The Astrology Blog 9 December 2019
All times in GMT
” do not look for healing
at the feet of those
who broke you”
― Rupi Kaur, Milk and Honey – a collection of poetry and prose about survival
This is a really big week. The themes are transition, choices, healing and toughening up, especially in terms of personal boundaries and maturity. So much is written about nurturing the child in us, recognizing the little boy or girl inside all of us, but this week it’s about releasing old hurts, valuing the lessons learned and honouring the adult you’ve become.
The first point of transition is Mercury the mind planet finally moving out of Scorpio –
Monday 9 December
- Mercury ingress Sagittarius 09.43
Here’s the sequence in totality –
- 3 October Mercury entered Scorpio
- 31 October Mercury turned retrograde at 27 Scorpio
- 20 November Mercury turned direct at 11 Scorpio
- 7 December Mercury emerged from “shadow” – ie came back to 27 Scorpio the degree at which he turned retrograde
- 9 December Mercury enters Sagittarius
Scorpio is associated with huge intensity – deep thinking, personal power, control issues, death and rebirth, regenerative and transformative processes. For many of us these past two months have reflected a time of soul searching, dealing with complex situations or relationships, reaching levels of much deeper understanding and preparing for the changes that need to be made. As one of my advanced students said to me this week, with a wisdom beyond her young age that strikes me again and again, if we resist the things that obviously need to change then the universe will do it for us, and when the universe has to step in then it’s usually in a way that is much more dramatic than was originally needed and that’s when things can get really messy! Yay, Marquita, my wise one!
The other point about Mercury moving out of shadow is that this signals the moment of his being back up to full speed. The change of sign is therefore a double underlining of this new cycle. Mercury will be at full throttle as he whizzes through Sagittarius, between now and the end of the year that is already hurtling towards us (Mercury moves into Capricorn 29 Dec). As above, so below, new insights could bring rapid decisions, new information or offers could link to positive rethinks or opportunities that you’ll want to grab.
Consecutive signs work as opposites. So whereas Scorpio is mysterious, secretive and concerned with power in all its guises, Sagittarius is an open book, gets ill or depressed when having to keep feelings hidden, and is concerned with freedom, fairness, warmth and wanderlust. Scorpio is the control freak in us, Sagittarius is the truth freak. We all thrive when we are being true to ourselves, but this arguably applies to Sagittarius more than any other sign. There is nothing sadder than a trapped Sagittarian. It’s on a par with an unloved Leo or an un-admired Aries. All the fire signs represent the spark of life itself.
Back to Mercury’s change of sign, it’s worth noting that in terms of traditional astrology this isn’t the easiest of combinations. Mercury rules the opposite sign of Gemini, quick minded and clever with language, and is therefore said to be in “detriment” in Sagittarius, who just says it how it is without stopping to think! Open mouth, insert foot. But after two months of struggling through the deep dark slow waters of Scorpio some unrestrained expression is long overdue and quite possibly what is needed. So say it how it is, know your own truth, unlock the doors and fling open the windows, let the light come flooding in and breathe in the air of optimism and freedom of speech. If you offend someone, so what? You’re entitled to your opinion and it doesn’t have to match everyone else’s. History is not full of names who were conformists.
Such are the kind of themes that we can expect to see highlighted midweek when the Full Moon in Gemini coincides with Chiron the Wounded Healer turning direct, having been retrograde for the last five months, since 8 July –
Thursday 12 December
- Chiron turns direct 1.26 Aries 03.47
- Full Moon 20 Gemini 05.13
Much is being written about these two events falling on the 12th day of the 12th month. According to Numerology 12/12 “offers us the needed energy to transform our key relationships, reminding us that the people we choose to surround ourselves with makes an enormous impact on the way we think, act or feel.” This is such an important point and is quoted from an article that you’ll find on this link –
https://willowsoul.com/blogs/numbers/3-reasons-why-you-are-seeing-12-12-the-meaning-of-1212
When I was searching for the exact time of Chiron turning direct (not listed in my Ephemerides) I came across another excellent article –
https://foreverconscious.com/chiron-direct-and-the-spiritual-significance-of-12-12-19
You can read the whole feature on the above link but I think it’s worth quoting at least part of her article in full as Tanaaz’s comments and analysis are spot on and I couldn’t have put it better myself!
“Anytime a planet stations, which happens when it starts and ends its retrograde, it is the most potent and we tend to feel the energies more strongly. It is on these pivotal days that we can really harness and lessons that are being sent our way if we only stop and pay attention.
While everyone will feel this energy differently, here are some universal themes that Chiron is guiding us to work on in this placement in Aries:
1.) Our physical health and wellbeing: Chiron rules over healing, and Aries rules over the head. We may need to pay attention to illnesses involving the head, sinuses or eyes and to look deeper to ensure we are taking care of ourselves and listening to the wisdom of our body.
