The Full Moon takes place at 05.12am GMT, December 12th at 19 degrees 51′ Gemini.
Mercury rules Gemini – and at this time of the year we are all busy and on the go, planning, preparing, shopping and socialising!
Here in the UK we also have a General Election. A choice will be made on the road ahead, a decision whose consequences (Brexit or Remain) will ripple through not only the collective, but also our individual futures.
The Full Moon is square Neptune and quincunx Venus, Saturn and Pluto who are all conjunct in Capricorn. Saturn and Pluto are exactly conjunct on January 12th 2020, but the influence has been building throughout 2019 and is currently incredibly powerful.
Saturn and Pluto, along with the presence of the South Node touch on themes of a relentless (Saturn) struggle (Pluto) with issues rooted in the past (South node) – that are reaching a turning point.
This is the last Full Moon of 2019. The final lunation of 2019 on December 26th is a Solar Eclipse and the start of a new eclipse cycle. So threads of life that have unfolded in the last six months, may either experience a sense of stability, of being enduring or finalised, over and done with.
Jupiter entered Capricorn on December 2nd, moving from his home realm of Sagittarius to the sign of his fall – Capricorn. Jupiter finds it challenging, has to exert himself to bestow blessings in Capricorn.
Jupiter will be paying attention and attending to material matters, so it’s likely any good fortune coming our way we will have worked hard for, and be founded upon realistic expectations.
The Sun enters Capricorn on December 22nd at 04.19am GMT – Winter Solstice and the longest night – here in the northern hemisphere darkness has peaked, and as the Sun rises higher in the sky each day, light gradually increases.
All in all it is advisable to keep in mind, the landscape around us, the energies infusing life are notably changing.
Full Moon Meaning
The Sun is exactly opposite the Moon – Luna is at her brightest, her energy and force are at maximum power.
A Full Moon shows whatever seeds were planted at the New Moon maturing and becoming ripe, being illuminated, so that we can clearly see and understand our course of action and its result. The harvest could be abundant, bountiful, or be deficient not quite what we hoped for. With the Moon at her peak our emotions and instincts can be increased, the veil between the seen and unseen is also at its thinnest.
From here the Moon begins to wane, diminish, so it is not an ideal time to start anything new. It is more a time to reflect – and depending on the results of our harvest, either keep and reinforce the beneficial or release and let go of anything that is not working or has become dysfunctional.
Aspects
The Full Moon is square Neptune, emotion clashes with the dream, the ideal – possibly any flaws are indiscernible or are just coming to light – decisions are likely to instigated by intense feelings, rather than sifting through the details or facts.
The Full Moon is quincunx Venus, Saturn and Pluto. Venus is love and our relationships with others. Venus also highlights material desires – this Full Moon a few weeks before Christmas, a time where we focus on our loved ones, generous gifts and overindulgence – will highlight any troubles in our relationships or finances.
Love may feel heavy, dutiful (Saturn), any thoughts of self- indulgence could be instantly dismissed (Saturn). Shadows or challenges (Pluto) around love and money may become conscious, visible and seek to be transformed (Pluto).
Mercury, ruler of the Full Moon is quincunx Uranus in Taurus. Mercury in Sagittarius is in detriment, but is journeying through the 1st decan of Sagittarius, – a decan that Mercury is considered to rule.
Here, Mercury is concerned with swiftly imparting ideas, messages, and stirring up action – the quincunx to Uranus suggests that communications could be difficult, due to appearing provocative, baffling or being delivered in an erratic, anxious manner. Decisions are likely to be made rapidly and slanted towards being detached and independent – they could also create turbulence.
Although Mercury and Uranus indicate it could be difficult – taking time to pause and consider the bigger picture, may lead us to tweak something that turns out to be beneficial (quincunx).
Mars is trine Neptune, both are in signs that they rule, making this a powerful aspect. Mars in Scorpio may lead to a stronger resolve, determination and focused intent – as dreams get real, are put to the test – maybe you can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?
Jupiter is trine Uranus, suggesting new beginnings or changes that are seen as fortunate, lucky or induce a sense of freedom and independence. With both Jupiter and Uranus in earth signs, the influence will be felt predominantly in the material realms.
Fixed star ~ Bellatrix
Bellatrix is located in the constellation Orion, on his left shoulder. Bellatrix is known as “the Female Warrior, the Amazon Star” ~ Star Names, Richard Allen, page 313
“According to Ptolemy Bellatrix is like Mars and Mercury. It gives great civil or military honour but danger of sudden dishonour, renown, wealth, eminent friends and liability to accidents causing blindness and ruin. If prominent in a woman’s map it makes her loquacious and shrewish, and gives a high-pitched, hard and sharp voice.” ~ Fixed stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian Robson, page 145
“Quick decision making, thoughts and plans being realised with energy, courage, fighting spirit, strategic talents, ability to organise, discrimination. Reckless aggressiveness of a belligerent daredevil.” ~ Fixed Stars and their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin, page 33
With Moon ~ “Luxury, lust, vain ambition, waste, ruin, blindness by accidents, great power, honour and wealth, honour in marital matters, as a soldier, surgeon, metal worker, may attain distinction through courage.” ~ Robson, page 145
TAROT ~ 9 of Swords
The Full Moon takes place in the second decan of Gemini ruled by Mars (Venus by triplicity), the corresponding tarot card is the 9 of Swords.
In Gemini Mars attacks, creates battles and strife using the mind – fearful thoughts and harsh words.
In the tarot Gemini is the Lovers card which depicts the need to unite two halves of a whole – this can be two people, but also conflicting desires and beliefs within ourselves. Which alongside Venus as ruler of this decan by triplicity helps illustrate the fine balance between love and hate, peace and war that exists within ourselves and in our relationships with others.
Book T calls this card “Despair and Cruelty”.
The Rider Waite Smith card depicts a person sat up in bed, their face in their hands, unable to sleep, in despair. The persons quilt has red roses covering it, symbolising desires and unfolding wisdom, as well as astrological glyphs symbolising aspects of the personality along with outer forces beyond the persons control.
Carved into and pictured on the bed frame are two men fighting, one has fallen, leaving the other victorious – a battle has occurred and the person was defeated.
In a tarot reading the 9 of Swords represents worry, suffering, panic attacks, insomnia, pain emanating from feeling something is lost – whether a close relationship or around a material situation – and perceiving this loss, within the mind, as all our own fault.
“When you feel as I do, shift your emphasis from what you think is being done to you to deciding what you can do. New beginnings are possible when we change our focus or orientation.
Allowing inner turmoil to take over for too long delays healing. It’s time to finish with grief or regrets, to leave our bed of inner imprisonment and reclaim our power.”
Spiritual Tarot by Echols, Mueller and Thomson ~ page 161
All in all
This Full Moon is a mixed bag – ups and downs, winners and losers. It’s the end of something – but not everything – more a turning point. As the path we will be following comes into sight. Be ready to go with the flow and make adjustments. Even if you lose out – without a doubt exploring this path will reveal hope and optimism for the future.
Top Image by Jamie Davies on Unsplash
9 of Swords from The Aquatic Tarot by Andreas Schroter