One of the most interesting astrological issues of this year has simply been the sheer volume of retrograding planets. This year there has pretty much always been something - and usually a group of somethings - in retrograde. The upside is they have really forced us to slow down and become (or develop the skills to become) more patient with and present to the people and things that we have been heretofore unable to face or attend to.

But to truly work with these energies in a masterful way you have to look to the planets and the signs involved. As both Mars and Mercury spent time in retrograde in Cancer this year, and Mars is still retrograde there, it would be wise to focus here. While in other years it was more optional, this year you really have to use and respond to the Cancer energy in order to have a happy holiday season.

This year, the surprises of winter seem to be coming primarily from our homes and our families, which are the primary domain of Cancer. In clients, I am seeing this play out the most often around a change in the balance of power in whatever political systems govern said group.  Followed closely by who is angry and about what.  Followed closely by real estate and mortgage issues.

So let's look at Mars for a moment.  On November 16th, Mars - ruler of anger, aggression, violence and war - went retrograde. And he's still retrograde, and he will be until the end of January. Now I really hate it when Mars is retrograde over the holiday season, because it means that we all will have to be on our best behavior during those holiday get-togethers and family reunions. No fight-picking, and no initiating conversations about taboo topics over dinner. No digs, sniping or guilt slings, that sort of thing. You just have to button it right up. There is no wiggle room, no buffer, no insulation and no margin for error. When Mars is retrograde over the holidays, you just have to be a trooper. When Mars is retrograde in Cancer over the holidays, you have to be thinking Medal of Honor.

This winter you have to be a Bodhisattva. You have to practice putting aside your wounds and needs and try to be present and understanding with all those bat-shit crazy people at a much deeper level. You get to practice having mercy and compassion for whatever their sad sick little personal weirdnesses are. You get to try to imagine what it would be like to live in their skin for a minute, and then be grateful that you don't. 

I am seeing a lot of people having conniptions and conundrums around feeling like they have had their noses rubbed in whatever the family dookie was. Again.

Sorry, man. This winter you just have to deal.  You know it's time - that the proverbial writing is on the wall  - when the new mantra of your 16 year-old -on and his friends has suddenly become  "deal with it."  Thanks, boy-os.

The upside is that Cancer rules the emotions and the intuition and the heart. This holiday season more than any in recent memory, you really have permission to trust you gut, to open up your heart and shut off your head.

Sincerely,