Astro Weather - Moon Watch for December 1-7, 2006

This feature adds scope and dimension to the Weekly Horoscope. While the Horoscope offers personal insights for self-awareness, attunement and direction the Astro Weather - Moon Watch lends a more detailed look at the planetary movements, entry into new signs, aspects to other planets and, above all, aspects from the Moon to the Planets. The times for the Moon Aspects especially will be listed allowing you to really watch the Moon and its energy patterns from day to day and week to week. You will soon discover that the influence of the Moon can be felt on a daily basis and will also synchronize with outer events. Watch for this in addition to your Horoscope on a weekly basis.

  The really big news in the Astrology scope on things is a gathering (Stellium) of six planets in close alignment in Sagittarius, from the vantage point of the Earth. In rank of importance are the Sun, Pluto, Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Mercury. The Sun is always first because it is the spiritual force and source. Pluto ranks high for three important reasons: First, it is the planet of transformation which works with the Sun to contribute to the necessary processes of death and rebirth. Second, it has been in Sagittarius since 1995 and will continue to be there until 2008. Third, Pluto is currently positioned at the Galactic Center or at least very close and this has deep significance for us all which I will explain a bit more shortly. The next in rank is Jupiter because it is both in its own sign of Sagittarius and will take another year before it enters Capricorn. Then comes Venus and she is next because the mythic beauty is the first of the bunch to cross Pluto’s path. This is auspicious in that if anyone can soften Pluto it is Venus. Her passage implies, among other things, a clearing of addictive patterns and a renewed process of cultivating unconditional love as is the case after she meets with the dark lord. Mars comes next because it will remain in Sagittarius until mid January. Last but not least is Mercury who will happily play gadfly regarding this whole process as each planet approaches and crosses over Pluto’s position, all at the Galactic Center.

  The Galactic Center or G.C. has gained much attention in the Astronomical community and the following two links will offer you a closer look and better understanding of it. Image of G.C. close-up & Galactic Center Astronomical Profile While this technical background is indeed impressive, it will lack any real meaning and so importance to most people. Astronomers take a primarily left brain linear and logical approach while Astrologers in this model lean more to the right brain intuitive perspective. The traditional task of Astrologers is to interpret celestial phenomenon and events and, from practice and observation in people’s Birth Charts, the G.C. is a very spiritual point indeed. Planets or angles situated at 25 to 27 degrees of Sagittarius in the Tropical Zodiac are at the epicentre of this vortex or Portal Point. (Some Astrologers may be more liberal than this in terms of orb or degrees of allowance away from exact contact.) I personally interpret the G.C. and its massive Black Hole, as the above links indicate, as a Portal Point. A portal is like a doorway between dimensions. The center of all points in space are portals, from the nuclei of molecules, to the center point of the Sun, to the center point in one’s Heart Chakra and to the center of the Galaxy itself. This is a hint to the world view and language of Holism and Astrology is truly a Holistic Science. There is much more to say about this exciting fact and I leave it to you to do more investigating online if you are interested. The most important point I would like to make before moving on to a detailed report of planetary activity for the month of December is that the newly ‘re-emerging’ paradigm is holistic.

  Bringing the focus closer to Earth turf, the gathering of planets in Sagittarius, Pluto and the G.C. is most certainly BIG energy. Sagittarius is very expansive and it’s planetary ruler Jupiter, as mentioned in my Weekly Horoscope column (Nov.26), is larger than all the planets in the Solar system put together, in fact, 2.5.times larger! The ancients did not necessarily know this first hand but it has always been understood that Jupiter expands, increases, inflates etcetera whatever it touches. Observation of this in Birth Charts mirrored in outer reality is the proof. By the way, every point in a chart can be interpreted from at least seven levels. That’s right! Every planetary position and sensitive point in your or anyone’s Birth Chart has at least 7 levels of interpretation. From a more simplistic perspective, we can interpret any point or focus in a chart from the perspectives of positive or negative expression, conscious or unconscious.

  The gathering of planets in Sagittarius is at best therefore, in alignment with the traditional meaning of Sagittarius, as follows: enthusiastic, magnanimous, generous, gregarious, jolly, faithful, ethical, just, broad minded, philosophical, philanthropic, visionary and wise etcetera. The following is a list or worst case scenarios or unconscious expression: excessive, superior, greedy, cynical, sarcastic, despairing, rationalizing, fanatical, arrogant, superstitious, censoring, narrow and foolhardy etcetera. These two lists are just an example of what is possible on a more personal or individual basis. (As I have mentioned before, people, countries, cities, businesses etcetera all have Birth Charts.) Fortunately, the generic picture itself appears very positive, save for the fact that all the planets mentioned in the first paragraph, except Jupiter, will cross the path of Pluto in rapid succession between now and mid-January. As each does, it will experience a purging of its lower tendencies. It is noteworthy that this process will culminate in a change of the guard in the U.S. thanks to the results of the mid terms elections back in early November. Let us hope that the old guard does not react according to the negative traits listed above. Hopefully, our own Federal Government will take note that people power must prevail for the sake of true justice as opposed to private agendas by leaders whose basic attitude reflects that of royalty at the expense of true democracy. Political opinions and worst case scenarios aside, the stellium of planets in Sagittarius can best be regarded as a celestial pageantry.

Full Moon in December: December 4^th at 4:25 pm PST at 12 degrees Gemini 43 minutes.

