MOTHER

Hold that thought, Aries. On December 8, lucky Jupiter goes retrograde (backward) in Leo, your fifth house of self-expression and love, until April 8. For the next four months, you’ll find yourself thinking twice about—well, everything. This may feel counter to how you’ve been humming along since the summer when Jupiter moved into Leo for a lengthy stay (see your Momscope from the week of July 14 for more on this). A lot of Aries mamas have also found themselves in-the-zone artistically. Or making big plans to broaden their lives. That won’t necessarily come to a halt during this transit. But things may slow down or go into a holding pattern. You’ll be motivated to reassess, and then to proceed more deliberately. That’s not such a bad thing, Aries. You are the zodiac’s Energizer Bunny, but your go-go-go can work against you, if you’re running so fast you’re not sure (or you’ve forgotten) where you’re headed. This is a great time to check in with a big goal, for example. Have you been working toward something out of habit? Pause to ask yourself: “Do I really still want this?” If the answer is yes, then by all means, proceed. But if it’s no, STOP! Why waste another precious minute? Trust your intuition. Be spontaneous, if the mood strikes you. You’ll be cosmically empowered to succeed in whatever you choose. One reminder: the fifth house also rules fertility. So if you want to add to your family (or not!), be mindful that pregnancy is possible and babies may be on your brain in a big way now. This Time magazine piece says baby fever is a real emotion and men get it, too. Check in with your partner, as the fifth house is the casa de romance. Aim for some couple time to talk about your deepest desires. Answer any calls to glam up for the occasion (pregnant women, too). Express yourself boldly—physically and verbally now. And feed your creative outlets, maybe some holiday baking, decorations, or crafts with the kids. With just a few materials and a box of Borax you can make some stunning snowflakes. If the craft doubles as a science experiment, score! Even Martha Stewart takes things down a few notches with these suggested projects for kids, most of which look genuinely kid-friendly. Any enriching activity could provide a beneficial distraction for you while you sort out the big stuff. If you find yourself falling into panic-mode, play some lively music to pick yourself up and keep moving on.

Rethink your plans, Taurus. On December 8, good-luck planet Jupiter goes retrograde (backward) in Leo, your cozy, domestic fourth house. It will prompt you to reconsider any ideas you had to renovate your home or make big changes. It may even cause you to have second thoughts about expanding your family. What seemed set in stone suddenly gives you pause. But it won’t stop you, should you decide to proceed. Think of this transit—which lasts until April 8—as your astrological version of cold feet. You may go through with it and be fine, but you’ll experience trepidation. You'll also probably second-guess yourself all the way to completion of your new bathroom or to the positive pregnancy test. It’s a worthy exercise to explore WHY you questioned your plans, motives and ideas. It may turn out to be that you were just being overly cautious. Hmm, Taurus, have you ever been accused of that? This four-month retrograde of Jupiter in your domestic zone is your chance to time-out your ideas. Maybe you leaned too luxurious when you chose the Jacuzzi love tub. Maybe you’re panicking about putting another kid through college one day. Let your fears play out in your mind, if you must. Make adjustments if you chose, then move on confidently with your decisions. This exercise could cause you to feel like you’re losing momentum, as Jupiter moved into your fourth house for a lengthy stay in July (see your Momscope from July 14 for more on this transit). But it’s not that you’re losing stride, it’s that you’re making sure the seeds your planting are for what you really want to grow. Now is the time to do any uprooting, if you will. Surround yourself with female friends, too, as the fourth house highlights our need for the energy of women. Pregnant women may feel especially drawn now to their mothers or other female relatives. If family isn’t nearby, take a family trip to see them (check out The New York Times blog post “Tips for Last Minute Holiday Travel.” Or seek the support of a local women's group. Be mindful of your self-care now—don’t skip meals, for starters! All Taurus women may find themselves drawn to comfort foods now. With the holidays upon us it, overdoing it is always a concern. Check out this post on Jamie Oliver’s site “Comfort Food Has a Place in a Healthy Diet.” Follow your instincts. A focus on the foundation will make your plans that much better. Home, sweet, home, indeed!

