JEANETTE WINTERSON has said, ‘My astrologer, HENRI LLEWELYN DAVIES, interprets psychically, as well as traditionally and in her personal readings she is eerily accurate.’ Click here to read Jeanette’s article on astrology
If you would like a PERSONAL, INDIVIDUAL PHONE READING from Henri, please ring 020 7371 6473. Her website is http://www.henrillewelyndavies.com/. There is another article by Jeanette, describing Henri’s work in detail, on Henri’s website. (To read this feature, please click on the Press Cuttings button on Henri’s site)
Psychic astrologer Henri Llewelyn Davies has written horoscope columns for several decades, including for ‘COSMOPOLITAN’, ‘TV TIMES’ and ‘WOMAN’S OWN’
HENRI LLEWELYN DAVIES’s HOROSCOPES FOR DECEMBER (with many thanks to JEANETTE for dreaming up the delightful tags of HEAVENLY HINTS and HORRORSCOPES).
SAGITTARIUS
November 23 – December 21
HEAVENLY HINTS Early on you’re going to need some sort of inspiration in order to get going on something – meditation and quiet thinking will give you the answer around the 7th. And around the 13th - 17th , though you may be very busy, you’ll feel calm and tranquil.
You’ll push the boat out over the Christmas period, and enjoy it on the whole. It doesn’t sound all that Christmassy, but it might be worth noting that mushrooms will be part of an interesting occasion this month!
HORRORSCOPES Mars clashing with (sometimes volcanic) Uranus could make you a bit nervy and jumpy on about the 10th. Don’t get into an unnecessary argument (with your partner in particular) – this could happen just before the Full Moon on the 12th.
The suggested SAGITTARIAN poet is ROBERT STEPHEN HAWKER, born 3 December 1803:
‘The Mystic Magi’
[an old Armenian myth states that the Wise Men of the East were really the three sons of Noah, raised from the dead to represent, and do homage for, all mankind in the cave of
Bethlehem]
Three ancient men in Bethlehem’s cave
With awful wonder stand:
A voice had called them from their grave,
In some far Eastern land.
They lived: they trod the former earth,
When the old waters swelled,
The Ark, that womb of second birth,
Their house and lineage held.
Pale Japhet bows the knees with gold,
Bright Sem sweet incense brings,
And Cham the myrhh his fingers hold:
Lo! the three orient Kings.
Types of the total earth, they hailed
The signal’s starry frame:
Shuddering with second life, they quailed
At the child Jesu’s name.
Then slow the Patriarchs turned and trod,
And this their parting sigh:
‘Our eyes have seen the living God,
And now – once more to die.’
CAPRICORN
December 22 – January 20
HEAVENLY HINTS Due to the closeness of amiable Venus to beaming Jupiter, you’ll start the month with exceptionally enjoyable interludes with people you love. A little later, knowing your own mind will help you to get the very most from this Christmas season.
It may sound very gnomic... but a handbag is an interesting adjunct to an episode that occurs this month! And an art exhibition could be crucial to your awareness of certain issues within yourself!
HORRORSCOPES Certain people around you are boring, or get bored, around Full Moon (the 12th) and there’s someone you ought to be getting away from....
The suggested CAPRICORN poet is CLIFFORD DYMENT, born 20 January 1914:
‘A Christmas Poem’
I see him burning in a flame
White as a narcissus
Upon the pointed tree with silver lights
In the jolly house.
I hear him in the bells that peal
In the square stone tower,
And in the winter atmosphere
He crackles like hoar.
You who laugh and dance in brilliance,
And you who dream of wealth,
And you, the solemn-eyed, who grieve
For the world’s thin faith,
Come, for he comes, he who burns, rings
In bells; he who knew well
A child’s curls, and the sun-flushed rose,
And the icicle.
AQUARIUS
January 21 – February 19
HEAVENLY HINTS Not a bad month for your career – you may work very hard (even all over Christmas!) Not necessarily in connection with this, you’ll notch up a few unusual achievements and will see you’re cleverer than many people around you.
