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To live lightheartedly but not recklessly; to be gay without being boisterous; to be courageous without being bold; to show trust and cheerful resignation without fatalism—this is the art of living. Jean de La Fontaine

But I was so much older then; I’m younger than that now. Bob Dylan

If youth but had the knowledge and old age the strength. French proverb

I’m aiming by the time I’m fifty to stop being an adolescent. Charles Caleb Colton

If youth knew; if age could. Henri Estienne

You’re only young once, but you can be immature forever. John Greier

Be wise with speed, for a youth at 40 is a fool indeed. Edward Young

Don’t trust anyone over 30 who used to say “Don’t trust anyone over 30”. Anon

The trick is growing up without growing old. Casey Stengel

Stupid is forever. Anon

December’s full Moon is on December 7 in the U.S. and December 8 in Australia. As often happens with lunations, this full Moon is quite a mixed package and just how it’s going to unfold is unclear, but, sticking to our sense of personal integrity and perhaps counting to ten before reacting can help a great deal – well, especially now.

This full Moon is conjunct (very tightly on the same degree) transiting retrograde Mars. It’s interesting to note that Mars went retrograde at the end of October on Gemini 26: WINTER FROST IN THE WOODS, and, this full Moon is a very strong Mars event, and, The Old Farmer’s Almanac describes it as the Cold Moon. Check this link out – the Almanac has this headline for this full Moon – Bundle Up For December’s Full Cold Moon. Of course, the ‘coldness’ around this retrograde Mars and this full Moon are not always about the ‘temperature’ – it can be about situations in our lives that feel cold and uncaring. Plus, not all of us live in the northern hemisphere. However, having said that, many in the colder climes are having a difficult time with the extreme costs of heating, energy and power.

The full Moon and Mars are sitting on a Symbol that speaks about our rights and about the need to evolve’, ‘grow up’, take life more seriously, etc. It can speak of wishing that others would stop ‘tearing around’ and evading responsibilities and acting childishly. The Sabian Symbol is Gemini 17: THE HEAD OF A ROBUST YOUTH CHANGES INTO THAT OF A MATURE THINKER.

Mars retrograde being exactly conjunct this full Moon is a big part of the ‘madness’ that I’ve put in the title of this newsletter, and there’s a lot of it about. Mars being conjunct the full Moon means that it’s also opposite the Sun. This can bring about emotions being overblown and out of control. Mars during it’s retrograde and then the prograde period, which doesn’t clear until mid-March of 2023, has several ‘going on strike’, ‘hell no, I won’t do it’ and ‘what about my rights?’ in Gemini. So, we see protests, strikes and anger erupting all over the world – most notably in China, Iran, Brazil, and, many others. Of course, we can have anger and protesting in our own backyards with our own personal stories. You can see where protests are happening through this link.

The ‘miracles’ part of this full Moon is Venus sitting exactly on the Galactic Center. Venus is on Sagittarius 28: A SPLENDIDLY BUILT BRIDGE, A HERITAGE OF UNKNOWN AGES, STILL SPANS THE BEAUTIFUL AND WILDLY PRIMITIVE STREAM. The GC is where we can connect with ‘The Mind of God’, or, in other words, where we can more fully access the Law of Attraction. I see the ‘Bridge’ degree as the space that we can connect with God, others, issues and solutions. Of course, we have to access our faith, our belief in the goodness of life, and, we may need to construct ways and means of crossing divides in order to find those solutions and reliefs. This is also the ‘motivation’ that we can analyse and dissect in order to find answers to our questions.

Venus is also squaring Jupiter in the days leading up to the full Moon and a few days following. This can have us wanting to expand, to explore new opportunities and to be generous in our attitudes towards others. There also often needs to be a caution with this energy: We may overspend, overeat, over give, etc. There may need to be forgiveness around others hurting us, disagreeing with our stance or just disagreeing with us (and vice versa) in general. Looking at motives, of oneself and others can help dispel some (perhaps all) disagreements. The old saying that there’s ‘two sides to every story’ can lead to resolutions, although it can be folly to let others walk all over us because of differences of opinion and the projecting of one’s shadow onto others.

