Thanksgiving 2008 looks more like a mad tea party from Alice in
Wonderland than a page from the Pilgrim Story. So don’t be
surprised if your trip to Grandma’s house is interrupted by space
aliens, visitors from Middle Earth, or a couple of Native American
ghosts from Thanksgiving’s past. (It is, after all, a politically
incorrect holiday.) Also don’t be dismayed if the conversation around
the tofutti turkey swings the grassy knoll to Obama’s birth certificate
to bar codes as the “sign of the beast” to the Illuminati of the New
World Order to Area 51. (I’m already exhausted, and I love these
stories.) No matter how or what you slice, this Thanksgiving will be
like no other.
The source of eccentricity is Uranus, that Mother of Invention, who
goes Direct Thursday morning. Uranus represents sudden bolts from the
blue, and whenever it alters its course, nervous systems quicken from
the shift in celestial perspective. The end of its retrograde phase
does include the ongoing opposition to Saturn, but we are so
used to this tension, I’m not even going to talk about it. Instead, the
focus is on a Uranus sextile to the Venus/Jupiter conjunction in
Capricorn. Positive Venus/Jupiter configurations signify the principle
of joyous love. And when you add Uranus to the mix, that joy is
expressed without reservation. Saturn trines that Venus/Jupiter
conjunction, stabilizing the “look at me, I’m free” exuberance just
enough to keep most of us from volunteering to return to the Shire with
Sam, Merry, and Pippin. (Okay … Lothlorian or Rivendell … maybe.)
What’s more, Saturn’s sober presence could prevent a plethora of mashed
potato mountains during dinner. (Devil’s Rock, anyone?)
But that’s not all. A Sun/Mercury/Mars/Moon conjunction in
Sagittarius also turns the entire day (actually the whole week) into a
talkfest. Sagittarians are a loquacious lot who tend to be versed in
any number of arcane subjects. Add Mercury, the symbol for language, as
well as Mars, the principle of energy, and the entire bundle turns into
a non-stop marathon discussion, capable of moving from discourse to
debate to quick repartee in a matter of moments. Of course, the Moon
adds an emotional touch, but no one is likely to mind, especially
because everyone will be talking at once.
Pluto sings a somber solo note, the night before Thanksgiving, as it
moves into Capricorn (where it will stay for the next fifteen years)
and doesn’t engage directly with any of its planetary cohorts until the
Moon moves into Capricorn on Saturday, a conjunction some of us may
feel more keenly than others.
It probably won’t be easy settling down long enough to say a prayer
of gratitude, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be wise to make an
effort. Thanksgiving is a day set aside for feeling grateful. It may be
hard this year for many of us to find a true place of thanks — so
many lives have been disrupted by storms, physical and financial, and
so much uncertainty about the future permeates the physical and psychic
environment. So be sure to include those less fortunate in your
heart.
If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.
ARIES March 21-April 19
Before you embark on that new venture, gather the appropriate
information. Read, research, and examine the available data, and then
focus on synthesis and integration.
TAURUS April 20-May 20
It’s a question of control, and not just being in control, but also
if control is truly possible. Rather than insisting on a specific
outcome, let go, and allow the situation to unfold on its own.
GEMINI May 21-June 21
Be open to relationships, but also be comforted by old friends. A
shared sensibility about what matters most can renew and revitalize the
soul.
CANCER June 22-July 22
Allow uncertainty about the future to skew your view toward a
negative reality, and you’re likely to experience a peculiar kind of
paralysis. Refuse to be indoctrinated by anxiety, and you’ll stay
creative about your options.
LEO July 23-August 22
Flexibility is the key to your success, especially if you’re willing
to learn from your mistakes. So put pride aside, acknowledge what you
don’t know, and keep experimenting until you find the best
solution.
VIRGO August 23-September 22
Rise to the occasion and simply do the “right” thing even if what
you have to do isn’t what you want to do. Remember, leaders who inspire
unswerving loyalty are those who inspire by example.
LIBRA September 23-October 22
You’re on the threshold of a significant shift but hesitant to move
forward, which is completely understandable, given how much will change
when you do. Take your time — you can’t hurry growth.
SCORPIO October 23-November 21
You may not be able to handle all that needs doing, so rather than
procrastinate, enlist the help of friends. Yes, I know you want to
present a self-sufficient image, but reality is more important than the
façade.
SAGITTARIUS November 22-December
21
Try not to let the Trickster bamboozle you into thinking there’s
more money in your account than the total on your bank statement. Be
realistic about finances, and your situation will eventually turn
around.
CAPRICORN December 22-January 19
Expressing yourself will help you to articulate your internal
process. And while not everyone will agree with your ideas, just
sharing your opinion will shift your awareness.
AQUARIUS January 20-February 18
Try not to work too hard to convince friends and associates to see
“it” your way. Instead, figure out what adjustments you can make that
will make the benefits of your perspective obvious to everyone.
PISCES February 19-March 20
In order to navigate the situation, you’ll have to reach deep within
and tap your innate reserves of empathy and compassion. And while you
may not want to take this high road, it is actually the best choice for
all.
