MOTHER

Pick me! Pick me! That’s you, Aries, from December 4 to January 13, when assertive Mars (your ruling planet) blasts into Aquarius, your eleventh house of teams and friendship. You’re ready to be a joiner, and we mean that in a good way. Keep your ears open for opportunities to fold yourself into new-to-you social groups, project teams at work, and adrenalin-pumping experiences. In other words: try a new playgroup, work with some new faces (maybe even competitive ones who’ll challenge you), and try something different like ice skating or skiing (or one of these unusual activities). These are the things that’ll make your heart pump now. Have fun. Be playful. Embody a team spirit in everything you do. Even the most energetic Aries mom can feel a little deflated during holiday time. The go-go-go of your life can make you plain old tired when you do finally have your moment of peace. Mars is a power planet and while it can thrust you into hyperdrive, you’ll definitely want to conserve some of your energy for yourself! You probably don’t want to go to a holiday party or a networking event with bags under your eyes, so be sure to rest up as best you can these days. Save yourself for those who matter most. Time-in with the kiddos in fun learning environments like science museums, or catch a show at a planetarium. A lot of planetariums offer winter sky programs during this time of the year—become expert at finding your constellation! Grab some friends to go see Matthew McConaughey in Interstellar, then debate it’s accuracy over a glass of wine. If you can schedule a date night this week, maybe make it a double-date or a triple-date. You’re in the mood to fraternize and you could really use the adult convo. Ask the friends who are famous for dishing on mind-bending topics. Some critical thinking can help you shake off the mommy brain and feel like the independent woman you are. For expecting moms, this is especially important now, as the eleventh house can spark feelings of worry that you’ll lose your independence when the baby is born. Here’s a post from Babble on the topic for you to chew on. When you start to doubt yourself, call a friend. Surround yourself with others. Put on your jersey and get into the game!

Blast off! You’re like a rocket, Taurus, as motivational Mars launches into Aquarius from December 4-January 13, lifting off your tenth house of ambitions. During this transit, your mind will be fixed on long-term goals. You’re determined to end the year right. What was that resolution you had, anyway? Dust it off. There’s still time to make good on it! Or think about where you want to be in say, six months. Mars helps us look ahead. There may be short-term sacrifices that you need to make in order to meet your goals, but they’ll be well worth it. Besides, you’ve got the confidence now to see it through. (P.S. We like this Ted Talk on how using confident body language, even when you DON’T feel confident, does the work for you.) If you feel yourself getting bogged down in minutia, climb out from under it. Ain’t nobody got time for that! See where in your daily grind you can outsource. That way you can be more productive AND enjoy life more. Too busy to cook? Try a meal service, even if it’s just to get you through the hectic holidays. Too busy to shop? Online, baby. You’re not alone if you sat home on Black Friday enjoying leftovers. But you’re not throwing in any towels, here, Taurus. The tenth house highlights major holidays, and this transit blankets perfectly over all the big ones coming up. Perhaps this is the year you start a new tradition (here are 50 ideas)—or, change them, as this Oprah post explores. And you certainly don’t need to go overboard. In fact, the tenth house also puts a focus on minimalism. So if you can do more with less, or keep things in the reasonable column, you’ll feel a lot better. Expecting women will feel the urge to minimize now, too. The stuff coming in from your registry. The hand-me-downs. The holiday gifts. It can be overwhelming if you don’t keep it organized and feel empowered to pass on what you don't want, or anticipate you’ll need. For all women during this transit, men play a prominent role, thanks to the influence of Mars in your tenth house of males. This could be your father, a brother, your husband, or any man in your life. But because the red planet can also increase competition and tension, you might find yourself at odds with one of your main dudes. Keep your rocket fuel tank full so if the heat turns too high, you can blast out of any situation.

