Author: Amelia Shea

“Last night
the rain spoke to me
slowly, saying,
what joy
to come falling
out of the brisk cloud
to be happy again
in a new way
on the earth!” Mary Oliver

“Dreams are the best evidence that we are not as firmly shut in our skins as we believe.”Fredrich Hebbel

Many spiritual traditions believe this time of year (from 12/25 to January 6) to be a time when the veils are thin and it’s possible – with attention- to access higher levels of  spiritual guidance. This is particularly true in the beginning of this week as retrograde Mercury in Capricorn  will be forming a beneficent aspect to Neptune in Pisces. This alignment creates an excellent opportunity to build a bridge between higher aspirations, dreams and visions and  pragmatic methods of working with them in new ways. The early part of the week -in general- is a good time to provide extra downtime for this reason.

One Monday the Sun squares Chiron. This, in addition to the Mercury/Neptune alignment can bring to light more clearly the areas where evolution away from old programming would be beneficial.

Venus moves into Aquarius on Monday. Venus is Aquarius is a lover of freedom and authenticity in friendship and relationship- moving away from the more traditional ways of Venus in Capricorn.  Venus is moving up to a sextile with Jupiter – making this a good week  for socializing and getting together with friends. This is an expansive aspect that can bring  optimism and good luck.

Also this week the Sun will trine Uranus in Taurus – a great time to add innovation to your thinking about things you are trying to accomplish. This can open the door to a new cycle where new alternatives and approaches can be accessed. It’s a good time to allow your mind to explore new ideas and stay away from limited thinking.

The Full Moon is Friday January 6 at 6:08 PM at 16 degrees of Cancer. More on this later in the week.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”An unexpected thunderstorm.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“Something there is that doesn’t love a wall.
That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it,
And spills the upper boulders in the sun;
And makes gaps even two can pass abreast…
Before I built a wall I’d ask to know
What I was walling in  or walling out .
Something there is that doesn’t love a wall.” Robert Frost

“A new paradigm comes along because it solves problems that couldn’t be solved under the old paradigm. Create your own vision of what we might become as the old paradigms slip away and new ones coalesce.” Michael W. Munn

Mercury, the fleet footed messenger, stations retrograde Thursday December 29.  Mercury will station conjunct Venus, the planet of love and beauty,  at 24 degrees of Capricorn. Mercury and Venus will square Eris at this time. Eris is associated with disruption. It provides an excellent retrograde period (through  January 18, 2023)  to think about where  thinking has become too rigid or too aligned with unproductive patterns that have outlived their usefulness.

It’s a good time to assess how matters of love and finances are handled.

It’s an important time for personal evolution that helps to create critical mass for a more healthy sustainable future.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A mountain pilgrimage.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

“Keep a flowering branch in your heart and the singing bird will come.” Proverb

“My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.” Robert Frost

Jupiter leaves the sign of Pisces and enters the fiery sign of Aries on December 20- the day before the Winter Solstice. Jupiter in this sign increases personal courage and brings alive  a sense of adventure. It is a good time for renewing inspiration, vitality and hope. Jupiter will be in Aries until May.

The Winter Solstice, when the Sun enters Capricorn is December 21. This earthy, grounded sign helps us manifest our goals and dreams through responsibility, pragmatism and commitment.

Mercury will station retrograde on December 29 at 24 Capricorn. The retrograde period lasts through  January 18 when Mercury will station direct at 8 degrees of Capricorn.

It’s wise as always during the retrograde period to anticipate possible delays and miscommunications. Best to make sure all important info is backed up.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A nature spirit dancing in the mist of a waterfall.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” Maya Angelou

Venus is now in Capricorn. This is a serious sign for Venus. In relationship Venus in this earthy sign  is concerned with serious commitment. She favors  pragmatic planning for a stable, long term foundation.

This   provides a good time to review financial plans and reevaluate your work and relationships from a long  term, pragmatic perspective.

The sign of Capricorn is ruled by Saturn and in relationship charts between two people, if there are Saturn/Venus aspects it can indicate longevity in relationship and is regarded as the “glue” that holds relationships together.

The Sun is sextiling Saturn early in the week. At the same time the Sun is squaring Neptune for much of the week. This indicates a good time for the imagination and creative visualization. But it’s best to wait til next week before acting on any newly hatched plans due to Neptune’s foggy influence.

Venus and Mercury in Capricorn will form a dynamic square to Chiron, the asteroid of the Wounded Healer. Chiron’s influence here can help with transforming what are regarded as old wounds, into new strengths. The square alignment in astrology calls for action and often, overcoming something in the process. Mars retrograde in Gemini can also help with this process as it forms a beneficial alignment to Chiron this week.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”The human soul, in its eagerness for new experiences, seeks embodiment.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“A wise old owl sat in an oak.
The more he saw,
The less he spoke.
The less he spoke,
The more he heard.
Why aren’t we all like
That wise old bird.” Nursery Rhyme

“I adore simple pleasures. They are the last refuge of the complex.” Oscar Wilde

This week in general it’s wise to take care in conversation. It’s a good time to be patient when communicating and listening to  others.

On Tuesday Jupiter in Pisces will form a challenging square to Mercury in Sagittarius  at 29 degrees. The 29th degree is associated  with fate and destiny. There can be a tendency -with these two signs in this alignment- for conversations to become contentious and overly dogmatic.  It offers a good time to observe moderation in speech,  as words spoken during this time may  have long range consequences.

