Moon entered high-flying Sagittarius at 3:28AM ET.  Well that should lighten the intensity many felt over the past few days. Note your dreams upon waking, as a challenge between the gamboling Sag Moon and nebulous Neptune may have taken you on a sublime or surreal journey. Moon in Sagittarius is an excellent time for travel and other activities that broaden your mind, including righteous and fiery discussions on philosophical subjects. We may hear some particularly bombastic opinions expressed around 3:05PM ET, when the Moon is opposed by expansive Jupiter. This opposition also suggests other indulgences, such as a binge or shopping spree.

We are in the dark side of the Moon, a time for wrapping up whatever intentions you set at the New Moon few weeks ago. Remember what those were? Well if not, you have a chance to set your intentions anew on January 11th, with the Capricorn New Moon at 2:44PM ET. Next week would be the time to launch important new ventures.

Get it off your desk today or plan to ship it on Thursday or early Friday. Moon goes void-of-course at 9:28PM ET tonight, not to enter the next sign until 3:54AM ET Thursday. If you are new to the forecast (welcome!) and you are not familiar with Moon voids, click here. Understanding this very common planetary pattern can save you plenty of grief. Basically, voids suggest 1) efforts to move forward in a straight line are more likely to be fraught with delays, twists and misunderstandings;and 2) crises that crop up are often much ado about nothing (i.e., don’t panic!). Voids are wonderful for chilling out, brainstorming and recharging — and if you can do that during the all-day void on Wednesday, good on you. Fun fact:  sports matches played during voids often favor the underdog and are notable for surprise upsets. As I type, Alabama is trouncing top-ranked Notre Dame 28-0 during Monday’s all-day void, and the game is not even half over.

And now, the news. I saw plenty of headlines reflecting truth about corruption, suggested by the annual hook-up between ruthless Pluto and mental Mercury. Lance Armstrong is reportedly close to admitting his past drug use. Investigative reporter Matt Taibbi filed another must-read expose, this one about the TARP funds in the alleged bailout of 2008.  And if you were a part of Occupy Wall Street in the fall of 2011, congratulations, the FBI may have a file on you.

Last, but not least, another story about harsh realities — with a happy ending. This 77-year-old man spent 14 years in prison, 10 of those in solitary confinement, where his only companions were a few rats and a frog. He was sent to prison in the early 70s, after a brief career as an urban guerrilla. When he was apprehended, he was apparently shot six times. When he was released from prison, he embarked on a new career and worked his way up the ranks. In a nation known for its cattle, he is a vegetarian. He donates 90% of his salary to charity. His lifestyle is described as “austere,” but he seems quite content  — and is happily married. He is Jose Mujica, the president of Uruguay, and for those of you who are going through tough times, I thought you might find his story inspiring. Plus, transiting Pluto at 9 Capricorn is exactly opposing Mujica’s Venus at 9 Cancer, suggesting an empowering surge in social prominence — so of course he’s making news at this time. Isn’t that interesting? (birth data: 5/20/35 in Montevideo, Uruguay)