Filling Our Hearts With Love And Appreciation

I saw mummy kissing Santa Claus underneath the mistletoe last night. Tommie Connor

Love is like the wild rose-briar; Friendship like the holly-tree. The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms, But which will bloom most constantly? Emily Bronte

A good conscience is a continual Christmas. Benjamin Franklin

At Christmas play and make good cheer, For Christmas comes but once a year. Thomas Tusser

Heap on the wood!The wind is chill;But let it whistle as it will,We’ll keep our Christmas merry still. Sir Walter Scott

Do not indulge in dreams of having what you have not, but reckon up the chief of the blessings you do possess, and then thankfully remember how you would crave for them if they were not yours. Marcus Aurelius

Gratitude paints little smiley faces on everything it touches. Richelle E. Goodrich

November’s Gemini full Moon occurs on November 26 in Australia and November 25 in the US, right before Thanksgiving. It is a rather intense, meaningful and rather Saturnian full Moon as Saturn sits right between the Sun and Mercury and opposes the full Moon. Saturn is also in a square aspect with Neptune, and this is the first of three exact squares of these two quite divergent planetary energies that will happen over the next year. The Saturn/Neptune square is set to bring up issues to do with our dreams and visions and we may find ourselves having to realign with real possibilities, real situations, realities on every level.

It’s interesting to note that the Sun and Mercury are on two Symbols that speak of caring for others. The Sun is on Sagittarius 4: A Young Child Learning To Walk With The Encouragement of Parents, and, Mercury is on Sagittarius 9: A Mother Leads Her Small Child Step By Step Up The Stairs. Sandwiched in the middle is Saturn on Sagittarius 7: Cupid Knocking On The Door Of A Human Heart. This line-up seems to be showing us the need to help others. Often, not always of course, these children being helped by parents can show how the roles can be reversed, and, at some points in our lives, we need to step up as adults and help our elders. These Symbols, Sag 4 and Sag 9, can both show the need to help those older than ourselves. It’s basically about helping others, whatever the situation.

Mars is sextiling Saturn on this full Moon. This can be a very good thing, but Mars is in Libra, which is not a great placement, (Mars in Libra can hold its piece/peace for some time before it explodes in an overreaction and creates rubble everywhere) and, the Sabian Symbol for Mars talks about loneliness, empty spaces, empty hearts, etc. Indeed, Saturn itself – not known for being that loving – is bringing up issues to do with love, playfulness and having an open heart. It seems we are being given the message to not harden our hearts, but, to be open to Cupid’s message as he shoots his arrows. Some may miss the mark (some opportunities in ‘love’ may not be what they seem/seemed to be), but, we are being asked not to close down to the idea of love in its many forms, but, rather, to be open to those authentic feelings that can surely bring more and more love our way.

Mars is on Libra 8: A Blazing Fireplace In A Deserted Home and Saturn is on Sagittarius 7: Cupid Knocking On The Door Of A Human Heart. This can bring up issues to do with refugees (of all kinds – those people who are fleeing conditions, life stories, etc, that they find untenable), and, it can show how we might need to soften our reactions to those in need.

Venus, in the days before this full Moon, is opposing Uranus and squaring Pluto. This can signal the end of some relationships, the cutting off of feelings for others (often from the past), the severing of old issues in favour of moving on to new territory, and, it can show decisions made in order to lead a happier, more productive life.  Venus is in Libra, so, it is in its own sign, however, in the few days before this full Moon, Venus is on Libra 18: Two Men Placed Under Arrest Are Brought Before The Tribunal Of Society To Give An Accounting For Their Actions, and, Libra 19: A Gang Of Robbers In Hiding. These are rather difficult degrees for Venus to traverse, however, these degrees can bring issues to light so they can be dealt with and healed.

