Moon
Dances
For
the Northern Hemisphere
December
16, 2009 - January
15, 2010
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Page ~ Printable Date
Table
All
times are local unless
otherwise specified.
Look Up! The Moon, waxing and waning, impressively promenades across the dark sky, partnering with the sparkling stars and glowing planets. Who is the Moon dancing with tonight?
12/16-17 ~ A New Lunar Cycle Begins
12/18-21 ~ Two Twilight Planets and Young Luna
12/24-31 ~ See Santa? Luna? The Northern Cross? Look Up!
12/31 ~ New Year's Eve ~ Blue Full Moon Eclipse
1/1-4 ~ Luna Leaves the Twins to Visit the Warrior and Lawgiver
1/6-8 ~ Luna and the Lord Enliven the Virgin
1/10-13 ~ Luna's Farewell and Finale
The Sagittarius Night Sky 11/21-12/21
The Capricorn Night Sky 12/21-1/19
The Night Sky ~ Home Page
Click on the Moon links for meditative insights and additional information.
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| New | Waxing Crescent | First Quarter |
Waxing Gibbous |
Full | Waning Gibbous | Waning Crescent |
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| 12 / 16 / 09 | 12 / 24 / 09 | 12 / 31 / 09 | 1 / 07 / 10 | ||||
| 4:02amPST | 9:36qmPST | 11:13amPST | 2:39amPST | ||||
| 12:02 UT | 17:36 UT | 19:13 UT | 10:39 UT |
Note: When the right side of the Moon is illuminated, the Moon is increasing or waxing. When the left side illuminated, the Moon is decreasing or waning. (Of course, this only works in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere the effect is just the opposite!)
Moon and Sun Data
One Specific Day
One Year Table
A New Lunar Cycle Begins
Wednesday,
December 16 – 4:02am PST (12:02 UT)
The Sting of Expanding Awareness
Image: Distant Suns / Adobe Photoshop
east–left, west–right, north–top, south–bottom
GC represents
the approximate position of the
Galactic Center, the Heart of the Milky Way Galaxy.
The New Moon is really a no Moon! This Moon is too close to the Sun to be seen. It is hidden from our view by the Sun's glowing light.
Note: For those living in San Francisco this New Moon takes place below the eastern horizon 3 1/4 hours before sunrise. The Sun, New Moon and planets are located in the same constellations for other parts of the world; these constellations, in differing time zones, lie in a different location above or below the horizon.
Reflections ~ New Moon
With every New Moon our soul goes into meditation and aligns with the inspiration of the Nirmanakayas; a potential is enlivened and a seed of consciousness is formed deep within. Take some time to create a sacred space. A new cycle is beginning.
This New Moon, the last of 2009, occurs at the sting of the Scorpion, which enters the zodiak at the sidereal Scorpio-Sagittarius cusp ... Venom from the sting of the Scorpion--the often harsh but required lessons incurred while incarnate ... serves as our required transmutational elixir. Here we have opportunity to unconditionally embrace our harsh lessons in life, and in doing so, transmute them into true wisdom integrated into our neurology, a prerequisite to graduate into a higher office, that is, into the next and more accelerated cycle of experience. Nick Fiorenza Lunar Planner 12/16/09 - 1/15/10
The burning ground of the cosmic Scorpion, Scorpius, activates the transformative power within us by presenting us with tests and trials that reveal our illusions. When these are burned away, our consciousness expands, we transcend personal ego and merge with the Universal Spirit. Scorpius influences a turning point in the life of humanity and in the life of the individual human being. It reorients the personality to the life of the soul and later to initiation and sensitivity to the Divine Plan.
With Venus in Scorpio our intelligence and mental faculties must die to birth pure intuition. "The mind battles to retain its strength and dominance, but must eventually yield to the greater power of the Spiritual Presence." Esoteric Venus Venus positioned under the star Sabik is also transiting the legs of Ophiuchus the medicine man, our 13th constellation. Venus and Sabik of Ophiuchus help create homo luminous, the Christed Ones on Earth.
Sabik, Eta Ophiuchus stimulates discovery about the means for our bio-logical transmutation into an ascended bio-illumined form. This includes medical-based artsciences associated with genetic evolution--the techniques and technologies that support humankind's evolution from an incarnational modality of perpetuated degeneration, death and rebirth, to one where we express the higher-dimensional light codings of our souls--living as bio-illumined beings exemplified by Ophiuchus. This also includes the means to re-define the cellular patterns we hold so we can re-create our lives, to create a new experience rather than perpetuate those existing. Nick Fiorenza 10/21-22/06
The New Moon lies within 3º of the Galactic Center (GC), the Heart of our Milky Way Galaxy.
