Dear Readers and Followers,
I wish all of you a happy, healthy, prosperous, successful and blessed 2017! Thank you for your contributions to this blog. 2016 has been a turbulent year for me, especially the last half of it. Due to these circumstances I haven’t been able to commit myself to this endeavor. I hope this will change in the next year.
Daily Aspects:
– Moon ingress to Capricorn at 7:11 am PST
– Vesta Rx in Leo sesqui-quadrate Juno in Sagittarius
– Sun-Mercury inferior conjunction in Capricorn
– Mercury Rx in Capricorn sextile Mars in Pisces
– Saturn in Sagittarius square Chiron in Pisces
– Mars in Pisces semi-square Ceres and Eris Rx in Aries
– New Moon at 7:59 Capricorn at 10:53 pm PST
Prior to the inferior conjunction of Mercury and the Sun, which is comparable to the New Moon point in their synodic cycle, and the Capricorn New Moon (this means a New Mercury and a New Moon are happening at the same time and in the same degree of the zodiac, which is truly remarkable), did Pallas make ingress to Pisces, where she will be traversing until March 30th of next year. Pallas, a symbol of our mental strategy, first made ingress to Pisces on April 26th, where she later turned retrograde and traced her steps back to the 19. degree of Aquarius. During this period did we review the tactics we employ in regard to hopes, expectations, visions and imaginings together with the victimizing patterns we are trapped in and needed to become aware of so that we could eventually change our strategies, anticipate developments and focus on our future. Now, that we’ve re-entered this territory of imagination-driven maneuvering once again and seek to make certain dreams and longings we’ve been holding onto for a lengthier period real, we’re guided by the insights and inspirations we gained and hopefully also smarter or cleverer what our self-undoing concerns.
This is happening with the Saturn-Chiron square, retrograde Vesta in Leo’s sesqui-quadrate to Juno in Sagittarius and Mars in Pisces’s semi-square to the Ceres-Eris conjunction in Aries in the background, which are adding a lot of pressure to this new cycle that has relevance for the entire New Year 2017, because it begins only a few days after this New Moon. Therefore, the new impulse that has been conceived by our minds (New Mercury) and is being planted in form of ambitious, organizing and structuring intentions (New Moon in Capricorn) is influenced by unresolved issues and unhealed wounds we’ve been struggling with for the majority of the year and where we know that we need to turn a corner now, because this cannot go on for much longer or we’ll end up worse than we’ve been in a long time. We have to take the initiative and deal with this, tackling one thing at a time and managing to get into the flow of things – even directing it. It is imperative that we understand that in order to survive and thrive we need to conquer our new environment, which means we have to take action on our behalf and look out for ourselves first, while reaching out to and connecting with those of like mind and whom we can trust.
The Sabian Symbol for the Capricorn New Moon states:
“In a sun-lit home domesticated birds sings joyously. Keynote: The wholesome happiness, which subservience to the ideals and patterns of a well-established culture brings to those who accept them unreservedly – ENJOYMENT.”
(Dane Rudhyar, “An Astrological Mandala: The Cycle of Transformations and its 360 Symbolical Phases”, Page 234)
The suggestion here is that we are ‘dared’ to express ourselves, though in a respectable, professional or ‘controlled’ fashion that will ultimately lead to happiness, wholeness and enjoyment.
Tarot card of the day is the “3 of Cups”, representing wonderful connections and the celebration of friendship and harmonious relationships in general. It heralds a sociable day when we spend quality time with friends and loved ones and experience camaraderie as well as a feeling of oneness. We could be bursting with energy and overflowing with high spirits. Things should be going well.
Daily Aspects:
– Mercury Rx in Capricorn semi-sextile Venus in Aquarius
– Venus in Aquarius sextile Juno in Sagittarius
– Third Quarter Moon at 29:37 Virgo/Sagittarius at 5:55 pm PST
– Moon ingress to Libra at 6:39 pm PST
Yesterday morning did Mars make ingress to Pisces, where he will be traversing until January 28 of next year. This corresponds to a period during which we seek to attune our actions to the rhythm and flow of things, are driven or motivated by our ideals and imagination and are more inclined to make sacrifices and less inclined to assert ourselves directly. We could feel drained more often and let life happen instead of trying to force the issue or to start new initiatives. In any case, our energy levels are more prone to fluctuate and reactions are bound to be either passive aggressive, defensive and avoiding or compassionate and forgiving, depending on our natural disposition.
