Several hundred years ago, as the Burmese army was about to invade Bangkok, temple monks covered their precious, solid gold Buddha with an eight-inch layer of clay to hide its value. Slaughtered to a man, they took their secret to the grave. The Buddha’s golden essence wasn’t discovered until 1957. During its relocation, the 2.5 ton statue cracked as rain began to fall. When the head monk inspected the statue that night, his flashlight revealed its true nature shining through. Injury followed by battering rain showed what this statue was really made of. And so it is for us fragile humans.
The coming year will reveal what we are made of, as it cracks the façade to reveal the gold within. To get a glimpse of what’s ahead, we look to the Winter Solstice (9:30 pm PST on Dec. 21st), and the Capricorn New Moon that closely follows it (5:47 am PST on Dec. 24). Both charts highlight the revolutionary Uranus-Pluto square that will shake things up between 2012 and 2015. Yet the Sun in early Capricorn also throws an exact, stabilizing trine to optimistic Jupiter in Taurus (the golden core), extra powerful as it prepares to turn forward on Christmas Day.
The year ahead promises enormous benefits, both material and spiritual (Jupiter), if we’re willing to release old patterns (Capricorn) and try something radically new (Uranus). Both the Solstice and New Moon charts also spotlight Venus, newly into experimental Aquarius, as she advocates for growth and freedom via aspects to Jupiter and Uranus.
With all the planets in forward motion from Dec. 25 through Jan. 23 (when Mars turns retrograde), it’s a fine time to launch something new. Capricorn symbolizes our true work. To discover what that looks like, we must often let convention fall aside–to quit working just to make money or meet others’ expectations. Are you doing what you came here to do? In 2012, staying stuck in a rut will only invite suffering and loss. Yet opening yourself to your higher calling brings exhilarating freedom along with increased prosperity.
At this New Moon, say a prayer of thanks for your cracks and wounds—they let your golden essence shine through. Ask for any facades that are not the “real you,” from excess weight to soul-stifling work, to fall away. Then, bask in the bliss of your true, golden nature and carry that feeling forth into the new year.
Here’s an Astro Feng Shui ritual to help your true nature shine forth as you work the Fame gua of your home.
© 2011 Simone Butler
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