STARTALK ~ Winter Solstice 2006

A Moving Focus

There has been quite a concentrated focus in the heavens with five planets within just a twenty degree span on and off but mostly on since the end of October. That focus may break up and loosen up as the Sun enters Sagittarius on the 22nd until clustering once again in mid-December (18-20). How this translates is an emphasis on particular life areas with possibly overwhelming intensity. With the emphasis in Scorpio concerns often had emotional weight and may even have extended to life and death situations. Although the December grouping emphasizes Sagittarian themes Pluto in that Sign keeps up the passion and life and death intensity. December should prove easier for most, with fun, adventure, expansion, and broadening horizons adding sparkle to the holidays.

JUPITER IN SAGITTARIUS

November
17 3:02 AM Venus enters Sagittarius (Capricorn 12/11)
22 6:02 AM Sun enters Sagittarius (Capricorn 12/21)
23 11:42 PM Jupiter enters Sagittarius (Capricorn 12/18/07)
December
5 11:58 PM Mars enters Sagittarius
8 12:52 AM Mercury enters Sagittarius (Capricorn 12/27)

Jupiter followed by Mars and Mercury rolls into Sagittarius to join Venus and the Sun. Such a concentrated focus on the expansive Fire Sign suggests motion, action, excitement, travel, study, excess, abundance and optimism.

SIGNOLOGY HERE!

Jupiter in Sagittarius can be very good for all the Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. For Aries, travel, study, and exploration are emphasized. Leo has the generous effect in the area of creative self expression, love, children and romance. Sagittarius takes it personally and feels greater optimism and expansiveness.

Earth Signs take the effects of the Sagittarius focus more gingerly. Taurus adjustment involves opening to partners and letting go to the extent of generosity. Virgo may be challenged to reformulate beliefs about self especially as they impact home and family. Capricorn may have a lot going on behind the scenes and find growth and support from resources that go back generations, whether material, genetic, or spiritual.

Air Signs work pretty well with the Fire emphasis that is especially productive for Libra and Aquarius and creates greater awareness of others, their importance and ones affects on them for the tribe of Gemini. There may be lots of one-to-one action for Gemini either/and partnership and harmony or challenge and competition. Libra may enjoy lots of local activity and active communications. Aquarius should enjoy social and group activities and do some forward looking as well.

The Water Signs have a dicier connection with the Sagittarius emphasis. Fire and Water makes, steam, right? Cancer may be stimulated to increase effectiveness and efficiency and try to accomplish way more than is possible in those realms. Still, there is benefit to be had from learning and trying things to improve one’s health from diet to exercise. The Scorpio concern may be substantive, financial, and very connected to the material and sense world. While improvement will result there must be caution and some risks may not be good ones. The Pisces challenge is to reformulate plans and sense of self in order to embrace new opportunities of a career and social nature. New opportunities may call you out of your comfort zone.

Note that these effects will be with the Signs this way to a greater or lesser degree for the entire duration of Jupiter’s stint in Sagittarius (November ’06 to December ’07).

WINTER SOLSTICE

The most dramatic event in the Solstice chart (that is said to contribute information about the year ahead or at least for the three months to follow) is a precise right angle of Mars closing in on Uranus. That is the “crisis in consciousness” marker for the cycle that began at their conjunction in mid-May of 2005. Then we were getting shocking news of numbers of Iraqi deaths and waves of violence and suicide bombings there as well as reports of Abu Ghraib convictions and Koran desecration. There was also a big, 15,000 troops, offensive launched in Baghdad then. At the opening square in March 2006 came warnings of civil war in Iraq, mass kidnappings, and thousands protesting in the US over anti-immigrant policies. The opposition phase of Mars/Uranus came in mid-August 2006. Then we had a worsening crisis in Darfur and the disastrous Lebanon war with the US upping shipments of new cluster bombs to Israel. The December event is sure to be accompanied by more incivility and surprise. The cycle will both end and begin again with Mars joining Uranus in the Zodiac in late April of ’07. Other themes that I’ve noticed in the news connected with this current Mars/Uranus cycle are technology related such as genetically modified foods and high tech surveillance. Uranus is linked with both technology and social matters while Mars ignites and energizes.

THE MIDTERMS REVISITED

On October 9, 2006, I offered my take on the midterm elections. (See October-November 2006 STARTALK).

“For an overall national look I will use Washington, D.C. for a charting location, and since I currently live in Florida will also take a look at charting for the capital, Tallahassee . . .

“With the communication planet, Mercury, intersolar, between Earth and the Sun, and the Moon in Mercury’s Sign, Gemini, we can expect information and misinformation overload that day. Retrograde Mercury will only enhance the likelihood of disputes and distrust of the elections practically everywhere. . . complaints about access and concern about the security and accuracy of voting and tabulation methods.

From the news on November 8: “Voting Problems Include Long Lines, Intimidation Reports” There were many, many reports of voting problems across the country with several in the county of my current residence, Broward, Florida, and very serious problems reported in Sarasota.

“The Moon’s final aspect in Gemini will be to oppose Pluto in Sagittarius suggesting abundant emotional extremes. . . . As voting commences the entire group of planets in Scorpio is prominent, especially Mercury and Venus, suggesting support for women candidates and perhaps that greater numbers of women make it to the polls.

“According to Rutgers University Center for American Women and Politics, more women ran for office in 2006 than ever before.  “The election of at least 71 women to the U.S. House of Representatives . . . and 16 to the U.S. Senate . . . sets a new record for women in the U.S. Congress. This display of women’s growing political power also made history by elevating the first woman to the third most important post in the U.S. government. [California Rep. Nancy D. Pelosi] will hold the highest office in the 435-seat House of Representatives, the legislative body that reflects the wishes of the American people on a regional basis. The speaker of the House has tremendous political influence, sets the legislative agenda, refers bills to committee for consideration and appoints officers of that chamber.” -- 17 November 2006, http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/

The Hartford Courant reported, November 14 2006, that “Women were a key reason that Democrats will control Congress next year - and their message was that lawmakers should stop bickering and deal with the Iraq war and economic issues . . . key positions are also likely to go to women, notably the chairmanship of the Rules committees in both Houses . . . which have enormous clout over the floor agenda . . . women could wind up leading key committees . . ”

“In Tallahassee, at 7 am the Sun rises precisely and Saturn is at the top of the chart suggesting fixity that supports the status quo, a continuation of a Republican administration.” That prediction held true in this moderate to conservative predominate State.

“. . . Uranus, of change and revolt is prominent when the polls close . . . surprises and upsets at closing of polls.” Well, the Legislative Branch shift from Republican to Democrat fits the Uranus message well.

“. . . with regard to a July 4, 1776 chart are transiting aspects from Pluto to 1776 Mars and Neptune. With Mars the god of war at a progressed retrograde station for the first time in the nation’s history and Pluto opposed Mars’ natal position we might well expect ongoing concern with the wars going on now to influence voting. Since the US chart shows Mars square Neptune it seems characteristic of this country to get into wars due to some illusion or confusion (sinking of the Maine, Gulf of Tonkin, [Iraq invades Kuwait], etc.) often involving oil (Neptune).” Regarding this, polling showed just that, the war was the big thing and many voters no longer bought in to the notion that the Republicans would keep them safer.