Difficult situations challenge our limitations in life, love and our passionate pursuits. As we come across these unpleasant speed bumps in our path, we are often reminded of what we lack, and what we failed to learn – in order to have better control.

During struggles, we can often find ourselves trying to push harder, to create what we selfishly desire. And in small ways, control can give us a little relief from the stress – but it does not always give us the results that we might have been hoping for.

With Mars in Aquarius, we’re trying an alternate route, by experimenting with new paths and ideas. If we truly want our ‘control’ back, then we may want to consider getting out of our own way, to attempt to do what others would less expect of us – by becoming a bit more compassionate and human in our moves. By tucking our ego between our legs, we can create the change we seek – by becoming the change. And with imaginative Neptune Direct, we can slowly begin to aspire the possibilities to make our dreams happen – if this is what our heart is truly yearning for.

Commit to finding the true nature of art. Go for that thing no one can teach you. Go for that communion, that real communion with your soul, and the discipline of expressing that communion with others. That doesn’t come from competition. That comes from being one with what you are doing. Anna Deavere Smith

Jupiter Stations Retrograde. Instead of pushing harder through current obstacles, we’ll find ourselves pausing as Jupiter stations retrograde on Monday December 8. During the next four months, we’ll re-learn our journey and purpose, by re-traveling an old familiar road, to re-experience alternate routes and re-consider the best path to continue on.

We’ll be researching for that ‘special something’ that gives back more that what we’ve been receiving. Journeying for this much larger appetite will provide us with a much deep meaning to our existence, that we can profoundly experience from the heart, with Jupiter in Leo. The opportunity to receive more will double, as we brilliantly move our search toward the inside, rather than on the outside. As we ask ourselves and/or our higher source for what we need, doors will mysteriously begin to unlock.. bearing a buried treasure in abundance of wealth, riches and wisdom.

I have been a seeker and I still am, but I stopped asking the books and the stars. I started listening to the teaching of my Soul. Rumi

In this four month process of what can be a path toward self-discovery, lovingly embrace this temporary standstill. Take a break from all the hustle and bustle of the noise around us. Stop to smell the roses. Find gratitude for current blessings. In doing this, we’ll be reminded of how lost and distracted we’ve become from ourselves, and from what truly matters.

The detours and resistance that we’re experiencing on the outside, are helping to create this pause in our life – so that we may turn inward, where we can be safely guided to our divine center. Here is where we can re-educate ourselves, find new meaning, and replenish our resources. Allow for inner-expansion. Listen more. Practice stillness. Be in-tune with the song that is singing in your heart.

Rules are not necessarily sacred, principles are. Franklin D. Roosevelt

Venus enters Capricorn. And if we’ve spoken from the heart and said what we needed to with the recent Gemini Full Moon, then we don’t need to push harder – in order to ‘get through’. If we said our peace, then it is time to ‘give it a rest’ to dream up new creations. And what better way to reach for what we’re looking for, that to refrain from expecting our dreams from others – when we can find it within ourselves – as we reach into our own heart. And hearts begin to toughen and go ‘lockdown’ as Venus moves from carefree Sagittarius, to goal-oriented Capricorn. We’re getting a lot more serious and protective of our values, love and money with Venus in Capricorn. What we want, doesn’t come so easily now, as wallets and hearts begin to tighten up. What we have, becomes less assessable to others – because we want quality, loyalty, and most importantly, respect. So expect that there will be strings attached, because nothing of fine value is free. If you can relate with some of this, you might appreciate listening to the lyrics of Outside by Staind.

The enemy is fear. We think it is hate but it is fear. Gandhi

While we’re busy reaching back into ourselves for our own growth, something much larger than us is being stirred with Monday’s Uranus/Pluto square. Use caution in the days ahead, as the winds dare to sharply shift directions again – triggering spontaneous changes that can result in breakdowns, break-ups and/or breakthroughs. Tarot Insight: Readjusting priorities to improve balance. TwoPents/FivePentsrx. For information about the author, or a personalized consult, click here.