December 2018
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The serious and reflective mood prevails with both Venus and Mercury still in the retrograde loop / shadow and a strong Saturnian theme developing in the latter half of the month.
Best wishes for the festive season
Christine Rothwell
0438 730 133
Email: christinerothwell@outlook.com
Website: www.christine-rothwell.com
Contents
December begins with only Mercury, Chiron and Uranus retrograde with Mercury stationing direct on the day of the New Moon, December 7th. Note: All the dates below are for Australian Daylight Eastern Time.
While the first part of December sees both Mercury and Venus moving direct, neither is clear of the retrograde shadow until later in the month: Venus is clear by December 18 and Mercury not until December 25.
Venus retrograde has challenged us to explore our values and who and what we hold dear. She may also have challenged us to re-evaluate some relationships and set clearer boundaries that reflect greater self-worth. The time after Venus moves direct and re-covers the degrees of the zodiac that She has moved backwards over – November 16 to December 18 – is the time to start to move forward and honour the insights of the retrograde phase, especially the time after December 8 when Venus conjuncts the Inferior Conjunction seed point of 3 Scorpio for the last time.
Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius is focusing our attention on the area of our chart where Sagittarius is found in our horoscopes and on where and how we would like to grow and expand as well as how we may do this without going overboard. Mercury stations direct on the New Moon [December 7] at close to 27 Scorpio, making the next few weeks as a good time to verbalize and act on new ideas and insights.
December New Moon
The New Moon falls close to 15 Sagittarius on December 7 and forms a wide conjunction to Jupiter and a very tight square to a Mars / Neptune conjunction in Pisces.
Sagittarius is the Jupiter ruled fire sign that is in a continual quest to expand its horizons and engage in the search for meaning. It encompasses the archetypes of the student, the teacher, the traveler, the philosopher and the preacher. The Sagittarius New Moon always challenges us to see the big picture and let go limited perspectives; this is especially so as the New Moon is in a wide [9 degrees] conjunction to Jupiter which began a 12 month transit of its own sign last month.
The square to Mars / Neptune is Pisces can be constructively channeled into creative and spiritual pursuits but this may require conscious effort as the square aspect suggests anger that may be expressed in a passive aggressive or self-destructive way. If you become aware of feeling dis-empowered, see if you can find some time to go inward and ask yourself why. Is there an option to act that does not leave you feeling the victim of your own or others actions?
If you know your personal horoscope, this is a potent time to set an intention relating specifically to the affairs of the house where the lunation falls.
The serious and reflective mood prevails with both Venus and Mercury still in the retrograde loop / shadow and a strong Saturnian theme developing in the latter half of the month.
Best wishes for the festive season
Christine Rothwell
0438 730 133
Email: christinerothwell@outlook.com
Website: www.christine-rothwell.com
Contents
- December Overview
- Summer Solstice
- Consultations and Gift Certificates
- 2019 Astrology Classes
December begins with only Mercury, Chiron and Uranus retrograde with Mercury stationing direct on the day of the New Moon, December 7th. Note: All the dates below are for Australian Daylight Eastern Time.
- December 3: Venus to Scorpio
- December 7: Mercury stations direct
- December 7: New Moon in Sagittarius
- December 13: Mercury to Sagittarius
- December 18: Venus clears the retrograde loop
- December 22: Sun to Capricorn: Summer Solstice
- Dec ember 23: Full Moon in Cancer
- December 25: Mercury clears the retrograde loop
While the first part of December sees both Mercury and Venus moving direct, neither is clear of the retrograde shadow until later in the month: Venus is clear by December 18 and Mercury not until December 25.
Venus retrograde has challenged us to explore our values and who and what we hold dear. She may also have challenged us to re-evaluate some relationships and set clearer boundaries that reflect greater self-worth. The time after Venus moves direct and re-covers the degrees of the zodiac that She has moved backwards over – November 16 to December 18 – is the time to start to move forward and honour the insights of the retrograde phase, especially the time after December 8 when Venus conjuncts the Inferior Conjunction seed point of 3 Scorpio for the last time.
Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius is focusing our attention on the area of our chart where Sagittarius is found in our horoscopes and on where and how we would like to grow and expand as well as how we may do this without going overboard. Mercury stations direct on the New Moon [December 7] at close to 27 Scorpio, making the next few weeks as a good time to verbalize and act on new ideas and insights.
December New Moon
The New Moon falls close to 15 Sagittarius on December 7 and forms a wide conjunction to Jupiter and a very tight square to a Mars / Neptune conjunction in Pisces.
