IT IS SAID that the darkest hour is just before dawn. No doubt many of us can look back at earlier passages in our life journey and know the truth of that proverb, which has been set to music many times over the years.

There are three significant astrological events now drawing our eager attention to the horizon. All three represent the potential for a new day, and all three occur within a single week's time:

• The Total Solar Eclipse on December 14 begins a new lunar cycle and also sets themes for the next six months.
• The Capricorn Solstice on December 21 marks the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Lands, painting our backdrop for the next three months.
• The much-heralded Jupiter-Saturn Grand Conjunction in Aquarius, also on December 21, is the beginning of both a new 20-year sociopolitical cycle and a new 200-year evolutionary phase for humanity.

But this week, before we reach any of those milestone events, we will be working with the shadowy influence of a Pluto-Eris square.

WE TEND TO REGARD both Pluto and Eris with a suspicious eye. In mythology, Pluto was the god of the Underworld and Eris was the goddess of Discontent. Neither immortal would likely be at the top of our guest list for a "civilized" sit-down dinner party – although we might find their no-holds-barred style valuable in a rugby match.

Eris, currently in independent Aries, strongly resists being told what to do. Pluto, in authoritative Capricorn, can be both demanding and controlling. When these two dwarf planets are square each other, we can expect controversy and divisiveness that disrupt the status quo. Angry protests arise, particularly among those who feel they've been treated unfairly. Those who have been disregarded demand to be seen and respected. Actions taken under this influence can be major catalysts for future events.

This Pluto-Eris square has been working with us since late 2019, and we've seen its powerful effects throughout this past tumultuous year, most clearly through the Black Lives Matter movement. By the time its influence eases, the square will have been exact (and most potent) five times: on January 26, June 14, and December 10, 2020, and then on August 27 and October 9, 2021. 

FOR ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE, renowned astrologer Steven Forrest argues that the Pluto-Eris square relates to the current viral pandemic. In his blog article entitled "Pluto, Eris, and the Evolutionary Meaning of COVID-19," he describes how fears of being controlled – either by a virus or by a government – can compel us to act in exceedingly selfish ways. His article summary states:

"The essential underlying evolutionary purpose of the [Pluto-Eris square] is the realization that selfishness – both in individuals and in nations – has just collided with its own end game ... As we have seen, we are all in this together ... Our anger with each other, our divisions, our brutal competitiveness, our sense that national boundaries reflect some immutable law of nature – all of that is collapsing before our eyes." 

WE ARE CURRENTLY in another surge of the pandemic, at a time when the Pluto-Eris square is again strong, giving support to Mr. Forrest's theory. Certainly, we are likely to see protests arise for various reasons now, as people resist renewed restrictions, especially around a holiday season. At the same time, we are also aware of the need to work together as a community, which may ultimately take precedence over other concerns.

Either way, we have another year to figure this out. Astrological history most likely will confirm that both interpretations of the Pluto-Eris square are valid, and are not mutually exclusive.
 
A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE occurs next Monday, December 14. This means it isn't technically one of the events for our coming week, so please read next week's Journal for more details.

But, as I did for the Lunar Eclipse, I want to share with you the Omega/Chandra symbols for the degree of the Solar Eclipse, as a way to prepare us for working with its energies. Here are the symbols for the 24th degree of Sagittarius (emphasis mine):

• Omega symbol: "A man in his imagination inventing flowers, the seeds of which magically appear." We are told where to start, how to proceed, and where to end. This degree, though, knows that ultimately this is all just a construct, and that it is also possible to work backwards. What we desire and envision with clarity will eventually take form – it's just a matter of focus and intent and overcoming limiting beliefs.
• Chandra symbol: “A statue of Isis covered by a transparent veil.” This degree has a deep and vivid sense of what is possible. If it can just faithfully continue to focus on the immediate tasks at hand with patience and hope, all the beauty and wonder it has always envisioned with its mind's eye will eventually manifest. It needs to accept the current moment of darkness as simply a step in the process of the coming light.

HERE are my brief interpretations of the shorter-term aspects in effect this week:

Monday
Venus sesquiquadrate Chiron: Feelings are easily wounded as old insecurities come to the surface. A good time to be especially kind in all interactions, including with yourself.

Wednesday
Sun square Neptune, Mercury semisquare Jupiter: Our direction may seem unclear right now, or we may be feeling particularly unfocused. In spite of a sense of urgency to make a decision, it is probably best to postpone until your thinking is more clear.

Thursday
Venus sextile Pluto, Venus quincunx Eris, Pluto square Eris: The dramatic and confrontational Pluto-Eris themes are woven into personal relationships (Venus). This represents a challenge to know what we really value and stand for, above and beyond the needs of our ego.
Mercury semisquare Saturn: Communication difficulties cause delays. A lesson in patience.
Sun trine Mars: A strong independence and need to be free from restriction. This is impulsive energy, but when it is channeled with forethought, much can be accomplished.

Friday
Sun conjunct South Node: A karmic reckoning. We see the results of outdated beliefs and judgments.

Sunday
Mercury square Neptune, Sun sesquiquadrate Uranus: Thinking is again foggy, but perhaps this will serve us, in that it can help us rise above the disagreements that surround us. The challenge is not to become apathetic, but to let go of needing anyone else to believe exactly as we do.

IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: Your beliefs and world view, while always important for Sagittarius, gain special significance this year. You are being called to examine your mindsets, to let go of what no longer serves you, and to make new choices about what perspectives you will use to guide the course of your life. Communicating your truth will likely have a sense of urgency about it, but you are also learning to speak more intuitively, rather than planning out what you will say. Similarly, do your best to sense into your next direction instead of acting according to what has worked for you in the past. (Solar Return Sun conjunct Mercury, trine Mars, square Neptune, conjunct South Node)

In gratitude and light,
 
Pam

Aspects of Note this Week

All times listed are Pacific Daylight Time. For Greenwich Mean Time, add 7 hours.

• MON: Venus sesquiquadrate Chiron
• WED: Sun square Neptune, Mercury semisquare Jupiter
• THU: Venus sextile Pluto, Venus quincunx Eris, Pluto square Eris, Mercury semisquare Saturn, Sun trine Mars
• FRI: Sun conjunct South Node
• SUN: Mercury square Neptune, Sun sesquiquadrate Uranus

THE LONG-TERM VIEW: There's still time to purchase the replay of my webinar "Paradigm Shift," which covers the Jupiter-Saturn Grand Conjunction and a preview of the energies we'll be working with in 2021. Just send an email with "Webinar Replay" in the subject line to . I'll reply with more details.