Note: The GC is located at 2º sidereal Sagittarius (the constellation), which is 27º tropical Sagittarius (the sign). The Difference between Signs and Constellations The New Moon is 24º tropical Sagittarius.
The New Moon at the Heart of our Galaxy aligns us with illuminating and regenerative energies beyond our solar system. These energies draw us toward our spiritual source and support our greater wellbeing and evolutionary fulfillment.
BTW: The Sun is in exact conjunction with the GC December 19.
Pluto the agent of death while in Sagittarius supports the transformation of our culture’s most basic belief structures. False beliefs about humanity's true purpose and nature are bound to crumble when the Pluto and the Sagittarian Archer come together. Note: The Moon conjoins Pluto December 16 8:00pm PST (04:00 UT 12/17).
Sagittarius … whose arrow points toward Galactic Center [*]… is responsible for our higher spiritual education. … supreme defender of the … evolutionary journey, of the spiritual fulfillment of humankind. … The Zen archer pierces the veils, allowing the falsified, all that is not of essence, to dissolve, to see only his target and realize (reveal) its heavenly truth. Nick Fiorenza Revelation of the Gate of God
Mercury the messenger of the gods illumines the mind strengthening the communication between the soul and personality. This planet in Sagittarius helps one replace reason with intuition to comprehend the truth of the greater whole. Mercury and Sagittarius the Archer are aiming humanity's awareness beyond our solar system toward galactic intelligence.
In Summary
This solstice lunar cycle brings with it the sting of life’s hard lessons while awakening the transformative power within us. It is time for humanity to shift into the next and more accelerated cycle of experience that reveals the truth of who we really are. This shift requires the mind to make an intuitive leap into the realm of the soul. Access to this realm enables us to become bio-illumined beings, homo luminous, the Christed Ones on Earth.
This solstice lunar cycle is seeding new Life from beyond our solar system. Galactic influences are reshaping our solar system, our planet and our consciousness. Humanity is passing through a New Moon doorway whose sting leads to an expanding awareness and ultimately spiritual wellbeing.
Divine
Identification Global Meditation
This meditation, which culminates at the
Full Moon in Capricorn, begins with this New Moon.
December 17, Thursday, the youngest, whisker-thin Moon lies below Mercury. Moonset: 6:00pm This is a difficult observation. Map/Text BTW: The Moon conjoins Mercury 11:52pm PST (07:52 UT 12/18).
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Two Twilight Planets
and Young Luna
A Third Planet Is "Hiding" Near Jupiter!
Friday-Solstice Monday – 5:30pm
Looking Southwest
Image: ©Sky & Telescope / Sky
at a Glance 12/11-19/09
...
Diagram adapted
with Adobe
Photoshop
The waxing crescent Moon points the way to Mercury low in the cold twilight. The 10° scale as about the size of your fist held at arm's length. Sky & Telescope
Jupiter Dimming, Descending, Diminshing
Mark Your Calendar!
Printable Date Table ~ Rise and Set Times
December 17-25 the Ursid Meteor Shower is active. Look north for this minor shower, which peaks before dawn Tuesday, December 22.
December 18, Friday, Mercury is at greatest elongation, its farthest distance from the Sun tonight. The elusive planet hugs the horizon and sets by 6:20pm, so you'll need a clear view and right timing to catch a glimpse of this messenger of the gods. Here's another star map with a 6pm Constellation View. Note: After tonight Mercury begins its descent back toward the Sun. Savor this time with the planet. The next evening apparition of Mercury occurs April 2010! BTW: Try this helpful hint from EarthSky.org, "Draw an imaginary line from Jupiter and just beneath the moon to find Mercury near the horizon."
Perhaps Mercury has has a message for you from the gods. Keep your intuitive ears open!
December 19, Saturday, the Sun is in exact conjunction with the Galactic Center. This is a good day to meditate outside facing the Sun, which is aligned with the Heart of our Galaxy; let in as much light energy as possible. Invoke the greatest good to work in you and through you.
In the evening a slim Crescent Moon lies half-way between Mercury to the west and Jupiter to the east. Mercury sets by 6:20. Moonset: 8:00pm
December 20, Sunday, the waxing Crescent Moon lies to the right (west) of Jupiter. The third twilight planet "hiding" near Jupiter is telescopic Neptune. Neptune is in conjunction with Jupiter and invisible to the unaided eye. This 6pm Map includes a view of both planets. Check out this Map/Text to learn more about these two planets and the Moon.
Jupiter and the Moon are gorgeous together. Make sure to view the pair before moonset at 9:00pm. If you miss them tonight, there's an encore performance tomorrow night.
Planetary
Solstice Radiant Life Meditation
Learn the Significance of the December Solstice.
