The third 'incarnation' of Vermont's statue, 'Agriculture,' commonly called Ceres. Replacing two previous pine statues that became rotten over time, this new mahogany carving of the people's goddess by local artists was lifted to the Golden Dome of the Capitol building in Montpelier on November 30, 2018. This photo was taken a day earlier in the workshop where she was 'born'. Hundreds of visitors came to witness the creation process. Nearing her 5th year anniversary, Ceres conjuncts the Sun for this New Moon, adding her active concern for the common good and well-being of all. Photo by author.
After passing through the transformational intensity of the Scorpio Moon cycle, eclipse and all, we surface into the fresh air of this Gemini/Sagittarius Full Moon, taking a deep breath and flying free—following the directed arrow of the Sagittarian Archer. Mars continues to accompany the Sun, both now in intuitive Sagittarius. Act on your vision. With Ceres also conjunct this New Moon, let your vision be for the prosperity and happiness of all beings.
Gemini/ Sagittarius is one of my favorite polarities:
*Gemini gathers pieces to the puzzle that Sagittarius puts together. Like creating a collage,
*Gemini collect images, messages, perspectives, experiences with its signature "Variety is the Spice of Life" verve and open-mindedness; Sagittarius has a vision of the overview, how all these snippets contribute to tell a story.
*Gemini can be whimsical, while Sagittarius seeks meaning. Gemini can tolerate a wide range of opinions and points of view as it gathers news and notes; Sagittarius seeks the Truth, using its keen intuitive cognition that aims toward the far horizon.
Truth-seeking is a slippery slope these days, with information and disinformation equally rampant. 'Reality' is radically slipping and sliding into an often confusing fluidity. Seeking elucidation, we need some criteria in choosing the pieces of our picture in this increasingly quantum Age that is incoming. This Full Moon suggests two such criteria consultants. (Of course there are two on a Full Moon in the sign of the Twins!)
SATURN
is a master at determining criteria and the shape of reality in time-space. Saturn in Pisces squares both Sun and Moon on this lunation, requiring subtlety in feeling out how reality is morphing in shape-shifting Pisces. It follows the flow of our spiritual imagination or dark discouraging anxieties or paranoia that pull us down, undermining our capacity to take responsibility for our lives. Saturn entered Pisces in March, went up to 7 degrees, then went retrograde, going back over, even unraveling some of what had been accomplished—or left incomplete—in the choppy seas of our collective experience. Saturn went all the way back to the beginning of Pisces before turning forward on November 4. Let's start over, and see if we can handle this a little better this time. The energy is moving! It is time for Action, for aiming at the target and letting your arrow fly. Then follow its arc toward the new destination. In mid-February Saturn is back at 7 degrees Pisces and we are all moving into new territory. Saturn is Master of Timing and Manifestation. By the time Saturn enters Aries in mid-February 2026, I confidently predict that our 'reality' will have changed profoundly, washed away on the Piscean tide. And, by the way, Neptune, ruler of Pisces, is entering Aries even sooner—almost next summer, but officially at the end of March 2025. My imagination is stretching to imagine that new 14-year transit! Saturn and Neptune meet up on February 20, 2026. No doubt about the new phase then. Will it truly be time to 'manifest our Dreams'?
[TAKE NOTE—Some of you are having Saturn return to its birthplace:
First Saturn return if you were born in 1994- March 1996;
Second Saturn return if you were born April 1964-February 1967;
Third Saturn return if you were born mid-February 1935-April 1937.
A Saturn return is a challenge of completion/resolution and entering next phase.
Keep your ears and eyes, as well as your vibrational antennae, on high watch for your wave to ride. Astrology can offer helpful clues and strategies related to Saturn’s context in your whole birth chart. Let me know if I can be of service.]
VENUS
is our second advisor for determining criteria. Her quest is for joy, happiness, delight, pleasure, love and beauty. What will bring you most joy? What does your heart want? What makes your heart sing?
