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Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice

Friday the 21st. of December 2018 will be Winter Solstice. This day is also known as Midwinter. This is the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year. The Earth’s poles are tilted as far away from the Sun as they can be. This happens twice a year, once in each hemisphere.

The Winter Solstice is also known as Yule or Yuletide and marks the growing length of days and shortening of nights following this day. Yule is a festival observed by Germanic peoples. This celebration has connections with the god Odin, and the Wild Hunt (a ghostly procession in the winter sky). The Wild Hunt itself is said to be led by many different gods, or goddesses depending on where you are celebrating. The hunt may or may not also include fairies, elves , or even the undead, again dependent on where in the world you are celebrating.  In pre-Christian times Yule, or the Feast of Juul would last twelve days celebrating the return of the Sun, and included the burning of the Yule log. Yule was reformed by Christians into Christmastide.

Yule Symbols

Many of the symbols that might be thought of as Christmas symbols started out as Yule symbols. Evergreens, Holly, and Mistletoe are traditional Yule symbols. So is the Yule tree, it would have been decorated with berries, fruits, and pine cones, and symbolized the world tree. The Yule log has held it’s place in many celebrations to this day, as well as candles, wreaths, bells, gingerbread, elves, wassail, and even the use of the colors red and green. Red is the waning Holly King, and green is the waxing Oak King.  Other colors such as white which holds the idea of purity,  silver which represents the Moon, and gold for the Sun would also have been used, and of course still are.

Full Moon

On the 22nd, the day after Yule the Moon will be full at zero degrees in the sign of Cancer. As the last full Moon of the year it seems fitting that it should be in Cancer. Cancer is a cardinal, water sign that is ruled by the Moon. Some key words for Cancer include emotional, intuitive, and imaginative. The family, and the home are important to Cancer, it is a nurturing, sign.  The symbol for the sign Cancer is the crab, being a sensitive soul the cancer wants to armor itself with a hard shell.

The full Moon occurs when the Sun and Moon are in opposition to each other. The Sun will be in Capricorn in opposition to this Cancer moon. Capricorn is concerned with hierarchy, authority, and status. Cancer is more concerned with how it and others feel, than with being in charge. This is an axis though, neither sign is operating in a bubble, so there may well be tension between emotional desires and what is expected at this time. A desire to mother or be mothered can be nurturing, or too much depending on the situation.

Full Moon Magick

This full Moon is a great time to work with a Mother Goddess, or lunar deities. It would also be a good time for protection work(think about the shell of the crab). The full Moon in general is good for divination, dream work, releasing, banishing, overcoming obstacles, and making moon water (to use in your spells). Any spells or rituals for family, friends, and home would be particularly powerful right now. In the spirit of Cancer use the colors violet, white, and silver. For gemstones Moonstone, Selenite, clear quartz, white coral, and pearl. Metal should be silver.  Body parts related to Cancer are the chest and stomach.   Plants like moon flower, lotus, jasmine, iris, poppy, almond, mallow, milkweed, mugwort, wild yam, passionflower, and willow.

Tarot Cards

The Moon is the ruling planet for the High Priestess card in tarot. The High Priestess is the second Trump, or Major Arcana card in most Tarot decks. The High Priestess is identified with the Shekhinah, the female indwelling  presence of the divine. The lunar crescent at her feet is a clue to the connection this card has with the Moon. Some keywords include Intuition, mystery, secrets, things hidden, spiritual insight, and often in romance spreads indicates the ideal woman. Reversed keywords might include secrets, disharmony, information withheld, and deception. The element for this card is water. Often said to be a card of passivity and retreat, being still and listening to your inner guidance, and intuition. This card may indicate that things are not as they seem, like the saying “still waters run deep” there is a lot going on under the surface and you may need to “feel” your way through the situation at hand.

The Chariot is the seventh Trump, or Major Arcana card in most Tarot decks.  It’s element is water, and is said to correspond  to the sign of Cancer. It is ruled by the Moon. The Chariot is a powerful figure in a Chariot usually being pulled by two sphinxes, or sometimes two horses.  Keywords include willpower, drive, overcoming obstacles, moving forward, a journey, confidence, and ambition. Reversed keywords might include self doubt, lack of direction, scattered energy, or being stuck. This card is about overcoming fears and conflicts, and moving forward. This card often points to a need to “stay the course” and make it through any issues or challenges. Hard work and commitment will ultimately lead one to success.

