Hello, everyone.

The big news this week is the Solstice on Tuesday, December 21 which is the exact same day as the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse.  These are powerful energies to usher us through the holidays!  But with Mercury still in retrograde motion until the 30th, I think we’ll all have the circumspection and inner quiet to glean the very best insights from this extraordinary combination.

I say extraordinary because this particular combination, the Lunar Eclipse on the day of the Solstice, last happened 456 years ago.  (Thanks to Patricia Thompson for that alert.)

Source:Wikipedia

Source:Wikipedia

Still in holiday mode I offer you the following slightly edited rewrites on the Solstice and the Eclipse, followed by a couple of great links to posts from two of my favorite astrology bloggers.  Have wonderful holidays, whichever ones you celebrate, and remember to take rest amid the festivities.

Create Your Own Solstice

Every activity of nature holds a correspondence to our lives.  Astrology is the practice of observing and learning from these connections.

According to Wikipedia,

A solstice is an astronomical event that happens twice each year, when the tilt of the Earth’s axis is most inclined toward or away from the Sun, causing the Sun’s apparent position in the sky to reach its northernmost or southernmost extreme. The name is derived from the Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still), because at the solstices, the Sun stands still in declination; that is, the apparent movement of the Sun’s path north or south comes to a stop before reversing direction.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solstice)

Twice each year the Sun appears to stand still in the sky.  In cultures all over the world and throughout history, people have noted and celebrated this semi-annual event.  The Wikipedia article on “Winter solstice” cites observances from Japan to the Inca Empire, from West Africa and Persia to the Zunis and Hopis of North America.

The Astronomical Sun

An astronomical event with this much impact in current and historical times can be felt in all parts of our lives.  What lesson can we take for our businesses?

The Sun in the sky is the center of our solar system.  Almost all of the energy that exists on this earth and in our lives comes from the Sun.  Of all aspects of nature the Sun holds the most essential place as it is directly responsible for the rhythms of our daily and yearly lives. At the solstices, the Sun stands still – it takes rest.  Whether at the northern or southern declination, there is a moment of apparent stillness.  Even this most powerful source of energy takes this moment of rest.

The Astrological Sun

In the chart of a business, the Sun represents the leader, the owner, the source of the vision and direction of the company.  The Sun represents the essential style of the leader and how the leader wields power and authority.  Through its aspects we can see the vitality of the business and how well the relationships between the owner and his/her employees function.  The Sun represents you.  Do you take rest?

The Solstices are natural reminders to pause; that as business leaders, whose lives are full of activity, there can be a natural point of stillness.

Your own Solstice

On Tuesday, December 21, why not create your own solstice?  I know it’s a hectic time of year with all of the celebrations and observances, but an essential part of any celebration is the still point, the point to remember the meaning of the day.  Take the day off if you can, or an hour, or even ten minutes.  Sit down with your coffee and remember that you are the Sun in your business, the essential source of guidance and inspiration.  Survey your world and thank yourself for your focus and energy of the past six months.  Or walk around and thank your employees for their focus and energy of the past six months.

And then begin again, just like the Sun.

Sage Advice for the Eclipse

Here is advice from seven sages to keep in mind for the Eclipse.

Ramana Maharshi, 1879 - 1950 (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

1.  Imagine that a deeply profound ocean of calm exists in you that is not affected by any turbulence. Deepak Chopra

2.  There is never a conflict with [a] person or condition, but rather a false concept mentally entertained about [that] person, thing, circumstance, or condition.  Therefore, make the correction within yourself, rather than attempting to change anyone or anything in the without. Joel S. Goldsmith

3.  The child blames the external and focuses his energies there; the warrior conquers the realms within and becomes gifted. St. Teresa of Avila

4.  In order to become a man of knowledge one must be a warrior, not a whimpering child.  One must strive without giving up, without a complaint, without flinching, until one sees, only to realize then that nothing matters. Don Juan to Carlos Castaneda

5.  Man follows the ways of the Earth.  The Earth follows the ways of Heaven, Heaven follows the ways of Tao, Tao follows its own ways. Lao Tzu, Translated by John C.H. Wu

6.  Pleasure or pain are only aspects of the mind.  Our essential nature is happiness.  Happiness is inherent in everyone and is not due to external causes. Ramana Maharshi

7.  Courage means rising to meet the demands of each moment with total delight, knowing you are equal to it. Gurumayi Chidvilasananda

Excellent blogs on the Eclipse:

This post by Joyce Mason is not strictly about the Lunar Eclipse, but on the overall Moon energies this month.  It also contains a wonderful graphic on the Sagittarius Moon.  Moonwalk:  Sagittarius

This wise and humorous post on the Eclipse and the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is full of Patricia Thompson’s wit. Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Gemini December 21, 2010

Do you have a question for Ellen? See the “Work with Ellen” tab at the top of this site for my Straight to the Point Response service.

For an overview of the month, see the Astro4Business Month Ahead – December 2010

Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

Sage Advice Quotation Acknowledgments:

1. (The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire:  Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence, by Deepak Chopra; Harmony Press)

2. (The Infinite Way, by Joel S. Goldsmith; DeVorss Publications)

4. (A Separate Reality – Further Conversations with don Juan, by Carlos Castaneda; Washington Square Press)

5. (Tao The Ching, Lao Tzu;  Shambhala Pocket Classics)

6. (The Essential Teachings of Ramana Maharshi, Inner Directions Publishing.)

7. (Sadhana of the Heart, by Gurumayi Chidvilasananda; SYDA Foundation)