The full Moon is on Gemini 4: HOLLY AND MISTLETOE BRING CHRISTMAS SPIRIT TO A HOME

This Symbol speaks of sharing the joys of family and celebrations. There regularly comes a time when we need to reconnect with loved ones, family, or, in a larger sense, humanity, to discover the strengths and joys in the cultural and religious bonds that hold us together. Even though we may live our lives primarily as separate entities, this bond can serve to strengthen each and every participant. Remembering each other periodically helps to keep our connections strong and it reinforces our sense of spirit and belonging.

Keywords: Social celebrations of the spirit. Returning to basic joys. Remembering past celebrations of family and social cohesion. Kissing under the mistletoe. Simple gestures that remind us of larger realities. Warmth, joy and anticipation. The Festive Season. The spirit of special occasions.

The Caution: The use of superficial tricks. Performances to achieve the appearance of happiness or familial ties. Neglecting family. Excluding others because of religious beliefs. Rituals that have no depth or true meaning. Loneliness. Not being in the spirit of things. Having too much to do. The Silly Season. Scrooge mentalities that don’t want to know about family and celebrations.

The Moon symbolizes: Emotions, moods, mother, family, clan, domestic issues, relationship to home and country. Feelings, sentiments, nourishment, emotional nurturing, monkey chatter mind, lunar and menstrual cycles, clarity of emotions or lunacy. Female energy – yours and others.

A Full Moon symbolizes: The full Moon each month marks a time of heightened energies and events. It often marks the culmination of the energies released at the new Moon. Emotions can be supercharged as the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the zodiac and illumination is increased – it’s like we can see in the dark – and we can be hyper-aware as well as being hyper-awake. The effects of a full Moon can be major or minor, depending on how they interact with your own chart. Sometimes, realisations or events that are unleashed, or unlocked, can stretch their meaning months into the future. A lot can be learned at the time of the full Moon and whether it’s lunacy or illumination, or a combination of both, there’s magic unleashed with every full Moon.

 The Sun is on Sagittarius 4: A LITTLE CHILD LEARNING TO WALK WITH THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF PARENTS

This Symbol implies the necessity of those older to be teachers, exemplars or guides to the younger or less experienced. The “Child” needs the “Encouragement” of “Parents” in order to feel supported or guided. At times, you are likely to fulfill the roles of child or parent to others. You may be moving into new phases of learning that, despite all your previous experience, are surprisingly difficult. Patience and step-by-step progress is needed, as is a guiding hand and a kind word or two. There may be those around you that don’t take your difficulties or responsibility seriously, but your struggles will pay off, particularly if you care and share.

Keywords: Making genuine progress or always tripping over. Instinctive determination to get on with the job. People taking delight in the smallest progress. Baby steps leading to big things. Trying out and accepting one’s individuality. Help from authorities. Seeking guidance and advice. Feeling mother earth under your feet. Parental assistance. Walking on new ground.

The Caution: Relying on skills not yet mastered. Not taking the initiative to put one’s self forward. Putting your self at risk rather than accepting help. Acting like one is incompetent in order to draw sympathy and/or help. Meddling and “assisting” when one should be on the sidelines, encouraging. Knowing that someone is going to “trip over” and not offering help.

The Sun symbolizes: One’s core center, spirit, heart, issues to do with father, men, self, ego, your male side. How you radiate your sense of being. What others see, how you are recognized or remembered, sense of identity and connection with male energy – yours and others.

 Mercury is on Sagittarius 9: A MOTHER LEADS HER SMALL CHILD STEP BY STEP UP THE STAIRS

This Symbol shows being able to lend a hand to those who need it, whether they are youngsters or not. It pictures situations where someone needs to assist those less able, experienced or indeed, less evolved, to overcome difficulties and to rise up and learn to cope, learn or understand. You may find yourself as either the experienced or the inexperienced or possibly finding the mother within you guiding your own inner child. It can also show someone caring for elderly relatives or friends. Whatever it is, one needs to have a sense of patience, caring and understanding. Lending a guiding hand to others is very important.