Join SouledOut.org in a high meditation ritual.
Sunset Dec. 20 - Sunset Dec. 21
December 21, Monday, the solstice is here! Join others in meditation. Click the link above to learn more.
The evening's Crescent Moon lies near Jupiter and telescopic Neptune. Be sure to check out the breathtaking view. Jupiter sets by 9:15pm. This 6:30pm Map reveals the constellations.
Reflections
As
the Moon grows in the light provided by our Sun,
we too grow in the light of our Soul.
Overcoming obstacles to the new incoming awareness begins with the waxing Crescent Moon. What was conceived at the New Moon, The Sting of Expanding Awareness, (review above) is now in the process of waxing or gestating.
Mercury the messenger of the gods is positioned at the arm of Sagittarius the cosmic Archer. Together they aim humanity's awareness beyond our solar system toward galactic intelligence. Mercury in Sagittarius helps one replace reason with intuition in order to comprehend the truth of the greater whole. Luna emphasizes and supports expanded awareness during this solstice cycle. Make a leap into the intuitive realm. What message(s) do the gods have for you?
Jupiter's prograde and retrograde motion in 2009, bring it to a third exact conjunction with telescopic Neptune on the December solstice 12/21. The first two closest approaches occurred 5/27 and 7/10. This triple event is a rare pairing that arouses our ideals and awakens a greater sense of compassion. The heavens through this planetary repetition are guiding, seeding and evolving humankind through its heart and soul during this time of global transformation.
Both Jupiter and Neptune are located in the constellation Capricornus whose emanations support a new cycle of effort, one with immense spiritual possibilities, one that gives full expression to the earthly nature. Jupiter in this constellation helps humanity transform desire into love bringing the soul into manifestation. Neptune in Capricornus assists us in rebuilding or creating structures that manifest our dreams, our spirit on Earth. These planets working through Capricornus can open the doorway to the head center and bestow humanity with divine purpose and vision.
When the sting of expanding awareness becomes too painful call upon Jupiter, Neptune and Capricornus to open the doorway to the head center. Be receptive to divine direction, insights, purpose and vision.
BTW: Fomalhaut lies to the southeast of Jupiter, Altair and bright Vega to the northwest. These four celestial bodies form a striking diagonal line-up.
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See
Santa? Luna? The Northern Cross? Look
Up!
Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24 - 6:00pm
First Quarter Moon Exact:
Dec. 24, 9:36am PST (17:36 UT)
How Many Seasons of Stars Can You See?
Image: Heavens-Above / Adobe Photoshop
The
sky view moves 15 degrees west
/ hour.
(180º in 12 hours, horizon to horizon, 180º/12)
Note: If you miss the view on Christmas Eve, look again another night as one year ends and another begins!
The Moon
The Moon's position varies night
to night.
It is further east and more illuminated the
same time every night.
By New Year's Eve we can see a Full Moon rising
in the east at 6:00pm.
The Planets
Mercury sets earlier each night
Christmas 6:15pm - New Year's Day 5:30pm
Jupiter sets earlier each night
Christmas 9:00pm - New Year's
Day 8:30pm
Telescopic Uranus and Neptune are invisible to
the naked eye.
BTW: Mars, not shown in the map above, rises earlier each day in the east-northeast ... Christmas 8:30pm - New Year's Day 7:45pm
12/25 8:30pm Sky Chart
View the sky horizon to horizon.
Vary the sky chart's time and date.
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Just enter your zip code!
Printable
Date Table
Includes Additional
Events, Maps, Information
See Celestial Santa? Look in the east-northeast at 6:00pm. Find Santa in the map above. The constellaltion Auriga and Santa are closely related. At midnight, when Christmas Eve turns into Christmas Day Santa can be seen high overhead between the North and South Poles! By sunrise Santa's work is done and he disappears in the west!
First Quarter Luna can be seen in the day sky rising in the east at noon, overhead at 6:00pm, as shown in the map above, and setting in the west at sunrise. When will you see Luna on Christmas Eve?
The Northern Cross stands upright above the western horizon during the Christmas season! It touches the horizon 9:00pm - 9:30pm.
Three Seasons of Stars can be seen in the map above! The Summer Triangle is setting in the west. Autumn's Flying Horse, Pegasus, is overhead and winter's Orion is rising in the east with Santa!
It's a Heavenly Christmas and Everyone's Invited!
Mercury ~ Planetary Treat During Capricorn
December 26 ~ Mercury Goes Retrograde
Find
the
New Year's Star
Join the New Year's Full Blue Moon Howl-In!
