the depths with your partner, perhaps bringing you to a new, more-intimate-than-ever level of commitment.

Did someone say “baby”? Pregnancy is a distinct possibility...as is getting engaged or even breaking up. If the latter, perhaps you had a moment where you saw the truth of your partnership: As great as it is, it’s just not “it,” at least not on the deepest levels. Since Scorpio and the eighth house rule soul merging, you could find yourself suddenly captivated by tantric teachings or, if you’re single, a serendipitous meeting could yield a soul-mate connection. When it comes to your look, don’t hesitate to vamp it up. Even the more retiring Aries might want to indulge in some heavily lined eyes...since you’ll be doing plenty of talking with them this month. How else to signal you mean serious, sexy business?

On December 15, Venus moves into Sagittarius, your ninth house of travel and cross cultural connections. Exchanging intensity for inspiration, you find romance in environs that expand your mind, whether you’re literally on the road, hooking up with someone from a background foreign to yours, or taking an enriching class to free your mind. Speaking of freedom, Venus in this free-spirited zone of your chart may not be conducive to putting a ring on it. If you haven’t had them already, conversations about commitment can wait. The last two weeks of the month, you’re a free bird. Spread your wings!

With spicy Mars moving through Capricorn, your tenth house of career, love might be found by the watercooler or over the tray of bacon-wrapped scallops at an industry event. An office romance could blossom, starting perhaps with celebratory drinks after you wrap-up a stressful project. Or, since the tenth house rules men and authority figures, you might fall for someone who is older than you or who holds a senior rank. If you stumble into the orbit of a charming, high-status individual, watch out. You could easily be a goner. Forget oysters; this month, your greatest aphrodisiac is power.

Midmonth, lightning bolt Uranus turns direct (forward) in Aries on December 13, after a lengthy, possibly laborious five-month retrograde. Hopefully, you didn’t have the experience of Aries Kristen Stewart, whose impulsive actions tainted her relationship and made her a tabloid target. Perhaps, like Stewart, you learned the hard way that senseless rebellion hurts only yourself. This planetary shift could give partnerships a boost, resulting in greater connection between you and your sweetie, as you return to your senses. You’re never going to stop needing a healthy amount of space, but now you can express the need for freedom in a constructive manner, instead of knee-jerk “screw you” behavior...especially since you probably didn’t even understand why you were being so compulsive in the first place. (Cyber hug coming your way, Aries...we know it hasn’t been easy.)

If you did find your relationship on wobbly ground, the second half of December is a recovery and rebuilding time, as you put solid structures in place. Instead of taking off to Malaysia to avoid a thorny issue, put a plan in place for consulting a therapist and/or talking through your angst with a trusted pal before acting on every little impulse.

Longing for security is heightened around the time of the full moon in Cancer, your fourth house of domesticity, on December 28. This day shines a light on your deepest desires for home and family. If you’ve been trying to get pregnant or adopt, you could receive positive baby news on this day. Or, you could move in with your honey, taking great pleasure in the nesting instincts at your disposal. This full moon reconnects you with your feminine energy, which may have felt like not much more than a mirage while Uranus was retrograde (backward). Now, ground into your receptive, intuitive side. This is a perfect night to prepare a homemade, candlelit dinner for two. Cilantro-infused crab cakes over a bed of arugula, anyone? Try to tune out the intense call of duty and allow yourself this much-needed downtime. Yes, you have your obligations, but some of them can wait. Shoo away the guilty feelings and relax.

MONEY & CAREER
Ka-ching! This month, as the Sun moves first through Sagittarius, your ninth house of risk-taking, and then Capricorn, your tenth house of career, you’re primed to make some extra holiday cash with an ingenious or innovative idea, especially around the Sagittarius new moon on December 13. Perhaps you come up with just the perfect New Age item to sell at an apocalypse dance shindig, held in honor of the winding down of the Mayan calendar, on December 21. Maybe you teach a meditation workshop around this date or share your expertise in some public forum. Whatever genius inspiration you receive, act on it...the dividends could surprise you.

Your personal goals see a clear turnaround on December 13, when revolutionary Uranus in Aries moves direct (forward) after a five-month retrograde (backward) period. After so much fogginess, you’re back. It was only a matter of time till your natural fire returned. Now, resume your mover-and-shaker ways with focus, clarity, and forward momentum. Pick up your back-burnered passion projects. Revamp business materials, freshen up your branding or zhuzh a pending presentation. Hopefully, the last five months have given you some clue as to the changes you need to make. Perhaps you received flashes of insight on how to best launch your projects, so that they’re seen in the most flattering and authentic light. One manifestation of the retrograde period could have been an overwhelming frustration, which you might have channeled destructively, like, say, by having an emotional affair with an office mate. With renewed clarity, you’re able to move ahead, hone your message over the holidays and devote quality time to your most cherished and inspiring ideas.

