Sheela Adhar
- Dec 10, 2019
- 7 min read

Astro Astro: Full Oak Moon in Gemini, December 2019

Astro/ Astro December Full Oak Moon in Gemini

credits: NASA

All Hail & Welcome to Astro/ Astro December 2019. We are in the final month of 2019, according to the Gregorian calendar introduced by Pope Gregory XIII, in 1582. This month’s full moon is in the sign of Gemini the twins and the Sun is in Sagittarius until December 21st, when it transits into the sign of Capricorn, I will discuss the significance of this later in the astrology section of the article. Full moon phase occurs 12 December @ 5.12 GMT. December is a month of celebration to many faith systems and religious pathways which can be seen from the non bias list of religious and spiritual events and observances I have produced for you. All that after meandering through the international phenomenon of naming the moon. I will finish this months article with my regular astronomical events list of dates for your diaries, so eyes to the skies. Enjoy the read with my gratitude for joining me on my journeying.

Naming the Moon

Credits: EFB 2010 found on Pinterest

As mentioned naming the full moon phase is an international phenomenon. Each geographical area has its own unique agricultural or ecological events which helped to produce a name for each full phase moon.There are many names for each moon, depending on where you are from or what it is you believe in. The moon takes approximately 28 days to go through her cycle, in which time she goes through the same process which the Earth & Sun take a year to cycle through. Each phase has a relationship to us humans and how we interact and feel within the world in which we live. We have lived our lives by the moon throughout time immemorial. Lets take a look at the naming of the moon around the world and its significance to those ancients who named the full phase. The Native American names for December’s full moon are Cold Moon & Long Night Moon. The Montana tribes named this moon the Younger Hard Time Moon, and is a precursor to next month’s Hard Time Moon. In China it is the time of the Bitter Moon, a reflection of the dipping temperature? In India we are in the month of Margashirsha when the Margashirsha Purnima is observed. Hindu devotees worship the Moon God as it is believed that on this day, the Moon was blessed with Amrit, known as the nectar of immortality. The British Medieval Celtic names for the moon are Full Cold Moon and Oak Moon, Oak being a symbol of the ever revolving battle between the lighter side of the year and the darker side of the year. In many Pagan traditions these are represented as battling kings Oak versus Ivy. Finally in the Druidic tradition of Ogham, we are in the month of the Elder, so this will be the Elder Moon, also known as the Moon of Endings. The tradition of elder is that it has the most amazing self healing properties and can bounce back to life even after it has been cut back, quickly making reparations to itself, so as to spring back from recovery. Known as Ruish in Celtic, this moon is creative and has the element of renewal. It is also known to be the time of new beginnings and endings, a symbol of the cycle of birth, life, death, rejuvenation and rebirth. Elder has been used for protection against negative entities & energies. This month is connected to Faerie & nature spirit magick.

Non Bias listing: spiritual & religious celebrations & observations calendar for the coming month of December.

December

22nd - Winter Solstice / Yule in Northern Hemisphere.

Summer Solstice/ Litha in Southern Hemisphere - Pagan

23rd - 1st day of Hannukah - Jewish

Jewish festival of lights

24th - Christmas Eve - Christian

25th - Christmas day - Christian

26th - Zaratosht No Diso - Zoroastrian

Death of the prophet Zarathushtra

30th - Last day of Hannukah - Jewish

31st- Omisoka - Japanese

Cleansing of shrines, home shrines, altars for the new year; bells of Buddhist temples are struck 108 times to warn of the 108 evils to overcome.

31st - Hogmanay - Ancient Scottish National celebration (International)

Marking the End of the old year & beginning of the new year.

January 2020

1st - New years day/ Hogmanay

1st - Naming of Jesus Christ - Christian

1st - Ganjitsu - Japanese

3 day New years celebration

2nd & 13th - Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh - Sikh

6th - Theophany/ Baptism of the Christ - Orthodox

6th - Epiphany - Christian

Gifts of the Magi to the Christ child

6th - 7th - Christmas Eve - Rastafarian / Ethiopian

Astrology

Credits: vectorstock.com

Ok, there is a lot going on for us all at this time of year and much of it is so out of synch with what is occurring in nature. There is also a lot going on in Astrology and the cosmos too, so its going to come down to your personal values, ethics and self awareness, as to how much of the festive season you absorb into yourself and surroundings. Lets all be a little more self aware to know when it is down time, You time, as this is very important to avoid burnout. Be careful which functions you choose to go to and be aware of how draining this can be on your body & mind. In addition, you will experience many people who do not like this season for many reasons, just be kind, as you really don’t know why that person may dislike this time of year or find it so difficult. With that said, lets crack on with this full moons energies & aspects.

