“Leaf Beings” photograph by Jana Craighead Smith
Overview
Welcome to the New Year SolLunar Cycle in sidereal Scorpio, a threshold-crossing time of completing 2023 and planting seeds for 2024. The Sun and Moon meet up on the evening of December 12 in a tight square to partnership Juno and mystical Neptune. This entire Cycle strongly influences relationships of all kinds in fierce and honest ways both by the square to Juno — ruler of relationships — and imagining a new life — Neptune. This theme is also mirrored by Jupiter in Aries — more on that below. People are being pushed to the brink to break free, break apart in relationships or from behavioral patterns and ways of relating, even if just to take a temporary pause to be alone with oneself. In that time of sacred solitude, one can embrace and embody more fully the energy of who they have become, how they have changed and what they need and desire next. And this also applies to one’s relationship to oneself, honoring and integrating your past, present and futures selves.
The gift and intelligence of working with the sidereal astronomical zodiac is you access deeper levels of cosmic meaning and wisdom being broadcast to us, the evolving citizens of Earth, from the Universe. For those of you who are interested in expanding and elevating your consciousness or engaged in doing ancestral healing, this is a supportive Cycle for you. This New Moon is aligned with two key stars in our thirteenth constellation, Ophiuchus, master healer and guide for Self-knowing. Ras Alhague represents lived experience that leads to full illumination, shining and sharing that light with others. Sabik governs the biological transformation toward a more refined being and helps us clear old ancestral stories trapped in our DNA that no longer serve us. We do not need to repeat the challenging aspects from our family histories. We always have a choice — to not to be controlled by what others think we should do or expect of us but to live in greater self-empowerment true to our natures.
Also during this crucial four-week period, Jupiter in Aries will turn direct on December 30 from its retrograde of September 4, sure to bring extra dynamism to New Year’s gatherings. For the past year, I have been saying this once-every-twelve-year transit encourages you ‘to be the boss of yourself’ no matter your circumstance. This transit has manifested as the many strikes and picket lines of 2023 where people are willing to take a stand on behalf of themselves. Many relationships are in major turmoil as old ways of relating no longer work with people knowing they can’t go on with the way things have been. Ending the relationship or taking a pause to separate out for a while, perhaps coming back together at a later time are options. Aries is also militaristic bringing to a head deep historical conflicts and can manifest as little patience for any kind of compromise.
And here are two more events of 2023 — Mercury turns retrograde (RX) on Wed December 13 – Mon January 1 2024. It will crisscross the same stars that are guiding this SolLunar Cycle, amplifying the above message I wrote about. Neptune re-enters Pisces until 2036 on December 31, the sign of dreams, imagination, spiritual studies, music, poetry and all creative arts.
NOTE: When reading my daily entries, remember that the influence of each aspect is like a wave — it crescendos a day or two, sometimes a week, before it happens, crests on the day it is exact, then dissipates over the following days. People experience the transits of planets at different times depending on their sensitivity and life events.
I am grateful I can once again post my friend Jana Craighead Smith’s intimate photographs of water. This series chronicles the completion of autumn, heading into the frozen winter wonderland, perfect the theme of Scorpio. Thank you, Jana, and for letting me give them titles!
Thank you, dear readers, for going on this journey of EarthWordSkyWord and Star Signposts with me. Many blessings to you all. Happy New Year!
Sidereal Astrology Mentoring and Readings
My posts are based on the true astronomical alignments of the planets with the constellations, also referred to as the sidereal zodiac. I use the phases of the Moon as the scaffold for my posts because the Moon functions like an energetic portal mediating between the heavens and our wondrous Earth. My entries are based on the aspects occurring each week as they crescendo, crest and dissipate over the course of their influence. As you work with and within the natural flow of time and the supportive cosmic energies that each unique SolLunar Cycle brings, life can flow with more ease, grace and understanding.
I delight in mentoring students—individually, with families or groups, and via workshops and conferences—who want to learn more about how to use sidereal astrology as a helpful tool for insight and awakening. Consider booking a mini-reading with me for $44 or $88, the numbers of living your Mastery on Earth. In these short readings, I discuss key personal transits that are happening for you in 2024 and beyond. Send me an email if you are interested in those options, or a full Natal Map, Update, Relationship Map, Young Adult or Child’s Map. Thank you!
@2023 – 2024 Lyn Dalebout ~ EarthWordSkyWord.com ~ All Rights Reserved
New SolLunar Cycle in sidereal Scorpio
At the New Moon, you are sprouting like a seed with new creative inspiration. Receive your unique insights by sitting in meditation or just be open to new possibilities arising within you from the sea of infinite creation.
