Winter Solstice Conjunct Saturn | longest night of the year, Mercury standing still, tradition, accomplishment, report card time

come see inside my bones by natalia drepina

Happy Solstice everyone!

Doesn't it feel better to call the Winter Solstice the longest night rather than the shortest day?

The shortest day sounds like I am missing out on something. The longest night sounds like I can lie in bed and finish my book and still get a good night's sleep.

This is a good time during the busy holiday season to take stock of where we are, what we've done and where we are going.

This is the time of the season, especially this year with Saturn joining the Cappy party, when melancholy can set in.

We have to remember when looking at the bad stuff that was or the good stuff that never was - to own the fact we have survived it!

We are still here!

In Capricorn, the Sun gets serious. We are heading into the serious time of year - the time our ancestors could starve if they hadn't stocked up properly or catch a cold that would turn into pneumonia.

(Can a cold turn into pneumonia? I am one of those people who think it can, although I guess the cold has just left our lungs in a weakened state. I also think I can catch a cold from getting wet on a cold day, although science, and my local doctor, tells me it doesn't work that way. I know it happens though.)

If they hadn't prepared for winter, they wouldn't survive.

They would celebrate the Winter Solstice and go into hibernation for a few weeks (exhausted from the harvest, escaping the cold and, intuitively, the germs, too, I'm sure), venturing back out sometime mid-Aquarius season for some social interaction and hoping to trade whatever they still had plenty of to restock whatever had grown scarce.

This is true for us today, too. Without structure, responsibility and discipline - mandated by Capricorn's ruling planet Saturn - we'll be in trouble when the cold settles in and the stuff we need to survive is covered with two feet of snow and ice.

Today is the Capricorn ingress (Sun into Capricorn) and sets up the next 3 months. I can't remember a Capricorn ingress with the Sun conjunct Saturn (Capricorn's ruler).

It seems the time between today and the new astrological year (Sun into Aries) is going to be serious. It is also excellent energy to be building something, likely from the ground up, that will last.

Saturn isn't about rushing and neither is Capricorn. We can catch our breath, take stock of where we are and what we have (probably more than we think we do) before starting this new chapter.

Mercury stations direct tomorrow. He has been pretty much standing still all week and is uber powerful - imagine putting your finger through a lit candle flame, you are OK if you keep your finger moving, but if you halt your hand over the flame then you are suddenly not so OK. Ouch.

His stationary energies (the fleet footed messenger, he rules all forms of transportation) often seem to increase transportation accidents and acts of violence using transportation within the collective.

We can help to alleviate some of this by choosing to consciously release a bit of the Mercury stuff we are carrying in our own lives that needs to go.

Maybe the wrong word we said at the wrong time. The conversation we didn't have. The email we didn't send or the one we did and wish we hadn't. The idea that didn't work out. The research we didn't do. The thought that stopped us in our tracks and so we quit or the thought that kept us going when we should have quit. The sibling crap. The lemon or 'beyond our pocketbook' car we bought when we knew better. The times we were less than neighborly.

When we personally let go of shadow Mercury the collective Mercury shadow has less to work with/release during these intense times.

Drive carefully and with a cool head. Take care with machinery.

The Sun meeting up with Saturn is our annual report card time. I still can't believe it is happening at the Winter Solstice!

Once a year these big guys meet up and we get to see clearly what is really happening in our world and in the collective.  

A light (the Sun) is thrown on reality (Saturn).

If things are not going well, if stuff is falling apart, if we are beating our head against the wall - these are all signs we need to change direction. 

If things are going well, if we have achieved something, there will be rewards now for a job well done. 

With Saturn (hard work, commitment, time, responsibility) so close to the Sun (our life force) there will be limits to whatever we are dealing with. 

If our relationships are stifling or non-supportive or money is tight (Venus is going to hit this space on Monday) we will feel it.

The good news, if things are not going well, is changes made now can smoothly and simply move us toward different timelines. We are at ground zero.

A new semester always starts after report cards are given out. We all get a fresh start. We don't get a do-over though. That report card is on its way home to Dad. Doing the same thing we did before will not work.

Doing something new gives the energies at play something to work with!

Our muses grow tired of seeing us bang our heads against the wall, too. They whisper to us to go outside and shovel the snow (stretched muscles create the space for us to stretch ourselves in other ways, too).

I was born during one of these Saturn/Sun conjunctions (I have these planets within 1 degree) so can't really feel this energy clearly because I am always feeling it - it's background noise and probably a bit like carrying a stern father around in my head. And yes, he sounds like Dumbledore and likes to be called "Albie" ... but only by me.

This is a good time to care for the basic structures of our life - the stuff that supports us.

