EYE ON THE SKY: HOLIDAY DEPRESSION AND MOVING TOWARD SATURN CONJUNCT SUN
Saturn started moving toward combustion with the Sun on Dec. 5th and that conjunction is exact into Dec. 21st at the winter solstice. The orb of influence is about 15 degrees so it starts getting burned by the Sun Dec. 5th and is not clear until after Jan. 7th.    Saturn combustion can bring out the darker qualities of Saturn. In the early stages it my promote hard work, efficiency, clarity and reliability at work but as it gets closer to the can make work intense, cause problems between bosses an co-workers, mistreatment by employers and resistance to authority. We have mentioned in previous articles that given protests in the Middle East, we do not need this planetary conjunction into Dec. 21 as it will promote unrest in certain parts of the world and it is happening in the constellation of Sagittarius where anger in the name of religion can lead to fanaticism and the recent declaration of Jerusalem as a recognized capital is the first shot in a war with the Muslim world. Expect a lot of bombings and terrorism around Christmas and unfortunately it is too easy a prediction to make in our troubled world.
On an emotional level it can hurt confidence and bring on depression and given that it is around Christmas this year, it may be felt by those not with family or friends or when those family members have to leave and go home. Luckily we have skype to stay in touch with people and Venus and relationship and reaching out will help this energy and prevent isolation.
In Ayurveda, Sun/Saturn combination if in your natal chart in the 4th, 5th or 10th or 11th houses, may raise blood pressure and if severely afflicted can lead to heart problems so go easier with exercise and avoid stressful conditions that may affect your heart. This might impact Virgos, Leos, Pisces and Aquarians rising or Sun signs more.  Go easier if you have heart or high blood pressure problems the next few weeks and visit your doctor to monitor it if it seems to be acting up.
Sun also rules health for everyone, and I notice the Saturn affliction to it can hurt the immune system which is also why a lot of flu seems to break out around the holidays so find products like Colostrum to enhance your immune system. Get plenty of rest and keep your immune system strong by cutting down on sugar.
If you are born with the Sun very close to Saturn in your natal chart within a few degrees, this signature could lead to over-responsibility and taking on too much work and this could stress your heart and circulatory system so lighten up if you are start pushing yourself. If you are running a Sun/Saturn period or a Saturn/Sun period and have a tight signature in your natal chart, this transit may be most difficult.
Saturn cuts off the energy of the Sun and restricts it ability to shine so you may feel lonely and cut-off or inclined to break relationships or quit work because of a conflict with a supervisor.  This can lead to depression but this may be felt more when Saturn is connected to the moon Dec. 18-20 and January 1-2 when it is in Gemini.
Holidays tend to bring out depression and the tendency is to overeat rather than deal with the stuffed feelings. Somehow family gatherings inevitably bring up opportunities to heal past karma and it is never easy. Remember when your patterns come up that it is the past and you and your family are different people now– or at least we hope so. Practice the mantra, that was then, this is now. Exert your Sun and your new Self now so that they see who you are and not lost in who you think you are.
Stay in relationship. The anecdote for Saturn is always Venus so women, relationship, singing, food, music and dance all help lighten Saturn so avoid isolation over the holidays.
 This is a time to be disciplined about your meditation practice and yoga and other spiritual practices because these lighten the burden and give us more strength to deal with everything. The tendency is to skip that which is good for us when we are challenged but that’s like taking off a winter coat when its below zero.
2) Donate time and money to help those in need. This is one way to address karma and by getting out of our own stuff, we feel better and move through our own karma.
3) Be disciplined with diet and exercise. The tendency is to use food to cover up difficult emotions or skip exercise because we feel tired or lazy. So much illness (6th house) can be overcome if we are disciplined doing what is good for us. Avoid addictive behaviors and non-life-supporting actions especially now. The tendency is to what to escape but usually this
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Have a Happy Holiday season and help others in need and that will get you of any self-pity. Our problems are so small compared to so many on the planet and we have so much to be grateful for.