Reflections ~ First Quarter Moon
The First Quarter Moon, exact Thursday, December 24, at 9:36am PST (17:46 UT) squares the Sun at a 90-degree angle and brings up a tension between desires and emotions, as we struggle for fulfillment. Ideally any obstacles impeding the awareness conceived at the New Moon are overcome at this time.
... the First Quarter Moon of Decmber 24, 2009 as the Sun conjoins Pluto and the Moon conjoins Juno [*] opposite Saturn ... will create a dynamic "external stimulus to action." The T-square will continue through the Gibbous Moon as Venus conjoins Pluto, and then through the Full Moon eclipse of December 31 and into the "day of realization," which occurs just after the Full Moon, on January 1, 2010. A "T-square" is like a cross-bow, one that must fire. In this case it is Pluto that is firing right through the already occurring "restructuring of relationships." [Helpful Image] This finale creates an opening, one that demands we let go and live true to heart. With this heart-driven momentum, relationships will then move into a new octave of experience. Some will end, while others, more appropriate for the future, will begin; and some may just transform into a new octave of experience. Nick Fiorenza: December 2009 Juno-Pluto-Saturn T-square
The First Quarter Moon lies in Pisces, the constellation of the World Savior. It transits the diagonal line-up of Diphda in Cetus the Whale or Sea Monster and Algenib in Pegasus the Winged Horse. Review map above.
Diphda represents the struggle of being in a human form.
Diphda, Beta Ceti. A yellow star in the Whale's Tail … [Influences:] Sickness, misfortune, compulsory changes, self-destruction by brute force. Astrology Weekly
... Diphda, the thrashing tail of Cetus the Sea Monster, at about 7° sidereal Pisces. Diphda's theme is that of getting knocked down and thrashed around in the psycho-emotional world of collective human consciousness. Nick Fiorenza
Algenib symbolizes the wing of the Flying Horse who has the innate capacity for spiritualization and for inverting evil into good.
… fortuitous Algenib of the Great Square of Pegasus. Algenib, the wing of Pegasus, inspires us to lift ourselves above the emotional dramatics of the mortal world which feed our fear and keep us entrapped. Nick Fiorenza
The position of this Quarter Moon reminds us that the human spirit, presented with earthly challenges, hangs on the cross of matter often losing its spiritual compass (Diphda). However, guidance and inspiration are always near (Algenib) and when they're called forth, like the wind beneath the wing of Pegasus they give rise to the spirit. The Savior within humanity (Pisces) is then made manifest, transforming evil into good.
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New
Year’s Eve ~
Blue Full Moon ~ Partial
Lunar Eclipse
Full
Moon Exact: Dec. 31,
11:13am PST (19:13 UT)
Wish
Upon the New Year's Star!
Image: Kostian
Iftica / NASA
Headlines 7/7/04
Kostian Iftica used a blue filter to photograph the Full Moon of July 2, 2004, July’s first Full Moon, rising over Brighton, Massachusetts. July’s second Full Moon, known by popular tradition as a Blue Moon, occurred July 31. Source NASA Headlines 7/7/04
In 2009 there's a Blue Full Moon on New Year's Eve, the second Full Moon in December for those living in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and far-western Asia. A New Year's Eve Blue Moon occurs about every 19 years. The last one was in 1990, the next in 2028! Join Star Gazer's special "Full Blue Moon Howl-In" celebration and you just may win a telescope.
Elsewhere around the world – for example, in Australia, New Zealand and most of Asia – the moon will turn full after midnight, making tonight’s moon the first of two January full moons. For those locations, a second full moon will come at the end of January. By the way, tonight’s full moon is also the closest full moon to the December 21 solstice. In the northern hemisphere, where it’s winter, tonight’s full moon is often called the Long Night Moon. On the flip side of the world – in the southern hemisphere – where it’s summer, this could be called the Short Night Moon. EarthSky.org
Blue Moon
This is a term that has been around for well over 400 years, but its meaning of 2 Moons in a calendar month only became widespread in the last 20 years or so. The origins of the Blue Moon Rule remained lost for the longest time until 1999. That year an unusual pattern of lunar phases occurred—two full Moons each in January and March, and none at all in February! Everyone was talking about and researching Blue Moons.
It was during the time frame from 1932 through 1957 the Maine Farmers’ Almanac suggested that if one of the four seasons (winter, spring, summer or fall) contained four full Moons instead of the usual three, the third should be called a "Blue Moon".
But thanks to a couple of misinterpretations of this arcane rule, first by a writer in a 1946 issue of Sky & Telescope magazine, and much later, in a 1980 syndicated radio program, it now appears that the second full Moon in a month is the one that’s now popularly accepted as the definition of a "Blue Moon." ... two full Moons in the same month is not as uncommon as one might think. In fact, it occurs, on average, about every 32 months. Joe Rao/Space.com 7/2/04
BTW: The last time we had two Full Moons in a calendar month was June 2007. The next time we have two Full Moons in a month is August 2012.