We are living in a time of disintegrating safety nets, but there are things we can do to give ourselves a steadier ground to walk on. It could be as simple as cleaning our house and putting in place sustainable systems to keep it clean. The same could be said about our money/resources.

What astrological house holds 0 degrees Capricorn in our natal chart? This area of life is being brought to our attention now.

Saturnian issues around aging, tradition, heritage, the past, ambition, authority, business, government, sobriety, depression, our physical bones, skin and teeth could be in the spotlight now as Saturn sits with the Sun.

This is the longest night of the year - what are we going to do with all this darkness? Christmas tree lights can help. Christmas tree lights always help.
 
If you have planets or points around 0 degrees of the cardinal signs - Capricorn, Aries, Cancer or Libra - you will feel this Solstice energy strongest.

xo all

(of course in other parts of the world it is the longest day of the year! I wonder how it must feel to lay on a beach today? I would like to find out!)

Saturn into Capricorn | get off the fence/the couch/our ass .. or be pushed off

Climb by little-moonshine

Saturn moves into Capricorn tonight, the sign he rules, for the first time in 28 years. He will be in this space until March 2020. Saturn is the planet of authority and structure and limits and hard work and responsibility.

We have been talking about this transit for years. 

Simply put when a planet transits a house it requires us to embody (we are these energies made manifest, after all) its energy into that area of our life.

If we fail to do/embrace this energy we will always meet it outside ourselves. This "meeting it outside ourselves" stuff will almost certainly be harder.

So, we get off the fence/the couch/Pinterest. We do the work. If we are doing the wrong work - roads will shut down, detour signs will go up and we will be required to head in a new direction. It will be obvious.

Saturn gives us the chance to step into our responsibility - to literally claim it into being.

This is not the time to procrastinate. This is not the time to be lazy. This is not the time to be passive- aggressive. This is not the time to spend all our money on holiday presents other people do not even need. Winter is coming. Eating that last can of beans is not a good idea.

Remember pressure makes diamonds, but pressure also creates depression.

This energy might not feel so good. Saturn can be depressing because it is quite literally like a weight pressing down on us.

We will always, always though look back at Saturnian transits and see that we have accomplished a great many things. The earnings will be long-lasting.

Remember, if things get to feel like too much over the next couple years in a certain area of your life, that Saturn also rules time.

Saturnian rewards require patience.

Things don't get built overnight because they are being built to last.

We all have Saturn within us already - this energy is not unfamiliar to any of us. Yes, he gets stronger now, but he also gets more stable. Over the next few years there will be fewer and fewer days when we do not know what to do. We will know what we have to do.

This is not really a time in our collective history to be "comfortable".

If you are feeling comfortable I would question your perception of your reality

(you could certainly be joyous though and I hope you are).

This could be the time when, if we thought things were just going to take care of themselves - we find out they did not.

I wrote about Saturn's transit of Capricorn through the houses in the weekly HERE. And, of course, we will talk about this transit as we move through it. It's a fresh start for all of us!

The Moon is void for most of the day tomorrow so get stuff done today.

xo all

Astrology Forecast for Creatives | Week of December 18th - HUGE week, New Moon, Saturn home to Capricorn through the houses, Winter Solstice, Mercury stations direct, stepping into our authority, moving on, thoughts become things

through the distance by Julie of the world tree

This is a BIG week with a New Moon, Saturn's move home to Capricorn, the Winter Solstice, and Mercury stationing direct!

First, late tonight (Sunday) at 1:30 EST we have the Sun and Moon meeting up in Sagittarius.

This is a powerful New Moon - I wrote more on the Moon HERE - ruled by Jupiter and conjunct Saturn happening at a time when Saturn, the Sun and Moon are all sitting very near the Galactic Center. Although this is a NEW Moon offering a fresh beginning and fresh energy in our Sagittarius house - it is also an excellent time for releasing outworn beliefs as Saturn makes his final moves through this sign before coming home to Capricorn on Tuesday.

The situations/activities/problems we are dealing with at the New Moon are not new situations, but the Moon's trines to both Uranus and Pallas (both in fiery initiative Aries) shows us we have access to new and innovative solutions.

Try something else. Make a new game plan. Write down what you want to have happen/what you want to do next/what you want to receive/what you are ready to give.

This New Moon coming at the end of Sagittarius gives us the advantage of hindsight. What has this past month's Mercury retrograde taught us? What has been on our mind? What information has come in or been clarified for us? How can those teachings be applied now?

However we use this New Moon energy the results will begin to be felt quickly.

Saturn's move into Capricorn will solidify our words/ideas and when Mercury stations direct at the end of the week we will see developments and receive answers/decisions.

On MONDAY, the Capricorn Moon is ambitious. We can get alot done. Wrap up those holiday loose ends, too.