Get me outta here! If you find yourself mumbling that beneath your breath, there’s a good reason for that. Energizer Mars bursts into Aquarius, your ninth house of adventure, on December 4. For the next six weeks, you may try to focus on the screen in front of you, or the bottle warmer, and imagine yourself inserted into one of the exotic pictures that comes across your Facebook newsfeed. Harbor no envy, Gemini—find a way to participate! This transit will make you want to travel. How far you go is up to your imagination and your dollars. But go you must! Your mind could use the break. The ninth house encourages us to be spontaneous. So if you always imagined you’d visit (insert place you want to see) someday, let someday be TODAY. Stop waiting for someday to come, anyway. (Hint: It’s never going to.) We know families who are ditching the traditions this year and heading out on cruise ships, or to Disney World, to celebrate the holidays. We know others who have sunny-destination trips planned after the new year. Entire families who are getting into skiing—just so they don’t have to sit around for another winter doing the same old. Here’s a handy article on the best resorts broken down by age. But back to dollars, if those are dream vacations, consider setting up a vacation savings account for a future jaunt, just as you set up a college savings plan. Or research ideas for how to get to your goal; this USA Today article offering seven steps. Having a goal maybe all you need now. The ninth house also encourages you to tap into higher learning. You could appease your wanderlust by digging into travel books or taking a class in a topic that interests you. Get your kids involved in the research and they can become just as excited as you about the end-game. One caution: the power of Mars can make the travel bug feel like it’s biting you raw. It can come on THAT strong. And if you can’t get away now it can create feelings of disappointment. So get your fix with some local day trips or steal away for a few nights (if you’re able) with your partner. Or carve some alone time to do something for yourself—a bon voyage of the mind! Maybe something creative, so you can get back to the grind with new resolve.

What gives you goosebumps, Cancer? Do that. And then do more of it. On December 4, rev-your-engines Mars roars into Aquarius, your eighth house of passion. For six weeks of this transit, come out of that shell, Crab. This is no time to hide. You have colorful living to do! This transit is about reconnecting to the things that excite you. Or finding them. It could be a relationship, sure. Rediscover what brought you together with your partner. An activity? Go do it. A place? Go visit it. The eighth house brings out our sexiest feelings, so let yourself go in the throes of passion. Remember that explosive chemistry that didn’t allow you to keep your hands off each other? Here are some ideas for regaining intimacy if it’s become lost like a cookie in a DVD player. Expecting women: this is a great time to explore what pleasures you. Pregnant women DO have sex and enjoy it, apparently all the way up until delivery for this woman. Eeks! Don’t know about that one. But hey, like we said, whatever gets you going! One caution: Mars can pack a mighty punch. Your feelings may be exaggerated. This can cause you to experience jealousy or paranoia. Be mindful of this and you can chill out if your mind starts to wander to dark places. Don’t imagine problems where there aren’t any. (Easier said than done sometimes, we know.) Be sure to find some quiet moments to reboot your mind. Perhaps try a meditation group or a gentle yoga class. Or you may simply need to give yourself an emotional “time-out” (which is no. 5 on this list of relaxation ideas from WebMD). The eighth house also puts a focus on shared assets and money. This is a good time to close a real estate transaction, or you could be thinking about listing your house. Money guru Dave Ramsey says there are three advantages to selling your home during the holidays. You could also decide to work with a financial planner—just in time for wrapping up your family’s fiscal year. Get yourself set up for a smart 2015 and you’ll have more time (and maybe money!) to spend on those things that give you the good chills!

