“Why do you want to shut out of your life any uneasiness, any misery, any depression, since after all you don’t know what work these conditions are doing inside you? Why do you want to persecute yourself with the question of where all this is coming from and where it is going? Since you know, after all, that you are in the midst of transitions and you wished for nothing so much as to change. ”
~ Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet
This is a very significant week which begins with a Sagittarius New Moon very early Monday morning. This New Moon joins with Saturn at the very end of Sagittarius.
Late on Tuesday, Saturn leaves Sagittarius behind (after being there for three years) and enters Capricorn.
On Thursday, the Sun follow Saturn into Capricorn bringing us to The Winter Solstice here in the northern hemisphere.
On Friday, we will be greatly relieved to see Mercury end its retrograde and turn direct at 9:51 PM EST. This is a powerful week! Please take a moment to listen to the video above.
Set up an appointment with either myself (Laurie) or Astrolore’s other astrologer (Jennie) to look at the conditions of the year ahead. Preparation for the coming year will help you move forward with confidence and courage!
I am both taking new clients for the New Year and look forward to meeting with you. Schedule your appointment today. You can find more information here or contact us if you have questions!
EXPAND WISDOM – SAGITTARIUS NEW MOON
Monday, December 18, 2017:
In the early hours of Monday morning, the Sun and Moon join together bringing us to the New Moon at 26° Sagittarius. At 8:34 AM EST, the Moon steps out of Sagittarius and into Capricorn, leading the way for serious Saturn to follow on Wednesday and the Sun to join them on Thursday (at the Winter Solstice here in the Northern Hemisphere).
In the midst of the joyful holiday season, we know that hard work and serious endeavors are right around the corner. Keep in mind that many folks struggle with the holidays and this year is no exception. Offer more kindness and understanding than usual.
Tulips by Jozsef Rippl-Ronai via Wiki Media
Over the next few days, plan and implement your New Moon ritual. Keep it simple. First, take a moment to write down what changes you wish to begin, create, or increase in the upcoming Moon cycle. For this Sagittarius New Moon, set an intention regarding adventure, exploration, freedom, or wisdom. With Mercury still retrograde, don’t make any plans; just set your intentions.
If you know what house in your birth chart holds 26° Sagittarius, it will help you clarify where this idea wants to manifest. For example, if Sagittarius is in your 1st house, set an intension for the expansion of your personality; in the 4th house, set an intention to bring cultural diversity into your home; in the 7th, the intention may be more freedom in partnership or taking a trip with a partner; in the 10th, you may see the need to bring your business to an international audience.
If you don’t know what house is involved, simply go with your intuition regarding the area of life that needs to grow through exploration and a broader cultural perspective.
Have two candles available for the ritual; light the first candle to represent yourself, just as you are in this moment. Light the second candle as an aspiration of what you intend to create. Each day, take a moment to focus on yourself as you light the first candle. When you light the second candle, focus on drawing to you what you are choosing to create as you bring the two candles closer together. Do this each day and at the Full Moon in two weeks, you will bring them fully together and acknowledge the result of what you have created.
The Sagittarius New Moon suggests that you plant a seed of expansive growth, freedom, and philosophical wisdom. Share this ritual with your friends and loved ones.
The Sagittarius Moon is VOC* (think of it as being adrift, without focus or connection) from 8:10 AM EST until she enters Capricorn at 8:34 AM EST… almost not enough time to mention! Remember, when the Moon is VOC*, there will be no result from anything that is begun. This is neutral; it is not good or bad, it simply suggests that whatever occurs will not have any significant future impact.
ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER
Tuesday, December 19, 2017:
As the Moon continues through prudent, realistic Capricorn, Tuesday is likely to be a serious day with issues of self-discipline and hard work highlighted. You may have more focus than usual, having the patience and willpower to move beyond challenging obstacles.
This is not a day of frivolous fun or play and is better suited to business and hard work. Tuesday is a serious day for authoritative accomplishment. You will not want to waste time or resources on anything less than moving toward your long term goals or achievements.
You are aware of the limitations of time.
Get clear on the reality of what you need to accomplish and simple put one foot in front of the other to accomplish your goals with integrity, ambition, and realism. No more fooling around; time to get it done!
Understand that it may not be easy to access compassion and kindness as you are focused on real world issues, don’t let yourself be unfeeling toward those you encounter. Real world life is hard for many. Be kind in practical ways. Bring a cup of hot coffee to the homeless person on the corner.
Late Tuesday night (11:48PM) Saturn enters Capricorn. Things are about to get serious!
Sun Pillar – December 2017 by Laurie
SHIFT TO THE SERIOUS
Wednesday, December 20, 2017:
Wednesday is a powerful day, both serious and exciting.
Late Tuesday night at 11:48 PM EST, Saturn leaves Sagittarius behind to enter Capricorn. Saturn has been in Sagittarius since December 2014 and remains in Capricorn, a cautious, ambitious sign, until March 2020. Saturn is the most authoritative voice in the system and teaches through responsibilities, limitations, solitude, and the maturing hand of authority.