These cards seem to sum up well some good general advice for this period of time. Meditate, or sit with any problems and gain clarity from your intuitive inner guidance. Then stay the course, moving past any fears to a place of self-confidence.  I have found the Chariot card to be a lot like the sign of Cancer’s symbol the crab. The rider would seem to be tough, as he is protected by the shell of the chariot, and in some decks even armor. He takes this protection with him as he ventures out into the world, so he may get to where he wants to be while staying safe. Sensitive water types could use this imagery to help themselves navigate a sometimes harsh outside world.

 

 

 

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December Astrology

 

December Astrology

The first week of December starts out with the Sun in Sagittarius square Mars in Pisces. By the 5th the Sun will also be squaring Neptune as well, with Mars and Neptune conjunct in Pisces from the 5th through the 8th. This challenging square will be emotionally highlighted on the 7th when the Moon will be conjunct the Sun for a New Moon in Sagittarius.

Sagittarius is a mutable, masculine, fire sign, ruled by Jupiter, the planet of growth and expansion. Sagittarius is concerned with questions of identity and the quest for truth. It wants to experience freedom to explore, travel, and be exposed to the new and novel. This sign is interested in the big picture rather than the details. As a fire sign it tends to be rather enthusiastic and energetic.

 

The Sun works well with the Sagittarius energy, but the Moon has more of a challenging time accessing and expressing emotionally in this sign. Mars in Pisces tends to be more sensitive, with emotional and spiritual issues especially driving it toward action. Mars in Pisces might be more inclined to crusade for causes that aim to alleviate the suffering of others. Neptune is very much at home in Pisces, being the ruling planet for this sign. Neptune in Pisces in some ways could be seen as connected to the collective unconscious. The planet and the sign are both related to our fantasies, desires, hopes and dreams collectively and individually.  A Mars and Neptune conjunction, that is square the Sun in Sagittarius could lead to challenges that drive us either collectively or individually to not only seek out the truth, but to then act on it.

Mercury Retrograde

Mercury has been retrograde since November 16th, and will station direct on the 6th of December. After which there is still a period that is considered a “shadow period” of Mercury retrograde from the 6th through the 24th of December. Mercury will trine the asteroid Chiron on the 6th suggesting that as it goes direct there will be a healing, possibly spiritually elevated energy accompanying it. Also take into consideration that the retrograde and shadow period are in effect for nearly the entire month. This could indicate that how you think about things, or plans you have, may change due to new information coming in.  If you remain alert for signs of confusion and patiently seek clarity, and then later in the month allow for changes(staying open and flexible), you will be ahead of the game. I personally find retrogrades are good for redoing things. This can apply in so many different ways. From changing an opinion to rewriting a play, it will depend on where it falls in your chart personally as to how it might express for you.

Mid-Month

By the 15th Venus will have moved into Scorpio and will be receiving a supportive sextile with Saturn in Capricorn through the 17th. From the 16th through the 18th Mars will have it’s own supportive sextile aspect with Pluto in Capricorn as well. This energy could be helpful for transforming rules and structures  in order to improve and protect the integrity of the group. This might be  accomplished through determining who is responsible and accountable.

Winter Solstice

Friday the 21st is Winter Solstice. On the 20th-21st the Sun will move into Capricorn, and form a trine aspect with Uranus in Aries. This seems like a time when it would be easy for sudden, new changes to start to show up in old authority structures. On a more personal level this may be a good day to change a habit that no longer serves you, replacing it with a healthier behavior.

The 21st-22nd will find Mercury in Sagittarius conjunct Jupiter. Big, expansive ideas might be swirling around now. Venus in Scorpio will be trine Neptune in Pisces. This is very feminine and emotional energy. Scorpio and Pisces are both water signs. There could be a lot of artistic expression involved right now. This would be a great time to channel your energy into any art or music projects. It would also be a good idea to take a few deep breaths before letting yourself get carried away emotionally, make sure you have the facts clear before reacting in relation to others.

