The Sagittarius Solar Eclipse: Tending Your Inner Flame.

As the days grow darker in the northern hemisphere, we are reaching the last Sagittarius eclipse of a long-held series. Late this Friday, the moon will consume the sun at 12 degrees of the mighty archer. We are now at an important transition point as one karmic cycle ends and another begins. This weekend brings us the fourth and final eclipse in Sagittarius, in a cycle that began back in June 2020. The fiery sun and moon are joining the south node, awakening a major release and renewal.


With this fierce cosmic reboot, we are reminded of past karmic lessons and new territories yet to discover.


Sagittarius is the mutable fire sign and is ruled by the expansive and kingly Jupiter. Here we encounter the untamed wildness within us. The archer yearns to explore in an infinite manner, and rebels against overly restrictive boundaries. With this solar eclipse, we are reminded of the fire or the lack of fire within us. Fire, though combustible and dangerous, is what inspires and renews. Like a candle flame, if we are overly boxed in, we are snuffed out. We lose our inner passion, our direction, and the faith that propels us forward.


If you notice yourself feeling depleted at this time, take note.


Are you giving too much of yourself to something or someone who doesn't support you in return? I see this as a great time to become consciously aware of what diminishes your energy, whether it is a belief system, information source, job or relationship. With a sextile to Saturn, setting clear boundaries can be an effective strategy for protecting your vital energy. Furthermore, think about what experiences you have had since the summer of 2020. It may be time to finally follow through with releasing a limitation that keeps you from growing and expanding into your potential.


During the darkest time of the year, how will you tend to your inner flame?


Mercury is combust and debilitated, which may add to the agitation of our minds during this next lunar cycle. It is time to let go of dogmas and old belief systems which no longer serve us. Clear solutions to these issues may be hard to find, but answers will come from within with time and patience. Stay present with what is coming up at this time and don't worry too much about everything making sense right away. To know where to place your attention, look at what house Sagittarius rules in your own chart.

A Sagittarius Eclipse Tarot Spread

The cards above show a quick tarot reading I did to expand upon the Sagittarius solar eclipse. This reading is intended to generally apply to everyone. Feel free to do this reading for yourself to gain more personal insights!

1. What karmic cycle is being revisited.
ACE OF WANDS (REVERSED): A project has been left unfinished or an inspiration has been stifled. Or you may be feeling lackluster and inhibited from starting something new.

2. What change does this eclipse bring.
5 OF CUPS (REVERSED): A past disappointment is ready to be released. It may be time to put any regrets or sadness behind you so that you may focus on the future.

3. What can be released at this time.
3 OF SWORDS (REVERSED): Let go of blaming yourself for any unhappiness. This is a time to gently release the recurring negative thoughts and beliefs that bind you.

4. How to tend to your inner flame.
KING OF WANDS: Acknowledge that you have the power to make great change in your life! Be confident in your abilities and your vision. Focus on a passion that has been neglected and reignite the powerful wand you possess. Wear your crown proudly.

5. Future outlook - early winter.
3 OF CUPS (REVERSED): As we move into the darkest part of the year, it may be more difficult to connect with our friends and social groups as much as we'd like. There will be time for socializing, but perhaps with a focus on your closest and dearest friends. If you are feeling socially cut off because of inclement weather (or a new covid variant!), it will be all the more important to create fun and inspiring activities for yourself.




Venus Retrograde in Capricorn, December 19th - January 29th

Just a heads up, the next Venus retrograde cycle is right around the corner! As Venus enters her underworld journey, she will be joined by the subterranean Pluto. We can be sure that this will be an important cycle centered around unearthing our values, desires and truths in our relationships. Venus is in Capricorn until March 5th, so it is an extremely long journey through the foundations of the heart.

As Venus stations direct, she will be making a trine to liberating Uranus. The end of this retrograde heart journey will be inspiring and freeing, as she is emboldened to release herself from her shackles. Of course the story doesn't end there, but I will report more later!



Sending you all well wishes and happy holidays this season.


-Suzy

CANCER SOLAR ECLIPSE + SOLSTICE: A Grand New Beginning

Artwork created by Devany Amber Wolfe (Serpentfire).

Greetings friends,

The sun is shining and summer is finally upon us. As we leave the spring season, I am in awe of all that has happened in a short period of time. On a collective level, these past few months have been some of the most turbulent times in our lives. I knew the year 2020 was going to be an big turning point for humanity, but I couldn’t have realized how much so.

Change and transformation are still on the horizon as we enter Cancer season and the Summer Solstice. On June 20th at 11:41PM PT, a major solar eclipse will occur at 0 degrees Cancer. On the longest day of the year of maximum light, the sun is completely blotted out leaving us in darkness. This is the very last eclipse in Cancer, after a series of eclipses over the past year and a half or so. We are wrapping up a chapter in our lives, and it is going out with a bang! As we release and let go of this closing chapter, we are welcoming a great new beginning in our lives.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic many folks are now forced to close businesses, make job changes, and relocate their families. Eclipses often bring necessary change, but it can come with a dose of urgency and turbulence. For some, these changes are welcome and exciting. For others, the changes are more burdensome and challenging. A major eclipse like this will play out over the next six months, but we will likely experience some big shifts right away.

Back on January 10th, we had our last Cancer eclipse. Just two days later, we had the first known Coronavirus death. Six months later, here we are today. This upcoming eclipse is an excellent time for reflection on the past six months. What has changed for you? How have you evolved because of recent events? What is now clear for you that you must do in reaction to these changes? We have all come a long way since January!

Wherever Cancer is in your chart, there is bound to be in an influx of new energy. During this Cancer season as a whole, we may oscillate between embracing the new parts of our life and holding onto the old. Cancer is a sentimental sign, and seeks to protect and hold tightly to what it values. It is indeed important we honor our roots and our history, but we need not allow our past to define us. Cancer is also a deeply sensitive sign, and our emotional selves may feel heightened or extra vulnerable. If this is the case, be gentle with yourself and honor the self nurturing you require.

Mercury recently stationed retrograde in Cancer on June 17th..

..and will remain retrograde until July 12th. I have already been experiencing all the typical Mercury retrograde antics, including schedule mishaps, internet outages, and miscommunication galore. My advice always for any Mercury Rx is to be patient and to make sure that whatever message you are sending is solidly clear.

Being that we are in Cancer retrograde territory, we may feel a strong pull to look backward before we move forward. Cancer rules the family, and this could be an excellent time for you to research family roots or reconnect with family members you have lost touch with. Because of the powerful racial justice movement we are in now, I have been doing some deep ancestral research around race issues. I have also been practicing and studying ways to promote healing in my ancestral lines due to racial harm or trauma. It has been eye opening for me in so many ways, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.

Cancer is symbolized by the crab, and often moves in a ‘sideways’ fashion rather than direct. This cautious approach, combined with Mercury retrograde, speaks to the need of moving slowly and gradually toward big change. The eclipse may bring powerful momentum in an area of life, but it would be good to heed caution before going all in. Towards the end of this Mercury retrograde cycle, we may realize that our plans must adjust or shift. Remember to listen to your intuition — that inner voice that guides you step by step.

As with any solar eclipse, I would advise treating this time differently than a typical ‘new moon’. Here are some suggestions for how to work with the Cancer eclipse energy during this summer solstice:

• Research your family tree or ancestral lineage.

• Reconnect with your family and loved ones.

• Process any turbulent or intense feelings through writing, a creative project or therapy.

• Take a break from technology and news sources, and give yourself some time and space for quiet reflection.

• Take a salt bath.

• Visit a nearby body of water.

• Nurture yourself.

Wishing you all the summer solstice blessings!