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AstroUpdate – December 2009

By Stella Woods, 01-12-2009

Hi and welcome to the Stella Starwoman December AstroUpdate!

By now you should have received your Complimentary Christmas Gift Voucher offer - if not, read on for more details. And if you’d like to order a 2010 Moon Calendar Wall Chart or Moon Diary, you’ll find details below, plus a booking form at the end of this newsletter or call (03) 9534 5021 with your credit card details. Please note that calendar and diary orders received after close of business on Tuesday 15th December will be delivered in the New Year.

This month you can read all about how to handle the upcoming Mars retrograde transit and find out why December has a blue moon. Plus I’ve included details of 2010 courses and more info in the monthly moon table on shaving and waxing legs.

2010 Moon Wall Chart

Introducing the magnificent Thomas Zimmer Astrological Calendar and Moon Planting Guide - in my view, the best available in Australia. Now Thomas Zimmer is not only an amazing astrologer, he is quite remarkable in that he has no telephone, no fax machine, no website and no email address! Thomas lives in an old farmhouse bordering the World Heritage listed Tweed Valley in the very bosom of Mother Nature complete with veggie garden, solar power etc etc. So, by purchasing one of Thomas’s calendars, not only are you supporting a visionary Australian, but you’re buying a year’s supply of moon wisdom from a pure source. I have his calendar about one foot from my desk and refer to it daily. Thomas presents an astrological/political overview for the year and gives information on gardening by the moon, new moon/full moon cycles, eclipses, daily moon placements with interpretations and much, much more. In marketing speak this calendar is a ‘must have’.

Cost $15 (includes P&P anywhere in Australia)

N.B. Orders received after close of business on Tuesday 15th December will be delivered in the New Year

Christmas Gift Voucher Special Offer

Last year to challenge the collective mindset, I offered all AstroUpdate subscribers TWO complimentary $50 gift vouchers to give as presents to friends and family for Christmas. Your response was so amazing, I’ve decided to repeat the offer this year and keep all that good energy flowing.

There’s no catch - all you have to do is to send me your friends` names and addresses via the link below and I’ll mail out the vouchers to them before Christmas.

PLEASE NOTE: This special offer expires at midnight on Tuesday 15th December.

Just click on this link and follow the instructions. Christmas Gift Voucher Offer

And wishing you a very happy and prosperous 2010 – I’d like to thank you for your support and goodwill throughout this year and look forward to sharing my love of tarot and astrology with you in 2010.

Once in a Blue Moon

“Once in a Blue Moon” is a common expression meaning ‘hardly ever’, but what exactly is a blue moon? According to popular definition, it is the second full moon to occur in a single calendar month. The average interval between full moons is 29.5 days, whilst the length of an average month is roughly 30.5 days. This makes it unlikely that any given month will contain two full moons, though it does sometimes happen. On average, there are 41 blue moons every century - so we could say that ‘once in a blue moon’ means about once every 2.5 years. This month we have a full moon in Gemini on the 2nd December and a full moon in Cancer on the 31st December or 1st January, depending on your time zone. The Cancer full moon is the blue one, but if you’re planning a party, choose the Gemini one. A Cancer full moon, blue or not, is better spent at home with close family. And with a lunar eclipse on New Year’s Eve anything could happen! Life was sooooo…much simpler when we had thirteen months (moon cycles) in a year and all months lasted for 28 days with one new moon and one full moon…..

Battle of the Giants – Saturn Uranus Pluto T Square

In previous editions of AstroUpdate we have talked about the significance of the Saturn-Uranus opposition that began in late 2008 and will last until 2010. You may remember that these two planets oppose each other every forty years, challenging us on a collective level to move beyond the rigidity and dogma of Saturn to embrace the creative vision of Uranus, as the old order collapses around us. The worldwide financial crisis, global warming, diminishing oil supply and problems with food, fresh water and over-population are all forcing us to change the way we behave and think.

This month we have a new player on the scene – Pluto, symbol of death and transformation, which over the next twelve months forms a midpoint to this Saturn Uranus opposition. Interestingly, these three planets – Saturn, Uranus and Pluto -were in similar formation in the early 1930s at the time of the Great Depression. That depression initiated a new phase in economic development leading to the rise of the great dictators Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin, culminating in the Second World War. In the early 1930s, Saturn in Capricorn opposed Pluto in Cancer with Uranus in Aries at the midpoint. This time we have Saturn in Libra opposing Uranus in Aries with Pluto in Capricorn at the midpoint.

So - what we can we learn from our past mistakes? How can we get these three players to work together in a cooperative manner, pooling their ideas and skills rather than trying to destroy each other?

Saturn - tradition, structure, rules, laws, government & practical application

Uranus - new ideas and energy, paradigm shifts, brilliance, technology, invention

Pluto - death of the old, birth of the new, ruthless power, destruction, transformation

“Think globally, act locally’ is the best advice. Every small action and thought counts, and rather than putting our heads in the sand and hoping the current crisis will go away, we can do whatever we can to make positive, creative changes in our own world. The ripple effect of independent thought and loving action creates strong communities made up of strong individuals. No dictator or terrorist can hold sway when people refuse to give in to collective fear.

Mars Retrograde – Taming the Inner Demon

Mars is the ‘he-man’ of the planetary pantheon. The red-blooded warrior. The blokey-bloke. However Mars has two sides – the civilised and the primitive. The Roman god Mars represents the civilised side of Mars – the desire to be powerful and the ability to take risks and set and achieve goals. By contrast, the Greek god Ares (cf Aries) represents the more primitive side of Mars - a fierce warrior driven by passion, rage and lust and the primary force behind accidents, arguments, injury and violence. This primitive side of Mars comes to the fore during the Mars retrograde period, which occurs for 2-3 months approximately every two years…...

