All hail to Archangel Gabriel, whose name means the ‘Strength of God’! As the guardian of the winter season, Gabriel opens a stargate for humanity every year around the winter solstice on December 21. At this time, good tidings of love, hope, and joy descend to us from the heavenly realms through Gabriel’s intercession.
As the Divine Messenger of hope, love, and eternal life, Archangel Gabriel brings a magical spark of heavenly inspiration that can help us overcome fear, resolve problems, and manifest our dreams. Gabriel assists prophets to gain clear vision and is also the protector of children, their parents, and caretakers.
Gabriel’s stellar abode is in the fixed star Fomalhaut or Alpha Piscis Austrinus, a solitary star in the constellation of the Southern Fish (Piscis Austrinus). Fomalhaut is actually in the mouth of the Southern Fish, which is why its name is derived from the Arabic “Fum al Hut,” which means “the Fish's Mouth.”
As the only bright star in a wide stretch of sky, Fomalhaut has been called the “Loneliest Star.” It is also the brightest star in the Southern Fish constellation and the 18th brightest star in our night sky.
Fomalhaut is the loneliest star in the southern sky by Larry Sessions and Deborah Boyd at EarthSky.org; Stars in Piscis Austrinus, the Southern Fish, include Fomalhaut. Image via International Astronomical Union/ Sky & Telescope/ Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0).
In astrology, Fomalhaut is one of the four royal stars, along with Aldebaran, Regulus, and Antares. Fomalhaut occupies the zodiacal area around 10 degrees of sidereal Aquarius. It is the marker star or “yoga tara” of Shatabisha nakshatra, which spans from 6 degrees and 40 minutes to 20 degrees of sidereal Aquarius.
Fomalhaut brings success through noble ideals, and is one of the main stars associated with astrology, astronomy, and healing. Gabriel is thus one of the most important angels guiding and guarding astrologers and healers.
Fomalhaut is much hotter than our Sun, 15 times as bright, and lies 25 light-years from Earth. It is blazing through hydrogen at such a furious rate that it will burn out in only one billion years, 10% of the lifespan of our star. Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Digitized Sky Survey 2. Acknowledgment: Davide De Martin (ESA/Hubble).
Fomalhaut’s gifts are even more impactful now as Saturn, lord of karma, is transiting in conjunction with Fomalhaut! The combination of their very similar energies draws us inward like the archetypal Hermit, the ninth trump (major arcana) card in most Tarot decks:
The Hermit is a seeker for the knowledge that comes from within. A lonely wanderer in the path of the night, he searches for that which can only be gained with long periods of solitude - the inner voice. To hear it, he must disconnect from the crowds whose voices and desires threaten to overcome his own. He walks through the dark night of his unconscious, guided only by the low light of the northern star, with his destination being his home, his self. (Labyrinthos.co)
During this profoundly mystical time of the year, we should call upon Archangel Gabriel's strength and mercy to bring comfort, wisdom, courage, and confidence to all beings, and especially to all the children of the world! As we remember and invoke the blessings of Gabriel and all the holy angels in the coming weeks, may we draw them ever closer to uplift and protect us and our beautiful world. Gloria in Excelsis Deo — Glory to God in the Highest!
Blessings of the solstice and Christmastide to all my dear readers and divine friends!