Image by Jackie Morris

 December’s Full Cold Moon appears at 11:06 pm ET on December 7, accompanied by Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. The Full Moon expands, energizes, and intensifies all phases of life.

It’s an odd Full Moon with many positive aspects, but it also contains many squares with Neptune, the ruler of idealism, illusion, and mysticism. In times past, Neptune was the Roman god of the sea; he was called the bringer of winds, the commander of storms, and he helped mankind attain freedom but demanded a sacrifice. Neptune is about unseen forces including creativity, daydreams, and spirituality. The planet can heighten our connection with the invisible world—or limit our ability to read it accurately.

Sun sits in Sagittarius, encouraging spiritual expansion in our journey of life. Sun (life) in Sagittarius in opposition to Mars (overall energy, assertion) reveals information about our relationships with the will, strength, anger, and assertiveness. It encourages contemplation of these forces and rapid action, but it’s important to reflect before taking strong assertive action. Sun sextile Saturn (karma, structure) gives strength, perseverance, and a strong work ethic.

Moon in Gemini refers to versatility, social encounters, and communication. Moon (emotion) in Gemini conjuncts Mars (overall energy, assertion) heightens sexuality and strength. It increases passion for all areas of life but can also cause agitation. Moon trine (harmonious) Saturn (karma, structure) helps with patience, particularly in relationships with family. It increases our strength, and it aids in moving quietly through emotional limitations.

Neptune and Squares

One of the stronger qualities of the chart appears with planets squaring Neptune, including the personal planets—the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars. (These planets affect how we feel in life.) Squares with Neptune bring confusion, escapism, and tiredness. Nevertheless, the planets and stars are said to support us by clearing energies or heightening awareness of subconscious states. (Certainly, a great deal of confusion ensued during the past year. Metaphysics suggests meditation and listening to the heart as a solution.)

Neptune also rules creativity, inspiration, and dreams. The challenge lies in discerning between dreams and delusion. On the positive, the aspect may heighten creative processes, awareness of natural beauty, or generate expression of spiritual and inner thoughts.

• Sun square Neptune decreases overall energy and can cause stress. The dark side of Neptune can intensify feelings of discouragement, disappointment, and overwhelm. (Don’t believe it!) Stay focused on basic responsibilities and tasks by staying present.
• Moon square Neptune increases sensitivity and creativity, but it blurs the line between intuition and imagination, which increases the likelihood of deception—particularly the desire to alter the truth to match a desire.
• Mercury square Neptune creates mental confusion and unfocused thought. It interferes with logical, linear thinking, including business decisions. The aspect heightens the imagination, but it can also increase gullibility.
• Venus square Neptune deepens emotions, heightening sensitivity to the thoughts and feelings of others—particularly about the self. It tends to lower self-esteem and feelings of self-confidence. In metaphysics, we’re taught to measure ourselves through the heart as opposed to tuning into the thoughts of others. On very deep level, we are valued and loved by the universe.
• Mars square Neptune tends to limit energy, cause tiredness, and self-doubt. It may make us aware of our limitations or flaws. It’s important to look at problems, face them, and create a plan for moving through them.

Mercury (communications, mind) sits in Capricorn, an earth sign that is practical and grounded.  Mercury conjunct Venus (relationships, love) may bring the desire to improve our appearance or change our look. It also aids with personal communication and socialization. Mercury square Jupiter heightens optimism and a positive point of view. It can give feelings of enthusiasm and a desire to move forward with big ideas.

Venus in Sagittarius brings positive, upbeat feelings about love and relationships. It increases romantic feelings and passion. Venus square Jupiter (expansion, good fortune) brings awareness of new desires for growth and brings opportunities for expansion, particularly in relationships.

Mars retrograde in Gemini accelerates the tendency for repetitive thoughts and mental patterns. It confuses the mental processes and moves consciousness in many directions. Mars trine Saturn (time, karma) gives the power of applying lessons learned in the past. It helps with leadership and problem solving.

Jupiter (expansion, good fortune) in Pisces bestows positive, spiritual energy and optimism. Jupiter encourages expansion, faith, and belief in the goodness of life. Jupiter conjunct Neptune (idealism, illusion) strengthens the spiritual nature, opens consciousness to spiritual concepts, and gives a feeling of optimism.

Saturn (limitation, karma) in Aquarius asks about the use of “air”, which is the medium for internet, communications, and more. In its square with Uranus (new age, sudden change) in Taurus, it’s created many conflicts, acting in a divisive way between the old and new, political parties, and other polarized groups. Fortunately, the aspect ends on January 24, 2023.

Uranus (new age, sudden change) in Taurus, an earth sign. It heralds a time of new understanding about earth and aligning with its powers as opposed to depleting them.  This week, Hawaii’s Mauna Loa gushes lava as an example of new earth. (Actually, the Hawaiian Islands are formations of new earth as basalt accrues from the ocean floor.)

Neptune (illusion, idealism) in Pisces acts as a sea of emotion for humanity. It tends to strengthen and connect human consciousness through higher and lower emotion. Neptune moved direct on December 3rd. Neptune sextiles Pluto (underworld, transformation) offers a period of awakening, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the spiritual world.

Pluto (underworld, transformation) in Capricorn has influenced much of the negative global change and restructuring of monarchies, governments, etc.  Saturn will move into Aquarius on January 17, hopefully heralding new and positive changes.

Healing with Chiron

Despite the difficulties in the chart, positive aspects with Chiron can offer healing. Sun (life) trine Chiron (wounded healer) heightens our healing and artistic abilities. It opens the path from wounded to empowered. .Moon (emotion) sextile Chiron offers great potential for healing by working through personal insecurities. Mars (assertion) sextile Chiron helps with understanding the reasons for our actions and “feeling” their alignment or lack of it.

Julia Griffin, intuitive healer and owner of One True Self, began her work fifteen years ago under the tutelage of real wolves. Following their direction, Julia sees and reads energy, including animals, plants and people. She works with people in session to find their resonance with the soul, clearing patterns and alignment with their inner path. If you would like to seek additional spiritual change and insight into your life, please contact me for information about an intuitive session.