Amelia’s Blog

“To fall in step with the poetry of your unfolding, first there must be a clearing away; a temenos of simplicity in which to dwell.” Toko-Pa Turner

“Chiron in Aries points us inward, towards the sacred fire which warms, heals and enlightens.” Melanie Reinhard

Chiron, the centaur planet of wounding and healing, is strong in the sky  this week – as the Sun, Mars and Mercury move up to meet it in a square alignment.

Chiron in mythology was a healer and took injured centaurs into his care. He was renowned for his healing ability and associated with homeopathic medicine and the process of restoring wholeness.

With Pluto now in Aquarius and with  Uranus in Taurus we are entering a new era. There can be considerable disruption during this process.

The times in which we are living requires constant adjustment to the ways in which life is changing here on planet Earth. It is wise this week to provide some down time for the integration of information and the strengthening of courage. It’s best to avoid rash and hasty decisions and to move in a direction which represents a process of moving towards or restoring  wholeness. Chiron is associated with the healing of fragmentation.

it’s a good time to entertain new perspectives on old problems.

A temenos is a place – inner or outer –  that can provide calm and a sense of peace  in the busyness of everyday life.

Also this week Mercury will oppose Jupiter. This alignment is good for big ideas but will need more grounding to put them into action.

Venus will conjunct Saturn and trine Uranus. This can help mature relationships grow and thrive.

Mercury will conjunct Mars towards the end of the week. Words can be sharp under this influence but it can be beneficial for  very focused thinking.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A person traveling a narrow path seeks illumination.”

 

“The people I love the best
jump into work head first
without dallying in the shallows
and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.
They seem to become natives of that element,
the black sleek head of seals
bouncing like half -submerged balls…

The work of the world is as common as mud.
Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust.
But the thing worth doing well done
has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.
Greek amphoras for wime or oil
Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums
But you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person for work that is real.” Marge Piercy

“Drinking a cup of green tea. I stop the war.” Thich Naht Hanh

One of the significant aspects in astrology this week is the close conjunction of the Sun, Mars and Venus in the  cardinal sign of Capricorn. This aspect will be exact on the 9th.

These planets are all “out of bounds” now meaning that the normal restraints and guard rails are not in place. This can open the door to making progress in moving things forward or taking a risk you may not have felt comfortable with before. There’s  of energy to tap into.

At the same time we have the Saturn/Neptune conjunction in the late degrees of Pisces – preparing to go into the dynamic sign of Aries – Neptune on the 26th and Saturn on Feb 14.

I was listening to a lecture by Melanie Reinhart this morning and she said that she thinks of the end of a cycle as a time of endings which make space for something new to be born.

The movement of these two planets into Aries indicates a time to move on- to let go of things that didn’t work out and take action  on creating the new.

There are a number of significant planetary changes coming in 2026. We are entering a new era. Cultivating inner balance will be helpful throughout the year.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A hidden choir singing during a religious service.”

 

 

 

“In out-of-the-way places of the heart
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
The beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your  desire,
Feeling the emptiness grow inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

Then the flight when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground.
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.” John O’Donohue

We’re making our way to some  astrology which will help with new starts and increased energy as Saturn and Neptune make their way into the sign of action – Aries: Neptune on January 26 and  Saturn in mid February.

Neptune is associated with dissolution and disillusionment (along with other things.) If you have had aspirations or plans for this year which did not come to fruition the way you would have hoped,  now -as Neptune moves through the final degrees of Pisces –  is a good time to look at this area of your life. Some plans may have needed more grounding or a stronger foundation. And some may need to be left behind to create space the new.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”Light breaking  into many colors as it passes through a prism.”

Sabian symbols from Lynda Hill

 

 

 

 

“To move
Frantic, like comets,  towards our bliss,
Forgetting that we always miss,
And so to seek and fly the sun,
By turns, around which love should run.” Gerard Manley Hopkins

Throughour time the appearance of a comet was considered extremely significant to astrologers. Comets were seen as messengers – bringing to light hidden information and signalling energy shifts both personally and for the collective.

The comet 31/ATLAS (You’d think there might be a more poetic name!) made its closest pass to earth on December 19 – in close proximity to the New Moon on the 19th and the Winter Solstice on the 21.