Another noteworthy aspect is Pallas Athena and Lilith exactly conjunct on Cancer 27: A FURIOUS STORM IN A RESIDENTIAL CANYON FILLED WITH VALUABLE HOMES (everyone’s home is ‘valuable’). Pallas and Lilith, both showing the ‘feminine aspect’ are exactly opposite Pluto on Capricorn 27: A MOUNTAIN PILGRIMAGE – which can talk about ambition, desire, striving, and, it can be rather not caring about others’ viewpoints or struggles as some just push and push to get to ‘the top’. Although, of course, it can be about spiritual striving – the push to remove ourselves from the ‘lowlands’ in order to get to more exalted, elevated outcomes and realities.

This full Moon is trine to Saturn, which can have us working at situations, solutions and ways of making our lives better. However, there might be some sadness or feelings of neglect or depression around as Saturn is on Aquarius 21: A WOMAN DISAPPOINTED AND DISILLUSIONED, COURAGEOUSLY FACING THE FUTURE. We may need to drop the ‘disappointed and disillusioned’ and get to work envisioning our future as a more rewarding or fulfilling reality.

There’s much more to say about this – there always is.

Use this link if you want to subscribe to Lynda’s Sabian Symbol newsletter.

The following are my interpretations of the Sabian Symbols for the planetary positions at the time of this full Moon. The shorter interps are my text that are included with Solar Fire software.

The Sabian Symbol for December’s full Moon in Gemini is Gemini 17: THE HEAD OF A ROBUST YOUTH CHANGES INTO THAT OF A MATURE THINKER – the following is my full interpretation from my book The Sabian Oracle: 360 Degrees Of Wisdom – 

Commentary: ‘The Head of a Robust Youth Changes Into That of a Mature Thinker’ shows that the young male energy in us has to grow up sooner or later. The various stages of life’s experience are often marked by the changing appearance of our face as we age and the lines and gray hair appear. Life can only be lived in the fast lane for so long. It may have been appropriate to be somewhat young and reckless, but now it is time to stop “tearing around”, to be more responsive to life and aware of its limitations and the consequences of one’s actions. Growing up and taking a more ‘Mature’ attitude will bring a new understanding of the world and how it works.

Oracle: Regardless of age, it’s time for a more ‘Mature’ attitude. The old ways of solving things will no longer work because this situation requires a more mature response, which will lead to another level of wisdom. There is only so much that one can do with youthful force – now it’s time to use your intuition and intellect. Look to what’s being learnt and allow wisdom to shine through. Even though there may be some level of pain in adjusting to a life with more responsibilities, let the situation help bring about any necessary changes, even if they are hard to bear at first. Once we mature in life it is rare to go backwards. Feel and acknowledge the ‘Youthful’ mindset that is now changing, evolving and growing. Think things through and look to the consequences of your actions. More respect will, or at least should, be shown towards people as they ‘Mature’ and take on a more thinking attitude. Getting to know yourself and your responses to the environment will produce a more ‘Mature’, grounded and empowered you.

Keywords: Thinking with the higher mind. Gaining maturity. Making wise decisions. Using the system to get what one wants. Growing up “overnight”. Having to change whether one likes it or not. Learning the lessons that come with age. Initiations into adulthood. Life changing events. Thinking, pondering. Finding a state of calm. Refined thinking. Facing reality.

The Caution: Suddenly becoming old. Losing innocence and energy. Clinging to the illusions of childhood. Peter-Pan attitudes. “Never growing up”. Feeling old when one could, or should, be feeling young. Hormones taking over and dictating behavior. Reacting with the lower emotional nature. Forever adolescent.

