“We may lose and we may win, but we will never be here again .”
~~~ The Eagles

“I want to Thank You, Thank You……Thank You Thank You….. Thank You, Thank You…. “
~~~ Natalie Merchant

“Angels We have heard on High…”
~~~ Billy Gilman

This month Sagittarius, the sign of abundance, wisdom, higher education, sports and philosophy kicks off the holiday season with a feast devoted to gratitude. It is fitting that the most potentially wise, expansive and athletic sign of the zodiac, presides over Thanksgiving, a day that many here in the states spend their day dividing their time between feasting, giving thanks and watching football.

Sagittarius is normally a festive even raucous sign. This year the Sun’s passage through Sagittarius is much more subdued and reflective due to Mercury’s retrograde in Sagittarius beginning on Thanksgiving Day, when it joins Jupiter (Sagittarius’s ruling planet, also retrograde since August in Taurus the sign of money and values).

Retrogrades in astrology are times of deep reflection and repair when we are asked to look backward and inward. This month it seems that the universe is asking us to take a serious and reflective look at our approach to all things Sagittarius, and how it aligns or does not align with our core values. This reflection begins on Thanksgiving, a moment when we contemplate all we are grateful for. The retrograde came soon after the college sports world was rocked by the Penn State College Football sex scandal, where allegations of a massive decades-long cover up of child sex abuse by a football coach surfaced. In recent weeks similar allegations have emerged concerning a basketball coach at Syracuse and the tennis world is reeling from the accusations leveled at Hall of Fame tennis star and coveted coach Bob Hewitt who faces accusations of sexually abusing many young girls he coached throughout the years.

These scandals touch upon all things Sagittarius. They involve institutes of higher learning, the world of collegiate and professional sports, as well as wisdom or the lack thereof, ethics, ideology, wealth and even in a strange sense, religion. To get some perspective on how things have gone so terribly wrong, it is helpful to first gain some understanding of Sagittarius and what it symbolically stands for.

Sagittarius, the 9th sign of the zodiac is the sign of the centaur, who is also an archer. In Greek mythology the centaurs were a magical race of creatures; half man, half horse. This is symbolic of the understanding that human beings have both a human, reasoning, objective nature as well as a more primitive animal nature. In the case of Sagittarius, a sign that also rules travel, the horse represents tremendous power that can be bridled, to cover distances. The horse is a friend of man like the dog and different from the ferocious power of Leo the lion or the deadly purely instinctive nature of Scorpio.

The centaurs were wild creatures but also wise. In mythology Chiron, the most famous centaur, was the tutor to heroes like Heracles. He presided over the higher education of young heroes as well as the athletic conditioning of their bodies. Heroes were tutored in philosophy and ethics as well as the martial arts, healing and astrology. Ethics were crucial to a hero’s education, as the life of any hero would be defined by tremendous sacrifice for the greater good. Athletic skills were to be used to fight dragons, rescue princesses or anyone in need. In the case of Heracles all of his mighty powers were to be used in the 12 labors many of which were daunting and unglamorous. Astrology taught the heroes that there is a larger heavenly order that wisdom demands we align with, a lesson this culture has yet to learn.

Part of what we can learn from the Sagittarius myth is a resurrection of the whole idea of the heroic. In mythology a hero was a person with one human parent and one Godly parent. Such a person was marked to use their Olympic heritage to achieve greatness through sacrifice. Astrology holds that we are all potential heroes. Each of us can use our astrological heritage to benefit our world and humanity.

For Sagittarians this could mean a heroic redefining of the whole University system. What these scandals clearly illustrate is what happens when the game becomes more important than life itself. At the core the problem with Penn State is one that bedevils all of us in varying degrees here in the West. We consistently place materiality before matters of the soul and spirit. The most shocking aspect of the sad state of Penn State is not that a pedophile was preying on boys in the locker room. Pedophiles will always find a way to prey on children. The real shocker was how many people knew, including the legendary Joe Paterno, and did nothing to alert the proper authorities outside the school system, even when it was clear no one was taking action.

