Friday, December 23.  We’ve just past the winter solstice.  The winter solstice, also called the hibernal solstice, occurs when either of Earth's poles reaches its maximum tilt away from the Sun.  It is the day with the shortest period of daylight and longest night of the year, when the Sun is at its lowest daily maximum elevation in the sky.   The word solstice is derived from the Latin sol ("sun") and sistere ("to stand still"), because at the solstices, the Sun's declination appears to "stand still"; that is, the seasonal movement of the Sun's daily path (as seen from Earth) pauses at a northern or southern limit before reversing direction.

Because the winter solstice is the reversal of the sun's ebbing in the sky, in ancient times it was seen as the symbolic death and rebirth of the sun or of a sun god.  In cultures which used cyclic calendars based on the winter solstice, the "year as reborn" was celebrated with reference to life-death-rebirth deities or "new beginnings".  It’s a time of year that’s dark so we celebrate the rebirth of the sun with many holidays that feature abundant symbols of light such as Christmas, Chanukah and Yalda.  We celebrate abundance at this time because we know the sun will be growing in light once again.  Most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter, so it was almost the only time of year when a plentiful supply of fresh meat was available.

I’d like to reflect on the chart for the moment of the Sun’s Capricorn Ingress.  This is an important chart that gives an overview for the next 3 months of what’s going on in the United States and our place in the world.  It’s also a chart that gives insight into what we may expect from the weather.  It highlights those astrological significators that may take precedence and be more noticeable in the zeitgeist. 

The chart is set for Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 4:48:02 pm, EST, Washington, DC.  The nation’s capital is chosen because that is the center of power and the heart of the government.  The first thing to notice is the angles on the world axis with 0° Cancer Rising.  The angles on the world axis denote that things are set for the next three months to play out on the world stage.  Angularity is the most important things and the two main angular planets, both of which are on the world axis are the Sun at 0° Capricorn and Jupiter at 0° Aries.  They are in a tight square joining the 7th and 10th houses.  The 7th house is the house of our allies and open enemies and the 10th house the house of the president, the countries destiny and our reputation in the world.  This signifies that our leadership will be feeling rather confident and perhaps hubristic.  But this would be true of our allies as well with Jupiter square the Sun, and it will also be true of our hidden enemies because Mars, the ruler of Jupiter in Aries, lies in the 12th house of what goes on behind our back and is retrograde.  This means everyone throughout the fall has been planning a military course of action behind the scenes that may come to fruition in the first quarter of 2023 after Mars turns direct on January 12th and Mercury turns direct on January 18. 
J
​Jupiter at the highest point in the chart signifies weather patterns that are grandiose, large and more expansive than usual.  This is already playing out as we approach Christmas day and Winter Storm Eliot is blanketing the country with snow, rain, flooding, blizzard conditions and incredibly high winds.  The effects of this storm are so tremendous as to cover the entire continental United States. Part of huge magnitude of this storm is Jupiter on the world point ruled by a retrograde Mars in the travel sign of Gemini.  Mars in turn is ruled by Mercury about to turn retrograde in Capricorn the sign of family traditions, structures and systems.  I think we can expect an above average serious winter storm season.

Jupiter, together with a Chiron stationing direct, both ruled by that retrograde Mars in the 12th house symbolizes some kind of expansion and visionary thinking in healing areas of life such as guns, violence, anger, military action, education, health and medical industries.  There will probably continue to be a great deal more talk and conversation about the patriarchy and toxic aggressive yang energy.  Our leadership requires new philosophies on dealing with old traditions and structures and the hope of this aspect is the ability to cross bridges and introduce new, more progressive philosophies on how the country should move forward.  We must continue to heal the past in order to evolve into the future.  Jupiter at the top of the will have much to say about the Supreme Court and the direction of lawmaking as well as what influence does religion have when passing laws and forming the beliefs of the country? 

The chart has much military symbolism as well and that energy can go in many different directions.  We do have a war raging in the Ukraine and there will be more questioning of what our role is as the war escalates and evolves.  Hidden strategies are continuing with retrograde Mars in the 12th and Mercury in the 7th and I don’t think we’ve seen everyone’s full motives in action quite yet.

