Today is the day of the Winter or Summer solstice, according to whichever hemisphere you may happen to be in. This means either the longest or shortest night of the year, and also has important emotional implications.

It should also be remembered that we are now in the midst of one of the years most concentrated periods of planetary alignments. For example the Sun is aligned by Jupiter, Mercury, and Pluto, each of which are in opposition to Mars. Then of course we are only days away from the Full Moon, and also right on Lunar Perigee - the point in the Moon’s monthly cycle that brings it closest to Earth - and thus not only makes the Moon seem bigger but exerts greater force.

It will be appreciated from the above mentioned details that this constitutes a mood situation of the greatest complexity. Unravelling likely moods and emotions to result from this interplay of celestial forces is far from easy, however we can say for certain that this will be a mentally alert and challenging period with heightened awareness that some may find disturbing.

This means that ones prevailing mood will be magnified, and though some may feel driven by the Jovian qualities of a happy, optimistic and generous disposition, others may feel flattened, depressed, or despondent by the effects of Saturn as it lies in opposition to Uranus. In addition there is the proximity of the Full Moon to contend with, whose restless, and mentally quickening properties will be increased yet further by the alignment of the Sun and Mercury.

As with any Full Moon situation there is the potential for conflict and friction with rebellious and argumentative behaviour that may quickly turn even the most convivial of settings into a maelstrom of volatile outbursts and even violence. In many respects the current party season with its emphasis on social interaction and the consumption of large amounts of alcohol could not have come at a worse time. In fact the current planetary pattern harbours the potential for considerable turmoil and confusion and this is a time when it pays to stick to the company of like minded people as differences will be greatly exaggerated.

On the more positive side this atmosphere will add considerable impetus and zeal to on going schemes and ventures, most especially those of a creative or artistic nature. On the other hand ones daily routine may seem even less attractive than usual and because time will now seem to drift by distressingly fast it will be hard to keep up with all ones various tasks and obligations.

All in all this may come to be a highly stressful period, and with the proximity of Christmas some may feel impossibly pressured. Unfortunately coming days may even see an increase in this pressure, in what is definitely one of the years most complex mood situations.

Alert is 9. Moon 97% illuminated.