Winter Solstice Brings Reflection and Inspiration

THE SUN COMPLETED its transit of Sagittarius, entering Capricorn on December 21, and, for those of us in the northern Hemisphere, ushering in the Winter Solstice. Marking the shortest day and longest night of the year, the Winter Solstice brings a "still point" in time that suggests a pause for reflection upon our lives. Reflection provides the ground for realization and inspiration. The Solstice concentrates energy that was initiated in the previous season, giving it form and direction for the future. Activities, projects, or new creations that were first envisioned last Autumn can now find a firm foundation of support for coming to fruition in the New Year.

2007 - A Year of Change and New Discoveries

New Year's Day finds the moon in mercurial Gemini, setting the tone for a year of change and new discoveries. With aspects to revolutionary Uranus and inspirational Neptune in 2007, we can expect to see innovative changes in our communication networks, as well as in film and media, and in medicine. Health care concerns will hit the spotlight, and the issue of individual rights and freedoms will be widely debated, along with concerns about the relationship between religion and politics. 2007 is a completion year during which we bring international, national, and personal issues to resolution in preparation for a new ten-year cycle beginning in 2008.

Disparity Between Personal Desire and Higher Will is Bridged

Saturn faces off with Neptune from January until mid-August, exacerbating the ages-old struggle between egocentric personal will and the will to do good for the whole of humanity. Reaching two pivotal points of maximum intensity, one at the end of February, and one June 25, the Saturn-Neptune aspect pushes for resolution. This calls for the most in individual clarity and personal integrity in making decisions that affect not only the course of our lives, but the destiny of our planet as well. A harmonious aspect between Jupiter in Sagittarius and Saturn in Leo from February until mid-June helps us to find our own deep truth, inspiring us to set a new course and take positive action. Clearly and powerfully holding your intention for livelihood that benefits humanity as well as yourself will bring the events to support your vision.

Sun in Capricorn Brings Focus to the Big Picture of Our Lives

As the year begins, the sun transits Capricorn, the sign that holds the archetype for social responsibility. Hard-working and ambitious Capricorn provides leadership through example. Anyone with the sun, moon or rising sign in Capricorn is conscientious, reliable and efficient, and will naturally gravitate toward roles of great responsibility. While the sun is in Capricorn, from December 22 until January 20, our attention is drawn to the big picture of our lives, to review our purpose and life-path, and make new decisions that will shape our intentions for the coming year.

Full Moon Inspires Balance Between Home and Work

We have a full moon in Cancer, opposite the sun in Capricorn on January 3, inspiring us, as the New Year begins, to create balance between our work and home life by remembering our values. When we make time to nurture our home, family, and close friends, our life is full, rich and satisfying. The full moon illuminates new and innovative pathways to create more balance in our lives, now, and throughout the coming year. The sun and Mercury, the planet of communication, join in Capricorn for the first week of January, forming a favorable aspect with the planet of innovation, Uranus. Use the first week of the New Year to brainstorm and envision creative solutions to areas of your life you wish to see improved.

Planetary Aspects Inspire Positive Change

From January 1-16, the planet of action, Mars, joins Pluto in Sagittarius, creating a favorable triangle aspect with Saturn. This aspect sheds light on issues that need healing and transformation in our culture and increases the potential for creative and life-transforming channels of activity that serve the higher good to be developed. On January 18, we have a new moon in Capricorn that plants a new seed for the coming four weeks. A new moon is a bit like hitting the "refresh" button - it clears the screen for new energy to get created. The Capricorn new moon highlights the potential for new ways of doing business, reaching your long-term goals, managing your finances, or organizing any aspect of your life to suit your goals. The new moon also highlights a dynamic aspect between the planet of expansion, Jupiter, and the planet of change, Uranus. This brings into sharper focus the need and potential for radical change in our world. It may also provide some inspiration into new ways that each of us can participate with bringing positive change where it is most needed.

Sun in Aquarius Brings the Vision for an Enlightened Humanity

The sun completes its journey through Capricorn, entering the sign of the humanitarian, Aquarius, on January 20. Aquarius takes the intentions formed in Capricorn to the people and into the marketplace where the new vision can be absorbed. Moving into exact orb on January 22, the Jupiter-Uranus aspect inspires positive changes that open greater possibilities in the fields of science, religion, spirituality, and the politics of energy resources. Aquarius holds the vision for an enlightened humanity living together in peace, sharing resources equitably, and creatively managing the evolution and development of our planet. As the sun moves through the sign of brotherhood-sisterhood, we may be inspired to do our part to help move our culture in the direction of Aquarian principles.

