Category Archives: Solstice

Sphere of Ether, Meteors and Fire – Cancer Ingress 2021

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Cancer Ingress of The Sun. 21 Jun 2021. 4:32:09 am. Greenwich, England.

The ingress of the Sun into Tropical Cancer marks the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year and one of the four Cardinal points of particular interest in Mundane astrology. The four cardinal ingress charts refer to the ensuing period of three months.  These Tropical events define the seasons. The next cardinal ingress will be in, the beginning of Autumn in the northern hemisphere.

We do well to consult the Chart of the Year for the same location, with the ingress of the Sun in Aries earlier this year. That chart revealed that Saturn was the LoY. Interestingly, Saturn was in the 9th House in that chart as well, while the Lord of the Ascendant was Mercury fallen in Pisces.

The chart for the present ingress is calculated for GMT and my comments are specific to that location. The comments I will make are by no means exhaustive and I’ll be elected to convey the essential spirit of the Solstice and central themes.

.Of Immediate interest is the Fallen Moon in Via Combusta. Both the Moon and the 6th House are indicative of the common people, separating from a punchy Mars in Leo in the 3rd House. She is also applying to a square with Saturn. We can say that she’s besieged and Mars, Lord of the 6th House is an otherwise poor aspect. The opposition of Mars to both Saturn and PoF is highly significant and this becomes quite clear as we consider the chart as a whole.

Luna is in the 18th Lunar Mansion According to H. C. Agrippa (1533 AD) the Moon in this Mansion causes discord, sedition, conspiracy against the powerful and, revenge from enemies, but frees captives and helps buildings. According to Ibn ‘Arabi (1200 AD ): Meaning: The Heart [of the Scorpion} Attribution: The Sphere of Ether, Meteors and Fire. Divine Attribute: The Seizer.

The clear and accelerated tension between the common people and what passes for the establishment is palpable.

In Mundane astrology, the Ascendant and First House show us the general conditions of the natives as a collective and the position of the nation in the world.

Mercury in Gemini is the Lord of the Ascendant is well placed by Sign and House but in apparent retrograde motion. The chart is for the Hour of Mercury and he is also the Almuten. Strikingly, Mercury is also the doryphory, [dorypʰóros] “Spear-Bearer” to the Sun.

England is under Aries, but the city of London is under Gemini, so this narrows the focus more precsiely. The Phase of Mercury is Matutine Waxing. Mercury goes Stationary Direct the following evening at 16 ♊︎ 07′ 37″ of Longitude

The often-cited 1066 Chart for the Coronation of William I indicates an Aries Ascendant of 22°︎ 17. 

Crucially, Venus is the Significator of Manners, also known as the Lady of the Geniture. The placement and the relationship of Jupiter in the Exaltation of Venus, whilst Venus shines in the domicile of the Moon is a strong signature of how the will and needs of the people may be realized.

In traditional astrology, the Moon’s nodes are referred to as Caput Draconis – “Dragon’s Head” and Cauda Draconis – “Dragon’s Tail”.  In Indian astrological tradition,  the nomenclature is Rahu and Ketu respectively.

Detail: Descending node of the lunar orbit (The_Tail) -Wellcome L0030675

Notably, this Mercurial chart has the N. Node in the Exaltation of the Sign Gemini. The Node is with Aldebaran, the S. Node is with Antares. This is a highly dynamic, intense placement of the Nodes with clear implications regarding Britain’s place in the world at this time: projecting its renewed engagement on the international stage outside and along with the EU while struggling with core events whose effects will be felt for a generation. These include the implementation of the goals of Brexit as well as the internal stress on institutions such as the NHS.

In Mundane astrology, the ninth house relates to judicial systems, including jurisprudence, morality, religion, diplomatic entities and foreign affairs in general. Afflictions to this house or its Lord by the malefic planets, including Rahu or Rahu like planets, bring the spectre of corruption and setbacks for the fortune of the country. Saturn is Lord of the 9th and the 8th house. The 8th House relates to plagues. We can see that ineptitude in the face of catastrophe exists in plenitude. However, this is offset by the condition,  placement and reception of the two benefics.

The Nocturnal triplicity ruler of the Financial Significator is Mercury. While Sun and Venus are in aversion to the POF and Saturn, there is a favourable relationship with the Ascendant

Jupiter is stationed in his Nocturnal domicile in Pisces in the 10th house. Venus in Cancer is in the Sign of Jupiter’s Exaltation, handily received by Jupiter in the Exaltation of Venus, as has already been indicated  Considering the 2nd House placement of the Sun and Venus, economic stresses will be largely alleviated.

Nevertheless, the situation is tense and the dynamic of frustration and revolution is in the air. What we are seeing are outlets for the pent up emotional damage caused by 18 months of lockdown. To prevent an outlet from becoming an explosion, astrological analysis reveals the nature of the way forward.

Here’s wishing all my readers, friends, colleagues and clients a Blessed Solstice!

Mars in Leo – Turkish Miniature

Summer Solstice 2019

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The Summer Solstice is matched in importance only by the Winter Solstice and both Equinoxes. It is a time to celebrate the light force at it’s seasonal peak. Virtually all ancient societies put great emphasis on this moment and most still do to this day. For those who have followed my work for any amount of time, will know that the primary interest should be celebration and joy. However, I always provide a chart for the occasion and discuss the most salient elements, This chart is for GMT on 21 June 2019 @ 4:54:09 PM.

The Moon is void of course, the Ascendant in Via Combusta. In Classical astrology the Quincunx is referred to as an inconjunct or aversion. In this chart there is actually a Yod comprised of the Quincunx of Moon and Jupiter to North Node and the sextile between Jupiter and Moon. Saturn is also involved, providing the opposition. The Yod is considered to be a ‘fated’ aspect – the finger of God – something that cannot be governed with impunity.. This will have varying personal significance depending on where this actually falls in your own chart. However, Here we have a clear direction. The North Node or Rahu is the head of the Serpent who is never satiated because he cannot digest – he is only the head. He is also indicative of the soul’s journey in greater cycles of being.