The chart for the Winter Solstice is said to describe the time between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. The comet as is part of that picture – indicating the influence of the comet throughout this time.

Comets herald a time of a new beginning and the potential to move to a state of consciousness which is more appropriately aligned with the time in which we are living. Comets also associated with increased compassion and awareness.

It’s wise throughout this season to provide down time to integrate information which may surface.

 

“Scorates had it wrong. It’s not the unexamined,  but finally, the uncommitted life that is not worth living.” William Sloane Coffin

“Genuine commitment is a journey into the unknown.” Madonna Kolbenschlag

Winter arrived Sunday at the Winter Solstice – when the Sun entered Capricorn. Still, there are several planets and asteroids in the sign of Sagittarius now, including Venus and Juno which are conjunct for the next few days.

The sign of Sagttarius is associated with distant horizons – both inner and outer. Outer horizons in terms of travel and foreign countries and cultures and inner horizons in terms of philosophy and learning  -which also broaden our understanding.

Juno is the goddess of commitment – the kind of commitments we make to ourselves and to others. For the next few days it’s  a good time to open the door to new ideas for the future . What is it you’d like to be committed to working towards in the New Year?

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is, “The sculptor’s vision is slowly but surely taking form.”

Sabian symbols from Lynda Hill

 

 

 

 

 

“In finding peace and recognizing the light within yourself, we say there is a hearth inside your heart where the Creator has given you something very sacred, a special duty, an understanding. And now is the time  for us to to clean out those hearths, to let that inner light glow.” Dhyani Ywahoo

“Who knows what Romance, what Adventure, what Love is lurking around the next turn of the road, ready to leap out at us if we’ll only travel that far?” Jack London

I was visiting with a friend the other day when she received a phone call from her daughter. She  had called because she was ambivalent about a decision she had to make. My friend said to her, “Where do you want to be in ten years? In twenty years?” These are good questions to be asking this week with the strong Sagittarian influence.

The week starts off with a number of planets and asteroids in the adventurous sign of Sagittarius. This sign rules the ninth  house – the house of higher understanding, philosophy, religion and publishing.  It’s a good time for expanding horizons, reframing  obstacles and looking for new solutions to old problems.

Friday’s fiery  New Moon will join the Sun, Juno,Venus, Mercury and the Dark Moon in this expansive sign.

Juno, the goddess of marriage and commitment in general, will be making a tense alignment with Saturn. It’s wise, under this influence to consider commitments. What is it you believe enough to commit to over the long haul?  A good time for questioning and revisiting.

Mars is  newly arrived in Capricorn. This is good for pragmatics and planning. For building a solid foundation for new aspirations.

Venus will be creating a harmonious trine to Chiron. the asteroid of the Wounded Healer. This provides good timing for forgiveness – of self and others.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”The Ocean covered with whitecaps.”

Sabian symbols from Lynda Hill

 

“Behind the overly Yang qualities which have predominated in the mainstream world for a long time, the deep Yin has been quietly gathering strength. Flow and movement return at this deeper level, in time to greet the seasonal ‘Rebirth of the Sun’ at the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.  We are seasonally immersed in both dark and light, a fundamental feature of our life on earth.” Melanie Reinhart

“Still, what I want in my life
is to be willing
to be dazzled-
to cast aside the weight of facts
and maybe even
to float a little
above this difficult world.
I want to believe  I am looking
into the white-fire of a great mystery. ” Mary Oliver

The Winter Solstice arrives on December 21 at 10:03 AM EDT when the Sun enters Capricorn.  It falls on the heels of the New Moon in Sagittarius on the 19th. In writing about this time,  author and astrologer, Melanie Reinhart wrote, “Could it be an invitation to pause the world of in-formation while we allow ourselves to be informed by the stream of knowing wisdom which resides in the heart?”

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is “An old owl, perched up in a tree.”

Sabian symbols from Lynda Hill

“She generally gave herself very good advice, though she very seldom she followed it.” Lewis Carroll.

“Here’s a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished. If you’re alive, it isn’t.” Richard Bach

Neptune, the god of all things ethereal, is slowing down to station direct on the 10th  at 29 degrees of Pisces. Whenever a planet is slowing down to station- either direct or retrograde -its influence is particularly strong. This is a time when Neptune is spreading his gossamer veil over the landscape and things may very well not be what they seem. Best to wait til the end of the week to make important decisions.