Press mute, Gemini. On December 8, excitable Jupiter falls back into retrograde in Leo, your third house of communication. Since July, this planet has been firing up your gift of gab (see your Momscope from July 14 to learn more). You’ve probably been nailing interpersonal communication. Hello, witty mom! And you’ve likely been zooming ahead on some personal goals. Jupiter's lean-back into Leo for the next four months means all that is going to slow down. But before you get bummed out, realize that this is an opportunity to take a step back and look around. Assess. Evaluate. Tweak. Have you ever worked so hard that you practically can’t remember if you’ve been breathing? Imagine the universe is now reminding you to come up for air. Dr. Weil has three exercises if you need a little help using your inhale-exhale to relax. You could also try meditation or deepen your practice. There’s evidence now that it’s really, really good for our brains. (Who doesn’t want to find a cure for Mommy Brain?!) And it sure beats upping your caffeine intake or going on a sugar bender. In fact, you may want to reduce both stimulants to avoid unnecessary nervousness. Gemini, we realize it’s hard to put a gag on yourself. To momentarily halt your budding projects. But after you take a hard look at what you’re doing, your new thinking can make things even better. Change the focus of your new blog? Decline the post on the PTA board? Buy a new car? Also, the benefit of this planetary time-out is you can listen and hear advice, opposing viewpoints, etc., if you’re not doing all the talking. It may not be what you want to hear. It may take some time for you to process. You could get really angry, but after sitting on it, realize that the other person has a point. Jupiter retrograde gives you time to think before you formulate a response. There’s no rush! Also in focus now: your relationships with your siblings. This great NPR piece explores how your adult siblings may be the secret to your lifelong happiness. There’s also a focus on your own children and their sibling relationships. You may find yourself blowing a whistle more often now and managing some rivalries, e.g., do you bother getting them both the same toy for Christmas? And if you’re expecting, this is a great time to prepare your other children for the impending arrival. Just be mindful not to spread yourself too thin now, and you’ll be ready to press play before you know it.

Put that pocket full of change in the piggybank, or cash out? Money matters have been top-of-mind since July, Cancer, when expansive Jupiter entered Leo, your security-minded second house (see your Momscope from July 14 for more on that). Thinking about how your family makes money, how it’s saved and spent, has been all-consuming. Perhaps everything has been performing well and you’ve been cruising along at a comfortable altitude. But on December 8, optimistic Jupiter turns retrograde (backward) for four months. Instead of enjoying the ride, you may hit a bit of turbulence—just enough to jolt you from complacency. You’ll find yourself examining your budgets, balances, accounts and asking: Is this smart? Instead of starting something new, take a look at what you’ve already got cooking. The timing is perfect for beginning the new year on renewed financial footing. The New York Times offers this financial planning piece on how to do an annual check-up, not unlike scheduling a checkup with the doctor. Did the year get away from you? Try to book both financial AND doctor appointments before the end of the year, especially if you want to maximize your benefits. This interesting NY Daily News article sheds light on the best days and times to book. Planets in the second house also encourage us to add structure to our lives. If there are other places in your routine that can be modified, this is a great time to try them out. Pregnant women will want to also simplify their lives and could benefit from adding beauty to their environment—fresh flowers? A nice bath for all Cancer moms would do a world of good. Just watch the temperature if you’re expecting and definitely skip the hot tub. Use this time to also be selective of the company you keep, and teach your kids to be mindful! Parents magazine suggests that every kid should know these manners before age nine. We’re not keeping score. And you’ll be too busy keeping tallies on your financial fitness to overly worry about it. It’s ALL a work-in-progress, right?

