Happy New Moon in Sagittarius! This New Moon at approximately 21 degrees of Sagittarius became exact at 6:32 PM New York time (23:32 GMT) today, on Tuesday, December 12, 2023.
Sagittarius is a mutable fire sign that brings an energy of play, passion and spontaneity to the Zodiac. Ruled by optimistic, auspicious Jupiter, ‘The Archer’--which is a centaur--serves as a reminder that a life without spontaneity, risks, or new experiences is a boring one! Sagittarius reminds us to go after what we really want in life--unapologetically—and to not be afraid to take some risks on the way there.
There is a general sweetness and excitement in the air with this New Moon. Sagittarius is the sign of optimism. Sagittarius is one of the signs of the Zodiac that emphasizes freedom. The Archer prefers to roam free and untied, rather than to nest in one place like Cancer for example. One of the things to focus on over the next 28 days (and especially between now and the December 21 Winter Solstice) is how to bring more freedom into your life.
Sagittarius is the ruler of the 9th House, the House of Philosophy. Aside from being a roamer and an adventurer, Sagittarius is also the great philosopher of the Zodiac! With the Sag New Moon, we naturally feel inclined to read books, learn new things, and engage in philosophical discussions. In general, Sagittarius is associated with emotions, adventure, travel, athletics, growth, international affairs, eccentric things, and philosophy.
We also are going to want to spend money on fun activities--or buy things that bring us pleasure--like toys, flowers and artwork. However, with Venus in Scorpio opposing the Retrograde Jupiter in Taurus, we should take care not to overindulge.
This New Moon also carries with it a numerological significance, as it occurs on 12-12. In the context of Ascension, this amplified ‘12 energy’ encourages us to step fully into our soul’s Highest Destiny (and Highest Service Work) here on Earth. The astrology of this New Moon corroborates this as well, as the New Moon in freedom-seeking Sag trines the North Node (our soul’s destiny) and the Retrograde Chiron (re-membering and reintegrating our healing skills and Service Work) in individualistic, leadership-oriented Aries.
It’s a good time to do some meditating (and journaling if you’d like) tonight on the following questions: In what ways is my soul asking for me to step deeply/more completely into my Highest Destiny? In what ways is my soul asking for me to step deeply/more completely into my Highest Service Work on Earth?
With Mars loosely conjunct the sun in Sagittarius, we are also naturally feeling active and athletic at this time. It’s a great time to go hiking or to the gym; or to participate in sports.
Mercury is Stationed Retrograde in Capricorn on this New Moon, initiating the final Mercury Retrograde phase of 2023. Let’s discuss.
FINAL MERCURY RETROGRADE OF 2023
Mercury is currently stationed Retrograde in Capricorn, initiating the fourth of four Mercury Retrograde periods occurring in 2023. It begins in Capricorn, then concludes in Sagittarius (after it re-enters Sagittarius on December 23).
This Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn is a great opportunity to readdress projects and to-do lists from the past—especially those involving your home, finances, and any material things.
As with any Mercury Retrograde phase, communication issues will abound, especially with Neptune—the planet of illusion—exalted and squaring the sun and moon after just recently exiting its Station Direct Phase). Travel schedules will likely go awry. Expect a lot of reschedulings in general.
With its first phase occurring in Capricorn, cars, appliances, household items, and electronics will be especially at risk for breaking down/having problems; during the concluding Sagittarius phase, travel issues (including air, car, bus, train travel etc.) will be more of the theme (perfect for holiday travel LOL).
By the way, if you were born under a Mercury Retrograde, it's not going to affect you as strongly--and in fact you might even feel more ‘at home’ during this time.
Here is some general advice for navigating a Mercury Retrograde period:
Make sure that all the 'I's are dotted' and 'all the T's are crossed' when signing any contracts. Consider Murphy's Law during Mercury Retrograde: what can go wrong, will go wrong. Consider holding off on signing contracts until mid-January, if it's something that isn't time-sensitive.
Be extra clear in your communication with others. Give others more leeway than usual. Inquire to clarify what someone means by something if you're unsure, especially if it's via text message or e-mail.
Avoid purchasing big-ticket items (e.g. a new car) until mid-January, if possible
Back up all of your computer files and your smartphone!
Triple-check travel plans and appointment times. Verify times with others.
Release expectations of others, especially when it comes to people responding in a timely fashion. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Expectations of others may go unfulfilled.
As always, use Mercury Retrograde as a time to refine your communication--rather than to be afraid of miscommunications, or electronics breaking down, or travel plans getting interrupted.
This Mercury Retrograde phase officially concludes on January 1 when Mercury stations Direct—though in reality we will feel its effects through January 15. The most potent effects are felt in the seven days before and after the Station Phases—so December 5-19 and December 25-January 8.
Let’s now dig deeper into this Sagittarian idea of creating freedom in our own lives.
CREATING FREEDOM IN YOUR OWN LIFE
As the adventurous Archer, the sign of Sagittarius epitomizes freedom!
Whether we remember it or not, each and every one of us are eternal creator beings playing in this third-dimensional game for fun, experience and Divine Service! It is especially true for those of us that are Starseeds that we absolutely knew what we were getting ourselves into when we decided to come to Earth.