On TUESDAY, Saturn ingresses into his home sign of Capricorn at 11:50PM EST. Saturn has been uber uncomfortable the last couple years in Sagittarius answering to Jupiter. Now, for better and for worse Saturn can be Saturn. Collectively, the things he rules - government, big business, large institutions, the underpinnings of society - can get more stable and more stuck - although we still have Pluto moving through Capricorn (2008-2023) clearing out the dead wood. Rules are enforced. Daddy comes home.

Saturn rules authority and wants everyone to pull themselves up by their bootstraps. Let's hope we have some bootstraps - I think I left mine at a dry cleaners in 1997.

In our individual lives the beliefs we have been refining during Saturn's journey through Sagittarius become real for us, from the ground up, during these years in Capricorn. This means we have to take responsibility for them.

The way we believe life works becomes the way life actually works.

Our Sagittarius natal house gets freed up from Saturn's restriction. So yes, your problems are over and yes, there is a whole new set of problems over there. But at least they will be new problems/challenges/adventures!

His move out of Sagittarius will feel good, because this is a house we are not so naturally structured and regulated. If we have used Saturn well the last two and a half years we could see rewards for our past efforts come in now.

(NOTE - depending our your individual natal chart Saturn may not actually be moving house this week, for example in my own chart Saturn won't exit my 2nd house (hallelujah!) for my third until he gets to 18 degrees Capricorn. So although I will feel his shift into Capricorn - ruler of my 3rd house - I will feel it again, probably stronger, when Saturn actually arrives in my 3rd house (did I say hallelujah?!)

The other thing to keep in mind is that Saturn moving home to Capricorn AFTER the New Moon in Sagittarius - with Saturn in Sagittarius - may delay some of these changes a bit over the next 6 months as we work through the New Moon energy.

Saturn in Capricorn will require everyone to walk their talk. Responsibilities and limits will be defined. Do this, get that. Don't do this, that falls apart. I have said before our natal Capricorn house is an area of life we already take seriously.

Yes, winter is coming. But, trust me, unless you have been partying your way through the canned beans like it's 1999, your pantry is stocked. 

Here's how this could play out for you. If you know your rising sign (and you should know your rising sign) - that one could be more accurate than your Sun sign - check both:

ARIES (Capricorn 10th house) - Saturn coming home to your 10th house of career/public image says it is time to take this stuff seriously - yes, I know you already take this stuff seriously Aries! But, now you will be required to step up to the plate, step into your responsibility, change what isn't working to see results - there will be rewards over the next two to three years for the hard work you put into this area of life. Any slacking off/shortcuts will come back to bite you in the butt. If you are dragging around a dead career Saturn will see to it that it gets a nice funeral. A brand new career is possible. You might have to build it from the ground up.

TAURUS (Capricorn 9th house) - Saturn coming home to your house of travel, higher education, foreign people/places, legal issues, publishing, weddings, the media says it is time to take this stuff seriously. Sober and dedicated efforts made in any of these directions will pay off over time. A half-assed attempt at anything here will land you on it. For your sake I hope it's bouncy. The best news for you may be that Saturn is 'exiting stage left' your 8th house of other people's resources/money, debts, loans, taxes, sex, intimacy, reproduction, so situations dealing with these issues will start to ease up and rewards will come in for your hard work over the last three years within these areas. Do I hear a collective Taurean sigh of relief? YES!

GEMINI (Capricorn 8th house) - Saturn coming home to your 8th house of other people's resources, sex, death, intimacy, debts, taxes, loans, inheritance, spouse's income says it is time to take this stuff seriously. What is mine? What is theirs? What is ours? Over the next two and a half to three years these issues will become more clearly defined. I am not going to sugar-coat this, this is a tough transit. You have had Saturn in your relationship house for the last couple years, and that hasn't been a picnic either. Alot of what happens now will depend on what you worked through then. A relationship could end or maybe the intimacy just kind of fades to black for a bit. Now stuff has been known to "rise from the ashes" in the 8th house, but it is going to take work. And that is OK. The 8th house is your natural Capricorn house - the space you have always had to work - so now you have Saturn to give you a wall to push against. The wall is your friend. You've got this thing Gemini!

CANCER (Capricorn 7th house) - Saturn coming home to your 7th house of partnerships says it is time to take this stuff seriously. Relationships started over the next couple years could bring you additional responsibilities. Business partnerships will require firm rules of duty and obligation and firm boundaries. Existing relationships will become more clearly defined as parties become more self-sufficient and self-governing. If you are relying on someone else for something you should be doing for yourself or carrying for yourself, that kind of dependency will end. Committed relationships could strengthen and casual relationships could commit. Anything less than that will fade to black. Saturn's 'exit stage left' from your 6th house of health and your day-to-day routine should lighten your load in these areas. Whew!

