Venus Conjunct Saturn Transit — Relationship Glue or Dissolution
January 22, 2023
When Venus and Saturn meet up in the sky, relationships, finances, and priorities will be tested.
Venus and Saturn are forming an exact conjunction today, January 22nd, following the New Moon in Aquarius on January 21st. They’re meeting up in the sign of the Water Bearer, Aquarius. While Uranus rules Aquarius in modern astrology, its traditional ruler is Saturn. So, we’ll have a lot of heavy patriarchal, Saturnian energy bearing down during this transit alongside conflictingly independent Uranian energy. What a whirlwind!
Venus is all about aesthetics, balance, harmony, relationships, art, wealth, pleasure, and love. Saturn governs longevity, foundations, maturity, security, and lessons. When the Benefic Venus’ soft energy aligns with the Malefic Saturn’s coldness, we’re shown where our emotional needs are met or lacking in relationships with other people.
Saturn conjunct Venus is known as “relationship glue.” When this aspect is in the sky or falls in a synastry (a chart reading the astrological compatibility of two people) or natal chart, there is an innate ability to commit deeply to people and things. This aspect can keep people committed to a relationship or job for a long time by influencing a sense of responsibility for the other.
However, suppose you’ve used a cheap glue stick rather than super glue to build your foundation. In that case, even this conjunction can’t keep you committed to what you thought you wanted. Hence the inevitable dissolution of the flimsy structures you’ve created. Saturn likes control, though, so you may frantically try to keep together what you’ve already established, but, in the end, Saturnian endings will prevail.
This is also a time of placing more importance on financial stability. If your monetary and relational foundations are weak, they will crumble under the heaviness of this transit.
This transit will solidify your relationships even more if you’ve built a solid foundation in these areas. With Venus, Saturn, and the Moon (the closest it’s been to Earth in over 1000 years) starting off this transit in Aquarius, there will be a need to rebel or seek freedom through individuality. The Moon will illuminate any desire to break free from anything stifling your growth or impeding your freedom to do as you please.
It’s also important to note that while Aquarius is the sign of innovation, individuality, eccentricity, and change, they are also still a fixed sign. So, while the urge to break free will be prevalent, you may also feel an internal struggle over holding on to things that are no longer serving you. You know you need to let go, but the stuck energy makes it hard to.
Saturn also represents patriarchal structure in astrology. This can be interpreted as a father figure or rather the structure of one’s home growing up. If you have challenging aspects between Venus and Saturn in your natal chart, a poor relationship with one’s father is indicated. Primarily an emotionally invalidating relationship with the father.
This Venus-Saturn conjunction could manifest through direct conflict with the father or patriarchal structure one lives under. Or through illumination of the formative emotional wounding inflicted by an uncaring or cold father/society leading to the inability to express one’s true emotions in adulthood.
Themes of the Saturn-Venus Conjunction in Aquarius
When looking at this transit, it’s important to remember that Saturn and Venus are meeting up in the future-oriented, independent, and innovative sign of Aquarius. So, while security and commitment are significant themes of Saturn-Venus, Aquarius makes sure we only commit to things that still allow us a sense of freedom and individuality. There is great security to be found in being true to oneself.
Here are some likely occurrences during this time:
- Solidifying business partnerships and financial matters for long-term benefit.
- Defining relationships or re-committing to friends, lovers, and business partners.
- Frugality due to Saturn’s restrictive nature.
- Emotional coldness towards and from loved ones. Literally giving the “cold shoulder” to partners who aren’t meeting your needs rather than having an open discussion.
- Feelings of loneliness, distance, and emotional unfulfillment.
- Conflict with a patriarchal figure or the desire to break free of conventional structures. I.e., your job/career path will be built up from this point, or you may decide to go a totally different direction with your work.
- Increased desire for stability in relationships and finances, but only on one’s own terms.
- A deep need to isolate in order to figure out if the foundation of the life you’re building is aligned with what you actually want.
- Separation and coldness in existing relationships with an unstable foundation. Lack of emotional closeness can kill relationships during this transit.
- More profound long-term commitment in relationships with a solid foundation.
- Grasping at control while craving freedom of thought, expression, and movement.
- Feeling restricted by situations, people, and places that do not allow your authenticity.
Overall, there is nothing to fear with this cosmic interaction. If you’re standing on a stable structure, this is your opportunity to stabilize even more. If your structure is faulty, then letting go is probably best since it’s hard to build ourselves up with antiquated ideas and architecture weighing us down.
