December 2016 Newsletter
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The thread that gathers momentum as the month progresses is the Saturn/Capricorn story: Saturn opposes the Full Moon and forms a wide conjunction with the Solstice chart, Mercury retrogrades in Capricorn and the New Moon at the end of the month also falls in the sign of Capricorn.
Blessings
Christine Rothwell
0438 730 133
Email: christinerothwell@outlook.com
Website: www.christine-rothwell.com
The thread that gathers momentum as the month progresses is the Saturn/Capricorn story: Saturn opposes the Full Moon and forms a wide conjunction with the Solstice chart, Mercury retrogrades in Capricorn and the New Moon at the end of the month also falls in the sign of Capricorn.
Blessings
Christine Rothwell
0438 730 133
Email: christinerothwell@outlook.com
Website: www.christine-rothwell.com
Early Bird Rates for 2017 Astrology Classes
Enrolment for 2017 Astrology classes is now open and there is an extra special early bird rate for those who pay the first term fees by mid-January. Please email if you would like more information.
All classes will be held at Sandy Beach Community Centre on Beach Road, Sandringham.
First year classes will be held on Thursday evenings
Second year classes will be held on Tuesday evenings.
The Advanced Group meets on the second Saturday afternoon each month, beginning in February.
Enrolment for 2017 Astrology classes is now open and there is an extra special early bird rate for those who pay the first term fees by mid-January. Please email if you would like more information.
All classes will be held at Sandy Beach Community Centre on Beach Road, Sandringham.
First year classes will be held on Thursday evenings
Second year classes will be held on Tuesday evenings.
The Advanced Group meets on the second Saturday afternoon each month, beginning in February.
The 2018 Federation of Australian Astrologers Conference will be held in Melbourne during January 2018. Click on the link below for more information.
http://www.faainc.org.au/faa-conference-2018/
http://www.faainc.org.au/faa-conference-2018/
Contents
November begins with Chiron and Uranus retrograde: Mercury joins them on the19th.
All the dates below are for Australian Eastern Daylight Time.
December Overview
The December Full Moon falls on December 14 at close to 22 Gemini, emphasizing the Gemini / Sagittarius polarity and highlighting issues around communication, speaking our truth, sibling relationships, learning and understanding how the mind works.
The full moon creates a kite configuration that is formed by a grand trine in air [Moon trines Mars and Jupiter] and a tight opposition with Saturn at 19 Sagittarius [conjunct the Sun at 22 Sag], forming the tail of this kite. The air grand trine with the full moon in Gemini at its apex is encouraging us to verbalize our feelings and speak our truth, but there is a need to beware of getting carried away with our ideas and forcing them on others .
The opposition from Saturn challenges us to ground our words and thoughts in reality and to take responsibility for what we say and think. At its most powerful this can be speaking with the voice of authority, but there is danger in acting authoritarian rather than being authoritative.
- December Overview
- The Summer Solstice
- Consultations and Gift Certificates
- 2017 Astrology Classes
November begins with Chiron and Uranus retrograde: Mercury joins them on the19th.
All the dates below are for Australian Eastern Daylight Time.
- December 3: Mercury to Capricorn
- December 8: Venus to Aquarius
- December 14: Full Moon in Gemini
- December 19: Mercury retrograde
- December 19: Mars to Pisces
- December 21: Summer Solstice / Sun to Capricorn
- December 25: Saturn trine Uranus
- December 27: Jupiter opposite Uranus
- December 29: Uranus direct
- December 29: New Moon in Capricorn
December Overview
The December Full Moon falls on December 14 at close to 22 Gemini, emphasizing the Gemini / Sagittarius polarity and highlighting issues around communication, speaking our truth, sibling relationships, learning and understanding how the mind works.
The full moon creates a kite configuration that is formed by a grand trine in air [Moon trines Mars and Jupiter] and a tight opposition with Saturn at 19 Sagittarius [conjunct the Sun at 22 Sag], forming the tail of this kite. The air grand trine with the full moon in Gemini at its apex is encouraging us to verbalize our feelings and speak our truth, but there is a need to beware of getting carried away with our ideas and forcing them on others .