Hello, Leo, 2.0! Since July, you’ve been experiencing unprecedented growth in your personal identity, thanks to expansive Jupiter’s entry to Leo, your first house of self. (To learn more about this powerful transit that lasts until August 2015, see your Momscope from July 14.) You may have found your footing as a mom. Maybe you realized that you were living last and discovered ways to put yourself first. Or perhaps, you even broke whatever imaginary chains were holding you back from some personal goals. On December 8, Jupiter turns retrograde (goes backward) in Leo prompting you to reassess everything in this highly personal zone of your chart. The retrograde lasts four months, until April 8, so you’ll have plenty of time for self-exploration—there’s no rush. We know you can obsess, Leo, but we don’t want you to do that now. Instead, use this time as an opportunity to see where you’re at and where you’re headed—or where you WANT to head. Think of it as having a bug in the Leo 2.0 software and you need to fix it for optimal performance. Did you get so excited about your boost of mental energy you’ve been going guns blazing and maybe didn’t consider everything? Go back and review. If you’ve adopted an all-or-nothing mentality, is that necessary? Or are you falling into a perfectionist trap. (Here are some ways to crawl out from that.) Do you need to quit your job or could you work reduced hours? If you think the pay isn’t worth it, are you sure? Maybe some income is better than no income. These are the types of decisions to weigh now. Adopt a bigger-picture mindset and you won’t steer yourself wrong. Only you know the answers, Leo. You don’t need to run it by anyone. You’re all about initiative now. Take your steps confidently. And set a new course, if you feel you need one. Pregnant Leos should be especially vocal about their needs. Changed your mind about the all-natural childbirth? That’s your prerogative. Good luck if anyone tries to talk you into OR out of out something. You know what you want, so let it be known. Spend your downtime on enriching distractions, like maybe playing some board games with the kids. Strategic ones, like chess, may interest you now. Dig into those Legos with them, too. If you’re up for it, let them show you how to play one of their video games. They surprisingly have a decent amount of strategy and you can take part in a little healthy competition with them. Resist the temptation to let them win—losing can actually be good for you. Who knew?

Take it down another notch, Virgo. Since July, your overall pace has become slower. That’s because abundant planet Jupiter entered Leo, your subconscious twelfth house, setting off a year of rest, healing and endings. Maybe you’ve felt the fog? Perhaps you've been adrift or unable to establish a cohesive plan of action for, well, just about anything. How unlike you, Virgo! The simplest tasks may feel complex and you may be wondering, “Where is my energy?” Maybe you’ve tried to get it back through traditional means: sleep, caffeine. But there’s more at work here. The twelfth house rules rest and it’s cosmically encouraging you to get more. Ignore the urge, and you’ll risk burning yourself out. To learn more about this powerful transit, which lasts until August 2015, see your Momscope for July 14. The more you know, the better off you’ll be when Jupiter takes a backspin (goes retrograde) in Leo from December 8-April 8. Think of it as your long winter’s nap, Virgo. If you’re thinking, "Ain’t nobody got time for that!" We understand. You’re a busy mom or mom-to-be. So, if crawling into bed and pulling the covers over your head isn’t practical, (or possible without a little one crawling in with you), go with the flow–best you can. During the next four months, rest when you’re able. Carve out me time—and actually take it. Lean toward activities that calm you. Anything vigorous should be avoided if you find it's too much. If you’re a Crossfitter, those exhausting workouts are going to take their toll. If you’re a runner, you may not go as fast as you’re used to. Either embrace this, or take a time-out from your strenuous workouts and find a new activity. There’s evidence that too much intense exercise may not be good for us, anyway. Dig into some good books, preferably ones that will lift your spirits like one of these. Any heavy subject matter now may sap too much of the energy you do have. Take time for reflection, even if it’s into a coffee mug for five minutes in the morning. Or journal in the evening before bed, even if it’s to jot down a few things you’re grateful for. You could even put them into an app. You’ll ask a lot of “why” now and sometimes there are no answers. If you feel emotionally drained, try some positive affirmations and mantras, or even therapy. Watch what you put into your body, too. Balance your holiday party fare with some nourishing juices (you don’t even need a juicer, according to The Chalkboard blog). Pregnant women will benefit from a prenatal massage and other pampering now. And be honest with your kids that mom needs some time to herself.

