A Season of Celebration
Samovar and tiny snow folks
This season of Celebration is in full swing. Regardless of how or what you celebrate, I hope you are finding meaning and joy in these long dark days. One of the things I love the most about these dark days is the anticipation of watching them get longer in the weeks to come.
Last weekend Dave and I traveled the long drive to Vermont to stay with our good friends Martina and Tom. My daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, and a friend joined us for a fun-filled day of celebrating. We built gingerbread houses, and gathered around a beautiful samovar for tea, followed by wild revelry around a bonfire. Wild revelry is a bit of an over-exaggeration, but I’ll stick with it nonetheless.
Order yours today!
My celebration of the season begins and ends with the tradition of gingerbread houses and joyous bonfires for Solstice. Dave and I returned to Maine in time to gather with many hearty folks who came out on a very cold night to celebrate Solstice with fire, songs, cookies, and hot chocolate on Sears Island, in Searsport, Maine.
I am taking it a bit easy for the next week or so as I plan the upcoming year. It promises to be an interesting one for all of us living here on planet Earth.
If you track the planetary events, don’t miss my 2024 Yearly Astrology Guide! It’s a user-friendly digital download, perfect for astrologers and anyone keen on keeping track of the planetary movements. The guide covers everything you need for the year—retrogrades, New and Full Moons, eclipses, and Ingresses—neatly organized in listings and on calendar pages. Just print it in booklet format, and you’ll have 9 pages of astrological insights at your fingertips. Don’t miss a single significant planetary date throughout the year!
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Solstice by the Sea – Blur
SHARE STORIES – EMBRACE COMPASSION
Monday, December 25, 2023
People come together to celebrate Christmas, each with their unique motivations. For some, it’s a Christian observance, commemorating the birth of Jesus. Others partake in the festivities out of tradition or habit, while some simply revel in the joy of lights, decorations, baked goods, and gift-giving. Regardless of your personal reasons, most of us mark this day in our own special manner.
As we embrace the holiday spirit, the planetary alignments add an extra layer of significance. Today, the Moon travels through the mutable air sign of Gemini, encouraging the expression of emotions through words, open communication, and light-hearted sharing.
At 12:14 PM EST, Venus, in Scorpio, forms a delightful trine aspect with Neptune. This planetary dance enhances the festive atmosphere, whether you are with one special person or an entire family or other social gatherings. Venus in Scorpio offers profound and intense connections with others, while the trine aspect to Neptune brings compassion and forgiveness. This combination allows us to don our metaphorical rose-colored glasses and enjoy connecting with individuals who might otherwise evoke more challenging emotions.
This is a day to share stories, cherish personal connections, and embrace the spirit of compassion and understanding.
CANCER FULL MOON – HONOR YOUR FEELINGS
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Today is a busy day as the Moon continues its path through Cancer, highlighting themes of sensitivity, home, domestic matters, and family.
In the early hours, Mercury, in its retrograde motion, forms a challenging square aspect to Neptune, potentially leaving you feeling a tad moody. It’s crucial to consciously tap into your compassion, especially at the start of the day. Be prepared for revisiting conversations that may seem repetitive; trust your intuition to navigate these discussions and foster understanding. Stay genuine in your interactions, avoiding deception and recognizing the importance of embracing your softer side.
Adding a radiant touch to the day, at 10:28 am EST, the Sun forms a delightful trine aspect to Jupiter, an occurrence that occurs only twice a year. This aspect infuses the day with positivity and a sense that anything is possible and achievable.
As day turns to evening Mercury still appearing to move in reverse, joins with Mars. On another day this could bring up arguments, frustrations, and difficulties in communication. However, use this well and it can result in energetic and playful humor. If you are still with family after the holidays this is an evening for word games and laughter.
MANAGE CONFUSION
Thursday, December 28, 2023
Today begins with the spotlight still on family dynamics and emotional nurturance as the Moon passes through the last degrees of Cancer. This encourages a focus on home, domestic matters, and the bonds that tie us to our loved ones, setting the tone for a day centered around nurturing connections and creating a sense of emotional security.
However, as the afternoon unfolds, challenges may arise as Mars forms a troubling square aspect to Neptune at 5:15 pm EST. The complexities this aspect suggests run the gamut from passive confusion to encountering deception in ourselves or others. Your best bet is to keep a low profile and spend the evening actively working on Neptunian projects. This could include making music, singing, meditating, making art, or dancing. Any activity that puts you in a flow state will help you manage the confusion that can occur with this transit.
