Hey Star Travellers,
Well, this year has certainly been an interesting ride – with a fair share of ups a downs, one of the main features of 2023 has been a radical transformation in our love lives, relationships, how we show up, what we value, desire, want and need from the people around us – but most importantly, being shown the divine mirror in the form of our most intimate relations.
- What would life look like if I showed up for myself as much as I do for others?
- What would happen if I stopped acting to be liked by everyone and started genuinely liking who I am – wrinkles, warts and all?
- What would happen if I started aligning with my true north and not what other people expected of me?
- What if I stopped listening to what friends and family and media say, but started reflecting, journaling, seeing a therapist and started to learn more about the unconscious patterns driving my choices?
Venus in Libra – 30/11 – 25 /12
Taurus and Libra folks can breathe a sigh of relief as Venus is now content in her own sign Libra until the end of the month. For the past six months venus has traversed through the Cancer -Leo – Virgo arc, where she slowed down, went retrograde, was combust, aspected by saturn, debilitated in virgo, and now she can finally breathe again, repairing, healing and restoring, integrating the lessons of the past 6 months.
Venus is relationships, and there have been many separations and changes within certain relational structures and units. However we should all emerge out of this time with a clearer understanding of ourselves, needs, values and desires – on a deeper level, venus relates to our sense of worth, how much and how we value ourselves – which is often reflected in the type pf partners we choose – everyone is a divine mirror and can assist us on our evolutionary journey.
While in Libra, Pluto squares Venus (exact 3-6 Dec, but felt throughout the month) which can trigger some intense power plays in relationships – issues and themes of betrayal can come up – there is also some lingering fears around finances, so it’s a good time to be prudent and cautious of major purchases at this time – good investment opportunities are likely now.
As well, Venus is hemmed between two malefics, causing a paap katari yoga, so we are still healing and processing from the past situation. However all this is cyclical, and will pass, expect deep catharsis and change as Venus moves into Scorpio where some issues over power, control and obsession may emerge again.
Jupiter direct Dec 31st
Jupiter, our great benefic and protector, has been retrograde since Sept 4 in the sign of Aries. This transit has opened many new opportunities and pioneered new developments in whatever area Aries rules in your chart – Aries is the head and brain, so this transit has catalysed new ways of thinking, seeing and believing – Jupiter is our beliefs, values, morals and ethics, as well as teachers, mentors and gurus.
When retrograde, we tend to rethink our position on these things. Our choices based on our philosophical stance can be up for review. Jupiter also reflects wealth and finances, and male partners.
Since April, Jupiter has been afflicted by the shadow graha Rahu, amplifying to good but also creating shadows and illusions where we are taken in by the shine only to realise that all that glitters is not gold. Jupiter has also been restricted by Saturn, preventing form giving his full blessings, but this can give a positive restraint on an otherwise over expansive nature – form and structure make space functional.
As Jupiter moves direct on Dec 31st, in the star Ashwini, this can be a wonderful time for swift healing, particularly in relationships, where the past cycles are complete and a new beginning can unfold. Much clarity will return and Jupiter will be able to bless us with new opportunities.
Saturn Direct in Aquarius
Saturn has been in Aquarius fully since January this year, with only a brief dip in 2022. He was retrograde from June 18 this year and just moved direct on Nov 4th, where he has been stationed at 6° for about a moth, but now is moving back to regular speed. Many situations which has stalled or been stagnant can now move forward again. Saturn rules Aquarius – the 11th sign of goals, gains, communities and humanitarian, large scale organisations and groups.
30 years ago, the internet started to emerge as a more common reality, radically changing the ay we connect and communicate – all of this year we have seen huge developments in tech, specifically with AI – ChaptGPT & now the unveiling of Google : Gemini – Google’s newest AI model, set to make Chat GPT look like a kid’s toy!
Aries, Leo, Aquarius and Scorpio signs are most impacted by Saturn’s restrictions at the moment. His influence at best can help catalyse long term planning, discipline, and foster a sense of duty and responsibility to the areas of life indicated by the position of these signs in your chart.
Mars Long Combustion 11 Sept 2023 – 24 Jan 2024
Mars is experiencing a lengthy combustion with the Sun as it moved from libra, now in scorpio, will cross the tricky gandanta zone and stays combust as it moves with the Sun to Sagittarius – These transits specifically impact Aries and Scorpio folks.
It can bring out too much heat – excessive anger, frustration, low energy or too high energy, strong egoic clashes with authorities and random aggressive behaviour especially on the roads – so be careful! This energy impacts the flow of Agni tattva – the fire element – it can be under or overactive, but struggles to maintain balance –
Mars as the warrior may look for fights in places where it is unnecessary – for eg, Taurus rising folks will have this happening in their 7th and 8th houses bringing issues with relationships, family, finances and business.
This New Moon in Scorpio on Dec 13th is likely very intense as mercury stations direct and it will be in the star Jyestha which is not an easy constellation – Expect stormy weather, literally and figuratively.
Heated emotions, clashes and perhaps some violent or aggressive events from 12-14th. Moon will be in a tricky place, hemmed between sun and mars in the tail of scorpio, gandanta – some situations may feel out of control & volatile don’t plan for anything risky or dangerous over this time.
New moon is a time to withdraw from the world a little bit, return home to the heart, set intentions and prepare for a new lunar cycle. Don’t begin anything now until moon has passed through gandanta and moves into Sag.
Scorpio’s higher power is one of deep introspection, contemplation, transformation and radical healing – we can use this dark moon to dive deep into our subconscious patterns which may be blocking you from the life that you truly wish to create – use the world as a mirror to improve, don’t attack the mirror – our deeper stuff may be rising to the surface at this time.
Sun transits to Sagittarius 15 -17 Dec – this is gandanta, mars is combust, there is an ending to something, coupled with new moon and mercury moving retrograde, this is not the week to overplan as stress levels can be at an all time high – plan ahead and give yourself time and space this week, things will definitely NOT go to plan, so let go and let god.
Mercury Retrograde 13 Dec – 1 Jan
This mercury retro cycle is a complicated one as mercury will be crossing the most difficult gandanta zone (scorpio-sag) 2 more times – so this is a heads up for Virgo and Gemini Folks! Unfortunately this holiday season is set for some upheavals, change of plans, cancellations and general mishaps, especially around the days where mercury stations 12- 14 Dec and 31-2 Jan – Try avoid travelling on those dates if you can, or if you have to make sure you give yourself extra time to get to where you need to go.
Retrograde allows us space to rethink situations, go over half baked ideas and projects and generally review aspects of our lives that may not be going smoothly. It can also trigger excessive overthinking, changes of minds, but also allows us to see things in a new way so don’t be afraid to change your mind – remember, the measure of intelligence is the ability to change !
Chanting Om Namo Narayana and Om Gam Ganapataye namah can be very soothing to take the mind away from the intensity of the moment and remind us this is all a passing moment – remember to breathe deeply , connect your mind and body through breath and sail on the winds of the ever changing flow and rhythm of life. Stay calm and cool during this period!
I hope you enjoyed reading this update for December – if you enjoy my content consider contributing through Buy me a Coffee – every little bit helps (and i can continue to create content like this to serve )
If you would like to book a 2024 reading, now is the time before i increase my prices in January – you can schedule your appointment by following the link below:
Thank you and have a wonderful Dec & New Year
Love, Darinka
Darinka Maja 
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