New SolLunar Cycle in sidereal Scorpio: Sun/Moon in Scorpio square Juno/Neptune: Tue December 12 4:32 pm MST
Welcome to the New Year SolLunar Cycle in sidereal Scorpio, a threshold-crossing time of completing 2023 and planting seeds for 2024. The Sun and Moon meet up on the evening of December 12 in a tight square to partnership Juno and mystical Neptune. This entire Cycle strongly influences relationships of all kinds in fierce and honest ways both by the square to Juno — ruler of relationships — and imagining a new life — Neptune. People are being pushed to the brink to break free, break apart in relationships or from behavioral patterns and ways of relating, even if just to take a temporary pause to be alone with oneself. In that time of sacred solitude, one can embrace and embody more fully the energy of who they have become, how they have changed and what they need and desire next. And this also applies to one’s relationship to oneself, honoring and integrating your past, present and futures selves.
The gift and intelligence of working with the sidereal astronomical zodiac is you access deeper levels of cosmic meaning and wisdom being broadcast to us, the evolving citizens of Earth, from the Universe. For those of you who are interested in expanding and elevating your consciousness or engaged in doing ancestral healing, this is a supportive Cycle for you. This New Moon is aligned with two key stars in our thirteenth constellation, Ophiuchus, master healer and guide for Self-knowing. Ras Alhague represents lived experience that leads to full illumination, shining and sharing that light with others. Sabik governs the biological transformation toward a more refined being and helps us clear old ancestral stories trapped in our DNA that no longer serve us. We do not need to repeat the challenging aspects from our family histories. We always have a choice — to not to be controlled by what others think we should do or expect of us but to live in greater self-empowerment true to our natures.
Mercury in Sagittarius turns retrograde: Wed December 13 2023 – New Year’s Day: Mon January 1 2024
This energy can help us slow down, to rush less and savor more this sacred time of the HolyDays with our beloveds and in our personal meditations and ceremonies. Sometimes with Mercury in retrograde, a mishap or accident might force this to happen, communications can go awry, so move through your days with attentiveness and discernment. You might feel some exhaustion or need for stillness. Mental Mercury moving through Sagittarius brings expansive thinking, a desire to research travel, big ideas, spiritual texts and to create a vision board/statement for the future. It will also crisscross the stars that guide this SolLunar Cycle I wrote about above, amplifying those themes. Mercury turns direct on New Year’s Day and then completes its shadow period January 20 closing the chapter on lessons gleaned.
Venus/Pallas Athene conjunction in Libra: Wed December 13
This brings a deep appreciation of beauty expressed in all areas of life. It is exceptional for designing anything, like party-planning, a business meeting, and sparks the desire for gift-giving and sharing your abundance.
Sun in Scorpio square Neptune in Aquarius: Sat December 16
This annual square is highly creative and discerning. Under Scorpio’s probing eye, we can sense any deception or unrealistic fantasies going on around us or within us, shining a light on the underlying truth of things.
Mercury RX in Sagittarius trine Jupiter RX in Aries: Mon December 18
Inspired thinking, moments of illumination and optimism flood our minds with this uplifting trine. Travel can move with flow even though both planets are in retrograde. And if there are delays, magical meetings and moments manifest.
Lunar Highlights
Moon/Pluto conjunction in Capricorn: Fri December 15
If you read my posts regularly you know when I mention Pluto things feel intense even chaotic, you might experience great power and determination to succeed or, conversely, feel powerless in the face of life’s challenges. Pluto’s monthly meet-up with the Moon amplifies these themes and can make us more emotional.
Moon/Saturn conjunction in Aquarius: Sun December 17
It is wise to channel this serious, focused alignment into a project, doing a task for many hours like writing, painting, studying something, finishing a puzzle or your holiday cards and gift wrapping. You can feel more reserved in expressing yourself. If you are traveling, delays or detours are possible.
First Quarter Moon
At the First Quarter Moon, you are called to action. The need to move forward with your recent insights can come via making a conscious choice or by challenging circumstances that require you make a move.
Sun in Sagittarius square Moon/Neptune in Pisces: Tue December 19
This makes for a highly creative juncture for some while for others it can be hard to stay on task and creates a sense of scattered focus. Use it well to meditate/envision future dreams and goals. Full disclosure: Ha, when I first posted this day, I completely had the aspect wrong and correcting it now! I will blame that on Mercury being retrograde!
WINTER SOLSTICE: Thu December 21 8:27 pm MST
This holy moment of stillness, of pause, of seasonal shift is considered to be the beginning of winter, yet in my being, I always feel it as the turning toward spring. It is the New Year based on the natural cycles. It is a time to honor that which is dying or has passed and embrace this seed moment of birth for the year ahead, a restorative, restful time, and also a time to celebrate with others.
Mars in Scorpio square Juno in Leo: Thu December 21
In my Overview I mentioned significant changes are possible in key relationships. This tense but truthful square presses some to take action regarding a relationship, like moving in or out. I can lead to tensions or negotiations between parties.
