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SOLAR ECLIPSE 12° SAGITTARIUS
I recently told a friend that I don’t mention quincunxes in my posts because astrology is complicated enough! And yet this Solar Eclipse is in Sagittarius, a sign known for holding many truths at once. Not a bad idea to embrace paradox in the search for truth & wisdom. This weekend when the Moon and Sun form a quincunx to Uranus, we can expect a groundbreaking of sorts- unexpected and sudden shifts that lead us to the next leg of the journey. Saturn’s square to Uranus reminds us that boundaries are the bedrock of opportunity, and with the South Node leaving Sagittarius prepare for endings- old stories, philosophies, and moral identities. Pro tips:
It’s a choose your own adventure kind of week. You got this. Today I gathered these cones from a small cluster of pines in City Park. The same pines that I’ve seen owls perched in, way above the oaks and cypress. I grew up near the Black Forest in Germany where snow capped evergreens were part of the winter landscape. In contrast to stark white snow, the trees sent a message of resilience. I remember lighting my Advent’s wreath every Sunday night and praying with my Oma. The intimacy of our ritual gave me a feeling of warmth & belonging that I still cling to. I learned early on that creating coziness or “gemütlichkeit” was a necessity if one hoped to make it through those short, dark days. In the weeks leading up to the winter solstice, many of us find ourselves straddling the line between hope and despair. And yet something so magical, so promising is also in the air. We can trust that. Here’s a blessing from me to you as you find your way back to the light ✨✨✨  The astrology for December is all about getting down to the truth, no matter what. It seems like a given, but truth can be challenging for a number of reasons. In many cases, the closer we get the more we risk. Comfort, stability, and the idea that we’re in charge all goes to the wayside when we invite Truth to preside over our lives. We put ourselves at risk for disillusionment and failed expectations. We invite disappointment, and even scarier, we invite self-examination. And we also invite freedom. It’s no joke, “the truth will set you free.” The question is whether or not we’re ready to handle that kind of freedom. The Solar eclipse in Sagittarius happens at 1:43am (CT) on December 4th. As with all new moons, there will be endings. When anything leaves, a vacuum is created, and it’s not so much in the planting but in that sacred darkness that the magic happens. When we align ourselves with the Truth, I believe we have nothing to fear. Remember the litany against fear in my lunar eclipse post? Keep it in your pocket. LUNAR ECLIPSE 27° TAURUS
The Taurus / Scorpio axis is one of the most intense oppositions in astrology and if used wisely, can teach us to navigate fear. Taurus / Scorpio brings up early attachment (and with that comes early abandonment). Fear of losing what or who we love is the root of all shadow work in relationships. Some examples of how early abandonment manifests in adulthood… Fear it could be real. Fear of destroying it. Fear of being disappointed, tricked, hurt. Fear of rejection & betrayal. Fear of change. Fear of being trapped. And the greatest of all… fear of death. In the days leading up to the eclipse and the days following, the challenge is to sit with our fears and listen. What are they teaching us about our current attachment styles and our instincts to control or surrender? And as Scorpio Sun illuminates the Full Moon how do we embody the steadfast stamina of the Taurus to face our fear and own our projections? Here’s a mantra to get you through the eclipse. Rest assured that by the end of the week when the Sun crosses into Sagittarius, you’ll be feeling like a badass warrior witch. This is galvanizing astrology. “I have no fear, for fear is the little death that kills me over and over. Without fear I die but once.”
Blessed Solstice.
