Astrology Week: December 25 - January 1

 

Winter Solstice  12/21  photo NJ.com 

On December 21, the Winter Solstice was launched when the Sun moved into Capricorn at 7:59am PST.    Hard working Capricorn reminds us that it takes discipline and focus to get through the dark nights and remember   that days will grow longer again (for those folks in the Northern Hemisphere.)    While the sun may have changed signs, we are still in the Sagittarius lunar month where we still engage in goals and faith.   

We are in the final week of Sagittarius lunar month in the final days of 2021.  It is natural to think about what we want going forward into the new year at this time.   Curiously, the Capricorn new moon is falling very close to the beginning of the new year, January 2.   Capricorn new moon will remind us the importance of  actions that speak to what we want and also remind us what we wanted back in spring when we made our treasure maps.     But before we get to New Moon we need to finish the work of Sagittarius lunar month.   

  

At the end of last week(11/22)  we moved into the lunar Disseminating phase.   Disseminating three day phase emphasizes sharing information.         This month our sharing centers around: 

 

 

Focus on:  How are you sharing your strength?   How are you sharing pride?   How are you sharing your fire?  How are you a hero?  Who is sharing their heroic nature?   

 

 

Special focus:

  

12/25:  Venus now retrograde conjuncts Pluto again.  What has come up about money and love since 12/11 that needs attention?  How are you releasing anything that is not in alignment with values?   

We then move into Last Quarter Moon and during that phase Jupiter will move into Pisces.   Jupiter spends about a year in each sign although it moves forward for a couple months test driving a sign before it lands there for the big run.   We got a taste of Jupiter in Pisces late spring early summer.   Now we are here again for a lot of 2022.    See separate post on Jupiter in Pisces.  

 

Last Quarter Moon Phase

December 26, 2021

6:23 pm PST

   

 

 

 

Last Quarter moon:  Now we do the final adjustments to the seeds we planted on new. The final call, the final letters to send, we follow all the trails that came up that still make sense.  And we let the other parts lay fallow. It is a time of action but wise action.  It is a time for living “The serenity prayer” 

 

God, grant me the Serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change Courage to change the
things I can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference.

 

 

 

Focus on:

How do your partnerships influence your goals?  How do you find balance through others as you pursue your goals?    How do your goals benefit by diplomacy?  

 

 

Special focus 

 

12/28:   Jupiter enters Pisces (see separate post) 

12/29:  Mercury conjunction Venus.  Thoughts pointed perhaps obsessed about money matters, love matters and values.   

12/30:  Mercury conjunction Pluto.  Thinking that does not work will collapse.   What new thoughts replace the old thoughts?  

 

 

 

Balsamic Moon Phase

 

December 30, 2021

5:28am  PST      

 

Balsamic:   We let go.  By releasing we can prepare for the new.  

 

 

Focus on How are you releasing rigidity?  How are you releasing power?  How are you releasing in order to birth something new?  

 

 

 

 

Special focus: 

1/1 Mercury enters Aquarius 

 

 

 

Capricorn New Moon January 2 10:33am  12 Capricorn 20 

Gemini Full Moon - Dec 18. 8:35pm PST

 

Gemini - Wikipedia (how perfect) Willem Bleau 1602

Gemini Full Moon 

27 Gemini 29 

December 18, 2021 

8:35pm PST 

 

 

The full moon in Gemini reminds us to mind our mind.   Intellectual Gemini, forever curious, is always on the hunt for ‘What is new?’   ‘What’s going on?’  Gemini seeks knowledge and news.  In the old days, before social media exploded, Gemini could be identified as ‘nosey’.   Asking questions, nosing around, often connecting dots.    Now, in some ways, we all got Gemini game.  Every time we go down a rabbit hole on Wikipedia and the WorldWideWeb, clicking here and there, going deeper and deeper until we are drunk on knowledge way beyond need—we understand Gemini.   All that data can be overwhelming.    

