Astrology: Winter Solstice one of the most spiritually significant days of the year
The Sun reaches its southernmost point every year in late December. This is called the Winter Solstice and it’s been considered one of the most spiritually significant days of the year. Think of it as the birthday of the Sun, as it begins its journey north. This year the Solstice takes place on December 21 and will be particularly powerful because two planets, Jupiter and Saturn will be exactly conjunct to each other that day.
The Jupiter-Saturn conjunction occurs every 20 years. Until the outer three planets were discovered, starting in the mid Eighteenth Century, these were farthest planets from the Sun that we knew about. Since conjunctions are always considered times of new beginnings, astrologers assumed that this alignment, that marked the longest cycle of any planetary combination, indicated the beginning of something important. As such, the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction was called “The Great Mutation.” It came to represent emergence of a new cultural zeitgeist, which is defined as the spirit or mood of a particular period of time defined by the ideals and beliefs of that period. The conjunction this month will occur in Aquarius. What makes this especially significant is that since 1842 the Great Mutation has taken place in earth signs, with the exception of 1981, and Aquarius is an air sign. This will begin a period of air sign Great Mutations that will last until 2199.
When we consider the past 160 years, they have been marked by changes that have affected the material plane, which is what the earth signs pertain to. Industrialization, with all its benefits and liabilities, has been the main story for humanity during this time. With a shift in element we can assume that this Great Mutation will alter the focus of humanity from the physical (earth signs) to the mental and the social (air signs). This will produce previously unknown and unheard of technological inventions that will influence every facet of our existence. It could also shift the cultural focus from one based in nationalism to one oriented toward universalism.
Aquarius is the sign of technology as well as the social collective. This is another signal that the much-heralded “Aquarian Age” is very much with us, although only in its infancy stage. I will be addressing the topic of the emerging Aquarian Age in my annual Perspectives talk in January. This year, due to the pandemic, I will not be giving the talk in public but it will be available on MP3 (for $15) in early January. Please contact my office if you would like a copy.
Any conjunction requires an integration of the energies involved. Some integrations are easier than others, and that between Jupiter and Saturn is difficult. Jupiter is joyful and expansive. Its nature tends toward adventure and truth-seeking with an attitude of optimism and positivity. It brings humor into our lives. Saturn is serious and focused. Its nature is to be responsible and self-disciplined as it helps us to achieve practical goals. One thing that makes the integration more challenging is that Saturn is the traditional ruler of Aquarius. It is still considered the co-ruler, along with the first of those outer planets that was discovered, Uranus. It’s been said that whatever Saturn conjoins, Saturn controls.
I think that the outer planets, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, don’t conform to that premise, but Jupiter is not one of them. So we could feel as if our joy, humor, generosity and spiritual searching, all Jupiterian qualities, are restricted. Instead, the expansiveness of Jupiter could enhance the Saturnine tendency toward authoritarian control, limitation of personal freedom and a desire to focus on the mundane. The desire for learning could be limited by conservative, traditional values and patterns, thus limiting the innovative creativity often associated with Aquarius. This could all be enhanced by the fact that this conjunction occurs on the Solstice, the day that the Sun enters Capricorn, which is also ruled by Saturn.
However, there are other options of manifestation. If we are centered, we will be able to activate our Saturnian energy by focusing on personal responsibility and acting within a clearly defined framework in a self-disciplined way. We don’t give our power to others, nor do we strive to take control, or responsibility, for others. Jupiter helps this process by bringing a clearly defined sense of ethics and personal integrity to the process. Rather than being bogged down or overwhelmed by duties we can unite Jupiter with Saturn by bringing joy into our daily activities.