The opposition from Saturn challenges us to ground our words and thoughts in reality and to take responsibility for what we say and think. At its most powerful this can be speaking with the voice of authority, but there is danger in acting authoritarian rather than being authoritative.
Mercury Retrograde
Mercury moves retrograde on December 19 at close to 15 degrees of Capricorn and remains retrograde until January 8 when it turns direct at close to 29 degrees of Sagittarius. Please be aware that the retrograde phenomenon is activated from the time that Mercury enters the loop to the time that it leaves; from around December 2 to January 28. The most chaotic times are when Mercury stations – the few days around December 19 and January 8 when Mercury adjusts to the change of direction.
Key dates & degrees
The whole retrograde phase is a potent time for reflection and review … a time when we can become aware of habitual beliefs and thought patterns and make the adjustments necessary to align our thinking with the person we are now. This is a great time to meditate, reflect, research, seek answers, sort out your paperwork, return calls and generally attend to all the things you have been too busy to do earlier.
Mercury is retrograding in the earth signs this year, challenging us to become more GROUNDED and PRAGMATIC. The retrograde cycles are a call to re-evaluate how we relate to the MATERIAL WORLD and the EARTHY domains of career, finances, ambition, work, daily routines and our relationship with our bodies.
Mercury retrograde in Capricorn focuses our attention on the area of our chart where Capricorn is found and review how we relate to the Capricorn realms of authority, authority figures [both internal and external], ambition, duty, responsibility and success. The New Moon on December 29 also falls in the sign of Capricorn, further emphasizing these themes and perhaps bringing them more forcefully to our attention.
Currently Mercury is still visible in the evening sky but he will disappear from view for about 10 days when he is lost in the blaze of the Sun. Mercury disappears around December 25 and will re-appear in the sky just before sunrise around January 3. In esoteric terms this is the most intense and powerful part of the retrograde process as this when Mercury assumes his alter ego as Psychopomp and Guide to the Underworld. In this role Mercury is associated with the Egyptian scribe Thoth, who has access to the Halls of Record [Akashic records]. It is during this phase that we may have our most powerful insights and shifts, peaking around December 29 when the new cycle begins at the Inferior Conjunction of Mercury and the Sun. Esoteric writers suggest that the retrograde phase of Mercury creates an opening that allows access to the wisdom of our soul and the wisdom of the Cosmos.
Remember, Mercury retrograde always provides us with the opportunity to free our thinking from habitual ruts and develop a more conscious set of mental attitudes and beliefs. Concerns may arise early in the retrograde phase but around the time the new cycle begins on December 29 when new solutions and insight may emerge. Sit with your insights until after January 8 when Mercury goes direct. The next few weeks are the time to express your insights and put new plans into action.
December New Moon
The December New Moon falls on December 29 at close to 8 Capricorn illuminating the energy of Capricorn and the area of our chart [and psyche] where Capricorn falls.
Mercury moves retrograde on December 19 at close to 15 degrees of Capricorn and remains retrograde until January 8 when it turns direct at close to 29 degrees of Sagittarius. Please be aware that the retrograde phenomenon is activated from the time that Mercury enters the loop to the time that it leaves; from around December 2 to January 28. The most chaotic times are when Mercury stations – the few days around December 19 and January 8 when Mercury adjusts to the change of direction.
Key dates & degrees
- Exact dates: retrograde: December 19 to January 8.
- Sensitive degrees: 29 Sagittarius to 15 Capricorn
- Full time of influence: December 2 to January 28
- Time for insight: around December 29 when the new Mercury cycle begins at the Inferior Conjunction of Mercury and the Sun
- Time to act on new ideas / beliefs: January 8 to 28
The whole retrograde phase is a potent time for reflection and review … a time when we can become aware of habitual beliefs and thought patterns and make the adjustments necessary to align our thinking with the person we are now. This is a great time to meditate, reflect, research, seek answers, sort out your paperwork, return calls and generally attend to all the things you have been too busy to do earlier.
Mercury is retrograding in the earth signs this year, challenging us to become more GROUNDED and PRAGMATIC. The retrograde cycles are a call to re-evaluate how we relate to the MATERIAL WORLD and the EARTHY domains of career, finances, ambition, work, daily routines and our relationship with our bodies.
