Priya Kale

by Priya Kale=

December brings us to the end of 2011 — a year that has been challenging to say the least but hopefully not without its rewards.

If you find yourself doubting that, the planetary energy suggest there is still plenty of hope left in the year as well as time for reflection before we start anew in 2012 – a year that has been greatly prophesied as one of the major turning points in consciousness for humanity in our lifetimes.

We began the month with Venus’ conjunction to Pluto in Capricorn asking us to let go of our attachment to success or some idea of it if we want to unearth our true potential; relationships and financial situations have been evolving deeply at this time. 

December 10th, 2011 marks a Lunar Eclipse culminating in Gemini; with the Moon on the South Node and the Sun in close conjunction to the North Node. The Eclipse occurs at 18+ degrees of the Gemini-Sagittarius axis at 9:36 AM EST and is setting the stage for all that is due to be revealed over the coming six months. Also significantly, just hours before the Eclipse Uranus changes direct and resumes direct motion in Aries.

Expect surprises, sudden perhaps even shocking revelations, allowing us to see a whole other side of a story. With the Moon conjunct the South Node in Gemini, there are deep emotions being triggered and a sense of perhaps swinging wildly between extreme emotions feeling like we have to make an either or choice. But the Sun in Sagittarius conjunct the North Node and Mercury retrograde in the sign, suggest what we are learning goes beyond just the facts at hand (Moon in Gemini conjunct South Node) asking for trust in an inner knowing and vision to guide us forward. Gemini rules information, communication and it may seem like the truth is a double edged sword — but Mercury is in Sagittarius suggesting if we avoid seeing situations in black and white terms, the truth will set us free.

Uranus’ direct motion suggests we are pushing through personal boundaries, learning to have faith in and trust ourselves as we move forward. The South Node can represent our comfort zone, and with the Moon conjunct the South Node at the time of this Eclipse it is definitely more so. But Mercury (ruler of Gemini) stations direct days after the Eclipse in the opposite sign of Sagittarius suggesting what is being revealed is showing us a deeper truth behind a story. It is also interesting to note Mercury stationed retrograde days before the New Moon and Solar Eclipse in Gemini and this Full Moon brings a revelation before we get back on the path towards exploring new horizons that await.

No matter what the seeming urgency, don’t push this energy and keep an open mind. There is more being revealed by the light of the Full Moon, so do your best to keep a sense of perspective and avoid giving in to emotional triggers that cause you to act in haste. Indeed the three most liberating and wise words we could say to ourselves would be “I don’t know;” then we can open up to listen to the inner voice of wisdom that speaks a greater truth and holds the answers to all the questions that arise from the minds natural tendency to doubt and divide.

Whatever is going on in your life, whatever the circumstances, you can be sure you don’t have all the information yet so don’t be too quick to judge.

The Sun by the North Node and Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius are asking for trust in an inner knowing, taking a leap of faith if we want to evolve towards our destiny. Sagittarius is the sign that rules freedom and we are certainly not trapped. What is unfolding is in truth is asking patience and perspective, but if we can manage this this is also liberating us from the horns of a dilemma. Simply put: trust your gut.

Mercury stations direct on December 13th, 2011 and will move through its final shadow phase through the end of the year. As Mercury moves forward, we have a chance to course correct any situation that seems to have gotten way off track and get back on track. With honesty there can be deeper understanding, especially within relationships allowing us to get back on the same page with important commitments and arrangements towards a mutually satisfying future.

Another major shift comes as Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius, stations direct on December 25, 2011 just in time for Christmas. Jupiter is the planet that represents hope, faith and is considered the most benevolent planet and its change of direction is rather divinely timed this season of giving.

People are likely to be feeling more generous than usual this holiday season which we can never have enough of. But first on Christmas Eve, December 24th, 2011 we have the Capricorn New Moon which occurs at 2+ Capricorn; in close conjunction to Pluto in Capricorn and solid trine to Jupiter in Taurus (still retrograde.)

Given this is Christmas Eve, it’s likely to be a rather emotional time and with the New Moon in conjunction to Pluto even more intensely so. Expect a wave of nostalgia sweeping through, washing over us. The holidays are not an easy time for many, who are grieving loss, loved ones or simply don’t even have basic necessities for survival and the planetary aspects are certainly bringing these darker emotions and realities to the forefront.

But there are also those who live in external material abundance, but are too caught up worrying how to hold on to their riches, to even enjoy the wealth they’ve been given. I think it was Osho who once said, the only difference between the ‘rich’ and the ‘poor’ is that the rich get to choose their misery. This may also be time of a heavy release for those grieving loved ones who have passed. We can never replace our loved ones, nor take the place of those who have passed in the lives of those we love.

