The more I study ancient Chinese philosophy, the more I come to appreciate how civilizations through history have looked to the stars to understand the patterns that occur on Earth. I’ve become more interested in great celestial events and their possible meaning. If nothing else, they can provide potent questions for self-inquiry. So… let’s talk about this Great Conjunction that is happening today, on the Winter Solstice.
What is it? What does it mean for the world? How can you apply it to your life?
I listened to a podcast by Western astrologer Jessica Lanyadoo about The Great Conjunction and here is what I gleaned. When there is a perfect line of planets that include ours it is called a conjunction. When you look into the night sky you can see this planetary overlay with the naked eye, and it looks like the most brilliant star in the heavens, colloquially being termed the “Christmas Star”. This Saturn-Jupiter conjunction happens once every 19.6 years, with the last ones occurring in 2000, and before that in 1981. When these particular planets have been aligned in the past they have very often coincided with major structural changes to government, as Saturn relates to governments and hierarchies.
The Saturn archetype is one of managing through control and rigid structure, with constriction and restriction. These elements of rigidity and structure are easy to dismiss as negative qualities to be avoided – but structure provides a necessary container, giving stability, safety, and holding. It is with gratitude that I can drink water out of a solid, rigid, glass structure! Interestingly, the Jupiter archetype is just about the polar opposite – being more about the ideological – philosophy and religion, and with attributes of freedom, expansion, and big picture truth. So these two energies together create a very interesting dynamic.
On a personal level here is how these energies mingle. The Saturn part will have you take responsibility for what you are and aren’t doing and the impact that has on the world, and the Jupiter part will have you experience hope, joy, excitement and curiosity about life. I find it helpful to frame it as my astrologer friend puts it – Jupiter is helping Saturn to loosen up a bit, to bring optimism and a positive attitude to what Saturn is here to do.
So, now is the perfect time to do some inquiry around how you’ve put your life together. This intense year has been one of self-revelation for many, coming to understand what matters most. Now is the perfect time to reflect on these inner-wisdom gems that were unearthed and use the Saturn-Jupiter energy to assist as you continue refining your life to align with your deepest truth.
So what did you realize this year about yourself and what you hold dear?
What structures, if anything, can you joyfully put in place to assist you in living your best life?
