In preparation for the Solstice
Where have you expanded or contracted this past year?
Living in harmony with the rhythms of nature is one of the keys to staying healthy - physically, mentally, and spiritually. Your body knows the Sun is slowing down as it prepares to turn northward again in its journey. The part of you that knows it is nature also knows this is the season to pause and fully digest what you have consumed - physically,, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Whether you plan to attend our Solstice retreat on the 20th or not, take advantage of the slowdown of the cosmic energies to take stock of 2024. Below are some prompts to help you digest and integrate 2024.
Go back through your journals, calendar, and photos to identify the milestones of your year, perhaps by season - winter (through March); spring (through May); summer (through August); and autumn up to now.
Where were you for the “Great American” total Solar Eclipse in Aries on April 8th? In what part of your life was there a “power surge” or “power outage”?
The two forces of life are expansion and contraction. In what ways did you expand during the past year? Where did you/your life contract? And how did each inform the other?
Other key astrology events that, depending on your chart, may have brought some new energy into your life include these:
Pluto (the great composter and ruler of dark places) moved from Capricorn to Aquarius on January 20th, then briefly back again between September 2 and November 19th. It is in Aquarius now - and a new part of your chart - for 20 years.
Jupiter, force of expansion and more everything, moved from Taurus (slow, earthy, material) into Gemini (fast, thoughts and ideas, information flow) on May 25th, where it stays until June, 2025.
In addition to the April total solar eclipse in Aries, we had partial lunar eclipses in Libra on March 25th, and in Pisces on September 18th (heralding the eclipses of 2025). Plus, an annular (“ring of fire”) solar eclipse on October 2nd.
The conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus at 21 Taurus may have initiated radical expansion into some area of your life.
Mars is retrograde now through February, 2025 for the first time in two years. It moves back through both early Leo and late Cancer, asking you to slow down, look back, and honor your energy and desires.
Today’s Full Moon in Gemini and Mercury stationing direct can bring light and insight to your explorations.
May your review of 2024 help you gain greater clarity on your dreams and desires for 2025.
In Friday’s Solstice retreat, we’ll review and celebrate together the milestones of 2024, then sink deeply into our dreams for 2025 and beyond.
The retreat includes meditation, journal prompts, and a deep embodiment practice of yoga nidra (deep relaxation) at the end to anchor your intention in your body and heart. Paid subscribers get in free. If you can’t be there live (Dec. 20th, 1-4pm Mountain), you can listen to the recording at the best time for you. Become a paid subscriber below, or purchase the retreat on its own for $79.