Hi and welcome to the Stella Starwoman December AstroUpdate!
My apologies for the late arrival of this newsletter – I could blame it on Mercury retrograde, but the truth is I‟ve recently returned from a wonderful holiday in Queensland and am slightly behind on all things astrological!
In this month‟s issue we take a look at predictions for 2012 and what you can expect from the full moon eclipse in Gemini on the 11th. Our featured sign is sunny, optimistic and oh-so-smarty-pants Sagittarius (those are the Archer‟s good qualities – you‟ll have to scroll down to find out the bad stuff!)
It‟s also time to order your 2012 Moon Calendars & Diaries These are selling fast, so don‟t miss out – you can easily order and pay online. We also have personalised Zodiac Screensavers, a SunYoga Meditation CD and the full range of Solar Writer Astrological Reports. And of course you can also order Gift Vouchers on line if you‟d like to treat a friend or family member this Christmas. Click here to go to the Stella Starwoman Store.
December Lunar Eclipse
Eclipses move in cycles and so far we‟ve had three eclipses in the Gemini-Sagittarius polarity, the first on 21st December last year and the second and third on 2nd and 16th June this year. The first and third were the most powerful and required substantial adjustments. The Gemini-Sagittarius polarity asks us to create a vision for a better future and then work on the details of how to make this happen. Both signs have a mental focus – Sagittarius is a right brain sign with the themes of wisdom, vision and intuition, while Gemini is more left brain and excels in the world of detailed analysis and communication and sharing of ideas.
Last month, on November 25th we had another eclipse in this same cycle - a partial solar eclipse at the Sagittarius new moon with the Sun and Moon at 3 degrees of Sagittarius forming a T square with Mars and Chiron. All eclipses indicate change; solar eclipses signify beginnings and usually manifest as events in the outer world. This month we have a lunar eclipse as the earth‟s shadow casts an eerie light over the full moon on the 11th December. A blood-red moon hangs in the black sky. Normally the full moon is a time of culmination and harvest, but an eclipse tends to muddle and shake things up and its effects can last for up to six months, right up to the time of the next lunar eclipse. This eclipse is at 19 degrees Gemini with a theme of archetypal seed-knowledge and wisdom. The Sabian Symbol shows a large archaic volume containing revelations about the structure of cyclic and cosmic manifestations of life on this planet. Clearly the theme of this eclipse is expansion of consciousness.
This month is a great time for Geminis and Sagittarians to update their self-image and future plans. Other zodiac signs would do well to create their own personal vision for 2012.
Anarchy, Armistice or Armageddon?
Predictions for 2012
There‟s no doubt that there‟s a real buzz about 2012. We all like a bit of drama - remember Y2K? And let‟s face it, the lead up to the Year of the Dragon has been a roller coaster ride on many fronts - floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, popular uprisings, financial crashes, bankrupt economies.... Ask any astrologer what‟s happening in 2012 and they‟ll babble excitedly about the Mayan Calendar; the Uranus-Pluto cardinal square; the revolutionary impact of Uranus in Aries; the endless creative possibilities of Neptune in Pisces, not to mention the continuing drama of Pluto in Capricorn and its effect on global financial markets. But what does it all mean?
Astrology works with cycles, viewing every event as a point on a spiral with precedents in earlier turns of the spiral. It‟s actually very easy to see what lies ahead. Instead of looking to politicians, economic forecasters or indeed astrologers, we simply need to look at what is already happening at a grass roots level and project these events to their logical conclusion. Because it is on the ground that the changes bringing about „the end of the world as we know it‟ are taking place, not on the front benches of our parliaments or in the boardrooms of our corporations and central banks. There will be a collapse of the system, because enough people now want it to collapse. Riots in the UK; tent cities in the US; revolutions in the Arab world; single currency under threat in Europe; China becoming the new seat of power – we definitely won‟t be going back to the old days or the old ways.