If you’re gripping your comfort zone for dear life, you may be in for a rude awakening. Saturn is the Greater Malefic, meaning it gives only by taking away. Saturn rules loss and lessons, but everything is cyclical.
So, after Saturn tears from you what you thought you held dear, you’ll realize it was all for the best in the long run. It’s Aquarius season, so remember to zoom out and see the big picture if and when loss overwhelms your soul.
Thank you for reading, and good luck with this transit!
~
New Moon in Aquarius
January 21, 2023
The first New Moon of 2023 has rare energetic potential.
The New Moon in Aquarius takes place today, and the eccentric energy is palpable. New Moons represent new beginnings and revelations. With the Moon in the forward-thinking sign of Aquarius, we are bound to receive profound insight into old issues.
For more information on Aquarius, read my article below:
The Season of the Water Bearer
Aquarius season invites us to practice authenticity and nourish our friendships.
So, now that you know about Aquarius, let’s get into the significance of this lunation. The Moon peaked around 3 pm EST, but the energy will be impactful today and tomorrow.
This is the first New Moon in 3 years where Saturn, the Planet of Restrictions, Delays, Lessons, and Time, is not in conjunction with the Moon (at a very close degree to each other). When Saturn is aligned with the New Moon, this doesn’t mean we won’t get what we asked for, but rather in due time. And usually, when Saturn is involved, delayed gratification is key.
Since this Moon is unaspected to Saturn, there is a sense of freedom regarding wish fulfillment. The intentions you set tonight are sure to come to fruition quickly, radically, and when you’re least expecting it, but rest assured it will come.
This is why this Moon is about ensuring you’re ready to receive the blessings you’ve been asking for. We often ask for things we don’t even have space to hold, and when they come, they are either unrecognizable or slip through our grasp. This is our chance to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Pluto and the Sun have been conjunct as well, leading up to the New Moon. When the Sun and Pluto touch, there is a deep transformation of one’s essence. The Planet of Death and Rebirth, adding its already potent energy to the Source of Ego, can invoke Ego Death or Spiritual Awakening for some. For others, this will more likely look like a transformation in self-expression.
This is extremely significant because Pluto will move into Aquarius in March, where it will stay for the next 20 years. So, this Aquarius New Moon has the power to impact the direction our lives take on a long-term scale. This is the ideal time to utilize the abundance of Aquarian energy to prepare for the Pluto transit, which will catalyze dramatic shifts in our lives.
We also have a Venus-Saturn conjunction in the sky right now, which will be most exact tomorrow, the 22nd. When Venus and Saturn align, this is the time to determine what stays and what goes, especially within matters related to money, business, and relationships. Anything with a faulty foundation will be blown to bits during this conjunction.
You may use this combination of energy to determine what holds value in your ideal life and subsequently discard anything that is not aligned. Heck, if you’re receptive, Aquarius may even remove un-alignment for you.
Aquarian Breakthroughs
You can expect breakthroughs and big shifts with the New Moon in Aquarius. You may be blessed with plenty of “aha” moments and the ability to look at things with a fresh perspective.
The fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) will feel this energy the most, feeling extra erratic and restless lately. Still, they also have the most to gain by setting goals and intentions with the Moon. Pluto’s transition into Aquarius will bring deeply profound, underworldly energy for the next 20 years.
So, for fixed signs, especially, this Moon could be your rebirth into a highly transformative period in your life. Everyone is encouraged to dream big and set intentions for quite literally anything they want, for the highest good of all involved of course (that Aquarius humanitarianism can evoke selfless desires within us). Now is not the time to hold back or hang on to limiting beliefs. You can look at what house Aquarius inhabits in your chart to determine where you can best place your focus.
At the end of this post, I’ve included a quick overview of each house Aquarius rules for the rising signs.
Chance Encounters
This Uranian-ruled lunation can bring about unexpected events, changes, or run-ins. For me, I ran into a dear friend today whom I hadn’t seen in a few months. I’d been thinking about her heavily the past week and I guess the Universe wanted us to catch up in person.
It was truly kismet, and we both shared the tumultuous experience of the past few months. We reveled in how the energy feels lately, as if we’re coming out of the dark ages and into a period of enlightenment. She certainly gave me a good dose of inspiration and insight, so there’s one friendship blessing already on the Aquarian Moon.
If anything has been weighing heavy on you, do your best to relax and embrace this radical energy. Aquarius is the rebellious genius of the zodiac, and they realize the importance of change and loss for the highest good. Be receptive to the possibility of receiving whatever you’re working on. Keep an open mind and embrace change as it comes.