Full Moon

Full Moon will be on the 22nd in Cancer. The Moon rules the sign of Cancer so lending it more power in it’s expression of universal mother energy. This moon is very much about feminine energy, emotions, soul identity, feeling nurtured, and nurturing, and a desire to feel safe and protected. This energy will serve to heighten the other emotional energies at play now.

From the 24th through 25th Mercury in Sagittarius will square Neptune in Pisces. This aspect might bring some confusion or mix-ups, usually due to moving too quickly without checking details. It can also challenge you to be clear about your beliefs.

The 28th through the 29th will bring a supportive aspect(sextile) between Venus in Scorpio and Pluto in Capricorn. This could point to creating or strengthening  emotional boundaries and reactions.  There will have been a lot of opportunity to experience and practice with both this month in ways that will be helpful moving into a new year feeling safe and stable, even in the face of change.

The Stars Don’t Compel, They Impel

This short overview for the month of December should give a general idea of what you might reasonably expect to experience. Of course if you have your personal Natal Chart then you can have a much better idea of how the Planets moving through the sky would aspect your own personal planetary configurations. Knowing what might be ahead can really help you to be prepared, and to take advantage of opportunities that might be preparing to present themselves. It is also good to remember the old saying “the stars don’t compel they impel”. I know it might sound like the same thing (urge forcefully) but the meaning in this saying is  about how you have the final word, or choice in the matter. You make the decisions about how you will act, and respond to what life (and the stars) puts in front of you. Nothing is so set in stone that you are completely helpless against it, you decide how you think and feel about it at the very least. You have the final authority on your life and decide what you will do with it. Knowing what might be coming and using that knowledge to help you plan to work with the energies seems like just good common sense.

 

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Thanksgiving Week

 

This week we have an interesting mix of energies confronting us. On Thursday the 22nd. many in the U.S. will be celebrating Thanksgiving Day. This day by most accounts started as a harvest festival. A time to gratefully celebrate our harvest bounty by joining together with family and friends and sharing a feast. While not so many will have literally reaped foodstuff from fields they planted this year, the idea of gratitude for what we have is still a valid theme for this time of year.

A Feast and a Full Moon

It is a good time to ponder exactly what you have put your time and energy into growing and bringing to fruition this year. It is also a good time to be grateful for surviving, and for all who helped you to do so.

The ideal to strive for is that of being able to count your blessings. For some this may be easier than for others. As it is also a time to gather with kith and kin, what for many is a joy-filled tradition, for some is a stress-filled, triggering event. With the Full Moon in Gemini the day after Thanksgiving Day, emotions might be a little rough around the edges for some folks now.  The Sun will be shifting from Scorpio into Sagittarius over the 22nd.-23rd, and it is conjunct Jupiter. This paired with  Venus in Libra in opposition to Uranus retrograde in Aries is a recipe for a stress inducing tightrope walk between wanting to keep the peace and sudden urges to tell your truth in a big way.

As long as you try to stay mindful of when your truths may be painful for others you can mitigate your response to these urges. Is now really the best time to tell Aunt Ruth loudly in front of everyone that you have always hated her cranberry sauce? Maybe you can find a way of politely passing on it instead, or getting too full to clean your plate of it?

This would be a good time to find a happy middle ground where you can be in your truth but still be polite. Being polite is not the same as doing things you don’t enjoy simply to please others, and now (or anytime) really isn’t best for that.

Full Moon In Gemini

A Full Moon in Gemini can be social and changeable energy, which the moon itself has a harder time expressing in. It is fine for light talk and new experiences, like mingling and small talking with a group of people. The Full Moon is a great time to release and let go of what is not working.

The sign of Gemini is a mutable, masculine, air sign that is ruled by the planet Mercury. It is a sign of duality. Key concepts for this sign are communication, and connecting lower and higher mind, siblings, neighbors, travel, transportation, and education. Physically it rules the arms, shoulders, hands, lungs, and nervous system. The symbol is the Divine Twins, Castor and Pollux. Geminis are quick witted, curious, and also changeable and prone to extremes.