The sky is on fire. The moon is pregnant. Baby ducklings are everywhere, and we just had our first tropical storm of the season down here in New Orleans. With Sun, Venus, Jupiter and Neptune all in water signs, I'm thinking we might be in for a wet summer. Wet and dreamy... perfect for napping and making art and reading fiction. Not so great for making rational choices based solely on data & intellect. But that's exactly what the last solar eclipse was about... honing our instincts and opening that third eye. Trusting what we know without knowing, what we feel without seeing. Listening to our bodies, to nature, and to the stars. We are, after all, stardust. Here's to the beautiful bounty of the season. May you all be inspired to create new paradigms for living, to widen your perspectives and embody truth. Ashé I graduated from massage school 22 years ago with no intention of becoming a lifer. Initially it was a trade that I hoped would give me flexibility and bartering ability, which it definitely has. I didn’t know that after ten years of having my own downtown office, with a big lobby and off street parking (omg such luxuries) I’d go to working out of my kitchen in a New Orleans shotgun. Or that I’d enter the spa business and experience what it’s like to be exploited... but also learn some truly valuable tools and lessons (and people). I didn’t know that after 20 years, I’d be diagnosed with an auto immune disease that caused peripheral nerve pain and numbness in my hands, causing me to quit said job at spa and really consider my skill sets and options. I never ever anticipated a global pandemic that would afford me time to re-evaluate my life at the exact same time that menopause settled in (which was an unexpected blessing). And finally, I wouldn’t have believed you if you’d told me that at the age of 50 I’d be coaching clients through the mediums of Tarot and astrology or hired by a psychologist to join a practice of BIPOC witches. But hey, y’all that’s the beauty of not being tethered to a capitalist model rooted in patriarchy. Please follow me on Instagram @temple.blacksnake for astrology updates and philosophical ramblings about the collapse of Patriarchy. In the last month, life has been consumed with projects that have nothing to do with business and everything to do with healing. ⠀
⠀ I initially thought I would use this time to write more blog posts and share more resources with you, but as the internet became flooded with information I took it as a sign that I could step away and hold the space IRL. ⠀ ⠀ Everyone is doing such a lovely job of offering their gifts right now. I'm so impressed and in awe of my professional healing circle, and it warms my heart to see more generosity than entrepreneurialism flowing through my social media feeds. Because what we need more than anything right now is permission to be vulnerable, to both give and receive, and to care for each other. (Or at least that's what the North Node in Cancer is telling me.)⠀ ⠀ Please know that I miss you all. Today marks 40 days of no physical contact- as soon as it's safe for me to work again, my hands will be so happy. Sun moves into Taurus today so we may all be missing a lack of physical connection. I recommend hugging trees, gardening, trying new recipes, working with clay or paper mache. Also self-massage, lymphatic skin brushing, and humming... yes HUMMING... are soothing to the nervous system. Anything that feeds the senses and nurtures the body is under Taurus' rule. ⠀ Despite a slump in socially recognized "productivity," I have found joy in service and creativity as we all navigate this incredible, once in a lifetime astrology together. Namaslay It is natural to prioritize in times of intense emotional and mental stress, the same way our bodies prioritize in times of physical stress. When we sense danger the last thing we want is to stop and take a bathroom break. Our sympathetic nervous system automatically shuts down what is least necessary and utilizes energy so that we can handle the crisis. Our social nervous system also goes through an elimination process, and in my own personal experience I've been taking note of what has shifted for me in terms of importance. Creating new paths of security while letting go of old habits has been the biggest work. Coincidentally this has all been reflected in the astrology leading up to now and the energies currently at play. Whenever Pluto has strong aspects to other planets, we can expect profound and unrelenting transition in the areas of life those planets represent. In the last six months Pluto has been transited by the South Node, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars. I think we can all agree that we are living through some of the most intense astrological cycles of our present lifetime, and as always, how we respond, move through, and learn from these cycles will determine our future success as individuals and as a society. You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour, now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour. And there are things to be considered . . . Where are you living? What are you doing? What are your relationships? Are you in right relation? Where is your water? Know your garden. It is time to speak your truth. Create your community. Be good to each other. And do not look outside yourself for the leader. There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are torn apart and will suffer greatly. Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above water. And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, least of all ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt. The time for the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. We are the ones we've been waiting for. -Hopi elder Oraibi, Arizona |
