THIS WEEK RIDES IN ON A GLITTERING SLEIGH and finishes on a more silent night. Get seasonal presents in the mail this weekend or early next week. Celebrate solstice festivities with friends under the new moon in Sagittarius on Monday and Tuesday, then prepare to slow down and take a break as Mercury turns retrograde, slows down the busy world, and turns our thoughts inward.

The glittering lights can lighten our hearts this time of year though there are some deep undercurrents running below the surface. Venus in Scorpio can bring a world-weariness; our hearts hurt with the world’s disasters, and we can occasionally need to just shut down. While all this Venus helps us deal with the real problems of the world, it also stirs up those primal protective emotions and runs hidden agendas. Luckily, Mars is now in more upbeat, honest Sagittarius and can help us move through it all — as long as we’re conscious of those undercurrents.

Get organized over the weekend with Mercury in competent Capricorn. Creative projects, stringing popcorn, working with our art supplies — all offerings to Venus can help us connect. People aren’t always owning how they’re feeling with Venus in Scorpio, even to themselves, so watch behavior to see what’s really going on.

Monday and Tuesday are great for solstice gatherings with friends, office parties, or travel plans before Mercury turns retrograde under the new moon in Sagittarius. Implement Mercury retrograde habits; to avoid accidents and arguments, make life a meditative dance of attention.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8: Hum Christmas carols while doing the necessary this morning. Emotions begin to swell tonight as the moon squares Pluto then enters deep Scorpio. We may be suddenly painfully aware and ready to deal with a real issue. Honor rather than ignore any somber notes.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9: Still waters run deep as the moon conjuncts Venus in Scorpio this morning. Notice but don’t believe the darkest thoughts; give that Scorpio a mystery to solve instead. Watch the tendency to drag up thorny memories just for the sensation. Meditation furthers. Beauty and compassionate art can warm the heart and redirect the focus.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10: Expect snarky comments and a need or desire to change plans this morning; make sure to do it for the right reasons, not just in reaction, as the moon opposes Uranus and unsettles the status quo. Allow people to drift or find solitude to collect ourselves toward dinner as the moon trines dreamy Neptune.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11: Engage this quirky, erratic, creative, restlessly humorous day under the moon in upbeat, honest Sagittarius. Mail packages and look for easy conversation around lunch as Mercury sextiles friendly Venus. Be more careful with words tonight as the sun quincunxes Uranus and brings erratic humor and nervous thoughts.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12: Listen to the rumble in the psyche after an overnight moon-mars conjunction stirs the pot. Heed a change in plans, a sudden side agenda that needs attention, or whispers of the unexpected under this afternoon’s new moon in Sagittarius.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13: Keep it slow and steady, make lists, and move with calmness as the Capricorn moon conjuncts retrograde Mercury. Instead of initiating new action today, take up the satisfying challenge to finish a project already begun. To push or rush is counterproductive.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14: Keep plans loose, deal with urgent matters, and let the nonessentials go. Spiral inward toward chosen family and respite; to continue business as usual will take more energy and attention. Honor strong emotional undercurrents, but don’t let them run the show.

Contact astrologer Heather Roan Robbins at roanrobbins.com.