Sun/Mercury RX conjunction in Sagittarius: Fri December 22
The exact crossing of Mercury to the Sun sparks ah-ha moments of insights and clarity. Sagittarius’s influence is focused and fiery. For some this feels great, for others it can feel like too much mental energy that might explode so take a nap, a mental reboot, if need be.
Sun in Sagittarius sextile Saturn in Aquarius: Sun December 24
This lovely aspect brings organization and support to gatherings or work you are doing today. It feels good to put things in order.
Venus in Libra trine Neptune in Aquarius: Mon December 25
This harmonious aspect is loving, considerate, kind, avoids conflict and fosters a desire for peace — lovely to have this celestial gift happening on Christmas Day.
Lunar Highlights
Moon/Chiron/North Node conjunction: Wed December 20 – Thu December 21
This brings a desire to forgive and release the past and step forward with new intentions and hope. Research new healing modalities and health care options if that’s on your to-do list.
Moon/Jupiter conjunction in Aries: Fri December 22
This can trigger the desire to bolt or take sudden action in a situation. It charges up our emotions big time from exuberance to exaggeration.
Moon/Uranus conjunction in Aries opposite Venus in Libra: Sat December 23
This can also trigger the desire to bolt, suddenly go in a new direction or experiment especially regarding relationships. It can be accident prone or spark fires given the erratic nature of Uranus.
Full Moon in sidereal Gemini/Sagittarius
The Full Moon is the birth point of the current SolLunar Cycle. This can be a time of celebration or crisis, depending on your life circumstance. Feel the joy and relax into new discoveries and directions.
Full Moon in sidereal Sagittarius: Sun in Sagittarius opposite Moon/Vesta in Gemini: Tue December 26 5:33 pm MST
This Full Moon brings a festive, busy energy to the day after Christmas.These two curious, talkative astrological signs enjoy travel and education in all forms. Full Moons can trigger emotional swings, a possibility with Gemini, embracer of polarities, the light and shadow, ups and downs, comedy/tragedy.
Mars/Mercury RX conjunction in Scorpio square Neptune in Aquarius: Wed December 27
Sharp speech, frustration, animated discussions, conflict resolution can be part of today’s dynamic, intense square. Neptune’s influence can bring confusion or misunderstandings in communications. This energetic can help you bust through creative blocks.
Jupiter in Aries turns direct: Sat December 30
This dynamic turning is sure to bring extra joy and celebration to New Year’s gatherings. I wrote in the Overview about some of the key aspects of Jupiter in Aries so check that out. As Jupiter continues to complete its transit in Aries through late April 2024, we now enter a phase of integrating and completing many things we started in 2023. More confidence naturally comes as you recognize you have navigated major hurtles and a more optimistic attitude is born. This shift is sure to bring opportunities, expansiveness and new beginnings over the next four months. Blessed be.
Neptune reenters Pisces: Sun December 31
This year, Neptune took its last pass through futuristic Aquarius where it resided since 2009. During that transit we planted many seeds of awakening for the coming centuries, literally. Now Neptune fully enters Pisces until 2036. This transit will spark greater spiritual awakenings, integrate ‘alternative’ healing tools into mainstream medicine especially to help with mental health and addictions issues with innovative modalities. When this transit is done, we will collectively more fully understand how the invisible realm of energy is the root cause of creation for this physical world.
Mercury turns direct: Mon January 1 2024
This completion of Mercury’s retrograde happens in the evening hours in the same degrees of late Scorpio that our New Moon aligned with, acting like an exclamation point to the themes of this Cycle. This turning brings a clean slate. Realizations may happen or a sense of inner clarity arises about what’s next. As the shadow period finishes January 21, there’s still time to consider/reconsider options when this portal closes.
Venus in Scorpio square Saturn in Aquarius: Mon January 1 2024
This can bring an edginess, seriousness or feelings of loneliness to the first day of 2024. Channeling your energy into a creative project or finishing tasks can help as Saturn likes to feel it has accomplished something. Write thank you notes if that is something you still like to do.
Lunar Highlights
Moon in Cancer opposite Pluto in Capricorn: Thu December 28
Feelings on the home front might feel off, tense or chaotic. You might decide to stay home, dine in.
Grand trine in water signs: Moon in Cancer/Mercury RX in Scorpio/North Node in Pisces: Sat December 30
This helps us get in touch with our feelings at a deeper level and brings harmony in sharing those with others. A good cry can feel good at times so don’t hold back the flow of water if it bubbles up.
Last Quarter Moon
With the Last Quarter Moon, you release what has been and simultaneously prepare for what will be as new desires perpetually arise in the next SolLunar Cycle.