After the deep dive during the July-September retrograde journey of Venus, such profound questioning from heart—and SOUL— we likely have a richer sense of our true desires. For this lunation, Venus is in her own sign of Libra— conjunct the South Node— informing our personal and collective choices that shape the trajectory of our Destiny. We cannot make these choices based on what other people want. Our hearts lead the way for what is in highest alignment for Self. Then we bring our best loving Self to share in what is best for All. Are you finding more balance in your life as you stand centered in your heart? Chiron in Aries opposite Venus has been highlighting healing of the heart for relational harmony in the last week’s run-up to this Full Moon. Are you feeling this? Birthing Goddess Haumea, starting her extended 27-year trajectory in the revitalizing sign of Scorpio is ready to welcome Venus into her passionate creative process on December 4th.
From what is happening in my small world, it seems like it has been time for some souls to leave the body and return to spirit. I want to especially honor pioneering Mythic Astrologer Wendy Z. Ashley who left Earth on the morning of November 22, with Moon/Neptune on her Pisces Moon and Mars/Sun on her Mars. She would have turned 81 on December 14. The magic wand of her great cosmic and visionary wisdom has touched many into Self-awakening. After a long goodby, she has rejoined the Great Dreaming.
What adventures now beckons in this month of Sagittarius? What are your options? asks the Gemini Full Moon. New potentials reveal themselves. Gemini is a mental sign, sometimes of two minds. Don't second guess what you truly know in your heart. That intuitive twang of the target pierced by the Sagittarian arrow is a true indicator and has a good sense of direction. Mercury, ruler of Gemini, is in Sagittarius, closely square to visionary Neptune. Revelations may come from the Big Dreaming, listen closely. At the same time, the trickster side Mercury/Gemini is likely to send illusionary visions and false news. Again, listen to your intuition—without wishful thinking or paranoia.
Mars conjunct Sun in Sag is for Visionary Action, which is reflected by Gemini Moon in a variety of ways. North Node in Aries, the leading edge of our collective destiny, is to stand strong and tall in clarity and self-integrity with Eris/Zena right on that North Node. Mars as masculine, Eris/Zena as feminine warriorship, acting together for Truth (Sagittarius), Tolerance (Gemini) and Justice (Libra and Sagittarius).
Black Moon in Virgo evokes a grand trine in Earth signs, along with Jupiter and Uranus in Taurus and Pluto in Capricorn. Lots (Jupiter) of unexpected developments (Uranus) can mysteriously, even miraculously, be seen in Nature, as the Feminine Divine opens our subtle senses to Nature's power.
We look to Gaia/Earth to glean her organic wisdom. Opposite Neptune in Pisces with its mystical mysteries Black Moon, Mother Divine in Virgo aligns Heaven and Earth, with exquisite nuance and perfection. Follow the golden nuggets of synchronicities in your live to guide the way. And, on the practical side, rearrange anything in your environment that will enhance beauty, simplify the 'stuff'iness in your life, and upgrade your diet. As our bodies light up, lighten up and enlighten up with incoming cosmic rays and waves of light, our bodies become less dense and need lighter sustenance. In part we live on light.
Black Moon in Virgo
[from my book, Living Lilith: Four Dimensions of the Cosmic Feminine]
"The resonance to nature and natural rhythms can be felt most strong with Lilith in Virgo. Intimately attuned to the pulse of the Earth...naturally in synch with the pulse of life rather than the artificial clock time that runs the daily business of the world.
"With a common-sense approach, Virgo analyzes subtle and detailed systems in any field of interest. This pragmatic sign tends to gather tools and techniques, honing and refining them to accomplish delicate tasks. Inevitably, in the midst of responding to the most pressing inner priority with instinctive wisdom, it transcends any single methodology...
"The fix-it mentality of Virgo can tend to look for what is going wrong rather than what is going right. No one is perfect. Indeed our idiosyncratic 'imperfections' are often the key to our path in life...[accepting this, we] thrive in accord with Nature, relishing its subtle beauties, seasonal cycles, elemental delights and the process of its evolution."
[from my book, Black Moon Lilith]:
"What is inside of you is what is outside of you
And what you see outside of you, you see inside of you;
It is visible and it is your garment." —from the Gnostic Gospels