We are quickly approaching the Winter Solstice on December 21, a sacred time of year when new energetic portals for awakening the very structures of our DNA and sacred life missions are more accessible to us. It is a time of great inner and outer stillness, of reflection on the past year, and a time rich with cosmic potential for exploration of our soul’s desires. This solstice is especially significant, as it coincides with a New Moon in Capricorn, making a profound depth of peace and vision-seed planting even more available to us in the void from which all potential is birthed into form.

This year's Solstice/New Moon combined event is the beginning of a powerful cycle of manifestation and conscious creation that we can connect with for powerful results in 2015 (the last time a Winter Solstice coincided with a New Moon was in 2003, and the next will be in 2033!). Themes that are central to Capricorn such as dedication, commitment, and realism will all play out in the many planetary connections that are grounded in this sign for the new moon.

Stellium in Capricorn: Getting Serious in Career, Relationships, and Life Purpose

The Sun ingresses into Capricorn for the official First Day of Winter at 6:03 P.M. EST; the Moon joins the Sun at zero degrees Capricorn for the coinciding New Moon at 8:26 P.M. EST. Since Capricorn is a sign that centers on putting in the effort to make our dreams a reality, we will be supported in birthing our inner visions in profound ways over the coming year. This weekend and the days that immediately follow are an ideal time to create a quiet, meditative space to explore inner dreams and visions...and then make a list and action plan to see those dreams through to completion! Capricorn and Saturn impel us to review facts, stick to a plan, and endure any trials or hardships we might meet on the path to achieving our goals with strength and composure. 2015 will be a year of building dreams from the ground up, and will be especially auspicious for career and "life mission" types of endeavors. The birthing pangs may be uncomfortable, but Saturn teaches us that the work is well worth the satisfaction of seeing our long-term goals through to completion.

Perhaps the most significant energies woven into the existing New Moon themes are those brought by the stellium of Venus/Pluto/Mercury in Capricorn. Expect issues around relationships, money/shared resources, secrets, or deepening of commitments in personal and business partnerships to take center stage. These issues, in addition to possible lower-vibrational expressions of jealousy, manipulation, or power struggles began around December 17 and will continue through the Solstice. The asteroid goddess Vesta is also involved here, calling us to examine our interactions with others/our own values and material resources to align them with choices that benefit our whole selves. With Saturn at the final degree of Scorpio, honest assessments of needs and wants in relationships will bring necessary endings and subsequent new beginnings.

Venus and Pluto also form a sextile to Chiron, the asteroid of wounding and holistic healing. With Chiron in the deeply empathic sign of Pisces, the opportunity for deep healing in relationships of any kind will be available now; this aspect could open the doorway to sexual healing or healing that results from merging with the right people in any way, shape, or form. We might also experience significant changes in our relationship energies and approaches during 2015, since Capricorn deals with structures and organization. However, discrimination would be wise here; Pisces may pull us into destructive choice patterns for the sake of escapism rather than truly spiritual experiences that bring healing. We may experience victim/martyr consciousness as a result of these aspects, as well as the release of buried emotions that have held us back until now. Allowing feelings to surface without judgment for the sake of inner cleansing will clear the way for a greater integration of self.

Uranus, Mars, and the Nodes

Uranus stations direct at the Solstice, giving us the drive and innovative vision to take radical action in all areas of life (especially in career and partnerships)! Venus adds her partnership/money/aesthetics-centered energies to the ongoing Uranus-Pluto square, bringing the likelihood of profound and empowering awakenings in these areas. Mars also forms a sextile link to Uranus and the nodes, igniting our impulse for action that frees us from constraints of the past. We are moving into greater alignment with Cosmic Consciousness, and the unprecedented astrological patterns at play act as catalysts to move us forward on our journey into love and Oneness on Earth.

Saturn in Sagittarius

As Saturn’s time in Scorpio draws to a close, feelings of fear, restrictions, cynicism, and self-doubt are surfacing for many. This provides an opportunity to examine our deepest doubts and shadow to embrace the truth of our own worth and goodness more fully when Saturn moves into Sagittarius on December 23. We will all have an opportunity to define and crystallize our truth – and act in full alignment with those truths – and can turn big dreams into reality by taking advantage of this powerful placement.

Key Questions for Contemplation

• Am I willing to set aside sacred time and space to for rejuvenation and to explore my deepest desires now?

• What dreams and visions are emerging from the stillness within me? Am I willing to explore and honor them, trusting that the Universe supports me in making all choices that are aligned with my Highest Good?

•  What practical steps are necessary to manifest my dreams into being? How can I take regular, consistent action to see long-term goals through to completion?
  
•  Am I being called to release a relationship/relationship patterns that no longer serve me? Am I being called to deepen relationship connections for a higher purpose at this time? Am I willing to merge with others in forming powerful partnerships to further my own growth and evolution and aid in the collective growth and evolution of Human Consciousness?
  
• Am I being called to bring a greater depth of healing into my life? If so, are there others in my family, circle of friends, or community who can assist me in this process?
  
• How can I liberate myself from past limitations to share more of my authentic self with the world? Am I willing to begin releasing feelings of insecurity, fear, and self-doubt to step more fully into alignment with my truths and life purpose?
  

