The Traveler s Well Scott Wolfram www.travelerswell.com Winter Solstice 2013 Page 1 The Traveler's Well With Scott Wolfram "Move In Harmony With The Sun, Moon and Stars!" scott@travelerswell.com -or- stwolfram@yahoo.com 805.409.4605 www.travelerswell.com December 21, 2013 Dear Friends, we find ourselves today on the shortest day of the year. On this, the Winter Solstice, in the Northern Hemisphere, we want to share a bit about the chart for this solstice, which will impact the three months ahead until the Spring Equinox in 2014. There is a saying about Munich that it is the northern most city in Italy due to its mild climate and outdoor culture. This riles some, but it is holding true this year as we will have 51 degrees on Christmas Day. Also, today, Venus begins her retrograde period through the sign of Capricorn so we will pass along a few reminders related to Venus Retrograde as well! May the grace of the Winter Season and all of its manners of celebration shine upon you! May you move in harmony with the Sun, Moon and stars! Blessings and peace, Scott and Sappho Wolfram The Winter Solstice and Venus Retrograde Today, December 21, 2013, marks the beginning of the two events in the astrological heavens. First is the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. Second, today is the beginning of Venus' 40 day retrograde movement through the sign of Capricorn. Moving in harmony with Capricorn, let's reflect on both of these events a bit more closely. Winter Solstice We enjoy this allegorical over life-sized sculpture of Winter. The cold breath of winter is captured so well in the facial features and the folds of the warm robe remind us of the warmth we enjoy so much in our homes in Winter. Winter is a time when the sun lays low in the southern sky, our shadows lengthen and the days shorten. We no longer need sunglasses and the interplay between us the light of the sun in our lives changes. We always enjoy observing the light patterns change in our home as the seasons of the year progress. In myth, the Goddess Aurora renews herself each day and flies across the sky to announce the rising of the sun via the chariots of Apollo. In Winter, from our window, we see the serene color display of Aurora's dawn, but Apollo's direct sunlight no longer enters our northern windows as we prepare our morning espresso. Months pass and, then, we know that Winter is waning when we see Aurora's arrival via the serene colors of dawn and this is followed by the rising red fireball of Apollo's light. The sun returns to our view and it is then that we know winter is fading and we await warming weather and welcome the sun beams as we enjoy our morning espresso.
The Traveler s Well Scott Wolfram www.travelerswell.com Winter Solstice 2013 Page 2 Until Aurora's dawn is met by Apollo's chariots in our morning view, we break out the candles and incense and, somehow, we just enjoy the quiet so much more than we do in the summer. We retreat to books and discovery with relish. We also look back on the year that is coming to an end. What progress have I made? What have I learned? What wisdom have I developed? The process of reflection, which is defined as serious thought or contemplation, just is so well suited to the winter season! So, on this, the shortest day of the year, here is the chart for this year's Winter Solstice: While the Winter Solstice is a time of reflection and quiet, the chart of the Winter Solstice is also introduction to the New Year of 2014 that will begin just 11 days later. When we look at the chart of the Winter Solstice, we identify the keys to the "theme of the season". This Winter Solstice is particularly potent, packed with tremendous energy, embodying both great tension and significant potential. As we have been noting, actually since the summer of 2010, transiting Uranus in Aries has been squaring Pluto in Capricorn. What is of note for this Winter Solstice and the first four months of 2014 is the addition of transiting Jupiter in Cancer and Mars in Libra into the mix. Together, these four planets will create a Cardinal Grand Cross, with Mars opposing Uranus, both square Jupiter oppose Pluto. When these four planets merge in the tension of the Grand Cross, it is definitely a powerful astrological concoction and it begins with the Winter Solstice! So let's take a look at this astrological potion by identifying the key ingredients. We start with the square of Uranus and Pluto, which is by now somewhat known to us, as this square first came together in the summer of 2010. In our first article about this transit, we introduced the square of Uranus and Pluto as the demand for "Structural Reform". This reform contained a demand to recognize where the structures of our lives could use some space-clearing, just like you might read in a book on Feng Shui. You could say it was a time of "out with the old and in with the new". At the core, Uranus and Pluto have been asking us to recognize what has outlived its usefulness and to "let go" of the aspects of our lives that no longer serve us. Why? Because they want our lives to be re-energized and rejuvenated in ways that make life more rewarding.
