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Tevet

Dec. 28, 2019-Jan. 26, 2020

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Why is this Chodesh Tevet different than all other Tevets?

Tevet is the month of Gidi the mountain goat (Capricorn), the month ruled by the planet Shabbtai (Saturn), and associated with the Tribe of Dan. That much never changes. What’s different this month is the long-awaited (and much feared by non-Jewish astrologers) conjunction of Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn, which occurs Jan. 12. At the other end of the year, Dec. 2020, Jupiter (Tzedek) and Saturn will be in Aquarius for the first time since 1405. The entire year of 2020 is bookended by these two powerful, historic Saturn conjunctions.

Many medieval commentators and kabbalists, including Ibn Ezra and Moshe Cordovero, mention the planet Saturn as having a special connection to the Jewish people. In personal astrology, Saturn’s role is to develop maturity. Shouldering adult responsibility and accepting hard work and personal sacrifice as the price of progress is essential. Saturn’s transit through Capricorn into Aquarius (D’li), the sing of the Jewish people, this year is an unflinching, unvarnished reality check intended to develop each one of us into fully individuated, empathetic and effective people. Growing up and getting real — these are our Tevet tasks.

Aries / Taleh

The first quarter moon in Aries Jan. 2 inspires Judah-style courage; ruling planet Mars (Ma’adim) in Judah’s little brother Benjamin’s sign of Sagittarius (Keshet) Jan. 3 energizes your quest to protect the weak and right the wrongs of this world. The Saturn-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn Jan. 12 triggers profound structural changes in your career. Resentments which have been brewing for years reach the boiling point. Power struggles come to a head and your reaction against feelings of restriction or powerlessness may range from rebellion against perceived authority or simply walking away and starting anew. Don’t sacrifice long-term goals for short-term gains.

Taurus / Shor

Retrograde Uranus (Oron) in Taurus stations direct Jan. 11 followed by the Saturn-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn Jan. 12, possibly undermining your feelings of stability and security. The foundations of your faith may be shaken as you question the structures and institutions which may no longer deserve your uncritical trust and support. Use your Issachar-like powers of discernment to differentiate between your idealistic spiritual beliefs and the imperfect, frail and vulnerable leaders who publicly represent them. Ruling planet Venus (Noga) enters peaceful Pisces (Dagim) Jan. 13, offering succor in the form of empathy, emotional sensitivity and compassion for yourself as well as others.

Gemini / T’omim

The lunar eclipse/full moon in Cancer (Sartan) Jan. 10 triggers ambivalence around responsibilities. Remember that, like your tribal leader Zevulun, the fruits of your labor are shared with those closest to you. The Saturn-Pluto conjunction Jan. 12 may test your relationship with other people’s money, personal debt and shared resources. Diligent accountability is your best defense against sticky entanglements. When integrity is tested, have faith that the good will of the universe is in direct proportion to the good will you’ve shown others throughout your life.

Cancer / Sartan

Jan. 10’s lunar eclipse/full moon in Cancer is your annual personal full moon. It is followed immediately by the Saturn-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn Jan. 12. The combination of the two powerfully propels you into an unromantic, practical zone where bottom-line, unemotional judgments need to be made. Even when prioritizing responsibilities, like tribal leader Reuben, feelings come first. Family and public reputation drive the choices you make now, and those choices will have enduring consequences and may not be reversible. Keep conscious of power imbalances influencing your decisions. Relationships which endure this test are strengthened.

Leo / Aryeh

The Saturn-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn Jan. 12 triggers a powerful realignment of your mind-body connection. Recommitting to your physical wellbeing is an investment in your legendary vitality. Feelings of discomfort and restriction around the daily grind might be alleviated by robust investment of your time and energy to a structure or routine around your health. Tribal leader Shimon’s rage against injustice fueled his destructive energy; let your righteous indignation against the woes of this world feed your fire and use it to build and not destroy. The new moon in Aquarius Jan. 24 shines a new light on old friendships.