Grab your favorite first mate and step on the gas, Leo. Aggressive Mars speeds into Aquarius, your seventh house of partnerships, from December 4 until January 13. You’re in the driver’s seat for the next six weeks—now, who’s in your passenger seat? Examine all your relationships during this transit for worthy co-pilots. Are there some one-on-ones that need some TLC? Tend to them. Others that are cruising along? Enjoy those! The seventh house prods us to hash out the nitty-gritty details of our love lives. Perhaps for you this is working toward better delegation of home/childcare duties with your partner. Asking for help goes a long way in making our lives easier. You don’t have to “take it like a mom.” Where’s the Cinderella story, you ask? Well, the cooking and cleaning—that’s part of the story, right? Kinda accurate. (BTW have you seen the trailer for the upcoming live-action version.) Think about relationships that go beyond the romantic. Consider if it’s time to join forces with someone to help you. Maybe a life coach. A therapist if you need to go a little deeper. A personal trainer if you want to energize your fitness goals. Or even a personal shopper if you’re feeling like your threads have slipped into mommy-land Uniformville. One of our Leo mom friends just signed up for StitchFix delivery. It’s a great way to get some new styles without shopping in the stores OR online. Only moms would understand being too busy to shop online! But the stylish seventh house does motivate us to want to shop. So you may find yourself squeezing in a trip to a favorite retailer between errands or pickup anyway. While you’re in a shopping mood, think ahead to teacher gifts. This BlogHer posts reminds us teachers don't want candles or coffee mugs. If you’re a crafty Leo, get creative and involve the kiddos. Here are some thoughtful, inexpensive ideas on the Kids Activities blog. Because the focus is on partnerships now, maybe you’re ready to team up with someone to launch a business idea. Or you’re ready to take on a new client. Don’t underestimate what you can take on, but at the same time, don’t try to be Superwoman. Mars can push a heavy foot on that gas pedal. So ease up if you feel you're taking on too much. The same goes for women who are expecting. It can be tempting to take on just-one-more-thing. But listen to your body. Downshift. It can be a fine line. But on the flipside, the energy of Mars can propel you to feel like you can accomplish anything. And if you’ve got big plans and people around you who can’t keep pace, that’s their problem, not yours. Cut them loose before slowing down to their speed. Vroom!

Another slice of pumpkin pie? Or a handful of pumpkin seeds? On December 4, motivational Mars enters your sixth house of wellness for six weeks. Impeccable timing, Virgo! If you were hoping for willpower over the holidays, the universe is practically gifting it to you. With this transit lining up neatly over all the upcoming holidays, you’re motivated more than ever to step away from the dessert table. That cake someone left in the office kitchen? What cake? Exactly. While you’re at it, sneak in more exercise, since wellness alone isn’t measured by what we pop into our mouths. The gym will be half empty anyway. Sure, you’re busy, but you’ll thank yourself for putting in the effort before the “resolutioners” arrive in January and cause a wait on your favorite machines. Or, try something new. Time magazine has a cool “We Tried This” feature with reviews of mostly trendy fitness classes—barre, anyone? Or maybe you need to switch it up and try a new place to exercise. A change of scenery and new teachers may be enough to invigorate you. One caution: Mars is like the beefcake at the gym. You know the guy who grunts loudly and makes a spectacle of his workout moves? That bravado can easily seep into your actions now. Not to say you’ll become a gym rat, but that you may push yourself too far, or take things to an extreme. None of that is necessary. In fact, we are big believers in moderation. Enjoy the holiday time and don’t spend all your free time at the gym or beating yourself up if you go for the slice of pumpkin pie AND a gingerbread cookie. We like this sensible advice from fashion designer-slash-personal trainer Charli Cohen. How you handle yourself around food makes a big impression on your children. We recently stumbled upon the Raise Healthy Eaters blog and we’ve been devouring (pun intended) posts on how to handle everything from what happens when you force your kids to eat what they don’t want, to lighter topics like getting them to eat more fruit. Expecting moms, here are some delicious recipes for healthy eating. Consider eating your meal before hitting a holiday party to avoid risking meager options when you get there. The sixth house also highlights organization and all women now will want to declutter before the onslaught of toys comes from well-meaning relatives. For the younger set, a book like Too Many Toys can help get them into a willing toy-donation mood. Ask local preschools if they could use the hand-me-downs (they usually do). And don’t forget to collect a few new ones for a toy drive or Toys for Tots. Spread the joy—outside your home!

