Waning Dark Moon in Sagittarius, December 23rd-26th

• Dark Moon: Sagittarius
• Begins: December 23rd 11:34 AM EDT / 8:34 AM PDT
• Element: Fire
• Modality: Mutable
• Planetary Ruler: Jupiter

ABOUT THE DARK/ BALSAMIC PHASE

The dark moon is the phase when it’s still displaying a thin silver line, at the verge of becoming invisible in the night sky. Symbolically, it represents the declining phase of the cycle of life. It begins two nights before the New Moon, which is when it has lost all its the illumination. Thus, this phase prepares us for the rebirth and new beginning that comes after the exact conjunction between the two luminaries.

RETURNING TO THE CAVE

Further, it always begins in the sign of the last astrological season and thus, of the last New Moon. It represents the time when we’re heading back to the cave, when we return from our journey through the outside and head towards our inner/underworld. In its growing phase we meet the outer expression of that sign during the lunation. Conversely, when it’s waning, we meet its inner expression, as the Sun is no longer in that sign. Further, it invites us to rest, recharge, release from energetic or body toxins, banish what we want out or cut the cords that attach us to the past. It’s when we enter the Crone phase, commune with the Dark Goddess and meet with our shadow side.

WANING DARK MOON IN SAGITTARIUS: CLOSING LAST SEASON´S CHAPTER

We have a waning Moon in the longest nights of the year for the Northern Hemisphere to further intensify the introspective and incubating energies. As in every Winter Solstice, Capricorn Season begins, but before fully entering it, the cosmos invites us to recapitulate and reflect on what surged during Sagittarius season. From the New Moon in Sagittarius to the Full Moon in Gemini, a vision may have emerged, but now we meet its waning dark moon to fully internalize it because as Demetra George states, “the way to the vision that inspires renewal is to be found in moving through the darkness.” It’s after this phase that the intentions we set during last astrological season are sealed, so we set new ones with the next New Moon in accordance with the zodiac sign it occurs. Hence, this is why it’s ideal to reflect on what still need to be released so we begin next season with nothing holding us back.

Furthermore, meeting this sign again, but in its inner expression, it invites us to release and let go of what may prevent that vision to manifest or those intentions. It may be limiting beliefs, or simply anything that may act as a barrier in our path towards our objectives.

In addition, the Full Moon in Gemini square to Neptune, may have revealed the inauthentic in our lives or what may have been under the veils of illusion, helping us see things as they are as Capricorn energies were still very present during this past season. Hence, with this Waning Dark Moon we release what is out of alignment with ourselves or from our soul desires, we heal from anything that may have brought disillusionment and change beliefs that may be either too limiting or not based in reality. Jupiter, ruler of Sagittarius, is now in Capricorn, thus 2020 will ask us to follow the goals that we can achieve through our hard work or effort, instead of waiting for things to come to us in a silver platter. 

MOON’S ASPECT TO PLANETS

The Moon in Sagittarius will make a conjunction to Mercury. This aspect will make the mind and communication highly active, this makes it ideal to introspect on the matters above and get complete clarity on what needs to be released so you begin this Winter Solstice knowing fully what you want to manifest for the Spring Equinox or in the year 2020 in general.

The Moon will be also meeting harmoniously with Venus in Aquarius, adding the element of Air to this dark Moon, and it will help us understand our emotions in a conscience level so we take action on fulfilling our emotional needs or desires. 

RITUALS & ACTIVITIES

As we did during the New Moon in Sagittarius, this dark Moon is excellent to reflect one last time on our limiting beliefs and if we’ve taken action on changing them. The first step is recognizing them, then you change them with affirmations or with actions that indicate to the universe that your mindset has shifted. Rituals during this Moon will be perfect to be done with the element of Fire, like candles for example. More so considering that to celebrate the Winter Solstice, it’s usual to light candles to symbolize the return of the light, as it’s from this season that days will gradually become longer. Hence, anything that needs to be released, turn it to ashes.