Keywords: The inner child. Guidance and acceptance of those not so “upwardly mobile”. Training. Careful consideration of other’s immaturity or failings. Staying with the family in order to bring up the children. Guardianship and stewardship. Reversals of roles. Supervising parents. Looking after the younger or the elder. Taking things one by one. Alzheimer’s disease. Handicaps. Step-by-step progress.

The Caution: Future vision and hope obscured. Exhausted by constant parental obligation. Not getting, or giving, the help that one needs. Being bossy and judgmental, thereby missing the joy inherent in the moment. Lack of supervision or training. Refusing to grow up. Wanting to be looked after.

Mercury symbolizes: Mind, thought, communication, memory, expression, intelligence. News, exchanges, chatting, conversations, short journeys, connections with others, telephones, emails, siblings, neighbors, the reasoning mind. Day-to-day activities. Cars, keys, small animals,

 Venus is on Libra 20: A JEWISH RABBI IN A TINY ROOM FULL OF MANUSCRIPTS AND BOOKS, PERFORMING HIS DUTY

This Symbol implies a person having the role of administering the spiritual and ethical laws and rituals and rules for living in their society. No matter how large or small the role is, this Symbol implies being in touch with one’s roots and studying and learning how to translate the lessons and the benefits for others. There is age old wisdom and established tradition which has survived to this day and you may need to access this knowledge though instruction or an inner search in order to deal with situations. There are “Duties” and ceremonies that need to be performed, either for your self of your community. Do what’s needed with faith and reverence.

Keywords: Connection with ancient sources of truth and understanding. Faith in abiding laws. Inherited wisdom. Ancient books. Fundamentalism. Rituals, social and otherwise. Initiation ceremonies. Book work. Studying and worshipping. Doing deeds on behalf of the community. Religious services. Writings that reveal rules for living. Lawyers. Advocates. Hidden knowledge.

The Caution: Religious dogmatism. Following the rules of “the book”. Sticking to what convention says. Losing one’s sense of individuality. Over-inflated sense of self. Distrust or hate of different religions, backgrounds or ethnic origins. Restrictive rules.

Venus symbolizes: Relatedness, cooperation, what attracts you. The experience of sweetness, beauty or delight. Social interactions, love, friends, how you reach out to people. Feminine persona, relationship with mother and females. Money, possessions, sense of values.

 Mars is on Libra 8: A BLAZING FIREPLACE IN A DESERTED HOME. It is noteworthy that Mars is on this degree right on Thanksgiving. Some people will make a big effort to ensure that they are with family and friends at this time, but, some people may find themselves alone and wondering where everyone is. This can be a sad degree, but, we can work at bringing others into our homes, hearts, minds or whatever, in order not to feel lonely. Helping those who need help, especially the homeless or those without family, can be very nurturing at this time.

This Symbol implies the ability, or the necessity, to provide warmth and reassurance in times of emptiness, loss or desertion. You may need to remember that even in times of real loneliness, when you feel separated from your ‘center’, there is a constant, unseen, sustaining energy always ready to welcome you home: whether it be the fire of your own spiritual center, the warmth and familiarity of family and kin, or a knowing that one is sustained by humanity at large. You may need this reassurance yourself or you may be the one to help others in their hour of need.

Keywords: Security and comfort left behind. A fire left blazing inside to reassure. Wood for burning. Gas, electricity connections. Holiday homes, or homes that are rarely visited. Homes filled with love, if not people or possessions. The warmth of the heart. Holding a candle for someone who’s gone. Fertility issues. Heart and hearth. Fireplaces. The place to which one returns.

The Caution: A sense of isolation, separation, abandonment, and bitterness. Sabotage by, or of, loved ones and family. Being forced out of the home, possibly for social reasons. Desertion and decay of love. Never being at home because of work concerns and commitments. Separation. Divorce. Latch-key children. Feeling alone and out in the cold. The light being on, but no one at home. Lack of domestic supplies.

Mars symbolizes: : Drive, determination or agenda, how you get to your goals. How you express and handle anger, ambition, assertion of self and ability to step forward. The male principle, sexuality, the ability to step up to the plate when one needs to. Fight or flight.