Walking on sunshine, Libra? Since July, you’ve crossed paths with some awesome new pals, thanks to lucky planet Jupiter’s arrival in Leo, your eleventh house of friends and technology. Maybe some of them have been of the online variety, as the eleventh house also rules technology. Are your Twitter followers up exponentially? Have you connected to more local peeps through Facebook? Been networking professionally like never before? The influence of enthusiastic, personable Jupiter in Leo has been like wearing a “Hi, my name is” tag at all times. You’re happy to shake hands, make new friends and discover the things you have in common. Your circles have probably expanded. And your outlook has accordingly brightened. (Read more about this big planetary influence in your July 14 Momscope.) On December 8, Jupiter slides back into Leo (goes retrograde), until April 8. For the next four months, slow down taking applications for new friends. You may have been so busy hanging out with new ones that you haven’t timed-in enough with the old ones. Or maybe you’ve hooked up with a few who aren’t worth it: those who dwell in drama, seem to bring you down, or make it hard to be their friend (they flake out on meet-ups, or complain and gossip too much). This retrograde period is a time to take stock of your crew. Consider how they make your life better. You may need to distance yourself from some new connections. This is somewhat easier now that you’re an adult, although more complicated if these people are the parents of friends of your children. (This CNN article covers what to do if you don’t like their friends. Take a hard look at your connections at home, too. How can you make them better? If your child clings to you or your partner, there may be a reason for that, as this article explores. And check in with your romantic connections. Try not to put too much pressure on the need to have a date night now. In fact, that’s the reason this couple did away with it altogether. Find a funny movie on the Netflix and laugh together. Or binge watch something you’ve had sitting in the DVR. With the kids, snuggle up for something on the ABC Family 25 Days of Christmas movie schedule. Enjoy the connections you have.

Climbing the ladder, Scorpio? Before you take your next step up, know that lucky Jupiter turns retrograde (goes backward) in Leo, your ambitious tenth house on December 8. For the next four months, you may want to go down a rung, if only to be sure you’re ascending the right ladder. This may feel somewhat counter to the steady pace up you’ve become accustomed to since July, when Jupiter first entered Leo for a lengthy transit (see your Momscope from July 14 for more on this). But between now and April 8, you’ll want to assess where you are. Explore new opportunities. Consider changes. Possibly reinvent. You may even wish to climb all the way down that ladder and move on to a new one, Scorpio. You’re known for your intense focus on a goal, Scorpio, so the idea of changing it up might freak you out a bit. Too risky? Rest assured you’re not being fickle. You’re pausing to take inventory. At the very least, give your resume an annual update (it’s good practice). And consider this idea to keep a “brag folder.” The benefits of these exercises may be realizing new avenues that could positively affect your long-term professional and personal life for many years. You may find you’re ready to change your view on risk-taking, after all. The same is true for your approach to parenting. While Jupiter is in the tenth house of leadership and structure, you can discover your inner voice of authority. It can help with your outer voice, too, like the one that confidently sets limits with our children. Plenty of forces weaken our resolve during this time of the year—the abundance of presents, sweets, and our kids asking for more, more, more. Here’s a quick read on what to do about “the gimmes” and a more in-depth one from Today Money that suggests you start with a family meeting. If you’re feeling at all overwhelmed, your best exercise now is stretching or trying something easy on the joints like water aerobics. But if you’re up for something heart-thumping, don’t deny yourself a bootcamp-style workout. RSVP “yes” to the fancy work holiday party and treat yourself to something glamorous to wear. Maybe just a new coat, if you insist on getting more mileage out of an old dress you paid good money for a while back. And make room for the holiday loot that you know is coming by clearing out the clutter—pregnant women, too, who are likely to receive double the amount of stuff with gifts and registry items. Clearing out can create physical and mental space for all that you have to consider now.