Gemini Magic

This is a good time for magic related to anything you want to learn or are curious about. It is a good time for divination, and spells for writing, luck, success in education, and improving communication, especially in romantic relationships. Garden planning, harvesting, weeding, or mulching are best garden activities now as Gemini is said to be a dry, barren sign. Working magic with herbs or flowers for Gemini use orchid, gladioli, iris, snapdragons, parsley, and dill. The colors are white, yellow, and orange. Crystals like Icelandic spar, moss agate, Aquamarine, tourmaline, onyx, diamond, jade, and topaz. Oils and incense like jasmine, orchid, sandalwood, and wormwood.

Among the totem animals are many types of small birds. Birds in general are said to be messengers of spirit, and Mercury (Gemini’s ruling planet) as messenger of the Gods was also a messenger of spirit able to travel between the worlds. This is a wonderful example of connecting, or bridging the higher and lower minds as well.

Plan Ahead

This full moon on the heels of Thanksgiving Day should provide plenty of food for thought as to what you would like to release that has not borne fruit for you. Additionally it would also be a great time to plan what you would like to plant and grow in the coming year ahead so that by next Thanksgiving you could be grateful for that harvest.

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Full Moon

The full moon on the 24th will be in the sign of Taurus. The moon in classical astrology is said to be the “Crescent of the Soul, the soul receives and holds the spirit”. It represents femininity, women, motherhood, the past, source, heredity, the subconscious, as well as intuition. It is where we feel and experience emotions. Memory, the past, habits and conditioning. It is responsible for actions that do not need conscious thought, like lighting yet another cigarette, or your nightly facial care regime.

Psychologically it is our unconscious nature, feminine archetypes, the anima. It urges us to seek emotional tranquility and a sense of belonging. There is a need to feel inner support and nurturing, to be comforted. There can also be a drive to comfort, support, nurture, or mother others. Physically the moon is said to rule the stomach, breasts, body fluids and their balance in the body, digestion, lymph nodes and glandular secretions. It rules all containers, including our bodies as containers of the soul.

The moon might also be seen as symbolic of women, the public, and change due to it cycling through its phases every month. The moon sign in your natal chart reveals your feminine side, for both females and males.

Moon, magic and manifesting

The full moon is often about realizing and manifesting the intentions you set at the new moon. Personal growth and spiritual development are common themes to work with when the moon is full. Spells to increase intuition, or magical skills, healing magic, and rituals to connect to deity.

If you are wanting to magically represent or work with the moon and it’s energies using crystals, then moonstone, clear quartz, Selenite, Labradorite, opal, and metals like silver are appropriate. Pearl, abalone, and white coral with their origin in the oceans have a lunar energy. You need to decide for yourself though if working with these once living substances is for you or not.

White, silver, and pale blue are among the best colors to use for any candles or cloths or other items you might decide to use. Almond, Clary sage, and Orris root are a few choices for fragrances, either fumigating by burning the plant material, as incense, or essential oils used in an oil diffuser.  

Some other lunar plants include flowers like moonflowers, night jasmine, lotus, iris, passionflower, poppy, evening primrose, mallow, mugwort, milkweed, also plants like aloe, wild yam, cucumber, and melons.

Moon in Taurus

This particular full moon will be in the sign Taurus. Taurus is a fixed earth sign, and as such is concerned with sustaining and maintaining. It is also concerned with issues of self-worth. As an earth sign Taurus likes to ground things in the physical, creating tangible representations of lasting beauty and value. It likes slow, steady, progressive growth. Planets in this sign become slower, more deliberate, grounded in the physical and desiring a more tangible means of expression than in many other signs.

This sign is ruled by the planet Venus, and the Moon is exalted here. Its symbol is the bull. It rules the neck, throat, and voice. Crafting and chanting could easily be used in magic work at this time to good effect. Sage and mint are two good herbs for Taurus. Oils, and incense like ylang ylang, cardamom, and cinnamon would be good choices.

Intentional healing

I will be focusing on healing work myself this full moon. I am planning to charge some crystal jewelry for myself and others with the intention of healing, as well as making a poppet or two. Writing the intention and placing the crystals on this list, stuffing the list into the poppet, along with appropriate herbs and chanting over them in the moonlight should be very powerful.

I think something similar for an intention like increasing creativity, or artistic productivity, or even drawing more money from such projects would be successful at this full moon.

Whatever intentions you set, spells or rituals you do make sure to have fun with it, and in the spirit of Taurus, enjoy it.