2.) Our mental health and wellbeing: Chiron in Aries wants us to become authentic leaders of our own lives. It wants us to be proactive and to step out of the victim mindset. If we haven’t been doing this, we may receive a wake-up call or we may find that our thoughts around a particular situation or belief start to change.
3.) Our emotional well being: Chiron in Aries wants us to stand up for ourselves! If we have been failing to do so, or need to set some boundaries, issues in these areas may present themselves. This energy may also awaken old anger and push it to the surface for clearing.
4.) Our spiritual wellbeing: Chiron in Aries will be guiding us to ask- “Who am I?”We may have to get real with ourselves on a deeper level and to figure out if our motivation for doing something is aligned with the person we want to be.
5.) Our soul wellbeing: Chiron in Aries will be guiding us to reach levels of self-acceptance like never before. We all have wounds, we have all experienced traumas, and reaching a level of acceptance with this and knowing that despite it all we can still be whole, is the path to healing under this energy.
Do any of these themes or lessons stand out to you at this time?
There is strong potential for us to experience a breakthrough at this time on areas of healing that we have been working on… we may experience a release or a letting go that allows us to take our healing to the next level.”
CHIRON IN ARIES
So, Chiron getting back on track in Aries, sign of the ego and the self, is about doing what’s right for YOU. We have to be in the best possible shape that we can be if we’re going to be of any use to anyone else and fulfill the role we’re supposed to be serving in this world. If you’ve been living your life in a way that suits someone else but is not that great for you, this is the turning point. If someone drifts away or even if a relationship breaks up then this will be the result of a healthy decision. Love is wanting what’s best for the other person, regardless of whether it suits us and regardless of whether we figure in those desires or not. Remember the Wayne Dyer quote from a few weeks ago, that “Love is the ability and willingness to allow those that you care for to be what they choose for themselves without any insistence that they satisfy you“. If we don’t allow this, or if someone doesn’t allow us, then this isn’t love – it’s control.
A slow moving planet turning direct is hugely important and especially if you have natal planets in the line of fire. For example, Chiron’s journey this year and going into next –
- 1 January Chiron started the year at 28 Pisces
- 18 February Chiron entered Aries
- 8 July Chiron turned retrograde at 5.56 Aries
- 12 December Chiron turns direct at 1.26 Aries
- 12 July 2020 Chiron will turn retrograde again at 9.26 Aries
A client in an abusive relationship has natal Chiron at 3 Aries. This means that she’s experiencing her Chiron Return (which we all do around the age of 51). All the slow moving planets have long meandering journeys – travelling forwards, then ages in retrograde motion, then travelling forwards again. So they make three contacts to natal positions. Transiting Chiron was exactly conjunct this lady’s natal Chiron April, October 2019 and the third and final one will fall in February 2020.
Here’s another point that Marquita and I were discussing (she’s doing the online course for relationship astrology which also involves predictive work, ie timing measures, how to date things) which is the importance of the turning point of a slow planet from retrograde to direct.
In the example above even though Chiron turns direct at 1.26 Aries and will take two months to get back to 3 degrees Aries for the third and final time, it’s still this turning point, from retrograde to direct, that could bring the decisive moment. It’s her chance to do whatever it takes to heal, preferably escape so that she can start afresh. If she doesn’t then events in February are most likely to sort it out. The messier way.
FULL MOON IN GEMINI
The Full Moon is exact within two hours of Chiron’s turning point. At a universal level (ie regardless of the sign or alignment with any other features) remember that Full Moons are about illumination. We see the whole face of the Moon when she’s exactly opposite the Sun and therefore receiving all of his light. Our outer and inner worlds then reflect each other. Everything is out in the open, we can run but we can’t hide. This has got to be at least partly why the monthly culmination of the lunar cycle is about “lunacy”! Whatever is out of alignment is at full stretch and can make us go nuts. When the opposite happens, when everything is IN alignment, then we get the witchy moments.
On this occasion, with this striking combination of major events, whatever or whoever is wounding us should be glaringly obvious. Fortunately, answers should also be self evident, including seeing the things that we’ve been in denial about.
Also look out for themes relating to Gemini, sign of the Twins and therefore about duality and choices. Such as, whose family are we going to for Xmas and which one is going to go nuts if we don’t go?? That’s the kind of scenario to expect! Nobody can be in two places at the same time but if you’re up against dilemmas then consider this – wherever you can arrange to do both rather than either/or, then do so. Gemini is super inventive and great at coming up with all the options.
VENUS IN TROUBLE
For some the transitional nature of this week could bring some really tough crunch points as Venus on her way through Capricorn meets up with both Saturn and Pluto, aspects which fall either side of the Mars – Neptune trine, and either side of Thursday’s Full Moon –
Wednesday 11 December
- Venus conjunct Saturn 19 Capricorn 10.06
Friday 13 December
- Mars 16 Scorpio trine Neptune 16 Pisces 11.57
- Venus conjunct Pluto 21 Capricorn 15.15
It doesn’t matter which way you look at this, it’s not easy. Note that these Venus aspects fall in the awkward quinqunx aspect (5 signs apart) to the Full Moon at 20 Gemini, so does Mars, and disorientating Neptune squares it. Touchy and confusing stuff, especially if you have planets or angles between 16 and 21 degrees of Capricorn or the opposite sign of Cancer, or to a lesser degree the other signs mentioned in this pattern.