As the story unfolds we see a University system corrupted by power and money where football came way before the well being of children and achieved a sort of cult like, even religious, status. This is a complete inversion of the point of any Institute of higher learning and of any athletic endeavor.

In its pure form Sagittarius, a wise, jovial, playful sign, loves The Game. Sag in its wisest incarnation loves sports because The Game, whatever it may be is a metaphor for life. The Game should teach us to even Play At Life. Sports should condition us and train us to play well, to even play hard, and be sportsmanlike, but in a world were death takes every form, wise Sagittarius knows not to place so much value on any game. The lesson is to not even hold the Game or Life too tightly. It is always our inner qualities that are tested by sport and life. Any sport at its best should ennoble the athlete.

What saddened me most about the Penn State scandal was the decision to finish out the football season this year. My feeling was that the victims of the Penn State scandal had been sacrificed on the altar of football and the only appropriate gesture was to sacrifice the game on their behalf. A silent and empty football stadium would have taught not only the victims but every current and future student at the school that a child’s welfare is far more important than the millions, the trophies or any game.

Weeks later I came across an inspiring story that illustrated Sagittarius athleticism at its best. It was on the TV show Amazing Sports Stories on FSN and chronicled The San Francisco Dons, The University of San Francisco’s 1951 undefeated football team that was entitled to but denied a bowl game invitation unless they left their two black players behind. In the moving documentary the players, now older men, said they all simply and spontaneously knew what their answer would be. Without any formal meeting or vote they chose to not play. The most powerful thing these athletes did in that time and that place was to not play. Some things they knew, like honor, friendship and life are far more important than any game.

Sagittarius rules angels and is especially associated with Michael the archangel of fire. It is interesting to note how many sports movies contain angels: Angels in the Outfield, Heaven Can Wait, and Field of Dreams to name a few. The sports and angelic worlds seem to intersect quite often. Athletes are notoriously religious and superstitious and the athletic field is often a place where the miraculous and odds defying event routinely occurs. Sag rules religions and presides over the lead up to the winter holidays celebrated by most world religions. Wise Sagittarius is tolerant and passionately curious about multicultural worship. This month explore how other cultures celebrate the holiday season. Enjoy Christmas, Chanukah, The Solstice, and Kwanzaa as we all connect with the Source and the returning light

Sagittarius rules publishing, travel, ideology, abundance, faith, angels, luck, bounty, horses and all things equestrian, generosity, all things international, philosophy, wisdom, tolerance and intolerance, adventure, treasure, optimism, extravaganzas, universities, higher learning, astrology and all wisdom systems.

Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter or Zeus the king of the Gods in Greek mythology, rules bounty, variety and abundance. This is a great month to reflect on all the bounty in our lives. It has been said that if the only prayer we ever said was “Thank You,” that would be enough. This month find ways every day to give thanks for all that you have. This not only has the effect of making you realize how wealthy and abundant you are, but also immediately fills one with that legendary jovial Sagittarius optimism.

For example: I am grateful at this moment, for the Sun, especially at dawn and in the golden afternoon, for the slender crescent moon, for the shimmering stars at night, for the cobalt blue of twilight, for the dolphins I saw leaping with joy this summer, for the gorgeous Hudson River, For the mighty Atlantic ocean, for my beautiful niece, for my kind, understanding friends, for my sister, for riding my bike, for my family, for surfing, for the yummy cup of tea I just drank, for the roof over my head, for shelter through various storms, for my home health aides, for people like the San Francisco Dons who inspire me to be better than I am, for Baseline Design for creating my beautiful website of Heaven to Earth Astrology, for music to listen to, for my little dog, for my father, for the flowers I planted this year, for butterflies on the wing, for all the nations’ earth, for all the people in the tribe, for getting a shot to play at the wild, profane, sacred, transcendental Game of Life.

This month invite angels into your life. Open your home and your soul to the angelic. Ask constantly for their help and guidance and see what comes. Ask that they assist you in becoming a more kind, tolerant, responsive, vessel of divinity. Consecrate a corner of your home to the angelic so they have a special place in your home.

