Winter Solstice and Last Quarter Moon
“Winter Buddha” photograph by Lyn Dalebout
Happy New Year! The celestial end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017 begins this week with Winter Solstice on December 21 at 3:44 am MST. In the Northern Hemisphere, our magnificent Sun as traveled as far south as it will, and begins to turn north again, a sacred hope-filled moment to be honored and celebrated in whatever way you choose. This year, Solstice coincides with the Last Quarter Moon, also symbolic of releasing the last cycle of creativity and making preparations for the new events and adventures coming your way.
This week, we also navigate the beginning of two exciting longer planetary cycles. They are Saturn trine Uranus, and Jupiter opposite Uranus. Both will be key in social and cultural shifts progressively moving us forward, not backward. But there will be skirmishes between the old world order and the new order emerging, embedded in the continuing chaos of Eris, the Great Disrupter.
Mercury is now in retrograde, which I wrote about last week. This is sure to create more havoc in regards to our elections. Lastly, all week, culminating on December 27, the Sun is chasing Mars in a stimulating sextile, providing plenty of energy to attend and enjoy your social gatherings.
Uh Ho! More magnetic unrest! This just in from SpaceWeather: “APPROACHING THE SOLAR WIND STREAM: Later today, Dec.20th, Earth is expected to enter a stream of solar wind flowing at high speed from a large hole in the sun’s atmosphere. This could set in motion days of magnetic unrest around the poles. NOAA forecasters estimate a 60% chance of minor G1-class geomagnetic storms on Dec. 21st, increasing to 65% on Dec. 22nd. Stay tuned for Arctic auroras.”
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Here is a description of the qualities of the Last Quarter Moon phase compliments of my friend and sidereal colleague, Nick Anthony Fiorenza at Lunar Planner:
“This phase completes with our Inner Needs surfacing to consciousness, to become aware of what is important to self and what is not. A sense of completion comes forth with a recognition that the past scenario has served its purpose and it is time to leave what is antiquated behind. Knowing now what our Truth is, it is time to consciously live it. Doing so provides a choice for others to also live theirs. Changing allows us to spiral to a new octave of experience—one that will eventually sprout in the next lunar cycle to come.”
Note: I write my posts according to the Lunar cycles, posting on the New, First Quarter, Full and Third Quarter Moons. If you work with and within the natural flow of time, the 13 Moon cycle, your life will flow with more ease and grace. My interpretations and predictions are based on the true sidereal astronomical alignments. You can read about my unique way of interpreting astrology at this link: EarthWord SkyWord sidereal readings.Even NASA is onboard now with the sidereal zodiac! And you can always read about my star weather predictions from previous week’s at Star Signposts.
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Tue December 20
Last Quarter Moon: Moon in Virgo square Sun in Sagittarius: From the galactic standpoint, today is much like New Year’s Eve, so use this aspect to finish up year-end tasks, planning ahead for holiday meals, and in general, it’s easy to stay focused all day long.
Venus in Capricorn sextile Juno in Scorpio: A supportive aspect, bringing helpers into your life in many ways, especially physically or financially. You tend to want to spend more money buying something extra special for your beloveds.
Wed December 21
Winter Solstice for the Northern Hemisphere at 3:44 am MST: Today marks the celestial end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017. The chart of Winter Solstice often holds clues as to what the upcoming year might entail. The fact that the Last Quarter Moon (symbolizing letting go of the last cycle of creativity and making preparations for the new events and adventures coming your way) coincides with Solstice is forewarning is that 2017 will be a year of taking decisive action, often, personally, and collectively, in actively choosing the world you want to inhabit, co-create. The Moon in Virgo can imply a healing crises, a desire to be more discerning in one’s choices, a focus on health and the health of our planet.
Thu December 22
Moon/Jupiter conjunction square Pluto opposite Uranus: Jupiter can be prone to exaggeration and overdoing, yet Virgo is a sign that is more tempered and careful. The monthly conjunction with the Moon, working with breakthrough Uranus and probing Pluto, gives you extra emotional energy and drive can to get much done on many fronts. There can be moments of overwhelm, too. Pause, breathe or meditate to maintain calm.
Fri December 23
Moon in Libra trine Mars in Aquarius: This is an energized happy, socializing aspect that takes us into the weekend.
Sat December 24
Saturn in Scorpio trine Uranus in Pisces: This aspect begins today, will return in April 2017 and complete in November 2017. Both of these planets are slow movers and indicate the evolution and advancement in regards to social norms and institutional reforms. Saturn can be associated with the status quo and following the letter of the law, while Uranus speaks to revolution and listening to the law of your authentic heart. This helpful historic trine can imply there might be less of a clash between certain factions of society, and can eventually lead the more conservative humans to reluctantly accept where the future trends are leading humanity.
Yod with Sun/Vesta/Mars: A Yod is also called a Finger of God and creates a feeling that destiny is calling. It points to the necessity of making important adjustments based on incoming information. This Yod juxtaposes the futuristic signs of Sagittarius and Aquarius with the more conservative, history-appreciating sign of Cancer. Vesta is about security and can be risk-adverse, whereas Mars and Sun seek to explore new territory with verve and courage. This aspect can lead to impassioned political discussions about the future of the world.
Sun December 25
Minor Grand Trine: Such a lovely aspect bathes our world on Christmas Day. Venus in Capricorn trine Jupiter in Virgo leads to abundant sharing and appreciation of one another, and the sextile to Uranus in Pisces encourages people to appreciate a diversity of opinion.
Moon in Scorpio: As the day progresses, the emotional Moon enters the deeper, sometimes darker waters of Scorpio. People can become more possessive (like kids with their new toys) or conversations take a turn toward greater depth.
Mon December 26
Jupiter in Virgo opposite Uranus in Pisces: In the big picture, whenever Jupiter and Uranus interact, creativity ignites (especially in regards to technological innovations) and revolutions will spark around the world. This breakthrough transit begins today, returns in early March 2017, and culminates in late September 2017. It will support you in taking risks you want to take, feeling more confident (the gift of Jupiter) to change up your life in exciting, eccentric, surprising ways (the gift of Uranus). Remember 2017 adds up to 10 or 1, symbolizing new beginnings for all.
Mars/South Lunar Node conjunction in Aquarius: This important aspect happens once every two years. Activist Mars makes a crossing to the South Lunar Node, which symbolizes the release of the past. We might go kicking and screaming as we see we simply must accept what it’s time to abandon. There can be considerable frustration within and around you today. These wise words from the Medicine Cards might help: “Honor the past as your teacher, the present as your creation, the future as your inspiration”.
Moon in Scorpio square Mars/Neptune in Aquarius: The always intensely driven Scorpio Moon makes a tense square to Mars, rallying the warrior’s cry or digging up past resentments and frustrations. It’s truth-telling time for some. The influence of Neptune later in the day can lead to forgiveness and compassion for all involved.
Tue December 27
Sun in Sagittarius sextile Mars in Aquarius: Whenever Sun and Mars interact in a sextile of stimulation and excitement, passions are ignited, energy is high, optimism is the norm. It’s an excellent day to adventure forth in a group, with support.
Moon/Juno/Saturn conjunction in Scorpio: This comes at the end of the day. Today is the last day of this completing SolLunar cycle, called the Balsamic Moon. It’s wise advice to rest, not push, reflect. The serious nature of a Moon/Saturn conjunction, aligned with partnership Juno, suggests take time, with a true colleague, look back over your year, honor all you accomplished, became, foresaw, released.