October's New Moon Partial Solar Eclipse in Scorpio is an intense and complex blending of astrological elements that are submerging us deeply into the waters of our own unconscious. Eclipses are powerful agents of change that act to move us through energetic gateways between the present and the future, and since this eclipse is a new moon eclipse, it is an even more powerfully-charged atmosphere for setting long-term intentions. The eclipse, which takes place on October 23rd at 5:51 PM EDT, will bring us face-to-face with the darker undercurrents of our own being. Addressing and eliminating fears and insecurities, breaking away from relationships or relationship patterns that no longer serve us, and committing to embrace our own empowerment more fully will be key themes in the weeks and months ahead. 

The Sun's Ingress From Libra to Scorpio; Sun and Moon in Scorpio

As the sun shifts from Libra into Scorpio on October 23, the vibe changes from outward energy focused on partnerships to energy focused inward toward our deepest feelings, fears, and primal impulses. Socializing and the desire to interact in an accommodating, balanced way are trademarks of Libra, but Scorpio is far more focused on going deep within the self and intimate mergers with another. Although the tone will shift dramatically, many elements are still in place that will highlight partnerships, especially relating to sexual intimacy and shared resources of any kind. The moon also makes her ingress into Scorpio on the 23rd, as the Sun and Moon are at the same degree in the zodiac at the time of the new moon. Moodiness and the emergence of fear/neuroticism/shadow tendencies are always common when the moon enters Scorpio. With the Sun and Moon joining in Scorpio for this eclipse, we have a double dose of emotional intensity that will serve to bring hidden elements of ourselves, secrets, or other unseen factors to the surface into the light of consciousness. Elimination is a key word for Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio, and as such, getting sick is not at all uncommon when we are clearing energies that no longer serve us. We may also find ourselves feeling physically drained or restless. Allowing yourself the time and space to explore that which surfaces now, free of judgement, to assist in accepting what is discovered. This will help tremendously in taking any action you feel is necessary to move forward.

Venus, Sun,  and Moon Stellium in Scorpio 

Venus also enters Scorpio on October 23 to play her part in the eclipse. When the Goddess of Love and relationship, values, and pleasure enters Scorpio's territory, she takes on a whole new level of depth and complexity; romance, friendships, and aesthetics/values are taken very seriously, and she can be downright controlling and neurotic at times. Her desire to merge with others for the purpose of self-transcendence, especially via sexual encounters, is strong. Her involvement in this eclipse at 0 degrees Scorpio - the exact same degree that the Sun and Moon will occupy - bring those themes of partnership and relating forward in dramatic ways. Relationships that have served their purpose are likely to dissolve now, and others may go through a healing crisis of sorts. The surfacing of issues buried beneath the surface of partnerships - especially toxic undercurrents that aren't serving the situation - are likely to emerge for the purpose of healing and release. 

You may also find yourself involved in tense money matters with a spouse or others with whom you share resources, or find yourself working through toxic situations in general. Power struggles are likely, and may take on a covert psychological twist. Know that these scenarios have manifested so you can learn to embody your own empowerment more fully. Trust your instincts and act from a place of integrity and self-confidence when dealing with difficult situations that arise.

Pallas Conjunct Venus, Sun, and Moon

A powerful addition to the eclipse energies is the conjunction of the goddess asteroid Pallas to the Sun/Moon/Venus stellium. As Demetra George writes, Pallas represents higher knowledge, diplomacy and tact in addressing situations, healing techniques such as visualization and meditation, and courage. With her energies so prominently involved in this eclipse, we have additional support to temper any low-vibrational expressions of Scorpionic energy - jealousy, vindictiveness, manipulation/cunning, impulsive destruction, self-sabotage - to bring forward a detached approach and higher expression of wisdom in all parts of our lives. Pallas also represents the ability to manifest ideas into reality - such a wonderfully supportive energy to add to the new moon time!

Pluto, Uranus, the Nodes, and Neptune

Pluto, the eclipse ruler, is nearing another tight square with Uranus, the planet of liberation and revolution. This conflicting energy is sure to bring situations to a head, and the involvement of the nodes calls us out of familiar territory and into the future, into our growth and evolution individually and collectively. Neptune is forming a wide trine to the eclipse stellium - an easy, harmonious aspect - which will aid us in transcending any lower-vibrational patterns and limitations that Pluto is working to eliminate. The Divine Feminine principles are strong with this eclipse, as is our ability to access intuition for a greater feeling of connectedness to All That Is. 

In true water sign fashion, there have also been themes relating to women's rights and the Divine Feminine, conspiracy theories, and secrets coming to light in the collective. It is likely that these themes will continue to be prominent in the coming months. If you feel your fears and paranoia spinning out of control, take a deep breath and know that Plutonian/Scorpionic energy can cause us to feel as though we are in danger when no substantial threat exists; let intuition be your guide.

Eclipse Questions For Contemplation

• In which area(s) of my life am I being called to release the old and step boldly into the new?
• Where can I eliminate toxic habit patterns/emotions to move forward into my potential more fully?
• How can I stand more fully in my own deep inner power?
• How can I integrate a more detached perspective when dealing with relationship partners that allows me to balance impulses for control/other shadow issues with wisdom and intellect?
• How can I activate Divine Wisdom, intuition, and the energies of the Divine Feminine within myself for a fuller and more loving integration of self?

To see what areas of life this eclipse will be impacting you most directly, find the house in your horoscope which contains 0 degrees of Scorpio. The issues represented by this house are likely to undergo major transformations in the coming months. 

**Want to know more about how this eclipse season is working to enact profound change in your life? I would love to meet with you for a consultation! Please see "Rates, Specials, and Contact" for more information.**