 Jupiter is on Virgo 21: A BASKETBALL TEAM

This Symbol implies joining with others and working as a team to achieve common aspirations.
You may be into doing things by yourself, but you’ll still have interactions with others who will mould how you do things and how you’ll perform. There is a need to cooperate and play by the rules of the game to achieve your goals. Friends and those with similar interests will be able to join with you to achieve a mutually desired end. Are people hogging the ball, not passing it on to others? If so, that won’t secure a ‘win’ for you or for the team. How would a referee call that?

Keywords: The give and take of unity and equality. Everyone getting to play the game. Joyful participation. Friendship and sport. Fast footwork. Winning and losing. Being in the team. Playing fair and square. Coaching and practice. The need for a level playing ground. Uniforms. Codes of behaviour and play. Locker room antics. Individual commitment to a group effort—that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work. Vince Lombardi

The Caution: Forcing others to compete on the same level without regard for differences. Finding it difficult to play by the rules or cooperate. Bitchiness and rivalry taking the fun out of playing. Petulance and spitting the pacifier. Some being stars while others are merely drones. Taking things too seriously. Tantrums. The desire to win at all costs. One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Jupiter symbolizes: The big picture, expansion, exploration, aspirations, religious and philosophical ideals, issues to do with traveling, foreign lands, people and traditions, culture, education, generosity, luck, abundance, support, optimism. Insight through knowledge and wisdom.

 Saturn is on Sagittarius 7: CUPID KNOCKING AT THE DOOR OF A HUMAN HEART

This degree shows the spreading of love and showing how people can love one another. “Cupid” is “Knocking”, asking to be let in. Barriers and defenses around people’s hearts may be keeping him from getting in, but how long will they be able to resist? Opening your heart and opening the door will lead to new opportunities and realizations about relationships. What are the true depths of your relationships? Soften your boundaries, unlock your heart and allow your heart chakra to open when you are in caring company. Know when to open “The Door’ to allow love in.

Keywords: Respectful invitation of love. Seeing purity of motive. Fear of commitment. Fear of romance. A key or an arrow. Cupids and cherubs. Unlocking the heart. One-pointed, focused energy, which can become obsessive. Softening one’s boundaries. Cupid’s bow. The need to lighten up one’s approach to others.

The Caution: Waiting instead of taking the initiative. Rejecting love or emotion for fear of losing independence. Keeping up a strong, brave, severe face when one could be loosening up and enjoying another. Barriers and defenses around the heart. Seeing potential lovers in everyone. Being attracted to those you wouldn’t normally notice. Frigid responses.

Saturn symbolizes: Authority, rules, discipline and obligation The heavy stuff. What we fear, loss, karma, aging, the establishment, orthodoxy, tradition, status, the concept of time, walls, boundaries, limits, older people, restrictions, patience, conquering difficulties.

 Uranus is on Aries 17: TWO PRIM SPINSTERS SITTING TOGETHER IN SILENCE. Although this Symbol points at ‘Two Prim Spinsters’ who are ‘Sitting In Silence’, this degree can show the exact opposite – it can speak of those who get together and have a lot to say to each other, a lot to share. It can be hard to get a word in edgeways with this Symbol… but, of course, this can show where a lot perhaps needs to be said and yet real issues don’t get brought out into the open – they stay stuffed down and neglected.

This Symbol shows that quiet withdrawal might be just what you need. However, it is easy to become isolated in conservative, albeit moral, ideas. You may find that there is only a select, restricted group with whom you wish to associate. There can be a quiet knowing that does not need a lot of words or emotional displays. Just be wary that this false sense of security doesn’t isolate you from change and growth. Unresolved issues can lead to stunted emotional responses. Look for opportunities to open up to new possibilities.

Keywords: The need to loosen up emotional blockages. The struggle to hold onto one’s original identity. Compromise because of social expectations. Meditations that communicate. Exclusive relationships. Relationships that have a quiet “knowing”. Dignified silence. Inner withdrawal. Communicating through body language.