Along with the 6th house representing the military it also represents the national health.  The Moon in the 6th house opposing Mars in the 12th is a continued battle with many airborne health diseases.  The public (Moon) fighting the inner, unseen enemy that is Mars in the 12th house.   A Sagittarius Moon can be a spread of more foreign strains of flues, covid, Monkey pox and other easily spread communicable diseases. 

One word about the upcoming Mercury retrograde that starts off the New Year.  Mercury retrograde in Capricorn is a review of where we are too rigid in our thinking.  There’s a needed
review of communication.  It’s a continued questioning of rules, regulations, rigidity, and bossy behavior.  How do people in positions of power, and each and every one of us personally, find more appropriate ways to dictate our influence and communicate with a more authentic voice of authority? Mercury retrograde in Capricorn wants to master skills and find ways to improve the workplace.   There should be a searching for more practical results.  Where is curiosity limited and how can we break through those limits?   

We have all had an appetizer course of Jupiter in Aries from May 11 through October 28 having had a sneak preview of its meaning. This time around will feel more like the main course.
As I said earlier the biggest aspect in this chart is the angular Sun square Jupiter on the world axis in houses 7 and 10.  While astrologers like to think the benefic Jupiter acting in more noble ways on his downside he can often pile on more shit and add fuel to a fire. 
​
Let’s see what continued new discoveries are brought to our awareness in the first quarter of 2023.  There are new roads, paths and adventures and we must have the ability to face life anew.  The country and the world need a facelift and Sun square Jupiter is just the energy required. 

Tuesday, December 20th.  Jupiter enters Aries.  The greater benefic leaves Pisces, the last sign of the zodiac, where he’s been on a more internal, spiritual journey.  In Pisces there’s been a quest for deeper meaning and compassion for the more introspective side of life and what steers our spiritual sojourn.  We may have arrived at a new philosophy around our belief systems and what guides our higher will and purpose.
 
Jupiter in Aries is burning with new fire, zeal and energy.  Aries is the sign of new beginnings, new adventures, new births, new outlook, new life and Jupiter just inflames all the above.  Opportunities abound with this placement and there is so much to look forward to as Aries seeks new horizons in its visionary quest to conquer.  There is hope and great expectations to seek a new outlook on life and have faith in the future.  In whatever house Jupiter is entering there will be expanded confidence to take risks and seek creative expansion and new knowledge.  The greater benefic will generally bestow blessings in this area of life.  If Pisces is the most selfless sign of the zodiac then Aries is the most selfish.  I don’t mean that negatively, although everything has a polarity.  Jupiter will bring out the Aries desire for self-assertion and self- interest in more noble ways.  If one is focused positively on oneself for self-improvement then it is far easier to help others in selfless ways.  We have all had an appetizer course of Jupiter in Aries from May 11 through October 28 having had a sneak preview of its meaning.  This time around will feel more like the main course. 
 
Here’s a quick rundown of the houses.  The house that Jupiter travels through while in Aries now through May 15, 2023 will be the area of life that receives a boost of confidence, hope, optimism and sense of wonder.  It will be where a fire is lit under your butt to take action in generally more positive and lucrative ways:
 
House I – Your overall personality, physical appearance and outlook on life.  How you put yourself out in the world publicly.  This is your approach to life.  Jupiter in this house seeks a new more open-minded identity.  You have the opportunity to be more popular
 
House II – Money, values, possessions and innate talent.  You may care more about the earth and environment.  A blessed feeling around abundance and being provided for.  Jupiter in this house seeks material security.
 
House III – Sibling, cousins, aunts, uncles, short distance travel, communication, education, writing, teaching, learning, the neighborhood, women of stature.   Jupiter in this house seeks learning on the social and intellectual level.
 
House IV – Home and family (physically and psychologically), history, the past, the parents, real estate, private comfort zone, ability to bond and form umbilical ties.  Jupiter in this house seeks action on the emotional and soul level.
 
House V – Children, fun, games, entertainment, recreation, hobbies, joy, dating, romance, sex, creative self-expression, sports.  Jupiter in this house seeks identity security by a rebirth of vitality in that which brings us pleasure. 
 
House VI – work, health, pets, employees, servants, the daily routine, craftsmanship, skills, mentoring, learning, service.  Jupiter in this house seeks new learning on the material level. 
 
