Return of the Sun AND, the First New Moon of the Lunar Cycle!
Align a vision for the world and yourself with this momentous opportunity presented by our planet’s luminaries, the Sun and the Moon! The Sun stands still (Solstice) at 6:04 pm, Sunday, December 21st. The Moon conjoins with the Sun to begin a new Lunar journey through the zodiac at 8:35 pm EST the same evening. This is also considered the first new Moon of a new year according to Robert Graves’ Celtic tree Calendar! Let us celebrate this gift of a fresh start, new season, new Moon, new lunar year in whatever way feels brightest (Sun) and deepest (Moon) for each of us!
photo by Bob Fuhro
Little Birch Moon– Sarah Fuhro
This little birch moon
is slipping out into dark
night, stepping away
from the lights and music
of the bustling cabin.
When the moon
has her darkness,
she takes it in silence.
Going out she leans against
the great dark tree,
and looking straight up,
recalls sailing in that tree top
as a full and flying moon.
Moon feels the bark
against her tired spine.
In the dark,
and all alone, by herself,
she gives birth
to the next little moon.
Beith (Birch) is a ‘pioneer’ tree, the first to grow after clearing by fire, by ice, by the farmer. ‘Birching,’ hitting children or miscreants with a switch of birch wood was considered a way of driving out evil spirits so that a new way of looking at the world could begin. In a spiritual mode, we need to clear out the old before we can begin the new.
Saturn, disciplinarian of the planetary system has offered us the opportunity to release the old over the last two years while he resides in Scorpio. Like so many friends and clients I have cleaned out my cupboards and closets, and found ways to release old stories and resentments that have blocked joy and growth. Saturn will enter the sign of the Solstice (Capricorn) to join the stellium gathered there. During these last days of Saturn’s Scorpionic expression the United States has taken a new approach to our neighbor, Cuba. Prisoners accused of spying (Scorpio) have been exchanged and now there is the opportunity to build (Capricorn) diplomatic, trade and human relationships. I also hope the focus on police brutality and deadly reaction will shift into new structures of consciousness, and those who are sworn to protect us know they must be responsible for their actions (Capricorn).
Another important astrological event will take place on December 21st. Minutes before the Solstice, the planet Uranus will turn direct. His square to Pluto has colored much of the last few years: revolution (Uranus) has exposed (Pluto) the unavoidable consequences of neglect. With both of these powerful transpersonal planets in direct motion we will better understand the Sabian Symbol for the degree of the New Moon and Solstice: ‘An Indian chief claims power from the assembled tribe; the power and responsibility implied in any claim for leadership.’ Maybe this symbol is about our own inner ‘tribal’ relationships….this might be time to understand and accept all parts of our selves and to take kind, but conscious responsibility and leadership for all of our psyche. If possible take time to breath in these few hours and minutes of opportunity to welcome new seeds into the dark earth of winter’s mysteries so that a slender birch tree may sprout and grow…a pioneer in a new space.
Solstice by the Sea
Upon the sheer high cliff,
over the sea,
dancing, running in place,
shouting names,
rain streaming down in torrents,
in walls, like the walls
around old seaside villas,
rough as stucco,
blank, haughty.
No entry.
My dog runs by my side,
wet through,
ears in motion
with his exertion,
blinded by the down pour.
Solstice almost here.
Dawn on the first day of Return.
Transformed to icy pellets,
rain shoots through me and doggy,
shoots in arrows,
arrives in spears.
Clothes mean nothing.
Turn in place and run backwards,
face averted from the icy blast.
Turn to face again.
The sea and the shore are one.
In the last day
of triumph over light,
Darkness retains her power,
to pierce,
to cleanse,
to declare winter shall begin.
Sarah Fuhro December 2004
Sarah Fuhro
sarahbeagl@aol.com
Keeping our Ancient Wisdom Alive
The Wisdom Tradition evolved over the centuries to address our deepest human needs. Sarah Fuhro is a practitioner of its many forms; including Astrology, Tarot, Flower Essences and Druidry. In addition to personal consultations, Sarah teaches workshops and private classes, offering both clients and students knowledge powerfully rooted in the past, presented in the language of the present. To learn more, please visit www.sarahfuhro.com.
The Lunar Calendar for 2015 is ready for a new start of the Moon’s cycle: www.thelunarpress.com.
Very very lovely post, appriopriately soul stirring for the time upon is! The Goddess is here, watching, waiting…
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…reading your poems as I enter the 21st with a sudden sparkle dinging from a window’s crystal – ‘What’s that?’ I ask her, as she is brightly chuckling. ‘Oh, she’s CHANTING along with Sarah’s poems – ‘ Barbara from Cape Cod
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