This month to make maximum use of Sagittarius make a daily gratitude list and practice generosity. Give time, give money, give kindness, give tolerance, give blessings give peace, give presence, give silence, give hope, give love, give love, and give love.

The Sun entered Sagittarius on November 22nd and will remain there till December 22nd which marks the winter solstice the longest night and shortest day of the year when the Sun will enter Capricorn. This day marks the great changing of the solar tides and begins the slow return of daylight into our lives. The tide of Light will continue to grow till the first day of summer on June 21st which marks the peak of high tide and the light begins to slowly ebb again.

The New Moon in Sagittarius took place on November 25th. The New Moon chart was Virgo Rising and is therefore about healing and analyzing and adjusting how we think and act around all things Sagittarius. The New Moon conjunct Mercury retrograde is in the house of communication and is asking us to heal how we communicate and teach around ideology, philosophy, higher education, publishing, faith, and sports.
There is a great aspect for transforming our home environments and for changing and evolving within our partnerships. Pay attention to health and fitness during this lunation.

The full moon in Gemini takes place on December 10th at 9:36 AM EST and could bring issues of communication to a head. Mercury went retrograde on Thanksgiving and will go direct on December 13th at 3 degrees of Sagittarius. Be very mindful of communication during this period. This retrograde takes place within one of the signs of communication; therefore the possibility of regrettable speech looms large. Err on the side of silence and circumspection. Ask daily for whatever Source you believe in to direct your thoughts and words and to align them with your higher self

The retrograde is a great time to reflect and repair relationships, or anything that needs repair in our lives. It is likewise a good time to reconnect, redecorate and mediate. Non violent communication by Marshall Rosenberg would be a great read for the holidays. Spend some time reflecting on wisdom. What would a truly wise culture look like? What would we teach our children? How would we treat each other? How would we treat the world? How would we use our resources? How would we Share?

Venus begins December in Capricorn, helping us stay focused and professional this holiday season. The Capricorn energy can keep us spending wisely and within our means this month. On the 21st Venus enters Aquarius and we long to be with like-minded friends. The humanitarian spirit is with us as we celebrate the one big human family that we’re all a part of. Mars is in Virgo all month and beyond encouraging us to heal, de-clutter, attend to details and be responsible environmentalists. Virgo reminds us to give the gift of service this year. I guarantee you that someone in your neighborhood could use your help this month. Older people need help shopping and decorating for the holidays. A single mom could probably use a nap. You get the idea. We can also expect the labor sector to be very active this month.

Saturn is still in Libra testing all our relationships and asking us all to find and create balance in our lives. Remember that unbalanced forms topple. In working for balance we create stability which is the ideal condition for peace, commerce and culture, and who doesn’t want that?

Uranus in Aries continues awakening activism to combat imbalance. Neptune in Aquarius unifies activists most notably here in the states in the Occupy Wall Street movement. Pluto continues toppling all unsustainable structures within our society and the world at large that are based on the egoic mind.

Jupiter the planet of wisdom and abundance goes direct on December 25th in Taurus, the sign of money and values. This marks a period of positive developments in the financial sector and brings you into recognition and balance with your true values. How resources are used is something that will be in the forefront both personally and globally as the opportunity for financial recovery presents itself. Jupiter encourages alignment of values with financial stability as opportunities open up for greater abundance for all and self-worth and values become priorities.

Peace, and Blessings of Abundance and Faith be with you this holiday season.

Demitra

ARIES: This month the Sun and Mercury retrograde are shining a big reflective beam into your house of philosophy, higher learning, and publishing. Take this time to revisit any old writing projects. You could also reconnect with contacts that could help you further your writing or teaching goals. At the same time Venus at your midheaven along with Pluto in Capricorn is helping you take concrete steps to transform your career this month. Mars in Virgo in your sixth house encourages you to focus on healthy nutrition as well as helping you organize your life into clear and functional space. Jupiter retrograde in your financial sector asks you to really meditate on money, values, and self worth. What does your financial recovery look like? This is a good time to formulate a spending plan, savings plan, and earning plan.