Celebrate good times, Libra! This won’t be a problem, especially when go-getter Mars boogies into Aquarius, your fifth house of revelry, on December 4. For six weeks, your inner disco ball sparkles. You’re in the highest of holiday spirits. You just may be the center of attention at every party and gathering. Be Instagram-ready with some glam frocks, like maybe this sexy faux fur coat. Feeling more like the Grinch at the moment? Here are 10 ways to get into the holiday spirit, even though we don’t think you’re going to need help. The fifth house brings out our playfulness and creativity, and Mars super-sizes it. If the demands of life bog you down, find your fun. DO something fun. It’ll be an instant panacea during this transit. Laugh. We love Funny or Die’s “Mom’s Open Mic.” Kids love jokes, too—especially younger ones. Get rolling with them and you can’t help but be in a good mood. (Check out this monster collection of jokes, plus animals! Could be a great gift idea.) Get out of the house for some fun, too. Maybe stroll through the stores, even if you’re not in a shopping mood, just to enjoy the holiday displays like the ever-increasing artistic ones in NYC. Take in a show—a Nutcracker ballet, a holiday concert, etc. Expose your kids to the theater and it could become an annual tradition for your family. Libras brimming with holiday spirit may want to throw a party. Pick a theme and run with it. One caution: the influence of Mars can be so strong that it can make us go over-the-top. So whatever you’re planning, run it by a trusted soul for a reality check. We’re not saying that life-size Santa ice sculpture won’t look amazing on your buffet table, but . . . And speaking of the buffet table, your sweet tooth may be aching now. Take time to enjoy the smaller-scale pleasures, too, like wrapping presents. How about making some homemade holiday lights paper with the kids? (It’s no. 2 on this list.) Be sure to step under the mistletoe with your partner! The fifth house also rules romance and fertility, so if you’re thinking about another “gift” this holiday season, the stars may gift-wrap that for you!

Home sweet lively home. Energetic Mars moves into Aquarius, your domestic fourth house, on December 4. Good times are likely during this transit, which lasts until January 13. But if we’re being honest, the potential for your introverted side to experience a few freak-outs is also likely. What does this mean? Find balance, Scorpio. You love your friends and your family, but you need your alone time and a little privacy. Some well-meaning people will expect to be with you…All. The. Time. But that’s about them. Avoid guilt trips and do what’s right for you. Steal away when you can. If you’re bunking with relatives, call dibs on the room farthest from the activity. Or consider taking your family to a hotel. We know lots of couples who have decided staying overnight at someone’s house (especially hosts without kids or with older children), is too stressful. There are the valuables, the breakables, and the apparent amnesia of the occupants that their own children once behaved like…children. So do yourself a favor and avoid those situations, if you can. Consider bringing traditions to your home, or throw all tradition to the wind and go on a cruise. We know a family of nine going on one this year. The biggest selling point was not having to make holiday meals and the before-and-after clean up of houseguests. USA Today offers some tips, if you’re thinking about a holiday by boat. Beware, though, Mars is brash. You could come on too strong in your crusade for peace and inadvertently offend. You’re not looking to make enemies here, just protect yourself. So remember that in your interactions. If you ARE staying somewhere that isn’t child-friendly, be proactive. Bring your own outlet covers or child gates (the tension kind, so you’re not drilling holes into someone’s staircase)! Your hosts may be long out of the baby-proofing game. Respect that and be prepared. You could consider a travel kit even. Pregnant women will also have a mixture of sensitive feelings toward family and some downright “leave me alone” moments. Roll with it. It’s not just hormones. The fourth house highlights our relationships with our mothers and other female relatives and friends. You may find yourself comparing yourself to sisters or friends and how they parent. Don’t doubt yourself. We love a quote in this Parenting article on things no one ever tells you about being a mom: “Once you realize you have no control, you're in total control.” Scorpio, we know how much you love control. Just don’t worry about the things you can’t control and you’ll discover the balance you need to enjoy the holidays.