The Karmic Condition (the previous degree) of this full Moon and Mars is Gemini 16: A WOMAN ACTIVIST ON A PLATFORM, IN AN EMOTIONAL SPEECH, DRAMATIZING HER CAUSE

This Symbol shows the periodic need to be able to voice one’s needs, frustrations or demands without fear of being reprimanded. Sometimes, you may feel misunderstood and disadvantaged simply because of who you are or the position you hold. Even when you stand up for what you feel, you may strike resistance, partly due to others’ ignorance. You must press your case or the status quo will remain. If the cause is just and your communications are clear, you will be heard by those who understand or resonate with what you are saying and your influence will spread.

Keywords: Stating one’s case. Revealing social passions. Being a mouthpiece for the emotions of the collective. The desire to be heard. Having a platform or stage. The need for rational emotional points to be made. Being the “underdog”. Many things running through the mind. The battle between the masculine and the feminine. Taking it to the streets. Announcements. Fighting for a cause. Having to shoulder too many things.

The Caution: Pressing opinions on the unwilling and disinterested. Feeling that no one listens or cares. Rational or political structures overriding one’s life. Going over the top trying to get a message across. Feeling like the “woman”who is never listened to. Controlling the agenda. Hormonal swings. Male chauvinism blocking female progress. Justifying oneself. Silly ideas.

The Quest Degree (the degree following) this full Moon and Mars is Gemini 18: TWO CHINESE MEN TALKING CHINESE IN A WESTERN CROWD

This Symbol implies being able to find someone to communicate with, even when you’re in what might feel like alien territory. You may feel that you are often surrounded by people who don’t understand you or even suspect your ways of doing things or your motives. Finding someone of like mind or feeling will help you feel more comfortable and secure. Thinking and speaking in your native tongue or a language that reflects your thoughts and beliefs will bring greater ease and comfort. Sharing mutual thoughts can help transcend feelings of alienation and can lead to new understanding.

Keywords: Finding those of like mind. Leaving the “western crowd” behind. People having a specialized language that doesn’t communicate with the larger population. Exclusivity in communication. Interpreting or misinterpreting tones of voice. People being drawn to each other. “Chinese whispers”.

The Caution: Reluctance to adapt. Being with people who don’t share the same philosophies or understandings. No one to communicate with on the same level. Stories that get out of control. Depending on others to mirror one’s self. Being in alien territory. Schizophrenia. Hearing voices. Racism.

The Sabian Symbol for the Sun at the full Moon is Sagittarius 17: AN EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE DRAWS A LARGE CROWD

This degree shows the ability, and the necessity, of being able to rise up after difficulties in one’s life, somewhat like the Phoenix rising from the ashes. One needs to maintain hope and draw together with others who share a sense of faith in the future and in community and the goodness of life. There will be times of spiritual rebirth where you can rise above the failings of the past into new beginnings. Coming out of doubt and despair can lead to a new sense of love, faith and compassion. Join with others in a spirit of joy. There’s a need for unwavering faith in communal spiritual values.

Keywords: Performing deeds with reverence, respect and a sense of celebration. Cohesive communal expressions of faith. The dawning of a new era. Church services. Dawn services. The community gathering for a common purpose. Resurrections and rebirths. Revivals. The need for faith in a bright future. Devotion. Worship.

The Caution: Obsession with the ceremony rather than the true purpose or ideal. Feeling unable to lift one’s spirit. Loss and shame of the past clouding the possibilities of today’s reality. Disillusionment around issues to do with the Church and faith.

The Sabian Symbol of Mercury (the ruler of this Gemini full Moon) is Capricorn 2: THREE STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS IN A GOTHIC CHURCH, ONE DAMAGED BY WAR

This Symbol shows the ability, or the need, to have a strong sense of self, a strong constitution or a clear sense of belief in the goodness of the world. One sometimes needs to feel these things as this degree pictures the need to stay strong under the barrage of bombardment. One of the three corners of unity, in this case the one of love, is damaged and separated by the aggressive nature of mankind. With the shattering (the “Damage”) of the “Window”, there is often a loss of faith, hope and trust. Acceptance of love can lead to a healing on many levels. As Leonard Cohen says “there is a crack, a crack in everything. That’s where the light gets in”.

