Thanksgiving Day 2009:
Hold the Alcohol Please!
December Rolls in as Uranus Stations Direct,
Venus enters Sagittarius and the Full Moon in Gemini

SHELLEY ACKERMAN
Photo: Rich Press

Thanksgiving 101:

According to most historical references, Thanksgiving can be traced back to 1621 when the early Pilgrims held a feast, reportedly with several ‘friendly’ Native American Indians, to acknowledge the creator’s blessings and give thanks for his bounty.

167 years later (a complete Neptune cycle), the first US President, George Washington, assigned a one-time national day of Thanksgiving to be observed on November 26, 1789. Then, on October 3rd 1863, during the height of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation decreeing that the nation would give thanks for the union on Thursday, November 26th, seven weeks later.

But it wasn’t until November 26, 1941, (11 days before the attack on Pearl Harbor) that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the newly enacted law, declaring that the Thanksgiving holiday would, going forward, take place on the 4th Thursday in November.

I’ve always been intrigued by the cosmic intelligence that seems to ‘select’ when a holiday is permanently marked for annual celebration and the uncanny astrological correspondence and symbolism that invariably accompanies the assignment.

Thor

Thanksgiving takes place during the beginning of Sagittarius month, the sign ruled by generous and ever-expanding Jupiter. The fact that the holiday is always celebrated on Thursday, which is named for Thor (the Norse equivalent of Jupiter and Zeus for that matter), further underscores the Thanksgiving themes of abundance and providence.

Living Gratitude

ARIES: You’ve got plenty to be thankful for now and in the months ahead what with your ruling planet, Mars, blazing a path of fun-filled glory and romantic escapades for you to enjoy and revel in. And if that isn’t enough, Jupiter has and will continue to populate your world with loyal friends and fervent followers. So what if Thanksgiving Day is a bit off, or if a partner is more maudlin than you’d prefer him (or her) to be? If the signals are such that you’re asked to give a little emotional support- offer something. And if your other half just wants to sit and suck their thumb, well, live and let live.

TAURUS: If you’re hell-bent on insisting that your Thanksgiving holiday come off like a Norman Rockwell painting, you’ve got another thing coming. But if on the other hand, you can loosen up a bit and go with a fete that leans more towards the Addams Family in its expression, you may be in for a helluva good time. “Let go and let God” (or whatever you believe in) is your mantra this week. Uranus, the brilliant planet of weird surprises shakes up your 11th house of community. Something completely unexpected involving a group of friends may catch you off guard.

GEMINI: This Thanksgiving, it’ll be next to impossible to please everyone (especially a guest who must travel to get to you), so don’t bother wearing yourself out trying (or traveling as the case may be). But on the plus side, a partner or spouse will get along surprisingly well with a sibling or neighbor which will uplift your spirits enormously. Uranus shakes up things up in the professional department but back to work Monday isn’t to be feared: Venus in your social 7th brings allies to the fore and the Full Moon provides a friendly forum for you to speak your mind.

CANCER: The disconnected quality of the void of course Moon on Turkey Day will not spoil things as long as you don’t push people to accommodate your litany of unfulfilled emotional needs of Thanksgivings past. Keep an eye on a child of yours (and/or your date) who may be inclined to drink more than he (or she) should. Your hyper-vigilance could avert a disaster. You hardly get a breather before December begins and with it, an unexpected but exciting shake-up involving how you see the world altogether. A coworker from another culture expands your horizons further. Maybe travel means more to you than you realized.

LEO: Though most of Turkey Day may be a wash, a financial pow-wow early on Thursday morning (even before breakfast) could be very productive. Don’t fret if your significant other and a parent (or a child’s partner and an elder) don’t see eye to eye- few people are in sync with one another at holiday tables across the USA on 11/26/09, and it’s just not the best day for connection. So just let it be. After the weekend, there’s lots of molten hot romantic energy swirling about- but think twice before acting on any of it. There are third parties all over the place, and none of them will sit by quietly.

VIRGO: Why spend any more time with those who just don’t get it (or you) than you have to? It’s one thing to put up with what we all must put up with at work in order to keep food on the table, but in our down time, we must be a little choosey. And if a partner, spouse, or BFF has a melt down this week- just get out of the way. Venus enters your 4th house and you’d get a lot out of sprucing up the joint just for your own pleasure. There may be a way to expand the square footage so look into that. A coworker might be able to help with some home improvement. It’s time you lived just a little larger.

LIBRA: “Everybody’s private motto: It’s better to be popular than right” (said Mark Twain) and Libras want to be popular and right ALL THE TIME! But the unfortunate thing is that you’re so clever that you can almost always swing it - but at what price? Venus in the 2nd house of money and values is challenged by Neptune on Thanksgiving Day- so don’t waste your energy making a case that no one really cares about. After the weekend, expect a surprise on the work front. Your nerves may be frayed but not enough to keep you from doing your duty- and well. The Full Moon in the media and travel sector of your chart picks up the pace big time. Brace yourself.

SCORPIO: Early on Thanksgiving morning, you too have a window of opportunity to connect with a colleague or a business partner and settle a financial issue once and for all- and favorably so. Your family is less compliant so keep your expectations low and you won’t be disappointed. As the last month of the year begins, Uranus stations direct in your 5th house of love affairs. Suddenly it’s all systems go- Are you up for a little romantic shock therapy? Hey it’s cheaper than retail therapy (sometimes).

SAGITTARIUS: "A sin takes on a new and real terror when there seems a chance that it is going to be found out" said fellow Sagittarian Mark Twain. And as Venus in your hidden 12th house aspects slippery Neptune in your chatty 3rd house, the walls definitely have ears. You can’t count on anything you’re involved with remaining private, at least not until late afternoon on December 1st . That being said, Venus revs up your “Wow” factor but your social life may be interrupted by a jolt at home. You can’t control the outcome, but you may be needed to manage the situation.

CAPRICORN: It will be almost impossible to gauge what you actually need for the Thanksgiving Day feast and if left to your own devices, you will surely overspend. Let someone else handle it, or call in sick all together- you can use the day off. Early in the week, be extra careful driving or in transit. The Uranus station in your 3rd house of transportation can be quite the menacing Jack in the Box that pops out when you least expect it. A co-worker or office manager may ask for a couple of year’s worth of records and or paperwork- if so, don’t freak, some material may turn up that you yourself have been looking for.

AQUARIUS: If you absolutely must be physically present at one of those annual exercises in conspicuous consumption (otherwise known as Thanksgiving) you have every right to be there in body only and to let your spirit (and attention) wander to your heart’s content. And if your ‘tribe’ wants more of you than you have available, simply excuse yourself. After the weekend, your co-ruler Uranus takes a stand in your 2nd house of finance. Even if you do nothing, over the next few days and weeks there will be an exciting shift in the way you earn a living. It’s been a long time coming.

PISCES: Grateful? You invented the word. No one has to remind you of the good that comes from showing your appreciation, but what you do need occasionally, is a text message to prevent you from reliving all that ever went wrong in your past. Now you must focus your attention on all that is about to go right. And as December rolls in, Flash, Bam, Alakazam! You explode with insight and intuition and find it hard breathe let alone concentrate. Venus at the top of your chart and a friend who always steadies you in a pinch will get you through.