TAURUS: Jupiter, the planet of wealth and abundance is still in your sign but still moving backwards so the rewards you have been working for are still in a holding pattern. Jupiter rules luck and it has been said that luck favors the prepared mind. If this is the case, what within your personality needs healing and further refinement so you can be ready to receive the rewards you have been working toward? This month would be a great time to reflect on how worthy you truly feel to live an expanded and abundant life. To aid you in this process the Sun and Mercury Retrograde are shining in your house of the deep unconscious in Sagittarius, the sign of wisdom, helping shine a light into the deep dark places in your soul. Ask yourself how comfortable you feel giving and receiving intimacy, love and money. Healing in this sector holds the key to claiming the true abundance and self esteem that is your birthright.

GEMINI: The focus is on healing and repairing partnerships this month Gemini. The Sun and Mercury retrograde in your house of partnership make communication the cornerstone of that focus. Never has the way you think and communicate been so important to all your primary relationships. With Pluto and Venus in Capricorn in the house of shared wealth there could be important business and personal negotiations afoot this month. Stay present, civil and as conscious as possible. The other major retrograde focus this month is Jupiter in your behind-the-scenes spiritual sector in Taurus. This month ask yourself what old outworn beliefs about your worthiness or lack thereof could be blocking your deep sense of self esteem and real abundance in your life.

CANCER: The Sun and Mercury retrograde are shining in your work and health sector asking you to spend some time this month to focus on healing your body with healthy nutritious foods. Examine the daily routines of your life to see where repairs need to be made in your daily approach to work, organization and all of your scheduling needs. Jupiter is retrograde in your friendship and networking sector encouraging you to repair any ruptures with friends and to reflect on the wealth of friendship you possess. This may be a time when you reconnect with people from your past that could help further your goals. Mars in Virgo in your communication sector gives you plenty of energy to communicate, but stay very conscious and err on the side of discretion while Mercury is in retrograde. Use this time to repair how you think and speak to yourself and how you speak to others.

LEO: This month Leo, it’s time to look back and reflect on any unfinished creative projects. The Sun is shining in your house of creativity, children and the inner child. This month heal your relationship to the child within by dusting off at least two activities you loved to do as a child. Repair your relationship to fun, art and creativity. With Jupiter retrograde in Taurus your career is poised for an expansion, but not just yet, This month reflect on the career you want and what issues of self worth might be standing in the way of your getting it. Inner child work can really help heal these issues. It’s also a great month to make a vision map or do a one day vision quest of prayer and meditation on your career. Mars in Virgo in your fiscal and self esteem sector says get your finances organized and in order. You’re worth it.

VIRGO: Mars in your sign gives you plenty of energy to focus on yourself and on asserting yourself. Be careful of impetuous speech while Mercury, your ruling planet is in retrograde. The Sun and Mercury retrograde are shining in your house of home. This month is a great time to pull in and create sacred, festive space in your home. Engage in winter and healing rituals in your home. Have friends over, especially ones you feel comfortable being quiet around. Spend some time reflecting on your family of origin and any unhealed issues that might be asking for your attention, then contemplate your global family and the many wisdom traditions that exist to help you heal. Jupiter is retrograde in Taurus in your house of philosophy asking you to reflect on your philosophy of wealth and your own worthiness. Remember it is an abundant universe and you are its child.

LIBRA: This month the Sun and Mercury retrograde are shining in your house of communication. It’s time to revisit and repair any issues around communication or communication projects. Spend time reflecting on what could make your communications more wise and expansive. Be restrained in how you speak to people this month. Reflect on writing projects or anything that may involve print. Dream up some big new projects. What you clearly imagine this month could come to pass when Mercury goes direct. Jupiter is retrograde in your house of shared wealth and intimacy. Ask yourself how worthy you feel to be shared with. The next couple of months, if you do the healing work around issues of worthiness, may lead you to manifesting a truly bountiful harvest of beauty and abundance this spring. You deserve kindness, wealth and respect. Your job is to truly believe that.

