Monday December 14th at 8:17 AM PST, last Solar Eclipse of the year! In Sagittarius (23º08').

Eclipses always mark powerful turning points in our lives. They force us to release what no longer serves us, and through often drastic changes, bring to the surface what was previously hidden. Unexpected situations emerge that affect us intensely. Decisions made, what we feel, the words we say, tend to be final. Eclipses bring forth a sense of chaos and urgency pulling us out of our comfort zones into an evolutionary acceleration.

As censorship, fake news, lies, manipulations, corruptions and multiple distortions of the truth seem to have become the new normal, this Eclipse invites us to use our common sense, develop our awareness, do our own research, discern what is real with clarity, communicate more effectively and keep focusing on the silver lining of every dark cloud. To keep our sanity we may need to ditch our TV and stop following the "news"! We are encouraged to trust our inner freedom, look for new venues to express our ideas, use our powers of discrimination and develop our thinking more positively.

In a time where many, falling prey to fanaticism and division, are quick to resort to anger and violence, it is important that we share our beliefs with honesty yet respect.

More than ever should we choose the path of knowledge, gather the information that helps us see through illusions the bigger picture, develop our intuition and rely on our imagination to envision the world we want into being. As we let our 6th sense guide us, we are given the right words to soothe the minds of those who suffer mood swings, feel lost, confused, restless and troubled.

It is not so much that there is more darkness in the world, but it is certainly more visible. Acting with confidence should be preferred to speaking just words. We are encouraged to stop scattering our energy and in the face of delays and restrictions, instead of wallowing in frustration, start looking for creative solutions to the challenges at hand.

Developing a powerful vision, setting meaningful goals for ourselves, putting our skills to good use provide excitement. We are only the victims of limiting circumstances if we give our power away. In truth, even in difficult times, each of us has the innate ability to rise above obstacles, grow, flourish and express our true potential.

This eclipse requires that we release the past, forgive and forget, and resolutely look to the future. Shining our light with confidence and courage, mastering the lesson of compromise, staying clear from competition, choosing our battles and living with enthusiasm make it very clear that the world is not conspiring against us. Staying active and resourceful inspires those who need our assistance and compassion, motivating them to action, while we, in turn, attract the support of those who can help us.

Old structures both personally and collectively are being destroyed so that new ones may develop. Yet at times, we could find ourselves drowning in a sea of emotions where the border between the personal and the collective is very blurred. A lack of clarity surrounding money and possessions could make us somewhat unrealistic in our assessment of our own worth.

As the veils between dimensions are thinning, our perception of time becomes quite distorted. Even though Mercury won't be retrograde until the end of January 2021, we could in all earnestness miss appointments, confuse days and get so absorbed in our activities, that we lose track of the passing hours, yet realize in surprise that it is a lot earlier than we thought!

We are compelled to take risks, discover our inner wisdom and forge our own destiny. Being timid, allowing insecurities or feelings of inadequacy to limit our self-expression get us nowhere. On the other hand, hasty judgements may land us in hot waters. Even if our opinions or beliefs make us clash with others, people somehow may be relying on us to speak on their behalf. Expressing our thoughts and ideas with strength and conviction makes a deep impact on our environment. Once we face head-on the challenges that present themselves, doors open, people appear, opportunities arise that should be embraced with courage. The time has come to build with stamina, be brave, responsible, disciplined, persistent, hard-working, forthright and self-reliant.

However, those times of action should alternate with moments of quiet reflection, spiritual studies, artistic creativity and light humor. These are essential in helping us recharge our batteries, keep in balance and set clear boundaries in an ideal blend of enthusiasm and structure.

A sense of solidarity, empathy and caring needs to permeate these transition times. Connecting to the pain of others enables us to heal the heavy feelings that pervade the atmosphere. Surrounding ourselves with like-minded, positive people, eating healthy foods, sleeping enough, breathing fresh air, meditating, drinking lots of water, thinking happy thoughts, spending time every day learning and dreaming the world we want into being, keep our immune system strong and healthy.

We benefit greatly from relationships motivated by a common goal. Our warmth, charm, compassion, loyalty, commitment and understanding are attractive. Yet, even if cooperation is important, we need to appreciate our own unique talents, and remain willful in our need for freedom and independence.

Michelle Karén, M.A., D.F.Astrol.S.