The Capricorn archetype will predominate during 2020, with the December solar eclipse and January lunar eclipse bringing this into focus. December also sees Jupiter makes its annual change of sign when it moves into Capricorn on December 3.
December begins with only Chiron and Uranus retrograde with Chiron stationing direct on the 14th. Note: All the dates below are for Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time.
December 3: Jupiter to Capricorn
December 8: Mercury leaves the retrograde loop
December 9: Mercury to Sagittarius
December 12: Full Moon in Gemini
December 14: Chiron stations retrograde at 1 Aries 26
December 16: Jupiter trine Uranus
December 20: Venus to Aquarius
December 22: Summer Solstice
December 26: Annular Solar Eclipse at 4 Capricorn
December 29: Mercury to Capricorn
Jupiter to Capricorn on December 3 Jupiter has a twelve year cycle - spending about 12 months in each sign - and December 3 sees Jupiter makes its annual change of sign as it move from Sagittarius into Capricorn where it joins up with both Saturn and Pluto. During 2020 these three planets – Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto – will conjunct and seed three new cycles: the Saturn Pluto Cycle, the Jupiter Pluto Cycle and the Jupiter Saturn Cycle.
This heavy emphasis on the Capricorn / Saturn archetype has been with us since Saturn joined Pluto at the end of 2017 and the current alignment has an echo back to 2007 and 2008 when Pluto and Jupiter last met in this sign, the astrological signature of the Global Financial Crisis. The pressure is increased with Saturn now part of the mix. The re-meeting of these planets in Capricorn will provide a reality check on many levels and will test us to see where more restructuring is required.
I will have more to say about this next month as the energy intensifies with the Saturn Pluto conjunction becoming exact on January 13 - but it is really happening now and has been influencing world affairs foremost of this year - however the major challenge here is for us personally is to take responsibility for our lives and transform /let go old structures [external and internal] that no longer serve our wholeness. The danger is falling into the Capricorn shadow of anxiety, depression, shame and blame…and becoming either the victim or the tyrant, two sides of the one coin.
A few words about Australia’s transits… In May this year, Uranus squared Australia’s IC MC axis which lead to an unexpected change of government. The same transit will be repeated twice over the next few months, becoming exact around December 16 and February 6. This transit suggests more change and disruption, especially in the political / national arena. We can expect some surprises / shocks that may lead to unexpected changes in the national psyche and the status quo. As I write this the new government has met unexpected blocks in the Senate …it will be interesting to see how this plays out. There is the possibility of another election in the New year.
December Full Moon in Gemini The December full moon falls at close to 20 Gemini and forms a very tight t-square with Neptune. The Gemini Full Moon always highlights the Gemini / Sagittarius polarity, putting the spotlight on communication, speaking our truth, sibling relationships, learning and understanding how our mind works.
Neptune can create a fog that makes it challenging to see what is really going on, so there is plenty of potential for anxiety and [self] deception. This pattern may activate the victim archetype along with any addictive patterns we fall into in order to soothe our anxiety. However, this energy can also be highly creative if we can own any confusion we may feel and allow the fog to lift in its own time. Neptune always challenges us to surrender to feeling and listen to our intuition. If you can allow yourself not to ‘know’ the answer immediately and re-frame anxiety as part of the creative process, then the outcome may be more constructive and illuminating.
Whenever Neptune is activated, I always like to remind people that Neptune is associated with Divine Love, therefore Neptune transits always challenge us to view life from a heart centered perspective, with compassion for ourselves and others. Can you surrender to your heart and allow it to communicate with you during this time?
The December New Moon on the 26th is an Annular Solar Eclipse which falls close to 4 Capricorn and forms a tight conjunction with Jupiter as well as a square to Chiron. An annular eclipse is essentially a total eclipse where the outer rim of the Sun is still visible as the Moon is further from the Earth and does not shield the full solar disk. Solar Eclipses are essentially turbo charged New Moons that signify potent endings and beginnings. Eclipses tend to be neutral energetically but they often bring to the surface whatever has been buried, hidden and repressed, especially regards the sign and house where the eclipse falls in the personal horoscope so any personal planet that is found close to the eclipse degree [around 4 Capricorn], or opposite that point [around 4 Cancer], will be in the spotlight, as will the house that the eclipse falls in. Eclipses can herald a crisis, but they also provide the opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start again.
The Capricorn New Moon /Solar Eclipse is a powerful time to reflect on how we relate to the Capricorn archetype which includes father and authority figures [external and internal], as well as the world of career, ambition and achievement. Capricorn is also associated with the super ego with its heightened sense of duty and responsibility. The shadow side of Capricorn may be activated at this time: exposing authoritarian and judgemental tendencies that can lead us to become tyrannical and ruthless with the self and others. Be wary of tendencies to blame and shame - others and yourself - and instead align with the positive Capricorn which is willing to learn life’s lessons and accept responsibility for any problems. This is how we develop wisdom and maturity, two constructive Capricorn attributes.
Beware that Jupiter can magnify any emotional state - both positive and negative - and can be impulsive and over-confident so we need to be careful to not over-commit ourselves around this time. Taking on too much work or responsibility would fit this image. Jupiter conjunct the eclipse in Capricorn could also magnify the Saturnian shadow [anxiety, depression, shame and blame]
Chiron squares the Sun and the Moon, symbolizing an opening to the transpersonal realm, but the square may highlight where we feel different and not acceptable in some way. At the soul level Chiron always calls us to be true to our Self [or Higher Self] but sometimes we pay a price for moving beyond the stereotyped roles and rules of the collective. This aspect may indicate the need to stand in our truth and risk rejection; Chiron may indicate the call to accept ourselves [and others] with our [their] imperfections and strive to be as authentic as we can. Chironic forms of healing may well be very powerful at this time: homeopathy, energy/ vibrational medicine and attending to the wisdom revealed through our dreams.
2. The Summer Solstice At 3.19pm 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 is very similar to the Solar Eclipse chart which falls 4 days later and contains the conjunction with Jupiter and the square to Chiron just outlined above.
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 color that symbolizes the harvest. You could use one group candle, or each person could have their own candle in a color 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