Star Column

This column run by Shani Grounds is meant to pique the interest of those who enjoy reading about cosmic activity. This column features monthly astronomical events, and monthly astrological readings and predictions.

astronomy section

By Shani Grounds

This section of the column is meant to encourage people to appreciate and connect with nature. One way to accomplish this is simply through staring up at the night sky. Stargazing may also act as a stress reliever, evoking a pleasant feeling that brings calmness to the mind and body. If you are a beginner at stargazing, here are some simple tips to get you started:

Check the weather forecast. Before you find a spot to start stargazing, make sure to check the weather forecast. If the night sky is blocked by clouds, this will significantly decrease your visibility.
Stay away from light pollution. This includes lights caused by street lamps, cars, and buildings. This light pollution makes it more difficult to clearly see the night sky.
Be patient. If you are looking to see a meteor shower or other astronomical events, patience is key!
Get comfortable. It can get pretty chilly overnight no matter what season it is, so make sure you bundle up!

astronomy events in december

**CALENDAR BY SEA AND SKY**

December 4 - New Moon

The moon will not be visible in the night sky because it will be on the same side of the Earth as the sun. This will be the best time of the month to stargaze because there will be no moonlight to interfere.

A total solar eclipse

December 4 - Total Solar Eclipse

The moon will completely block the sun, revealing the sun's beautiful outer atmosphere known as the corona (no, not the virus). Unfortunately, the path of totality (the moment of duration of total obscuration of the sun or moon during an eclipse) will be limited to Antarctica and the southern Atlantic Ocean. This means that the full lunar eclipse will not be visible to those living in North America.

December 13 & 14 - Geminids Meteor Shower

The Geminids are considered to be the "king of meteor showers" because it produces a whopping 120 colorful meteors per hour at the time of its peak. This meteor shower is unique because it is caused by debris from an asteroid, while most meteor showers are caused by debris from comets. It is caused by debris left by 3200 Phaethon, which is an asteroid discovered in 1982. The shower runs once a year around December 7-17. This year, it will peak on the night of the 13th and the morning of the 14th. The moon is almost full at this time of the month, so one might think that it will interfere. However, the Geminids are so bright and colorful, it might not make much of a big difference. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Gemini, but will appear almost anywhere in the night sky. The meteor shower will start at around 9-10pm, which makes it the best meteor shower for younger children to catch a glimpse.

The Geminids meteor shower viewed from the Northern Hemisphere in December, 2013

December 19 - Full Moon

The moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the sun, and will be fully illuminated.

December 21 - December Solstice

The South Pole of the Earth will be tilted toward the sun, which means that it will reach its southernmost position in the sky. This is the first day of winter (winter solstice) in the Northern Hemisphere, and the first day of summer (summer solstice) in the Southern Hemisphere.

December 21 & 22 - Ursids Meteor Shower

The Ursids are a meteor shower that produce about 5-10 meteors per hour. This is minor compared to the Geminids that can produce more than 100 meteors per hour. The Ursids meteor shower is produced by dust grains left behind by comet Tuttle, which was discovered in 1790. It will peak on the night of the 21st and the morning of the 22nd. Unfortunately, the nearly full moon will interfere with the luminosity of this meteor shower, but it can still be caught if one is patient enough.

astrology section

NOTE: Keep in mind that astrology, which is the study of how the positions of stars influences human affairs, has been defined as pseudoscience, which means that it has no scientific validity and has been rejected by the scientific community. However, it is still interesting to consider and read about!

This section of the column is meant to inform people about astrology, with a focus on zodiac signs. Personally, I like to compare monthly zodiac sign predictions to Chinese fortune cookies; there is a strong chance that the prediction will be incorrect, but it is always fun to reveal.

Astrology is the belief that each person’s birthday is associated with a specific zodiac sign, which allegedly determines personality, future, and direction in life. These zodiac signs are listed as Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. These 12 zodiac signs are also sub-categorized into 4 zodiac elements. The fire element corresponds to Aries, Sagittarius, and Leo. The water element corresponds to Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. The air element corresponds to Libra, Aquarius, and Gemini. Finally, the earth element corresponds to Cancer, Taurus, and Virgo. These 4 zodiac elements also represent certain personality traits. Keep reading to find out more about your zodiac sign and to reveal your monthly prediction!

december 2021 predictions

**ALL PREDICTIONS TAKEN FROM & INSPIRED BY SUNSIGNS.ORG, WISEHOROSCOPE.ORG, AND YEARLY-HOROSCOPE.ORG**

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)

This month, your focus will be on money. The Sun and Mercury are both in your solar house of money and self-worth, meaning that you will be sorting out your finances. Make investments, and you will not be disappointed by the eventual outcome. This is much needed with all of the Christmas shopping you are doing! Beauty planet Venus will also be in your solar house of appearance, indicating that you will be the shiny, magical light at your Christmas parties and get-togethers.

