It's Winter Solstice, and we anxiously await the return of the Sun. Not that it's really "gone", although it sure seems that way. This time of year, in the northern hemisphere, gives us the shortest length of daylight for the three days around the solstice, after which the span between sunrise and sunset begins to lengthen. While most call this the first day of winter, it is traditionally mid-winter, as, indeed, with the turning of the light we can sense the turning of the seasons. Seeds and bulbs planted now will burst forth in a few short months.So what seeds might the Ingress chart have for us this time?
Looking at the chart you'll see a large grouping of planets in one small area. Retrograde Mercury in late Sagittarius, the Sun at 0 Capricorn, Pluto at 04 Capricorn and Mars at 10 Capricorn. Such a tight grouping, three or more planets in one sign (or sometimes in one house) is commonly called a stellium and suggests an intense focus of energy in this area. So the Ingress chart wants us to spend extra time dealing with this part of our chart. Since Mercury is retrograde it also suggests that it might be a good idea to re-examine what we’re doing in this area of our lives, and to not rush in to any changes we might be considering. Sun conjunct Pluto, at the same time, pushes us to make some major changes. Mars is also there, pushing us to take some action. So we see strong pressure to make some changes in the area of our life that is under Capricorn's influence, but also a caution to not rush in.
This stellium is also opposite the chart's Moon, highlighting the emotional tension such an impetus for change can bring. The Cancer Moon here is very interested in hanging on to what gives us comfort and a sense of security, whether or not such actions and attitudes are still productive for us. Sometimes our habits can trip us up, but they are certainly hard to change. Part of the Capricorn energy here might be productively used to take control of those habits instead of continuing to let them control us, and face the emotional stress that goes along with the change.
Jupiter and Uranus continue their conjunction, another indication of the continuing pressure for change. They make an out of sign square to the Sun in this chart, so their influence may not be obvious. Unlike the opposition, the square isn't something right out in front of us, but comes at us from the side. Sometimes this can be more of a problem, since it can seem unexpected. They also are in square to the retrograde Mercury, highlighting the importance of this messenger in the Ingress chart. Again, don't allow yourself to be rushed into hasty decisions on what or where to change, but give it diligent thought and consideration.
Saturn is still in Libra (and will be until October of 2012), and sits square to Mars, providing another indication of a need for personal responsibility in our actions. While Saturn in Libra is concerned with taking such responsibility in our relationships, the square to Mars in Capricorn suggests some sort of delaying action on our ability to take action. Saturn - Mars aspects are sometimes said to feel like "driving with the brakes on," but since here it actually reinforces the message of the retrograde Mercury, it may actually help us avoid taking rash - and regretted - action.
Not that any of these indications are telling us to not make changes. Rather, we have an opportunity to make changes, to plant new seeds of personal growth, to change old habits, but we are also being cautioned to not take precipitate action, but to spend some time during the dark of the Sun to honestly evaluate what we have been doing, and what changes will be more productive in our lives and for achieving our goals.
Indeed, the message of Capricorn is to help us work toward our goals. Where Capricorn falls in your personal chart suggests where you tend to be managerial, disciplined and hard working. (Not to be confused with the 10th House, the area of life most directly related to how we make our mark in the world.) So see where this stellium falls in your birth chart. That house (or houses, as it may span a couple) is where you should spend some time thinking about how you have been managing that area of your life. What works? Can you make some changes to allow it to work better? What doesn't? What can you change about what doesn't work to make it work? Can it be changed, or do you have to eliminate it?
Use the keywords below to start thinking about where you might want to plant some new seeds. Books have been written about the meaning of each house, so obviously this small listing is only to get you thinking about the possibilities!
Although each "pie-slice" of a horoscope is called a "house," each house can be viewed as if it were a different room in a big house. Different activities go on in different rooms. The line marking the entry to each room, moving counter-clockwise around the wheel, is called the "cusp" of the house, and is like the doorway into the room.
1st House: Doorway is called the Ascendant or the Rising Sign. Personality, physical body
2nd House: values, personal resources, moveable possessions
3rd House: immediate environment, siblings, short trips
4th House: Doorway is called Imum Coeli or IC. Personal roots, home, family, tradition
5th House: creative self-expression, love affairs, speculation
6th House: work, service, health, daily routine, job
7th House: Doorway is called Descendant. Partners, contracts, advisors, one-to-one relations
8th House: debts, partner's values and possessions, sex, death, rebirth
9th House: higher education, philosophy, religion, long journeys
10th House: Doorway is called Median Coeli, MC, or MidHeaven. Reputation, career, profession, vocation
11th House: friends, hopes and wishes, groups, group associations and ideals
12th House: subconscious, the past, hidden matters