Keywords: Seeking sanctuary. Careless aggression where love should be. Religious or philosophical differences that spark off problems. Fears of being “under attack” whilst in the spotlight. Sorrow and despair over losses. Loss of faith. ‘Windows’ that are cracked, broken or smashed. Cracks and shattering. Rescue of endangered holy places. Loss of love through harsh circumstance. The need for repair.

The Caution: Feeling disconnected from the reality of what’s going on. Fearfulness OR fearlessness, when one should be careful. Signs of rubble all around. Aggression between people. Burning down churches. A lack of safe places. Being shell-shocked and ravaged. Cold breezes entering sacred spaces. Psychological and emotional scars. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.

The Sabian Symbol of Venus is Sagittarius 28: A SPLENDIDLY BUILT BRIDGE, A HERITAGE OF UNKNOWN AGES, STILL SPANS THE BEAUTIFUL AND WILDLY PRIMITIVE STREAM – this is the exact degree of the Galactic Center.

This Symbol speaks of the ability, or the necessity, to be able to build bridges between places, people and events in order to bring them together and to add cohesion to society. The “Bridge” implies strength, dependability and passage to other places. The bridge was built many years ago and it presents the ability to be able to reach back into time, to reflect on what was important then and what’s important now. Often these values are one and the same. Traditional ways of approaching things can lead to the best solutions. There is a linking of people, places and things with clarity.

Keywords: Enduring elements from past traditions providing links with the modern day. Reverence for things of worth that stand as reminders of yesterday. Linking people, places and things with clarity. Connections with the “old country”, or past lives. Beautiful and inspiring landscapes. Getting in touch with people. Ever repeating journeys. Passages across the water. Permanence.

The Caution: Sticking with old, outworn methods, with no new ideas. Themes of buying the “Brooklyn Bridge”. Continually having to tread the tried-and-true path without deviating.

The Sabian Symbol of Jupiter is Pisces 30: A MAJESTIC ROCK FORMATION RESEMBLING A FACE IS IDEALIZED BY A BOY WHO TAKES IT AS HIS IDEAL OF GREATNESS, AND AS HE GROWS UP, BEGINS TO LOOK LIKE IT

This Symbol shows the ability, or the need, to be able to envision or decide what you want to be and as you grow and develop, becoming that vision. The “Boy” of this Symbol lived in childhood under a hill figure of a president and when he grew up he became a president himself. At times in your life, you may find that you are growing into the image that you have imagined and it gives you a sense of pride – assuming you have chosen a positive image. What or who do you “Idealize”? What is it that you’d like to become? What image would you like to project? Meditating on a goal or the projection of an ideal can lead to actuality. Just be clear about what you really desire in the situation – you just might get it.

Keywords: Concrete manifestation of one’s ideals. Enduring truths. Culmination of efforts. Projections of ideal images. Wanting to be “big” and successful. Tutankhamen’s mask. Wanting a sense of immortality. Defining one’s fate through conscious manifestation. Morphing reality to suit an objective. Ambition. The ability to see life in inanimate objects.

The Caution: Not being at all clear about whom one is or what one can be. Becoming a screen for the projection of other’s ideals. Stony faces that show the hardships of life. Hardening of one’s personality. Stony faces. Idealizing others therefore losing one’s own identity.

The Sabian Symbol of Saturn is Aquarius 21: A WOMAN DISAPPOINTED AND DISILLUSIONED, COURAGEOUSLY FACING THE FUTURE

This Symbol shows the ability, or the need, to be “Courageous” in the face of “Disappointment” or Disillusionment”. The “Woman” may have always thought things would be different but one day she wakes up to find that her dreams have not born fruit as yet. Still, there’s always hope and faith that things will turn around and get better. There can be feelings of wasting energy, and thoughts of failure, but being strong and vigilant against negative thoughts can turn situations around quickly. It always helps to look on disappointment as a teacher. Reconnect with what is available and possible, and, although it requires courage to get back on track, we always return with greater wisdom and understanding.