Surprises may be in store for you in the coming weeks. Allow the progressive ideas to flow freely between you and others. Even though you are a genius in your own right, sometimes the most ingenious insight comes from an outside perspective.
Significant Areas of Life for the Signs
*Please read according to your rising sign for the most accuracy. If you don’t know your rising, your Sun sign will suffice but is less precise as far as predictions go.
Aries — 11th House of Friendship, Acquaintances, Hopes & Dreams
Taurus — 10th House of Social Status, Career, & Reputation
Gemini — 9th House of Long-Distance Travel, Philosophy, and Beliefs
Cancer — 8th House of Loss, Lessons, & Shared Resources
Leo — 7th House of Relationships, Marriage, Money, & Partnership
Virgo — 6th House of Routine, Health, & Ritual
Libra — 5th House of Creativity, Children, Fun, & Romance
Scorpio — 4th House of Home & Family
Sagittarius — 3rd House of Communication, Short-Distance Travel, & Intellect
Capricorn — 2nd House of Values, Security, & Wealth
Aquarius — 1st House of Self
Pisces — 12th House of Self-undoing, Secrets, & the Subconscious
Thank you for reading and Happy New Moon in Aquarius! 🙂
~
The Season of the Water Bearer
January 21, 2023
Aquarius season invites us to practice authenticity and nourish our friendships.
In true Aquarian fashion, I am doing things on my own time, so here’s a day-late post for y’all. Yesterday was the first day of Aquarius season, followed by a New Moon on the 21st, a Venus-Saturn conjunction, and Uranus stationing direct on the 22nd.
This is an astrologically packed weekend, granting us fresh Uranian energy to officially begin the New Year. We had three planets retrograde coming into 2023 (Mercury, Mars, and Uranus). Mercury and Mars are already direct and now the Change-maker of the three, Uranus, is catching up to them, lessening our resistance to change. This will mark a 3-month period where all planets are direct, allowing the energy to flow quite nicely. You can expect fewer obstacles and annoyances during this time of advancement.
Aquarius season goes from January 20th to February 18th. The Sun is in detriment in Aquarius, meaning it struggles to focus on itself here, so you may find yourself giving more energy than you have to spare to causes you care about.
You’re sure to feel lighter, though and happily service-oriented during this time, especially compared to Capricorn season’s somber rigidity. What you used to see as a burden may turn into a passion project thanks to the wild card that is Aquarian energy.
Aquarius is a fixed air sign, which is a paradox in itself. Air cannot be contained or perceived; it is only felt. So, how does an air sign represented by water operate? With great confusion, let me tell ya. Within Aquarius lives a burning desire to be wild and free, while simultaneously living to serve others by breaking down social structures.
The sign of the water-bearer is known for its humanitarianism, which is depicted in the neat pouring out of water, symbolizing emotion, from the jug of the collective subconscious. The role of water-bearer also represents Aquarius’ desire to be of service to others.
Saturn traditionally rules Aquarius, and in modern astrology, Aquarius is ruled by Uranus. Saturn is all about creating a stable and long-lasting foundation through hard and consistent work, while Uranus notices any cracks in the foundation and immediately wants to tear it all down and start from scratch, despite how long it took them to build.
While the two Planets have different approaches to getting what they want, the result is the same. They desire a stable and beneficial future for all involved.
The theme of Aquarius season is rejecting the status quo on an individualistic level to set an example for the collective.
Aquarius is the true eccentric of the zodiac. Their water-bearing nature grants them empathy and creativity, air gives them the intellect and rationale to find solutions, and their fixed modality makes them pragmatic in their problem-solving approach.
Aquarius rules the 11th house of friendship, hopes, and dreams, so it is most concerned with cultivating platonic relationships and achievement through originality.
This season is a wonderful time to focus on friendship, give back to your community, and change the direction of your life as needed. If a problem is plaguing your mind, this is an opportune time to zoom out and see the bigger picture. Aquarian energy is creative energy so this season can offer us new and inventive insight into old issues.
Happy Aquarius Season! Look out for my New Moon post coming later today.
~
Freyja and Friday the 13th
January 13, 2023
Revelations and Resurrection. The Queen of Magical Arts, Love, Battle, and Death is here to empower us and imbue renewed vigor into our hearts.
Today is Friday, the 13th, which has a negative connotation of being a day full of bad luck and superstitions, but today is the opposite. Today is one of the luckiest days of the year because it is blessed by the Norse Goddess Freyja (Frey-ah).