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)

For many of you, happy birthday! This is your time to shine. For the first three weeks of December, the Sun will pass through your solar house of ego and appearance. This means it is a great time to take a step back and re-evaluate your life, or simply switch up your appearance for Christmas. Energy-giving Mars will finally move out of your solar house of privacy and into Sagittarius, making you more buoyant and energetic than usual. Come mid-December, beauty planet Venus will bestow beauty and harmony upon you, making you the center of attention and improving your social life.

Capricorn (December 21 - January 20)

At the busiest time of the year, the Sun and Mercury pass through your house of introspection, privacy, and reflection, giving you the urge to step back and reflect on the year. However, you will get great enjoyment out of your parties and get-togethers as energetic Mars and pleasure-seeking Venus pass through your solar house of social activities. You will need to find balance between these two contradicting events. You will also feel a great sense of concentration as planet Venus passes through your solar house of ambition, indicating that you will shine bright in your career.

Aquarius (January 21 - February 18)

Communication planet Mercury and the Sun will be both in your house of friendship and sociability. Around the middle of the month, pleasure-giving Venus will join Mercury and the Sun, making this month very enjoyable. You will appreciate being with your friends and family this Christmas. Your ruler Saturn is still in your solar house of duty and everyday tasks, and you are well aware of your responsibilities. However, someone will give you some light relief from these responsibilities around the middle of the month.

Pisces (February 19 - March 20)

You are not considered one of the most ambitious signs. However, the Sun, Mercury, and Venus will pass through your house of ambition, suggesting that this is your time of the month to apply to that dream job. Your self-worth will increase as you accomplish your long-awaiting goals. Your tendency to procrastinate will ease as impatient Mars moves into your area of ambition towards the end of the month. You will be more concerned with your career than ever before. However, you will get a little social action as the Sun moves into your house of sociability just before Christmas. Perfect timing!

Aries (March 21 - April 19)

Someone has been pushing to get close and personal with you, although you are direct and honest and you do not like to mess around. Come early December, they will finally catch up to you, and you will burn with intensity as Venus and Mars travel closely together. However, near the middle of the month, your significant other will crave space and freedom. Give them that space and be patient until your ruling planet moves into freedom-loving Sagittarius, and you will be back in tune with them. Planet Jupiter will also move into your house of relations, indicating that this is a very positive time for your love life. This month will be quite adventurous for you!

Taurus (April 20 - May 20)

You have had your eye on someone recently, but you just cannot seem to catch up to them. This month, things will change as they will be just as keen as you are to find love and passion in someone. Things will move incredibly fast and will feel intense, like you cannot catch a breath. Your ruling planet Venus will move into freedom-loving Sagittarius mid-month, meaning that you will feel a sudden need for space. Your significant other might find your mood changes difficult, but resist the urge and temptation to disappear and it will be worthwhile.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)

You may want to reconsider who your partners are, including lovers and friends, as something is causing irritation in some of your relationships. The good news kicks in as pleasure-giving Venus moves in harmony with your ruling planet Mercury, soothing these irritated relationships as your communication improves. Venus's contact with your ruling planet will also ensure that you will look and feel fantastic at your Christmas parties and get-togethers.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22)

You are naturally a caterer and caregiver, so this is the busiest time of the year because you are concerned about everyone else's enjoyment this Christmas. You must make sure that you are cared for, as well. The Sun and Mercury will move into your solar house of work and duty, and you will find that you are even busier than usual. Amidst all of the Christmas chaos, unpredictable Uranus will give you the need to learn a new and unusual skill. This may conflict with your desire to be the caterer on Christmas!

Leo (July 23 - August 22)

You naturally have a desire for drama and fun, so this will be your most favorite time of the year. Your ruling planet, the Sun, and Mercury will be present in your solar house of fun and creativity, putting an emphasis on enjoyment. Around the third week of December, they are joined by energetic, impulsive Mars, and pleasure-giving Venus. This month will bring you a bursting package of positive fun and action! You love life, and during this holiday season, life will love you right back.

Virgo (August 23 - September 22)

Just when you thought that your communications were all sorted out, something external urges you to halt in your tracks. Perhaps you were about to move, extend your house, or make some changes to your lifestyle, but this may be delayed. However, around the third week of December, your ruling planet Mercury will move forward again, suggesting that things will finally make some progress again for you. Things, like communication between family members, will finally reach a satisfying conclusion. All of the activity will be good news for you financially, making you feel almost like a millionaire!

Libra (September 23 - October 22)

Both energetic Mars and your ruling planet Venus will exist in your solar house of money and self-worth, indicating that you will receive glad financial tidings. In the middle of the month, your focus will change as Venus and your solar house of communication will move into Sagittarius. The New Moon will allow you to make resolutions and provide you with ways to approach something new and different. By the end of the month, you will feel ambitious as the New Moon will shine upon your career.

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