Following this energy change was Mercury’s station retrograde in semi-square aspect to Mars in Pisces. Mercury will be tracing back his steps to the 29th degree of Sagittarius, where he first traveled on December 2nd and will turn direct on January 8. Thus, we’re recovering ground from the beginning of December, whereby we will be reviewing, reorganizing, restructuring and re-establishing matters of planning, scheduling, communication, travel, connectedness and exchange, especially in regard to professional and practical concerns as well as in view of their feasibility and manageability. This comes with the realization that although we have to work on giving form to and taking steps to make our intentions concrete, we have to count on delays and take into account the holidays when things will generally slow down and the majority of folks will take a break or time off to celebrate.
With Mercury moving into the Venus-Juno sextile, it’s time to reconnect with our important others and loved ones and plan accordingly.
Therefore, the ‘crisis in consciousness’ that accompanies the Third Quarter Moon, is challenging us to focus on the last details and points on our list as we’re preparing ourselves for the festivities.
Tomorrow is the day of the Winter Solstice here in the Norther Hemisphere. In the wheel of the year we reached a quarter point that marks the beginning of a new season, based on the Sun’s apparent standstill (apparent, because it is actually the Earth who revolves around the Sun) after he traveled to his farthest southward point in the Tropic of Capricorn, where he will turn around, hover for a while and then slowly begin his journey back toward the Equator (as seen from our point of view). Therefore, here in the Northern Hemisphere, we experience the shortest day and the longest night. However, from now on, the daylight will be growing again, which is the reason why this turning point symbolizes the ‘birth into Christ consciousness’. Moreover, it brings a change in energy that gives us a chance to stop and take stock to assimilate all that has been rapidly developing so that we can transition into a state of Being that could be termed ‘stasis’.
Winter is memory, when we lie low and hibernate, perceive the seeds of future growth to make our resolutions for the New Year, gather intent and celebrate our togetherness and reunion. Although Winter Solstice implies relative lifelessness, it represents the light within, the concealed, surviving spark of the life-force in the midst of darkness, which contains the seed potential for rebirth at spring.
The Sun’s yearly passage through Capricorn is also a time when we seek to ground ourselves as well as strengthen and work on our sense of Self, while enduring the cold and harshness of winter.
This year’s winter season begins in the Last Quarter Moon phase of the soli-lunar cycle with both lights, the Sun and the Moon, in cardinal signs, which indicates that the season ahead of us is dominated by a ‘crisis in perception’ that challenges us to put things into perspective, in particular what our goals in the context of relationships, contracts, agreements and other rules of engagement concerns. We are urged to present and express ourselves in a ‘new’ way that is more in accord with who we are now as we’re standing at the beginning of a new chapter.
Tarot card of the day is “The Chariot”, suggesting that we take control and move forward with care. There is a need to remain focused and to keep the emotions in check. We need to harness our energy and apply it wisely. Self-discipline is important to be able to balance the light and shadow aspects of our personality.
Daily Aspects:
– Full Moon at 22:25 Gemini/Sagittarius at 4:05 pm PST
– Sun in Sagittarius trine Eris Rx in Aries
– Mercury in Capricorn semi-sextile Juno in Sagittarius
At the time of this Full Moon, the Sun in Sagittarius is leaving a trine to Ceres in Aries and forming another one to retrograde Eris in Aries (the Gemini Full Moon is in sextile aspect to both), while approaching a semi-square to Venus in Aquarius.
Ceres, a symbol of our nurturing principle and the seasons in our life, has just recently turned direct in the degree she is still occupying, encouraging us to fight for our rights and protect ourselves in matters where we have been abandoned, neglected or gone through lots of sorrow and grief, which have been reviewed over the course of the last three months as she was on her retrograde journey and now that we know more about the situation we’re struggling with and finding ourselves in a ‘new’ environment, we can finally move forward with this second chance we’ve been handed.
This though requires that we develop and demonstrate more self-confidence and believe in ourselves. After all we went through it is difficult to still have trust – whether this concerns our special set of circumstances or others we’re dealing with, but we do have choices and this extends to the information we disclose and the things we are willing to accept. Moreover, we aren’t alone in this anymore; we can reach out to others, asking for their support and advice, assessing their input and then weighing our options and going from there.
However, it is critical that we change our priorities in this context, which is something that might not sit well with us and could even force us out of our comfort zone. Yet, we have to put our self-interests first and at the same time aim for greater self-hood, which will help us to gain the independence and authenticity we’re seeking.