Sagittarius is the Jupiter ruled fire sign that is in a continual quest to expand its horizons and engage in the search for meaning. It encompasses the archetypes of the student, the teacher, the traveler, the philosopher and the preacher. The Sagittarius New Moon always challenges us to see the big picture and let go limited perspectives; this is especially so as the New Moon is in a wide [9 degrees] conjunction to Jupiter which began a 12 month transit of its own sign last month.
The square to Mars / Neptune is Pisces can be constructively channeled into creative and spiritual pursuits but this may require conscious effort as the square aspect suggests anger that may be expressed in a passive aggressive or self-destructive way. If you become aware of feeling dis-empowered, see if you can find some time to go inward and ask yourself why. Is there an option to act that does not leave you feeling the victim of your own or others actions?
If you know your personal horoscope, this is a potent time to set an intention relating specifically to the affairs of the house where the lunation falls.
December Full Moon
The Full Moon falls on December 23, the day after the Summer Solstice [Australian time] at close to 1 degrees of Cancer and is in a wide opposition to Saturn and a tighter square to Mars conjunct Chiron.
Cancer is a water sign that is associated with a need to belong and feel emotionally connected and secure. It symbolizes the parent / child relationship - especially the Mother/nurturer archetype - and home and family life in general. At the Cancer Full Moon the Sun is found in the opposite sign of Capricorn, an earth sign, associated with complimentary polarity of Father, career, public life and our experience of authority.
The Full Moon is opposite the Sun and Saturn [wide 10 degree orb] in Capricorn and square to Chiron. The Capricorn / Saturn theme emphasizes the need to balance feeling, intuition and emotion with earthy pragmatism and ground our Jupiterian visions. Saturn and Capricorn can also create a more sombre and serious mood that can lead to melancholy, especially if we are resisting taking responsibility in some area of our life. Beware that Saturn can activate our inner critics and a harsh perfectionism that can paralyze us.
The square to Chiron invites us to open to healing images in our dreams and to become aware of feelings of rejection, including self-rejection, that emerge and call for healing in the form of greater self-acceptance. Chiron stimulates the urge to individuate and be true to our [Higher] Self.
The Full Moon falls on December 23, the day after the Summer Solstice [Australian time] at close to 1 degrees of Cancer and is in a wide opposition to Saturn and a tighter square to Mars conjunct Chiron.
Cancer is a water sign that is associated with a need to belong and feel emotionally connected and secure. It symbolizes the parent / child relationship - especially the Mother/nurturer archetype - and home and family life in general. At the Cancer Full Moon the Sun is found in the opposite sign of Capricorn, an earth sign, associated with complimentary polarity of Father, career, public life and our experience of authority.
The Full Moon is opposite the Sun and Saturn [wide 10 degree orb] in Capricorn and square to Chiron. The Capricorn / Saturn theme emphasizes the need to balance feeling, intuition and emotion with earthy pragmatism and ground our Jupiterian visions. Saturn and Capricorn can also create a more sombre and serious mood that can lead to melancholy, especially if we are resisting taking responsibility in some area of our life. Beware that Saturn can activate our inner critics and a harsh perfectionism that can paralyze us.
The square to Chiron invites us to open to healing images in our dreams and to become aware of feelings of rejection, including self-rejection, that emerge and call for healing in the form of greater self-acceptance. Chiron stimulates the urge to individuate and be true to our [Higher] Self.
The Summer Solstice
At 9.22am on December 22 [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 as well as a tight square to the Chiron, similar themes to the 2017 Summer Solstice and almost the exact same chart as the Full Moon for December 22.
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 honored 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.
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.
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.
At 9.22am on December 22 [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 as well as a tight square to the Chiron, similar themes to the 2017 Summer Solstice and almost the exact same chart as the Full Moon for December 22.
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 honored 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.
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.
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
2019 Astrology Classes
Please contact Christine for more information
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/ Beginners’
2019: Thursday evening beginning March 7
Second Year / Intermediate
2019: Tuesday evenings beginning February 5
Advanced Group
Second Saturday afternoon each month, beginning in February.
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 plus the time to delineate at personal horoscopes.
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
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
2019 Astrology Classes
Please contact Christine for more information
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/ Beginners’
2019: Thursday evening beginning March 7
Second Year / Intermediate
2019: Tuesday evenings beginning February 5
Advanced Group
Second Saturday afternoon each month, beginning in February.
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 plus the time to delineate at personal horoscopes.
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
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.