(See also the accompanying Pranic Meditation which relates to this article).
Eager Sagittarius is ready to help us find meaning and gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and events in our life. As Jupiter in Scorpio continues (for one more year) to help us purge the fears and wounds that distort our truth, we can be inspired and uplifted by the optimistic perspective of fiery Sagittarius.
November 21 -December 20 – The Sun Shines in Sagittarius
Sagittarius is open to, and in fact, needs to explore new possibilities and frontiers. It is forever reaching out for experiences that can expand its understanding of self, others, the world, and the universe.
Sagittarius is not motivated by conventional or external security anchors. The Archer needs the freedom to travel, create, and experience new things, ideas, and places. It engages in experiences that broaden its horizon — foreign travel, higher education, spiritual quests, and adventures that offer a break from the ordinary routine. The Archer loves to discover hidden treasures and has a keen eye for finding bargains.
Adventure produces a sense of satisfaction and security for Sagittarius. Driven by a desire to explore the unknown, the Archer finds internal security by being connected to a higher power. For our inner Archer, it is our faith in ourselves, our soul, and the Universe that affords us the personal freedom to live on the edge. Without this internal security, we need constant reassurance that things are going to be OK.
Sagittarius is naturally idealistic, outgoing. and expressive. In its naive state, it has a tendency toward escapism, gullibility, and irresponsibility. Sag wants to find and share the truth. However, undeveloped Sag can be dogmatic and opinionated. In higher states of consciousness, Sag is a source of inspiration and strives to live by higher laws.
December 3 – Gemini Full Moon
7:46 AM PST (15:46 GMT) at 11 degrees Gemini
This is a super Full Moon, which happens when the Moon is in its closest proximity to the Earth. This full moon thus appears larger and brighter than usual. The closeness also affects our biochemistry and increases the emotional intensity of how we perceive and react to events and triggers.
The polarity pair of Gemini and Sagittarius are mental signs that offer us the gift of perception. They hone our discernment so we can identify and connect with deeper levels of truth. They help us investigate what is real and what is illusion.
Uranus, the planet that favors unconventionality and innovation, makes a number of aspects around this full moon sending us the following messages — (1) be courageous and creative, (2) stop debating what to do and take action, (3) if you are in an abusive, oppressive or unequal relationship, it is up to you to reclaim your power, define your boundaries, and give priority to your own happiness.
Mutable T-Square with Gemini, Sagittarius, and Pisces
At the Full Moon, the Sun in Sagittarius, Moon in Gemini, and Neptune in Pisces — all at 12 degrees — form a tight T-square, impelling us distinguish between what we think and believe, and what actually is transpiring. Gemini investigates the details in the immediate situation and environment. Sagittarius focuses on a higher perspective, meaning, and significance. Pisces looks beyond earthly experiences and logic into the nonphysical realms that can only be known through feelings and inner awareness.
The mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces) offer us more freedom and flexibility if we are able to deal with things the way they are. The more we are present in the reality of the moment, the more we are available we are to discern pathways through our problems.
This is a volatile mutable T-square that challenges us to be open to shifting the way we perceive reality, life situations, and ourselves. Logic and rational analysis can confuse us. Spirit speaks to us in nonverbal ways — through feelings, symbology, synchronicity, images, and dreams. We can feel oppressed by a cloud of smoke until we trust what we can’t see — the invisible realm of Spirit. We get a change to tune into another perspective of what is ‘obvious.’
Now is a special time to simply be open and available. When Saturn and the Sun move into Capricorn the 20th of December, the dream party will be over and it will be time to get to work.
December 2-3 – Mercury Goes Retrograde
11:34 PM PST (7:34 GMT) at 29 degrees Sagittarius
Just hours before the peak of the Full Moon, Mercury stations retrograde at the last degree of Sagittarius. Mercury will be retrograde until December 22 (5:51 PM PST) when it goes direct at 13 degrees Sagittarius. Because of its retrograde motion, Mercury will be in Sagittarius from November 5 through January 10.
Retrogrades are a time for introspection, release, and realignment. With Mercury in Sagittarius, we are encouraged to examine the assumptions and beliefs that drive our decision making process and be open to new ways of approaching life and its challenges.
While Mercury is retrograde is an opportune time to step back, review, and reinterpret your life journey in terms of what you are learning and your soul’s purpose. Do a careful reality check and monitor where and how you align (or not) with your own truth. As Saturn is reaching the very end of its sojourn through Sagittarius, we are reminded that we are responsible for ourselves and how we choose to live our lives.
Mercury retrograde deepens our awareness of the issues raised by this year’s square between Saturn and Chiron, which is nearing completion. We can get more clarity about how our limited ideas, false interpretations, and imposed beliefs have negatively impacted our lives. As we recognize how the above have created pain and keep us stuck in sabotaging scenarios, we can free our minds and emotional body from these damaging burdens. How much can you let go of and how expansive can you be? Rewrite your story. You are not a victim, you are a hero and heroine in your own life.
Mercury makes three conjunctions with Saturn (November 27 at 28º Sagittarius, December 6 at 28º Sagittarius and January 12 at 3º Capricorn), turning our attention to what drives us, what matters most to us, and what we wish to accomplish. We need to give priority to self care which includes greater acceptance and compassion for ourselves.
December 5 – Chiron Goes Direct
Chiron ends its yearly retrograde phase at 24 degrees Pisces (began on June 30 at 29º Pisces) If we’ve done the inner work required, Chiron’s station direct signals the closing of old wounds. We certainly have a heightened awareness of what remains to be resolved. In Pisces, Chiron teaches us that while we learn from pain, we heal through love.
December 17-18 – Sagittarius New Moon
26 degrees 10:30 PM PST (6:30 GMT)
Each new moon invites us to plant a seed in the arena of that zodiac sign. Topics related to the Sagittarius archetype relate to expanding our mind and vision concerning our life mission and spiritual journey. Key words for Sagittarius are possibilities, potential, and projection. A mood of trust and optimism directs our inner Archer to widen our view of what is possible. The Archer is directed by our inner light, the flame of our soul that keeps us alive and sustains us through our life challenges. Sagittarius encourages us to open ourselves to spirituality, to explore new territory, and to unleash our creativity with original projects. To do so we need to identify and release patterns of thinking that keep us tethered to limiting habits, beliefs, and ways of doing things.
Venus in Sagittarius encourages us to do what we love. Saturn at the last degree of Sagittarius gives us a chance to take stock of what we have learned during its 3 year tour through Archer territory, which began in December 2014. How have your ideas about your future changed? How has your vision of yourself and what is possible in your lifetime shifted? What have you accomplished that you are proud of?
When Saturn moves into Capricorn on December 20 our focus will be on manifesting our visions in very practical ways.
Chiron in Pisces squares the Sagittarius stellium (Saturn, Sun, Moon, Venus, and Mercury are all in Sagittarius.) Chiron in Pisces exposes suffering and what needs to be healed. It also teaches us that solutions to our problems and lasting resolution require expanding our interpretation of causes and looking to healing from the spiritual realm. Jupiter in Scorpio forces us into our emotional depths so that we can traverse the dark to get to the light. Dedication, focus, and compassion make our transformational journey possible.
References
Austin, Stephanie,
EcoAstrology: Gemini Full Moon, www.EcoAstrology.com December 1.
Trinkaus, Emily, Gemini Full Moon – December 3, The Mountain Astrologer, December/January 2018, p. 91
Trinkaus, Emily, Sagittarius New Moon – December 17-18, The Mountain Astrologer, December/January 2018, p. 95
