The Serpent Awakens

Shrouded in mystery, the serpent awakens. As humanity encounters the great healer Ophiuchus, we plunge once more into the depths of becoming. Rebirth awaits.


I am celebrating today the dawn of ancient light on Earth. Sort of.

Maybe you've already seen the headline. The Serpent Holder apparently had a press conference.

The mainstream mediasphere lit up this week with tales of a new zodiac. Yes, there is potentially a 13th sign of the zodiac known in ancient times, and it's re-emerging into the astrological lexicon today. Unfortunately, the news reports are hopelessly garbled, and the table that's circulating showing "new dates" of the astrological signs is flat-out wrong.

I'm hearing from people all over asking about this announcement and a so-called "new zodiac." This is a complex subject and one best approached with an open mind and open heart. It's not as simple as a new zodiac versus the old one. In fact, there are more than two, depending on how you look at it. The dates of the astrological signs, with Ophiuchus considered, do not shift the way the news reports show. Still, the mystery is intriguing.

For the record:

1. There is no "new zodiac." There's a sidereal zodiac and a tropical zodiac, both very old. There are other zodiacs, as well, in various traditions.

2. Yes, there is a constellation called Ophiuchus (or Serpentarius), and the Sun transits this region of the sky each December.

3. Ophiuchus may or may not be a sign of the zodiac, depending on your perspective. If he is considered a sign, he fits between Scorpio and Sagittarius.

The challenge in understanding all this lies in the difference between the sidereal and tropical zodiacs, which is an issue western astrologers may have to come to terms with sooner rather than later. The impending revolution of astrology is a topic for another day.

Over the past few years I've put a lot of energy into teaching and publishing about this subject, including several blog posts during the Sun's transit of Ophiuchus in 2010 and a special initiatory journey into the heart of Serpentarius (Ophiuchus' other name) in December. If you're interested in some informed perceptions, you can order the audio recording and extensive study guide here: http://www.starpriestess.com/events.html#ophiuchus

The gift of the Serpent Holder is a sacred mystery to be explored and savored. Enjoy the journey.

Here are some links.

http://starpriestess.blogspot.com/2011/01/tales-of-serpent.html

http://starpriestess.blogspot.com/2010/12/great-moment-of-truth-approaches.html

http://starpriestess.blogspot.com/2010/11/triumph.html

http://starpriestess.blogspot.com/2010/12/holy-light.html

http://www.starpriestess.com/events.html#ophiuchus


Ophiuchus Journey

The audio recording of our initiatory journey in December, along with an extensive study guide about Ophiuchus, is available here: http://www.starpriestess.com/events.html#ophiuchus

Copyright 2010-2011 Allison Rae/StarPriestess.com
All rights reserved

Tales of the Serpent

[Republished from November 30, 2010. Also see http://starpriestess.blogspot.com/2011/01/serpent-awakens.html]

I am the Sacred Serpent,

Prophet and protector, helper and healer.

With a mind of magic,

A tongue of truth,

And eyes of mystic wisdom.

- Jezibell

Shrouded in mystery, the serpent awakens.

As the Sun encounters the great healer Ophiuchus, we plunge once more into the depths of becoming. Rebirth awaits.

A shamanic journey begun a year ago will carry us through the holiday season this December and into the new year. Along the way, we fuse with the galaxy through a series of planetary alignments that awaken the soul to higher truth, deeper purpose, divinity.

Between now and January 4, we have the chance of a lifetime to choose a new destiny for ourselves and our world.

The Line-Up

Beginning today, the Sun transits the constellation of Ophiuchus, the Serpent Holder, and continues this journey through December 18.

Ophiuchus leads into the Solstice Sun's alignment with the Galactic Equator, an every-26,000-year phenomenon connected with 2012 and the Mayan calendar.

This year, the lunar and solar cycles dovetail in a rare and miraculous Total Lunar Eclipse on December 21 just hours before the Solstice alignment. Because the eclipse portal connects with the heart center of the Milky Way, the creative potential of this alignment is off the charts.

We are reborn January 4 with a Solar Eclipse on the Capricorn New Moon.

The Serpent Holder initiates this five-week sequence. As a year of chaos and questions comes to a close, we have another five weeks to clear emotional debris and create intent around how we'd like to shape our reality as we cross the 2012 threshold. This applies at a personal and planetary level.

Our inner journey during this time reflects the Sun's transit. The period will be intense, volatile and transformative. Expect disruption. Eclipses break up energy patterns, shaking the foundations of the established order. Think back to the raucous months of June, July and August of this year. We progress to the next level now, six months later.

Is It a Sign?

Ophiuchus is healer, bridger and wayshower, an interdimenionsal portal lying beyond Scorpio and Sagittarius. But is it really a sign of the zodiac? After all, signs and constellations aren't the same thing.

There's no widespread agreement among contemporary astrologers. Having 13 signs in the zodiac certainly upsets the cosmic order of a system where a 12-sign zodiac matches nicely with a 12-house horoscope.

Known to ancient astrologers and depicted in the Temple of Hathor at Dendera, Egypt, Ophiuchus is re-emerging as a transformational gateway in these transitional times. Those who opt to include this 13th sign call it Ophiuchus or Serpentarius.

