"Whenever you want to change your behavior, you can simply ask yourself: How can I make it obvious? How can I make it attractive? How can I make it easy? How can I make it satisfying?"
- James Clear, from Atomic Habits
Routine is not my strong suit, so when I commit to a multi-day practice or ritual, I find it helpful to physically carve out a space, making it attractive and easy. It also puts me into pre-contemplation mode when ideas start bubbling in the background of my mind. I’m lucky to have a large table in a rarely used room, so this afternoon, I laid out a makeshift altar and supplies to begin the 12 Holy Nights ritual tomorrow.
I started the 12 Holy Nights practice in December 2020 after a year of intense astrology studies with Sam Reynolds. His Nitty Gritty classes provided a strong foundation for me in pre-modern astrological theory and practice, which significantly influenced how I synthesize and interpret charts.
Since 2020, I’ve used the same spiral notebook to journal my annual 12 Holy Nights experiences. It’s almost full. As I opened the pages, it struck me as a beautiful synchronicity that I began this journal at the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction and will finish it at the waxing square (1/4 through the cycle).
When Jupiter and Saturn met in the 1st degree of Aquarius at the Winter Solstice of 2020, the idea of becoming a professional astrologer was taking root in my mind. Six months later, in June 2021, I leaped with a simple Facebook post offering readings. Four years later, I see fruit developing at the first quarter phase of the Jupiter-Saturn cycle. The power of planetary cycles never ceases to amaze me.
It caused me to reflect on some of the milestones in my astrology practice in 2024:
- My client business continued to grow, primarily through repeat clients and word-of-mouth referrals. My passion is helping everyday people find comfort and clarity with astrology.
- Astro.com published my article about Chiron’s Influence in Astrology.
- My proposal to speak at an international astrology conference was accepted! Watch for details on the AstroBiz Conference from the Organization for Professional Astrologers in April 2025.
- I read birth charts and spoke at festivals from Florida to Kansas, forming new collaborations and friendships.
- I completed my 3rd year as Senior Editor for OPA’s The Evolving Astrologer magazine and managed the December Solstice 2024 issue.
Reflecting on my growth since 2020, I’m optimistic about how things may develop by the time the Jupiter-Saturn cycle reaches its full phase (2029-2031).
Resources for the 12 Holy Nights ritual
Last year, I didn’t use a specific space or resources to contemplate the 12 zodiac signs. I was traveling and kept things to a minimum - me, my journal, and a pen. That’s enough to participate in the ritual!
This year, I’m at home in New Orleans and have time and space, so I went through my office and chose resources I plan to use. Here is what I decided upon:
Tealight candles and frankincense incense will be used to open the space each day. To prep, I placed tealights onto each sign of a wooden zodiacal wheel I bought a few years ago. (You can find the wooden wheels on Etsy. I recently commissioned a gorgeous leather zodiacal wheel from Teresa Gabrish. I love it and don’t want to risk damaging it with wax or heat.)
Art cards from The Zodiac Series of paintings by Johfra Bosschart. I aim to use these as inspiration; you can view the images online.
A Thoth Tarot Deck, with the bool, Tarot Deciphered: Decoding Esoteric Symbolism in Modern Tarot by the brilliant T. Susan Chang and M.M. Meleen. This year, I’m inspired to consider tarot images corresponding to the zodiac signs. I have not used tarot in this ritual before, but my interest in tarot has reignited in the past couple of years.
Demetra George’s book, Ancient Astrology: Volume 1 for Hellenistic resources on the zodiac signs. I’ve used other authors and astrological traditions in previous years as inspiration-led. While my practice is grounded in traditional methods, I’ve learned much from modern psychological and evolutionary approaches.
Flowers, a beautiful glass paperweight with a spiral pattern, and an owl found their way to the altar. Those just felt right.
Thank you for joining me in this practice. Tomorrow, we will begin with a contemplation of the Cardinal Earth sign, Capricorn.
Warmest wishes,
Denise
