The Coming Light

Depending on where you are in the world, the new moon in Sagittarius & accompanying solar eclipse is arriving December 3 or 4, a week into the official start of the Advent season. We are (here in the northern hemisphere) entering the dark corridor of diminishing light before rebirth in the morning hours of December 22. 

The end of 2021 is within our sights, but the end of our collective pain and struggle cannot be so neatly packaged. For so many, the darkness has taken on a new depth these past two years.

So this new moon and eclipse is particularly potent - not only because it falls on the shadow side of the year's wheel, but for the dark that each and every single one of us have cohabitated with. 

Some of us have moved through our days and nights, attempting to minimize the impact of so many heartaches, so many challenges, separations, divisions among us. Some of us have tried to cope through escapism - small or large. Others of us have taken to the streets, using their voices and platforms to share truths, facts, calls to action, pleas, demands, personal experiences, grief and triumph. Maybe you've done one or more, or some version somewhere in between. I've certainly lived a mix, myself.

In just this year, we have seen moments of deep darkness but also transcendent beauty. It has been exhausting, I know. Parenting, working, or trying to - feeding your families, taking care of your own body, making small and huge shifts, being in relationship or ending one (or more)... 

So let's take one moment and just breathe together. I am, right now, as I write this to you.

The Sagittarius new moon and full solar eclipse emerges nearly a week into advent- rich with a message to load us: Vision as verb, as action. 

Visioning is our action in this moment. Visioning what world you desire to inhabit, what community you feel called to join or create, what work you are supposed to be doing, what feels right and true and good in your soul. Visioning doing that, being that, advocating for that, creating that, finding that.

We are in the 'long dark' as wise Gandalf might tell us. And aside from all the many things we may feel about the dark, it is precisely the pitch black that affords us the perfect opportunity to vision our Next, and how our Present is interacting with that, or not. 

Sagittarius is the archer, and aims the arrow toward a carefully selected outcome. Aim small, miss small- what is our target? Are we scattered all over the place? Where is it we want to go? Who do we want to be in this world, in this life? Are our behaviors reflecting that?

 More, this archer holds both energies of horse and human - a centaur famous for great healing skill, and a bridge between earth and heaven. We are living in the days of a massive bridging- for those with eyes to see, lifestyle is shifting, connecting with likeminded community is becoming more than merely desirable, but critical. Discovering where we can heal and connect with loved ones, or where to say thank you and walk away- all of these are bridging us to our own Nexts without the need to further divides and angry separation. Looking deeply at the wounds we have held onto for far too long, and readying ourselves to let that shit go, once and for all.

Sagittarius is the final, deepest fire sign of the zodiac, and therefore holds the most abstract of fire energies- King of Wands medicine that incites and activates our kundalini awakening for the good of all, not only our comfort and fulfilled desires. Visionary. Alchemical. Transformative. Mature. Awake. Ready to act from love, and totally okay knowing it won't be everyone's bag.

It is inner fire, stirring us up into sacred action on behalf of healing, truth and unity. Your truth, an' it harm none.

Expressed in this new moon and solar eclipse, the fiery dark light of Sagittarius summons St. Joan of Arc who encourages us with a steady gaze, "Act, and God will act. Work, and He will work." Do the work. Come on, let's get busy. And get resilient with it. Develop stamina.

It summons also Teresa of Avila, who calls us into our own interior castle to commune with Spirit and answer to our own soul who demands, "Are you doing your work? Are you answering your call? Or are you sitting on the bench, forever planning, forever doubting whether you are ready enough, good enough, smart enough, informed enough to make a meaningful difference?"

"Act, and God will act. Work, and He will work." Sagittarius (who is really Chiron the centaur that gave up his immortal life to save Prometheus, who stole- no joke- fire from the gods), stands at the ready, poised to let his flaming arrow fly. 

It would be easy to collapse after so very much these past two years. Understandable, even. But not helpful, and certainly not what we are called to do. "For such a time as this", Queen Esther said, "I have been born". 

This stance of steady, determined presence in the midst of darkness conjures peace as we wait the advent of the returning light. The dark then becomes preparatory rather than threatening. Ally rather than predator.

The Sagittarius new moon and the solar eclipse is giving us a potent moment to clarify within ourselves the call we are compelled to answer at last, or answer more deeply, or next level, or having made adjustments to honor more honestly. Vision actively- not as an escapist daydream, but intentional imaginal planning. Potential in the deep void, welcoming in the coronal rays surrounding a darkened sun to our own crown chakra. Embracing the darkness because we know light will return to us. The light will always return to us.

It is the directive to hear and respond, much more than a gentle invitation now. 

What are we here to do? Are we doing it? If not, why? This is the question to consider this new moon. And if yes, is there a better alignment we're sensing that will position us for truer aim and better outcomes?

Did we answer our call so people would like us? To become well-known or wealthy?

What are we here to do? What is our service? Are we doing it?

The new moon and solar eclipse are offering us a magnifying glass and spotlight to  answer these (often) uncomfortable questions. We're sitting in the darkness with our desires in hand. This sacred pause gives us the quiet light to examine how they are to be used, and whether or not we will have the courage and the stamina to use them. Regardless, the light will return, and we will see in that moment what we summoned in our time with the dark.

Blessed Be.