It’s the gift of the Gemini Full Moon to help us open our minds in childlike wonder to receive the magic of the season.

But this year the Dec. 13/14 Full Moon arrives with an extra surge of intensity, singing:

“Wishes can come true when you wish with all your might.”

Gemini Full Moon

Each year, the Gemini Full Moon adds its frenetic rush to the holiday season, filling it with shopping and socializing. This year’s lunation is especially potent.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me. Or do they? The question is up for consideration under the Gemini Full Moon. It’s highlighting the emotional power and impact of words — from the ones you tell yourself, to everything that floats by, to and through you.”

Kathy Biehl, Empowerment Astrology

“Wits are sharp which can help those touched by this Moon get out of any scrapes. The biggest problem at this time is having too much choice. It’s like being at a buffet with a tiny plate and knowing you will offend all the cooks of the food you didn’t pick. Whatever choice you make will upset someone. At this full Moon you might constantly feel like you are being pulled in two directions. Dividing your life very rigidly for the time being could be the solution and wearing the right hat for the right job.”

Marina Macario, Darkstar Astrology

Or, the other option, adds Kathy Biehl: “Clean your radar. Clear out the static. Dump other people’s baggage out of your flight kit. Fine tune your signal. And buckle up for blast off. ”

The Power of Words

Be careful what you wish for this holiday season, you might get it. Words take on special power as the Gemini Full Moon’s ruler Mercury rapidly slows to turn retrograde within a degree of potent Pluto in Capricorn.

“The Full Moon ruler, Mercury, engaged in a dark dance with the Lord of the Underworld Pluto, in Capricorn, and already transiting the shadow of the upcoming Retrograde cycle, incites us to pay attention to the obscure subtexts of the conversations we’ll be having.

“What can be easily observed and immediately digestible might actually be a hint of a much larger issue, Pluto-style. Taking uncompromising stands and voicing polarized opinions might cause our words to break down the structures that rest on weak foundations.

“Mercury merging with Pluto is about the power of words – and I mean ‘power’ in the foucaultian sense of the term: obscure, occult, coercive. Such power can either be used to dig up the most toxic and detrimental psychological waste, or to manipulate.”

Aeterna, Aeternalight Astrology

“Cosmic messenger Mercury… is closing in on Pluto, lord of death and regeneration, who strips everything he touches down to its essence. That’s a recipe for deep-level, permanent change, which we’ll get to revisit and take even deeper when Mercury begins his final retrograde of the year on Dec. 19.”

Kathy Biehl, Empowerment Unlimited

Electric Light Show

With energizing aspects from Mars, Jupiter and Uranus, the Gemini Full Moon is lit up like a holiday tree.

“Thankfully, Jupiter and Uranus, both positively aspecting the Moon, are our allies, providing the right mix of faith and emotional detachment to navigate the ambivalent, mutable tides of this loquacious, erratic plenilune. While Jupiter in Libra engenders confidence in the benefits of cooperation and approaching sensitive issues in a tactful, civilized manner, Uranus in Aries urges us to remember that owning our truth is a radical, unapologetic act of self-love that we shouldn’t be afraid to make, and that words only have as much power over us as we give them.”

Aeterna, Aeternalight Astrology

“The same result is coming from action hero Mars, in progressive, detached, future-oriented Aquarius. He is working with Jupiter and the Moon in the freely flowing energy of a grand trine, which connects thoughts, emotions and actions in a continuous loop. The warrior god’s Spock-like perspective (and willingness to fight for the greater good) is blending with the Gemini Moon’s lively, multi-faceted intellectual bent (and emotional reactions to our data flow) and Jupiter’s optimism, expansiveness and current interest in relationships and agreements.”

Kathy Biehl, Empowerment Unlimited

Auld Lang Syne

Fortunately, there’s a list one cooler head at the party. Saturn with the Sun reminds us to slow down, and temper our enthusiasm with realism. Invest your energies and resources in things that will endure into the new year.

“Moon opposite Saturn is serious about getting ahead and will activate driving ambition. Those touched by this Full Moon will have very high standards (and maybe seen as a tad too critical) This makes us strive towards bettering oneself. The Moon rules habits while Saturn is structure and organization, therefore this is a great Moon to learn endurance and self-discipline. “

Marina Macario, Darkstar Astrology

“The presence of Saturn might pressure us to actually do something with the volatile tidbits of information coming our way, sticking with the most realistic, mature option in the turbulent sea of Gemini possibilities; we might have to adjust our choices or self-expression to accommodate rules or work with limitations, and there’s also the possibility for our attempts at communication to be met with resistance.”

