Dec

1

Storytelling with the Stars

Filed Under Full Moon, Gemini | 1 Comment

December 2009 is a busy month in the sky above (not to mention the earth below), as the planets change signs, moving forwards and backwards and clustering together in all kinds of interesting arrangements. The kicker is a Full Moon eclipse in the sign of Cancer (the second of two full moons this month), taking place on New Year’s Eve. So what does  this high octave rearrangement of the cosmic forces mean for you and for those you love?

As Venus settles into Sagittarius tomorrow (December 1st) and the Full Moon lights up the sign of Gemini (also December 1st), this is as good a time as any to embrace the sacred art of storytelling.

As an astrologer, part of my job is to weave a story of power, possibility and hope for my clients using the threads of their natal charts as the basis for the important themes and cycles that will shape their lives. But ideally, I can go even further and encourage people to track the movement of the stars and planets on their own, in this way they can begin to weave their own stories about their charts and their lives.

So think of my “star story” for December as a template for you to work with, a way for you to begin to develop your astrological literacy and move forward in the direction of shaping your personal planetary narrative.

The starry landscape of December is a paradoxical story, one that tells of change and awakening, but also stops and starts. Uranus, which goes direct after a five month retrograde period, is like an arrow shooting outward into the Piscean realm of imagination, creativity and spirituality. We now are free to explore the realms of possibility, having received the steady hand and focused attention of Saturn in Virgo, as it opposed Uranus in Pisces over the last year. Jupiter, the ancient ruler of Pisces and the modern ruler of Sagittarius, the archer, is further accentuated now as Venus joins the Sun for a month long visit with this expansive and optimistic fire sign.

So at first glance it would seem that all systems are “go, go, go”, yet mid-to late December, brings us a bit of a “no, no, no” vibe, slowing down our flying arrow of change and asking us to reconsider, regroup and re-energize both our thoughts and our actions. As Mars in Leo goes retrograde from mid-December until March of 2010, we have to keep our hands on the reigns of our desires. This will be a time to really explore whether our hearts are driving our will or vice-versa. Mercury retrograde in late December adds to this internalized energy, encouraging a time of introspection. We’re asked to put the breaks on now and slow down a fast moving vehicle, curbing its speed and directing a force and power that may at least appear to be out of our immediate control (Saturn/Pluto square).

This landscape of planetary possibility during the Winter of 2009-10 is only the backdrop for a larger story, a collective cosmic tale that may shape and effect your own personal narrative, but which also has a power all on its own. As you track the movements of the stars and planets in relationship to your natal chart, use your imagination to integrate the archetypes and myths of the sky into the day to day events of your life. As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, ask yourself, “What is the story that you want to tell around the Solstice fire? What is the story that gives your life meaning?” The story that warms you in the dark? This is the story that will help you keep your inner fire and light alive through this season of darkness and this is the story that is yours alone to tell.

The Star Stats

December 1

Full Moon in Gemini

Uranus in Pisces (23 degrees) goes direct

Venus moves into Sagittarius

December 20

Mars in Leo goes retrograde (19 degrees)

December 26

Mercury in Capricorn goes retrograde (21 degrees)

December 31

Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Cancer (10 degrees)

May

25

New Moon in Gemini-May 24, 2009 at 5:11 am pdt

Filed Under Gemini, mercury | Leave a Comment

It’s a bit of a tricky new moon today, which is “oh so perfect ” for that trickiest of the tricky signs known as Gemini. This third sign of the zodiac has many titles and wears a variety of hats, including such titles as: Thief, messenger, writer, teacher, and pollinating butterfly of the stars. So with the New Moon starring in this airiest of the air signs, communication is ON OUR MINDS. And yet, Mercury, Gemini’s ruling planet is still retrograde.

So what ever is a smart human to do?


We can navigate this catch-22 situation if we strategically use all the Gemini resources we have at our disposal. The New Moon says “green light, go, go, go, plant those seeds, start those projects” and Mercury retrograding says, “slow down, reconsider, think before you speak, write, sign on the dotted line…”.

As Gemini is the planet of duality, aka “The Twins”, this New Moon demands that we stop and go, speak and listen, act and reflect simultaneously this month. Yes, plant those new seeds of communication, education, connection, pollination. But yes, also, rethink, review and reconsider how you “do Gemini” in the world. How do you communicate? Educate? Listen? Learn? Any changes that may be necessary now? Revisions in plans? Now is the time to act on the “re” principle, taking advantage of Mercury’s backwards motion to revise as necessary until about June 3 when Mercury is moving forward with a bit of steady motion (actual direct day is May 30, and Mercury is out of what’s known as it’s “shadow” period on June 15th, June 3rd is when it’s out of the slow going phase and picking up speed again).