Flutter your wings, social butterfly! On December 4, motivator Mars lands in your communication-rich third house until January 13. Brace for six weeks of gregarious superpowers! Don’t be surprised if you hear someone exclaim upon your arrival at a big bash, "Didn’t I JUST see you on Instagram?" You can’t help it, you want to be everywhere! And who’s in tow: Your partner? Your kids? Your crew? Totally depends on the invite. And you’ll have many! One caution, though: Mars pumps up the volume of your brassy bon mots—and Sagittarius, you’re already a sign known to be a boisterous. So without realizing it, you could become a human megaphone in ordinary convos, pushing the envelope too far for your audience. Watch the body language of others. If you’re coming on too strong, they’ll let you know. It’s a small price to pay for all the fun you’ll have during this transit. You’ll attract friends, family, neighbors with your gift of gab. And we know you can do better than seasonal small talk. Why not share some of your knowledge? Or at least get convos headed in less banal directions. (Do we really need to talk about what Little Joey is doing at school while we’re on winter break? Probably not.) How about something deep, like what happened in Ferguson and the implications for race relations or gun control? But just as you are to watch for body language if you come on too strong, know your audience. Your smart friends with love a healthy debate. Unfortunately debate has deteriorated—just look at the “comments” section of any article online. So if your audience can’t nosh maturely on a big topic, bring it down to their level (a school topic, the weather) and then quickly move on. Check out this piece from Relevant magazine, Reclaiming the Art of Conversation, for when you want to go deep. Mars can cut some edge into romantic relationships now, too. So a more meaningful convo might be just what you need to connect to your partner. If no one is listening to you (and we’re not including your kids), find another outlet. Maybe record a podcast or start your own blog. First post: Is anyone listening to me?

Put your money where your mouth is. Go-getter Mars deposits himself into Aquarius, your second house of finance, on December 4. Ambitious Mars will stay and grow dividends there until January 13 so you have a six-week window before you cash out. What’s cooking for you, Capricorn? Are you ready to monetize your inspiration? Have a side business idea? Ready to change things up at work? Whatever you’ve been thinking about, now is the time for action. The rewards can be great. But unless you play and win a lottery or stumble into cash unexpectedly, you’re going to have to sweat for it. That’s okay, Capricorn—your sign is no stranger to hard work. Only now you may be thinking of ways to work hard AND smart. You have a family to manage now, or a family-to-be. That certainly doesn’t mean you can’t take risks. In fact, the influence of Mars may entice you to. The second house rules security, but that isn’t synonymous with status quo. So take a deep breath and leap. See where you land. One mom we know recently made a side business out of making and selling jewelry. Another is working feverishly to fill orders for her knit hats for kids and adults. And yet another turned her photography hobby into a paying gig (and she had her first gallery show)! Check out the Mom Incorporated site for inspiration. And be inventive! Or reinvent, especially if you’ve taken a break from the working world to tend to childcare. (Sidenote: Have you seen the new TV show “Younger.” Possible autobiography?) This transit isn’t limited to income, though. Take a hard look at your investments. Do you need to redistribute some dollars? What you allocated for a savings plan before children may not make sense now. And give your budget a serious once-over. Doing this work now will get you ahead of the game for the new year. You could start saving now for that big home renovation project or family vacation in 2015. At the very least you can keep a strong eye on your gift spending, and see what lessons you can impart on your kids, too. The holiday time can be a confusing one for kids who suddenly receive a mountain of toys. This post offers lots of ideas for how thoughtful holiday gifts can teach kids about money. We’ll let you decide if Santa is bringing the iPad Mini or Xbox!