When the moon reaches full phase, for us it is usually a culmination of intentions set at new moon and actions toward that intention which come to fruition. However, there are moons throughout the year which act a little like markers for us to use our hindsight to effectively understand the past six months and the theme we wish to carry with us on our journey through the next half year. This is one such marker as we end the last full moon of the year in a Gemini moon during Sagittarius season, but as Christmas & new year creep up on us we enter into cardinal sign Capricorn season which herald the last 3 signs of the zodiac cycle. Our new moon is also in Capricorn, which makes for some excitement during this phase. More of that in my new Moon article which will be released just before Christmas.

credits : Pinterest unknown artist

Before all of that Goatly energy kicks in we have the Sun in Sagittarius until 21st December, so Full moon phase will be with a Sagittarian Sun shining on to our ego and external selves. Sagittarius is a fire sign and has been adding friendly, open minded philosophical qualities to our month, if we have been able to stop and slow down enough to pick up on it, otherwise you've probably experienced quite the opposite. This sag’ Sun sits opposite the Moon in Gemini. Gemini is the sign of the mind, an air sign of communication. So this moon phase looks a lot like there will be a revelation in communication. Venus plays a part here too, so think along the lines of what love or financial situations have been simmering over the past 6 months. This will be where a majority of your open minded talk will come from. Go with this flow and clear the air, ready for that capricious New moon energy we’ll be seeing more of from 26th December toward and into the new year.

As mentioned, Venus is playing quite the part in this month’s astrology due to being caught between Saturn & Pluto, so lets take a look at how these aspects affect our moon feels. Saturn is the planet of karma and discipline. This giant requires us to face our truths. Pluto is the planet of transformation, with intense transformative powers. Venus rules over love and money. Now, sit with that thought for a moment and think about what could possibly need working on in those areas, in your own life. Remember the truth will out. It may not be pretty but is necessary for moving forward. Furthermore, a word of advice, when out shopping, do ask yourself if you are likely to regret buying THAT item, as this is likely the Venus/ Full moon in Gem’ energy influencing you.

Let us not forget the other protagonists which could influence the energies of this communicative moon phase. Jupiter has moved into Capricorn. This is a huge aspect as Jupiter takes a whole year to transit one sign of the zodiac, so we will be experiencing Jupiter/ Capricorn energies over the next 12 months. Jupiter’s HQ is Sagittarius, so this big fella is out of his home zone and into Capricorn territory. Expect the unexpected, so look for doors opening in established institutions, look for challenges and changes which could benefit your career prospects. This is a great time to begin something new, like a small business venture as Jupiter in Capricorn can really make you ask the right questions and get the correct answers to all your business enquiries. This is also a good time for personal development, taking time to learn something new or to continue with what you have been putting your effort into. The qualities of this full moon in Gemini brings about the need to break free from the usual, to find space with others who are on your wavelength. This is time to be yourself and enjoy the company like-minded individuals. In addition, it is a good time for journalling, lucid dreaming, meditation too as this full moon squares Neptune on his home turf in Pisces.

To round up the end of the Gregorian calendar year, end projects and plan new ones. Get rid of old patterns which did not work for your plans in 2019, or wrap up the end of a project which didn’t work out. Re-evaluate and re-plan. Share your thoughts and knowledge with the world. Put the world to rights if you need to, but always listen to your body and give it some YOU time. Spend time with those who resonate with you if you can. Do the things which make your soul sing. Talk to your loved ones and clear the air ready for new year and beyond. Watch your finances and your love life.

Astronomy

Astronomical events for the coming month

December

12th - Full Moon

13th - 14th - Gemininds meteor shower

credits : AstronomyNow.com

Best show of the year with up to 120 multicoloured meteors per hour! produced by debris from Asteroid 3200 Phaethon, discovered in 1892. unfortunately a nearly full moon will restrict some viewing. Meteors will radiate from the constellation of Gemini.

22nd - Solstice

winter solstice/ Yule/ 1st day of winter in the northern hemisphere. Summer solstice / Litha / 1st day of summer in the southern hemisphere.

21st - 22nd - Ursids meteor shower

5 - 10 meteors per hour. Created by debris from Comet Tuttle, discovered in 1790. A waning crescent will mean good visibility. best viewed after midnight, radiating from Ursa Minor constellation but seen all over the sky.

26th - New Moon

26th - Annual Solar Eclipse

Above all, A blessed Yuletide, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, an abundant new year to you all, Merry meet and merry meet again.Watch out for my new moon article, soon to be released.

Have a blessed couple of weeks .

Sheela