Once a year when the Sun is in Sagittarius, we get the full moon in Gemini.  Sagittarius, also knowledge based, is focused more on our beliefs and judgements.  Gemini cares about relevance and keeps Sag on the straight and narrow in the event Sag is basing its big judgements on out-of-date facts.   On the other side, Sagittarius puts the heat on Gemini to make sense of all its facts.    A bunch of data, that does not come to any consensus, can lack meaning and leans into shallow thinking.   The Gemini full moon is when our brains get a chiropractor adjustment.   We need to make sure our shadow Gemini and shadow Sag are not sucking up the energy, so we ask:  Is our thinking accurate?   Is it narrow?  Are we lying or the victim of liars?  All shadow of Gemini.   Are our opinions way off base?  Are our judgements old fashion and narrow?   How many of our judgements are prejudiced in some way? All Sag shadows.   And then there are our values….

 

Venus and Pluto are in conjunction and within 24 hours of the full moon, Venus turns retrograde.   Curiously, in the chart, Pluto and Venus are also quincunx the Full moon.    There is a rub in a quincunx since the aspect points out a lack of understanding.  In this case the moon in Gemini is getting data, communicating, bopping around, figuring out what is going on in the neighborhood while Venus and Pluto in Capricorn say, “Why?”  What is the value of all that bopping?   Capricorn is prudent and cares about practicality.  It speaks to sensible values.   However, when Capricorn is insecure it can lean into snobbery, looks down its nose and or supreme pessimism.  We may see some of that snobbery and pessimism during this three day phase.   

The three-hit conjunction between Venus and Pluto also suggests a deep dive in values.   What we value and how we are valued are under the microscope until late January and has its final punch the first week of March.   Gemini likes to compare.  “You do that?  Interesting, I do this.”   Learning how to be adaptable is a gift with Gemini.  However, over thinking and comparing where you put yourself on the low side of the equation can be dispiriting and miss your value.   

 

Jupiter is in a beautiful trine with the moon in Gemini and sextile with the Sun in Sag.  Jupiter is the ruling planet of Sag and is acting like a coach, guiding us to broaden our viewpoints.  Expand our philosophy.  It speaks to getting a wider perspective.  Jupiter is the bridge planet and brings different worlds together.   A conversation with people you normally don’t engage with could be fruitful for expanding your world and giving you a new perspective.   

 

While the full moon, like all lunar phases is only three day long, this full moon is in the landscape of: 

Venus Regtrograde Dec 19

Capricorn/Winter Solstice Dec 21 

Saturn square Uranus (final hit for 2021) Dec 23

Venus conjunct Pluto, Dec 25 (2 out of 3)

Jupiter enters Pisces (for one year) Dec 28

 

See if some knowledge comes to you during this Gemini new moon that is helpful as we navigate these bigger astrological cycles.  

 

One last note—Gemini is a fun, witty cycle ---don’t forget to laugh. 

Astrology this Week June 11 - June 19

 

First Quarter Moon 

Dec 10,  

5:35pm PST  

 

Focus on:  What actions are you taking that lean into faith?  What actions are taking that are influenced by something greater, perhaps fuzzy and nuanced?   How are synchronistic moments lining up?  

 

 

Special Note

 

12/11:  Venus conjunction Pluto.  Finding values and overhauling any that are out of sync or outdated.   Money and love feel tweaked.  What’s our bottom line on both love and money and things we value? What systems are no longer serving and need to be replaced?  

12/11:  Sun square Neptune.  Fuzzy influences.  Hard to touch ground.   Goals seem muted.   Faith seems hard to find.  Breathe. 

12/13:  Mars enters Sagittarius 

12/13:  Mercury enters Capricorn 

 

 

Gibbous Moon

December 14, 2021

4:40 pm PST  

 

 

 

Focus on:  How are you refining your assets?  How are you refining your practical skills so that they support your goals?  How are you aiming your arrow high in the sky but keeping your feet on the ground?   