Mercury retrograde in Capricorn focuses our attention on the area of our chart where Capricorn is found and review how we relate to the Capricorn realms of authority, authority figures [both internal and external], ambition, duty, responsibility and success. The New Moon on December 29 also falls in the sign of Capricorn, further emphasizing these themes and perhaps bringing them more forcefully to our attention.
Currently Mercury is still visible in the evening sky but he will disappear from view for about 10 days when he is lost in the blaze of the Sun. Mercury disappears around December 25 and will re-appear in the sky just before sunrise around January 3. In esoteric terms this is the most intense and powerful part of the retrograde process as this when Mercury assumes his alter ego as Psychopomp and Guide to the Underworld. In this role Mercury is associated with the Egyptian scribe Thoth, who has access to the Halls of Record [Akashic records]. It is during this phase that we may have our most powerful insights and shifts, peaking around December 29 when the new cycle begins at the Inferior Conjunction of Mercury and the Sun. Esoteric writers suggest that the retrograde phase of Mercury creates an opening that allows access to the wisdom of our soul and the wisdom of the Cosmos.
Remember, Mercury retrograde always provides us with the opportunity to free our thinking from habitual ruts and develop a more conscious set of mental attitudes and beliefs. Concerns may arise early in the retrograde phase but around the time the new cycle begins on December 29 when new solutions and insight may emerge. Sit with your insights until after January 8 when Mercury goes direct. The next few weeks are the time to express your insights and put new plans into action.
December New Moon
The December New Moon falls on December 29 at close to 8 Capricorn illuminating the energy of Capricorn and the area of our chart [and psyche] where Capricorn falls.
The New Moon in Capricorn always invites us to reflect on how we relate to the Capricorn archetype, the masculine principle and the world of career and achievement. Capricorn is connected with claiming our authority, our relationship with authority figures, ambition, duty, responsibility, hard work, discipline and pragmatism. The shadow side of Capricorn can be authoritarian, judgemental, cold, tyrannical and ruthless and it can also be internalized as a strong inner critic that undermines our efforts to succeed and claim our authority.
This New Moon is an invitation to reflect on our relationship with authority, ambition and achievement as well as understand what duty and responsibility means to us at this point in our lives. Remember, we have a responsibility to ourselves as well as our family and careers.
Mercury retrograde forms a tight conjunction with the New Moon while Pluto forms a wide conjunction, suggesting this is a powerful time for reflection and becoming more conscious of the power of our words and our thoughts. It is a very potent time to reflect on your New Year’s resolutions and indulge in some very honest self-reflection. How you can take more responsibility for yourself and the things that you would like to achieve in your life and what you are realistically willing to commit to in the year ahead?
Saturn and Capricorn are not interested in dreams and magical thinking but can assist you to manifest your dreams if you are willing to focus on them and do the hard work necessary on both the material and energetic levels. This means taking physical action as well as looking at the underlying beliefs and fears that may limit their manifestation.
Uranus stations direct
Uranus makes it station at 20 Aries 33 on December 29, the day of the New Moon, adding a restless energy to the mix. Uranus has spent the last five months retrograde - as it does each year - and it now sitting still [making his station], preparing to once more regain forward momentum. Uranus, the Great Awakener, symbolizes the urge to change, break free of limitations and express our individuality so sit with any impulsive plans that emerge around this time to make sure they are an authentic expression of your true self, not just a reaction to your circumstances and environment, especially with all the heavy Saturnian and Capricorn energy slowing things down.
The Summer Solstice
At 9.44pm on December 21 [Australian Eastern Daylight Time] the Sun will reach its maximum declination south as it moves into the sign of Capricorn. This marks the Summer Solstice in the southern hemisphere and the Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere.
The Solstice chart contains the Sun is a wide conjunction to Saturn and a tighter square to the Moon as it occurs, emphasizing the Saturnian theme that has featured strongly throughout the month and suggesting it may be a feature of the next 3 months.
This New Moon is an invitation to reflect on our relationship with authority, ambition and achievement as well as understand what duty and responsibility means to us at this point in our lives. Remember, we have a responsibility to ourselves as well as our family and careers.
