First Day of Winter & the Shortest Day of the Year: December 21 at 1:49 p.m. (pacific time)
Solstice is derived from two Latin words: Sol meaning Sun, and sistere — to cause to standstill.
Avatar is the most high tech film in terms of its execution, dealing with essentiallya very low tech subject; which is our relationship with nature … and in fact the irony is that the film is about our relationship with nature and how our technological civilization has taken us severalremovesaway from a truly natural existence and the consequences of that to us. ~ James Cameron
Annually, at the Winter Solstice, the Sun appears to standstill as it reaches its furthest point in the Southern Hemisphere. It is here that it joins the fixed stars of the Southern Cross for three days: December 22, 23, and 24. Our ancestors referred to these three “standstill” days as the death of the Sun. And, as the Sun began its journey north again, on December 25, it was said to be reborn. Moving north, the days will grow longer until the life-giving Sun reaches its zenith in the Northern Hemisphere on the Summer Solstice (June 21, 2023).
Films have a way of reflecting humanity’s evolutionary journey, and a much-anticipated sequel release of James Cameron’s Avatar 2 premiered on December 16, just days before the 2022 Winter Solstice. Cameron tells us that Avatar became the number one grossing film of all time because, “Avatar is about finding our home, finding our family, finding our clan, and fighting to protect that which we found and earn our place in it.”1
Another awaited 2022 film-sequel has been delayed until 2023. This multi- award-winning film series is titled, Zeitgeist. The producer, Peter Joseph, skillfully explains the captivating astronomical and astrological correlations with the numerous “son gods” of the ancient and modern world. In my opinion, Joseph adeptly simplifies the sociological implications of the zeitgeist2 of our times. His films encourage humanity to uncover the outmoded beliefs that are at the root of our social issues. From an astrological perspective, his films expertly depict the messy transition that humanity currently finds itself as we leave behind the Piscean age and shift into the Aquarian age.
Capricorn is the zodiac sign representing winter, decay, and death. It’s associated with the concept of time — maturation, aging, and mortality. As in the movie, Avatar, Capricorn is one of the three zodiac earth signs that connect us to the cycles of our natural world. Therefore, the winter season is an optimal period to go within and reflect on the natural cycles of transitions in our own life.
The internal process of Capricorn reflection provides us the ability to look to our past with the intention of integrating all that has occurred. Undergoing this process can create an awareness of what needs to be changed for us to grow and evolve. If we embrace this period and take responsibility for our choices, while honoring each step along the way as a great learning, we will access Capricorn’s highest wisdom — personal and collective evolutionary growth, and most importantly, the perfection of the journey.
You may be wondering, what exactly does it mean when a planet is retrograde? From an astronomical perspective, retrograding planets orbiting our Sun only appear to move backwards during certain times of the year. However, the planets don’t really move backwards at all, they only appear to from our Earth-centered perspective.
Astrologically, retrograding planetsare powerful, real, and mysterious periods that encourage a time of reflection to gain a better understanding of our present-life circumstances. As a planet retrogrades, we find ourselves contemplating where we’ve been and where we’re going. If several planets are retrograding at the same time, we are more likely to readjust our course in essential ways.
The Sun and Moon do not retrograde, however, all the other astronomical bodies do so at least one or more times annually. Since Mars only turns retrograde once every two years, I am making it the focal point of this article (see below).
Currently, alongside Mars, the following planets are/or about to turn retrograde:
Uranus Retrograde in Taurus (August 24 – January 22, 2023) While on its trek through Taurus, the planet Uranus is echoing themes associated with our individual and collective values. Because Uranus is related to unprecedented change, its retrogradation provides an opportunity to evaluate where we can make changes in our life that will provide deeper meaning, inner worth, and overall security. This revolutionary planet has been retrograde since August 25, 2022 and will turn direct on January 22, 2023. It will not retrograde again until August 30, 2023.
Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn (December 29 – January 18, 2023) Marking the end of 2022 this Mercury Retrograde highlights work, projects in general, and social-political dynamics. It can also become a reflective period, one where we observe our thought processes (Mercury) and determine if we need to uplevel our thinking. Is the cup half full or half empty? Can we surrender to the perfection and growth of our individual evolution? How have our experiences shaped us into becoming more compassionate and loving?
Mars Retrograde in Gemini (October 30 – January 12, 2023) Mars is a planet of passionate, outward action, and manifestation. It thrives on adventure and can exude a strong “warrior” quality. Its natural propensities are passion, independence, impulsiveness, and leadership. Most importantly, Mars’s evolutionary purpose is to initiate brand-new cycles of adventure and self-discovery. However, during a Mars retrograde cycle, initiating new cycles of becoming may be temporarily put on-hold as this time period is better spent looking in the rearview mirror at where we’ve been and where we’re going and preparing for new action once Mars turns direct.
Because Mars is retrograde in the sign of Geminiand Mercury rules this sign (think communication and travel), this retrograde period may feel more like a Mercury retrograde period. Due to Mars’s influence, if there is lack of meaning in your life you may feel disheartened, restless, bored, and even blocked from pursuing a course of action. Or you may be inspired by what is transpiring in your life; in both cases, you can utilize this period to strategize and plan how you will start new endeavors once Mars turns direct on January 12.