Serpent Medicine

Back to the Serpent. In esoteric traditions, long before fear and religious fervor distorted ancient teachings, the Serpent represented the cosmic, creative force of the universe, Divine Source. It's awakening, uncoiling form is associated with rising life-force kundalini within us.

The Feathered Serpent of the Meso-Americans, named Quetzalcoatl, represents our enlightened state as God-realized beings embodied on Earth. The Fire Serpent with its coiled tail is a master symbol in the Eastern healing tradition of Reiki. The spiral-coil denotes the underworld in shamanic traditions.

In shedding its skin, the Serpent represents the potential of life beyond death, the shamanic promise of rebirth. Coiled, it is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.

Who, then, is Ophiuchus, the holder of the Serpent in the heavens? He is healer, shaman, magician, alchemist, sage and mystic. He represents the potential of humanity to attain enlightenment as we release fear, conditioning and the emotional scarring of countless liftimes.

Ophiuchus offers a glimpse of our own divinity to anyone who has the courage and desire to journey through this shamanic, multidimensional portal, the planetary gateway of year-end 2010.

Ophiuchus: 13th Sign of the Zodiac - On December 8, we gathered for a special initiatory tele-event, Ophiuchus: 13th Sign of the Zodiac, during the Sun's transit of this mysterious region of the sky. Learn about characteristics and meaning of this re-emergent sign and how Ophiuchus influences your personal astrology. Enter the Temple of Aesclepius to commune with the Serpent Bearer and connect with your inner healer. You can order the mp3 and extensive study guide here: http://www.starpriestess.com/events.html#ophiuchus

Copyright 2010-2011 Allison Rae/StarPriestess.com
All rights reserved

Triumph of the Spirit

In this season of thanksgiving, tonight's Full Moon marks a key passage of the solar year. The phoenix rises. Death gives way to life.

We harvest the blessings of this creation as we attune to celestial rhythms.

Venus' six-week retrograde passage culminates with the lunar alignment tonight. The Sun-Moon opposition is exact at 12:27 PM Eastern on Sunday. In Scorpio-Taurus we celebrate transcendence, the triumph of the human spirit. The soul is laid bare, bathed in waves of milky light. For a moment, we see.

Next, we go deeper into the spiral.

Venus and Jupiter

Over the past six weeks, the planet of love and abundance has traveled in reverse, transiting parts of Scorpio and Libra in her quest for truth, healing and sacred union.

Earlier this month a shamanic journey led her into the underworld where she transformed away from our view. She has re-emerged as Morning Star in the the pre-dawn sky.

Now Venus reigns in the east, awakening our hearts, minds and bodies to the tasks at hand as we are reborn more fully into our purpose and power.

The new Venus cycle in Scorpio carries us through 2012 and the end of the Mayan calendar. This is no coincidence. The ancient Maya observed Venus and synchronized their sacred timekeeping system with her cycles.

Jupiter has returned to forward motion, too. In Pisces, he continues to expand our consciousness and ideals. Uranus, the Awakener, travels with Jupiter in late Pisces, although he moves more slowly and is still retrograde.

We have about 10 days to integrate the lessons of the Venus passage, lessons around relationship and love, money, passion, our creativity and values. We've faced our fears, plumbed the depths of the psyche. We're exploring new options and making choices.


Year-End 2010

Another round of intense transformation begins November 30 when the Sun enters the mysterious 13th sign of the zodiac, Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer. Known to ancient astrologers and depicted in the Temple of Hathor at Dendera in Egypt, this mysterious sign is re-emerging as a transformational gateway in these transitional times.

In mid-December, the Sun crosses the Galactic Equator near the Solstice. Within deepest night, light returns to Earth. This galactic alignment is punctuated by a potent eclipse series beginning with a Total Lunar Eclipse on December 21. Two weeks later, the Sun and Moon meet in Capricorn and we begin tending to the seeds we planted in 2010.

In my astrological preview published a year ago, I wrote: "In 2010, humanity arrives at a crossroads. Individually and in groups, we will initiate a sequence for the times to come, not only through our intent, but with our actions. This is a chance of a lifetime, many lifetimes, and the effects will radiate throughout the cosmos."

The pivotal year of 2010 now draws to a close. What are we harvesting?

As we gather with family and friends, I pray that we're mindful of the deeper rhythms pulsing through this holiday season, that we'll pause to commune with the galactic forces at play in our lives and our world. I pray that we open more deeply to love as we celebrate this holy season.

Namaste.



December Astro Forecast

We'll preview the astrology for the next two months during my StarTalk Astro Forecast Teleconference on December 7. Highlights include the Sun's transit of Ophiuchus, the Solstice Galactic Alignment and the December-January eclipse series. Details and registration: http://www.starpriestess.com/events.html#forecast


Ophiuchus: The Serpent Bearer

Enter the ancient healing temple as we gather for a special initiation during the Sun's transit of Ophiuchus. Details and registration: http://www.starpriestess.com/events.html#ophiuchus

Venus and the Underworld

http://starpriestess.blogspot.com/2010/10/into-spiral.html

http://starpriestess.blogspot.com/2010/10/spinning.html

http://starpriestess.blogspot.com/2010/10/turning-of-wheel.html

http://starpriestess.blogspot.com/2010/11/love-reigns.html

http://starpriestess.blogspot.com/2010/11/awakening.html


My Journey with Venus

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=235245&id=631748611&l=f91cf61fe7