Thursday, December 25, 2014

Yule-mas...2014...

("Father and son and their dog collecting a tree in the forest"; Artist: F. Kruger Vorweihnacht, 1797-1857) 

December of 2014 is nearing its end. Where does the time go? As I grow older I find myself asking that question more often. Sitting here at my keyboard I am beginning this much over do post in...well, not so much a reflective state of mind. I find myself thinking in terms of where I am. Today. In this moment. Trying to balance personal difficulties with things that I'm thankful for. With the last bit of spin on the wheel of the year, in these final days of the 365 we begin each January 1st, I strive to live...to be in the moment...and to face the future. Not to predict it, or worry about it...just to face it. It will be what I make of it. No, I can't foresee what is to come, but I can live in a way that shapes things. We all dance to a tune of our own making. Positive, or negative. Half full, or half empty. It really is just that simple.

Yule came and went. I sensed the great battle between the two kings as I toiled in the mine (I refer to my job as the 'mine'). The reigning Oak king was set upon by the Holly King, just as he is every year. The Winter Solstice marks the spot. The cold months have officially begun, and the Holly King has begun his reign. 

Christmas began months before the official date at the mine. Customers were even snatching up decorations and baking supplies well before they were needed. Ah, the commercial machine that is Christmas. It's not for me, really. I did put up a tree. The only tree we have, which is an inexpensive fake one. Anymore, I am strongly opposed to the notion of buying a dead tree to put in my living room. Trees are one of my favorite things. I prefer to observe them in nature. 
Glenn and I did exchange gifts. He gave me an electronic drawing pad that works with Photoshop. It's what I wanted, and I look forward to playing with it. I also was able to cook a nice dinner. My hands have been quite painful these last few weeks, so I wasn't quite sure if I would be able to handle cooking. I toughed it out and baked a nice ham. I see plenty of sandwiches in my immediate future.

I can see the difference in the outside world. The marsh has shifted from a vibrant green to the browns of dry dormancy. No snow is ever seen (at least not in the six or so years I have lived on the marshes banks), but there is a beautiful graying of things that takes place. A moody dullness. Rain is always in ready supply, and the past week hasn't disappointed. This particular wave of rain was accompanied by something that I love whenever it graces the marsh. Fog. Heavy fog. Some might even call it 'pea soup'.


These pictures are of spots along the marsh banks that I photograph frequently. The bank of Spanish Moss covered trees giving way to the sometimes muddy/sometimes wet marsh grassland that stretches to the Bull River and beyond to the causeway that leads to Tybee island. What can also be seen from the spot above is the Bull River Bridge, and the Bull River Yacht Club. This Yule morning everything was absent. Shrouded in a veil of fog. No 'thunk-thunk' of tires as cars crossed the bridge. No dull hum of boats cutting through the river's surface. Just a cottony quiet touched with the dull erratic drip of moisture collected on leaves, and the occasional call of a heron. Sublime.


From these two views of the dock remains (above and below) the bridge and yacht club are usually visible. Looking out at the wall of white felt like being cut off from the rest of the world. Like being in limbo. Not necessarily an eerie feeling. I would describe it as more of a 'dreamy' feeling. Calm and surreal. I really love the fog. Wish it would visit more often.



The holiday season has had me busy at the mine, so I am exhausted by the time I reach home. As a result, it took longer than I would have liked to post some of the photos of the final Full Moon of 2014, the Gemini Moon of December 6th. The conditions were perfect with a certain amount of cloud cover, and an amber haze that encircled the shining satellite.












Saturday, December 6, 2014

Full Moon In Gemini...December 6, 2014...


 (http://fineartamerica.com/featured/gemini-from-zodiac-series-dorina-costras.html)

The last Full Moon for 2014 is here, and it is in the sign of Gemini. This cycle is going to be ‘fire’ and ‘air’ sign dominant. The holiday season is always filled with time spent in the company of our family and friends. An urge to party usually goes hand and hand with this time of year, and 2014 will be no different. There are some things to be conscious of though…

I’ll start off with the good. As a creative person myself, I am happy to say that Gemini represents (among other things) creativity. This Moon being in Gemini means that creative energy is abundantly available, especially to writers. Don’t be surprised if you are inundated with creative ideas. Any blockages you might have been experiencing will most likely be removed. Maybe even think of a collaboration as the Sun and Ceres conjoin Mercury…all three in the sign of Sagittarius. Sharing your ideas with others could have some positive results.

There is a troublemaker about. An Arian Uranus that is trine to the Sagittarian Sun/Mercury conjunction, and sextile the Gemini Moon. Add that Uranus is square Pluto in Capricorn, and you could have your hands full. The potential for mischief is not as distressing as the potential fallout. Blunt feelings and opinions will be delivered unimpeded by the deliverer’s mental filters. In other words, exercising tact is the best way to go. Extra effort will need to be made to avoid hurting the feelings of others.

(Artist: David Palladini)
Jupiter in Leo will be trine Venus in Sagittarius. There is great potential to extend your finances beyond their limits. As much as the holidays make us want to give those we love a special gift, leave extravagance by the curb. Shopping on a budget is strongly advised. Focus on spending what you can.


Positive practices are important for this Yule season. Be kind and use tact. Be aware that others may not strive to use the same tact with you, so keep your head calm. Relax. Laugh. Love. 

If there are terms in the above that you are unfamiliar with, here is a link to a great online astrological dictionary:  http://www.evolvingdoor.ca/glossary/glossary.htm



The following excerpt is from the Farmer's Almanac:

  • The Full Cold Moon; or the Full Long Night's Moon ~ December: During this month the winter cold fastens its grip, and nights are at their longest and darkest. It is also sometimes called the Moon before Yule. The term Long Night Moon is a doubly appropriate name because the midwinter night is indeed long, and because the Moon is above the horizon for a long time. The midwinter Full Moon has a high trajectory across the sky because it is opposite a low Sun.