As Saturn enters Capricorn, the sign that he rules and is most comfortable in, we each must look very carefully at our responsibilities and integrity as individuals, within our institutions, and as a culture. In Capricorn, Saturn will demand that you develop clear principles and live by them. There may be uncomfortable lessons to face; keep in mind. As you face and work through these issues, you will develop the gifts of maturity and self-respect.
At 6:13 PM EST, Venus forms a flowing trine aspect to Uranus, suggesting the possibility of excitement, epiphanies, and unexpected awareness regarding your personal values, love relationships, or finances.
Expect an evening of full engagement and enjoyment.
At 10:30 PM EST, you will feel the shift as the emotional Moon enters the aloof sign of Aquarius. Look for unpredictable, unusual, and innovative dreams as you drift off under the quirky, brilliant Aquarius Moon.
The Capricorn Moon is VOC* (think of it as being adrift, without focus or connection) from 10:37 AM EST until she enters Aquarius at 9:30 PM EST. Remember, when the Moon is VOC*, there will be no result from anything that is begun. This is neutral; it is not good or bad, it simply suggests that whatever occurs will not have any significant future impact.
WINTER SOLSTICE SHINES A LIGHT OF FUTURE CLARITY
Thursday, December 21, 2017:
At 11:27 AM EST, the Sun enters authoritative Capricorn bringing us to the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year; as we move forward we begin to gain a small amount of light each day.
In the Southern Hemisphere, this is the longest day of the year and those who are ‘down-under’ will begin to lose light as they head into the dark season. (Hi Florence!)
Almost as soon as the Sun enters stable Capricorn, it joins with stern, serious Saturn. This begins a cycle of discipline and responsibility. It is important to focus on what is really important on Thursday. It is likely that everything feels more significant than usual and you will be wise to carefully consider your long terms goals.
There is no reason to wait until the end of the year to set your New Year’s intentions. You are being called now to begin developing clarity of purpose and realistic goals moving forward.
If you notice that it is more difficult than usual to express yourself, consider the importance of spending time alone for solitary expression and future clarity. With the Moon in objective Aquarius, you can see the future path with a healthy objectivity.
CELEBRATE: MERCURY TURNS DIRECT
Friday, December 22, 2017:
Many of you have been waiting impatiently for Mercury to turn direct. You are ready to move forward with new projects, ideas, and communications. At 8:51 PM EST, communicative Mercury ends its retrograde path to move forward at 13° Sagittarius. It will take a few days before you will have a full sense of forward motion, but we are on our way! 🙂
The Moon continues through Aquarius on Friday, capturing your attention with innovative and original thinking and humanitarian ideals. You are able to think outside the parameters of the culture and see your life and the greater culture from an unusual or open-minded perspective.
This is a great time for brainstorming with like-minded others and for social activities of all kinds. Gather with like-minded others for a big sigh of relief.
COMPASSION, DREAMS, AND ROMANCE
Saturday, December 23, 2017:
The day begins with easy aspects to the quirky Aquarius Moon but by the time you get going the Moon has entered elusive, poetic Pisces (9:41 AM EST). The Pisces Moon makes lovely aspects to stabilizing Saturn and the Sun, offering opportunities to stabilize and heal deep emotions.
Saturday offers a gentle day where empathy, compassion, intuition, and imagination are highlighted. You may be disinclined to face the reality you have had directly ‘in your face’ over the past few days. Go ahead, take a break.
Vermont Winter 2017 by Laurie
Enjoy a softer view; engage with sensitivity and imagination. Let down your guard, allow compassion, dreams, and romance to guide you. You can expect to be drawn to water, music, poetry, and spiritual endeavors.
Don’t give in to escapism through drugs or drink. Chose the meditation cushion, prayer, music, romance, or even a good movie to indulge in on Saturday evening.
The Aquarius Moon is VOC* (think of it as being adrift, without focus or connection) from 6:13 AM EST until she enters Pisces at 10:41 AM EST. Remember, when the Moon is VOC*, there will be no result from anything that is begun. This is neutral; it is not good or bad, it simply suggests that whatever occurs will not have any significant future impact.
COMPASSION TRANSCENDS STRUGGLE
Sunday, December 24, 2017:
With the Moon continuing through Pisces, Sunday extends the feelings of Saturday. This offers another day to dream and feel deeply. Pisces is ruled by Neptune, the planet that encourages us to transcend the restrictions of everyday life by dissolving the boundaries that normally constrain us.
With the Moon in sublime Pisces, take time on Sunday to simply do nothing. Stare at the ceiling, get lost in a dream, listen to music, and expect nothing. When the Moon is in Pisces, you feel deep sensitivity and a heightened sense of empathy and compassion for the suffering of all sentient beings. Imagination is strong even as ambition dissolves into nothing. Rest, allow compassion and love to expand your heart.
We have been so confronted by reality recently that we need this break. Allow yourself to rest in this fluid, emotional sensitivity. Get lost in a good movie or a good romance. Monday will be soon enough to face reality again.
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* In these weekly reports, I am exploring the major aspects formed by transits between the planets. I do not consider every aspect that the Moon makes each day as they can be numerous and are often fleeting moods. I will consider the final major aspect formed by the Moon prior to its VOC* time, as that aspect holds its influence throughout the VOC*.
* The aspects under consideration: conjunctions, sextiles, squares, trines, and oppositions.
* The planets I work with: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.
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