House VII – social engagement, marriage, partnership, public noticeability and taste, artistic enterprises, joint enterprises, lower courts.  Jupiter in this house seeks action on the social and intellectual level. 
 
House VIII – death, joint finances, taxes, sex, support from others, inheritance, taboos, hidden things, secrets, passions, the occult.  Jupiter in this house seeks emotional and soul security. 
 
House IX – foreign travel, religion, university education, law and higher courts, philosophy, philanthropy, the higher mind.  Jupiter in this house seeks learning on the level of identity.
 
House X – status, career, reputation, recognition, public standing, authority figures, destiny, worldly achievement.  Jupiter in this house seeks action on the material level.
 
House XI – giving back to society, group endeavors, friends, public recognition of humanitarianism and charitable work, goals, good fortune, political affiliations, clubs, teams, future goals.  Jupiter in this house seeks social and intellectual security. 
 
House XII – escape, imagination, institutions, imprisonment, second sight, hidden things, karma, spirituality, caught between two worlds, fantasy, cloistered places, healing, health, selfless humanitarianism and charity.  Jupiter in this house seeks learning on the emotional and soul level.   

Today is the Full Moon in Gemini, made more powerful since it occurs simultaneously with the occultation of Mars.  Mars is perigee which means it’s furthest away from the Sun, yet closer to Earth.  If you’re fortunate to have clear skies, you’ll be able to see Mars brightly rising in the East in direct opposition to the Sun as it sets in the West once the full moon wanes and passes.  This will continue to be visible for most of December but is at its brightest now.
 
A lunar occultation occurs when the Moon passes in front of Mars and hides it from our view. It makes for an eclipse like feeling as Mars is blocked, acting in a roguish way that might feel out of control, invisible or behaving in unexpected and bombastic ways.  Things and situations can be more intense. Expect the unexpected and watch what comes to light that you didn’t see coming.  Mars has the ability to behave loudly, brashly and do harm if it’s acting out in unconscious ways. 
 
In world news we’ve seen this full moon occultation of Mars play out in the Ukrainian drone attacks against Russian military bases and the competitive race for the Georgia Senate seat between Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker. 
 
The Moon represents your feelings, memories, unconscious habits, moods, reactions, mother, caregiving, nurturing, home, security needs, and the past.
 
Mars is associated with confidence, self-assertion, aggression, violence, bravery, courage, sexuality, high energy levels, strength, ambition, competition and impulsiveness.  It governs war, guns, sports, competitions, and physical activities in general.
 
On a positive note, Moon conjuncts Mars provides the courage, confidence and initiative to act on passionate desires.  There’s an urge to stand up for family, friends and loved ones.  Fight for a cause you care about deeply.  There can be an increase in personal charisma and sexual relations.  The ability to act quickly on your feet and speak improvisatorially can come to your aid in situations requiring courage and bravery. 
 
On the negative side rash impulsiveness and impatience can make for powerful emotional outbursts and subconscious reactions that bubble to the surface in angry and inappropriate ways.  There can be fights for control.  The sign of Gemini suggests the air can be full of angry words and misguided communication.   Anyone may quickly become angry, agitated, bossy, mean, rude or even violent.  Irrationality, irritability combined with hot headedness and aggressive instincts can lead to unnecessary danger from risk-taking.  Acting rashly can lead to accidents.  The occultation of Mars dampens its fire which is why some of the more negative energies can manifest as Mars fights for a way to express itself.  He’s not a planet that understands subtlety and finesse.  
 
Hidden knowledge and information is revealed leading to newly gained wisdom but this might not occur for several weeks or until after the retrograde ends on January 12.  This is the time when we learn and discover how to integrate our Martian warrior energy in healthier ways.  Where can you improve your personal power and leadership abilities?  It’s time to review old, worn-out themes and bad habit patterns in order to build new mental muscle patterns.
 
Find appropriate and healthy ways to release the over-abundance of testosterone through strenuous physical activity such as sports, exercise, and sex.  Clean your house and help your Mother!!  The retrograde of Mars is ideal for re-planning a new course of action towards reading, writing, teaching, education and learning. 
 
It’s time to press the reset button!