The Caution: Emotional isolation. Refusing to accept relationship. Pretending to be someone that one is not. Disapproval of younger, more vital energies. Being fussy and judgmental. Chattering that is not conducive to growth or true relating. Gossip. Difficulty in communicating. Being shut off, or shutdown. The loss of joy and spontaneity.

Uranus symbolizes: The unexpected, things that are individual or ‘different’. Charged, energetic dynamics, electricity, light, lightning bolts, sudden changes, those who live on the fringe of society. Sudden turns and twists of fate. Rebellion, surprises, liberation, freedom.

 Neptune is on Pisces 8: A GIRL BLOWING A BUGLE

This shows sounding the call, rallying people together, knowing when to speak or “Blow a Bugle” to awaken others, to wake up to realities going on in the world, join some cause, etc. Perhaps you feel the need to wake up those around you, or, perhaps be woken yourself. When situations get bogged down in emotional or rational complexity and everyone just needs to be rallying and going for the objective, you may be the one to let everyone know. Sometimes this Symbol can show someone who makes a lot of noise; justified or unjustified and they can get people moving. Using simple, receptive innocence will get situations back on track.

Keywords: Sounding the call. Awakening all to action. Going on and on about something. Loudspeakers, telephones, announcements. Being prepared to state one’s case. Calling attention to one’s self. Blowing your own trumpet. Whistleblowers. Heralding and proclaiming the dawn. Rise and shine! Girls in a man’s world. Leading the charge. Resurrection. Mass announcements. Advertising campaigns. Alarm clocks. Ear plugs. Blind folds. Break the fast. Proclamations.

The Caution: Making unwarranted and disturbing noise. Showing off. Unbalanced messages. Evangelists and politicians. Sounding the call but not making the grade. Being annoying. Trumpeting about one’s achievements. Not listening to people.

Neptune symbolizes: Mystical, “out there,” spirituality and con artists. Dreams, mysteries, mystics and religious issues. Intuition, clairvoyance, seeing into the invisible. Addictive, chaotic, charming, deceptive, illusory, co dependent, sensory awareness.

Pluto is on Capricorn 14: AN ANCIENT BAS-RELIEF CARVED IN GRANITE REMAINS A WITNESS TO A LONG-FORGOTTEN CULTURE. We can do well by examining what needs to be left in the past and what needs to be taken into the future. Pluto was on this degree when that horror-story of a terrorist group (I don’t feel to name them here) plundered and ruined Palmyra, that beautiful, ancient city in Syria….

This Symbol shows learning from the past, seeing the beauty and meaning inherent in ancient civilizations, their monuments and cultures. Some things never fade; they stand as reminders of ancient eras, bringing messages to us. Information and revelations may be found in these reminders (the “Remains”) about the stability and longevity of the foundation of your society, or possibly some other society, distant in time or space. You’ll find satisfaction in things that are not so much superficial display, but those things that represent the longevity and stability of the foundation or backdrop of your society. The trick is not to get stuck in the past or become unchangeable or unbendable.

Keywords: Anonymous immortality. Things written or carved in stone, or concrete. Permanent records. Clues from the past. Things that should be shaped and changed with the times. Pieces of art or sculpture. Things that belong in a museum. Inscriptions and carvings. Ancient civilizations and their relics. History.

The Caution: Limitations that don’t allow for changes. Old and outworn situations. Things that can not, or will not, ever change. Memories frozen in time. Feeling stuck, like no growth is possible. Frigidity of feelings.

Pluto symbolizes: Unconscious motivations, depth psychology, history. Sex, procreation at a deep level, intensity, profound emotions, taking hold of one’s power. Being king or queen of one’s underworld. Strength, survival mode instincts. Big money. Big power. The Plutocracy.

