December 2023 Vedic and Western Astrology: Neptune, Mercury and Jupiter Stations
In the Northern Hemisphere we are rounding the last corner of autumn with the winter solstice on Dec 22. Winter to me embodies the ultimate paradox that life and death are, you can’t have one without the other. Life is indeed a circle, even the whole universe itself (according to some cosmological theories) has cyclic growth and contraction phases. Just like the human heart.
The cycles would seem to represent differentiation and change, counterposed by an eternal, changeless, and forever still state termed En Sof, I AM, Nirvana, or God in various faiths and philosophies. While we are young, adult, advancing in age, or at our deathbed; there is still a birthless/deathless presence inside of it all; eternally youthful, if you will.
That spark, flame or spirit as you call it contains ultimate power over the changing flux of outer experience, where things like names, identities, and circumstances are very impermanent. Astrology covers mainly the ever-changing flux of things, but with the use of that ultimate changeless spirit spark within, it does not irrevocably decree our fate, but that is our privilege.
Getting slightly more mundane now, we also have three planetary stations: Neptune, Mercury and Jupiter in December. The “worst” one will be December 6th and Neptune turning stationary direct. On a personal level it has a way of removing us from the practical here and now, sending us up the hopeful, ideal, and future life. Neptune also covers the typical manifestions of human escapism, from self-lies and deceits, to escapes through fantasy, intoxicants, and just avoidance. I think the best advice on and around Dec 6 is to go with the flow as a very Neptunian thing, but keep a watchful eye the more immediate “realities” such as bills, traffic, deadlines, and work.
As Mercury turns retrograde on Dec 13th we will experience enhanced perception, a greater sense of perspective, and the reception of brilliant ideas, however, because of the turning backwards nature of the event, their implementation may be a bit more problematical, slightly more subjective, and prone to errors, or maybe just a bit unusual. Not much to worry about in my mind.
On Dec 30 (just before the new year) Jupiter turns direct, which is more or less great. However, we need to be mindful of overconfidence, assuming things to be true, and just being too risky. As we immediately go into the new year, it may allow us to charge out of the gate with great enthusiasm, mindful though that an equal or greater amount of determination, hard work and perseverance will be required as well.
2023 is burned up the fires of time, 2024 like a newborn babe appears.
Day by Day Readings
Friday, Dec 1
Early on, moments of intensity. Choose wisely. (Moon opposite Pluto)
Saturday, Dec 2
As the Sun crosses the Heart of the Scorpion star Antares, Mercury and Saturn sextile, giving us depth of understanding. Powerful, orderly processes.
Sunday, Dec 3
Excitement, but dubious, of not overblown gains. Proceed respectfully with relationships. (Venus square Pluto, Mars quincunx Jupiter, Mars tridecile Neptune)
Monday, Dec 4
Mercury Greatest Elongation
Excitement, daring, and accomplishment. (Sun biquintile Jupiter)
Tuesday, Dec 5
Last Quarter Moon
Hopeful and sublime relationship spaces, but the possibility of unconscious agendas driven therein. (Venus biquintile Neptune and trine Sturn, Sun semisquare Pluto)
Wednesday, Dec 6
Neptune Stationary Direct
Potential to escape to a dreamland retreat, away from life’s challenging hurdles. Yet sometimes the challenge or dilemma exists only in our mind, rightfully dismissed as a passing illusion. Relationship developments, but hardly substantial. (Venus semisquare Juno, Mercury tridecile Juno and sesquiquadrate Uranus)
Thursday, Dec 7
Hanukkah
Mercury in trine to Jupiter opens high expectations, stretching truth if seemingly expediently necessary.
Friday, Dec 8
Mars on the Heart of the Scorpion Antares star can allow penetrating intensity, even shock. Don’t shy away from what must be done, calling a spade a spade.
Saturday, Dec 9
Pleasantries abound, cultural advancement; beguiling good fortune. Hold you power in relationships. (Venus opposite Jupiter, Sun square Juno)
Sunday, Dec 10
Later evening, US time, the Moon opposing Algol (Medusa’s severed head star) can coincide with shocking dismay.