As you get reoriented, you may seek help plotting your course for the new year. If that’s the case, join one of our favorite business gurus, Danielle LaPorte, for the launch of her new book and life-planning system, The Desire Map. You can register for a three-day launch party December 5-7 at https://wt107.infusionsoft.com/go/desiremap/ophira/ and join Danielle as she guides you through a new style of goal-setting that feels vibrant and alive.

At the end of the month, while your colleagues are sneaking out of the office for some spiked eggnog and last-minute shopping, you will not be among the hooky-players. With the energizing Sun in hardworking Capricorn, your tenth house of ambition and professional honors, you will have your eyes on the career prize, not mistletoe, tinsel and stocking stuffers. Adding to your drive, go-getter Mars is in Capricorn, your tenth house of recognition, until December 25, making this one of your most productive--not to mention action-packed--holiday seasons in recent memory. If you have a brief twinge of regret, i.e. you missed out on a really raucous holiday happy hour, don’t worry. As long as you have the focus, go full steam ahead. You’ll meet your year-end goals--and then some. (Don’t be surprised if you find yourself volunteering midmonth to spearhead a new project at the office.) On the 25th, when Mars shifts into Aquarius, your eleventh house of networking, you can finally kick your heels up and start celebrating, both the season and your incredible feats of stamina. Raise your glass!

If you’ve been bitten by the overachiever bug, you may just find yourself looking at your New Year’s plans through the career lens. With Mars in Aquarius, your eleventh house of colleagues and networking, you may want to incorporate a little moving-and-shaking, as you watch the ball drop. This is a night to tap into the power of a group. Rally with like-minded souls, people who really “get” what you’re all about. Make a resolution to launch a web-based business...or to be more laser-like in your social media campaigns and overall presence. You never know where this will take you. One Aries we know parlayed her 140-character Twitter prowess into succinct, tactile--not to mention beautiful--letter-pressed poetry. Invest in your tech-savvy side now...when you’re intentional and committed, the competition doesn’t even exist. Then spread the word among your circles and tribe. Before you know it, you could have a huge base of fans and followers who want to hear what you have to say—in your unique and ingenious delivery.

HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL
With all that’s going on in your external world--a fast-paced work environment, a bustling social calendar--the last thing you’d expect is to be in a philosophical mood. But, on December 13, a new moon in Sagittarius, your ninth house of optimism, higher thinking and spirituality, encourages just that...a more contemplative, big-picture way of viewing your life and the world in which you live. If you feel a back-to-school longing, this is the day to crystallize your intentions (or even to research on that art history program you’ve had your eye on). Revamp your attitude to reflect a more worldly or metaphysical perspective. New ways of thinking could really appeal to you now. Even if you’ve read Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now a million times, you may pick it up now and just “get” it, in a completely new way. Consider this your inspiration alert and start keeping an eye on that which will lift you to a higher plane. You may even want to revise your Christmas list to reflect your new orientation. Goodbye, Sephora gift certificate...hello, meditation seminar!

That same day, high-strung Uranus goes direct (forward) in Aries. Over the past five months, you may have noticed a persistent jittery feeling, as if you’d downed one too many espressos...when in reality you were just sipping chamomile tea. With Uranus moving ahead, you may realize just how fried you are from all this nervous energy. Now, you can slow down and stop with the manic thought patterns. This is a great time to incorporate stress-managing habits, such as a morning meditation, soothing affirmations or gentle walks.

The month ends with an emotional full moon in sensitive Cancer, your fourth house of home. If you’ve been trying to sweep nagging issues with a female relative under the rug, expect them to come bursting on to the scene. (You thought you could repress the urge to snap at your well-meaning mother every time she adopted a tone of misplaced pity...well, not so much.) Now is the time to deal. The moon forms a challenging T-square with intense Pluto in Capricorn, your tenth house of men and authority, and Uranus in Aries, your first house of the ego. Whew! You could have a stuck-in-the-middle feeling...perhaps caught between your parents’, literally...or just reenacting their outworn dynamics in your own relationship, through self-destructive actions. Sigh...it’s not a glamorous realization, but it will help you heal core wounds that put you in better shape for creating healthy, sustaining relationships. The events that transpire on this day are bound to reflect a need for healing at the deepest levels. While you may not be able to see all elements clearly, strive for consciousness. Tap a trusted friend to balance and ground you, helping you sort through the rubble and unearth gold (kind of like your own personal metal detector). If you’re in a relationship, solicit your sweetie for wise perspective. The one who knows you best—and sometimes, better than you know yourself—could have just the insight that keeps you from erupting in a volcanic, year-end tirade that you’ll surely regret.