S U N   S I G N S
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	January 3 finds the full moon highlighting your home and family life. Because you characteristically go to extremes, you are encouraged to find and establish a good balance between work and play, career and family. Creative ideas are numerous and inspiration flows easily early in January. Later in the month, you make important relationship decisions that affect the course of your life.
	The full moon highlights relationships with friends, relatives, and those people with whom you have daily association. You may be drawn into new groups or group-oriented processes that awaken you to new possibilities for achieving your long-term goals. Later in the month, continued focus on your home, family, and mutual investments keeps you inspired by giving you a reason to achieve your goals.
	Your financial life is uppermost in your mind early in January as the full moon highlights your current money situation. Make sure that you and significant partners are in agreement as new career opportunities inspire you to make changes in your life that will support moving in a new direction. Remember to express your appreciation to all of those who support and encourage you along the way.
	The full moon in your sign highlights your most significant relationships and you discover your need to find the balance between giving so much of your self, and allowing others to give to you. You begin to see the harvest of all of the hard work and focus you have put into building a stronger financial base. The importance of creating new daily health and exercise routines will become apparent later in the month.
	A spiritual retreat would help you regain balance and get your new year off to a healthy start. If you are unable to get away, create one at home with some quiet evenings, no TV, a hot bath with candlelight, good music and lots of rest. Mid-month, creative energy begins to flow. As you engage with the process you get inspired to make important changes that improve the quality of your work.
	The New Year brings new friends and group associations that help you to further your personal and professional goals. Changes, and perhaps issues, with marital or business partners create the need for re-adjustment on your part. As you experience challenges in the later part of the month, focusing your attention on creative and pleasurable pursuits will help you maintain greater equilibrium and find creative solutions.
	As the holiday festivities subside, you find yourself immediately focused on career demands and goals. Creative and innovative ideas keep you moving forward with progressive changes intended to improve the quality of your everyday life, as well as increasing your effectiveness at work. You increase business by opening communications with new friends, colleagues, and professional organizations.
	The full moon on January 3 highlights long-distance travel or higher learning and brings expansion of opportunities. In the first week of January the energy is ripe for bringing a very beneficial influence if you have the opportunity to spend time with relatives. Later in the month, financial and career goals are uppermost in your mind and changes may be necessary, but positive expansion is possible.
	Jupiter in your sign opens the floodgates for new opportunities to pour into your life. The full moon highlights joint ventures that bring mutual financial, and other intangible, benefits. Changes in your home life or place of residence may be necessary, but you are prepared to navigate these changes with a sense of adventure.
	The full moon in Cancer, opposite your sun, sheds light on your most intimate relationships and business partnerships, opening a pathway for creative and effective communication. Early in the month, focus on your own skills, talents, and abilities, and develop your professional persona because you will be given opportunities to use your gifts later in the month. Assistance will come from unexpected sources.
	You are inspired to create new health, diet and exercise routines that promote greater vitality and improve your mood. Changes in your financial situation are in the wings, and you begin to see how you can effectively create more abundance in your life. Partners and friends are most helpful, and group associations open the pathways to greater success.
	The full moon in Cancer highlights fun and creativity early this month. Spending some time visualizing and setting goals for the coming year will be time well spent, as you can now set some very powerful intentions that will help you create the changes you have been seeking. Follow up on all career opportunities, even if they require you to make significant changes, because these opportunities can lead to success.

© Carolina Eastwood-Parkyn, 2006

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolina Eastwood-Parkyn is a professional astrological consultant, counselor, and teacher with over 22 years experience providing insight and guidance for clients throughout the world. Carolina has appeared on national TV, hosted radio shows, spoken at national conventions, and presented classes and workshops to numerous audiences.

Your astrological chart is your "blueprint" for this lifetime. A personal session with Carolina is a journey deep into the heart of your being, a look at your entire lifetime, and a remembrance of your spiritual purpose. For more information, or to schedule a session with Carolina, call Earth Star Consulting Services 1 858 - 259-1590, or email to estar@greencafe.com.

You can also visit Carolina's website at www.earthstarconsulting.