Mercury will move out of Sagittarius into Capricorn in the evening. Thinking and speech can become less expansive and more grounded and serious under this influence.

The Moon waxes full Wednesday December 7 at 11:08 PM EST. This Full Moon is at 16 degrees of Gemini – conjunct retrograde Mars at the same degree. Both the Moon and retrograde Mars are opposite the Sun at 16 Sagittarius.

Retrograde Mars can stir up anger and repressed anger especially when in partnership with the Moon. It can be  a more volatile time when tempers and impulsiveness run high. It can be a bit accident prone as well so it’s wise to take extra care when moving around or driving.

On Friday Venus in Sagittarius will square Jupiter in Pisces at 29 degrees. This combination is good for socializing and having fun – just one caveat – to watch for overdoing as Jupiter’s influence is associated with excess on the eating and drinking front.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”An Easter sunrise service draws a large crowd.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“What I saw among the Amish was the amazing amount of energy available to people who get pleasure from what they are doing and find meaning in the work itself. But they are practical people who want that can of beans at the end of the day and sixty six jars of relish. To them it’s all connected.” Sue Bender

Retrograde Mars at 19 degrees of  Gemini forms a harmonious trine to Saturn at 19 Aquarius Monday and is in influence throughout the week.

This is a very positive alignment. Saturn adds grounding and focus to the energy and ideas of Mars. This can be a time when progress can be made on long term aspirations as the trine brings along clarity, pragmatics and vision. Where blockages have been, solutions can appear.

It is also a time when  ineffective or outgrown thought and communication patterns can be seen more clearly.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A cafeteria with an abundance of choices.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“The back porch is more secure, but the fun is in jumping the fences.” Marjorie Holmes

Venus is quincunx the North Node of destiny and life path for the next couple of days. This is an awkward aspect – the quincunx – indicating the need for constant adjustment.

If you are drawn to a new endeavor involving a relationship or financial opportunity,  it’s best to slow down now. Venus in Sagittarius can indicate wanting to move forward with a great rush of energy and enthusiasm. Venus in this sign loves adventure and is not averse to risk taking.

But the North Node is in  Taurus now, indicating the most effective  path to the future is slow, steady and well planned. Best to take your time  (especially with Mars retrograde) and reconsider to make sure any plans are solid.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A vast panorama of sand and time is unfolding; the pyramids and sphinx in their glory rise before the eye.

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“The winds of grace are always blowing; it’s up to us to raise our sails.” Ramakrishna

“The bud
stands…
even for those things that don’t flower,
for everything flowers, from within, of self blessing.” Galway Kinnell

I went for a visit to my chiropractor this week and she mentioned to me that she had a very high number of people coming to her within the past couple of weeks who had  flare ups of conditions they haven’t had in years – most of the conditions being stress related.

It has been a stressful time for sure.

This weekend Mars  at 22 degrees of Gemini squares Neptune at 22 degrees of Pisces.  Squares are dynamic and present challenges that need to be overcome. This square presents a bit of conflict as Mars likes action and stirring things up and the retrograde cycle can cause delays and frustration. It’s best when Mars is retrograde to see how things unfold rather than initiating things if that is possible because more information may be coming in.

The planet Neptune is about spirituality, mysticism and also illusion and addiction. Neptune is associated with surrender. It’s a good time to let go of worries and frustrations and seek higher ground. It’s also a good time for focusing on the soul’s evolution.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”Three fledglings in a nest high up in a tree.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

“Hope is the thing with feathers.” Emily Dickinson

” So hope for a  great sea-change
On the far side of revenge.
Believe that a farther shore
Is reachable from here.
Believe in miracles
And cures and healing wells.”  Seamus Heaney

The Sun, Venus and Mercury are in a very positive alignment early this week as they form a trine with the Jupiter and Neptune conjunction. This alignment has been in effect for a week or so and will wind down as the week progresses.

The Jupiter/Neptune conjunction in Pisces bodes well for hope and inspiration. It also provides good timing to dream big – and make any necessary adjustments later. It benefits creative projects and spiritual growth.

The one caveat about this alignment is that retrograde Mars is forming a challenging aspect to it. Mars retrograde can be associated with frustration and impatience so it’s wise to keep that in mind.

The Mars retrograde transit lasts through mid – January and it’s wise throughout this time, when encountering obstacles or challenges, to slow down.

Mercury, Venus and the Sun will enter Sagittarius this week ushering in a good time to think about broadening your horizons – whether in the outer world through travel and exploration or in the inner world through study and learning.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”The king of the fairies approaching his domain.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

“Today like every other day, we wake up empty
and frightened. Don’t open the door to the study
and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument.

Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.” Rumi

“All spiritual growth requires walking the quiet path of patience.” Rilke

Jupiter re-enters Pisces today, October 28 and will transit through the late degrees through December 20. This is a brief stint in Pisces and an excellent time for spiritual growth , creativity and intuition.

Mars will station retrograde on Sunday October 30 at 25 degrees of Gemini.  This transit will last through January 12, 2023. This indicates a time frame when it bodes well to rethink how we direct our will and power to manifest our intentions. Mars will be retrograde in Gemini indicating a good time to look at how our thoughts and speech play in this process and whether there is room for improvement.

It can be a frustrating time as Mars likes action and the retrograde motion indicates rethinking and revisioning rather than moving forward. If things feel challenging it’s wise to slow down and avoid impulsive speech and actions.

Mars will square Neptune during the retrograde period indicating a good time to make an extra effort to keep things clear.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”Winter frost in the woods.”