We knew that we would be entering into a dense third-dimensional world fraught with perils such as war, disease, toxins and institutionalized socioeconomic inequalities. We also knew that the time would come when we would have the opportunity to play a pivotal Divinely-Guided role in helping to end the disease, strife, environmental toxicity, racism and economic suppression of the masses that has become the norm in this modern day.
For some of you, that role manifests directly via your chosen career or in volunteer or philanthropic pursuits; however for the majority of Lightworkers our contribution manifests more indirectly through our energetic work.
As above; so below and as within, so without; so if we wish to see energetic and earnest freedom behold the human race, we must strive to experience and express that freedom within our own consciousnesses.
With the New Moon trining the North Node, many of us will be feeling a desire for big changes; it is a very charging and inspirational energy.
Here are some questions of inquiry (and to journal on) to consider as you evaluate the role of freedom in your life:
In what ways have I been feeling stifled or stuck in life? Take into account all areas of your life: relationships; career; finances; health; and your inner world.
How could I allow for just a little bit more of a sense of freedom and spontaneity in my life, while still keeping a healthy structure that allows me to grow long term?
What parts of me feel old and need to go? Have I been playing an old character? What kind of things trigger me into playing that old character? What kind of people trigger me into playing that old character? Is there anything stopping me from letting these aspects go, and stepping into a new recreation of myself?
What gives me a feeling of fire and passion? How could I structure my life in a practical way to allow more time to pursue my passions?
Where is some place I have always wanted to travel to? Could I make that happen next year?
If I can't fully move around the chess pieces of my life to my exact liking right now, then could I be more spiritually mature and calm my nervous system more often—and teach it how to feel safe? What daily activities or rituals could help me in doing that?
One of the most important lessons that Sagittarius provides to the Zodiac is how to be unconventional and mix things up!
FEELING STUCK? DON'T FORGET TO MIX THINGS UP!
One of the themes that everyone experiences at one point or another is stagnation. When your energy stagnates, you're likely to experience bouts of depression and anxiety. If you feel like you've been stagnating lately—or even if you haven't—it's best to utilize the energy of Sagittarius to bring some adventure and variety into your life!
The Universe will often keep us in a situation where we feel stuck and stifled so that the frustration builds up so much that we finally take a leap of faith and make a big change in our lives. Undoubtedly, there will be choice points in your Life Plan where your Higher Self will nudge you to take a leap of faith. Courage usually pays off (and courage is a very Sagittarian trait!)
If it's not the time for you to make a big change, then you can shake things up in smaller ways. Perhaps you can plan a game night with your family; go for a hike in a place you haven't been before; plant flowers or trees; start writing a book; start a new workout routine; learn tai chi or yoga; make art; learn an instrument; go to an art gallery; go experience a new cafe; change up the furniture in your house; design an app; or start a YouTube channel!
It doesn't always take a huge change in your life to shake off that sense of stagnation. Actually, that is more often the exception rather than the rule. For most of us, the best way to integrate the Sagittarian energy into our lives is to add spontaneity in little ways.
Life is meant to be an adventure, although it's easy to forget that on this planet, where life can often be difficult, obstacle-laden, sad, dangerous and scary. But it’s definitely something that we are not supposed to leave behind completely, no matter what—and no matter what age . It’s important to find the fun in being a human as much as you possibly can with whatever situation you find yourself in.
Yes, life is painful at times, but the more we can remember that life is an adventure, the more we are going to enjoy the little things in life. And furthermore, when we view life as an adventure, we are then able to let go of holding onto needing any particular outcome to manifest, because we know that no matter what happens, the adventure will continue.
When you are able to let go of needing any one particular outcome to manifest, you place yourself in perfect alignment to draw your dreams to you. If romance is one of the dreams that is on your mind, now is actually a great time to draw that to you!
A GREAT TIME FOR ROMANCE
If you are currently in a romantic relationship—or if you are in the market for a new fling or partnership, now is a pretty auspicious time! Sagittarius is quite flirty and forward—and Venus, in sensual, sexual Scorpio, opposes Jupiter (the planet of good fortune and growth) in adventurous Sagittarius! With Venus trining the Retrograde Mercury, people will be feeling flirty and wanting to make new connections—and many people will be hearing from (or contacting) their exes!
If you do reconnect with an ex, just be weary that sometimes things can feel one way during a Mercury Retrograde period, and as soon as Mercury goes back Direct things feel different—but that being said, sometimes Mercury Retrograde phases serve to reunite people, and the relationship does actually work post-Retrograde.
With all the Sagittarian energy about, adding spice and adventure to your existing relationship or your dating life will really work well at this time.
WOMEN’S ISSUES IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Black Moon Lilith is currently making a number of aspects:
It forms a Grand Earth Trine with Mercury (Stationed Retrograde) and Jupiter (Retrograde)
It sextiles Venus
It squares Mars
It opposes Saturn
We could say that Lilith is pushing her head up from under the sand to speak her truth now. We are seeing this manifest in the 3D world now in the form of the outcry over the Texas Supreme Court’s decision to deny Kate Cox’s abortion.
If you’re curious to learn more about Black Moon Lilith, I did a whole deep dive into her a few years back when Texas first essentially banned abortions (this was before Roe v. Wade was overturned). You can check it out here.
Wishing you a happy, fun, and adventurous New Moon in Sagittarius!
With Love,
Matthew John
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