The full moon lunar eclipse of December 21, 2010 highlights the Gemini/Sagittarius polarity, which brings in the themes of communication, education, higher thought, intelligence and the more negative energies of fanaticism, arrogance, overindulgence, rationalization, duplicity and amorality.

Because the Moon and the Sun are both at the all-important 29 degrees of their respective signs (Moon 29Gemini20 and Sun 29Sagittarius20) an urgent message of change is part of the mix. Any planet or light at 29 degrees of a sign brings endings and change. Something has matured and is no longer needed. It is time to transform something or to end it and to build something new. However, it is wise to be aware that a planet at 29 degrees can cause a person to waiver, to go back and forth and to evaluate and re-evaluate endlessly, until finally, exhausted with the decision making process, that person may just make a rash and hasty decision to change things without using rational thought.

Then too, all eclipses bring in a time of change, a time to correct our course and move forward in a new or altered way toward our goals. This lunar eclipse asks us to take a long, hard look at the issues in our life that are holding us back or that are keeping us from fulfilling our destiny and to make decisions about a more positive, life-affirming way of meeting those challenges.

The eclipse opposition of the Moon and Sun are square the conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus in Pisces. Because Jupiter is the ruler of Sagittarius, the sign that holds the Sun during this eclipse, the themes of compassion (Pisces) and truth (Jupiter) are very much in focus. Uranus brings unexpected change like a lightning bolt and new ways of thinking and acting.

In short, this lunar eclipse brings an unprecedented opportunity to bring about a new way of being with regard to others with whom we share Mother Earth. We are called to act in a higher, more authentic way (Jupiter) and to keep our mind on the oneness of all beings (Pisces). Indeed, in light of the world situation at this time, this lunar eclipse presents an opportune time for each of us to focus on this spirit of oneness with all others.

Many blessings to each of you who read this and take up the challenge of this eclipse—to give away those things that are no longer needed or helpful, and to bring to the world a spirit of loving, truthful compassion for all beings.

It's extremely rare for a lunar eclipse to occur on the same day as the Winter Solstice – but it’s happening! Do you think maybe this eclipse might be especially significant?

Lunar eclipses are always Full Moons, and this one occurs at 3:14 AM at 29°20' Gemini. For starters, Gemini Full Moons are about taking stock of how you're doing with your learning, communication, playfulness, and need for variety.

The most important aspects to the Moon during this lunar eclipse – including oppositions from Mercury and Pluto -- suggest that transforming your thinking, or communicating your transformative thoughts to others, is a major theme for the next 6 to 12 months. Inviting divine love to saturate your heart (trine from Neptune), and releasing emotional resistance to your intuitive flashes (square from Uranus), are also suggested by these aspects.

This lunar eclipse's Sabian Symbol is, “A Parade Of Bathing Beauties Before Large Beach Crowds.”

It suggests being willing to put yourself out there to let others benefit from your natural gifts. The Aquarian Age has arrived, and one of its major themes is for each of us to serve others with our unique talents. From this perspective, everyone in the crowd takes their turn as a “bathing beauty”, and is applauded for their special contribution!

Keywords: Being on show. Sheer attraction of beauty. Seeking praise. Displaying in order to get people to observe and/or evaluate. Beauty pageants. Bathing costumes and skimpy clothing. Beaches. Lifeguards. Beauty judges. Nudist beaches. Breast sizes. The mysteries of the feminine. Playing dress ups. Gatherings of goddesses. Mermaids converging. The water element. Recognizing superficiality and shallow behavior. Water nymphs.

The Caution: Using superficialities to win support. Giving importance to the issues of appearance. Neglecting the “beauty within”. Too much makeup. Flaunting one’s body. Not employing intellect. Leering, jeering. Lusting after the unattainable. Feeling like merchandise. Making superficial judgments.

It is also the Winter Solstice, when the Sun enters Capricorn. There, it radiates energy available for productivity, accomplishment, and mature, responsible behavior. Mercury also sextiles Neptune and squares Jupiter today! This is great for creative imagination and divine connection, but be careful not to let your mouth get ahead of your brain!

There are more reasons that this is an especially powerful eclipse as the Sun will be passing over Pallas Athena, the Moon's North Node, Pluto, and then Mars during the days following the eclipse. This is a potent line-up of energies, asking us to let go of things that are sabotaging our efforts or holding us back emotionally. Further, Venus is back on the degree that it went retrograde in October.

Total lunar eclipses contain and release potent energies, and they can push into new realizations and situations, compelling us to purge what's not working for us so we can move onto the new. The effects of a lunar eclipse can last for months, so whatever is being birthed now is likely to be reflected and worked out for some time to come.

A message from this degree could be about getting into your physical body and appearance so you can present a 'better face to the world'. Dressing up and feeling good about yourself can give you more self confidence and the push to get out there and mix it up with others. With the eclipse on this point, though, it may not be as easy as it sounds; many can feel like giving up and not putting in the effort. Society doesn't always reflect back to us the beauty we may hold within. However, radiating beauty is just the prescription for pushing through some of the darker aspects that are likely to be unfolding now.