LEO (Capricorn 6th house) - Saturn coming home to your 6th house of health and your day-to-day routine says it is time to take this stuff seriously. What you eat, how you move your body, what you do everyday, any health issues will require your committed focus. This is an excellent transit (the next three years) to "get your act together". Tend to medical issues as they crop up. Take care of yourself. There could be changes in your daily routine due to increased responsibilities/work load. Saturn is 'exiting stage left' your 5th house of children, romance, creative projects - something here that has required your hard work has peaked/culminated.

VIRGO (Capricorn 5th house) - Saturn coming home to your 5th house of children, creative projects, FUN and romance says it is time to take this stuff seriously. This is the Leo ruled house we have been talking about all year - what does your heart want? Well, you are about to find out dear Virgo. This stuff won't come easy - you are going to have to work for it and plan for it, but Saturn assures that much can be accomplished here if you step into your responsibility. Saturn is 'exiting stage left' your 4th house of home and family so pressure here will start to ease up.

LIBRA (Capricorn 4th house) - Saturn coming home to your 4th house of home and family says it is time to take this stuff seriously. The cracks in your foundation will be mended over the next three years or the whole place will be torn down. Additional responsibilities within the home or for family members is likely. Home businesses will require additional time commitments and hard work to succeed. Family situations will worsen if neglected. If you move homes during this transit the move is likely to be long-lasting and bring stability. Be sure any home renovations are done with quality products and responsible vendors.

SCORPIO (Capricorn 3rd house) - Saturn coming home to your 3rd house of communication, writing, speaking, the local community, siblings, transportation says it is time to take this stuff seriously. Thoughts become things now so think about what you are thinking about. Words need to be more deliberately used. Relationships within your local community or with siblings become more sober. You could be required to step up or into your own authority in some way. Learning, teaching, writing will bring rewards but require hard work. Official documents will be signed. Verbal and written commitments should be taken very seriously because they will be built to last. Saturn's 'exit stage left' of your 2nd house of finances should ease up the pressure here.

SAGITTARIUS (Capricorn 2nd house) - Saturn coming home to your 2nd house of finances, self-esteem and personal resources says it is time to take this stuff seriously. Start a budget. Do it now. Know where your money is coming from and where it is going. Streamline. Trim the fat. Saturn will firm up your financial foundation by requiring you to be responsible and disciplined with your resources. The best news for you is Saturn is exiting your sign - YAY! - the things you have worked hard with and committed to over the last two and half to three years will bring rewards now. 

CAPRICORN (Capricorn 1st house) - Saturn is coming home to your 1st house of yourself dear Capricorn. You are used to Capricorn/Saturnian energy because you have marinated in it since birth. Unlike the other signs when Saturn comes to call - you are ready for him! His move into your first house could require you to step into a new responsibility and deal with added pressure and authority. Your entire persona could change over the next three years. You will be ambitious. Well, OK, more ambitious. Is that possible Capricorn? There's that mountain. Here you are. Enjoy the view, because I know you are going to reach the top!

AQUARIUS (Capricorn 12th house) - Saturn coming home to your 12th house of what is happening behind the scenes and what is hidden from view says it is time to take this stuff seriously. Make the time to be alone. Make the time to meditate. Do charity work. Something will be pulled out of the closet and worked through during Saturn's stay here. Something major will end to free up the time/space. Saturn here is preparing you for the years ahead when Saturn moves into Aquarius on March 21, 2020. You will be ready!

PISCES (Capricorn 11th house) - Saturn coming home to your 11th house of friendships, groups and the internet says it is time to take this stuff seriously. Some friendships will end and others will become more committed. Your relationship to the "group" may require you to step into added responsibility and pressure. The good news for you dear Pisces is Saturn is 'exiting stage left' your 10th house of career so work pressures will start to ease up. Changes to your career are possible - if something ends now, it is meant to end - let it go. Rewards for your hard work at work could come in now, too.

On WEDNESDAY, the Moon is void all day so not a good time to start anything brand new. Venus will be trining Uranus which is good energy for social activities.

On THURSDAY, the Sun moves into Capricorn marking the Winter Solstice and the shortest day of the year. I will do a post. With Saturn near by this could be a more somber/reflective time than usual, but "serious" is the new black folks. An active Mars in the morning could make everyone testy. Walk away from any potential confrontations.

On FRIDAY, Mercury stations direct in Sagittarius. Answers come in. Decisions are made. Life moves forward. I will do a post.

By the end of the first week of January we will have all the planets, even Uranus, moving direct! 2018 should feel "new" right away - as opposed to the last couple years when we had so much of the sky retrograde we were kind of dragging ourselves forward with one eye on the rear-view mirror.

This year it will be full steam ahead.

xo all