The English word for Friday derives from the Norse word “Freyja,” and 13 is Freyja’s lucky number and a number of the Divine Feminine.
So, every Friday, the 13th, is Freyja’s day. It’s not a day to cower or walk on eggshells but rather to be bold, bright, and warlike in approaching life’s most brutal battles.
Freyja bears many similarities to the Roman Venus and Greek Aphrodite; however, Freyja is most notably a Goddess of War, Sex, and Passion. She looks after women, magical practitioners, soldiers, and cats.
She is a powerful archetype of primal yet calculated feminine energy and is held in very high regard within the Norse pantheon of Gods.
Since she presides over battle, she gets first pick of half of the fallen warriors to send to her heavenly paradise, Folkvangr, with the other half going to Valhalla. Like, that’s how much of a bad bitch she is. First pick of the valiant fallen is the highest of honors, not even afforded to Odin, King of the Gods.
Her knowledge challenges Odin’s, and her power lies in her ability to keep secrets, which one could argue makes her the most knowledgeable and powerful of the Norse pantheon.
Since Freyja presides over women, I think it’s really important to point out that women who died during childbirth were sent to Freyja’s great hall of honor alongside brave soldiers.
Her respect for these women is unmatched and shows how, while men may dismiss childbirth as trivial and standard, Freyja saw it for what it was — an incredible and miraculous battle giving way to either life or death.
Christianity and the Perversion of Freyja
Freyja was widely celebrated in Norse culture as the Goddess and vision of feminine beauty until Christians began to assimilate Pagans into their religion forcibly.
When Freyja reigned, the standard of woman to look up to was a warlike, magical, sexually liberated being who stood in her worth and wasn’t afraid to use her beauty and sexuality to her advantage.
When Christianity wiped out the Norse pantheon, they declared Freyja nothing more than a slutty sorceress who used her magic for evil, demonizing witchcraft in the process, despite traditional witches being peace-loving folk, wise women, herbalists, and people with a powerful connection to the Earth.
They replaced Freyja’s vision of femininity with the Virgin Mary, who’s prudish, meek, and pure, though sexual, within the “right context.” That context being determined by the men in power, of course.
This bastardization of such a powerful entity in the name of God is rather unfortunate, to say the least. Christianity took a very honorable, intelligent, and passionate woman and turned her into a symbol of rejection of the Divine when she is the literal embodiment of the Divine.
Another example of this perversion is the portrayal of black cats as unlucky. Freyja is the patron of cats and even is depicted driving into battle on a chariot pulled by two giant cats. So, rather than avoiding black cats today, be especially nice to them to win Freyja’s favor.
Freyja is still celebrated in Pagan culture today, but much less widely than in ancient times.
How to Win Freyja’s Favor
You can do many things on this divine day to honor Freyja. Today is also Venus Day, so your appearance is of utmost importance. Make sure you present yourself well, tend to your Soul Garden, and do things that make you feel good about yourself.
Suppose you plan on making an offering to Freyja. In that case, she likes honey, mead, wine, chocolate, rose quartz, amber, carnelian, flowers, jewelry, and perfume. Never approach the Divine empty-handed.
When you petition, you cannot just ask and take without first giving something to show gratitude. Call her by her name respectfully, present your offerings, and ask for help in your endeavors, with humility. Today is the day to ask for courage, luck, love, and destiny to be on your side.
Freyja goes by a few different names, all of which are beautiful in their meaning. There is Gefn, Giver. Valfreyja, Lady of the Slain. Mardöll, Sea Brightener. Goddess Beautiful in Tears; it is said when Freyja is upset, particularly over her lost love, she weeps tears of gold. A woman after my own heart.
Freyja also rules over fate; while she has mystical, otherworldly knowledge, she tends not to intervene with destiny. So, embracing simplicity is good as well today. Take care of yourself, be nice to cats, and stand up for your beliefs. Thanks for reading, and Happy Freyja Day! 🙂
~
Unmasking Under the Light of the Moon
January 6, 2023
The Cancer Full Lunation on Venus Day, followed by a Mercury Cazimi just hours later leads to profound release followed by realization.
The Mother Meets the Divine Feminine Before the Messenger Dives into the Sun. Today is the Full Moon in Cancer. The first Full Moon of 2023 and an especially auspicious Moon because She feels completely at home in the sign of the Crab. We also have a Cazimi the following day, leading to originality of thought.