Keywords: Breaking through illusions. Facing stark reality with hope. Loneliness and depression overcome. Positive outlooks. Counting one’s blessings. Looking towards the future. Having to battle through relationship losses while maintaining a sense of self and purpose. Turning points reached. Having a belief in miracles. Choosing joy.

The Caution: Wallowing in failure. Not seeing the joy and beauty of one’s life. Accepting defeat. Feeling like all is lost. Bitterness. Walling one’s self off from others. Not trusting people. Finding nothing to be happy about. Feeling deserted and alone. Not letting go of the past. Injuries. Infertility. Incurable “dis-eases”. Unrequited love. The loss of the partner. Staring into space. Being a sad, old person.

The Sabian Symbol of Uranus is Taurus 16: AN OLD PERSON IS ATTEMPTING, WITH A DEGREE OF SUCCESS UNSUSPECTED BY THEM, TO REVEAL THE MYSTERIES TO A MOTLEY GROUP

This Symbol implies that one holds an understanding that is either ahead of the times or behind the times. Regardless of which it is, you may feel that no-one is paying attention to your advice or wisdom, but it is not your wisdom that is at fault, it may be your approach coupled with a lack of awareness of the listeners. Perhaps those you are trying to reach are not ready yet for the information or they instinctively already know it. However, often people are soaking up things without really showing how much they are ‘getting it’. Sometimes you teach better by example than by trying to persuade.

Keywords: The need to try a new approach. Challenging the status quo. Astrodrama. Being way ahead of one’s time. Getting one’s message across in an innovative and creative way. A teacher uniting diverse people in a common cause. Generation gaps. Wisdom given with expectation. Ideas bringing people together.

The Caution: Exaggerated opinion of one’s understanding of the situation. The mistaken belief that others need to know something. Not being in touch with the “times”. Feeling outdated. Preaching old, possibly outworn ideas. Insecure feelings based on conservative expectations of others.

The Sabian Symbol of stationary direct Neptune is Pisces 23: A ‘MATERIALIZING MEDIUM’ GIVING A SÉANCE

This Symbol shows the ability, or the need, to be able to pick up subtle energies and psychic clues in the environment. The “Materializing Medium” can receive radiations, frequencies or vibrations that cannot easily be sensed by most people. At times in your life, you will experience a surprising sensitivity and awareness to spiritual forces and energies. This can cause confusion, other times enlightenment. Sit with any new impressions you receive until you understand their authenticity or depth. Sometimes there is a need to free up ‘stuck’ or earthbound entities. This degree can also show someone who can “Materialize” things; they can make things happen just by thinking about or concentrating on them.

Keywords: Spiritual channeling. A need to free up “stuck” or earthbound entities. Efforts to materialize things. Coming straight out with things. Giving voice to spirit. Tarot readings, clairvoyance and clairsentience. Things seen ahead of their time. Bringing messages from the other side. Contacting the dead.

The Caution: Putting on a false front. Merely doing a performance for others. Making things up. Using mind control over others to get a desired outcome. Using sensational methods to induce others to give up control over their own lives. Exorcisms performed by the inexperienced. Inviting weird energies or people.

The Sabian Symbol for Pluto is Capricorn 27: A MOUNTAIN PILGRIMAGE

This Symbol shows the ability to, or the need for, being able to climb high, to rise to occasions, perform well, have a mission and, probably most importantly, to embark on spiritual journeys. Many people travel, but more often than not it implies a spiritual striving; an ascent in consciousness and the ability to transcend earthier, immediate matters. There is always the desire, or the need, to strive further, to learn more on the path to understanding and transcendence. You may desire to follow those that have gone before you to achieve a true sense of inner fulfillment. Work towards your own ‘mountain top’. The effort may be great, but so are the rewards.

Keywords: Ascent in consciousness. Spiritual, material, corporate or political striving. Having an entourage of people (or wanting one). Aloneness and separation. Setting off to somewhere else. Going on a mission. Finding one’s spiritual grounding. Getting back to the purer elements of life. Ambitions to get to the top. Wanting the highest office in the land.

