The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are thrilled once again to have our good friend and guest blogger Steve Nelson return to share his wisdom. Steve is an astrologer who follows a Jungian mythological tradition. He was raised by a part Cherokee shaman Aunt Maude who learned much of her lore from Molly Runningwolf, the mother of Amanita Sequoyah, the last Cherokee medicine man officially recognized by the Eastern Tribe. Steve’s Indian name is Steven Red Wolf, his lineage is of the wolf clan, one of the 7 tribal groups of the Cherokee. Steve follows many of the Cherokee traditions especially as these relate to celebrations, the use of ritual fire and star lore. For more information about Steve Nelson see www.GaiaAstrology.com
December 2011
This month the stage is set for the conclusion of the old world cycle and the beginning of the new. Venus aligns with Pluto on Dec 1 invoking the transforming power of love. Love will be king in the world we’re entering. Venus/Pluto in trine with Jupiter prepares the way for the death/rebirth and healing of the king – and the coming forth of the new king. While Jupiter is retrograde (until Dec 25) the ways of the world’s false kings continue to be exposed and old world shadows are brought to light to be transformed. This is the function of the global Occupy Movement. Energy set free from these old patterns breaking will power the new creation flowering through 2012.
On Dec 25 the spirit and consciousness of the new king, new leadership for the world, will begin to emerge. Mythically this Winter Solstice/Christmas marks the beginning of JRR Tolkien’s pivotal year when the dark tower falls (Mar 27) and the ring war ends (Nov 3). The important dates of this year are listed in the Chronology of The Return of the King. The first of these dates is Dec 25 when at dusk the company of the ring leaves Rivendell to begin their quest. The seeds of a great liberation are now being sown.
Three significant turnarounds make way for the 2012 global awakening. The first and most powerful is Uranus moving forward on Dec 10th on the day of the Total Lunar Eclipse. Then the wizard planet Mercury turns direct Dec 13 and, finally, giant Jupiter the King goes forward on Dec 25th. These times are opportune for our own turnarounds and as we turn (Sunwise, clockwise) consciousness will spiral upwards connecting with the planetary powers.
Venus conducts us to the new world and she will be revealing other world wonders as she moves “out of bounds” below the zodiac until Dec 13. Evening Star Venus is Venus Hesperus referring to the Hesperides where the golden apple tree of Venus grows. This is Avalon, “the Apple Isle.” Evening Star Venus is also called “Venus Cerridwen,” honoring the original Queen of the isle. Cerridwen keeps the Cauldron of Inspiration, death, rebirth and healing that is the original Holy Grail. The Mayans saw Evening Star Venus
as the Sun dog Xolotl sitting in a cauldron “pushing the Sun into healing darkness.” Long held secrets are revealed, heroes and kings are healed, leaders change or are removed from the scene when Venus Xolotl is seen.
The month begins with Mercury retrograde. This a good time to finish up old business but not to begin
anything new until New Mercury on Dec 4.
White Rabbit Day Dec 1 – Magic Is Afoot
Say “White Rabbit” first thing today for luck through the month. The Rabbit in the Moon is our magical guide. #1 days resonate with the Magician Tarot Key #1.
1st Quarter Moon, Dec 1-3 (exact 4:52 am 12/2) – Time to Choose
This Moon is like a scythe cutting across the sky, it’s a time to cut free from the trappings of the past and affirm our purpose moving forward. Sacred to the Druids, this Moon is pivotal in the cycle of creation. Choices made are likely the right ones. Breathing deeply through the light of the crown frees energy flow up and down the spine to clear shadows and power our dreams.
Moon at the Equator, Dec 2 3:05 pm – Dec 3 1:30 am – Imagine!
Lunar 0 Points are cosmic balance times ideal for creative imagination. Moon at the Equator going north is like Spring Equinox, a time to envision and initiate what we wish to be. Uranus is also at the Equator now adding its magic to this re-creation time.
New Mercury, Dec 4 (3:52 am) – Think Anew and Communicate
Mercury crosses between Earth and Sun beginning a new 4-month cycle of communication, invention and commerce. Mind and magic are reborn. Sagittarius New Mercury brings special magic and focus to realize our dreams. We will have 3 months to bring this magic to Earth.
Full Moon Total Lunar Eclipse, Dec 8-12 – Revelation / Liberation
When an eclipse occurs above, things get eclipsed or eliminated here below. This Full Moon Total Eclipse clears away the old and calls forth new leaders and new leadership. Each Full Moon brings revelation and opportunities for healing body, mind, and soul. The Full Moon is like a pitcher that pours out a magic elixir we raise our cups to receive. Cosmic energies flow for 3 days following Full Moon (exact 8:36 am Dec 10). Revelations come in dreams, chance encounters and flashes of inspiration. Stay tuned!
