As we approach Christmas Day, despite the commercial frenzy, the anticipation of something significant grows.

As early as 221CE and definitely by 354CE the birth of Jesus was connected to December 25. The earliest written mention of December 25 as Jesus’ birthday comes from a mid 4th century Roman almanac (The Philocalian Calendar) that lists December 25 as: natus Christus in Betleem Judeae: (Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea). In fact, no one knows the true birth date of Jesus but even historians believe it to be somewhere in September through Biblical description. It is written that, at the time of his birth, shepherds were tending their flock, implying warmer weather. December 25 is in the heart of the cold Judean winter when shepherds are inside and so is the flock. And if we go back to the story of Jesus’ birth, he was said to be born of the virgin Mary. In astrology, the virgin refers to the constellation of Virgo (Latin for virgin), commonly depicted as a maiden with a sheaf of wheat, but Virgo is also known as the ‘house of bread’. Note that the Sun is in the constellation of Virgo during August/September, the time of the harvest in the northern hemisphere. Jesus’ alleged birth place Bethlehem means ‘house of bread’, therefore Bethlehem also relates to an area of the sky (Virgo), not necessarily a place on Earth.

The prominence of December 25 begins with Emperor Aurelian who made Sol Invictus (the Unconquered Sun) the state religion of Rome on December 25 in 274. In 313 Constantine made Christianity legal and by 380 Theodosius declared Christianity the religion of Rome. Naturally December 25 became the celebration of the birth of Christ, not Sol Invictus. And similarly, some years later, Charlemagne was crowned Emperor on Christmas Day in 800, King Edmund the Martyr was anointed on Christmas Day in 855, and King William I of England was crowned on Christmas Day 1066, the chart we use for England today.

We now associate Christmas with Christianity but what are the origins of Christmas and how is it related to astrology?

Before Christians adopted December 25 as the celebration of the birth of Christ, the northern hemisphere Winter Solstice was celebrated at this time of year. At the time of the winter solstice the days are short, the nights are long and cold and it’s a time for indoor activities and inner reflection. On the day of the solstice, and the 2 days following (22, 23, 24), the Sun ascends to the same point in the sky, which is also its lowest point south, and during this time it is closest to the constellation Crux (cross). The Sun appears to die on the cross. On the 3rd day, December 25, the Sun rises 1° higher in the sky and the day is slightly longer. Before the Solstice, the Sun is said to be “conquered” by the dark but, soon after, daylight hours begin to increase in length. The Sun is said to be reborn – the return of the Sun as King. At the March Equinox / Spring / Easter, the Sun officially overpowers the darkness, ie. is ‘resurrected, as the days become longer than the night. Hence our Sun’s yearly journey parallels the life of Christ (or is it the other way around?).

The pagan origins of Christmas stem back to ancient Babylon with the feast of the Son of Isis (Goddess of Nature), which was celebrated on December 25. Wild partying, gluttonous eating and drinking, and gift-giving were traditions of this feast. The Romans celebrated the solstice with the Saturnalia honouring Saturn, the god of agriculture. This whole celebratory season into January was called Dies Natalis Invicti Solis, the Birth of the Unconquered Sun.

And in ancient Egypt, the god Horus was born of the virgin Isis on December 25,
- his birth was accompanied by a star in the east, which 3 kings followed to adore the newborn,
- he began teaching at 12, was baptized by Anap at 30
- had 12 disciples that he travelled around with performing miracles (like healing the sick and walking on water),
- he was known by many names such as ‘the lamb of god’, ‘the light’, ‘the good shepherd’ etc,
- after being betrayed by Typhon, Horus was crucified, buried and was resurrected 3 days later…

But Horus is not alone; many other deities have a very similar story, for example:
- Attis the Phrygian
- Krishna
- Dionysus
- Mithra of Persia
- Odin
- Tammuz
to name a few. Jesus is just one in a long line of ‘solar’ messiahs.

In fact the ‘story’ of the birth of Christ as it relates to Christmas is purely astrological. The story begins with the bright star in the east that led the three wise men / kings to the baby Jesus. This bright star is Sirius. On December 24 it rises and aligns with the 3 brightest stars in Orion’s belt, commonly known as the 3 kings. They all point to the place where the Sun rises on December 25. The 3 kings follow the star in the east to mark the sunrise ie. the birth of the Sun. This brings us back to the pagan celebration of the Unconquered Sun, and let’s face it, without the Sun there’d be no light, no life and nothing to celebrate !

All hail the mighty Sun of God, and long may it reign in our skies, feed our crops, and bring bountiful harvests to all.

Hope you enjoy the season according to your own tradition and share it happily with your folk and kin.

Happy, Merry Solstice

2nd and 3rd image courtesy of Zeitgeist: The Movie (2007)

Using the Hubble Space Telescope astronomers have discovered a fourth moon orbiting Pluto. Temporarily designated P4, it is a tiny satellite being around 13-34km in diameter. By comparison, Pluto’s largest moon Charon is 1,043 km across. The new moon is located between the orbits of Nix and Hydra, which Hubble discovered in 2005. Charon was discovered in 1978 at the U.S. Naval Observatory.

P4 was first seen in a photo taken with the Hubble Telescope on June 28, and confirmed in subsequent Hubble pictures taken on July 3 and July 18. It has an orbit of 31 days – our own moon has an orbit of 29 days.

NASA’s New Horizons mission is scheduled to fly through the Pluto system in 2015.

The discovery chart has the Sun at 7°Cancer. The Sabian Symbol for this degree speaks of imagination and the play of invisible and mysterious forces – so appropriate for a body under Pluto’s influence.

reference – http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/20jul_p4/

The Sun and Moon are the two luminaries in our natal chart. While the Sun radiates its own light and energy the Moon reflects the light and energy of the Sun. The golden Sun is yang and active, creates our daylight and gives life to the solar system, whereas the Moon and her changing silvery face in the night sky is yin and receptive and controls the fluids of everything on Earth. And because the Moon reflects the light of the Sun, it moves through phases that change according to its relative position to the Sun.

The cycle starts with the New Moon, when the Moon sits between the Earth and the Sun. This is the zero point, and the beginning of this 28-day cycle. From a barely perceptible sliver, the Moon grows (waxes) and builds to the Full Moon (opposing or 180° from the Sun), then wanes (decreases) until it finally disappears into another invisible New Moon. In astrology we recognise 8 phases of the Moon. Each phase lasts about three and a half days or 45 degrees, and everyone is born with the Moon in a particular phase. As the Moon rules the mind, the phase describes one’s mental focus and outlook. The cycle itself as the light increases and fades is like an awakening in consciousness, the changing tide or the life cycle of a plant.

To calculate your Moon phase, count the degrees anticlockwise from your Sun to your Moon.

New Moon: 0°– 44°59’
Keywords: beginning, winter
The seed is responding to nutrients; life is stirring in darkness; acting on instinct; immature, naïve, spontaneous, forward seeking; open to possibilities and new ideas

Crescent Moon: 45°–89°59’
Keywords: initiative, breakthrough
The sprout breaks through the earth; life is newly visible but also vulnerable; focus develops; weeding out unnecessary ideas; striving to achieve yet reluctant to leave the ‘nest’

1st Quarter Moon: 90°–134°59’
Keywords: growth, spring, crisis-in-action
A point of crisis and a time for action – forge forward, or die; the halfway point; leaves, stem and roots form; the unfurling of a plan; confidence builds; challenges encountered; work required

Gibbous Moon: 135°–179°59’
Keywords: perfection, analysis
The flower bud is visible; perfecting; plan is analysed and tweaked to achieve the imminent goal; work load reaches a peak; expectations are high; confidence is tested

Full Moon: 180°–224°59’
Keywords: objectivity, clarity, summer
In full flower as fruit forms; fulfillment phase; the goal is reached; imminent harvest; you reap what you have sown – rich pickings or rotten weeds; instinct gives way to consciousness; sun and moon oppose each other creating balance or instability

Disseminating Moon: 225°–269°59’
Keywords: harvest, sharing
Fruit ripens fully; distribution of the harvest; sharing with others; innate objectivity and conscious awareness; wise-one or know-it-all; publicist / reporter / teacher / philosopher

3rd Quarter Moon: 270°–314°59’
Keywords: decline, alchemy, autumn
The crop has withered; winding down; the fruits of labour are turned into wine and conserves, etc; dissatisfaction if the crop has failed; a crisis in consciousness; moving inwards, releasing worldly concerns; elimination begins

Balsamic Moon: 315°–359°59’
Keywords: passing, retreat, endings
End of the cycle; the soil is turned, the new seed is buried; let go of the old to make way for the new; a time of retreat and inward silence; bridge between past and future; karma is realised, synthesised and released; the guru

We are about to witness a Royal wedding, and somewhat of a fairytale, between a Prince and a commoner. What’s that? You say you didn’t get an invitation. Well don’t despair – the ceremony will be telecast across the globe.

In many ways the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton fulfils a promise made by William’s parents 30 years ago – also a marriage between a Prince and a commoner. But unlike Charles and Di, Wills and Kate are close in age, have known each other for a long time and have planets and points in common. They have a good foundation that bodes well for their compatibility and the longevity of the marriage.

The wedding is scheduled for 11am Friday 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey. Here is the chart:

The wedding chart has the fixed sign of Leo on the Ascendant suggesting a stable union, which is reinforced by the ruling Sun (William) elevated and positively aspected to powerful Pluto. Sun in Taurus indicates that William will follow tradition and naturally defer to his grandmother (a Taurus). Natally William has a gentle Venus in Taurus, a sensitive Sun/Moon in Cancer, Saturn exalted in Libra and a benign Mars in Libra. He will not be making waves or changes to the status quo and will make an excellent husband.

Unlike Charles and Diana, William and Kate have known each other for a long time and allowed their relationship to develop slowly. Charles and Di did not know each other well and the synastry in their natal charts was not as good as the young couple. Being 30 years later, their wedding, like that of Charles and Diana, has Saturn in Libra. Saturn rules slow movement and careful planning so this new union starts on a better footing. Perhaps now the promise of a harmonious commitment (Saturn in Libra) will be fulfilled through William and Kate.

One of the keys to the breakdown of Charles and Di’s union was the harsh aspect between their natal Moons. The Moon rules needs and emotional ease and Diana felt greatly unloved and uncared for. In fact, Charles married her while he was in love with someone else … an obvious recipe for disaster. Their wedding was doomed from the outset. Wills and Kate share the Moon in Cancer – in rulership, sensitive, caring, inclusive and protective. William especially will want to shield Kate and keep their privacy intact.

Wills and Kate clearly love each other, and there are no ‘others’ on the scene. However, Venus in the wedding chart is in detriment and will not behave as well as it should. In fact Venus in Aries is lusty, aggressive and impulsive. The relationship could make news headlines for its unorthodox ways, and often. Hard to believe of a sensitive Cancer and sensible Capricorn but astro-synastry demands that all the planetary energies be played out. Kate may discover a wild side to her personality. Her own Venus in Aquarius relates well to this Venus so be surprised and delighted by the freshness she may bring. Venus rules the 11th (friends) and the 4th (home and family). It may be friends and family who betray secrets to the voracious media, lured by temptation and opportunity.

What saves Venus is Mars in Aries (in rulership), angular and astride Jupiter. This amplifies the power and strength of Mars, which also rules the Midheaven – their public persona. Despite the circulation of ‘dirt’ this couple will have innate dignity that will carry them through rough patches.

Another difficulty in the chart is the balsamic moon. It highlights the end of something – obviously bachelorhood and old friendships. William will find this easy but Kate may mourn the loss and feel a sense of abandonment. It is to be expected. Hopefully she will adjust quickly to the role. The wedding chart of Charles & Di also had a balsamic Moon and a debilitated Venus. Hmmm … but this chart isn’t ruled by a weak planet …. ahhhhh. A relief perhaps but difficult energy has a way of putting a spanner in the works.

William is a solstice baby with his Sun and Moon at 0 Cancer, born on a solar eclipse so his Moon is also in Cancer. He has a youthful freshness and an air of naiveté. Anyone born near an eclipse will make a significant mark on the planet before they leave it. Becoming King should do it ! But the eclipse suggests more – watch this space…

Addendum:
In centuries past, those in the line of succession were required to marry from a royal or noble family. These marriages were often arranged to form strategic alliances to strengthen the power or influence of the royal house. They did not take an individual’s personal feelings or preferences into consideration.
 
Note that during the latter half of 20th century it became more common for royals to marry for love and choose a commoner. Consequently, commoners joined the royal circle and had to become familiar with their arcane rites and rituals, as well as the stress of living their lives in the public eye subject to the relentless attention of the media. The commoner often finds ‘royal life’ difficult, but most eventually adapt, whereas the royal has been groomed for the role all their life.

Other examples include:
Prince Frederik of Denmark and Princess Mary (Donaldson) – married 14 May 2004
King Mohammed VI of Morocco and Princess Lalla Salma (Bennani) – 12 October 2001
King Abdullah of Jordan and Queen Rania (al Yassin) – 10 June 1993
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and Maria Teresa (Mestre y Batista) – 14 February 1981
King Carl Gustav of Sweden and Queen Silvia (Sommerlath) – 19 June 1976
King Harald V of Norway and Queen Sonja (Haraldsen) – 29 August 1968
Emperor Akihito of Japan and Empress Michiko (Shoda) – 10 April 1959
Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Princess Grace (Kelly) – 18 April 1956

Well change is afoot, as if you didn’t notice. There is so much action on a global scale that it’s hard to know where to focus first. And it promises to get even more intense as the Nodes change sign. This is something they do every 18 months. Thursday 3 March at 12pm UT the Nodes moved from Capricorn/Cancer to Sagittarius/Gemini. The intensity around security and stability takes a back seat as communicating the truth becomes paramount. This is a “Wikileaks” bonanza energy – the truth will light up every newspaper, blog, screen and dial.

Sagittarius may have foot-in-mouth and tends to exaggerate but it is extremely honest and loyal. It’s counterpart Gemini has a tendency to scatter energy often having too many irons in the fire but with Sagittarian vision together they have the potential to realise big goals. Through the numerous connections and activities that fill up each day amazing opportunities will reveal themselves. The challenge is to pare away the excess and the unnecessary to get to the heart of the matter and don’t hesistate. The opportunities are short lived. And while detail threatens to cloud the bigger picture remember – it’s all in the detail.