Mercury retrograde forms a tight conjunction with the New Moon while Pluto forms a wide conjunction, suggesting this is a powerful time for reflection and becoming more conscious of the power of our words and our thoughts. It is a very potent time to reflect on your New Year’s resolutions and indulge in some very honest self-reflection. How you can take more responsibility for yourself and the things that you would like to achieve in your life and what you are realistically willing to commit to in the year ahead?
Saturn and Capricorn are not interested in dreams and magical thinking but can assist you to manifest your dreams if you are willing to focus on them and do the hard work necessary on both the material and energetic levels. This means taking physical action as well as looking at the underlying beliefs and fears that may limit their manifestation.
Uranus stations direct
Uranus makes it station at 20 Aries 33 on December 29, the day of the New Moon, adding a restless energy to the mix. Uranus has spent the last five months retrograde - as it does each year - and it now sitting still [making his station], preparing to once more regain forward momentum. Uranus, the Great Awakener, symbolizes the urge to change, break free of limitations and express our individuality so sit with any impulsive plans that emerge around this time to make sure they are an authentic expression of your true self, not just a reaction to your circumstances and environment, especially with all the heavy Saturnian and Capricorn energy slowing things down.
The Summer Solstice
At 9.44pm on December 21 [Australian Eastern Daylight Time] the Sun will reach its maximum declination south as it moves into the sign of Capricorn. This marks the Summer Solstice in the southern hemisphere and the Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere.
The Solstice chart contains the Sun is a wide conjunction to Saturn and a tighter square to the Moon as it occurs, emphasizing the Saturnian theme that has featured strongly throughout the month and suggesting it may be a feature of the next 3 months.
The Summer Solstice marks the time of the longest days and shortest nights when the Sun reaches the mid-point of the cycle that began 6 months earlier at the Winter Solstice. The Solstice is a paradox that is well known to those who reach middle age – as soon as the Sun has reached the peak of His power the days begin to shorten and His power will soon wane even though the hottest days are still to come [Due to a seasonal lag in heating the surface of the Earth].
The Summer Solstice is always a time of review as it mirrors the energy of the Full Moon, both being half way points in the cycle. Traditionally it was a time of rest and relaxation before the hard work of the autumn harvest.
Christmas is a Winter Solstice celebration and always feels a little strange when celebrated at the height of summer in the Southern Hemisphere. The anniversary of the birth of Christ was placed close to the old pagan Winter Solstice Sabbat that honoured the rebirth of the Sun God from the darkness of winter. It is important to find a way to honour the Spirit of Place here in the Southern Hemisphere by acknowledging the energy of summer.
To honour the Spirit of Place here in Australia you can have a special Solstice meal that includes seasonal produce – summer foods rather than heavy winter dishes we associate with Christmas. I light gold and silver candles to honour the Sun and the Moon. I then offer them my thanks for the abundance that Mother Earth and Father Sun have given me throughout the year and ask for their blessing for the harvest yet to come.
If you would like something more reflective, even as part of your Christmas meal, you can invite everyone to share their hopes for the coming autumn harvest and light a candle in a colour that symbolizes the harvest. You could use one group candle or each person could have their own candle in a colour that is personally symbolic of the harvest they desire. As the candle[s] burns, see your desires manifesting and reflect on what may need to be done to ensure an abundant harvest.
For those of you who would prefer a more private ritual here is another offering.
Ground and centre yourself then call to your Guides and Angels for their guidance and protection. Light a gold candle to honour the Summer Sun then close your eyes and centre yourself. Imagine that you are travelling in the lunar crescent with the Goddess. She invites you to reflect on what you are seeking to manifest in your life and what want to see grow in the full light and fertility of the Summer Sun. Allow yourself to receive whatever you need to manifest your harvest along with Her blessings. Open to Her wisdom and visualize your desires manifesting in the weeks and months ahead.
The December Solstice & the Mayan Long Count
The Capricorn Solstice is currently marking the time each year when the Sun aligns with dark band of sky near the centre of our galaxy [NOT THE ACTUAL GALACTIC CENTRE]. The peak of this cycle was December 21 2012. This event takes place every 26,000 years [approximately] and it is a 36 year process. The end of the Mayan Long Count seems to be dated to coincide with this event, suggesting that the ancient Mayans had a very advanced knowledge of astronomy and mathematics. To the Mayans this area of the sky [the dark band near the centre of our galaxy, the Milky Way] marked the original point of creation and was said to be the pathway to the Gods who dwelled in there [in an underworld setting], in a place they called Xibalba. The symbolism of this alignment suggests humanity has access to information directly ‘from the Gods’, but that it involves a symbolic death as well as rebirth.