Mercury Direct, Dec 13 (8:43 pm) – Spread the News
As Mercury moves forward it rises before the Sun as “Mercury Prometheus” bringing new fire to mortals. This begins 3 months of world changing new discoveries, inspired social interchange and successful enterprise.
3rd Quarter Moon, Dec 16-18 (exact 7:48 pm 12/17) – Dreams in Action
This Moon cuts away all that distracts from realizing our deepest dreams. 3rd Quarter Moon integrates new ideas into creative expression; it’s time to follow our bliss and do what feels good in concert with the whole.
Moon at the Equator, Dec 17 (1:25 am – 10:30 am) – Meditate
Lunar Zero Points are cosmic balance times ideal for creative imagination. 0 Point South is like Autumn Equinox in the year, it is time to connect with the greater whole and scry our true place in the world.
Balsamic Moon, Dec 20-22 – Make a Wish!
Shadows that come before New Moon are cleared through deep breathing with attention to the light within. The Balsamic Moon is the Wishing Moon, the best time to put wishes on the air. Also called Witches Moon, it is a time to bring others to mind for healing. Feeling invokes healing; as we feel we heal. Needs felt now invoke magic from the new lunar cycle. See the wee waning Moon rising before the Sun.
Hanukkah, Dec 21-28 – Illumination
This 8-day Festival of Lights (from Sunset Dec 20) celebrates spiritual purification and the miracle of Light. The deeper we go in the purifying dark of Hanukkah New Moon (Dec 24) the brighter the Light of the New Year.
Winter Solstice, Dec 22 (exact 12:30 am) – Seeding the New Year
All that’s new gets seeded true as the Sun comes to its magic zero point. The Druids call this day the Festival of Liberation or the Day Out of Time. It’s a time to celebrate and invoke the return of the Light, our Light, to set things right in our world. Winter Solstice (the “still standing Sun”) continues for 3-4 days until the Sun begins moves northward again on Christmas Day.
Going Out of the Signs Dec 22-30 – Out with the Old, Opening to the New
The best time to break addictions or eliminate attachments is when the Moon moves through signs down below vital organs from Sagittarius (thighs) to Pisces (feet). Now we can more easily let go of outmoded patterns of being.
Dark of Moon/New Moon, Dec 23-25 – Time to Go Within
The day before New Moon until Sunset a day after is ideal for inner work to seed the new cycle, outer activity is favored after the crescent appears. The New Moon (1:06 pm 12/25) is a cosmic spring that flows freely as we slow down. Nostradamus calls this “the day of Diana, a time for silent rest.” The New Moon is a psychic black hole like Alice’s rabbit hole. Great wonders await our going within. Here we can know what is and realize how to shape what is to be.
Christmas Day, Dec 25 – Rebirth of Light and Love
Christmas is Dies Invictus Solis, ‘the Day of the Unconquerable Sun,’ when the Sun begins to move northward again and the Light of the World born anew. This Light manifests through the 12 days of Yule culminating on Epiphany Jan 6. Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ, the Egyptian Horus, Phrygian Attis and Persean Mithras; all represent the solar logos reborn on Earth at midnight on Christmas Eve. The Fellowship of the Ring begin their quest at dusk when the lunar crescent appears.
Crescent New Moon, Dec 25-29 – Time to Sow
It’s time to bring forward what we wish to be realized. Farmers plant seeds when the crescent appears; seeds are now fertile on every level. This time favors all new beginnings. Moon magic is strongest Sunset to Moonset when the Moon is in the 7th House. Meditation opens doorways, wishes take wing and prayers bring blessings for this Moon and the New Year to be.
Moon at the Equator, Dec 29 11:45 pm – Dec 30 9:55 am – Imagine!
Lunar 0 Points are cosmic balance times ideal for creative imagination. Moon at the Equator going north is like Spring Equinox, a time to envision and initiate what we wish to be.
New Year Gate of Inspiration, Dec 31- Jan 1 (2:14pm 12/31- 1:50pm 1/1)
A Muse Gate opens every 40 days, 9 times each year. Whatever blocks energy flow comes before this Gate to be let go. This is a time to dissolve body tensions that hold us in outmoded ways of thinking and feeling. Breathe deeply and move freely (yoga, tai chi, dance!) to shed the old and be present to the power and possibilities of the new.
Happy New Year!
Steve Nelson (“Mythic Astrologer”) with The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.)
**Steve Nelson is a professional astrologer who uses Tarot, name analysis, and traditional astrology to help clients understand personal myths and realize natural abilities. He can be reached at http://www.gaiaastrology.com/about-steve/
*****The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are available for keynote talks, classes, events or for seminars (1/2 day or up to 2 day) on personal transformation, team-building, motivation, anger management, intuitive development, or collaboration for private groups, conferences, corporations or corporate events. Contact them at info@shiftyourlife.com or find out more about them at www.shiftyourlife.com