I remember learning at school about the „Storming of the Bastille‟, precursor to the French Revolution that destroyed the all-powerful French monarchy and eventually led to the rise of a republican state. I wondered why it had taken the French peasants and middle class so long to overthrow what was clearly an unfair system when there were so many of them... And as a child in the 1960s, I have vague memories of women in the newspapers wearing mini skirts, burning bras, protesting about wars in distant countries and refusing to conform. And I wondered why it had taken these women so long to stand up against what was clearly an unfair system when there were so many of them...
Now I understand why it took so long. There may have been lots of unhappy peasants and lots of oppressed women but they had no way of banding together, sharing information and taking concerted action to change their situation. Once those platforms became available, revolution was swift.
After hundreds if not thousands of years of central control, it is slowly dawning on us that with the new social networking technology we can change the world, sometimes overnight, simply by getting together, sharing ideas and deciding to do it differently.
This is the overall theme for 2012 and the decade to come. Not some inter-galactic disaster. Not some visitation from angry gods. Not some dreadful disease that will wipe us all out. Simply a wake-up call that together we can make a difference. And any catastrophes that do occur will simply be a reflection of the misuse of the freedoms we‟ve enjoyed over the past 40-45 years since the last Uranus-Pluto conjunction in the mid to late 1960s.
Here are my predictions for 2012 and beyond.
2012 Overview
1) Continued loss of confidence in traditional corporations, the police force, banking systems and large government bodies replaced by a growing focus on small business, self-employment, personal responsibility and grass roots activism.
2) It is clear from the US financial meltdown and the European debt crisis that individuals, corporations and governments can no longer survive on deficit spending and unrestrained borrowing. The euro is increasingly under threat and we could see a double dip recession in US having a knock on effect to other world economies including Australia.
3) The killings of Osama bin Laden and Muammar Gaddhafi were key events of 2011. Uranus in Aries accelerates the pace of social change, boosting the collective urge to rebel against the status quo and create new forms. Other dictators who use terror to control and manipulate could find their comfortable illusion of sovereignty toppled this year. Expect more unrest in the Middle East.
4) The „feminine‟ values of nurturing, sharing, cooperation, receptiveness and negotiation will make a comeback as they offer viable and efficient alternatives to war, competition, exclusiveness, hierarchy, domination and survival of the fittest.
5) A rise in community and local initiatives with a greater focus on flatter management structures, transparency and cooperation.
6) Education moving from bricks and mortar universities to on line learning and independent and home study.
7) Increased moves towards environmentally sustainable living, protection of the environment, new energy sources and a healthier lifestyle with particular attention to the food we eat and the type of health care we choose. Legalisation of same-sex marriage.
8) Growth in the power of technology to link people and communities and spread and share information leading to a reduction in hierarchy, more transparent and accountable government and less focus on academic and professional status.
9) Increasing loss of power and credibility for major religious organisations unless they adopt a more flexible and inclusive approach.
10) Exponential growth in the fields of alternative healing and personal, spiritual and psychic development.
11) The Arts will continue to flourish both on and off line as Neptune in Pisces stimulates our appetite for film, fashion, beauty, glamour and music.
12) I believe we‟re seeing the beginning of the end for the two-party political system. „GetUp‟, which describes itself as „an independent movement to build a progressive Australia and bring participation back into our democracy‟ is one alternative to the two party system. The organisation already has more than half a million supporters.
13) Sustainable fashion is here to stay. Expect a growing move towards organic and natural fibres and increasing interest in where our clothes come from and whether those making the clothing were properly paid and properly treated.
14) In fact sustainable anything is here to stay!
We‟ll study these trends in more detail in the next edition of AstroUpdate.