For more information refer to the full article which was first published in the December 2012 Newsletter and republished in the December 2013 and 2014 editions available on my website
What Can I Do?
This Solstice [and every Solstice until2030] is a potent time to open your-self to this energy through meditation or other reflective practices. There are two tasks on two levels of consciousness that are suggested by the imagery.
Personally we can find a way to open our hearts and reflect on our shadow, especially the fears that limit us from moving forward. We need to find a way to embrace this darkness and the fears that reside here, rather than run from them.
Pema Chodron, a wonderful Buddhist teacher and writer has spent making years helping others with this very process and I highly recommend her work.
Collectively there is a need to create new heart based ways of living and being in the world, including more co-operative social and political structures.
For those of you who are more introverts and not inclined to social action, this is an opportune moment to send love to the planet and visualize a world of peace, harmony and co-operation.
The Summer Solstice is always a time of review as it mirrors the energy of the Full Moon, both being half way points in the cycle. Traditionally it was a time of rest and relaxation before the hard work of the autumn harvest.
Christmas is a Winter Solstice celebration and always feels a little strange when celebrated at the height of summer in the Southern Hemisphere. The anniversary of the birth of Christ was placed close to the old pagan Winter Solstice Sabbat that honoured the rebirth of the Sun God from the darkness of winter. It is important to find a way to honour the Spirit of Place here in the Southern Hemisphere by acknowledging the energy of summer.
To honour the Spirit of Place here in Australia you can have a special Solstice meal that includes seasonal produce – summer foods rather than heavy winter dishes we associate with Christmas. I light gold and silver candles to honour the Sun and the Moon. I then offer them my thanks for the abundance that Mother Earth and Father Sun have given me throughout the year and ask for their blessing for the harvest yet to come.
If you would like something more reflective, even as part of your Christmas meal, you can invite everyone to share their hopes for the coming autumn harvest and light a candle in a colour that symbolizes the harvest. You could use one group candle or each person could have their own candle in a colour that is personally symbolic of the harvest they desire. As the candle[s] burns, see your desires manifesting and reflect on what may need to be done to ensure an abundant harvest.
For those of you who would prefer a more private ritual here is another offering.
Ground and centre yourself then call to your Guides and Angels for their guidance and protection. Light a gold candle to honour the Summer Sun then close your eyes and centre yourself. Imagine that you are travelling in the lunar crescent with the Goddess. She invites you to reflect on what you are seeking to manifest in your life and what want to see grow in the full light and fertility of the Summer Sun. Allow yourself to receive whatever you need to manifest your harvest along with Her blessings. Open to Her wisdom and visualize your desires manifesting in the weeks and months ahead.
The December Solstice & the Mayan Long Count
The Capricorn Solstice is currently marking the time each year when the Sun aligns with dark band of sky near the centre of our galaxy [NOT THE ACTUAL GALACTIC CENTRE]. The peak of this cycle was December 21 2012. This event takes place every 26,000 years [approximately] and it is a 36 year process. The end of the Mayan Long Count seems to be dated to coincide with this event, suggesting that the ancient Mayans had a very advanced knowledge of astronomy and mathematics. To the Mayans this area of the sky [the dark band near the centre of our galaxy, the Milky Way] marked the original point of creation and was said to be the pathway to the Gods who dwelled in there [in an underworld setting], in a place they called Xibalba. The symbolism of this alignment suggests humanity has access to information directly ‘from the Gods’, but that it involves a symbolic death as well as rebirth.
For more information refer to the full article which was first published in the December 2012 Newsletter and republished in the December 2013 and 2014 editions available on my website
What Can I Do?
This Solstice [and every Solstice until2030] is a potent time to open your-self to this energy through meditation or other reflective practices. There are two tasks on two levels of consciousness that are suggested by the imagery.
Personally we can find a way to open our hearts and reflect on our shadow, especially the fears that limit us from moving forward. We need to find a way to embrace this darkness and the fears that reside here, rather than run from them.