It is a good influence for the imagination – for artwork and spiritual endeavors.

All week long it is wise to slow down. Mercury will be opposing Uranus – indicating that plans can change suddenly and there can be unexpected news and surprising events.

Best to make  sure all important info is backed up .

This is a nerrvy combination. It’s bodes well to provide extra down time and nurture the nervous system.

Mars will be squaring Saturn on Tuesday . Astrologers sometimes describe this alignment as driving with the gas and the brakes on. It can be frustrating and  throw obstacles in your path. Extra patience will help.

Later in the week  on the 11th Mercury will make a harmonious trine to Neptune and enter Sagittarius. Venus, the goddess of love and pleasure, will be squaring the Lunar Nodes of destiny and life path,  This is a good time to pursue aspirations with a sense of adventure.

Mercury will sextile Pluto at the end of the week – this gives mental power and depth and bodes well for serious conversations and getting to the bottom of things.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is, “A bluebird, a sign of good luck and happiness, is standing at the door of a house.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

 

 

 

I have a friend who is an astrologer and he refers to certain people who appear at an auspicious time as, “agents of the planet.” What he means by this is people who appear in our lives – for a moment or longer- who symbolize the influence of a planetary transit an individual is having. I call them “people at the gate” because they can be message bearers in a symbolic sense and point the way forward at a significant time.

In ancient times there were often  statues of Mercury at the crossroads – pointing the way. Throughout time Mercury has been known as a message bearer

Thursday’s Full Moon is at 13 degrees  of Gemini – Mercury’s sign –  at 6:14 PM EST. It forms a square aspect to the Lunar Nodes of life path and destiny which are are 13 degrees of Pisces and Virgo.

They say in the old texts that the influence of the Full Moon is “three days coming and three days going.”  It’s wise to raise awareness this week to information which may come in unusual forms that can provide insight on the path forward.

The Gemini influence this may indicate  a need to alter or update your thinking or the way you communicate.

The South Node is in Virgo indicates a good time to release habits that have a history to them in terms of presenting obstacles to a desired way forward.  This can have to do with excessive worry or perfectionism.

One of the Sabian symbols for  the Full Moon is, “Two people at widely different points, are in conversation with each other by means of telepathy.”

Sabian symbols from Lynda Hill

Tarot Card readings can provide innovative insights to vexing situations. Readings start at $40.

 

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I may be.” Lao Tzu

“Just as the trees shed their leaves, the fall is a time of letting go. It’s a time of personal reflection, releasing negativity and nurturing seeds of what we want to grow in the future.”Lauren Becker

It’s another busy week  in the starry heavens.

In the first part of the week Mars in Virgo will be squaring  the Lunar Nodes, which govern life path and destiny. There is considerable energy here through Wednesday or so, to overcome obstacles from the past that have hindered movement forward.

A square to the Nodes represents a certain kind of gate time when it’s good to look at how you use your power  in implementing with your initiatives.  It’s a good time for reclarifying or resetting this area of life if necessary.

It’s also a good time to strengthen courage and conviction for the journey ahead.

Mercury is conjunct Venus at 22 degrees of Scorpio. This alignment can help with the resolution of differences and for balancing head and heart.

Venus, Jupiter and Saturn form a harmonious grand time. Jupiter throughout time has been associated with good luck and good things. This is a harmonious combination and bodes well for pleasure and enjoyment. Jupiter with Venus can be a very loving alignment.

Saturn stations direct on Friday at 25 degrees of Pisces conjunct Neptune . Now is the time to get to work with stalled out projects and with new initiatives. Saturn is the strict teacher and is about – among other things – responsibility. A lot can be learned under a  Saturn retrograde period but the direct station indicates a time to take what you have learned and  commit to putting it into action.

The Mercury retrograde period ends on Saturday the 29th. Mercury stations are associated with a culmination of information. It’s wise for a few days before and after the station to raise awareness about information may surface at this time..

Venus will oppose Uranus at 29  degrees of Scorpio and Taurus at the end of the week. There can be surprises, sudden changes of plans. This alignment  also governs unexpected and  love-at-first sight  relationships.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,” A fertile garden under the Full Moon.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill