On December 23, we have a new Moon in Sagittarius. This is a great way to start the holiday season, as the new Moon represents a fresh start as we end the year. The new Moon will be with the Sun, Venus and Mercury, so we have four planets in this sign. Sagittarius is the natural ninth house and implies purpose and a strong sense of righteousness. It is symbolized by half man, half horse (centaur) holding a bow and arrow with aim and direction. The half horse creates a need for travel and movement combined with a desire for freedom and independence. The half man indicates a brave warrior. Note the word “centaur” has “taur” which is similar to “taurus”. The centaur can have the properties of a bull, and because Taurus and Sagittarius are eight signs apart, transformation and security can result through movement and forward motion.
With a cluster of planets in Sagittarius, we have mixed energies from the nakshatras. The Sun is in Mula, the Moon and Venus are in PurvAshada and Mercury is in Uttarashada. Mula is ruled by Ketu and provides introspection to let go,tear things apart and get to the root of the matter. Purvashada and Uttarashada are ruled by Venus and the Sun, respectively. Although Venus and the Sun are inimical to one another, both these nakshatras work in conjunction. Purvashada is known as the “former” and UttarAshada is known as the “latter”. Purvashada, being entirely in Sagittarius, helps Uttarashada move ahead. Uttarashada, residing in both Sagittarius and Capricorn, assists Purvashada to utilize practicality and diligence. Both are symbolized by the elephant tusk, with Purvashada symbolizing the left tusk and Uttarashada symbolizing the right tusk. As elephants were signs of royalty, tusks symbolize processions and have the strength to pierce through obstacles and challenges.
Purvashada is ruled by Venus, revealing a chase for material pursuits. It means undefeated and invincible, with an innate ability to learn how to relentlessly pursue goals. It is symbolized by a fan, indicating to keep calm during heated times. The fan can also act as a shield, providing privacy and protection. Uttarashada is ruled by the Sun and covers the latter part of Sagittarius and the beginning of Capricorn. Sagittarius provides the drive for completion, while Capricorn couples hard work with perseverance. The Sun symbolizes leaders and authority, so Uttarashada relates to searching for power and dominance.
All four planets are faced with a retrograde Mars’ eighth aspect and Rahu’s ninth aspect. Mars is a friend of the Sun, so his energy will help the Sun through his mission. Mars is neutral to Venus and the Moon and an enemy to Mercury, so relationships can be high strung and driven by emotion for the rest of the month. Rahu’s aspects can lead to overindulgence and addictions (not surprising as it’s the holidays!). In addition, Jupiter, although not aspecting Sagittarius, is its sign ruler and moved direct in Pisces on Thanksgiving. This gives more hope that we are moving towards a renewal. Saturn is coming to a close in its transit in Capricorn and will be finishing up what it has been working through for the last two and a half years as it gets ready to move to the sign of Aquarius in January 2023.
There is a strong theme of ending and completions marked with harsh lessons learned and challenges overcome in this past year. We have completed a circle, but like any circle, there is no clear demarcation of endings, only feelings and desire that the old cannot survive and must be replaced with something new, even if the new is unknown and unfamiliar, as that can be the spear for change.
#newmooninsagittarius #mooninpurvaashada #newmooninpurvaashada #newbeginnings