Aeterna, Aeternalight Astrology

“The opposition to Saturn is a bit funky. On the one hand, it stabilizes the more frenetic Mars-Jupiter-Uranus aspects and keeps the mood focused. On the other hand, it can show something definitely cramps our style here, like the good vibes can’t fully get off the ground.”

Clarissa, Viva Combusta!

Other Considerations

As always, a few other astrological alignments add additional nuance to the cosmic weather forecast.

Asteroids

The centaur Chiron, called the “wounded healer,” is at the bendings of the lunation — that means it squares both the Sun and Moon. It’s been a long year, and the tensions we avoided may finally come to bubbling to the surface during the holidays.

“The square to Chiron … shows that — perhaps as a result of the brasher aspects — hurt feelings and sore spots can be disturbed. Sagittarius is notorious for “foot in mouth” blurts, and Gemini is typically loquacious; some people will be running high and running their mouths to match. Passionate discourse of any topic is going to be common. I suppose it’s inevitable under such a sky that things are said that rub people the wrong way. Try not to take “offensive” statements too seriously, as it may be just as awkward for the person who blurts stuff out as it is to hear it.”

Clarissa, Viva Combusta!

“The sensitive square between the Moon and Chiron suggests that this might not be a carefree situation. The information coming to light under this Full Moon might hit us right in our most vulnerable spot, or we might rub someone the wrong way in the rush to get the words out. The need to accommodate Saturn’s demands, adhering to a standard forced on us from a higher authority, might bring out our feelings of intellectual inadequacy and trigger our fear of underperforming, of not living up to expectations. The tension will keep the conversation circulating, but it will also expose wounds, flaws, mistakes.”

Aeterna, Aternalight Astrology

“Pressure is bearing down to reset boundaries, too. It may not be as comfortable as Jupiter’s input, but it’s both helpful and curative. It’s coming off the dynamic configuration of the T-square the Sun and the Moon are making to Chiron in Pisces, and offering an escape route into intactness. 

“With the wounded healer in the waters of inter-connectedness, we have been, in some ways, drowning in emotional wounds — ours, our friends’ and family’s, those of the downtrodden or underdogs, strangers’ plights that flash across our screens, down to deep and core traumas in our collective psyche. 

“This Full Moon has the power to propel us out of the morass. And the way out may be as simple as changing your thinking. And that may be as simple as becoming aware of what is yours and what is someone else’s.”

Kathy Biehl, Empowerment Unlimited

Sabian Symbol

Astrologers have also assigned meanings to specific degrees of the Zodiac; the most popular or these systems are called the Sabian Symbols.

The Sabian symbol for the new moon: “Three fledglings in a nest high in a tree.”

The astrologer Dane Rudhyar suggested this symbolizes the beginning of a spiritual process, which will come to fruition with deeper integration.

Lunar Mansion

In addition to the familiar 12-sign solar zodiac, there’s also a 28-sign lunar Zodiac.

The lunar zodiac sign — also called the “Lunar Mansion” — is called Al Dhira, which I call “the Open Hand” for short. Only open hands may receive universal abundance. Cultivate relaxed acceptance so you may give and receive freely.

Summing It Up

If you feel like your head’s spinning during the Gemini Full Moon, you’re probably not alone.

Enjoy the rush. Then try and find a moment for a time out — the choices you make are creating your world.

full moon essentials

Lunaria Datebook

Last Moon Phase: New Moon in Sagittarius

Next Moon Phase: New Moon in Capricorn

Full Moon December 2016 Dates and Times

San Francisco: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 4:05 p.m. PST

New York: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 7:05 p.m EST

São Paulo: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 10:05 p.m. BRDT

London: Wednesday, Dec. 14, 12:05 a.m. GMT

Istanbul: Wednesday, Dec. 14, 3:05 a.m.  EEST

Mumbai: Wednesday, Dec. 14, 5:35 a.m. IST

Tokyo: Wednesday, Dec. 14, 9:05 a.m. JST

Sydney: Wednesday, Dec. 14, 11:05 a.m. AEDT

2 Comments

  1. lisa on December 12, 2016 at 7:54 pm

    any thoughts and insights regarding the mystic rectangle occurring along with the Gemini full moon December 2016? I am a Gemini at 17 degrees and I understand the full moon is 22 degrees. will this mystic rectangle add to the significance of this moon for everyone but especially us twins?
    thanks for any feedback

  2. Paulette on December 14, 2016 at 1:03 am

    Thank you so much for providing your gifts of insight. My experience, to add to the mix, while happily skipping along decorating and singing carols, I fell dowm some stairs, feet flying up in the air and landing on my tailbone -three times. How is that for Gemini/Sag Full Moon with Sun conjunct Saturn? . I think I’m OK. Looking forward to your New Year gifts Merry Christmas/Holidays

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