The Traveler s Well Scott Wolfram www.travelerswell.com Winter Solstice 2013 Page 3 The difficulty with Uranus and Pluto is that they are difficult to understand. In a recent lecture on this topic, I dubbed the Uranus - Pluto duo as the Wookie from Star Wars. Why? He grunts and growls. He waves his arms around as if he wants something, but it is really difficult to understand what he wants. In transit forecasts, many of you have noted that the Wookie of Uranus and Pluto seem quite willing to "tear our arms off" if we don't do what he wants. For the Winter Solstice, Uranus is technically known as being "station direct", which means that he has stopped moving backward or retrograde (the exact date was December 18, 2013), but has not really begun to move forward yet. When a planet is station, it is basically just sitting in one spot and not moving. This means that the energy of Uranus is focused in one place and is significantly more potent than at other times. Focused energy is potent energy and that is the added punch that Uranus brings to the mix of the Winter Solstice. Since the "Wookie" (Uranus square Pluto) has greater power at the Winter Solstice, all the more reason to attempt to do what he says. The Wookie, Chewbacca from Star Wars The Addition of Jupiter and Mars In the first months of 2014, both transiting Mars and Jupiter will station, or stop in the sky, turn around and begin moving in the opposite direction. Jupiter is currently retrograde and will be turning direct, while Mars will be turning retrograde. So, why does this matter? It means that Mars and Jupiter will be joining Uranus and Pluto in forming a Grand Cross on and off during the next few months. Both Jupiter and Mars will be adding their unique qualities to the mix of the Grand Cross. Most importantly, it all begins with the Winter Solstice. Particularly, in the context of attempting to understand the Wookie, Jupiter can play a very helpful role in a couple of ways. First, Jupiter adds his "gift" of opportunity and vision. When Jupiter "speaks" to us, we can generally understand him. Events that occur during a Jupiter transit tend to be relatively obvious, whether it is an opportunity that is presented to us or an idea that suddenly occurs to us. With Jupiter events we tend to say, "I can do this" or "This is a great opportunity". You could say that Jupiter becomes a bit of a translator of the grunts of the Wookie. Second, Jupiter often inspires a new sense of optimism. Since Uranus and Pluto can feel like "purge, purge, purge", Jupiter points to the new possibilities that will make life more vibrant. Jupiter's inspiration can inspire a sense that the best lies ahead of us - in the future! The addition of Mars brings the energy and courage to take action. One aspect of Jupiter is often forgotten, a vision or opportunity without action on our part generally ends up simply fading away. So, Mars play a key role in promoting the action that can bring the potential of Jupiter's gifts into reality. For the Winter Solstice, there are actually two different roles that Mars will play. First, in the Solstice chart, Mars is opposed to Uranus. Sometimes, the result is feeling a sense of irritation, of wanting something to happen so that life will change. Mars and Uranus share a common theme of promoting freedom. Uranus wants freedom from the restrictions that limit our creativity and uniqueness. Mars wants the freedom to follow his passions and instincts. If you feel a sense of irritation or frustration, this is not the time to jump ship and say, "If I ever get out of here, I'm go to Katmandu", like the song by Bob Seger. Rather, it is a time to ask "What is the limitation that is suddenly so frustrating?" The answer to that question CAN provide an additional insight into the message of the Wookie. So, be aware of feelings of frustration and the apply Capricorn's gift of taking the time for quiet reflection. Second, Mars is square Jupiter, which is an excellent combination for inspiring action. This is particularly helpful if you have been stuck and not been able to get the ball rolling. Mars is the perfect ingredient to inspire confidence in your goals, confidence in yourself and the spark to energize your efforts. For this Winter Solstice, Mars is technically at 0 degrees by declination, which gives the lord of action has more spark than usual.
