Chodesh Kislev 5780: First Steps in the Maturation Process

CHODESH KISLEV: FIRST STEPS IN THE MATURATION PROCESS

"Mazal Keshet", the constellation / zodiac sign of Sagittarius, which is the Hebrew month of Kislev. From the Sefer Evronot, Pinchas ben Avraham Segal of Halberstadt, Germany 1716.

Chodesh Kislev (November 28 – December 27) is usually the most jovial of months, chiefly because Kislev’s ruling planet Jupiter (Tzedek) is connected to optimism, inspirational ideas, and hope. This year Kislev takes a turn towards the serious when Jupiter enters Saturn/Shabbtai-ruled Capricorn December 2, where he’ll be transiting until his conjunction to Saturn in Aquarius, the zodiac sign of the Jewish people, in December 2020. The Jupiter-Saturn “Great Conjunction” has been an important part of historic Jewish messianic speculation since the early Middle Ages. This year, Kislev 5780 marks the beginning of this significant planetary process climaxing in December 2020. Will it be “good for the Jews”? Only time will tell.

Kislev’s Tribe is Benyamin, portrayed on his flag as a ravening wolf on a rainbow background. Benyamin’s fierceness is focused on issues of unity and inclusion. His flag’s rainbow background incorporates the colors of all the Tribes, who unite as one in the Holy of Holies, located in Benyamin’s Tribal portion nestled within the larger Tribe of Yehuda, upon whose land the Holy Temple stood. The Full Moon in Gemini December 11 exposes multifaceted allegiances, the spiritual light of Chanukah which falls on the Winter Solstice December 21-22 pierces divisions, exposes sectarian biases, and illuminates the illusion of fragmentation. The Solar Eclipse/New Moon in Capricorn December 25 reveals where we may lack maturity, wisdom, patience, and endurance. These qualities must be integrated, or we will suffer the ill effects of immaturity, ignorance, and impatience, especially around issues of the resources we all share: this Earth and the environment we all have in common. 

Kislev with Jupiter in Capricorn this year inspires through introspection, the practical manifestation of abundance, the embodiment of dreams, and real-world modeling of good will, generosity, and idealism. These are Kislev’s gifts which keep on giving!

Sivan: The Power of Life and Death in Our Tongues

Read my horoscope for Sivan in The Jerusalem Post.

Gemini/Taumim from a mahzor, Germany 1342

Chodesh Sivan (June 4 – July 3) is associated with the constellation of Gemini the Twins (Taumim). Tradition tells us that it was during Chodesh Sivan that the Children of Israel received the Torah on Mt. Sinai: the ultimate Divine data-download symbolized by Gemini/Sivan's ruler, swift Mercury (Kochav), the planet of communication. Sivan is all about gathering and disseminating information and interfacing with the immediate environment as indicated by Sivan’s Tribal ruler, Zevulon, whose flag was decorated with ships, symbolizing his journeys along the coasts of the Mediterranean, seeking new horizons and new opportunities. 
 

This month the journey is towards upgrading our relationship to the concept of security, both personal and public. What makes you feel safe: structures or relationships? Institutions or family? Old fears compete with new alliances when Saturn, South Node with Pluto in practical, serious Capricorn opposes the Mars / North Node / Mercury conjunction in emotional, sentimental Cancer on June 13. “Trust but verify” now, as information is more likely than ever to be biased. 

The second in a rare series of three exact squares this year made by Jupiter in Sagittarius to Neptune in Pisces occurs June 16. Stretching the boundaries of dreams and testing the borders of perception, we must guard against extreme distortion of ideals and zealous fanaticism. Facts must actively fight against fear-fueled fantasy now.   

June 17’s Full Moon in truth-telling Sagittarius inspires frankness. Proverbs 18:21 tells us “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit”. The Summer Solstice (Tekufah Tammuz) and the Sun’s ingress into Cancer June 21 immediately following Neptune’s retrograde gives us a moment to evaluate whether what we’ve spoken has been life-affirming or destructive. May we be wise with our words and careful guardians of our hearts during Chodesh Sivan!

Astral Weeks September 2-8: Speeding Towards Rosh HaShanah!

Astral Weeks

September 2 – 8

August seemed to linger forever, but as soon as September comes, the speedy Mercury-ruled signs of Virgo and Gemini kick things into high gear. On Sunday the Sun in Mercury’s Mutable Earth sign of Virgo and the Moon mark the Last Quarter of the lunar month in Mercury’s Mutable Air sign of Gemini. Speedy communication is in the air as Virgo and Gemini chatter, rattle and hum their way through the long Labor Day Weekend. Monday’s sextile between Mercury in Leo and Venus in Libra fuels dramatic declarations of love, warm words of diplomacy, and fiery indignation towards perceived injustice. 

The Moon enters her watery home sign of Cancer on Tuesday, refocusing the emotional lens towards hearth and home. Domestic matters are highlighted, and feelings are either expressed or repressed around issues of food, home, mother, and money. Mercury enters his home sign of Virgo on Wednesday evening, where he’ll linger for only the shortest time (September 5^th – 21^st), so make the best of this transit of the Planet of Communication’s journey through the Mutable Earth sign by upgrading your own communication skills. 

Saturn stations Direct on Thursday after having been retrograde since mid-April in the first decan of Capricorn. The relief will be palpable as all the hard work which has felt like slogging through mud begins to pay off between now and mid-December. The Moon enters Leo Thursday evening, heightening drama as Mercury (“The Sun’s Scribe”) in Virgo trines first Uranus in Retrograde Taurus and then Saturn in Capricorn on Friday morning, shortly before the Virgo Sun’s opposition to Neptune in Pisces. Earth signs don’t traffic in fantasy, nor do they give “fake news” any quarter. We may look for unexpected news which challenges our perceptions about what is real and what isn’t. 

Saturday bring the last Shabbat of the year, as we read Parshat Nitzavim and remember that the truth isn’t in far-off heaven or hidden beneath the sea, but is very near to us, even “in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can fulfill it." Venus and Mars in the final degrees of Cardinal signs Libra and Capricorn make a hard square, challenging us to take the initiative in both thought and deed, as we prepare to greet the Jewish New Year 5779. May we be strengthened in our faith, in truth, and in love!