It is true old times and traditions are dying, but in letting go of what is dead, gone or dying we can make space for something new to birth and take root. It is all about making conscious choices: choosing life over death, love over pain, and a recognition of what is precious rather than focusing on the loss. 

One’s economic status has nothing to do with the joy or love in one’s heart which is the true measure of one’s wealth. And for those grieving loved ones, it may be helpful to remember our lives are a testament to all those who have gone before us, laying foundations for all the generations to come after us. We owe it to ourselves to live our best possible lives — as defined one’s by personal integrity and not rules or tradition for the sake of it.

We can let go of our darker past if we choose. Even in the death of old traditions there can be the birth of new ones, that honor the past while embracing present reality. The Capricorn New Moon’s trine to Jupiter also suggests a time of finding inner faith and counting one’s blessings no matter what the external circumstances of one’s life reflect. The aspects could exaggerate the sense of loss we feel but if we are conscious, this is a profound opportunity to awaken to all there is to be grateful for. Jupiter in Taurus is a reminder of the gift of life – to be able to experience the wonders of this world while still in the flesh is truly a Divine gift.

Financially, for business as well as personal relationships, this is a rather fertile period. But perhaps if you are starting a new business or partnership then you may want to wait until after Christmas when Jupiter is direct and you have the full force of its blessings on your venture or partnership.

Also this New Moon triggers the Uranus – Pluto square, an aspect that first peaked June 2010, again this year, and rules the skies over the next few years until 2015. As we have seen all over the world and in our lives in 2011, change is here now.

We are being awoken to our very individual power on a very personal level, but this also brings a deep need for self-awareness. Only then can there be a conscious breaking away from the past patterns, and parental, social or cultural conditioning allowing us to live a more passionate and authentic existence; rather than unconsciously rebelling, or reacting to emotional triggers or feelings of powerlessness in [self] destructive ways. It will be especially helpful to remember this early in the month when Uranus stations direct at the time of the Gemini Eclipse. Then we can avoid reacting in childhood patterns that may have made us feel powerless.

Uranus’ square to Pluto in Capricorn a reminder to wake up and watch who we give away our power to. The people in a position of power and authority whether on a global political, economic level or in our personal lives, are there because we put them there and we give them that power. If this is done blindly or without any self-awareness, then it’s like falling asleep at the wheel, or giving away the reins of control unconsciously and then end up feeling victimized. The aspects surrounding the Capricorn New Moon are truly embodying this energy asking us to become conscious of the darker unconscious patterns we want to break out of, so we can live a more personally authentic and passionate existence and be responsible for the world we are creating.

We may not be able to change certain external circumstances but we can let go of inner patterns allowing us to move forward. A square always points to an inner resolution and in this case it may simply mean giving ourselves the permission to be and feel happy.

The time before any New Moon always feels like an ebbing away to nothingness. But this Nothingness is also the sacred space which holds the seed of all creation. This is a New Moon in Capricorn, the third earth sign, representing physical energy in its most evolved form.

There may be a need or desire to break away from tradition to embrace a more personally authentic and passionate existence. But if we can find the courage to do so, and find a balance between the old and the new, this is the beginning of a time that allows us to start thriving rather than just surviving. All we need is faith the size of a mustard seed…a fitting reminder this Christmas.

Mercury is stations direct on December 13th soon after the Gemini Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse. As much as Mercury’s retrograde phases can be frustrating with delays, it is the cosmos’ way of asking us to slow down and gather our facts before we charge ahead misinformed. As Mercury move’s through Sagittarius re-covering territory for the third time, consider what you are learning now a blessing.

We are reaching a deeper understanding of events that began to unfold in November and we can expect important conversations to resurface at this time. Mercury will finally leave shadow phase and enter new territory for the first time in 6 weeks on January 1, 2012 just in time for the New Year. Also on December 29th, 2011 the Sun makes a conjunction to Pluto in Capricorn suggesting in no unequivocal terms we are being asked to leave the past behind, so we can embrace a richer reality.

As you move past Christmas, even as you look forward to what you want to build, this is a reminder to look consciously at the habits, patterns, conditioning and rules you want to leave behind. We do this anyway around this time of the year, but this year with the cosmic energies backing our resolve we can certainly get a whole lot more out of it. 

It’s one of those years when the cosmic energy is aligned with our “calendar” and as we enter 2012 we have the chance to truly move forward with a more enlightened perspective and a greater grip on reality. Life is indeed what you make of it.

– Priya Kale, December 3rd, 2011.