At 7:23 pm EST, the Moon enters Leo, bringing more dynamic, confident, self-expression to this evening and the next few days.
AN EXPLORATIVE APPROACH TO LOVE
Friday, December 29, 2023
Today begins with the Moon in Leo, suggesting an emotional landscape of confidence and warmth. The atmosphere is charged with passion and a theatrical flair. This is a day to embrace your unique individuality with boldness and creativity. Leo asks that we shine brightly and bask in the warmth of radiant authenticity.
During the night, Venus, the planet of love and beauty, formed a lovely sextile aspect with Pluto, the planet of empowerment. This suggests opportunities for transformative experiences in matters of the heart and aesthetics. Anticipate deep connections with others; explore the profound depths that are available in intimate relationships as well as creative pursuits.
At 3:23 pm EST, Venus transitions from Scorpio into Sagittarius, where it will remain until January 23, 2024. This brings an adventurous, expansive, and explorative approach to matters of love and beauty. Venus in Sagittarius inspires a free-spirited and optimistic approach, urging us to explore new horizons in relationships and the creation of beauty. The encourages us to embrace the joy of discovery and the thrill of broadening our perspectives in matters of the heart and artistic projects.
Samovar and snow folks
EXPANSIVE GROWTH AHEAD
Saturday, December 30, 2023
The Moon continues through Leo today offering a dynamic and lively energy, painting the emotional landscape with bold strokes. We are each encouraged to embrace our unique authenticity and bask in the spotlight of self-expression. Enjoy social interactions today as they will likely be infused with warmth and enthusiasm. Allow creativity and vibrant playfulness to take center stage.
At 9:40 pm EST Jupiter, the planet of expansion and growth, stations direct at 5 degrees Taurus. Jupiter has been retrograde since September 4, 2023. As Jupiter resumes its forward motion, the planetary gears shift, bringing renewed optimism, growth, and a sense of possibility. To understand where you can expect to feel this expansion, look to the house that holds Taurus in your natal chart. This is an area of your life where you seek stability and tangible progress. Embrace opportunities for personal growth with a newfound sense of enthusiasm and purpose. This will be particularly relevant if you have personal planets or points between 4 – 6 degrees of any Fixed sign (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius).
Doodles
AULD LANG SYNE
Sunday, December 31, 2023
I trust you indulged in ample playtime during the earlier part of the weekend as today marks a shift in emotional focus away from the vibrancy of Leo as the Moon enters Virgo at 6:54 am EST. With the Moon in Virgo, our natural inclinations turn towards organization, attention to detail, and a methodical approach to daily tasks.
Perhaps you are gearing up for a New Year’s celebration tonight. If you are entertaining, relish the time spent preparing your home and ensuring everything is in impeccable order. For those venturing out, allocate sufficient time to meticulously prepare yourself and gather anything you need for the party or your host.
Invest your day in practical endeavors, and a delightful sense of satisfaction will accompany you into this final seasonal celebration. Come tomorrow morning, you’ll be primed and ready to embark on a brand new year, armed with the accomplishment of having efficiently navigated the closing moments of this one.
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Simple Meanings of the 12 Houses
- 1st House (House of Self): Represents personal identity, physical appearance, how others perceive you, as well as the energy that calls you forward
- 2nd House (House of Possessions): Focuses on personal resources, finances, material possessions, and your self-worth
- 3rd House (House of Communication): Governs communication, siblings, short trips, and your immediate environment
- 4th House (House of Home): Concerns regarding your home, family, roots, ancestry, and emotional foundation
- 5th House (House of Creativity): Relates to self-expression, romance, creativity, children, and pleasure
- 6th House (House of Routines): Deals with day-to-day routines, health, personal self-care, daily responsibilities, and service to others
- 7th House (House of Partnerships): Involves relationships, marriage, business partnerships, and all one-on-one relationships, including open enemies
- 8th House (House of Transformation): Focuses on shared resources, other people’s values, shared intimacy, the management of boundaries, and powerful transformation
- 9th House (House of World-View): Relates to higher understanding, long-distance travel, education, philosophy, and religion
- 10th House (House of Career): Relates to your career, vocation, public image, reputation, and worldly aspirations.
- 11th House (House of Community): Governs community, like-minded Others, social networks, and those who support your goals and aspirations
- 12th House (House of Deep Knowing): Deals with the subconscious mind, spirituality, hidden knowing, retreat from the world
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