The Traveler s Well Scott Wolfram www.travelerswell.com Winter Solstice 2013 Page 4 Summary - The Concoction of the Winter Solstice Every Winter Solstice is a time of reflection, looking to the past to gain insight into our future. This year, the Grand Cross brings a unique opportunity to reflect on your path in life (Capricorn), to allow Jupiter's opportunities to translate the messages that the Wookie and life have for you, so that Mars can energize your courage and spark the next step. The Grand Cross will form and reform a couple of times between Winter Solstice and the end of April 2014. Take time for reflection. Be open to the opportunities that rise from the silence and from life. Be confident that you are the architect of your life and that you can make 2014 a fabulous year. It is the Capricorn thing to do! Venus Retrograde in Capricorn On the same day that we enter the Winter Solstice, Venus will turn retrograde for a 40 or so day journey backward through the sign of Capricorn. When any planet is retrograde, it provides a time of reflection, which is very well suited to the winter season. When we consider a retrograde period, we should consider all of the 're' words. So, the reflection during a retrograde period provides us a time to re-think, re-consider, re-view, re-evaluate and re-solve. The result can simply be that we have a better understanding of aspects of our life. Or, we can resolve to make changes based on new perspectives or insights gained during our time of reflection. So, when we take Venus into account, this retrograde period will ask us to reflect upon the role of relationships, love and passion in our lives. Venus rules two signs of the zodiac: Taurus and the second house and Libra and the seventh house. Taurus is an Earth sign and it represents our physical passions and also our values and needs for security. Libra is an Air sign and it represents our relationships and also our desire for harmony and balance. Overall, the themes of love, beauty, security and harmony are highlighted. Vulcan forging arrow for Venus who is dipping the arrows into her sweet waters In myth, Venus and Eros, or Cupid, are intertwined into the archetype of Venus. Venus prepares the arrows for Eros. She has two fountains. One fountain contains sweet waters and into these waters she dips the sharp tipped, golden arrows that attract love. The other fountain contains bitter waters and into these waters she dips the dull pointed, lead arrows that deny love. As Venus hands the prepared arrows to Eros, she reminds him that love has a deeper meaning than simply passion. So, during Venus Retrograde, we might re-flect upon the following: Do you fully recognize what you value? Are your relationships in harmony with your values? Are your relationship expectations aligned with your values? Are your relationships lasting and sustainable? Which of Eros' arrows are your experiencing (the sweet or the bitter)? Do you allow your relationships and your expectations for relationship to grow and change or are you stubbornly resistant (Taurus) to change? Do you have balance in your relationships? Do you attempt to rescue others or give too much of yourself away? Do you expect others to confirm to your ways? Are your needs for stability met in your relationships? Are you comfortable 'being yourself' in relationships? Are your material or physical expectations for a partner in harmony with your inner relationship needs? Saturn Revealing The Light of Truth
The Traveler s Well Scott Wolfram www.travelerswell.com Winter Solstice 2013 Page 5 With Venus being in the sign of Capricorn, Saturn asks us to be sure that we look at the reality and the truth of our life related to love, passion and relationships. Saturn relates the structures we build in our daily lives. These structures should support our ability to live a life of integrity that honors our own truth. Energetically, this allows Venus to attract someone who wants what we are truly all about. So, we might reflect upon the following: Do you incorporate your own 'personal truth' into relationships? Do you approach your relationships with maturity? Do the structures of our life allow you the time you need to foster your relationships? Do we place too many demands upon those we are in relationship with? Do we impose too many limitations or restrictions upon our relationships? Do all of the responsibilities of relationships fall upon you? Regarding the arrows of Eros, his is not careless, but, from time to time mischief occurs and he shoots the wrong person with the wrong arrow. As a result, passion does not guarantee love! Many myths stem from this apparently simply mistake. So, all this really says to us today is that Venus retrograde in Capricorn is a time to reflect on love and our lives. May Venus and the arrows of Eros guide you to lasting love, sweet love. We can't resist passing along this marble relief of Eros. Here, you see his quiver of arrows, with some arrows falling from his quiver in the excitement of the moment. Eros is embracing the passion of the moment.
The Traveler s Well Scott Wolfram www.travelerswell.com Winter Solstice 2013 Page 6 The Sign of Capricorn As we travel throughout Munich and Europe, we are constantly on the look out for representations of the astrological symbols. In Munich, we have found several apartment blocks with all 12 signs of the zodiac represented. We try to capture these images as best we can. Some times the angles are not good and always we need to be aware that these are people's homes and it might look odd shooting so many photos. But, we do our best and enjoy seeing our catalog of images grow. So, here is a collage of all of the Capricorn images we have collected (so far...):