As the Sagittarius lunation cycle culminates in the Gemini Full Moon, the impulse that sounded forth at the time of the Gemini New Moon back in June also comes to fruition. Thus, ‘the new elements that were being formed within the depth (belly) of the Earth’ (Sabian Symbol for the Sagittarius New Moon) have resulted in ‘three fledglings in a nest high in a tree’ (Sabian Symbol for the Gemini Full Moon) – the ‘psychic gestation’ (keyword of the Sabian Symbol for the Sagittarius New Moon) that took place has led to ‘creative integration’ (keyword of the Sabian Symbol for the Gemini Full Moon). Therefore, ‘the two Dutch children, talking to each other and exchanging their knowledge’ (Sabian Symbol for the Gemini New Moon from June) have become ‘immigrants, fulfilling the requirements of entrance into a new country’ (Sabian Symbol for the Sagittarius Sun) – the ‘need to clarify one’s experience through actual contacts with like-minded individuals’ (keynote of the Sabian Symbol for the Gemini New Moon) has provided us with a ‘better perspective’ in this ‘period of transition, where we seek entrance into the new country and new experiences in readiness for the opportunities these will present’ (keynote of the Sabian Symbol for the Sagittarius Sun).
The Sabian Symbol for the Full Moon at 22:25 Gemini states:
“Three fledglings in a nest high in a tree. Keynote: The growth of spiritually creative processes in an at least relatively integrated mind – CREATIVE INTEGRATION.”
The Sabian Symbol for the Sun at 22:25 Sagittarius states:
“A group of immigrants as they fulfill the requirements of entrance into the new country. Keynote: Consciously accepting the ways of a new stage of experience in readiness for the opportunities it will present – a period of TRANSITION.”
(Dane Rudhyar, “An Astrological Mandala: The Cycle of Transformations and its 360 Symbolical Phases”, Pages 104-105 and 223-224, respectively)
The symbolical imagery suggests that as we seek to leave the safety and security of our ‘nest’ in order to spread our wings, expand our horizons and encounter more options and opportunities for growth, we have to be prepared to meet the criteria and embrace the foreign laws and customs and this includes that we understand as well as accept what we signed up for.
Tarot card of the day is the “10 of Pentacles”, suggesting that we seek out permanence and are looking for a solution that will last. Therefore, we are working on the creation of a lasting foundation by moving beyond makeshift arrangements and through a consensus of vision. This card refers to a climax in our foundational life, a culmination, completion or achievement we’ve reached that is the result of our material and tangible efforts and allows us to make a commitment to a sustainable future. We’re now investing in long-term benefits, knowing that we need a consistent approach in order to achieve success that will stand the test of time.
Daily Aspects:
– First Quarter Moon at 15:14 Pisces/Sagittarius at 1:02 am PST
– Mercury in Capricorn semi-square Mars in Aquarius
– Venus ingress to Aquarius at 6:51 am PST (until Jan 3, 2017)
– Mars in Aquarius sextile Ceres Rx in Aries
– Sun in Sagittarius semi-sextile Pluto in Capricorn
– Chiron in Pisces semi-sextile Uranus Rx in Aries
As Mars in Aquarius is leaving a semi-sextile to Chiron in Pisces and a sextile to retrograde Uranus in Aries conjunct retrograde Ceres, we could have taken advantage of an opportunity to advance our individual or social cause(s) if we acted accordingly and bridged an issue that has been a source of wounding by re-launching an initiative we need to promote if we want to get the support we crave for and this concerns in particular the intentions we set at the time of the New Moon, especially in regard to reinventing ourselves.
With Mercury in Capricorn first casting a quincunx to retrograde Vesta in Leo and then forming a semi-square to Mars, this required to turn our attention and focus back to the things close to our heart and then tackle them one step at a time in order to make progress.
Therefore, the ‘crisis in action’ that accompanies the First Quarter Moon, challenges us to overcome any self-undoing on our part and get going. We need to realize that time is running away from us and that there is still so much we have to accomplish if we want to reach our goal. The Sun in Sagittarius’ semi-sextile to Pluto in Capricorn demands from us to get on top of our affairs and adjust our personal viewpoint in a way that allows us to ‘see our own shadow’ and thus to gain a better perspective on these things so that we won’t stand any longer in our own way.
Consequently, Venus’ ingress to Aquarius at 6:51 am PST this morning, where she will traverse until January 3 of next year, corresponds to a time when we seek to change or reform or detach from our values, priorities, preferences, attachments and relationships and learn to differentiate which of the desires and wishes we want to satisfy are worthy or even necessary of our investment and resources and which aren’t as important, while we experience a ‘stirring up’ of our emotions (“a stirring of the elements within the depth of the earth” as suggested by the Sabian Symbol for the Sagittarius New Moon) that can get us excited as well as inspired.
Tarot card of the day is “The Chariot”, suggesting that we take control and move forward with care. There is a need to remain focused and to keep the emotions in check. We need to harness our energy and apply it wisely. Self-discipline is important to be able to balance the light and shadow aspects of our personality.
SHIFTING REALITIES 