Astrology for December 2013
Join Susan on Saturday Dec 7, 7pm for her yearly talk, “Overview of 2014, the Turning Point Year”, followed on Sunday with a experiential workshop, with Rainya Dann and Susan, Envisioning 2014.
Holiday gifts of personalized readings on CDs available, life readings or readings for 2014
Astrology for December 2013;
As the leaves release themselves in fiery display we engage the Sagittarius spirit of this time. Having accustomed ourselves to the darkening days of Scorpio, we now expand outward toward each other, gathering in holiday or holy day tradition, sharing the Sagittarian qualities of story telling, enjoyment of eat and drink, and gratitude. The new moon on the 2nd resonates with themes of freedom and trying something new, breaking out of old routines and daring ourselves to awaken to a more expansive, creative, and inclusive view of who we are and what we can do.
The comet ISON survives its passage through the atmosphere of our sun, a new comet to our solar system, bringing in leftover material from the very beginning of our galaxy’s creation, a visitor from another time and space. This comet is like the mythic phoenix, rebirthing itself after merging with our sun, heart of our solar system. Look to the East before sunrise on Dec 1st. Comet ISON is a heavenly messenger, calling us back to our essence, beyond our daily challenges, difficulties, and to wake up and burst beyond the conditioning that fuels our outlooks and behaviors.
Venus brightens as the evening star, slowly getting closer and closer to the Western horizon, as she goes retrograde on the 21st, the Winter Solstice. This
signals a time to reflect upon what we value, how we cultivate beauty, and harmony in our lives, our relationships and on Earth. Now when Venus is closest to the Earth, she enacts a mythic dance over the next two months slowly retrograding to disappear from the evening skies and reappear 11 days later as the morning star, reborn. (Venus vanishes on the 6th of January and reappears on January 17th). Retrogrades always remind us that life is circular, not linear, with a yin and yang motion, needing to attend to the interior, contemplative realms, thereby supporting outward expression and motion in more conscious ways. Mars and Venus harmonize in the Earthy signs of Virgo and Capricorn, respectively, taking what we value into action, and supporting harmonious workings in relationship, even during these tumultuous times.
Mars enters Libra on December 7th, placing much emphasis on the sign of diplomacy, relationship, justice, and the arts, for 7 months, rather than its usual 2. This begins Mars alignment to the Grand Cardinal Square forming with Pluto, Uranus and Jupiter, marking a volatile time with much intensity and uncertainty. We can best move with this energy by cultivating Mars’ warrior energy consciously, cultivating compassion, overcoming blame and polarization, and understanding our interrelatedness, taking up courage to engage with what is deeply valuable to us.
During this time of year look to the East, around 9pm, to see beautiful Orion mounting the skies, his 3 starred belt pointing below to the brilliant star, Sirius, also known as the Dog Star. Sirius is the brightest star in our night sky, known to the Hawaiian’s as Ka’ulea, Queen of Heaven. The Dogon people of Mali, West Africa, believe that they came from Sirius and held ancient knowledge of the astronomy of Sirius that we have only come to know in the last century. Sirius holds special significance for the intuitively attuned. Gaze at Sirius to increase wonder and perception of the Universe we live in, for healing, finer attunement, and a sense of greater belonging.
As this time intensifies and thrusts us into tipping and turning points, challenging us in the “Great Turning”, as Joanna Macy calls the time, the mythic themes of deepening to our core values, challenges us to take up courage and action. We must hold fast to our center as we perceive ourselves in radically new ways inorder to apprentice ourselves to our Earth’s future.
The full Moon in Gemini takes place on Dec 17th, known as the “Long Night Moon”. The Winter Solstice takes place on Sunday, the 21st as the Sun moves into determined Capricorn on the shortest day of the year, and seeds the growing light toward summer fulfillment.
