(And A Great Solstice Ritual For Cleaning Out the Old and Welcoming The New!)

In this article we’re going to cover more significant factors in the Northern Hemispheric Winter Solstice chart. As I promised, this article includes a ritual I do every year at this time that helps me let go of the old and welcome the new that I want to see in the next year! Yes, it’s fun!!

First, a bit more on the Solstice chart. As I mentioned in part 1, Saturn is the dispositor of the Sun when it is in Capricorn (Aquarius too!) That means Saturn “rules” the Solar backdrop, making Saturn’s sign part of the Sun’s expression.

First, we take a look back at the past two Solstices to see themes affecting the emergent Aquarian energies. The December 2020 Solstice found Saturn occupying the 1st degree of Aquarius, with Jupiter also on that degree. This was The Grand Mutation launching both a 20 year Aquarian Era, as well as a 200 year Air Era, replacing the old 200 year Earth Era with its unfortunate hyper materialism. So, 2021 was the edge of Time, where future centuries break free from past centuries! Of great significance is that Pluto will move to 1 Aquarius this Spring, where it goes stationary retrograde. That will sprout the “seeds of transformation” related to the long term Aquarian energy which is already transforming our world.

The December 2021 Solstice found Saturn occupying the 11th degree of Aquarius, with themes related to our creative power and how it relates to our social interactions. We had “the need to rely upon inner inspiration and guidance at the start of new developments,” and stay open to higher, spiritual, or Soul energies at the threshold of a new period of individual activity. We could not depend on outer circumstances or traditional incentives, but instead had to tap our inner creative power as we learned to get out of our own way to express that power.

So, what’s Saturn’s theme for Solstice 2022 which affects the next season, and to some degree the next year?

The Sabian Symbol for the Ruler of the Solstice

This year’s Solstice finds Saturn at 22 Aquarius. The Sabian Symbol for the 22nd degree of Aquarius is “A rug placed on a floor for children to play.” In the original Jones notes published in The Astrology of Personality, Rudhyar says this symbolizes “Life’s warmth and richness given to those who eagerly learn to live,” “Luxurious self-knowing, or self-appreciation,” and “Comfort.”

In The Astrological Mandala, he states this degree involves "the warmth of understanding which comes to those who, early in life, are open to new possibilities.” He states this degree shows us how we’re “never left without assistance when eagerly seeking to grow emotionally and spiritually” so we can “realize the intent and value of what sustains (our) self-development and cushions the shocks which life provides (our) growth in understanding.”

He continues that this symbol “contrasts the kindness inherent in … life situations with the tragic feeling of disillusionment” preceding this symbol. He states “through a warm appreciation of basic opportunities and even small comforts, we can safely and happily grow into personal maturity.” He says it falls in the span of Perspective, and it's the second degree of the emotional-cultural level of the scene of Management in the Act of Capitalization.

According to Dr. Jones, creator of the Sabian Symbols, the degree is one of “the unlimited service of life at large to the special requirements of an individual’s comfort or everyday convenience.” This is about our ability to find what we need for self-development, where we are “ever discovering (ourselves) in situations where (we) may concentrate (our) efforts to the best possible advantage on the perfection and employment of (our) personal skills.”

He offers us the keyword of REFINEMENT. He states that when operating in a positive manner, this degree is "unusual capacity for the exploitation of immediate resources and the deepening of every potential of selfhood.”

So Saturn, backdrop for the Light/Life of the next 90 days, rules from its own sign, and adds to the Light of Aquarius the quality of feeling appreciation and gratitude for how we’ve been protected and were sometimes even comfortable as we grew out of disappointment and discouragement. Our openness will show us how to grow appropriately into a greater individual expression. This season is about learning to appreciate our comforts as we embrace a more secure growth pattern, so appreciate your path, your skills, and your self-knowing.

As we mobilize in the area of our chart this falls in, and see the aspects Saturn makes in our charts, we will see how this larger global force has put pressure on us to transform our daily lives and actions. We are now solidly established in our Aquarius focus in our lives at a point where we can find greater inspiration.

The Moon

The Moon is at 9 Sagittarius, making it a Balsamic Moon at the Solstice. This phase is said to be totally future oriented, where we release the old. This phase is aware of the future, but also how the past impacts that future. We are told this phase is about holding the “seed ideas” which will sprout in the future. This is a prophetic Moon phase and sacrifices the present to feed the visions of the future.

It is the leading planet in the “Bowl” Jones pattern, and so is the entryway to experience. Be sensitive to current truths and future possibilities, aware of what you have and what you don’t. This makes the Moon a crucial factor in the front end of what expresses itself these next 90 days.

The Lunar Sabian Symbol for the 9th degree of Sagittarius is "A mother with her children on stairs.” In the original Jones class notes Dane Rudhyar published in The Astrology of Personality, he states this is a degree of “conscious advance of selfhood from plane to plane,” “real courage in all approach to life,” and “inner guidance in all growth.”