What’s a Blue Moon? Sky & Telescope uncovers its misinterpretations of the arcane rule, which uses a tropical year (winter solstice to winter solstice) ... A Table charts the "second moon in a month" Blue Moons and the seasonal Blue Moons using calendrical (not tropical) years.
Once in a Blue Moon The historical journey of a Blue Moon including these 7 meanings ... absurd, never, appearing blue in color, from time to time, sadness and loneliness, an alcoholic drink, 2 moons in a month.
Blue-colored Moons are real. How can this be? Well, when the air is filled with lots of particles that are .7 microns wide, red light is scattered allowing white moonbeams to emerge from the particles as blue. Smoke from volcanoes and forest fires produce such particles. Full story
Partial Lunar Eclipse
Hmmm ... How often is there a lunar eclipse of a Blue Moon on New Year's Eve?
A search of NASA's Five Millennium Catalogue of Lunar Eclipses provides an approximate answer. In the next 1000 years, Blue Moons on New Year's Eve will be eclipsed only 11 times (once every 91 years). A year of special note is 2848 when there will be two lunar eclipses in December--on Dec. 1st and Dec. 31st. Such a double-Blue Moon-lunar eclipse ending on New Year's Eve appears to be a millennium-level event. That's rare. spaceweather.com
2009's New Year's Eve lunar eclipse is partial, shallow and barely visible over most of Asia, Australasia, Europe, and Africa; it is not visible in the Americas. Global Map ~ Eclipse Animation The umbral (darkest) part of the eclipse begins 18:52 UT, is at maximum 19:23 UT and ends by 19:54 UT.
A lunar eclipse is a supercharged Full Moon. The blocking of the Moon's reflection of the Sun's light by the Earth suggests that our material viewpoint stands in the way of our "seeing the light". It serves as a reminder that we need to realize how we are held in the dark by virtue of our perspective. Zodiac Arts
This eclipse accentuates the ongoing Saturn Pluto square ... Diligence and intuitive intelligence are our allies. Now, Mars and Mercury retrograde emphasize turning inward to reflect ... The next New Moon, a Solar Eclipse on January 15 coincides with Mercury ending the retrograde and going direct. Take this time to contemplate, reorganize and hold off from establishing "New Years Resolutions" until after mid month. Jacqueline Lasahn
Reflections ~ The Full Moon
Any Full Moon experience can offer us greater illumination of our essential divinity. Issues worked on since the New Moon come to a climax. If the restrictions of the past have been released during the waxing Moon, then the Full Moon can bring fulfillment. If not, the Full Moon might bring serious mental conflicts, possibly affecting the physical body.
The Full Moon is exact Thursday, 12/31, at 11:13am PST (19:13 UT)
Full
Moon Global Meditation
SouledOut.org invites you to participate
in the Capricorn Divine Identification Meditation
What was conceived at the New Moon, The Sting of Expanding Awareness, review above now comes to fruition and is birthed into the full light of our conscious minds.
Reflections ~ Full Moon's Position
The Full Moon transits the stars Mebsuta and Wasat in the constellation of the Gemini Twins; it lies west of Castor and Pollux the constellation's brightest stars. 12/31 Map ~ Constellation Image ~ 12/31 8pm Sky Chart
Though opposites, representing the form (Castor) and spirit (Pollux), the Twins innately cooperate for the benefit of the whole. Pollux the eternal twin is associated with the fulfillment of the soul's greater evolutionary purpose. Gemini represents a sacred union of the earthly and divine fires within; these "twin flames" unite as one in the heart. Together they are and do something greater than either can alone.
Mebsuta, the knee star of Castor, means treading under feet. This relates to triumphant Castor the mortal one. With his heart ablaze, he transforms evil into good and overcomes death because of the sacred covenant he has with his divine twin. We too can establish a sacred bond with our divine twin, and in daily co-creation, share in the glory of Heaven on Earth.
In the midst of Gemini is the star Wasat, Delta Gemini ... the umbilical cord or connecting link between Castor and Pollux ... the means to bring the pieces together, a link that unites those on Earth with their greater destiny and acts as a catalyst for their evolutionary fulfillment. Wasat is of planning and coordinating, assembling the diversity of parts and personalities into a workable and demonstrable model. Nick Fiorenza
The Gemini Twins and the Full Moon are calling for a co-creative sacred union between the soul and personality when the sting of expanded awareness strikes.