Monday, Dec 11
Thwarted, things are not as easy or clear as you may have assumed. Back to the drawing board…. (Mars biquintile Jupiter, Mercury sextile Venus, Sun quintile Saturn)
Tuesday, Dec 12
New Moon
Let it go, no need to compete in a game on someone else’s terms. Just be yourself. Lovely distractions. (Sun quincunx Uranus, Venus sesquiquadrate Neptune)
Wednesday, Dec 13
Mercury Stationary Retrograde
The trickster god steals the show from Zeus, Ares, and Hades. Tyrants befuddled. (Sun sesquiquadrate Jupiter, Mars semisquare Pluto)
Thursday, Dec 14
Geminid Meteor Shower
The Sun enters sidereal Sagittarius, shifting focus from one area of life to another; depending on your rising sign.
Friday, Dec 15
No peaking influences
Saturday, Dec 16
Moon at Perigee
Troubled spaces for relationships, crushed hopes, but hopes are a lousy thing to depend on solely. Weaknesses of character brought out. (Venus tridecile Saturn, Sun square Neptune)
Sunday, Dec 17
The status quo goes down, you soar. (Sun biquintile Uranus)
Monday, Dec 18
Opportunities rich with emotion. (Mercury trine Jupiter, Venus quintile Pluto)
Tuesday, Dec 19
First Quarter Moon
Far out day as the Sun conjuncts Galactic Center and the Moon conjuncts Neptune and opposes Super Galactic Center.
Wednesday, Dec 20
Mercury at Perihelion
Brilliance, perception, realization.
Thursday, Dec 21
Winter Solstice
The shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere; longest day in the Southern. Instead of moving, the Sun seems to “stand still” in the sky, reversing its daily declinational ascent or descent. Symbolically (and symbols have tremendous power) it is the rise of the new man or the end of the old man. Life is in rounds, and rounds within rounds. What seems like the despair of death simply becomes the hope of new life, removing almost any care or concern in the world.Solstice; literally “Sun stops”, sol (Sun) stice (latin for stop). Ignited passion and motivation. Form a plan, put things into the bigger picture. (Venus opposite Uranus, Mars quincunx Uranus Mercury sextile Saturn, Venus sextile Juno)
Friday, Dec 22
Mercury at Inferior Conjunction
Very complicated astrological complexion to the day: intimidating challenges, but almost reckless confidence to move forward at the same time. Genius and brilliance. (Mars quintile Saturn and sesquiquadrate Jupiter, Sun conjunct Mercury, Mars square Juno)
Saturday, Dec 23
Ursid Meteor Shower
Sweet moments as the Moon and Venus oppose each other, but later on shock and dismay when the Moon conjuncts Algol star.
Sunday, Dec 24
Opportunity to move forward methodically. Choose your battles. (Sun sextile Saturn)
Monday, Dec 25
Christmas Day
Christianized pagan holiday, the birth of the savior a la the Winter Solstice referenced earlier here. Exciting and beautiful emotional and relationship spaces, which perhaps should remain reverential instead of Jupiterean bombastic. Mars trods into the sidereal sign Sagittarius, kicking up the dust in some area of our lives (depending on your rising sign).
Tuesday, Dec 26
Kwanzaa
Brilliance and originality. Deep emotional triggers set off, certainly in relationships for good or for ill. (Sun sesquiquadrate Uranus, Mercury biquintile Uranus, Venus opposite Algol star)
Wed and Thurs, Dec 27-28
Full Moon
The Moon is fully illuminated by the Sun with Mother Earth in between them, aspected by Jupiter. However today and through tomorrow Mercury, Mars, and Neptune will be averse to each other, seemingly sucking out motivation and hope, thwarting appropriate action. Opportunity to overcome, to create your own internal base of centeredness despite external conditions. Jupiter delivers some needed cockiness to tip the scales to success.
Friday, Dec 29
Deep love and relationship situations, some disconcerting. Learn to act from legitimate internal direction, perhaps upsetting the apple cart of the status quo. Be careful of accidents and injuries. (Venus opposite Pleiades stars sextile Pluto)
Saturday, Dec 30
Jupiter Stationary Direct
Zeus grabs his lightning bolts. Beware of overconfidence and bluster. Light up the skies.
Sunday, Dec 31
New Year’s Eve
Tear down that old calendar! Grab opportunity and not let go. Ride it like wild horse, far away from the dusty doldrums of 2023 as if it was a passing dream. New year, new you. All of which could be the effects of Mars conjunct the Galactic Center, the Moon on Regulus Heart of the Lion star and opposite Fomalhaut Fishes of Pisces star today.
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