Cosmic Communion

An auspicious pre-Solstice alignment is forming in the heavens, visible from Earth this weekend in the early morning sky. This rare visible stellium involves Jupiter, Mercury and Mars aligned within a 1-degree circle and nearly conjunct the bright star Graffias in the head of the constellation Scorpius. Meanwhile, Venus emerges from the underworld to become the evening star on the opposite horizon. Pluto and Venus, fresh from their exact conjunction on December 7 and very near the degree of the Galactic Center, anchor the late degrees of Sagittarius.

The creative/transformational potential of this event is profound.

Alignments of planets and stars create energetic portals that magnify our thoughts and intent. As we navigate the transition into the next world age, it's more important than ever to create consciously with these portals. We have the Sun and five planets in Sagittarius, the Archer who seeks higher Truth, meaning, knowledge of the Great Beyond. To Sagittarius, learning is experiential, freedom essential. "The truth shall set you free."

The conjunction of three planets with Graffias in the early degrees of Sagittarius connects us with cosmic dimensions. Pluto and Venus align with the heart of Creation, deepening our experience of Love-Presence.

During this period, align with the higher-dimensional frequencies through individual and group ritual, prayer, ceremony, meditation, dance, drumming, chanting and creative activities. Allow for the transformation of your beliefs, ideals and aspirations. Let go of judgment and what you think you know. Reach higher, commune with cosmic intelligence. Go for the extreme experiences. Journey into unknown realms. Channel your creativity in new and stimulating ways. Now is the time to manifest your dreams and visions!

Stargazing Tips

You can see this intriguing celestial gathering very low in the east-southest sky in the early morning hours, around 6:30 AM local time. The exact alignment of the planets will be on December 10. On that morning, Jupiter, Mars and Mercury will resemble an arrowhead pointing west, with Mars at the point. Because of the low altitude and the stellium's proximity to the Sun, Mars will be nearly invisible without binoculars or a telescope. There will be exact conjunctions between Mercury and Mars (December 9), Mercury and Jupiter (December 10) and Mars and Jupiter (December 11) . . . you can see and feel the stellium throughout this period. If you use binoculars on the morning of December 10, Mercury will appear very close below and to the right of the second magnitude star Graffias in Scorpius, the Scorpion. Through stargazing, we align with the energies on all levels of our being. Even if you can't distinguish this particular configuration, it will be worth the effort to rise early and commune with the stars on these mornings, especially Sunday.

by Allison Ray