  The full Moon represents a culmination of energies that were seeded at the New Moon (Nov. 20 2:18 pm PST at 28 Scorpio 27 minutes). In order to understand the flower, we need to understand the seed. Briefly, the New Moon in Scorpio hosted the same stellium of planets that are now is Sagittarius in Scorpio, except Venus. The Sun, Moon and Jupiter in particular were very close together within 1 degree. Despite Scorpio’s dark reputation, it actually is also symbolic of spiritual self-mastery and the subsequent feelings and actions of unconditional love. In alignment with this theme, the Keynote for the Sabian Symbol for this degree, according to Astrological Avatar, Dane Rudhyar, reads as follows: Love as a principle of redemption. Admittedly, Scorpio and the processes of spiritual self-mastery require purification processes. These can happen deliberately and with intent as in an organ cleanse, or elimination of a certain food type from your diet, like wheat or sugar or daily or other addictive substances. On the other hand, it could include becoming more self aware and conscious as a means of changing perceptions, beliefs and attitudes of a more psychological nature.

  Of itself, the exact aspects surrounding the Full Moon on the 4^th include a Square to Uranus at 1:21 pm PST. This is generally a disruptive influence. Independence and eccentricity often accompanies it and people can be restless, irritable and stubborn. At best, the disruption will serve to shift perceptions and awaken us to illuminating perspectives.

New Moon in December occurs on December 20 at 6:01 AM PST. 

  Of particular interest with this New Moon is the fact that it occurs just one day before the Winter Solstice (Dec. 21 at 4:23 PM when the Sun enters Capricorn) This means that the Winter Solstice is marked with the energies of the New Moon which are especially good times to consciously seed intentions. In any case, the New Moon introduces another cycle in the spiral. (Read the my Weekly Horoscope to gain more insight on what this implies for each sign) With a conjunction aspect to Pluto just a few hours prior to the New Moon (2:30 am) it is likely that the culmination of this Moon Seed (1^st ¼ Moon on December 27^th at 6:48 am PST at 5 degrees Aries and then Full Moon on January 3, 2007) will bring stagnant emotions and outworn habits to the surface to be cleared – a good time to commit to New Year resolutions in line with the purifications mentioned above. By the way, the key to overcoming a negative habit is to associate pain to it. To do so it helps to stand back and look at the bigger picture of your life. Also, whatever the habit and/or addiction, it has a bio-chemical root and understanding this can serve to breaking free because it helps you to not take it personally. A good video to understand this is called: “What the Bleep Do We Know”. Check it out!

Now, let’s go for a peak at the list of days of the first week of December. You may wish to print this for quick and handy reference. Again, each week is highlighted for each sign in my Weekly Horoscope. When you notice synchronicities take note and please share them with me by email.

(Please Note: All times given are for PST)

December…

1st – Friday – The Moon is Void of Course or V/C at 10:40 am and then enters Taurus at 5:26 pm. This is a good day to attend to things in a business as usual fashion. Energies will not be very high and it is a good day to avoid major purchases or signing important documents. It is a good night for cozy social events or quiet candlelight, good food, wine, flowers and love.

2nd – Saturday – The Moon in Taurus makes a harmonious aspect to Uranus at 11:24 am and by 10:09 pm the dreamier elements of Neptune will become more obvious as the Moon forms a challenging Square; at worst it will prove confusing or flakey. The pace will be slow overall today and again is a good day for a more sensual and leisurely pace. It will require extra efforts to get things done. It could be good for shopping but the overall slow pace could prove annoying to some, especially those in a rush.

3rd – Sunday – The Lunar aspects are challenging all day today. The Moon Opposes Mercury at 8:10 am, Squares Saturn at 10:53 am, Opposes Mars at 4:31 pm and Jupiter at 10:49 pm.  It is a good day to get things done, at a slow unstressful pace. With the Moon in Taurus where it is ‘exalted’ we may be more able to handle things with ease as Taurus Moons are the best for contributing to steady emotions. Plough at a steady pace!

4th – Monday - Full Moon in Gemini at 4:25 pm (see Full Moon in December above)

5th – Tuesday – Aside from a mix of more flowing and more challenging lunar aspects today, which create nice balance for getting a lot done in an agreeable way and pace, Saturn turns retrograde at 8:07 pm and Mars enter Sagittarius at 8:59 pm. The Moon Opposes Venus at 10:08 am, Sextiles Saturn at 1:29 pm, Opposes Pluto at 3:11 pm and then enters Cancer, its own sign, at 10 pm. When in its own sign the lunar energies are heightened regardless of the phase – New, Full, Waxing, Waning etcetera. Overall, this day asks us to re-valuate, reconsider, renovate, review; take the initiative to re-do.

6th – Wednesday – With the Moon cleanly in Cancer and making harmonious aspects to Uranus 5:13 pm. The energies of this day are auspicious for almost any activity and family connections may go especially well. Enjoy an even pace and do not put too much pressure on yourself or others lest you get caught in Cancer’s moody side. Venus forms a trine to Saturn later in the evening at 11:17 pm and with the Moon V/C from 5:13 pm. This could prove to be a very good time to engage in creative activity or learn a new design.

7th – Thursday – The Moon is V/C all day and so the day is best geared towards follow through and perhaps learning new creative approaches of any kind. Quiet time at home if you are in a position to do so could be ideal, yet be aware of depressive thoughts and emotions. Decorate the house or steadily clean and/or cook or do art or tend to your photo albums. Venus conjoins Pluto at 7:50 pm which is good for self acknowledgement and Mercury enters Sagittarius at 9:52 pm which marks a period for study, philosophy and perhaps travel in mind and/or body. Judgmental attitudes are the culprit to watch for during this two week cycle.