 

 

Special focus

12/15: Mars oppose North Node.  How do we need to get back to the ground and check our facts before we act?  How do we need to be swift with untruths?  

 

 

 

 

Full Moon Phase 

27 Gemini 29 

December 18, 2021

8:35pm PST  

 

(separate post to come) 

Focus on:  

 

 

Special focus 

 

12/19 Venus retrograde 26 Capricorn 29  (see separate post )

 

Jupiter in Pisces - December 28, 2021

 

Jupiter in Pisces

December 28, 8:09pm PST 

 

Jupiter enters Pisces May 13

Jupiter returns to Aquarius July 28 

Jupiter re-enters Pisces December 28 

Jupiter enters Aries May 10, 2022

Jupiter retrogrades July 28 

Jupiter returns to Pisces October 28 

Jupiter leaves Pisces enters Aries and won’t return until 2033.  

 

Finally!  Jupiter will leave Aquarius and enter Pisces for the long haul on Dec 28.    Jupiter is in a sign for about a year, but Jupiter always does a test drive in the sign for a couple months prior to the big transition.   This year, between May 13 and July 28 Jupiter dipped into Pisces.   Think back to that window in your personal life to see if any themes emerged.  

 

Pisces is spiritual, metaphysical, it is the last sign of the zodiac, and it reminds us that there is something bigger out there than our humanness.  It is by its nature an expansive sign, as big as the universe but also intimate because it dissolves barriers between human beings either built by us personally or by society.   Jupiter will no doubt welcome its journey into Pisces for two reasons.  One Jupiter used to rule Pisces before Neptune was discovered and therefore is comfortable in the unworldliness of Pisces.  “Hey, Pisces you are a big expansive sign, and I am the biggest planet in the zodiac, I get you!”   The other reason why it will welcome this journey is it will be far away from Saturn who has been squelching Jupiter for the last couple of years.   We should find some good energy out of this transit, some reconnecting to faith and being moved by the goodness of humans.   Our creativity and inner mystic can be pronounced.   There could be a lot of synchronistic moments and events in our lives that have us pondering, “Hmmm? That’s curious, I was just thinking/talking/reading/watching etc. on that exact thing”.      

 

In 2022, Jupiter will line up with Neptune forming a once every 13-year conjunction on April 12, 2022.   We will talk more about this aspect going forward but there is opportunity in this aspect.  Compassion will be highlighted along with healing.  The arts will certainly be impacted in some bigger than usual manner.   Culture pivots will be noted.   The last time Jupiter was in Pisces was 2010 so you may want to consider any boosts you received at that time or perhaps your life felt too big, maybe too many indulges?  Or were you swept up into something that sucked up a lot of your time and energy?    Was there some karma, dharma worked out?   We will discuss Jupiter in Pisces more in 2022.   

Saturn Square Uranus. Round Three. December 23 (PST)

 

Saturn square Uranus

December 23, 2020 

11:17pm 

 

Saturn is a cold muther and Uranus is a weird cat.   When Saturn went into Aquarius the world went into shut down.  Thanks, Saturn.    Uranus the planet of “let’s pull the carpet out” went into Taurus in March of 2019 then it retrograded from August till January 11, 2020.  Two days before it turned direct, The WHO announced, “Mysterious Coronavirus – Related Pneumonia in Wuhan, China.”     

 

All year, we experienced push versus pull from political circles to grocery stores to living rooms.  For example, wearing a mask or not wearing one has been tantamount to the first shot at Ft. Sumter.  The tension between Saturn square Uranus has been palpable.  It is not just about Covid, it is in many areas.   Saturn wishes to preserve the old, Uranus wants change. Aquarius stresses the importance of the collected good for the most people and Taurus wants personal security.   Who defines what?   That answer is problematic and part of the issue when dealing with a square aspect.  In world events, the first hit of Saturn square Uranus was Feb 17 which will no doubt, be tied to the January 6 USA capitol attack by astrological historians.  On a personal level, what areas have you had your own tussles that involve other people versus your own personal resources?  Tensions were high around the exact dates of Feb 17 and June 14^th.  Dec 23 is the final exact hit of this potent square, but we should take note that in the fall of 2022 the two planets will be close enough to cause friction and we may see some similar themes from this year reappear in 2022.  