Lastly, while Mars is retrograde, it is best to practice consideredresponse versus impulsive reaction to situations and people in our lives. This period will also provide an opportune time to examine our egotistic actions and make appropriate adjustments where necessary.
Key Phrases for Mars Retrograde
Seek to develop truthful authentic communication by returning to my center “core” self.
Monitor intense emotional responses to identify their origin and need for healing.
Learn to listen more closely to my inner versus external desires.
Explore how I can be more involved in community (or scale down if needed).
Revisit my life direction and/or past projects that need updating or completing.
Saturday, September 10, 2022 2:59 a.m. pacific time 17°41‘ Pisces
Some think it’s in the wine, and others think it’s in the divine, but pleasantness is what everyone is seeking. — Sadguru
A Harvest Full Moon is the annual Full Moon that occurs closest to the Fall Equinox and this year the Harvest Moon will brilliantly rise at its fullest on Friday & Saturday nights (September 9–10).
Astrologically, the light of a Full Moon illuminates the area of life symbolized by the zodiac sign in which it falls. This year’s Harvest Full Moon occurs in the mystical and otherworldly domain of Pisces. Associated with the cosmic, many of this sign (or those with Pisces planets in their charts) will often find themselves psychically transported to faraway realms.
Because this Harvest Full Moon is closely aligned with its ruling-planet Neptune (also in Pisces) it will imbue us with a greater dose of Piscean energy and a deeper awareness of the Pisces realms of compassion and caring, love, intuition, guilt, escapism (through any mode necessary), beauty, desires, suffering and sacrifice, healing or healing crises, adaptability, karmic completions, unity, oneness, and wholeness.
Importantly, and as mentioned above, this final sign of the zodiac represents the need to culminate any outmoded karmic patterns or addictive comforts that cease to serve our highest good. Endings can often feel difficult, but ultimately, even the most challenging will benefit us if they prevent crises and suffering. Therefore, this is an optimal lunation for intentions around letting go of the past and embracing the future.
Lastly, Mercury, the ruling-planet of the Virgo Sun (the light reflecting the Harvest Full Moon) turns retrograde during this Full Moon. Mercury is retrograding in the sign of Libra, denoting the exploration and re-visitation of relationship dynamics. To learn more about Mercury Retrograde in Libra please read my Fall Equinox and Mercury Retrograde articles.
On Friday and Saturday nights, go outdoors under the light of this powerful Harvest Full Moon and celebrate! Envision a future full of more love and more harmony for yourself, Mother Earth, and all sentient beings. Honor your bounty and enjoy the final gifts of summer as we enter the season of gratitude — fall.
Note: The above picture is from the sacred site of Chichen Itzá, Mexico.
Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony. — Thomas Merton
The movement of the Sun into Libra occurs this year on Thursday, September 22, at 6:04 p.m. pacific time. Celebrated the world over, the Sun’s ingress into Libra marks the first day of Fall — the season of balance and gratitude. Astronomically, in the Northern Hemisphere, both the Fall Equinox (end of Summer) and the Spring Equinox (end of Winter) mark the only two days of the year that the Earth’s axis is not titled toward or away from the Sun.
Chichen Itzain Mexico became one of the Seven Wonders of the World in 2006. The below pyramid from this site was built in the 8th–12th century C.E. and signifies the sacred Mayan calendar. On the Spring and Fall Equinoxes, thousands of people from all over the world travel to watch the phenomena of the Sun illuminating a 120-foot snake creeping down the northern staircase for 45 minutes. The Mayans created this sacred dance between shadow and light as a symbolic representation of the serpent joining Earth with the Heavens and the Underworld.
Equinox: equal balance between night and day — dark and light
Astrologically, Libra marks the halfway point of the Sun’s journey through the Zodiac, which began at the Astrological New Year — the Sun’s movement into Aries (March 20). Just as the Fall Equinox is associated with balance (between day and night), so too is Libra. However, the sign of the scales denotes the importance of balance within our partnerships, most importantly, the art of remaining in balance with how much we give versus receive.
The Sun’s movement into Libra initiates a period of time to contemplate our ability to receive. Receiving is closely associated with gratitude and when we are in a whole-hearted state of gratitude, we are open to receiving all things associated with greater abundance — love, prosperity, joy, health, etc.
The 2022 Equinox chart embodies the astrological influences for the entire Fall season. This year, a retrograding Mercury (also in Libra) is joining the Sun, and both are in aspect with Jupiter. On an individual level, these signatures support honest and fair communications.
Retrograde Mercury’s close proximity to the Sun in Libra this season requires vigilant mindfulness in order to create balance, peace, and harmony in our relationships. Because Mercury is retrograde, we’re also likely to revisit past relationship dynamics. Jupiter’s presence adds an optimistic dose of gratitude as it highlights our desires to make choices that honor our individual autonomy, as well as the sovereignty of others.
