by Lina Elisabeth Preston 4 min read

A most unusual year is about to end. But before we say goodbye to 2020 the planets reveal a dramatic and extraordinary December.

A solar eclipse takes place at the end of Scorpio on December 14th, and an exceptionally rare alignment between Saturn and Jupiter will occur at the start of the winter solstice on December 21st.

The Wheel Turns

Rahu and Ketu, the two shadow planets forming the karmic axis, reveal collective karma.

Prior to September 2020, Rahu was transiting Gemini while Ketu was transiting Sagittarius. Gemini and Sagittarius are mutable signs and have flexibility and an ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Mutable signs can also make us feel ungrounded and unsure about the future.

Rahu governs our attractions to new energy. During his transit in Gemini, Rahu has shown us a new way of life through progress in the field of communication. As a society, we’ve experienced a shift towards virtual meetings, online shopping, and working from home. Unfortunately the lunar nodes also brought the pandemic.

Ketu is the opposite of Rahu. Ketu rejects. He is often disappointed with the world and wants to liberate us from material attachments. He makes us doubt and question things. Ketu was influenced by his presence in Sagittarius, a sign who puts focus on beliefs, ethics, morals, dharma, truth, higher learning, travel and law.

Division and Imbalance

Rahu and Ketu were in a kal sarpa yoga during the first part of this year. This yoga gives a lot of strength to the lunar nodes. All the planets are on one side of the zodiac flanked by Rahu on one side and Ketu on the other. kal sarpa yoga will often manifest division and imbalance. The Lunar nodes will be in kal sarpa yoga again during the first quarter in 2021.

In September this year Rahu and Ketu entered new signs: Taurus and Scorpio. These fixed signs value stability and have an ability to endure due to their fixed nature. Rahu and Ketu will remain in these signs until April 2022.

Taurus rules material resources and our ability to manifest what we need. Rahu in this earth sign desires stability and abundance. In Taurus, Rahu wants comfort and is inventive regarding sustainability.

Ketu is in a fixed water sign, Scorpio. As a fixed sign, Scorpio wishes to contain and preserve but water dissolves. Change and transformation is inevitable during Ketu’s stay in Scorpio.

Solar Eclipse on December 14th

The lunar eclipse in Taurus on November 30th, is followed by a solar eclipse in Scorpio on December 14th.

The solar eclipse takes place at 29 degrees Scorpio in the powerful jyeshta nakshatra. An eclipse on this degree foretells of coming transformations and changes. Donald Trump has his moon here. Although the eclipse is not visible in the United States it is interesting that the eclipse occurs on the day the electoral college votes.

Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Ketu are all in Scorpio at this time intensifying the Scorpio energy.

The Sun passes through gandanta later on the 14th and 15th, just after the eclipse. Shortly thereafter the Sun experiences a new beginning in a new sign: Sagittarius.

Saturn and Jupiter Conjunction

Saturn and Jupiter are less than one degree apart after December 12th. They continue to be less than one degree apart throughout the month. It is only the last day of the year that sees them beginning to separate.

The alignment is exact on December 21st, at the start of the winter solstice. Seen from earth they look like a double planet. This alignment can be seen best with a telescope. Each planet and several of their largest moons will be visible that evening.

Conjunctions between Saturn and Jupiter occur every 20 years, but an alignment this close, and this long lasting, is extremely rare. Historically we have to go back to the year 1226 to see a closer alignment. Saturn and Jupiter’s next alignment in Capricorn will occur in 2080.

The debilitation of Jupiter in Capricorn is being cancelled by a strong Saturn. The planets in this earth sign are very supportive of Rahu in Taurus. This planetary configuration will be very useful next month when vaccines for Covid-19 are being distributed worldwide. This will require a methodical approach and good organization.

Mars Gets Ready for Action

Mars transits gandanta between Pisces and Aries at the time of the winter solstice on December 21st. When moving between a water sign and a fire sign Mars can express erratic behavior. By December 23rd Mars is clearly in Aries and in his own element. Mars in Aries (Dec 23 - Feb 21) wants to initiate something new and is ready for action.

All of the malefic planets are very strong by the end of the month: Mars and Saturn are in their own signs, Rahu and Ketu are both in signs that can express their positive potential. This can certainly indicate challenges but also the ability to accomplish your goals.

Strengthen Your Sun Energy

December is the darkest month of the year with the darkness reaching its peak on December 21st, at the winter solstice (Northern hemisphere).
The sun loses its light during the eclipse on December 14th.

As the giver of health and vitality it is important to strengthen the Sun’s energy in ways including exercise, mantras, gemstones, and sunbaths.

May the light of Christ shine within you this Christmas and always!

Blessings,
Lina

 

Dates to Remember

  • Dec 10 - Jan 3 Venus in Scorpio
  • Dec 12 - 30 Saturn/Jupiter less than one degree apart in Capricorn
  • Dec 14 Solar eclipse in Scorpio
  • Dec 15 - Jan 14 Sun in Sagittarius
  • Dec 16 - Jan 4 Mercury in Sagittarius
  • Dec 21 - 26 Mars in Gandanta
  • Dec 23 - Feb 21 Mars in Aries
  • Dec 31 Venus / Ketu conjunction in Scorpio
Lina Elisabeth Preston
Lina Elisabeth Preston

Lina Elisabeth Preston has been doing astrological consultations for 20 years. She is a certified Jyotish Visharada and member and practitioner with the Council of Vedic Astrology. Lina also works with vedic gemstones. A long time meditator and disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, Lina lives with her husband Binay at Ananda Village, a spiritual community in Northern California. Lina and Binay founded their business Northern Lights in 1990.



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