On Christmas Day, while many are still nestled in their beds at 3:11 AM Pacific Standard Time, the Moon will exactly oppose the Sun for Full Moon. In that totality, the Moon will be in the sign of Cancer. Cancer is the first water sign in the progression of the signs beginning with Aries. Here we enter the realm of emotion. Like the ebb and flow of the ocean tides, our emotions flow and shift from moment to moment responding to the hearts whims. We feel, we love, we cry, we laugh as the energy passes through us. Cancer is affiliated with the Crab. Crabs live in the Sea and have a hard shell. These shells protect the soft tender inside, while still allowing for a constant connection to the environment. Once they have outgrown the shell, they grow a new one. It is an evolving, changing dynamic that requires flexibility dependent on what is best for that time. As we gather with family and friends today on this day of celebration, gratitude, gifts, food, wine and song, we have a real opportunity to engage with our hearts. The Moon will be flowing in connection to Neptune, the Planet of the Dream, the Mystic. As we open to the enchanted stories of the Season, of Santa and his elves delivering gifts on his sled carried in the sky by reindeer and the story of the birth of Jesus and the miracles with the three wise men, we can feel the energy of Neptune. Neptune calls in the divine, the energy of that which we cannot see, yet also can see if we look with our dream glasses or let go to feel a connection to that which lies beyond us yet inside us. If you try to define “spirit” you enter this transpersonal realm. So our hearts are led by this sensitive emotional Moon today and we have a charge to connect into the magic and bliss of Neptune, what could be more apropo for this day! We have the grounding and realistic Sun in the Earth sign of Capricorn, so I don’t think we will be trying to make our own sleighs and jump from the rooftops but the balance of energy to keep those emotions stabilized is welcomed. Pluto and Mercury are near each other, keeping the communications real with some caution to watch that we don’t say something we don’t mean in a moment of intensity. With Jupiter coalescing with Mercury, we may feel a jubilance and excitement when we chat, reminisce of holidays, and gather with loved ones. Wishing you all a lovely and joyous holiday today- may magic and love fill your hearts!
0 Comments
Today is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of light of the year. The good news is that we will begin to start walking towards the Sun and increasing the daylight hours from now until Summer Solstice, when the darkness starts to inch its way back into our lives. It is a cycle of renewal and change, ebbing and flowing with the natural rhythms of life. In the Northern Hemisphere, all the trees except the evergreens have lost all their leaves, exposing only their skeletal structures. The cold temperatures mixed with rain, snow and ice have reminded us it a time for retreat, for recuperation as we head into winter. At the Spring Equinox in a few months, we will experience rebirth as the time of hibernation concludes and the Earth blossoms with new life. Now begins the last few hours the Sun is in Sagittarius and will move into the hardy and strong sign of Capricorn at 8:49 PM, Pacific Standard Time. Capricorn is resourceful, practical and disciplined. Associated with the Hermit, the Father, the Authority and the Wise One, it is not hard to begin to form an understanding of the characteristics necessary to withstand the harsher and sometimes isolating conditions of this time of year. It is a sign of great strength, learning to work towards integrity and solitude as a means of self-reliance. At this time of year, we can begin preparing and setting goals for the year ahead. The internal shift can be a productive and revitalizing time as we release many of the distractions and start to embrace our own inner compass. Many will be contemplating the end of the year and begin to envision their New Year resolutions, the parts of life that may be worth changing and planting new seeds for growth. The astrological chart at the time of Solstice has Pluto meeting up with Mercury. As Mercury is the winged Messenger associated with Hermes who was able to traverse our world and the underworld, we may have a hard look at that which has been unconscious that which we may be asked to have the discipline to transform in our lives. Pluto makes the unconscious conscious and as it aligns with the winged messenger, we may get a message of some realities we may need to face to set us on the noble path. As Saturn, the Ruler of Capricorn, is in the sign of Sagittarius, there may be an inclination to see the greater meaning of it all, regardless of the truths that may be unearthed. With Venus in Scorpio, ruled by Pluto, we may be exposed to the real and raw components of our relationships, not settling for the “niceties” but rather a desire for the emotional and honest truths, no matter how harsh or intense they may be in order to bring us closer to real intimacy. Mars is “driving the bus” towards compromise and fairness, influencing us to not let things explode but to also weigh in on the others viewpoint. The Moon is in “sensory aware” Taurus, seeking to keep things calm and peaceful as we savor the scents and pleasing rituals of the holiday season. We may feel a connection to our bodies, remembering that we are in these “earth suits” that need nurturing, support and rest to feel happy and content. May the unfolding of the light awaken your commitment to yourself to do the best you can do to become self-actualized, self-sustaining and authentic as we evolve and grow with the seasons. Happy Solstice! Today the Moon is in dreamy Pisces meeting up with Neptune. Neptune’s purpose is to create space to deliver a message, a vision, something from the unbound realms of the Universe. For Pisces, ruled by Neptune, the veil is very thin, the boundaries are erased and we enter into the floating cosmic vastness of limitless potential. Neptune does not associate with logical reality, but more the ethereal connection of the ALL, which cannot be explained easily with words. In this ineffable consciousness, we cannot factually explain a belief such as we may have for God or the existence of Spirit. This type of “knowing” comes through an experiential moment of awareness and a divine “vision” that something else exists beyond what we can truly see or explain. There is nothing for us to do under this energy but try to tap in, breathe in, meditate, or whatever helps you to let go and experience emptiness or nothingness, yet so very rich in “everythingness” and simple, peaceful contentment. This place can bring about a feeling of no separation, a feeling of bliss and love. A shortcut to this type of feeling can be through any type of addiction. Addictions can take us out of our conscious reality in search of the “high” and this is the shadow side of Neptune. While we may feel good for a moment, it is typically short lived and does not carry the same overall benefit as finding true connection and contentment.