SCORPIO: This month the Sun and Mercury retrograde are shining in your financial and self esteem sectors asking you to heal your relationship to both self esteem and money. What wonderful, fun, writing, teaching or project involving travel could you capitalize on? This is also a month to get clear about your finances and to formulate a plan of conscious spending and conscious saving. Bountiful new partnerships are coming to you but not just yet. It is time to heal all that does not feel worthy of loving and fair in your business and personal relationships. The serious focus is still on your spiritual life and letting go of a whole old cycle of manifestation. While you’re at it let go of any squalor and deprivation thinking. Begin visualizing what ideal partnerships would look like, and what you would look like in them.

SAGITTARIUS: Happy Birthday Sagittarius! This month the Sun and Mercury retrograde are asking you to get uncharacteristically quiet and reflective, and to contemplate yourself and your philosophy. How do you define yourself? How do you define wisdom? Are you living in alignment with your values? Are you living a generous, abundant, and adventurous life? How do you share? How do you connect with your beloveds? With other cultures? With your Source? This is a great month to connect with angelic forces all around you and to ask for help aligning your mind heart and soul with the highest good for all. If any issues need healing in how you speak to yourself, this is a good time to work on healing them. Jupiter, your ruling planet is retrograde in Taurus, in your work and health sector asking you to reflect on your health routines. Take up yoga or some athletic pursuit. This is also a time to reflect on both your work schedule and your definition of wealth. This year you are asked to turn inward and explore the inner spiritual journey. In doing this your outer journey will become increasingly exquisite and sublime. May Infinite Peace and Angelic Bliss be yours this month.

CAPRICORN: This month the Sun and Mercury retrograde are in your spiritual sector asking you to truly connect with the divine this holiday season. This month is a great time to reconnect with the Source and use that legendary discipline of yours to reinstate a daily spiritual practice from the culture or cultures of your choice. In doing this you will create an invisible and magical foundation that will support every other aspect of your life. You are still in the crucible of transformation. Let your connection to the divine burn away all that no longer serves the new emerging you. Venus in your sign helps you love yourself this month and confers great loveliness with which to enjoy the holidays. Celebrate your own beauty and create beauty all around you. Jupiter retrograde in Taurus says you will capitalize on your creativity, but not just yet. For now do rewrites and revisit old creative projects. Also any inner child work you do can be extraordinarily effective right now, and can clear the way to new highways of abundance.

AQUARIUS: This month the Sun and Mercury retrograde are shining in your house of networking and friendship, your favorite sector of the zodiac. Reflect on the wonderful relationships in your life. Repair any rifts with friends and be open to reconnecting with people from your past. This is a great month to contemplate your philosophy and how you plan to network with like-minded people in order to further the causes you hold dear. For you, more than any other sign of the zodiac, a friendship network that really supports you is almost a matter of survival. Take steps to heal or create a social network that really supports you. Begin by reflecting on what is missing in this area of your life. This month Jupiter, the planet of wealth, is moving retrograde in your house of home and ancestry. Reflect on the inner wealth that is your family legacy. Repair any rifts with family members. Let the Grace of the season help you apologize even if the other party is also wrong. Use sacred generosity and largess to be the bigger person.

PISCES: This month the Sun and Mercury retrograde are shining in your house of career asking you to reflect, revise and reconsider career plans and options. You may hear from old business contacts who are interested in reconnecting with you. Venus and Pluto in your friendship network make that network a likely source of harmonious business contacts. Jupiter, the planet of wealth in your financial sector, makes this also an excellent month to review your finances and to review any old self esteem issues that may block your abundance. Ask yourself “Do I feel worthy of respect?” “ Wealth?” “Love?” Do any work now on clearing up any issues around entitlement and when Mercury goes direct on the 26th you will have an uncluttered psyche and a clear vision of how to surf the monster wave of abundance that is surely headed your way.

Namaste,
Demitra