Now let's think about what is the meaning of dividing up to a certain number of parts. Zodiac it self is divided into 12 signs as parts. I think the number 12 symbolize "organizational confinement". So division of 12 implies 12 steps toward growing into organizationally confined whole. In the same way, if we divide something into 3, we are analyzing 3 steps to become grown and characterized (which the number 3 symbolizes). The same image of dividing 12 signs into 3 "perspectives(as termed in Glenn Perry's text)", personal-interpersonal-transpersonal applys to this, too. So we are talking about generalization (or trans-personalization) of the function of Scorpio's developing personal sense of beauty, fairness and socializing theme. Divide by 2 means analyzing 2 steps to become aware of the theme of the region (which the number 2 symbolizes). So we are developing subjective awareness rather than objective of the second half, which will be developed afterward based on the experience here.
Then we finally divide the 5 degree area into 5 parts of 1 degree. 5 signifies expression of creativity. So we are thinking about 5 steps to creatively express the theme of the whole 5 degrees area. The first step of those 5 steps (with the former half of the third section of Sagittarius, this is the symbol "A child and a dog with borrowed eyeglasses"), is to simply observe the theme of the area. The Sagittarius' function of craving for exploration of insight and stimulating with each other, working collectively here in the 3rd decan, is now actually experienced as the situation in which both of them are eager to be treated as an adult. It is an expression of intention to join the society in their own individual way. The second step is to sense the reaction to the first movement. "A Chinese laundry", which is the theme degree for this month, is the scene we could feel the showing of one's own different culture which becomes a stimulation to others in the society to mind about their own culture. Then the third step is accumulation of the observations and their understandings. The symbol "Immigrants entering" tells the interaction leads to actual mixing of culture which might bring about a new style of living or way to view the world. When on 4th step, one tries to utilize the exploring ability to be of service in a community culture with decipline and refinement. "A bluebird standing at the door of the house" symbolize that the confirmation which tells that time is ripe to go for exploration. Sequential theme here is to establish firm mark that the immigrant is welcomed and became a part of the society. The fifth step is the creative output of this five degree area. The image of "A chubby boy on a hobby-horse" in this context is that if we utilize our mental ability to explore, we could raise a child just like being outside a house, which is a utilization of cultural mixture. And the boy thus gets positive motive to join the society. This process of five steps are around every degree we analyze with Sabian symbol, so being aware of the context helps focusing the meaning of the symbol.
Aspects to the Sun
A week before the New Moon, the Sun has touched Jupiter, and Japanese party leaders inaugurated each party's campaign, expressing important vision of their parties. After the New Moon, the Sun doesn't touch planet's until it goes into getting-things-done sign of Capricorn on 12/21. And on 12/22, it touches Neptune so leaders might express their idealistic vision around this time. On 12/26, the Sun touches Uranus and leaders could be shocked by unexpected response from people. Then on 12/30-31, the Sun will conjunct Pluto and sextile Saturn. Leadership might exert a strong controlling force which will make organizational system firm. Then for some reason, the Sun makes no aspect until the next New Moon.
Aspects among the rest of the planets
There is an important exact aspect of note among outer planets for this Moon month, which is sextile between Saturn and Pluto, exact on 12/27. Those are the two of the controlling and system making planets, and I call those as interaction between official stance and real intention. When sextile, those are in harmonious state or the aspect will support to become so.
The first inner planet to track is Mercury which has just entered Sagittarius and touched Neptune and Uranus right before and after the New Moon. People might be dreaming and talking about change in the social system. Then on 12/18 Mercury will touch Jupiter. Important idea or vision will spread into the society, and in Japan, it is right after the important election of lower house. After going into Capricorn around the end of year, Mercury touches Neptune, Uranus, Pluto and Saturn within just one week. So this new year period, after leadership has established some kind of system, brains or committees seem to have to work hard to make important brain or communicational works.
Next let's look at what Venus is up to. Venus goes into the sign of Sagittarius on 12/16 and then touch Neptune and Uranus on 12/17 and 12/20 respectively. Since Venus is a planet to foster cooperation, some idealistic or unexpected cooperation might be formed around this period. The timing is apt for those parties to think about how to establish coalition government. Then on 12/23, Venus touches Jupiter a few days before the Christmas! Good news for lovers and couples, or is it too good to be true!? After that right before the next New Moon, Venus makes contact with Neptune on 1/10. Another round of making cooperation or separation (since Venus touches Uranus right after the next New Moon)?
Next, let us talk about Mars, the action department. Mars is inactive within the rest of this year, and right after turning new year, it touches Uranus on 1/1 and Jupiter on 1/4. It seems that Mars and Mercury cooperates to proceed things in this period in response to leaders' establishment of system. So the new year holidays seems to be full of interesting agendas and movements. Then on 1/8, with Mars touching Saturn, we have to go back to work as usual or under the new system.
Planets which change direction or sign
Planets other than Sun and Moon sometimes change their direction of apparent movement seen from the earth. When a planet changes its direction, it moves slowly and may leave its mark on various social events in the world. Within this Moon month, only Uranus change its direction. Uranus goes direct on 12/13 after being retrograde for about 5 month. Uranus is related to unexpectedness and change, so the period around the change of direction, those themes might be emphasized. While the Uranus is retrograding, people tend to become aware of change or improvement which is connected more to private or individual themes rather than society at large. When it gets back to direct, people tend to utilize the energy more for the purpose of the whole society or organization.
And planets, especially those that move slowly, change their signs in sync with shifts in corresponding profile of social or collective psychology. Within this Moon month, the planet among the planets which travel slower than the earth that changes its sign is Mars. Mars were traveling through the sign of Capricorn and people tended to assert practical way to get things done in the period. As Mars goes into Aquarius from 12/26, people will tend to assert reform toward individual freedom, etc.
During this Moon month, keeping the points I have raised above, let's try to use our Sagittarius Sun's energy of exploring and showing our own culture or traits in the larger society and establishing a place in the society. It should be interesting to observe those symbols reflected in the real socio-situations in the world.