Step to the front of the line, Aquarius, and stay there. Motivator Mars blasts into your sign on December 4 where it stays until January 13. For the next six weeks, everything is about Numero Uno (that’s you, if you need a reminder). This tank-refueling transit happens just once a year. Its ensuing adrenaline rush would be a shame not to take advantage of now. So where do you begin? How about prioritizing your goals and passion projects? Think about short and long-term plans. Your immediate needs could be sleeping through the night, getting your partner to equitably share childcare, household responsibilities, or asking for a promotion at work. Your longer-term goals could be launching a business, taking on a leadership role, leaping into something new (a competitive sport or a hobby), or making a fresh start (a move, going back to work, etc.). Many of these could resonate with you, and it may be hard for you to find a single place to focus. You certainly don¹t have to limit yourself, but you will want to get organized. Bite off too much and you’ll lose steam and probably interest. Start small and work your way up. Check out the Pick Your Brain blog for ideas. Map out action plans. Brainstorm. Assess your resources. Whatever you do, Aquarius, brace for meteoric success! Once you know what it takes and set your sights on the goal, you’re the only one who can stand in your way. You¹re like the zodiac’s eternal teenager. No one can tell you no, at least, not without a fight or a little drama. One Aquarius mom we know just took to Facebook to plead: Am I the only one tired and exhausted all of the time?! Deep breath, mama. Deep breath. Be sure to keep that over-giving part of yourself in check now. While the red planet is in your sign, you could be prone to flying off the handle at the slightest provocation (no whip on my latte)?! What’s really going on? It could be uncertainty. Any stress-reduction strategies you employ will come in handy. Remember you can only control so much. It may help you now to carve some me time, especially if you¹re feeling the thermometer rise. Try calming activities like breathing exercises, positive mantras, and EFT. If you really need to let out some aggression, kickboxing and any bootcamp-type class will appeal to you. One thing is for certain: You¹ll have no barriers to putting a voice to your needs now. This is also true for pregnant women who may have been humming along not wanting to bother anyone. With Mars in Aquarius, you may find yourself blurting, “Hey, is anyone gonna give me a seat?!” on a crowded bus or quizzing your care providers about what they’re doing, and why shouldn’t you? This mom wondered about that sugar drink for the gestational diabetes. Her conclusion: You don’t have to drink it. Who knew? Put yourself first and you’ll learn all kinds of things like this, and about yourself. Get ready for an empowering Mars transit in your sign!

Burn that candle from one end, Pisces. On December 4, aggressive Mars bursts into Aquarius, your dreamy and spiritual twelfth house. For six weeks, you can count on a strong need to chill. Practice some stellar time management so you CAN rest when you need. This BlogHer post offers 24 tips (if you have time to read them)! Ask for help. It’s on this HuffPo list of 8 Habits of Smart Working Mothers. You can count on your usual sensitivity being even higher during this transit. Your intuition stronger. Use these enhanced powers to tap into a deeper level of wisdom and connectedness. One caveat: red-planet Mars can agitate and prevent us from this meaningful work, and from relaxing. Or it can make the things that DO calm us feel like they’re not working: yoga, meditation, a quiet walk, etc. Try expanding your repertoire. The mere distraction of having to learn something new may quiet the part of your mind that resists calming. The twelfth house also puts an emphasis on endings and closure. If there’s something that’s been left open-ended for you, this is a good time to close the door. Watch for symbols. You could find answers to your biggest questions now. Talk things out with an old friend, if you’re comfortable doing that. But you may wish to have some alone time to process. Get lost in a new book or try putting pen to paper (or finger to iPad); jot down some thoughts, poetry, or a letter to that person you want to unload on. Just don’t press send! The exercise may be enough to help you heal and prepare to move on. Watch for emotional triggers around the holidays. Ditch the guilt if you decline invites. Focus on the things that make YOU happy. Take things down a notch with your kids, too. This can be a busy time of the year, but pause to assess if you’re all enjoying it. Don’t want to cook a holiday dinner? Go out! Lots of restaurants are offering holiday menus now. Create new traditions. Volunteer at a pet shelter—sometimes animals are more understanding than people, when you’re not in the mood to talk. And they’re always up for an extra cuddle when you need one!