Primarily Venus is love. If you’re going through tough relationship issues the main thing to remember is that someone being unloving doesn’t mean that you are unlovable. It’s really important to separate out these two points. What it might mean is all sorts of other things, some fixable and some not. For some, events this week will show once and for all that you’re with the wrong person or that you still have some work to do on letting go of an ex or healing old emotional wounds.
It’s definitely true that we often (always?) don’t realize how unhappy we are when we’re in a relationship going wrong. We just want things to be “how they used to be” and we think that if we hang on long enough this will magically reappear. I’ve been there, done that! Then once we get over an actual breakup we find a sense of relief. We start to be ourselves again. If you’re in romantic trouble please just note that any kind of controlling behavior around or from your partner is a massive red flag. Don’t ignore it.
The advice I gave to a young client yesterday in a relationship crisis, with two of her natal planets at 19 Capricorn, was not to try and hang onto him. Saturn throws up roadblocks for a reason and your frustration is best used by asking, what is this telling me? The same applies to Pluto who is primarily control issues, abuse at worst, and endings. Whatever is swirling down the plughole, let it go. There’s nothing but pain or stress in dredging it up again. If you’re with someone who makes you feel insecure and miserable – why? And why would you want to stay?
The fact that these difficult aspects fall just before Xmas is undeniably problematic as many people delay changes because of a holiday period looming. But if this applies to you it might help to remember that January is the top month for divorce lawyers. No prizes for guessing why. On that note this week’s astrology is also super sensitive for any kind of affair or any kind of triangular situation. The time between now and the next lunation (ie new or full moons) will be critical as we’ll have a New Moon/Solar Eclipse on 26 December at 4 Capricorn. Eclipses – when the three bodies of the Moon, Sun and Earth align and throw shadows – sort out triangles faster than anything else. Who will be overshadowed?
On a less life changing note, this is a picture of minor hassles that can be depressing or which may add up to major headaches. Remember that Venus also rules money. For many this week will bring limitations around Xmas spending, or changes of plan that spring from financial factors. And it definitely makes sense to keep an eye on money matters of all kinds. If you want to be more realistic about spending then use cash instead of a card! There’s something about handing over hard earned notes and coins that makes us more aware of real costs. Avoid borrowing or lending as you may not be able to repay/get repaid on the agreed dates. If you can lend what you can afford to lose if necessary or help out with no strings attached however that is ideal. Also be watchful around your belongings when you’re out and about, and check home security.
Psychologically and back to my opening point at the beginning of this blog I think these Venus aspects will separate the girls from the women, the boys from the men. A poem I heard years ago was going through my head, especially the lines: “With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child”. I found the poem online and have quoted it in full at the end of the blog. The overall message is that whatever might go wrong this week (elections in the UK!) there is no point in ranting and raving. The current Capricorn themes are extremely strong and fortune favours those who are able to accept what they can’t change and to work steadily at what they can.
JUPITER’S FIRST ASPECT – HE’S DOING WHAT?!
Jupiter changes sign roughly once every 12 months, and started a new journey last Monday, moving into Capricorn. This is a steady and resilient combination but it’s Jupiter’s sign of “fall” and can be prone to joylessness and “glass half empty” beliefs. Jupiter’s first aspect however is a positive one to Uranus, planet of dramatic or unexpected changes, so there’s something of a wakeup call about this aspect or some surprises in the mix –
Sunday 15 December
- Jupiter 3 Capricorn trine Uranus 3 Taurus 19.01
No matter what sign he’s in though Jupiter is still the Greater Benefic and signals the things that are good for us. Aligning with Uranus brings the same message although it may well take the shape of silver linings. Jupiter is the master of disguises. There may also be a connection between events taking place this coming weekend and what happened when Jupiter first arrived in Capricorn on 2 December, exactly a week ago. Bear this in mind if you have planets or angles at 3 degrees of anything but especially the earth signs – Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn.
It’s one of those weeks which is so packed with important features that even one or two of them alone would be enough to send something spinning in another direction. But the best comes last, and no matter what this week chucks at you it seems that generous Jupiter is on standby. So stay flexible, be ready to think on your feet and take changes in your stride. But know your personal priorities when it comes to making plans or decisions with far reaching consequences.
Until next week,
with love from Greece
Joanna
Comes the Dawn
After a while you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,
And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
And company doesn’t mean security,
And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts
And presents aren’t promises,
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes open
With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child,
And you learn to build all your roads on today,
Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans,
And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
After a while you learn
That even sunshine burns if you get too much.
So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure…
That you really are strong,
And you really do have worth.
And you learn and learn…
With every goodbye you learn.
Author: Veronica Shoffstall