Read my Cancer Full Moon article for more information about this lunation:
A Heart’s A Heavy Burden — Full Moon in Cancer
The first Moon of 2023 is an opportunity for tremendous emotional acceptance and release.
Today also happens to be Venus Day! The archetype of Motherly Love aligning on the day of the Feminine Divine can show us how healing feminine energy can be.
This Moon will bring up emotional issues concerning the home, childhood, and self-expression. Venus lords over the arts and creativity; her encouraging energy will help us navigate this unfamiliar sea of emotion. We’re prompted to ask if we’re expressing ourselves in a way that aligns with who we are.
We also have a Mercury Cazimi tomorrow, Saturday the 7th, at 16 degrees Capricorn. A Cazimi originates from the Arabic word “casmimi,” meaning “in the heart of.” So, Mercury is conjunct (in the same sign and at a close degree) the Sun within a 1-degree orb of distance.
A Cazimi is a time of great illumination, and a Mercury Cazimi, in particular, shows illumination of the mind. Bright ideas are inevitable with this cosmic event.
The Messenger Planet is traveling into the heart of the Sun. It is sure to return with a renewed sense of vitality, creativity, and expression. This is a nice little “aha moment” in the midst of Mercury and Mars retrogrades.
You may have been feeling stagnant, slowed down, or lack luster, but this Cazimi can be the spark you need to ignite passion within your own heart.
Mercury is in Capricorn, opposing the Moon in Cancer, meaning this Cazimi may be the realization needed to sort through the complex emotions evoked by the Full Moon. Today, there is a push and pull between who we actually are and who we were conditioned to be.
Embrace your true heart like Mercury will embrace the Sun. This realization could provide profound insight into how to move forward from a situation plaguing your mind and soul.
Reciprocity and Receptivity
When I awoke today, I initially felt the heaviness of the day. I felt as if I was walking around in clothes drenched in the watery weight of emotion. I still feel the weight, but my clothes are dry now, and so are my eyes.
Today feels really powerful now that I’ve sunk into it. I’ve realized that’s all I can do (pre-Cazimi illumination?). I’ve descended so deeply into myself that I’ve finally landed on a fluffy bed of down pillows. Sinking deeper into the soft clouds of loss, disappointment, heartbreak, despair, loneliness…until they dissipate into lessons learned and knowledge gained.
The fall was much worse than the landing. How come no one told me all this was down here? A quiet, peaceful place, my personal waiting room, a train car adorned with everything I could ever need sending me to my destination. This pit is liminal and sacred, as are these next two days.
The planets have aligned in such a way it would be foolish of me to take this energy for granted. So, the day has turned around, and I wish to work with the Moon rather than against Her. This has softened the torrential downpour of emotion she sent my way this morning.
I’ve gathered the significance of the next two days. This is an auspicious time for receptivity — receptivity of blessings, healing, help, messages, ideas, creativity, and renewal.
Sink into it all…
Gaze at the fullness of the Moon tonight, petition Venus for soft transformation, then plunge right into the heart of the Sun tomorrow to emerge illuminated.
Happy Venus Day & Full Moon & Mercury Cazimi!
~
A Heart’s A Heavy Burden — Full Moon in Cancer
January 4, 2023
The first Moon of 2023 is an opportunity for tremendous emotional acceptance and release.
The Full Moon occurs On January 6th, in the sign of its rulership — Cancer. This is the first Moon of 2023 and the first Moon since the darkness of the Winter Solstice, so be prepared to really feeel your way through this Moon.
Full Moons are times of emotional release and letting go. They represent the culmination of our efforts, goals, and natural cycles. Because this Moon is in the watery sign of Cancer, we’re encouraged to dive inward into the untouched emotional pool within.
I say “untouched” because, though Cancer is a water sign, they are notorious for bottling up their emotions. Like the Crab, they have a hardened exterior and a fleshy interior. As long as their facade is in place, the outside world has little to no knowledge of the internal battle waging within. Cancers, please speak up more! Sincerely, your bold Leo friend.
So, because this Moon takes place in a very empathetic sign that struggles to embrace its own hardships, we may have some muck drifting up to the surface of our subconscious, desperately trying to push through into conscious awareness.
The theme of this Moon is acknowledgment — acknowledgment of the pain you carry and the fear of expressing the emotion within.
The first step in taking action is acknowledging there is action to be taken. Accepting the emotional well within will lead to realization and correct action.