Virgo / Betulah

Like the tribal leader Gad, summon your troops to attack mental and physical clutter. Simplifying your life is a high priority at the Saturn-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn Jan. 12. Sift, sort, and discard what no longer serves Jan. 13-14. Ruling planet Mercury (Kochav) in Capricorn through Jan. 17 helps make choices around creative endeavors in the light of what is ultimately useful, productive, and profitable. Is what you love doing capable of making you money? Can you wed your passions to your purse strings? Is there a way to please your soul and your bank account simultaneously?

Libra / Moznayim

Security and long-term viability of your living arrangements are questioned at the lunar eclipse/full moon in Cancer Jan. 10. The Saturn-Pluto conjunction Jan. 12 asks if home is where the heart is, or just the place you keep all the beautiful objects you’ve collected. Venus in Aquarius through Jan. 14 facilitates detachment from your material world, while last quarter moon in Libra Jan. 17 brings wisdom and acceptance of the ties that bind familial relationships and responsibilities. Venus in Pisces after the Jan. 17 softens your heart and generates compassion. Empathy is your strongest weapon against apathy — wield it wisely.

Scorpio / Akrav

Ruling planet Mars enters straight-shooting Sagittarius Jan. 3, allowing you to take aim and fire in the direction of your deepest desires. The square of Mars to Neptune (Rahav) in Pisces Jan. 28 elevates a secret dream into a potential reality. Saturn meets modern planetary ruler Pluto in Capricorn Jan. 12, possibly enhancing feelings of constriction in your immediate environment. Accept this temporary congestion not as powerlessness, which it only resembles superficially and briefly, but as an opportunity to stop rushing through everything without really enjoying it. Literally stop to smell the roses; maybe even pick one. Gratitude enhances equanimity.

Sagittarius / Keshet

Just as Joseph showered Benjamin with gifts over and above his other brothers, the universe has provided you an embarrassment of riches. Downsizing and discarding everything that doesn’t align with your values or fit neatly into a portable lifestyle saves the Saturn-Pluto conjunction of Jan. 12 the trouble of having to perform that elimination process for you. Jupiter in Capricorn reminds you that true riches are your natural optimism and positivity. Mars in Sagittarius after Jan. 4 energizes personal independence. You are not your stuff! When valuables and resources feel squeezed, recall and remember the free spirit you really are!

Capricorn / Gidi

The lunar eclipse/full moon in Cancer and the Sun’s meeting with Mercury in Capricorn Jan. 10, followed by the conjunction of your ruling planet Saturn to powerful Pluto in Capricorn Jan. 12 signals it’s time to bid goodbye to childish things and farewell to that which no longer serves a functional purpose. Make tachlis your guiding principle. Powerful realignments of relationship dynamics and hierarchal structures, both family and work-related, require significant choices to be made. Model maturity by choosing enduring values. Everything depends on your willingness to truly grow up now.

Aquarius / D’li

Saturn, the ruling planet of Aquarius in classical astrology, meets powerful Pluto in calculating Capricorn Jan. 12. Enormous therapeutic breakthroughs and divine revelations may illuminate previously ignored ancestral trauma. Tribal ruler Asher provided for others via his abundance; so too your surfeit of caretaking is weighed not by calculating measures but by heartfelt generosity. Jupiter brings blessings out of surprising, unexpected quarters. Opportunities seem to appear out of thin air when new moon in Aquarius Jan. 24 squares modern planetary ruler Uranus. Blurred lines between the “friend zone” and actual romance are a moving target.

Pisces / Dagim

The Saturn/Pluto conjunction in Capricorn Jan. 12 asks you to release that which serves no useful purpose, including relationships based on outworn affiliations which no longer align with your more mature and developed values. Venus conjunct Neptune in Pisces Jan. 27 empowers you to run like fleet-footed tribal leader Naftali in the opposite direction of dysfunctional and unhealthy influences. Don’t kid yourself about what’s healthy and what isn’t. Overcome denial and self-deception around health issues; choose long-term benefit over momentary gain.

A version of this column originally appeared at jpost.com and is reprinted with permission.