From Winter Solstice To Illumination And Dissemination, We Move Into 2013

    There are many myths or historical truths about why this is an auspicious time of year, but suffice it to say, the Winter Solstice is the key point in the year for collectively celebrating the rebirth and return of the Light. Various cultures had celebrations, festivities and holidays beginning on or around December 21 and continuing for five days.  Saturnalia was celebrated by the ancient Greeks as the Festival of Kronos and their Roman counterparts commemorated the Temple of Saturn, celebrating from December 17 - 23rd; these five days "outside of time" stemmed from a 12x30 day calendar. The important thing to know here is that Saturn is the ruler of Capricorn, the zodiac sign that the Sun enters at Winter Solstice. Saturn symbolizes focus and concentrated energy, even limitations, that allows the personality to evolve through discipline and responsibility - attributes necessary for manifestation!

    Jesus of Nazareth came to be given much of the recognition that was previously given to a sun god, or Sol, during the celebration of the Sol Invictus Festival. The Festival of the birth of the Unconquered Sun was introduced in the 3rd Century Roman Empire by Emperor Elagabalus to be celebrated on December 25th and became so popular that under Emperor Aurelian, it was promoted as an empire-wide holiday.

    From Winter Solstice on December 21 until Christmas on the 25th, tradition and myths combine to bring us the holidays. This time period is what really heralds in the new year and not the arbitrary date of January 1st. Let us now consider the planetary influences carrying us over the threshold into the new year, beginning with the Sun's entry into the Cardinal Earth sign Capricorn at the Winter Solstice. The solar force here supports all practical matters of business and career as well as physical structures and the skeletal system, including teeth, skin and bones! Make those appointments in January with doctors and dentists, accountants and tax people to make sure you start the year off on solid ground. The Capricorn New Moon on January 11th pulls together this pragmatic energy when the Sun (outer) and the Moon (inner) align to take care of business increasing the focus on material matters. Hard work and responsibility are what it's all about under Saturn's influence!
 
    This past Friday's Full Moon concentrated on safety and security as it took place at 8 degrees of the signs Capricorn and Cancer. This polarity highlighted nurturing, food, the nest, and family, as well as responsibilities, work, perseverance and the necessity of conserving resources. It is this focus that is emphasized as we transition into 2013 under the Disseminating Moon. While we are quick to note the Full Moon's placement in the zodiac each month and what it highlights, we sometimes need a reminder to reflect on the energy available during this particular phase of the lunar cycle. The Disseminating phase is about follow-through and the best use of your efforts as revealed at the Full Moon. What do you want to continue to build on? I'm going to quote a brilliant Photographer, Greg Davis, whom I met with my daughter recently in Austin Texas, and say "Do not look back, you're not headed that way!"

   Today's Moon in Leo can bring out the sunny nature of the kid in all of us, or the teacher, or the benevolent leader, or the drama queen - which one will you be? Which one are you willing to let lead you into the New Year? Be wise, be safe and be loving as The Moon can go either way after 4:52 pm when it begins to travel void-of-course, making the path a bit more adventurous and uncertain. Wait for new starts and declarations of any kind until after the New Moon, if you can!

   January 1, 2013 comes in under a Leo Moon influence, but Luna quickly moves into Virgo, creating an opposition to Neptune in Pisces. Here's what you get with this particular Earth/Water polarity: discernment, orderliness, practicality and assimilation of information on one side of the coin (Virgo) and compassion, understanding, receptivity and intuition on the other side of the coin (Pisces). If you work too hard, are overly analytical or worry too much, take the day off to relax and enjoy an old movie. If, on the other hand, you tend toward escapist behavior, (ie. drinking, drugs or denial...) or a lack of boundary-setting, perhaps you'll want to clean out your system, closet or cupboard and replace an old bad habit with a new healthier one. Small steps... This is the energy available to us now, under the Disseminating Moon, as we move into 2013.

   I want to wish you all a healthy, happy new cycle of joy and prosperity!! Remember, keep your head in the stars and your feet on the ground. Blessings~