Last Quarter Moon: Moon in Virgo square Sun in Sagittarius: Wed January 3
This is great for cleaning up after the holidays and getting organized for the future, thanks be to Virgo. Future longings emerge in readiness for the ground-breaking year ahead.
Venus in Scorpio quincunx Jupiter in Aries: Wed January 3
This odd-feeling aspect can bring a sense of unease, restlessness, or a feeling something is out of whack, which could be. It guides us to make adjustments within our selves and in our relationships and schedules to avoid future challenges. Pay attention to what your wise, listening self is hoping to get you to notice.
Sun in Sagittarius square Chiron in Pisces: Fri January 5
Chiron brings both magical or healing moments given its role as Shaman, deeply aware of what’s happening in the invisible worlds that precedes manifestation in this physical one. Check in with your team of healers for a check up or session. This aspect increases your own intuition if you take time to listen.
Mercury in Sagittarius square Neptune in Pisces: Mon January 8
You might want to grill someone — Sagittarius — to try to figure out what’s going on — but you may only get confusing or foggy answers — Pisces. This pairing is good for spiritual or artistic studies.
Mars in Sagittarius sextile Saturn in Aquarius: Tue January 9
This motivating, exciting aspect in signs linked to visionary or futuristic thought helps collaborations move forward as people align in their activism and passion for change. Or just enjoy your friends with great enthusiasm and tell them so.
Lunar Highlights
Moon/South Node in Virgo opposite Chiron/North Node in Pisces: Thu January 4
When the Lunar Nodes are involved, key events happen that involve both past and future relationships or events. You might revisit a challenge from the past and see it in a new light. Virgo and Pisces are both signs of the healing arts so reach out to your healing team or help someone in need.
Moon/Pallas Athene conjunction in Libra opposite Uranus in Aries: Sat January 6
This is good for revamping anything — a strategy, project design, even a relationship plan, like suddenly deciding to leave town for a short love journey somewhere special to rebond.
Moon/Venus conjunction in Scorpio: Mon January 8
May the early dawn skies be clear so you can see this monthly wonder as Venus is being seen in her Morning Star phase and today joins that last sliver of the balsamic Moon of letting go. It can bring emotional harmony and balance or awaken the desire to create more of that in your life.
Moon/Mercury/Mars conjunction in Sagittarius: Tue January 9
This trio packs a punch of energy, motivation, fire and fury. Communications can be direct, some might challenge others with a dogmatic tone, projecting their own insecurity. Might be a good day to revisit the wise text, The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz.
The Four Agreements are:
Be impeccable with your word.
Do not take anything personally.
Do not make assumptions.
Always do your best.
BLESSED NEW MOON in Sagittarius: Thu January 11 2024 4:57 am MST
RESOURCES FOR PERSONAL AND PLANETARY WELL-BEING
ENDEAVORS TO NURTURE
AMANZI:WatertoSchools
My dear friend, Julia Heemstra, has launched her cutting-edge humanitarian organization, AMANZI:WatertoSchools bringing water and opportunities to the schools in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, her childhood home where she grew up. Julia is one of the most focused, passionate, optimistic beings I know, as an elite athlete, as a bringer of wellness and mindfulness to all ages, and now with her collaborative organization, Julia continues to expand her lifelong commitment to humanitarian service.
PLANT BASED DIET
The reality and urgency of our current planetary crises is real, as our youngest citizens know in their bones. Please educate yourself about how plant-based eating is a central component in how you can help personally restore ecological balance as well as create greater health and vitality for you and your beloveds.
The Game Changers: This inspiring movie and storytelling about vegan super-athletes and warriors educates us about the many benefits of a vegan diet and addresses the ‘meat protein myth’.
COWSPIRACY, What the Health and now SEASPIRACY are must-see movies for all humans who care about personal health, animal well-being, social justice, climate change, the health of our Earth. Become educated about the important information shared by these courageous and visionary filmmakers and activists and considering eating mostly plant-based, if not becoming fully vegan in your consumer choices.
30 Day Vegan Challenge by Collen Patrick-Goudreau
JIN SHIN JYUTSU
Health is in your Hands. Here’s a helpful tool to help you maintain health, calm, balance during these stressful but extraordinary times. I am a proponent of Jin Shin Jyutsu and have been a practitioner since 1983. This beautiful, easy-to-use book and card set teaches you the ancient Art of Jin Shin Jyutsu, the Art of Self Healing. JSJ’s premise is that by applying the jumper-cable of your hands to various points on the body, you can clear your own stress on a daily basis, freeing up stuck energy that leads to patterns of dis-ease, while activating the renewed flow of qi and vigor on all levels, physical, mental, emotional, spiritual. Explore JSJ and teach yourself and those you love this simple tool for centering and radiant vitality.