Aspects to the Planets
This Moon is making some challenging aspects to the major planetary players right now. The Sun in Capricorn and the Moon in Cancer are sitting at 16 degrees directly opposite each other. The axis of your roots (Cancer) and your legacy (Capricorn) are compelling you to evaluate how your upbringing or beginnings have shaped your sense of self. In particular, how childhood wounds and experiences have played a role in shaping our self-expression.
The Moon is also squaring Chiron in Aries, alluding more to childhood issues coming to the surface in a very in-your-face, Martian kind of way. The Moon is also opposite Mercury, retrograding in Capricorn, making it more difficult for us to express the emotions coming to the surface at this time. The Moon also opposes Pluto in Capricorn, showing a power struggle within or emotionally driven conflict with others.
Okayy, so all that sounds like doom and gloom, and honestly, for some, it may be. I don’t say this to spook you, but highly sensitive people may feel like they’ve been punched in the gut by the waves of nostalgia this Moon brings. I know I’m already starting to feel the urge to run from the emotional downpour headed my way in the next two days.
Buutttt, there are some redeeming aspects that balance out the internal struggle created by the configurations of the planets. The Moon is making a harmonious aspect (sextile) to Uranus and the North Node of destiny in Taurus. This energy will allow us to push through this emotionally draining time and be open to new ideas that will move us toward growth.
Lastly, the Moon is trining Neptune in its domicile sign — Pisces. This harmonious aspect provides an easy flow of energy that wraps a warm blanket around our swollen and bruised hearts, encouraging us to dream of a brighter future despite past hurts inflicted upon us by others or even ourselves by the denial of our own emotional validity.
A Heart’s A Heavy Burden
When I think of this Moon, I envision the energetic outcome to be that of the ending of Howl’s Moving Castle. If you’re unfamiliar, Howl is a wizard whose heart was taken from him as a child. He’s matured without a heart, so at the end of the movie, when Howl’s heart is returned to him, it’s still the heart of a child — frantically beating and fluttering, feeling deeply, and not quite comprehending all that it’s feeling.
Howl groans and says he feels terrible like a weight is on his chest after his heart is replaced. Sophie responds, “A heart’s a heavy burden.” I’m nearly brought to tears by this recollection of Hayao Miyazaki’s great work and relation to this Moon.
A heart is, indeed, a heavy burden but also the most blessed of gifts. This Moon is a return to our hearts, despite the burden feeling things deeply may bring. Don’t run from that which seeks to be felt.
Sometimes emotions demand to be felt even, and who are we to deny them their freedom of expression? Who are you to deny yourself expression? Certainly, the master of your undoing if that’s the case.
Though this Moon may be challenging for some, the bright side is once Mars and Mercury station direct in mid-January, we’ll finally start to see the healing that took place during this Moon. Right now, the planetary forces are too stuck in the past for us to see the light at the end of the tunnel but trust me, it’s there! You just have to continue sifting through the mud and eventually you’ll have stumbled on the diamond within.
Please check on your Cancer and cardinal sign (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) friends, as they’ll feel this energy the most. But also check on your Cancer friends anyways. We often don’t know their internal struggles because they don’t like to make them known.
They’re the sign of unconditional motherly love, which shows in how they neglect themselves despite taking excellent care of their loved ones. Seriously, go out of your way to ask because they will not speak up.
Here’s a little kiss on the forehead to all my Cancer babies.
You are seen, felt, and heard despite your silence. Continue illuminating every space you step into with your kindness, care, and sensitivity.
Happy Full Moon!
~
The Winter Solstice Summons Self-Realization
December 27, 2022
The shortest day of the year gives way to prolonged darkness, hibernation, and introspection.
This is a bit of a late post, but alas, the Winter Solstice was upon me and urged me to do absolutely nothing, so I happily obliged. The Winter Solstice blessed us Wednesday, December 21st. It marked the shortest day of the year, beginning our descent into the Underworld, hopefully, to return whole, new, and refreshed in the Spring.
In Pagan traditions, the Solstice is referred to as Yule or *Saturnalia. The Winter Solstice signals that the Northern Hemisphere has entered Winter, and now is the time to rest and reflect. Ancient people lived cyclically, taking notice of the movement of celestial bodies and how they relate to us here on earth.
The coming of the Solstice was and is our sign to hibernate. Traditionally, the crops are dead, the days are shorter, the nights are long, and the cold is bitter. Being in tune with the natural rhythms of life, we should take this as our sign to dive into the darkness Winter brings. This will allow us to introspect better and integrate the lessons of the previous year.