Twelve opportunities for December: For Sun and Rising Signs
Aries (Mar 20-Apr 19): There is a need for letting go of something and to move into something new. Take December to feel into what is you value and want. What is the quality that you want to manifest through your work in the world and what kind of interactions with others calls to you? Your orientation to your life is changing. Find ways to strengthen new ways of perceiving/communicating.
Taurus (Apr 20-May 20): This month calls for a review of your belief systems. There is a deeper commitment to core values being asked of you. You have to push through where you usually find yourself. This includes looking at issues that are raised in relationship and old patterns that shaped your responses. Taking time for analysis and clearing things brings a new flow to your life.
Gemini (May 21-Jun 20): This month tune into your feelings as you relate to others and to the one you love. You are in the midst of a transformation, a letting go of very old family dynamics, and ways of sharing yourself. What do you find to be most important and life enhancing in your encounters? Open yourself to new ways of responding.
Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 21): You are especially aware of your relationship with others this month. You may feel the ground shifting under your feet as you offer yourself an opportunity to relate more intimately. What would you need to let go of to allow this to happen? A Libra figures strongly and there is harmonious connections when you value this person and their sensibilities.
Leo (Jul 22 – Aug 22): This is the time to check in with body, soul, and mind, to see if they are in alignment. Take up yoga or Chi Gong. What needs to be refined and tuned into? How are you appreciating your work, those you work with and the quality of your everyday life? December offers you a time to break through, to fall in love, to do something really different to expand your world.
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22): You have been letting go of old identities. This month, even as the cold settles in, you find yourself more joyful, opening your heart more fully to the life in front of you. Take time to value yourself and all your creative endeavors. Your creativity surges as you give yourself the space. Deeper connections with your children and/or lover can now take place.
Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22): Spending quality time alone, attending to your home, nourishes you this month. You are also coming into a time of action, supporting your intention to achieve goals and benefiting from exercise. As your motivations become stronger, be clear to your priorities. This is can be a time of accomplishment. If not clear and organized, you find yourself frustrated. Be flexible, as what you begin may shift and change. Special attention to your relationships with clarity and kindness is the key.
Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21): This month is a good time to reflect on your goals for next year. Honor what has been most valuable and beneficial in 2013. Continue to see the positive in what and how you do things. It is also very beneficial to review your ways of communicating. What do you leave unsaid that you need to say? What do you say and how, that you wish you hadn’t?
Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 20): This month you make an impact. Early in the month your original thinking, your consciousness, and creativity is expressed with positive reception. Review your abilities and talents, your resources, both financial and inner, to set the stage for what is to come. What you are learning fuels a new form for your work. Ask for help and/or collaboration when needed. Be flexible, as times are very fluid now.
Capricorn (Dec 21- Jan 19): Though you have been challenged with intensity and transition during the last years, this month you feel more appreciation of life and more love. Reevaluate how you want to navigate this next part of your life. Appreciate yourself, what you’ve accomplished and completed. As you take time for yourself, your creativity embodies deep feelings and love. Stay flexible as issues with home and family arise.
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 17): This month you connect with your spiritual and cosmic source. As you give yourself quality time to retreat, you are richly rewarded by feeling into your interior life. Listen to your dreams and life’s synchronicities to honor those inner dimensions of being, leading you to unfold a new chapter in your life. Honor the one you love with flowers or a special evening of appreciation and beauty. This is a time of cultivating deeper connection to what you truly value.
Pisces (Feb 18-Mar 19): December is a creative time for you, a profound time for deeper intimacy and love. December highlights reviewing your ideals and goals, along with the groups that you are connected with. What is working and what isn’t? Reviewing your quality of relationship with friends is helpful as changes may be taking place.
Susan Heinz is a professional astrologer in Santa Cruz for 31 years, bringing together traditional & esoteric astrology, Tarot and Qabalah. For info on her Friday monthly astrology groups, her Qabalah, astrology and or, painting classes and for personal consultations, call (831) 479-3751, or go to www.susanheinz.com.