Featured Sign - Sagittarius
From 23rd November to 22nd December, the sun travels through Sagittarius, an intuitive fire sign noted for its vision, adventurous nature and love of philosophy. Sagittarius is the ninth sign of the zodiac with keywords “I seek” and “I expand”. Those born under the sign of the Archer often struggle to integrate their animal nature with their more lofty human side. Sagittarians seek expansion on all levels, mental, physical, emotional and spiritual, and can usually be found travelling, studying and exploring life‟s big issues. They love to share their wisdom and are often talented writers or teachers. At best they are intelligent, honest, generous and inspirational. Negatively, they can be tactless, self indulgent, coarse and hypocritical. Some Sagittarians are drifters, constantly in search of new horizons and ever more exciting adventures. Most Archers eventually realise that true freedom comes from commitment and dedication to a personal vision, rather than from the outer world. In medical astrology, Sagittarius rules the liver, hips and thighs and sacral regions of the spine. When Sagittarians are out of balance they can suffer from sciatica, hip diseases, rheumatism and weight gain. The Sagittarian colours are purple and deep blue. Sagittarius‟s greatest lessons are commitment, moderation, tact and learning to deliver what they promise.
Key Astrological Events – December
Mercury turned retrograde in Sagittarius on the 24th November, the day before the November new moon and solar eclipse. This will only serve to heighten the intensity and relevance of the insights revealed between the new moon eclipse (in Sagittarius) on the 25th and the full moon eclipse (in Gemini) on the 11th December.
Think of the thrice yearly Mercury retrograde transit as a three week opportunity to get your life back on track and regain integrity. Pay particular attention to gut feelings, hunches and pieces of information that randomly come your way. Avoid starting new projects, but focus on completing or revising existing ones. Spend time day dreaming and meditating and see what comes up.
If things go haywire, ask yourself: “What am I trying to learn?” “What is the hidden message behind this event?” And as Mercury travels backwards through Sagittarius, ask yourself: “How can my inspiration and dreams create a better future?”
A conjunction between relationship planet Venus and transformational Pluto takes place in Capricorn in early December. Any relationship issues will be forced to the surface and power struggles could result. On the other hand, Venus-Pluto signifies intense passion, bringing the potential for powerful sexual and emotional connection and deeper commitment.
The yang energy reaches its zenith at the summer solstice on 22nd December as the Sun enters Capricorn. Happy festive season to all – I look forward to sharing my love of astrology with you in transformational 2012.
2012 Diaries & Calendars
Order On Line from the Stella Starwoman Store
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December Moon Calendar
Launch projects at the New Moon, bring them to completion in the period from just before the Full Moon to the Third Quarter phase and wind them down and reflect on developments in the week before the next New Moon. The period between the New Moon and the Full Moon is the waxing moon (moon getting bigger and fuller). The period between the Full Moon and the New Moon is the waning moon (moon getting smaller and thinner).
You can use this moon table to select the most favourable days to slow or increase hair regrowth. Full instructions can be found in my Lunar Hair Care guidelines at www.stellastarwoman.com/files/LunarHairCare.pdf but to get you started I've marked the best dates for waxing/shaving to slow regrowth in yellow and the best dates to cut hair for thicker, lusher growth in green. If you‟re serious about Lunar Hair Care - order your own Moon Calendar from the Stella Starwoman Store then you'll know exactly what time of day the moon changes from one zodiac sign to the next.
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Date |
Sign |
Element |
Moon Phase |
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1st-2nd |
Aquarius |
Air |
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2nd-4th |
Pisces |
Water |
First Quarter |
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4th-7th |
Aries |
Fire |
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7th-9th |
Taurus |
Earth |
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9th-12th |
Gemini |
Air |
Full Moon 11th |
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12th-14th |
Cancer |
Water |
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14th-16th |
Leo |
Fire |
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16th-18th |
Virgo |
Earth |
Third Quarter |
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18th-20th |
Libra |
Air |
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20th-22nd |
Scorpio |
Water |
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22nd-25th |
Sagittarius |
Fire |
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25th-27th |
Capricorn |
Earth |
New Moon 25th |
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27th-29th |
Aquarius |
Air |
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29th-31st |
Pisces |
Water |
Thanks for being part of AstroUpdate. If there‟s something you‟d like to see featured, or have something you think would interest others, please contact me at stellaw@ozemail.com.au
PS – Don‟t forget to check out your December Monthly Stars at www.stellastarwoman.com to see what‟s coming up for you this month.
Happy Stargazing
Stella Woods www.stellastarwoman.com