Lunar Standstills & January 2025
THE MEANING OF LUNAR STANDSTILLS & OUR UPCOMING STANDSTILL
10 December 2023
What is A Lunar Standstill?
The term Lunar Standstill refers to a phenomenon where the moon appears to halt in its path across the sky. This occurs over an 18.6-year cycle and has been observed and revered by ancient civilizations, including the Celts and the Mayans. The moon's path, or declination, shifts from a minimum to a maximum and back again during this cycle.
During a major standstill, the moon reaches its maximum declination, causing it to rise and set at its most extreme points on the horizon. Conversely, during a minor standstill, the moon's declination is at its minimum, causing it to rise and set at its least extreme points on the horizon. The cycle then repeats itself.
The last major lunar standstill was in June 2006, and the next one will be in January 2025. The last minor lunar standstill was in October 2015, and the next one will be in May 2034.
These cycles were of great importance to ancient societies, who believed that they held significant spiritual and practical implications. Today, practitioners of esoteric arts continue to study lunar standstills and their potential influence on our lives.
From an esoteric standpoint, a lunar standstill is essentially a pause in the moon's regular cycle, a moment of stillness that can offer insights for those attuned to its energy. The moon's energy during a standstill is believed to be potent, providing a window into the self and a chance for powerful growth personally and collectively.
Lunar Standstills From an esoteric view
In astrology, the moon symbolizes emotions, intuition, and the subconscious. It governs our inner landscapes – the unspoken, the felt, and the intuitive. Thus, the lunar standstills, as periods of extreme lunar positions, are seen as times of heightened and lowered emotional energies.
During a major lunar standstill, our heightened emotions can hold the key to our insights and new perspectives. It's a time when feelings are not just felt; they are experienced in their raw, unfiltered form. This period can bring about significant emotional revelations, making it an excellent time for therapy, deep introspection, and understanding one’s emotional health. This is the standstill that we have coming up in January 2025 and the half of the cycle that we are currently in.
Contrastingly, during a minor standstill, there's a lower emotional landscape. This period is ideal for finding emotional equilibrium, for reflecting on one’s emotional responses, and for developing strategies to maintain emotional stability. This is the yin, or lowest part, of the 18.6-year cycle.
Ultimately, the purpose of lunar standstills is to provide guidance and insight that can help us navigate our lives with greater ease and understanding. The insights gained during a lunar standstill can serve as a compass, guiding us toward our inner path and helping us to make decisions that are in alignment with both our inner and outer conscious selves.
Historical Significance of Lunar Standstill
The phenomenon of lunar standstill has been observed and revered by various ancient civilizations. For example, the Mayans, renowned for their advanced astronomical knowledge, incorporated the lunar standstill cycle into their Long Count calendar. Similarly, the Celts, known for their deep connection to nature, aligned their sacred sites with the lunar standstill cycle.
These ancient cultures recognized the significance of this celestial event and incorporated it into their spiritual and practical lives. They understood that the moon's cycles, including the lunar standstill, reflected the rhythms of life on Earth and could provide valuable insights into the unfolding of events.
Today, the study of lunar standstills continues to offer a rich source of inspiration and wisdom for those interested in astrology, astronomy, and the esoteric arts. As we continue to explore the mysteries of the lunar standstill, we are not only connecting with the wisdom of our ancestors but also forging a path toward a deeper understanding of ourselves and the universe we inhabit.
January 2025 Major Lunar Standstill
As we approach the major lunar standstill in January 2025, it's helpful to look back at specific, unique events from the last major standstill in 2006, and how similar trends might manifest in the years surrounding 2025.
Reflecting on the 2006 Major Lunar Standstill
In the years surrounding 2006, several notable events occurred that were distinct to that period:
Rise of Holistic Health and Wellness: The mid-2000s witnessed a significant increase in the popularity of holistic health practices. Yoga, once considered a niche activity, became a widespread phenomenon, with studios popping up in cities worldwide. Acupuncture, naturopathy, and herbal medicine also saw a surge in interest as people sought alternative or complementary methods to conventional medicine for holistic well-being. This movement towards holistic health was driven by a growing awareness of the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and spiritual health.
Economic Patterns: The mid-2000s, particularly 2006, saw significant inflation in the global economy, especially in the housing market. This period was characterized by a housing boom in several countries, creating a bubble that would eventually lead to the financial crisis of 2008. The real estate market's overheating, driven by speculative investments and lenient lending practices, created an economic environment that had far-reaching influences on the economy for the remainder of the cycle post-2006.
Technological Innovations and Digital Expansion: The mid-2000s were a time of rapid technological progress. The advent and acceleration of social media platforms like Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook around 2006 changed the landscape of communication and information sharing. This era also saw significant advancements in mobile technology, with smartphones becoming increasingly sophisticated, ushering in a new era of digital connectivity.
Anticipating January 2025: Potential Trends
Drawing from the unique events of 2006, the upcoming major lunar standstill peaking in January 2025 could align with similarly distinct occurrences:
Further Evolution in Wellness and Self-Improvement: Building on the momentum from 2006, 2025 could see even greater advancements in personal wellness and development. Perhaps integrated more with the mainstream. We might witness what is now called "alternative" health incorporated into mainstream medicine. The self-help genre might evolve to include more interactive and personalized content, utilizing technology to tailor experiences to individual needs.
Economic Shifts and New Paradigms: The economic landscape soon after 2025 could see a peak in inflationary pressures. We might continue to see rising prices, peaking soon after 2025, similar to what we saw in 2006. Similar to how we saw economic reform in the wake of 2008 we could see new financial policies and ways of conducting global trade post-2006. As a result the global economy could see shifts towards more sustainable and equitable business practices, driven by technology and social movements.
Next Wave of Technological Breakthroughs: Technology is likely to continue its rapid advancement into 2025. We may see significant implementations of artificial intelligence and quantum computing integrated into our everyday lives. These technologies could revolutionize various sectors, from healthcare diagnostics to personalized education similar to how social media changed the world in the mid 2000's. The growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart technologies could further integrate digital technology into everyday life, making homes and cities more connected.
What do you think our current standstill is all about? Email me, I'd love to hear your thoughts.