The Caution: High moral stands with no depth of feeling. Feeling “high above” others. Feelings of being, or acting like, an ascended being. Haughtiness. Intellectual snobbery. People scrambling for the top. The “tall poppy” syndrome. Ambitions that know no bounds. People ridiculing others for their lesser position. Spiritual or corporate struggling for position.

The Sabian Symbol of Chiron is Aries 13: A BOMB WHICH FAILED TO EXPLODE IS NOW SAFELY HIDDEN FROM DISCOVERY

This Symbol shows that often in one’s life explosive elements need discharging. Pressure cooker energy needs to be released, but it often needs to be done slowly and carefully. By keeping a sense of control, one can handle wild situations, elements or people without things getting out of hand. Be an example to others of how calmness and quiet can take the charge out of things. Take whatever opportunities you can to defuse elements as an explosion often damages more than is expected.

Keywords: Pressure valves. Getting away with something. Tantrums and frustration. Tempers that simmer. Explosive behavior. Bombs, explosions. Sudden and forceful events. Intelligence organizations, CIA, FBI, ASIO, etc. Valuable lessons of self-restraint. Relief from problems. Discharging nervous energy. Security checks. Last minute escapes.

The Caution: Suppressing stress or illness. Doing inappropriate things and thinking the secret safe. Repressing emotions. Undefined anger. Pressure cooker energy that needs to be released slowly. Explosions damaging more than expected. Activists. Deception behind one’s back. Clash of ideals. Terrorism.

The Sabian Symbol for the Moon’s north node is Taurus 14: ON THE BEACH, CHILDREN PLAY WHILE SHELLFISH GROPE AT THE EDGE OF THE WATER

This Symbol implies people and all living things living together in peace and harmony. They are playing and enjoying and living at the edge of the water on the beach, doing their own thing and getting on with their own lives. People with this Symbol often just want to get on with their own activities and enjoy life and nature. This is a lovely image of a live-and-let-live attitude. Try taking some time out by the water and interact with others there. With the coming and going of the tide, people do what comes most naturally to them. Just be careful that you don’t get out of your depth trying to be like others.

Keywords: Being self-sufficient. Looking after one’s own affairs. A sense of at-one-ment with all forms of life. Having a live and let live attitude. Peripheral vision. Returning to the source. Feeling safe in a natural environment. Playing alongside nature. Building sand castles. Playing in pools or baths. Buckets and spades. Sun protection. Interacting without really interacting. Swimming. Sand, wind and sea. Rockpools. Shellfish, oysters, shrimp.

The Caution: Meddling in people’s lives. Restriction of play. Being distracted. Sandcastles that will eventually get washed away. Not knowing how to loosen up with others and relax into a natural environment. Fussing that people aren’t doing the ‘right thing’. Sunburn and exposure to weather. Voyeurism.

The Sabian Symbol of the Moon’s south node is Scorpio 14: TELEPHONE LINESMEN AT WORK INSTALLING NEW CONNECTIONS

This Symbol implies the ability, or the need, to be able to connect in with people or situations, sometimes with tools and equipment. This degree shows networking, along with the desire to talk to people or bring them together and improve communications. If people have been experiencing failure in fully expressing their thoughts, ideas or emotions, there is nothing to be achieved by just worrying about it; but rather do something to repair the lines of communication. Doing this can cause surprising new connections with people linking up, even from surprisingly isolated places. Sometimes expert advice and help must be called in; this degree often shows people who can do it.

Keywords: Acupuncture and other therapies that work on the body’s meridians. The nervous system. The Internet. Forming new lines of communication. New connections taking place. Linking people up. Making sure that messages get through. Mobile phones, faxes, email. Networks and networking. Switchboards. Satellites. Wires. The ability to reach far distances. Getting on other peoples’ wavelengths. Contacts. Hooking up with the system. UFO experiences. Mobile phones.

The Caution: Failing to see the necessity for repairs to personal communication. Becoming involved in other people’s lives. Gossip. News, thoughts and ideas spreading rapidly and getting out of control. Constant chatting. Being fickle. Sabotage. Engaged signals.