Reflections ~ Full Moon's Illumination
The Full Moon during the sign of Capricorn is illuminated by the Sun in the constellation Sagittarius. The mountaintop experience associated with Capricorn represents a new cycle of effort, one that gives full expression to the earthly nature with immense spiritual possibilities. It opens the doorway to our divine head center and the immortal life of spirit. Sagittarius the cosmic Archer takes aim, intuitively zeroes in on the Light and Truth and knows the way to go. He unifies the dualities into a divine re-union.
In Summary
This Full Moon brings the potential to manifest the sacred union of our "twin flames". This union gives us the ability to transcend the sting of expanded awareness. With the cooperation of our soul and personality during Capricorn and the beginning of a new year, we are able to demonstrate a new cycle of spiritual effort that gives our earthly nature its full divine expression. We become the triumphant mortal one with heart ablaze who transforms evil into good.
The illuminating Archer reminds us that it is humanity's intuitive perception, which leads to divine re-union and the evolution of the fourth human kingdom into the fifth spiritual kingdom.
When the dual forces of the cosmic brothers (Gemini) become the energy of the one who rides towards the light (Sagittarius) then the fourth becomes the fifth. Humanity, the link, becomes the Hierarchy, the bestower of all good. Then all the Sons [and Daughters] of God rejoice. Alice Bailey / Esoteric Astrology, pg. 56
During these times of transition a great change is occurring within us and in all our realms of experience. As we seek the Divine, the Divine seeks us. A sacred covenant is formed and with a co-operative effort the greatest good manifests on Earth.
The
New Year’s
Star ~ Sirius
This star is instrumental
in our creation and in
the establishment
of the guiding forces of
our planet and the mysteries
Highest at midnight, its
emanations stimulate our
crown chakra.
Look Up! ... Make a Wish!
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Luna
Leaves the Twins to
...
Visit the Warrior
and Lawgiver
Have
a Blessed New
Year!
Image: ©Sky & Telescope / Sky
at a Glance 12/25-1/2
...
Diagram adapted
with Adobe
Photoshop
Watch the bright Moon make its way down to Mars and Regulus night by night. (The Moon is plotted for North America; in Europe, move each Moon symbol a quarter for the way toward the one for the previous date.) Sky & Telescope / Sky at a Glance 12/25-1/2
Note: Evening views can be seen by early birds the following morning, higher above the horizon.
BTW: Look for Saturn east of Mars after midnight. See Sky Chart below.
1/3
12am Star Chart
View
the sky horizon to horizon.
Vary the sky chart's time and date.
Generate Sky
Charts for your area.
Mars ~
Planetary Treat During
Capricorn
Our
Red Planet is growing
in size and detail.
Printable
Date Table
Includes additional events
Reflections
January 1, Friday, New Year's evening, a nearly Full Moon diagonally lines-up with the Gemini Twins. Luna lies closest to Pollux, the eternal twin associated with the fulfillment of the soul's greater evolutionary purpose.
The Twins, Castor representing the form and Pollux the spirit, innately cooperate for the benefit of the whole. Gemini represents a sacred union of the earthly and divine fires within. See these "twin flames" unite as one in the heart; know others are doing the same. With heart ablaze walk through the doorway of a brand new year and decade!
Note: Today the Moon is closest to the Earth during this lunar cycle; it is at perigee. You just may notice that it looks bigger!
January 2-3, Saturday-Sunday, the warrior Mars looks Leo the Lion in the eye, while positioned at the Lion's sickle-shaped head, near Algenubi, the eye star. The warrior also aligns with Regulus the Royal Hearted Lawgiver and heart star of Leo the Lion. Constellation Leo the Lion Look for the triangle formed by Mars, Algenubi and Regulus.
This eye to eye and heart to heart contact forges the fiery, driving willful energies of action-oriented Mars in the Lion's greater fire of Divine Will. The Lion and the Lawgiver administer the Higher Law of the Soul and anyone entering the Lion's Den is subject to this Law. Mars becomes the spiritual warrior, turns toward the battles within and knows that apparent outer enemies are really a reflection of inner demons. Mars the spiritual warrior gives humanity the needed courage and discipline to interact with opposing forces, transcend inner demons and take action for the greater good.
Luna affirms and is in physical alignment with Regulus the Lawgiver, the presiding one who upholds vertical integrity and tunes us to the truth within our hearts. Waning Gibbous Luna readies us to manifest anew guided by the Higher Law of the Soul.
Note: Sunday January 3, the Sun is closest to the Earth for 2010, at perihelion. Learn more.
BTW: Mars retrograde (12/20/09-3/9/10) is gradually moving westward away from Leo back toward the constellation Cancer, which it enters during the second week of January.
January 4/5, Monday night / Tuesday morning, Luna aligns with the Lion's hindquarters. This is not shown in the map above, but can be seen in this 1/4 10:30pm Star Chart and this 1/5 6am Star Chart. Saturn lies to the east of Luna in the constellation Virgo.