Chiron is on Pisces 17: AN EASTER PROMENADE

This Symbol shows joining with others to celebrate your community’s religious, spiritual or cultural ideas. To “Promenade” is to take a leisurely walk. That it’s done at “Easter” reveals that there is a need to resurrect some of your hopes, dreams, visions and missions in order to bring them back and give them shape and form. There is regularly a need to share with other’s aspirations and ideals. No matter how structured or organized this celebration is, if it’s done with joy and warmth of feeling and fertility, it will inspirit the group, infusing them with a sense of emotional unity.

Keywords: Renewed faith in one’s life circumstances. Rising up from doubt, fear and loss. Public holidays and their celebrations. Dressing up. Easter bonnets. Easter eggs, chickens and the fertility rites of spring. Rebirth. Forgiveness. Joy. Spiritual unity. Religious holidays. Worship. Renewal. Parades. Transformation.

The Caution: Superficial shows of unity. Craving for attention. Always needing an excuse to get together and unite. Empty displays of faith or joy. Doing things only because everyone else is doing them. Feeling lost, alone and forsaken in the crowd. Guilt trips. Exclusion of other faiths. Religious domination.

Chiron symbolizes: Our wounds and it is known as The Wounded Healer, it also shows The Stories That We Tell Ourselves, it is where we have to focus on healing, it can show things that are out of shape or misplaced or in need of repair.

 The Moon’s North Node is on Virgo 29: A MAN GAINING SECRET KNOWLEDGE FROM AN ANCIENT SCROLL HE IS READING

This Symbol shows the gaining of knowledge, insights and revelations from learning or study. One can learn from the “Ancient” mysteries or from more modern books or publications. The learning is best used by translating the truths into practical applications in one’s life. Going back to the essential truths of the matter; the inner wisdom of the ages, can bring insights and knowledge that opens up whole new understandings. Modern solutions may or may not be so useful or interesting. Understanding will come through patient, steady work and illuminating inspiration.

Keywords: Learning from ancient mysteries. Looking for answers. Study and its rewards. Reading between the lines. Finding clues from the past and applying them to the present. Being privileged to look into something special. Alchemy. The Bible, the Torah and the Koran. Manuscripts. Scrolls. Ancient writings. Akashic records. Classified documents. Secret papers. Scribes.

The Caution: Failing to acknowledge old wisdom or refusing the new. Losing one’s common sense. Losing touch with reality. Reading importance into things that are not real or useful. Conspiracy theories. Religious zealotry. Feeling gifted over the rest. Finding nothing interesting in the everyday, modern world. Being single-minded.

The Moon’s North Node symbolizes: This is known as quite a ‘karmic point’ (although all planets and points in a chart can be’karmic’). One’s destiny in this life. The things you are meant to integrate, move towards, become. Destined relationships and relationship issues can show up here.

 The Moon’s South Node is on Pisces 29: LIGHT BREAKING INTO MANY COLORS AS IT PASSES THROUGH A PRISM

This shows analyzing things, considering and drawing conclusions from available data and being perceptive of colors, light refraction or reflection, auras and light. You probably have the ability to break situations down into the simplest components in order to see the full picture. This can and often does lead to a greater understanding of the relationship between the whole and the many parts. Just be careful not to overanalyze, thereby losing the joy that’s inherent in the simplicities of life. Taking a single vision and turning it into many individual streams can be rewarding, but it can also confuse and distract.

Keywords: Spectrum analysis. Color and crystal healing. Rainbows. Light refraction. Side effects. Considering many facets of a situation. Endless opportunities. Optics. Sight. Seeing. Copying and sharing ideas or things. Disseminating information. Auras and aura photography. Triangles. Polarization of light. Reflection. Laboratory tests. Diffracted personality.

The Caution: Locked in to a set of parameters. Over analyzing things. Being blinded by ambition. Daunted by the task ahead. Mirages. Microscopes and binoculars but not seeing things as they really are.

The Moon’s South Node symbolizes: Past karmic patterns to be overcome, can be habits that are good, but can describe things, relationships, issues that you need to let go of, or, hold you back from manifesting your true destiny. Relationships that feel karmic and difficult, memories from the past.