Esoteric Astrology as news for week December 17-23, 2025

Hanukkah, Mourner’s Kaddish, Fourth Advent Candle & Winter Solstice

This is the week leading up to Winter Solstice and Hanukkah – eight-day Hebrew festival of Light. We also are praying the Mourners Kaddish (prayer) for our Jewish brothers and sisters everywhere in the world, but especially Australia. 

Friday is the last new moon of 2025, occurring at 28 degrees Sagittarius. The keynote for Sagittarius is “We see the goal, reach that goal, then another goal appears” That goal for each of us at this time, this week, is the Winter Solstice, the new light for our new upcoming year of 2026. 

Winter Solstice (Yule) begins Sunday December 21. The new light shines from the Tropic of Capricorn, the Sun’s golden light penetrating deep within the heart of the Earth.  Soon we will have small increments of increasing light in the mornings in the northern hemisphere. The paradox of light in the darkness, then more and more light appears! 

On Sunday, the evening of Winter Solstice, we light our 4th Advent Candle. It honors humanity and is the Love Candle. And the angel said to those who saw the star, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)

Hanukkah (consecration, dedication) commemorates a miracle that occurred (165 BC) in the Jewish Temple after it was destroyed. There was only one night of oil for the lamps. But the oil lasted eight days, enough time to recapture and rededicate the temple. And so, at sunset, lighting the Menorah (candleabra), remembering the miracle of Light. Each night, we light a candle – right, left, right, left, reciting the blessing and prayer, “Blessed are You, O G-d. Who has performed miracles for our fathers. Who has given us Life.” We light the first candle on the Menorah. 

We send ongoing prayers to all who suffered, were afraid and affected in the Sydney massacre. We recite the Mourner’s Kaddish – prayer for Peace. “May He who makes peace in His high places, make peace upon us and upon all peoples in the world.” The Mourner’s Kaddish is a communal declaration of faith and hope for a better world, focusing on God’s greatness even amidst our sorrow, providing comfort and structure to the living, and honoring those who have died through spiritual growth and community connection. Shalom. 

ARIES: The season’s about to change again and so must our rhythms in terms of the sun, our health, diets, exercise and plans for our days ahead. Through this time of new light for the new year, we assess and think along new lines, preparing for the unfolding new light, the celebrations of Hanukah and Christmas, the shadows, cold, warmth, winter and color. These changes are reflected within ourselves, too. Relationships need extra tending so loved ones don’t feel cold, alone, withdrawn or left out. Celebrate together.

TAURUS: You are learning new things, reading new books on the economy, on world governments, listening to speakers, gathering information. Always serious and disciplined, your mind continuing to be illumined. And so, your life’s task is informing and illuminating the minds of others (humanity). It would be good to consider other endeavors, too – like what is playful for you, what brings enjoyment, fun, what calls forth your lightness and sense of spontaneity? Perhaps you need a warm pool to swim in. And a party.

GEMINI: Family, whether biological, friends, group (esoteric?), colleagues, etc. begins to matter more and more. Harmony is your focus with a touch of compromise (not much) but humor helps. Something’s not complete with someone. Maybe you need to talk or visit to bring forth a new step in relationships. Listen quietly to others until you understand their essential message. All of this brings love forth – your Venusian task. Love underlies everything. 

CANCER: Make contact, reaching your hand out to everyone and everything. Make contact – these two words have a depth most don’t understand. Making contact with goodwill releases love. The contact must be true, real and intentional, from the heart, heart to heart, Soul-to-Soul. The Love being released liberates everyone. However, someone must begin the process and that someone is you. Do this ceaselessly, quietly, connecting with all the kingdoms. Thus you nurture and nourish the world around you. 

LEO: New tasks are ahead, new agendas and responsibilities. You must not only create a new plan concerning finances and resources, but a new state of values must also come forth. You may want to communicate more deeply with close friends and/or intimates who share your values. It’s important to know what values you both hold in common. What are your desires & aspirations for the future, based on these values? What are your hopes, wishes and dreams? Recognize them. 

VIRGO: You need to come out of the shadows and into the light. Standing in shadows, perhaps of another is of comfort to you. However, there comes a time when we each must define ourselves, recognize our own self-identity, realize that we’re capable, summon our confidence, and seek a new support system. How do we do these things? Concentrate on what you love to do. Seek what your interests are. Am I speaking to Virgo or Pisces? Both. For they are the shadow of the other. Together they are complete.

LIBRA: I saw in a dream a sheaf of wheat. A symbol of nourishment. I thought of Libra, and what nourishes the sign of the scales, what balances & harmonizes them. Relationships, beauty, friends, equilibrium, love, sacrifice, art and several parties in between. It’s the art (beauty) of the wheat sheaf that I remember. Librans must return to their art in whatever form interests them. Some paint, some dance, some act, some have galleries, some are collectors. Venus is your guide, your direction. She speaks through your heart. She is your elder sister. 

SCORPIO: Do you sense restlessness, feel restless as if there’s something do to, be, think, feel? Do  you sense there’s a group of people, like-minded, that belongs to you, that you belong in, yet somehow you can’t find it or they you? As you both search for each other, assess your present day and future goals. They may have changed recently or are in the process. So many of us are on the fence, indecisive about the future. We must summon patience. Speak with those close to you. Ask for their visions and goals. Listen carefully. There are secrets to be revealed, dreams to be understood. 

SAGITTARIUS: The perfect execution of your work is a priority. Something from the past is brought into the present, upgraded and renewed. A new dimension has been added that offers deeper clarification. Many thoughts flow through your mind; you’re being impressed with ideas and ideals that affect your future. There’s an inner joy and gratitude, an enthusiasm (which means filled with God). Do you need to begin something? Share your ideas with those who can support you. Diplomacy, peacekeeping and subtlety are paramount. These are your gifts. Silence is too.

CAPRICORN: What will you do when winter (northern latitude, summer southern latitudes) begins. What will you be doing during the holidays/holydays? How will you celebrate the new year? Is someone or something somewhere calling you from far away. Is there a concern for something? Perhaps it’s a town or city, a village or community, a course of study, somewhere you want to travel to, to visit and discover. Perhaps it’s a person on your mind. Something merry and bright is needed. Something of ease, of beauty, of care. What would they be for you? 

AQUARIUS: Take extra care with money and resources. Use this time to discern what is needed and what is not. Give away what is not and then give more away. Giving provides us with meaning, a true sense of service and a liberation that allows us to move forward in our lives, no matter the difficulties. The other side of giving is receiving. Receive what’s needed graciously. Be kind, courteous, lessen any harshness of speech, demand less too. Be aware of others on a deeper level. And listen to what they say. Offer praise ceaselessly.

PISCES: Pisces is often quite puzzled by world events. Puzzled too by unkindness & cruelty. However, the fishes must navigate unknown waters wherever we find ourselves. Many of us are sitting on the fence (uncomfortable), unable to know where we’re going or what to do. Sometimes we just don’t know where we are or have direction. It’s important to know that wherever we are, eventually our gifts are called forth. We (especially Pisces at this time) are to work at our best in the place(s) we find ourselves. Relationships need compromise. This is a journey, a pilgrimage from one heart to the other heart.