Denebola, the Lion's tail star also known as the Changer, may bring about swift judgment for those who haven't aligned with Leo's Higher Law, especially when enlivened by Luna's presence.
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Predawn
Luna and
the Lord Enliven
the Virgin
The HU-man Is Aroused!
Wednesday-Friday,
January 6-8
Looking East
- 2:30am
Image: Distant Suns / Adobe Photoshop
The curved yellow line represents the eastern horizon.
Note: Saturn, Lord of the Rings and Lord of Karma, is positioned at the western end of the constellation Virgo the Virgin. The planet rises at 11:30pm and is located high in the south just before sunrise.
BTW: Mars can be seen west of Saturn, positioned near Algenubi, the eye of Leo the Lion. The Red Planet rises at 7:30pm, 4 hours earlier than Saturn.
1/7 5am Sky Chart
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Three phases of Luna transit Virgo the Virgin!
January 6, Wednesday morning, waning Gibbous Luna forms a triangle with golden Saturn and dim Porrima. The planet and star, best seen in a dark sky, are located to the left (north) of Luna. Dim Porrima may be difficult to spot in a light sky even with binoculars. Spica lies below (east of) the Moon. Spica and Saturn appear equally bright. View midnight - early dawn. Open to an Epiphany today!
January 7, Thursday morning, Last Quarter Luna approaches the Virgin's brightest star, Spica. Expect a stellar view. Can you spot Saturn above, how about dim Porrima near Saturn? View 1:00am - early dawn. Can you spot Luna in the day sky? She sets in the west at 11:30am.
January 8, Friday morning, waning Crescent Luna lies at the legs of the Virgin, which are a challenge to see. Look for the line-up of Spica, Porrima and Saturn above Luna. Remember that Spica and Saturn appear equally bright and dim Porrima lies near Saturn. View 2:00am - early dawn. Look for Luna in the day sky. She sets in the west at noon.
Reflections
~ Virgo,
Luna, Saturn,
Porrima, Spica, Corvus
The emanations of Virgo nurture our innate divinity, spiritual awareness and Christ consciousness until it can be made manifest, ultimately giving rise to the HU-man *, the God-man, the Christed ONE.
Luna's three phases, occurring during her transit of Virgo the Virgin bring:
1. Illumination to the entire lunar cycle (waning Gibbous)
2. Preparation for rebirth, initiation of change (Last Quarter)
3. Clarification of values, rebirth (waning Crescent)
All 3 lunar phases in Virgo are enlivening humanity's essential divinity and underscoring an expanded awareness (lunar theme / end of the cycle). Luna, when located in the Virgin's constellation, awakens humankind to its great potential of world service.
Porrima, the star named after the goddess of childbirth and prophecy, emphasizes new beginnings and the use of guiding intuition during change and its birthing process. Spica symbolizing the sacred womb of the Virgin, accepts and nourishes the seed of divine will from Arcturus, the savior avatar. Helpful Star Map This seed of divinity resides in Virgo and therefore within humanity.
Saturn is currently activating the Virgin while Uranus and Pluto are potently influencing this planet known as the Lord of Karma! Saturn's opposition to Uranus on the zodiacal wheel, lasting from 2008 into 2010, creates a tension between the polarities of freedom (Uranus) and responsibility (Saturn). Maturity is evolving and seeking resolution. This brings about major social, religious and cultural transformations. Saturn squares Pluto exactly for a second time January 31 and a third time August 21. "... Ready or not, purging - resisting, holding on - letting go - hard choices, security upended ... " Jacqueline Lasahn
BTW: Saturn in the Virgin's Holy Grail conceives the structures that exteriorize the unfolding Christ consciousness. These structures cultivate synthesis and serve in a healing capacity.
Corvus, in alignment with Arcturus and Virgo, assures us of our essential divinity and its everyday guiding voice.
… Corvus the Raven, the messenger bird ... Corvus communicates through all of nature, and asks us to read the natural world, to listen to and observe the signs expressed in daily life from the world around us.
None of us are forsaken or deprived of guidance, nor even need intermediaries like those found in religions or those of the astrological arts (this text). All of us are merely learning to see, feel, and listen to the guidance of the divine expressing in the everyday affairs of our lives, palpable guidance which is continually around us, moment to moment, communicating through everything ... it's nature's way, the voice of God expressing through everything. We need only to trust ... and act ... to find our passage. Nick Fiorenza
Predawn Luna and the Lord are enlivening the Virgin, and in turn humanity's essential divinity and transformative powers. This transit is stimulating pathways for divine energies to be made manifest on Earth. The Higher Power within each and every one of us is being aroused. We are the sacred Chalice for the Divine Host on Earth. Listen. Play your part well and celebrate HU-manity's * birthing process!
