Sagittarius New Moon: Where are you headed?

“Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around a lake.” –Wallace Stevens

The year that’s wrapping up has been a confusing and frustrating one for many of us. Yet since Jupiter entered its own sign of Sagittarius early last month, hope is on the horizon. Not necessarily in terms of external matters – although they may well improve, especially in the sector of your chart that Jupiter triggers – but in terms of altered perceptions and inspiration leading to new ways of thinking and acting.

An auspicious New Moon arrives this week, urging us to get out into nature and celebrate life. But it’s also important to examine the choices we’re making. Are they thoughtful and inclusive? Or born of unconscious pain or fear? This is the looming question at the Sagittarius New Moon (Dec. 6, 11:20 p.m. PST), which squares Mars and Neptune in blurry Pisces.  Sagittarius wants truth, freedom and progress – while action-oriented Mars, in communion with watery Neptune, tends to  act impulsively, without all the facts.  This can lead to a battle of wills over who is right, or becoming lost in the fog and making wrong turns. But it’s also a wonderful time to harness Neptune’s compassionate side and work on behalf of those less fortunate. If in doubt, take that proverbial walk around the lake and let your inner guidance inform you before you take action.

The New Moon happens just as Mercury stations direct in Scorpio, slowly beginning to shake off the cobwebs from its last three weeks of retrograde motion. Though it may still throw a few tricks our way, Mercury forms an exact grand trine at 27 degrees with Chiron in Pisces and the North Node in Cancer, helping us heal old family patterns, sexual wounds or an over-attachment to the externals in life (South Node in Capricorn). Now it’s time to align your choices with your deepest desires and dreams. There are choices that may feel right in the moment, but that don’t produce the results you desire. Like eating more than your body needs, spending more than you can afford and asserting your opinion in a self-righteous way.  So here is your challenge over the holiday season: In that split second before having another drink, charging something ridiculously expensive or succumbing to road rage when somebody in a rush cuts you off in traffic, ask yourself, Is this choice taking me forward – or backward?

This doesn’t mean you can’t indulge a bit. Sagittarius loves to go too far! Just try to bring a little consciousness to the choices you’re making. And if you do overindulge, forgive yourself and move on. Soon we will enter the no-nonsense Capricorn time frame, with a decisive solar eclipse near Saturn early in Jan. And, warrior Mars charges into fiery Aries on New Year’s Day! That’s the time to forge a plan and take action to attain your goals. In the meantime, allow yourself to dream and rest. Imagine different scenarios for 2019, without acting on any of them just yet.

Whenever possible, take the high road this month. Some folks are going to need an extra helping of forgiveness. With Mars conjunct Neptune, focus on musical, artistic, spiritual and altruistic pursuits.  Look for the deeper meaning in whatever holiday you may be celebrating, and allow this optimistic Sagittarius energy to bring you hope and renewal.