Monday, the Moon remains in detail-oriented, practical Virgo all day. It will journey there until Tuesday evening; turning our focus toward the practical and wholesome.
We are generous with our time/services and we love to help others. We also have a fondness for science and anything that makes sense in our world — things and knowledge we can apply and use.
Health might also come into focus at this time. We notice the parts that make up the whole; this is a great time to see if our daily routines (eating, work, self-care, etc.) align with our long-term goals.
Monday morning, a challenging Venus/Saturn aspect becomes exact at 8:26am EST. We started to feel this aspect build from Saturday very early morning (Dec. 30th) on; it will remain strong until Wednesday late evening (Jan. 3rd). This aspect asks us to stretch and grow beyond how we’ve known ourselves up to this point — a process of maturing that requires us to adjust and stay flexible.
On the one hand, we want to connect in a more external, fast-paced way, exploring life and expanding our horizons; on the other hand, we feel a sharp need to be authentic about our intuitive connection to life and learn what works and what doesn’t when it comes to this inner spiritual journey.
This may involve looking for practical applications of our connection to Source or one-consciousness and determining what’s realistic. This aspect provides an excellent foundation for fulfilling our dreams and supports our interconnectedness with all beings. Do your best to make space for both of these urges.
We tend to be more cautious when it comes to relationships and finances now — and in fact, this is not the best time to start a brand-new romantic relationship. Financially though, this aspect can be eye-opening; if we can find creative ways to deal with money, we will grow from it.
The key here is to approach both in a spirit that combines authenticity and maturity rather than attachment to a certain outcome. Pushing will most likely not get us what we want — better to go one slow and steady step at a time, so we can come back later (if needs be) with a stronger approach and more mature expectations.
Do you have your Ascendant, Career Point (or personal planets) in 0-6 degrees of Sagittarius, Pisces, Virgo, or Gemini? If so, you will feel this aspect quite strongly. This is also true for those of us who have our Ascendant or Sun-sign in Taurus, Libra, or Capricorn (Venus is the ruler of Taurus and Libra; Saturn is the ruler of Capricorn).
Monday evening at 10:08pm EST, Mercury comes to a halt again at 22 degrees of Sagittarius, ending its Retrograde phase, and slowly starts its direct motion again.
As best as you can, go with the flow, keep an open mind, and pay attention to anything that is in your face right now — you may need to address those issues again when Mercury moves through its post-Shadow phase…more on that in a moment…
We are slowly ready to shift our focus back towards the outer world again, taking in new information and sharing from a new perspective.
Ask yourself: What did I learn about my long-term goals? What is unrealistic or unsustainable about them? What did I discover about my ability to set healthy boundaries? Was I able to recognize where I need to be less quick to judge? What did my inner dialog teach me? How might I share my findings in a healthy way?
What needs to be addressed now around my autonomy? My own authority on a subject? My beliefs, assumptions or perspectives?
When Mercury gets back to its regular speed (by Jan. 6th), communication and transportation will get back to normal; the same is true of any associated gadgets, vehicles, etc.
Some of us will feel the effects of the Mercury station more than others: those of us who have Gemini or Virgo as our Sun- or Rising-Sign (Ascendant); and those of us with personal planets in 20-24 degrees of Sagittarius, Gemini, Virgo, or Pisces.
Also on Monday, Mercury’s post-Shadow phase begins — lasting until Jan. 20th…. as you may recall, I mentioned Mercury Shadow phases in this update a few weeks back: If you want to buy, sell, or ship big-ticket items, it’s best to avoid the periods shortly before Mercury goes retrograde, and after it goes direct.
This is especially true if the items are connected to travel, philosophies, technology, transportation (cars, plane tickets, etc.), or communication (phone, computer, iPad, etc.) Click here to read my blog on the subject. 