Pema Chodron, a wonderful Buddhist teacher and writer has spent making years helping others with this very process and I highly recommend her work.
Collectively there is a need to create new heart based ways of living and being in the world, including more co-operative social and political structures.
For those of you who are more introverts and not inclined to social action, this is an opportune moment to send love to the planet and visualize a world of peace, harmony and co-operation.
May the Goddess & God Bless You All
Christine
www.christine-rothwell.com
christinerothwell@outlook.com
2017 Astrology Classes
Please contact Christine for more information
First Year/ Beginners’ - Thursday nights beginning March 2
Second Year / Intermediate – Tuesday nights beginning February 7
Advanced Group - one Saturday afternoon a month beginning February 11
Christine offers an in-depth psychological and mythological approach to astrology. These classes are suitable for those individuals who are wishing to learn more about themselves as well as those interested in becoming a professional astrologer.
Classes can be taken on a term by term basis and sound files are provided for any classes you miss.
First Year covers all the basics that you need to begin to understand a birth chart.
Second Year goes deeper into horoscope and looks at predictive techniques.
The Advanced Classes gives you the opportunity to integrate what you have learned through a seminar format that allows exposure to more advanced techniques and psychological perspectives.
Please ring or email for a brochure.
christinerothwell@outlook.com
Or
www.christine-rothwell.com
For more information
Consultations & Gift Certificates
Are available as:
Personal Consultations
Mail readings
Skype Readings
Telephone consultations
All consultations are recorded and will be sent to you via an email link.
Gift Certificates are available for most consultations.
AN INITIAL CONSULTATION explores the soul’s journey as revealed through the personal symbol of the birth chart. The focus is on the potential inherent in the birth chart and the challenges that need to be embraced in order to realize this potential.
Other readings available include:
In-depth Consultation: Two one hour sound files exploring both the soul’s journey [see above] and the year ahead.
Chart Up-date: The Year Ahead: Explores the year ahead from a psychological perspective.
Understanding Your Child: A wonderful gift for new parents and explores a child’s unique needs, motivations, potentials and challenges.
Relationship Analysis: Helps explain the dynamic between two people to facilitate their understanding of each other and their relationship.
Relocation: Explains how a different location may impact on your psyche. This can be helpful if you are thinking of re-locating and can be included with any of the above consultations.
Christine
www.christine-rothwell.com
christinerothwell@outlook.com
2017 Astrology Classes
Please contact Christine for more information
First Year/ Beginners’ - Thursday nights beginning March 2
Second Year / Intermediate – Tuesday nights beginning February 7
Advanced Group - one Saturday afternoon a month beginning February 11
Christine offers an in-depth psychological and mythological approach to astrology. These classes are suitable for those individuals who are wishing to learn more about themselves as well as those interested in becoming a professional astrologer.
Classes can be taken on a term by term basis and sound files are provided for any classes you miss.
First Year covers all the basics that you need to begin to understand a birth chart.
Second Year goes deeper into horoscope and looks at predictive techniques.
The Advanced Classes gives you the opportunity to integrate what you have learned through a seminar format that allows exposure to more advanced techniques and psychological perspectives.
Please ring or email for a brochure.
christinerothwell@outlook.com
Or
www.christine-rothwell.com
For more information
Consultations & Gift Certificates
Are available as:
Personal Consultations
Mail readings
Skype Readings
Telephone consultations
All consultations are recorded and will be sent to you via an email link.
Gift Certificates are available for most consultations.
AN INITIAL CONSULTATION explores the soul’s journey as revealed through the personal symbol of the birth chart. The focus is on the potential inherent in the birth chart and the challenges that need to be embraced in order to realize this potential.
Other readings available include:
In-depth Consultation: Two one hour sound files exploring both the soul’s journey [see above] and the year ahead.
Chart Up-date: The Year Ahead: Explores the year ahead from a psychological perspective.
Understanding Your Child: A wonderful gift for new parents and explores a child’s unique needs, motivations, potentials and challenges.
Relationship Analysis: Helps explain the dynamic between two people to facilitate their understanding of each other and their relationship.
Relocation: Explains how a different location may impact on your psyche. This can be helpful if you are thinking of re-locating and can be included with any of the above consultations.