There are thirteen major aspects happening before we say goodbye to 2016, meaning R&R may not be the focus of this holiday season. What is more likely to be served up along side the usual sweet and savory treats are opportunities for breakthroughs and stirring interactions with others that celebrate or decry (depending on your point of view) the unusual in a big way. This is due to a plethora of astral bodies at the 20-21 degree range, including such formidable archetypes as the Awakener (Uranus), the Expander (Jupiter) and the Regulator (Saturn). The aspects that have been building for the past month between Saturn in Sagittarius and Uranus in Aries and between Jupiter in Libra and Uranus (see last few AstroCasts) perfect on December 24th and 26th respectively. Jupiter and Saturn’s energies are communicating as well and although the sextile between them doesn’t perfect at this time, they remain within a degree of each other as part of this three-planet configuration that is strongly in effect throughout January. Furthermore, Venus in Aquarius moves through this alignment on December 25th, focusing the energies on relationships and more specifically campaigning on the value of a balanced, loving network of beings engaging and supporting each other through whatever individualized life they choose to lead.
Uranus in Aries, practically motionless in the sky as it prepares to turn direct on December 29th, is the key player here. The planet that represents disruptions in the sign of the pioneer emanating a highly focused vibration may correlate with even more surprising developments, internal or external, that burst forth with a concentrated assist from the united esoteric efforts of the other powerhouse planets in the same degree range. For consciousness seekers, the need to put forth effort to remain un-attached and aware of the beyond-our-mundane-life cosmic forces at work is imperative. Contemplating what is unfolding as it is being experienced can take us outside the emotional charge that has blinders to anything but identification with ego.
In a current Mountain Astrologer article, Shawn Nygaard related Saturn in Sagittarius to “The Thinker,” the famous statue of a man “bearing the substantial weight of careful, deliberated thought,” by Auguste Rodin, who was born with Saturn in the sign of the philosopher. While Saturn in Sagittarius is traditionally seen as limiting broad, expansive thought, Nygaard archetypally sees the theme of animal-human dynamics at work, the symbol for Sagittarius being the half man-half animal centaur. Under this influence, Nygaard writes about the paradox of being in tune with the natural world as we endeavor to rise above our animal nature. Careful thought is needed to integrate an awareness of the natural rhythms of the cosmos and all life in it, applying disciplined effort to recognize when we are driven by primal, fear-based survival instincts. At this time, through contemplation – and Uranus’ awakening force applying to Saturn in an unhindered trine on December 24th – perhaps we can leap from the traditional notion of Saturn in Sagittarius being the tamer of the wild to, as Nygaard put it, being an embracer of “the wild imagination, the autonomous, unbridled wildlife of the psyche.” The real frontier of philosophical exploration is beyond human mind and animal body.
Uranus confronting Jupiter in a 180-degree opposition has correlated throughout history to major scientific breakthroughs. In its first of three oppositions this time around on December 26th, it could also lead to individual leaps in consciousness that have the potential to revolutionize the way we approach life. While Saturn is in the sign that Jupiter rules, augmenting the doctrine of contemplating the cosmic frontiers, Jupiter is in the sign that Venus rules, strengthening the idea that this process of awakening is best done in connection with others. Venus in Aquarius rounds out the theme of mutual planetary affinity by being in the sign ruled by Uranus, archetypally representing the humanitarian, the activist and outlier of all that is within the bounds of convention. It is as if to say that the Cosmic Intelligence is gathering the energies for another necessary shock that will shatter our notions of convention, and perhaps a few precious dreams, in order to collectively experience a spontaneous mutation of thought that will beam us out of our limiting belief systems.
Here’s the data (using Pacific Time and planetary positions rounded to the nearest whole degree, unless otherwise noted):
December 24 – Saturn trine Uranus at 21° Sagittarius/Aries at 4:17 p.m.
December 25 – Venus trine Jupiter at 20° Aquarius/Libra at 5:23 a.m.
December 25 – Venus sextile Uranus at 21° Aquarius/Aries at 8:35 a.m.
December 25 – Venus sextile Saturn at 21° Aquarius/Sagittarius at 10:33 a.m.
December 26 – Jupiter opposite Uranus at 21° Libra/Aries at 10:32 a.m.
December 26 – Mercury sextile Neptune at 10° Capricorn/Pisces at 8:19 p.m.
December 27 – Sun sextile Mars at 6° Capricorn/Pisces at 12:08 a.m.
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