Saturn is ‘squaring’ off with Neptune which may cause some tension. For Saturn is the God of Form, Structure, Concrete Reality and Discipline. Currently in Sagittarius, the message conveyed is around law and order, asking us to stand up for what we believe in and not get lost in the dream. It can be easy to say we know something but to attempt to “concretize it” or bring it into form is what these two Planets are wrestling with. Sagittarius is on a mission to find the greater meaning of it all and this quest is lifelong. With Saturn in the mix, there is a push to bring those dreams into reality. As we hold a string of a kite that reaches way up into the sky, our feet are rooted on Earth. If we can keep our connection to the kite and stay stabilized on the ground, we will be satisfying these two messengers, Neptune and Saturn. Pluto, the Lord of the Underworld that brings the unconscious into consciousness is being stimulated by Venus in Scorpio. There may be some shadowy, gritty realities that are rearing their ugly heads when relating to others. As we walk through this intensity, it may be helpful to remember that as we become aware of our strong emotions, we can always choose to let it go making way for new life. Try to take a few moments today to close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, releasing the thoughts of the day from your mind and relax. If old memories emerge, make an attempt to offer this to the Earth and release it. The New Moon in Sagittarius is at 2:29 AM on the West Coast (PST), so will occur at 5:29 EST in the East. Sagittarius has the reputation for great optimism and adventure as it is affiliated with the archetypes of the Gypsy, the Student, and the Philosopher. The exploration of life and the quest for its meaning are the lifetime journey for this sign. It is hard to escape the feeling of “holidays” at this time of year. It is interesting to consider that this is rooted in “Holy Days”. Regardless of the faith, this is a season of gathering with family, enjoying and appreciating a meal together, and finally ringing in the New Year with a retrospective look perhaps on the passing year. In the energy of the season, we can feel a certain giddiness of anticipation, much like a child who wonders and dreams of what may be under that Christmas tree or what they will open each day of Hanukkah. When are asked, what do you want for Christmas or what do you want for your Birthday, a certain fiery excitement can flood our senses. As children, this answer can seem to have no bounds, not necessarily rooted in possible reality. However, this process, this vision, this belief in possibility captures the Sagittarian momentum. Sagittarius is thirsty to be inspired and enlightened if you will by discovering the meaning of it all. Quite a wide aim of the Archers arrow, but this is the essence of it, believing that the answer may be just beyond the horizon which ignites a passion to keep moving forward. At the New Moon, we have a blank slate. A limitless drawing board that we can infuse our intentions that will come into fruition at the Full Moon which happens to be on Christmas Day this year. Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius is currently in the sign of Virgo influencing that dream to be somewhat realistic, however themes of self-improvement and growth whether it be our health or mastering a craft, we can strive for perfection in that which we have been working on. In contrast to the Sagittarian vivaciousness, this will keep us somewhat grounded in how far we dream. Uranus, the Awakener, is trying to support our aims and bring into awareness the courageous and authentic part of ourselves to may need a jolt of electricity to do that which may not seem to be what anyone is advising you to do but which arises from within as your own individual expression. So dream a little dream, we sure could use some optimism under these challenging times in our world and write down your answer to that age old question “What do YOU want for Christmas?” Of course, this is a rhetorical question and an example of the idea, should you not believe in Christmas, I am sure your beliefs support an idea of the magic of an intention and vision. For a personal reading to discover what may be in store for you in the coming year, please contact me. I am offering 30% off on all readings as a gift to you. www.crescentmoonastrology.com The Moon is in Virgo today as it just passed the last quarter phase. In this phase we want to ty up any loose ends to projects begun during the New Moon Phase. Not meant to be an active time of starting new projects, as recommended during New Moon, but more a time of review and reflection. How are things going, anything we have learned or final edits we need to make before completion? With the Moon in Virgo, we may feel a push handle the details and be quite productive to finish up. Virgo is earth ruled which means it feels best when “rooted” into the Earth and so may choose to spend time doing activities which demonstrate and reflect living on the physical plane. Tasks such as cooking, cleaning, organizing affect the surroundings and can be visibly and physically noticeable. The motivation can be to serve and strive towards perfection and in doing what may seem mundane provides a feeling of accomplishment and fortitude. In order to have a last quarter Moon illuminated, the Moon must be at a 90 degree angle to the Sun or “square” as we say in Astrology. Squares cause friction, a tension, an uneasiness that may get our attention. With the Sun, Mercury and Saturn all in Sagittarius at the moment, the Moon will be “butting up” against them. With the Sun in Sagittarius, there is a level of optimism and adventurous approach to life that keeps the fires burning as we seek to understand the meaning of it all. Mercury wants to communicate these theories and ideas. If we let a feeling of a certain “right way” from Mercury, Saturn and the Sun, we may feel a certain level of self-criticism as Virgo already has a tendency to be overly critical if the mind gets too carried away, we will want to make sure we stay the course working towards improving what we started while trying to incorporate the big picture. Chiron is opposing the Moon and squaring the Sun as well, asking for us to remember our wounds and that through forgiveness and integration we can evolve. Pluto is also trying to remind our hearts that working through our hardened structures and ways of being, we can heal and be quite powerful. If we are looking for insights into the method for this, Uranus in Aries is tapping our shoulder with jolts of courage to try to get us to not focus so intently on the minutia but the infinite possibilities that exist through flashes of insight that we may have not considered.
|
Jen PetersAstrologer Archives
December 2020
Categories |