In the Astrological Mandala, we are told that this degree is one of “the need in any social situation to assist the less evolved in their management of the problems which society requires its members to solve.” He states this symbol is about learning to acquire a skill that is not “natural,” but necessary for life in society, and that a child learns by imitating the adults in their life.

He says this implies that each of us who have acquired a skill must be willing to teach it to those who come after us, and that while “walking is a natural human function ...climbing stairs is a skill made necessary” by our buildings. He states “what is implied here is social concern for the less evolved of society’s members.” He offers that this is in the Span of Receptiveness, and is the technical degree on the emotional-cultural level of the Scene of Abstraction in the Act of Group Integration.

Dr. Marc Jones says this symbol is one of “extreme alertness to the interests and needs of others,” and “high competency” in going for “ideal ends.” He goes on to state that we have “an inescapable duty… to remember that (we are our) brother’s keeper,” and we must ‘develop and demonstrate a genuine social conscience.”

He continues that in our “rounding out” of our “community usefulness” and in the “increasing recompense” we reap “fruits of service.” He offers us the keyword EDUCATION, and says when this degree is working positively, it’s one of “effective response to every personal challenge in everyday affairs.”

So the specific Lunar focus of the next 90 days involves teaching and being taught more effective responses to challenges to help sharpen our sense of purpose as a way to see how the past is ‘pre-forming” the future. So the Lunar expression of the chart is liberating, educative, abstract, truth oriented, and the means for us to enter the transformational implications of this Solstice chart.

Other Factors

Because Saturn rules the Light of the Season, efficiency and pragmatic thinking and planning will yield great results. The biggest friction of the season comes from the Sun square Jupiter and sesquisquare Uranus, with Jupiter semisquare Uranus. This creates three resonant points in an evolutionary configuration known as a “Great Octile” involving friction and the need to act in non-extravagant ways.

These together create a field of “agitated decisions” with the need to see clearly how we want to represent ourselves in our world, maintain a stable course, and keep the momentum and initiative in our own hands. This generates a field of dynamic action for any planets or points we have near 1-3 Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn, as well as 16-18 Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius.

Of some note is that Mercury is already slowing and about to go stationary retrograde on 25 Capricorn, which is the theme of 2022 as a whole AND the place of two Jupiter/Pluto conjunctions in 2020! So while it’s not retrograde in the Solstice chart, Mercury will be retrograde through mid-January, “front loading” the season with a review, rehearsal, and a different look at what began to open in 2020 and 2021 with an eye to moving forward in 2023.

This Solstice brings a major preponderance of Earth planets! We see this chart has 5 planets in Earth, 2 in Fire, 2 in Air, and 1 in Water, showing a massive Earth presence with a balanced amount of Air and Fire. That implies the coming season has a practical focus, with only Neptune holding the feeling field. The Fire and Air are very powerful due to the special evolutionary configuration created by the Moon, Mars, and Saturn, offering high specialization as we educate and are educated in gratitude as we release the ghosts of the past and “hear the message” we’re to give to the world.

Because the Sun is septile Saturn and the Moon is biseptile Neptune, these create two different 7th harmonic configurations which will lead to crucial choices and changes at major “forks in the road of destiny.” As I’ve offered you in past Solstices, here are a few lines from my favorite song, "Two Different Roads," (check it out when you're done here!) written by Capricorn legend and music pioneer Michael Nesmith:

You might think that I'll wait, but he who hesitates is lost, this is not just a game,
It's the problem of creation and only meditation can make your mind and age the same,
I know, 'cause this all happened once before....

Because Mars is retrograde and speeding up while Mercury is slowing down to go retrograde, this is another “back to the future” type of Solstice, prepare, get an alternative view of things, and learn to “think in the future.” When it’s time to act, then act in ways that take you to a new feeling or way of experiencing your Divine Self. When you have felt your connection to yourself, others, or Source, then find a new vision or new understanding. Update your understanding, update your knowledge, and update your perception. We are still in a time of finding a deeper connection with the World Soul and your Spiritual Sisters and Brothers.

Humanity continues on its voyage into unknown zones of human experience set into motion about 10 years ago, and this Solstice puts the focus on a new vision and a new understanding. We may be living in a very volatile and conflicted time, but it’s also the birth contractions of a new era. The old ways do not yield easily or quickly, but the greater “Field of Collective Awareness” gets stronger by the day, and by tuning into that collective Field we can feel any sense of separateness slipping down the time stream. Those who have trained are already accustomed to moving more easily through 4D and 5D reality, and so the transformation process is not as jolting for them as for those who don’t have a spiritual practice to keep them in the groove.

The collective field is breaking free of Earth and moving into Air, and we who have been striving to live in higher awareness of our Oneness and connection to All-That-Is are finally at the threshold of seeing the dawning of a new Age. It may take years or even decades to see the concretization of the New Era, the externalization of the Spiritual Fellowship of Brother and Sister Masters of the Wisdom, as well as know which part of the New Group of World Servers we’re here to work with and within, but make no mistake, the advent of the adventure in consciousness is NOW!

