The principal feature of this current alert is the alignment of the Moon and Neptune. This will begin to take maximum effect around 12:00 GMT (07:00 EDT) on the 14th of December and will last for approximately 14 hours.

Likely moods to result from this include extreme emotional sensitivity with the possibility of confused, chaotic, or unstable emotions. There may also be a tendency towards deceitful, neurotic, or otherwise unstable feelings, but at the same time a highly receptive, refined and delicate mood environment.

In most respects the effects of the Moon/Neptune alignment will tend to heighten the on going close alignment between the Sun and Mercury. For some days now this has created a heightened emotional situation with sensitive moods and feelings, along with powerful nervous activity with increased perception and awareness. In addition there is also the possibility of nervous restlessness with pressing concerns, worries and apprehensions that for some may become quite challenging. This may in turn lead to nervous episodes with agitation, acute sensitivity, or even panic attacks.

Under these circumstances there may be a delicate mixture of emotions with vulnerable or even painful recollections of past events and long forgotten memories that may come flooding back with astonishing strength.

On the more positive side this mood offers a period of increased creative potential that will be ideal for all artistic and expressional activities, or those that rely on original thought and inspiration. However extra discipline may be required to channel this energy into any worthwhile output as concentration will be far from optimal and it may prove difficult to give the fullest attention to any task or venture. Distracting influences will seem all too prevalent and this could mean that routine tasks are left unfinished, abandoned, or simply avoided altogether. Similarly this may be a poor time for important decisions as it could prove difficult to focus, and choices will be made from instinct rather than well considered appreciation of all the facts.

Once again time will seem to pass with undue haste, so that little may appear to get done. This will prove difficult for those operating to a tight deadline, but perfect for others who are able to take things at their own pace, and unworried about time constrictions or any stifling sense of responsibility.

It should be remembered that in an already sharpened mood atmosphere the proximity of the Winter Solstice, around the 21st of December will heighten moods still further, and contribute one more element to a time of year that is never anything less than difficult to deal with. As our short feature illustrates this is probably why the ancients devoted this period to a time of festivity, no doubt as an effort to instil a degree of jollity into a period of stiff emotional challenge.

Under the current emotional atmosphere it is inevitable that many will want to take the edge off the atmosphere by drinking slightly more alcohol than usual, and although its effects are not currently magnified the altered psychological state could make problems seem more acute or bleak than they are, with a propensity to sentimental or over emotional behaviour.

The days ahead will see perhaps one of the most difficult of all the routine Lunar alignments. It is the alignment of the Moon and Uranus, with all its potential for extreme and unconventional behaviour, that this month will be even more potent than usual. However more on this in a following alert bulletin.

Alert is 7.5. Moon 20% illuminated.