The year 2011 is now going to end – not with a whimper, but more likely a bang. The reasons are numerous. First of all, yesterday’s void lunar adventure in watery Pisces ends at 1:49AM PST this morning when the Moon enters fiery, assertive Aries. Thus, this last day of the year carries the essence of independent, forceful Ram-vibrations. Meanwhile, the Moon quickly unites with Uranus (3:29AM PST) – the radical-change agent planet that also stimulates liberation movements, one of the major themes around the globe during the past 12 months. Emotional storms as well as some partnership upheavals can coincide with a Juno-Pluto 45-degree connection (5:30AM PST). Later on, the best alignment today occurs when Mercury in Sagittarius forms an inspirational, 72-degree rapport with Chiron in Pisces (5:16PM PST). Hang on to these healing, revelatory and soulful energies as you may need them during the remaining evening hours. The key challenges tonight – which could short-circuit vital communications and coincide with some psychic meltdowns – come from Mercury squares Mars (10:07PM PST) shortly before the First Quarter Sun-Moon Phase arrives (activating 11 degrees of Capricorn and Aries at 10:16PM PST). Realize that a quarter-moon vibration is a square aspect of 90-degrees from Sun to Moon – when you primarily need to cut through obstacles blocking your path. Therefore, this year ends with Mercury-Mars and Sun-Moon squares – both of which are waxing in intensity or increasing in light. There is a clear message here that humanity needs to understand the esoteric message of experiencing Harmony through Conflict – the keynote of one of the seven rays associated with the seven colors of the rainbow linking heaven to earth. When you are making New Year’s resolutions, keep in mind that the first day of 2012 actually carries a much more buoyant and optimistic tone than the last 24-hour time-period of 2011.