Expansion and travel have been the name of the game for you since July. A family vacation? Life coaching sessions? A retreat? You were up for all of it. Chances are, you’ve been considering many life-changing possibilities since the summer when horizon-broadening Jupiter dropped anchor in Leo, your adventurous ninth house. But on December 8, the planet of good fortune drifts backward in this same opportunity-rich area of your chart, prompting you to decelerate any plans. It’s not to say they’re abandoned. But you are less sure about pursuing them, or you at least want to more carefully consider your options. This runs somewhat counter to your spontaneous nature, Sagittarius. You may feel a little out of sorts. But it’s temporary: The retrograde lasts four months, but Jupiter will remain in Leo until August 2015. (You can read more about this in your July 14 Momscope.) Until April 8, you’ll take time to consider things more meaningfully. What will bring you the most happiness? Everything looks like fun to a curious Sagittarian, but are the rewards great enough for what you’ll put into it? Viewed in this light, you may change your mind. And you are certainly entitled to! If you’re a working mom, your thoughts may be leaning toward entrepreneurship. If you’re jotting down ideas for the coffeeshop you want to open during a boring products meeting at work, now you’ll know why. Or if you have a goal at your place of employment, you’ll suddenly be fixated on it. This is probably something you’ll do solo versus in a large group. Better for you that you can control the pace and the direction. For SAHP who aren’t fully career-minded now, seek ways to keep your mind sharp. Here are some nifty tips. Or, turn your attention to a side business. With the holidays, it’s a great time to test if your product has a market. Get your kids involved and they may find their own niche! Imagine: your own little family cottage industry or mega-corporation. Or get them thinking entrepreneurially, especially if they had a lemonade stand this summer and it’s too cold for a snow cone stand where you live. This HuffPo piece offers six ways to get them empowered. If you offer something service based, consider the upcoming new year as your marketing angle. Keep yourself active physically, too. Pregnant women especially could work on hip-opening exercises that can help at birth. All archers can benefit from some hip-shaking now—belly dancing classes? Bury your nose into a few good books, too. It’ll feed your mind and help you relax. Put your research skills to good use by digging into any topic close to you now—college applications, college savings plans, summer vacation spots, etc. You have the bandwidth to do the due diligence to make the rest of Jupiter’s transit truly revolutionary for you and your family. Onward!

Putting all your eggs in one basket, Capricorn? Since July, you’ve been cruising along with the financial security you crave. That’s because expansive Jupiter has been hanging out in Leo, your eighth house of shared wealth. Either though passive income or joint investments, you’ve probably felt financially fit, or on your way there. But the landscape is changing. On December 8, Jupiter ebbs backward in Leo (goes retrograde) until April 8. For the next four months, you’ll be more discerning about your money. You’ll adopt a more strategic eye. If you’ve been quickly moving forward–maybe amassing some debt, you’ll want to slow things down or even pull the plug. (To learn more about the full transit of Jupiter in your eighth house, see your Momscope from July 14.) Get ready to now consider the implications of your new money mindset. With every move there’s a ripple effect. You’ll see that. Give everything with a price tag a rigorous risk-reward analysis. You may be surprised in which column some things fall. And you may not always be on the same page as your partner, or with whomever you’re in financial partnership. This can cause some rifts if not handled delicately. Not that you should hide your feelings—in fact, you definitely should not! This is the time when you will look to your partner for support. It may test you as a couple. You may even flirt with the dreaded “D” word when you can’t see eye-to-eye. Don’t bother sweeping these feelings under the rug; deal with them head-on. Consult a therapist or a trusted friend. Of course the fire you feel could erupt into blind passion without warning. The eighth house rules intimacy. You could send conflicting messages to your partner, unintentionally, so keep the lines of communication as open as possible. If you can take some alone time, you’ll need it. Reboot in whatever way works for you. You could try a detox now, although the temptations of the holidays may make it harder. And you could easily drum up despair when you can’t stick to a plan. Be kind to yourself. Carve some worthy one-on-one time with your children now to recalibrate, too. Holiday shopping is an obvious choice, but how about a mom-and-me class—learn to knit or to decorate cakes? If your kids are young, introduce kindness dolls and embrace the ritual. With all that you do during this time, choose consciously, Capricorn, and you’ll make it through okay.