Mars in the birth chart is CEO to the sun, externalising the ego’s desire for accomplishment and helping us express our individuality. Mars themes include: will, desire, libido, courage, passion, energy, spirit and anger. When the sun and Mars work well together, we are able to achieve our goals in a constructive fashion. Not so when Mars moves to oppose the sun during the Mars retrograde cycle…..the wilful CEO goes his own way instead of following orders from the Board! The symbolic purpose of the Mars retrograde cycle is to force us to align our actions and goals (Mars) with our true nature (the sun).

Key Dates and Symbolism of the 2009-2010 Mars Retrograde Cycle

In early to mid December, the sun and Mars are in harmonious aspect and projects flow along smoothly and almost effortlessly. This is the calm before the storm... On the 21st December, Mars turns retrograde at 20º Leo and begins his backward journey through Leo. Imagine a juggernaut going into reverse. This most challenging part of the cycle goes from late December to the end of January when Mars at 10º Leo moves to oppose the sun at 10º Aquarius. Those with birthdays between the 1st and 14th August or with planets at 10-20° Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius and Taurus will be most affected.

Common Manifestations – 21st December – 30th January

During this five-week period, any underlying grievances will become apparent. If you have a copy of your birth chart, look up the houses containing Leo and Aquarius to see which areas of your life will be affected. Commitment to self vs. commitment to others or the community could be a key issue. The Leo-Aquarius polarity deals with individual creativity and desire vs. the need to act selflessly on behalf of the collective. Here are some things to watch out for….. remember the whole lesson is about personal integrity – aligning actions with inner values.

  • External drive and energy changes direction
  • Daily progress is suddenly filled with effort
  • Bad luck or fate appears to intervene
  • Feeling ill, exhausted, depressed or weak
  • Loss of interest or focus on what might have been an important project or relationship only weeks earlier
  • Suppressed feelings of hostility come to the surface
  • Feeling psychologically depleted or completely liberated ‐ Irrational action and enforced introspection
  • Relationship conflicts
  • A battle between conscious will and unconscious intent.
  • Festering energy explodes creating rage, passion, heat, libido and ambition.
  • If the sun-Mars opposition hits a planet or angle in your birth chart the effects are even more powerful.
  • War is declared on oppressive situations.
  • Problems can no longer be ignored.

More on Mars retrograde in the next edition…

2010 Moon Diary

If you’re after a diary, my recommendation is the 2010 Moontime Diary another Australian made product from Iris and Gisela. Printed on 100% recycled paper with a soft-bound, smart dark blue cover, it’s packed with information about how to fine tune your life to the cycles of the moon and tread lightly on the planet. Want to know when to cut your hair to slow regrowth or encourage curls? When to plant those seedlings, harvest those vegetables or begin that creative project? The information is all in here in a very accessible, easy-to-follow format. The diary also has a monthly ephemeris, for those who like to track planetary positions. These wonderful women have done all the hard work for you and with Christmas just around the corner, this could be the perfect, low-stress shopping solution for PCT (Pre-Christmas Tension).

Cost $36 (includes P&P anywhere in Australia). Orders (03) 9534 5021 or fill in the booking form below.

N.B. Orders received after close of business on Tuesday 15th December will be delivered in the New Year.

Astrology & Tarot Courses 2010

I’ve just uploaded all the 2010 course and workshop info to my websites, so if you’re keen to learn more about astrology, tarot or magic & manifestation, visit www.stellastarwoman.com (astrology, magic) or www.tarotforthejourney.com (tarot). There’s also a summary of course details at the end of this newsletter and based on your feedback, I’m also holding some afternoon tarot and astrology workshops in February. Bookings for all courses and workshops are now open.

Featured Sign-Sagittarius

From 22nd November to 21st December, the sun travels through Sagittarius, an intuitive fire sign noted for its vision, adventurous nature and love of philosophy. Sagittarius is the ninth sign of the zodiac with keywords “I seek” and “I expand”. Those born under the sign of the Archer often struggle to integrate their animal nature with their more lofty human side. Sagittarians seek expansion on all levels, mental, physical, emotional and spiritual, and can usually be found travelling, studying and exploring life’s big issues. They love to share their wisdom and are often talented writers or teachers. At best they are intelligent, honest, generous and inspirational. Negatively, they can be tactless, self indulgent, coarse and hypocritical. In medical astrology, Sagittarius rules the liver, hips and thighs and sacral regions of the spine. When Sagittarians are out of balance they can suffer from sciatica, hip diseases, rheumatism and weight gain. The Sagittarian colours are purple and deep blue. Sagittarius’s greatest lessons are moderation, tact and learning to deliver what they promise.

November Astro-Energies

Venus joins the sun and Mercury in Sagittarius on the 2nd setting the scene for the silly season. Sagittarius is the quintessential party sign promising enjoyable social encounters with friends and family in the lead up to Christmas. The 2nd is also the first of the two December full moons, the second being on New Year’s Eve.

Mercury moves into sober Capricorn on the 6th and joins up with intense Pluto. This combination offers deep insight, but also a tendency to obsessive thought patterns - don’t take yourself too seriously! If you have any last minute jobs or routine organisational tasks, Mercury in Capricorn will provide clarity and focus. Try and have all important work completed by mid December however, as action planet Mars slows down in preparation for his two month retrograde phase (see above).

The December new moon is on the 16th in fire sign Sagittarius and with Venus and Uranus in the mix, many will find romance over the Christmas period. At the very least this new moon holds the promise of good things to come.

The sun moves into Capricorn on the 22nd followed by Venus on Boxing Day setting a more sober note for the holiday season. Finally a lunar eclipse at the Cancer full moon in the early hours of the New Year will help put 2009 into perspective. Eclipses bring hidden energy to the surface and offer renewed clarity.