Venus Retrograde Dec 19 - January 29. Travels 26 - 11 degrees Cap

 

Birth of Venus - Botticelli  - Uffizi Museum

Venus 

Nov 17 Venus shadow 11 Cap 05 Begins 

Dec 19 Venus retrograde 26 Cap 29 

Jan 29 Venus direct 11 Cap 05 

Mar 1 Venus shadow 26 Cap 29 ends 

 

Approximately every eighteen months Venus has a five-week retrograde.   Our last Venus retrograde was in Gemini during May 13-June 25, 2020.    The current Venus retrograde is between 26 and 11 degrees of Capricorn.   The last time we had a Venus retrograde near these degrees of Cap was Dec 2013-Jan 2014.   Take a moment and consider what was going on for you at that time.    

 

Venus, like its buddy Mercury, moves through the zodiac lickety-split and benefits by a slow down to catch its breath and consider important revisions or re-dos.  Even if a person has no understanding of astrology, the connection between Venus and love is universally understood.   But in astrology it is not love per se that is Venus it is VALUES.  We value love so we share it and seek it.   Venus also rules money which we value, so we share it and seek it.    Things that we consider valuable are Venus.   Whenever we have a Venus retrograde, we can determine what we value as important, and we also take time to assess how we are valued by others.    

 

Venus in Capricorn understands one catch phrase more than any other: “Less is more”.    Those people who have Venus in Capricorn will take their time and save their money and spend a lot on one item that they consider important or valuable.   Where others may buy this or that and have no guard rails when sharing their love.  Venus in Capricorn people are not prone to frittering away their money or their love.    Venus in Capricorn is very practical.  It also understands time is money.  Time is a valuable resource, and we take pause when anyone is careless with our time or other people’s time.   

 

During this Venus in Capricorn retrograde we will assess what we value.  We will relish practicality and what it takes to ‘get the job done’ --whatever is the ‘job’.      While we can look back to the previous retrograde in Dec 2013, we should note that this Venus retrograde has more punch given it is in conjunction with Pluto.   Pluto takes us down to our knees whenever it touches a planet.   Normally Venus conjuncts Pluto once a year but due to the degree of Pluto and the zone of degrees for the retrograde there will be three contacts between Pluto and Venus starting December 11 and ending March 3, 2022.  Pluto is the most intense planet in the zodiac and it’s; black or white, all or nothing, everyone or no one, extreme nature puts the normally light and breezy Venus in a bit of a bind.   Venus who doesn’t seek confrontation and tries to avoid skirmishes is challenged by Pluto.  We should anticipate stories in the news where some person, perhaps someone we respect who majorly screws up.    Or maybe someone or some group is injured or hurt or abused or neglected.  We may see guard rails of protection fail.  It is a long haul from Dec 11 – March 3 and we can see a lot of stories that will speak to love, money, abuse, weakness of characters and flaws in systems.  We may also see stories that speak to love and extreme caring.   Stories that tap the love of power or on the other side, the power of love will be in the news.   On a personal level wherever, transiting Pluto is in our chart it has probably been challenging, having Venus hang there for a few months may bring a new light touch.   A gesture of kindness feels like a mountain of good.   

 

Sag New Moon Total Eclipse Dec 3, 2021

 

Sagittarius - Wikipedia 

We are at the final lunar month for the calendar year of 2021.   Of course, astrologically we still have 4 more months to the astrological lunar calendar.   We are launching the last fire, earth, air and water months between now and April 1, 2022 when begin the new year.    This final fire sign, Sag, is normally a pretty blustering energy but this eclipse will ask us to find inspiration in a quiet manner.     We have a lot of action going on this 29 day cycle.   Mind your steps. 

Here is my full article.