This is a time full of endings and beginnings. Embracing darkness is necessary so we can more gracefully step into the light later. The message of the Winter Solstice is that of hope. Yes, the days are short and cold, and the mood is somber, but think of this as an opportunity to reinvent yourself.
It is always darkest before the dawn. And what a Sunrise it will be when we re-emerge in the Spring, well-rested and ready to shine our long-awaited radiance out into the world.
*Saturnalia was replaced with Christmas in a successful effort to convert Pagans to Christianity during the Roman empire’s conquest of Europe. Saturnalia was, traditionally, a near week-long festival celebrating the God of Agriculture and Time, Saturn.
The Roman calendar at the time marked the Winter Solstice (Saturnalia) as December 25th, so that’s why Christians celebrate on the day. A day whose purpose is to celebrate Love and God is built on conquest and cultural appropriation to force the assimilation of unwilling peoples.
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The New Moon in Capricorn Sets the Foundation for the Future
December 23, 2022
This lunation is a perfect time to set practical and business-minded long-term goals for yourself. Capricorn encourages you to establish a stronger sense of security through practical planning and preparation.
We have an enterprising Capricorn New Moon on December 23rd, making this the last New Moon of 2022 and a great way to close out the year and set new intentions heading into 2023. Honestly, this moon feels vast, and it couldn’t have come at a better time, following the complete disruption that came with Mercury retrograde, Scorpio season, and the Eclipses.
Jupiter has entered the fiery self-starter of the zodiac, Aries. And the Moon, Sun, Mercury, and Venus are all in Capricorn, making this the perfect time to start projects and set new intentions concerning business, finance, and personal goals. Who better to help us than the ever enduring and mystical Capricorn?
Capricorn is Cardinal earth, meaning they’re here to usher in new beginnings concerning physical matters. The main focus of Capricorn is using your natural talents to build wealth. Capricorn season signals the entry into Winter and the need for careful planning and rest rather than spontaneity and action. Saturn, the Planet of Maturity, Lessons, Responsibility, and Time rule Capricorn. These will be the major themes of Capricorn season and this lunation.
Read my article on Capricorn season to learn more about the Sea Goat:
How the Sea Goat Can Help You Ground Your Dreams into Reality
Capricorn season brings a big reality check and is all about taking practical steps to achieve your dreams.
This moon has a melancholy mood and a sobering quality to it. Saturn is casting its heavy shadow over this moon, pulling us back down to earth after flying high on the now complete Jupiter in Pisces transit.
Jupiter is moving forward in the Cardinal sign of Aries as of December 20th and will stay in the sign of the Ram until May 2023. Jupiter’s newfound energy and determination will lend to the forward mobility of Capricorn’s need to achieve.
However, be mindful that Aries’ ruler, Mars, is still retrograde in Gemini and won’t move direct until January 12th, 2023. And Mercury enters retrograde on December 29th and won’t reverse its movement until January 18th, 2023.
Once the Planet of Action and the Planet of Communication resume their forward motion, we’ll see a decrease in technical issues, miscommunication, and a lack of energy. And the plans we set in place now will start to unfold as the confusion dissipates from the retrograding planets.
The backward movement of Mars and Mercury (currently in the shadow of retrograde) during Capricorn season nudges us to reconsider how our words and actions directly reflect our values. Responsibility is another theme of Capricorn season, which means taking responsibility for everything in the physical, including your part in conflict. If you feel the need to right any wrongs and take accountability for your actions, this New Moon is a great time to muster up the courage to do so.
Saturn’s influence will make it more likely that we’ll be able to face the shame of our past. Saturn represents longevity and challenging lessons, so this is an optimal time to re-evaluate long-standing behavioral patterns that may be beyond antiquated.
Ask yourself:
What do I want in life?
What do I value and hold dear?
What sacrifices can I make to get to where I want to be?
What practical steps should I take to ensure my success?
Don’t get too attached to any one path, and don’t panic when things start to shift. Always remember to zoom out and see the bigger picture. The beauty of the Sea Goat is the ability to go with the flow and have faith in the result while doing everything they can to reach their goals. Capricorn knows good things come with time. Do the work now so that you can relax into your future.
The intentions you set on this moon will not come overnight and may even take years to come your way. But Capricorn is not concerned with immediate gratification. Capricorn is master of the long game and hopes to teach you their endlessly enduring ways.
Happy New Moon and Happy Venus Day! Thank you for reading.
~
Sink Into Yourself
December 4, 2022
The Full Moon in Gemini grants us the opportunity to understand situations out of our control and to let go of attachment. Not necessarily attachment to the physical, but attachment to who we believe ourselves to be.