4°03′ Virgo Saturday, August 27, 2022 1:16 a.m. pacific time
To a pure heart all hearts are pure. — Mahatma Gandhi
Every New Moon brings a special gift of energetic wisdom based on the zodiac sign in which it occurs. The holistic unification and purification of one’s body, mind, and spirit are Virgo’s most important offering.
Purity is a strong motivator for this devotional sign. Whether it be a fit physical body, a healthy clear mind, or the ideal image of divinity, Virgo naturally strives for the “purest” form of whatever it seeks. In the end, and true to the above quote by Gandhi, Virgo’s quest ultimately leads to the realization that we are all divine beings, and therefore, already pure and perfect.
Because Virgo is ruled by the planet Mercury it appreciates analytical–critical thinking with the goal of arriving at the pure essence of the matter. Many of today’s scientistsand teachers are informing us that the function of our mind is to create unity between our thoughts and the reality that we wish to experience, whether it be perfect health or some other longing. This requires conscious, creative, and focused thinking. Hence, controlling our mentality seems worth the effort since physics has long-ago proven that concentrated energy gives life to matter.
Neglecting any one of Virgo’s holy trinity (body, mind, spirit) can lead to inner and/or external crises. If a crisis does occur and is interpreted as something happening to us, it can lead to confusion along with feelings of victimization, yet another key Virgo theme.
New Moons occur in the first phase of the 28-day lunation cycle, representing a symbolic time to plant seeds of intentions for new beginnings in our lives. This New Moon happens to be making an exact and challenging aspect to the planet Mars. As you may recall, Mars is associated with action and freedom. When either or both become thwarted, the result can be frustration, anger, and even rage. Therefore, take time during the peak days/hours of this New Moon (Sept. 27 & 28) to feel into where you need or would like more movement and freedom in your life. Set intentions for future growth that can sprout when the Sun’s light is once again reflected at the Full Moon.
Pay special attention to your nutritional requirements, thought processes, and spiritual needs. Be gentle, kind, and loving to yourself. Try not to belabor details, overanalyze, or become too critical, especially of yourself.
Thursday, August 11, 2022 6:36 pm pacific time 19°21′ Aquarius
The cure for all ills and wrongs, the sorrows and the crimes of humanity, all lie in the one word ‘love.’ It is the divine vitality that everywhere produces and restores life. ― Lydia Maria Child
In the sign of Aquarius, this final Super Full Moon of 2022 (1) is emphasizing a conjunction with Saturn (also in Aquarius) and a stimulating aspect to the triple conjunction (2) that ushered in August. This celestial trio between the North Node (our destiny), Uranus (change), and Mars (initiation) is intended to shake things up personally and collectively! In doing so, it provides us the opportunity to reevaluate our priorities and ensure that we are staying the course of our soul’s intended destiny.
Aquarians are individualists — altruistic, eccentric, and freedom oriented. As an air sign, they are interested in ideas and thoughts (think “cosmic mind”) and are considered the brilliant innovators of the zodiac. Although Aquarius is an air sign, it was referred to by the early Greeks as The Water Bearer. This connection through the healing element of water symbolizes Aquarius’s cosmic ambrosia (amrita in Sanskrit), the drink of immortality and the divine substance that gives, nourishes, and restores life.
The Sun in Leo is also in aspect to the above mentioned “triple conjunction.” The Sun’s rays illuminate and inspire us to distinguish between the desires of our ego versus the desires of our heart (Leo). Among many qualities, Aquarius represents our hopes and wishes, and yearns for the manifestation of a better world. The sign of the courageous-regal lion, Leo, embodies leadership and passion — encouraging creative actualization in all its divine expressions. Both these signs are seeking higher forms of love.
Because this Super Full Moon is aligned with Saturn in Aquarius we are encouraged to seek Saturn’s highest expressions of ethics, integrity, morals, accountability, responsibility, justice, and the ongoing need to restructure and revitalize that which is obsolete.
This lunation is a powerful catalyst for transformative growth: Employ Saturn’s determination to focus your mind; Uranus’s unexpected twist and turns to transform your life; the North Node and Mars to keep you on task so you can experience the adventure of your soul’s journey.
Go outside under the Full Moon’s illuminating rays and celebrate your individuality! Honor your unique gifts and set intentions for new experiences that bring awakening to more love and revitalization in your life.
Aquarius Full Moon Key Words: hopes, wishes, dreams, brilliant ideas, surprising and inspiring new opportunities, futuristic revitalization, responsibility, right action, diligence, justice, leadership, co-creation, courage
Important Dates On August 17–18, the Moon will be moving through the sign of Taurus and joining the “triple conjunction.” Pay special attention to what is happening in your personal sphere and the world at large during these two days.
Notes 1. A Super Full Moon is described by Astronomers as a Perigee Moon — the point where its elliptical orbit is closest to the Earth’s surface, which causes the Moon to appear approximately 14% larger and 30% brighter than normal. 2. A triple conjunction between the North Node, Uranus, and Mars occurred at 18° Taurus on July 31 – August 2, 2022. They will remain within a 10° orb until Mars moves into Gemini on August 20.
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