The tight opposition of Saturn with the South Node to Mars with the North Node, although the latter is a looser connection,  is still heady stuff. By means of Translation of Light, the Sun transfers the light of Mercury to both Mars and Saturn, The Almuten is Jupiter, the Day is Venus and the Hour is Mercury. The fact that Venus is in the Eighth House of Death and in a Mercurial Sign is troubling. However, I think the fact that both Saturn and Jupiter are Retrograde might actually offer some relief.

Having a good feel for the energies of any chart is helpful and the nakshatras provide another contextual dimension. Any planetary configurations can be worked with profitably, but denial is a useless proposition. It is highly likely that over the next six months, that the UK will face a calamity, perpetrated by foreign forces. Knowing that allows for preparation of all kinds.

This is a time of joy, celebration and of dancing in the Sun

 

The Turning of the Wheel – Winter Solstice

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Winter Solstice – Capricorn Ingress of the Sun – Dec 21 2017, 4:27:52 PM  GMT

I believe that the pivotal charts for the two Equinoxes and Solstices are not so much a time for analysis as they are of seasonal observation. They are times of celebration. I will make just a few brief observations on the chart for the time of the Solstice. Before we do that, I’d like to take some time to recognize the nature and symbolism of the Winter Solstice.

This is a particularly auspicious day for people of widely diverse cultures, ranging from the St Lucia Day celebrations in Scandinavia, Saturnalia and its modern variants, Chanukah, Christmas and many Pagan celebrations that go back to the dawn of time. Less well known perhaps is the Persian festival Yalda, or Shab-e Yalda . It’s a celebration of the Winter Solstice in Persia that began in ancient times. It marks the end of the month of Azar. Yalda is symbolic of the victory of light over dark ar the time of the longest night. It is the birthday assigned to the Sun god, Mithra.  There are family celebrations with traditional foods like nuts and pomegranates. The intent is to stay awake all night long in order to welcome the rising Sun.

In my indigenous Celtic tradition, we bring the symbolism of Father Christmas, holly, the Yule Log, Mistletoe, the Christmas Tree and almost everything else we think of at this time of year in European cultures and increasingly in Asian ones as well. Yule is a Pagan holiday that celebrates the Winter Solstice. Every detail has significance. While it is true that Santa Claus and the Christmas tree also originate in part from different, but parallel traditions, the core symbolism of the point of greatest darkness is the seed for the renewal of the light – the waning of the light gives way to the waxing of the light force.

The Celtic Wheel of the Year

The symbolism is shown in the wheel of the year, constantly turning, waxing and waning throughout the year. On this spoke of the wheel,  the Oak King, representative of the light half of the year, changes places with the Holly King, representing the dark half of the year. This ensures that the light and warmth of the Sun will begin to wax each day until the cycles begin again. The universality of celebrations with similar themes are evidence of our deep connection to the cycles of Earth and Heaven.

On this particular Winter Solstice, of particular note is that Saturn enters his own domicile of Capricorn on the day of the Solstice. This is a very good thing. Saturn is relatively miserable in Sagittarius and when Saturn is in a sign that is not congenial, it augurs for more difficulties. You might think of this as something of a homecoming, with Saturn stepping into Capricorn with the Sun.

The warm expressiveness of the Sun is contrasted with the cold, dry astringency of Saturn.  Still, I see this as more of a congenial meeting, particularly because Saturn is in Cazimi. This is a very rare occurrence for the Sun and Saturn to be in this relationship right at the moment of the Winter Solstice. Saturn ends up with the highest score when accidental dignities are considered. It’s an auspicious event to see Saturn enter into his own domicile in this way.

To better understand Cazimi, it’s important to note that traditional astrologers maintain that the proximity of Saturn to the Sun, within approximately 10 degrees, is combust. Combustion is a term of Medieval origin that indicates that a planet is, as it were,  swallowed by the beams or fire of the Sun. When a planet is combust, it won’t be visible. Because light is an essential element in traditional astrology, this further points towards the poor condition of the planet. However, the ancient astrological tradition also recognizes an important exception. This exception is named Cazimi, a transliteration of the Arabic term kaṣmīmī. This empowers the planet greatly. Saturn, as William Lilly stated  “will be ’wonderous strong.’

The Almuten or Guardian Spirit of the moment is Jupiter.  He is the Face ruler of the Sun but has none of the essential Dignity rulers of the Sun.  Jupiter then collects light from both luminaries. This makes him a more powerful participant than may be obvious at first glance.  Mars has greater dignity and is in his domicile. These two in the Fifth House under Mars can be a boisterous combination.  The more difficult elements are not so easily obvious either. For example, the Moon is in the Eighth House. This is the House of death and the place of Aquarius in the Thema Mundi and she is the ruler of the Ascendant. This augurs caution, particularly in London at this time.  This a wonderful time to celebrate at home with family and loved ones.

Feat on Yalda Night

Litha – Summer Solstice 2013

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Here’s wishing everyone a most joyous and auspicious Summer Solstice.  Litha is the longest day of the year and is to be celebrated. An ancient  One ancient Celtic ritual was to shoot a flaming arrow into the rising Sun on Litha, to add fire to fire.

Litha Bonfire in Cornwall

Litha Bonfire in Cornwall

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Bonfires are lit all over the world. The Sun is our ultimate giver of life and it’s symbols are among the earliest ever discovered. The chart above is set for Pacific Time: Houses will differ according to Time Zone