On a final note, in the Northern Hemisphere the Winter Solstice ushers in a season dedicated to "seeds in latency," those that will sprout in March when the light force is stronger, the ground is warmer, and Spring is on the way. Whether in the Northern or Southern Hemispheres, the Solstices and Equinoxes are special points in the year cycle, marking the end of one season and the beginning of the next one. They are great for getting clear about our resolve, and what we want to see made manifest in times to come. And now for the ritual, after a message from our sponsor!

Saturn: Spiritual Master, Spiritual Friend

Because Saturn plays such a large part in any December Solstice chart, if you haven’t gotten your copy already, please get your copy of my book Saturn: Spiritual Master, Spiritual Friend. By making friends with our inner Saturn, we are led to a greater spiritual maturity and effectiveness in our world which fulfills our higher purpose for being alive as Spirits in the material world.

Saturn gives us the power to take command of our lives and destiny. If Saturn represents all that limits us and holds us back, it’s only because we must master those lessons so we may become spiritual adults and fulfill our purpose for being alive on Earth and come out of fear and any sense of victimization or powerlessness.

It was written for both astrologers and non-astrologers, and as you read each chapter, you’ll understand how your life lessons gave you the power to steer your destiny as you moved through karmic experiences and turned the patterns from negative to positive. There are chapters helping you understand major points of choices and change, both past and future, and use the crucial points of transition in your life to steer your life into your Higher Purpose and destiny.

This is a book you will reference many times, and each time you re-read it you’ll find undiscovered gems of insight. Over time you will throw off everything which holds you back from becoming your Higher Self, fulfilling your purpose for being alive on Earth! If you don’t have a copy, please consider ordering one today! You can go to the Saturn: Spiritual Master, Spiritual Friend page on Amazon and this should be all you need to order your copy. And if you would, please write a review on the Amazon site, since the more reviews, the bigger the boost on their site.

Now for the fun part!

This brings us to the ritual I mentioned at the beginning. Whether you're in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, there is a special ceremony I do each year that yields some fairly spectacular results. This is not a very elaborate ritual, but it's very powerful in its simplicity.

The Solstices mark points of transition from an old "half year" of the Sun moving South or North (depending on where you are on the Earth) into the opposite direction. In the Spirit of this "coming or going," I first take a moment to note what has left my life the past year while saying goodbye on deepest levels. This creates space for that which is more appropriate to my evolution and well-being.

Then I make a list of everything I want to leave my life in the coming year, and draw a picture that represents those things, people, or habits. Then I burn each individual picture in a fire, one at a time, while saying goodbye to each of those. (I make a duplicate list to check the next year to remind me of what I wanted to see leave.)

I also make a list of things I want to see come into my life in the coming year. I try to make it realistic, but also allow my imagination to bring forth what might be or could be, even if improbable. After all, it's supposed to be fun! I play with possibilities, and write them down, without getting hung up on specific forms. This is about content more than form.

Then I draw pictures symbolizing those things, and burn them, one by one, in a fire, welcoming in those better things than I've known up to now, putting it up and out into the "Spiritual atmosphere" so that Divine Mother can bring it forth in the coming months. I also make a duplicate list to check the next year.

Over the years I've done this ritual, I often find most of what I wanted to leave actually does leave, and most of what I wanted to appear showed up. Even when one or both lists falls short by a thing or two, overall, I've seen great progress year after year.

It's also very interesting to note how my lists have changed over the years, with some concerns falling away and new things presenting themselves according to my intention. And sometimes, when I have not received what I thought I wanted, it became clear why it wasn't good or necessary for me to have that which I thought I wanted.

To answer a question asked in previous Solstices, yes, you can do this ritual at any point before, during, or after the Solstice. Even if you can't do it on December 21, just find a time, clear your head space, make your lists, and offer your burnt sacrifices to Father Time and Mother Earth. A sincere desire to eliminate the old or welcome the new is sure to be heard by the Cosmos, since you and Cosmos are inextricably linked through all time.

So, in this time of transition from the old year into the Winter of the new, take a moment to note what has left your life the past year, thus creating space for that which is more appropriate to your evolution and well-being. And if you feel like doing a Solstice ritual, whether this one or another, open to your greatest good and highest possibility of happiness, and you just may find a measure of that in the coming year.

As "they" say, Mahalo, Aloha, Namaskarams, Aum Namah Shivaya, Happy and Merry Solstice, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmastide, Joyous Christ Mass, and Happy New Year!

Part 1 Here

Reprinted on crystalwind.ca with written permission from Robert Wilkinson. Copying this article to other blogs is strictly prohibited. It is copyright protected. 

© Copyright 2022 Robert Wilkinson

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