“In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth.”  ~ Patti Smith

Can a poignant Solstice Full Moon be radiant and bright, and still be astronomically ‘micro’? Well, yes, because Luna is currently the furthest away from Earth at the moment in her elliptical orbit, she is what’s known as ‘apogee’, or a ‘micro-moon’, the opposite of ‘super-moon’. Both super and micro, nearest and furthest, can animate the wild, weird and wonderful (within). Though the super is more obvious, the effects of a micro-moon tend to creep up on us and catch us unaware. This is therefore a ‘stealth’ Full (o)Micro Moon with far-reaching, undulating waves that appear to have been around for quite some time and, indeed, may be so deeply embedded that a surge rarely fully peaks (head’s up: April 12^th ’22), but instead spirals along in a sweeping, fractalising, emotionally distant but incredibly strong undercurrent that everyone subtly feels. Such a tidal pull, just as the Sun is about to come to stand-still (Sol = sun, Stice = Still), can also slow one down when juggling the changes that invariably come about when both Sun and Moon combine the mighty Love-Wisdom of mutable signs, wise Sagittarius and versatile Gemini respectively.

☆ Be patient. Change comes three days after Solstice, with the Christmas exchange of light between North and South. Try not to hurry or sleepwalk through opportunities that enable timely truths and intelligent information to enlighten and provide faith. While the escapist oblivion of a Solstice Sun and Full Moon in hard ‘T-Square’ to nebulous and mystical Neptune is a separating aspect, and therefore the influence is waning, it still suggests there could be a temptation to blur the lines of truth, vision, or reality in the days before the Full Moon, especially as it is also Saturnalia. It’s been noted how alcohol and drug consumption has dramatically increased since the pandemic. Be careful, some easily available mind-numbing is addictive – and toxic: know there are other ways to go beyond the pain of our everyday suffering.  Turning suffering into joy is considered an extremely high but difficult path. I recall our late Lama being told he had liver cancer with only months to live, dear man thanked the Doctors. Knowing how the energy of body, speech and mind work, our beloved teacher would say if his suffering can alleviate the suffering of the world, then he would gladly take it on. People like Lama, who walk the dharma path and understand the nature of reality (i.e. all is emptiness to be offered in dedication), are rare.  

☆ But just by looking at the distance of the Moon to Earth, for instance, the bigger picture seen in the night sky can inspire a sense of optimism and mind-expansion.  This Gemini micro-Moon could also trigger an overwhelming desire to go that extra mile – and not just for oneself. Chatty Gemini’s kind word, a gentle gesture or helping hand can be helpful and healing to others in a non-judgemental manner. Gemini also brings out the playful and clever, tongue-twisters and party games. And with the Moon in an excellent and very tight ‘Trine’ aspect to Jupiter, which is the 27° Sagittarian Sun’s ruler, it indicates luck and ease could be on our side. In your chart, check 27-28° Air signs Aquarius, Libra, and Gemini, and see where fortune currently favours.

☆ In the few days before Solstice, the Sun aligns with the Galactic Centre, the part of the sky around which our Milky Way Galaxy rotates. This can only encourage the Sagittarian archer to aim far and direct his arrow towards the light, truth, and beauty, and hold that magic beam.

☆ A few days after the Full Moon we welcome the natural pause in our Earthly orbit of the Sun, on Tuesday the 21^st, as the emphasis of light heralds Sol’s longest day in the South, the ‘Great Yang’, a time for gathering friends and family and garnering creativity; with the longest night in the North a period of ‘Big Yin’, for curling up under the duvet to dream and stay warm.  

☆ For those who hang the ‘do not disturb’ sign along with seasonal decorations, be aware that while rest is often necessary to recharge your inner-sparkle and realign at this time of year, buzzy Mercury, planet of communication, is this Full Moon’s ruler. And, wouldn’t you know it, for this the Solstice Moon chart, quicksilver Mercury is extra busy – and somewhat bolshie. Currently fortified, with long convoluted histories, to the intellectually astute Mercury-ruled Gemini Moon; a no-nonsense, professional Saturn, working experimentally; plus dynamic and fiery Mars (the latter, incidentally, continues to drive this planetary ‘locomotive’ shape chart taking us away from past (life) belief, towards the awakening Full Moon February 16^th 2022). 

There’s a fiery fearlessness to this particularly brave, driven and ruthless Mercury, at 8° Capricorn. With Fixed Star Fascies, voluble Mercury enables rants that articulate and express in a direct and wilful manner. Whether any of it makes sense is another matter. Thus, the astral tip for a harmonious holiday season is selective seating arrangements; because festive cheer could too easily descend into division if we don’t make the effort to be open and inclusive.

☆ Harmonious relationship is Venus’s domain. ☆ ….