Welcome to Llewellyn's Astro e-newsletter. Cosmic meetings between planets can affect us not only on a personal level, but also on societal, political, economic, and atmospheric levels. One of the more important contacts will take place in mid-December, when Jupiter in Scorpio squares Saturn in Leo. When big, bold, fiery Jupiter feels the restraint of Saturn in a fixed fire-sign, what might happen? Don't run for cover. I'm not reporting the sky will fall--not anytime soon, anyway. It is far more likely that a volcano will erupt somewhere on Earth in the days before or after December 15, because lava is, after all, molten rock (Saturn), and Jupiter just happens to be passing through the metaphoric bowels of the Earth (Scorpio).

So, how could the Jupiter-Saturn square be experienced on a personal level?

You could get up one morning and see a news report or read in the paper that some high-profile business exec or another clergyman has been charged or jailed for financial or criminal misdeeds. (Hopefully, the person is not a relative of yours.) All the elements are present for scenes like this to actually occur: grandiose plans (Jupiter), secrets (Scorpio), successful, important people and/or confinement (Saturn), and dramatic exposure (Leo).

Or, on the drive to work, you could think about the crime rate, moral decay, the growing divide between the haves and the have-nots, and decide that you can't stomach any more of it. You've seen too much and you know too many secrets about your employer's lack of morals and mishandling of client accounts (Jupiter-ruled personal beliefs in conflict with Saturn-ruled big business), and it's time to quit your job. Before entering your boss's office, you square your shoulders and take a couple of deep breaths. Then, armed with an arsenal of reasons (Jupiter, again), and ready to spill the beans to anyone who'll listen if the boss disagrees, you step inside and say to him or her: "I want to leave, and hindering my departure or unemployment benefits would be the wrong decision for you to make."

Seconds pass. The boss's eyes narrow and you realize only when you start listing to one side that it's been a while since you last took a breath. (Righteous indignation, taking responsibility, restlessness, or getting a new job are possible responses to the agitation this square aspect will stir up.)

Your soon to be ex-employer writes and signs the layoff notice you want, leans back in the cushy leather chair and waits for you to pick up the paper, which you do with controlled haste (Jupiter is saying, "Yahoo! Righteous!" and Saturn says, "Show no fear!").

You leave the office with the paper guaranteeing an unemployment check and time to look for a good job with a company you can respect. Only then does it dawn on you that you have to break the news of your joblessness to your partner.

When you arrive home, the house is empty, but moments later your partner returns in a brand-new red Saturn SUV (Saturn in Leo!), and the cargo area of this shiny monster is filled with boxes full of what looks to you like junk (Jupiter in Scorpio). You think: Uh, oh. This is bad. (Expanded payments and more junk—Jupiter—that you don't need—Saturn.)

Your beloved is surprised to see you at home, but excitedly fills you in with an explanation that goes something like this: "I drove past that new dealership, and I needed a new truck to use when I buy stuff to sell in my new e-Bay business. I just couldn't stand the idea that I shouldn't buy something I really wanted." (Expansive and expensive Jupiter has enlisted the business acumen of Saturn and appealed to Saturn's desire to look good, thanks to Leo).

All these scenarios, and many others—some good and some not so good, are possible under the cosmic influence of expansive Jupiter and restrictive Saturn as they move toward that square aspect that will perfect in mid-December. This aspect will highlight areas where adjustments need to be made on a global, societal, and personal level.