Steve Nelson, “Mythic Astrologer” and good friend of “The Shift Doctors” (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.), returns 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
Every 500 years the Phoenix dies and is born anew from its ashes, an old world passes away and a 
new world is born. 500 years ago a Native American holy man called ‘the Messenger‘ had a vision of a great eagle perched in the top of a World Tree. Degandiwidah saw that each branch of the tree was a tribe and all were united sharing a common soil. From this vision grew the Iroquois Confederacy with its symbol, an eagle clutching arrows, to represent the united tribes. The Iroquois pact inspired the more farsighted of the American colonists to form a similar tripartite system of self-government. Now 500 years later this same vision inspires the formation of a global round table of nations for our new world.
Every 2160 years a new zodiacal age begins and everything changes as new symbols and new myths come to life. Now we begin the new Aquarian Age. Every 5000 years a great Mayan cycle ends and a new creation begins; now we begin the era of the 5th Sun. Every 7000 years we begin a Millennium of the Sun and so it is now as we enter the much anticipated thousand years of peace. This month the stage is set for the convergence of many great cycles and the beginning of a new world.
At the Venus Transit earlier this year the Woman of Revelation was “clothed with the Sun.” Venus rising before the Sun aligning with the galactic center at this Winter Solstice (Dec 17-25) signals the birth of a new Golden Age. Now we come to the heart, the magical, mystical fulfillment of it all when Mayan elders say the Feathered Serpent will fly and this nation will come to full spiritual life to lead the world into the new Age of Light.
Why just now? A number of cosmic elements come together to bring us into the new age; mythic traditions tell us how. Venus as Morning Star is key for this new world to be. The return of Venus as Morning Star after her June 5 solar transit signals the flight of the Phoenix. The Mayans call Venus rising Quetzalcoatl, the Egyptians know her as “Bennu.” The chant to invoke the Phoenix return is “Tee ee ee wah lay yay, Ba, Bak, Bennu.”
Rising before the Sun to see the Morning Star facilitates the emergence of this new consciousness. In this time of new creation, we wish on the Morning Star. And we sing “Good Morning Starshine,” a mythic song for this mythic time. Venus rising now invokes the transforming power of love. Love rules in this new world.
The final key for the global awakening is the Sun’s alignment with the Galactic Center at this Winter Solstice Dec 21, 2012. The Mayans revere the galactic core as the divine being Hunab Ku. This great deity manifests on Earth as the god/goddess Itzamna-Ixchel or Whirling Rainbow whose 4-fold form is suggested by the spiral arms of the Milky Way. Sunwise circular dance aligns hearts with the heart of the Sun and the transcendent Hunab Ku.
White Rabbit! Dec 1 – Magic Is Afoot
Say ‘White Rabbit’ first thing today for luck throughout the month. #1 days resonate with the Magician Tarot Key 1, the Moon Hare is our magic guide.
1st Advent Sunday, Dec 2 – Invoking the Return of the Light
The 4 candles of the advent wreath represent the 4 elements of being to be purified for the Solstice rebirth of the divine light. One candle is lit each week in the order east, south, west and north. First to be purified is the mind (air), then will (fire), emotion (water) and finally body (earth). At midnight Christmas Eve a 5th candle is lit at center marking the coming of new light.
3rd Quarter Moon, Dec 5-8 (exact 10:3a am 12/6) – Realizing Dreams
This Moon cuts away all that distracts from putting dreams into action, Sun trine Jupiter powers our 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.
Balsamic Moon, Dec 8-11 – Make a Wish!
This is the Wishing Moon, the best time to put wishes on the air. It is also called the Witches Moon, a time to bring to mind those who need healing. Feeling invokes healing, the deeper we feel, the deeper we heal. The deeper we feel, the more Moon magic comes through the new lunar cycle. This Balsamic Moon is especially powerful as it precedes this Winter Solstice when the world begins anew. Shadows before New Moon can be cleared through deep breathing with attention to the light of the crown. See the wee crescent rising before the Sun with bright Venus, the Goddess of Dawn.
Hanukkah, Dec 9-17 – Illumination
This 8-day Festival of Lights (from Sunset Dec 8) celebrates spiritual purification and the miracle of Light. The deeper we go in the purifying dark of Hannukkah New Moon (Dec 13) the brighter the Light of the New Year.
Dark of the Moon/New Moon, Dec 12-14 – Going Within, Discovery
The day before New Moon until Sunset a day after is ideal for inner work to clear shadows past and seed the new cycle; outer activity is favored after the new lunar crescent appears. The New Moon (3:42 am 12/13) is a cosmic spring that flows freely as we slow down. Nostradamus calls New Moon “the day of Diana, a time for silent rest.” A Solar Eclipse is a psychic black hole like Alice’s rabbit hole. Many wonders await our following the Moon Hare within. Here we can know what is and how to help shape what’s to be.
Crescent New Moon, Dec 14-18 – A Time to Sow
It’s time to bring forward what we wish to be realized. Farmers plant seeds when the crescent appears, seeds become fertile on every level, all new beginnings are favored now. Meditation opens doorways, wishes take wing, prayers bring blessings for this Moon and the New Year to be.
1st Quarter Moon, Dec 19-23 (exact 12:19 am 12/20) – 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.
Winter Solstice, Dec 21 (exact 6:12 am) – Seeding the New Creation
All that’s new gets seeded true as the Sun comes to its magic zero point. The Druids call Winter Solstice the Day of Liberation, the Day Out of Time. It’s a time to celebrate and invoke the return of the Light, our Light, to recreate our world. Today is when the Feathered Serpent flies according to the Mayan prophecy, it is when we fly free. First we train our dragons, then we fly. Tarot Key 21 the World shows us how this can be. Dance is key to training up the primal energy and opening the Solstice Gate of Ascension, dance sets our souls free. Winter Solstice (the “still standing Sun”) continues for 3-4 days until the Sun begins to move northward on Christmas Day.
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 with Epiphany Jan 6. Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ, the Egyptian Horus, Phrygian Attis and Persean Mithras; all represent the solar logos reborn at midnight on Christmas Eve.
Sun in Capricorn Full Moon, Dec 26-30 – Transformation and Liberation
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 5:21 am 12/28). Revelations come in dreams, chance encounters and flashes of inspiration. Stay tuned!
New Year Gate of Inspiration, 2 am 12/31- 2 am 1/1 – Open to Receive
A Muse Gate opens every 40 days, 9 times each year. (To find out more about the Nine Gates of Inspiration go to http://shiftyourlife.com/2010/the-nine-gates-of-inspiration-access-to-interdimensional-portals/ .) Queen Cerridwen stirs her cauldron for a year and day to brew the “greal” of Inspiration. Nine maidens, the Muses, alternate their breaths to keep her fire burning. Polyhymnia is the muse of spiritual song, singing together channels the energy that creates the new world. Whatever blocks energy flow comes before the Gate to be let go. It’s time to dissolve body tensions that hold outmoded ways of thinking and feeling. Breathe deeply and move freely (do yoga, tai chi, dance!) to shed the old and open to the magic of this new time. Happy New Year!
Bright Blessings to you all!
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. Find out more about him at his website www.gaiaastrology.com
***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 .
****Check out The Shift Doctors’ books and Meditation CDs by clicking here. See other articles on health, personal transformation, self-growth, and travel at ShiftYourLife.com