Who’s the peanut butter to your jelly, Aquarius? Your team-spirited sign has thrived since July, with lucky Jupiter in Leo, your seventh house of partnerships. You’ve probably made great strides in one-on-one endeavors. And, in an effort to keep everyone happy, you may have played role of diplomat. But on December 8, the planet of good luck goes retrograde (backward) in Leo, prompting you to rethink how you’re handling certain unions. Because the seventh house also highlights joint ventures and commitments, you may be second-guessing already negotiated terms or binding contracts. For a more in-depth look at what having Jupiter in your seventh house means, see your Momscope from July 14. While Jupiter is retrograde for the next four months, look before you leap! Focus, too, on your romantic relationship. You’re determined to prevail in a long-term love story, but ongoing trust is best built through togetherness. Try to get some couple time away from the kids, even just 20 minutes a day, as some experts suggest. Or get inspired by one of these couples in this Today feature “205 Years of Happy Marriage.” Or here, HuffPo serves up “5 Ways to Fall in Love with Your Spouse All Over Again.” Focusing on your marriage and not just the kids is easier said than done, but you’ll find what works for you. For pregnant women, attention can be paid on how you view the role of your partner in your labor and delivery. Once you know, be sure to talk to your partner about it, especially if they need warming up to any of your ideas. You are among the most open-minded signs of the zodiac, so you’ll probably want to hint if you’re exploring something non-traditional like hypnobirthing or a water delivery. For all Aquarian women, watch your sugar intake now. It's challenging during the holidays, sure, but not impossible. One sugar cookie instead of two? Or two instead of three? You know your limits. Listen to your body now. And listen to your kids when they are asking for some QT. Of course, they may not come out and ask for it directly. But you’ll know if you’ve been a little too caught up in party planning or holiday shopping, and things you promised you'd do together aren’t happening. Listen to the members of Team Aquarius, and you can be steered to happiness.

How’s the health kick, Pisces? Since July, abundant Jupiter has been doing jumping jacks in Leo, your sixth house of wellness. It’s been giving you motivation to get fit in the areas of your life you believe you need it most. Ambitious Pisces moms may have registered for a spring road race or signed a lengthy gym contract. Maybe you committed to clean eating or jumped into a major organizational project at home or at work. But you’re going to feel some of the steam dissipate beginning December 8. There’s good reason for that: enthusiastic Jupiter goes retrograde (backward) in your fitness house until April 8. For the next four months, you’ll slow down a bit. Instead of feeling discouraged that you’re not making progress toward established goals, use this time as an opportunity to reevaluate them. Ask yourself if they’re practical. If they’re sustainable for the long-term. Here’s where you may feel wishy-washy: your sign is known to thrive on things that are new. So before you quit your half-marathon training, cancel your gym contract, derail your diet, or change course with your home organization project, know that this transit is a small part of a much larger one in which you are going to make lasting change. (To learn more about Jupiter’s transit in Leo, which lasts until August 2015, see your Momscope from July 14.) Think of the retrograde as the universe’s way of preventing you from straining a muscle. Step back in your athletic shoes. Take in the big picture. Did you bite off more than you can chew? Marathon training could morph into a 5k, for example—or just committing to run around the track three times a week. See, Pisces? You're not abandoning your goal; you’re adjusting it. For many women, your fitness goals may be driven by what’s realistically achievable now. Marathon training before kids versus after kids is, um, pretty different. Not impossible, but more challenging. If you’re committed to it, then good for you—go for it! But if you’re not, this is your cosmic “it’s okay.” Now, go find what gets you pumped like Rocky. We also love this site, Mamavation, for loads of ideas on realistic approaches to diet and exercise. No amount of downtime will be too much now, either. Have some lazy days with the kiddos. Or dabble in some indoor gardening (here are some ideas for things to do with the kids). Dig into some easy craft projects like paper snowflakes. Maybe lead a toy drive. Tackling the finer details of your life can actually feel like a marathon, Pisces—so conserve your energy for the things that count!