Saturn
~ Planetary Treat During
Capricorn
Sunlight Reflects off Titan’s Lake!
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Luna's
Farewell Fires Up the Scorpion's Burning Ground
Sunday-Tuesday Morning, January 10-12 - Look Southeast
Luna's
Finale ~
A Dance with
Death's Agent and a
Divine Messenger
Wednesday,
January 13 -
Look Southeast, 30
Minutes Before Sunrise
Image: ©Sky & Telescope / Sky
at a Glance 1/7-16/09 ...
Diagram adapted
with Adobe
Photoshop
Early risers can watch the waning Moon pass Antares in early dawn. These scenes are drawn for latitude 40° north, longitude 90° west, near the middle of North America (not far from Peoria, Illinois, which gave rise to the phrase "Will it play in Peoria?"). European skywatchers: move each Moon symbol a quarter of the way toward the one for the previous date. For clarity, the Moon is always shown here three times its actual size. Sky & Telescope / Sky at a Glance 1/7-16/09
Note: The darker the sky the easier you'll see reddish Antares, which rises around 4:45am. Use binoculars for an added treat and a visual aid. Approximate Moonrises: 3:45am, 4:4am, 5:45am.
The Moon occults (hides) Antares for observers in northeastern USA and eastern Canada. This is a difficult observation; a telescope is needed to observe it in an extremely bright sky. Learn More ~ Occultation Map
January 13, Wednesday, 30 minutes before sunrise the last vestige of Luna joins the first glimpse of Mercury the messenger in the morning sky. Be blessed with clear skies, right timing and an unobstructed flat southeastern horizon. Map Telescopic Pluto, the agent of death, lies west of Mercury. Approximate Moonrise: 6:30amAs dawn grows bright Wednesday morning, use binoculars to look for Mercury upper left of the thin waning Moon. Sky & Telescope / Sky at a Glance 1/7-16/09
BTW: In a dark sky look for Saturn high in the southwest and Mars sinking in the west. See Sky Chart below.
1/12
6:30am Star Chart
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Vary the sky chart's time and date.
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Reflections
January 10-12, predawn Sunday-Tuesday, Luna fires up the burning ground of the cosmic Scorpion. Scorpius activates the transformative power within by presenting us with tests and trials that reveal our illusions. When these are burned away, our consciousness expands, we transcend personal ego and merge with the Universal Spirit. Scorpius influences a turning point in the life of humanity and in the life of the individual human being. It reorients the personality to the life of the soul and later to initiation and sensitivity to the Divine Plan.
Tuesday morning, January 12, an old waning Luna returns to her New Moon position at the Galactic Center north of the Scorpion's stinger. Helpful Image Luna at the Heart of our Galaxy aligns us with illuminating and regenerative energies beyond our solar system. These energies support our greater wellbeing and evolutionary fulfillment. Luna's placement reminds us that expanded awareness often comes from the sting of transforming harsh lessons into wisdom; hence this cycle's lunar theme is underscored as the cycle ends.
January 13, Wednesday morning, just before sunrise, the last vestige of Luna joins the pairing of Mercury and Pluto. Review above Mercury is stationary direct January 15.
Pluto the agent of death while in Sagittarius supports the transformation of our culture’s most basic belief structures. False assumptions about humanity's true purpose and nature are bound to crumble when the Pluto and Sagittarius the Archer come together. Mercury the messenger of the gods illumines the mind strengthening the communication between the soul and personality. Mercury in Sagittarius helps one replace reason with intuition to comprehend the truth of the greater whole. This planet's retrograde motion emphasizes receptivity.
As the lunar cycle ends, Pluto, Mercury and the Sagittarian Archer are aiming humanity's awareness beyond our solar system toward galactic intelligence and our Divine destiny.
The world as we know it is coming to an end. The sting of expanded awareness is in the air! Yield to the greater power of the Spiritual Presence. Listen. Play your part well and celebrate HU-manity's * birthing process!
January 14, Thursday, a New Moon occurs at 11:11pm PST (07:11 UT 1/15). It is an annular solar eclipse. Stay tuned for the next edition of Moon Dances.
I'd
like to know your thoughts about The Night Sky and
if you'd like reminders to Look Up! ...
send me an email.
May your Night Sky traveling always be filled
with Celestial Delights and Treats!
Susan Sun
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Getting
Started in Astronomy
Includes a downloadable Moon map and bimonthly
star charts.
At Skymaps.com download a current monthly guide, evening sky map & calendar.
Link to Sky and Telescope's This Week's Sky at a Glance.
Spaceweather.com keeps you looking up!
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