December 7th marks the last Full Moon of the year, and this lunation will be in the sign of intellectual Gemini. The central theme of this Moon is releasing limiting beliefs, allowing us to integrate lessons into our emotional and spiritual being.
Full Moons are a natural time of emotional release and detachment from situations, people, and things. Using the information given to us by the brilliantly analytical Gemini can help us release the floodgate of feelings we may not quite understand.
Gemini, being mutable air, is not much concerned with feelings but rather the intellectualization of them. However, emotions demand to be felt sometimes, and the Gemini Moon may invoke sensitivity you didn’t know you were capable of. This Moon has the potential to be very enlightening, giving us the closure, information, or realization needed to make meaningful connections between our feelings and our present situation.
The Moon will be conjunct Mars retrograde at exactly 16 degrees, in the sign of Gemini. Mars is the planet of action, energy, sex, and aggression. When Mars and the Moon in Gemini meet, we can see how we express ourselves (Moon) through our actions (Mars). And where we need to make adjustments in the way we conduct ourselves.
This Moon is the culmination/checkpoint of the intentions set on the New Moon in Gemini back in May. Or it’s the closing out of old patterns and habits we displayed back then. Be mindful of what you were doing six months ago. What lessons have you learned, and what areas of life have changed since then?
Closure doesn’t always come in the form of a conversation, though. This moon can be an opportunity to give ourselves the closure we so desperately desire from others. Extending grace to ourselves doesn’t require someone else’s apology or forgiveness.
With Mars in retrograde motion, we’ll be more likely to reflect on our actions throughout the past year, bringing clarity to our current situation. We can allow ourselves to be defined by our past actions. Or we can use the power of introspection for growth, redirection, and expansion (the big theme of Sagittarius season).
Gemini is always learning and expanding its point of view. They live in a constant cycle of information analysis, integration, then abandonment once they become too attached to a particular viewpoint. The archetype of duality knows things are rarely black and white, and it’s okay to change one’s mind when presented with new information.
I have a very Gemini friend who jokes that her Gemini curse is having to “perpetually choose which hill to die on.” Being a very fixed and emotion-led Leo, I couldn’t fathom this, seeing as I have no problem choosing a stance and sticking with it, often to my detriment.
Through her grace, I’ve learned to let go of preconceived notions about myself and others. I doubt I’d have been able to learn the importance of duality so soon if not for her friendship and teachings.
So, when I think of this moon, I hope to embody my friend’s endlessly accepting and inquisitive nature. Yes, Gemini can be outrageously indecisive, but it’s because they’re constantly making mental connections and learning from their environment.
The wounded ego holds onto antiquated ideas because it cannot bear to identify as someone other than who it believes itself to be. New and radical ideas can create an identity crisis, and not compromising is a natural reaction. Be like Gemini and let all that go. Don’t be afraid to liberate yourself from the box you categorized yourself into.
It would be unwise to reject change to protect the image your ego holds of yourself. You’re allowed to change your mind, and it’s even encouraged when you learn something new. Don’t let the fear of knowing yourself deeply get in the way of becoming the person you’re meant to be.
One immoral act does not a bad person make, just as one good deed does not make a Saint. The student of the zodiac has become the teacher, and the lesson of duality is one we all could stand to learn. Thank you, Gemini, and Happy Moon!
~
Bloodletting
June, 2022
When I think of Love, I think of Pain
A cold, remorseless dagger to the Heart
Remove the blade
and let crimson rivers spill forth
Or leave it lodged
and suffer slowly
Which is the lesser of two evils
A foreign object plunged into my chest,
an ever-lasting searing sensation
Or a gaping hole
which longs for the days it was once so full and secure
I wish for neither
Only Wholeness of Heart,
but reality remains
Removal of the blade seems the best choice
One cannot heal without letting the blood flow,
and so with it
the feelings of discomfort and shame
All too familiar for the swinging pendulum
So I shall treat myself tenderly when the moment arises
Exhale deeply and unsheathe the knife
resting snuggly between my breasts
Breathe slowly and carefully
through the red thickness that bubbles up in my lungs
Remind myself
I am the embodiment of pure Love
We all are
Beings wired for Love and Loss
And what is Loss
without having experienced Love
A hole in the chest
is but a minor laceration
as long as one commits to the path of Wholeness and Healing
With Heart-centered
and Spirit uplifted, we begin anew
When I see me, I see you
and who are You if not Love personified
Earth to Ephemera 