The sea, an interestingly textured scarf, a garment with bright gold buttons, budgerigars and goldfish – any or all of these could mean something to you in advance of Christmas itself!
HORRORSCOPES You may feel disappointed in your achievements in one area of your life – so will many other signs of course, over Christmas, but Aquarians may be more prone to such irrational feelings. You have your great gift of detachment to quosh such thoughts – and also any anger about an infuriating relative!
The suggested AQUARIAN poet is the young JAMES JOYCE, born 2 February 1882 (the James Joyce who wrote the monumental novel ’ Ulysses’, etc). He was between 18 and 20 years old when he wrote the following poem:
‘Commonplace’
The twilight turns from amethyst
To deep and deeper blue,
The lamp fills with a pale green glow
The trees of the avenue.
The old piano plays an air,
Sedate and slow and gay;
She bends upon the yellow keys,
Her head inclines this way.
Shy thoughts and grave wide eyes and hands
That wander as they list -
The twilight turns to darker blue
With lights of amethyst.
PISCES
February 20 – March 20
HEAVENLY HINTS Watch your step financially – trust your famous Neptunian instincts on this and do the thing you know you really ought to. (This Christmas could cost you an arm and a leg by the way, but it doesn’t have to!) Anyway, you should enjoy Christmas up to a point – anyway more than you may be expecting to...
Colours that could be lucky for you this month – or that symbolise your being on the right track – could include purple and green!
HORRORSCOPES Sometimes self-sacrificing, you Pisceans should know your rights, which are as great as anyone else’s. For instance, you may feel you need someone to take care of you in some way early on in the month – don’t hesitate to express your need...it’s your right and you deserve it.
The suggested PISCEAN poet is RICHARD WILBUR, born 1 March 1921:
[“And some of the Pharisees...said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out” - from the Bible, St. Luke XIX 39-40]
‘A Christmas Hymn’
A stable-lamp is lighted
Whose glow shall wake the sky;
The stars shall bend their voices,
And every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry,
And straw like gold shall shine;
A barn shall harbour heaven,
A stall become a shrine.
This child through David’s city
Shall ride in triumph by;
The palm shall strew its branches,
And every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry,
Though heavy, dull and dumb,
And lie within the roadway
To pave his kingdom come.
Yet he shall be forsaken,
And yielded up to die;
The sky shall groan and darken,
And every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry,
For stony hearts of men:
God’s blood upon the spearhead,
God’s love refused again.
But now, as at the ending,
The low is lifted high;
The stars shall bend their voices,
And every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry,
In praises of the child
By whose descent among us
The worlds are reconciled.
ARIES
March 21 – April 20
HEAVENLY HINTS Around the 15th, you’re imagining something special coming to fruition – and it probably will! Boredom can be a real problem for action-orientated Aries, so don’t let it beset you during the season of festivities. Studying something entirely separate from your usual ploys and pursuits could be an antidote. Do loads of exercise, too – bicycling and a pair of skis are probable for many Ariens...
There could be an enjoyable time, when you (or others around you) are eating turkey.... (perhaps suggesting that Christmas dinner shouldn’t turn out to be a trial!) Travelling is on your mind – Switzerland perhaps, or Indonesia or Australia...
HORRORSCOPES Early in the month, don’t sit at home and mope – get out and about more (as you yourself will decide to do anyway, around the 10th).
The suggested ARIEN poet is ROBERT FROST, born 26 March 1874:
'A Winter Eden'
A winter garden in an alder swamp
Where conies now come out to sun and romp,
As near a paradise as it can be
And not melt snow or start a dormant tree.
It lifts existence on a plane of snow
One level higher than the earth below,
One level nearer heaven overhead,
And last year’s berries shining scarlet red.
It lifts a gaunt luxuriating beast
Where he can stretch and hold his highest feast
On some wild apple tree’s young tender bark,
What well may prove the year’s high girdle mark.
So near to paradise all pairing ends:
Here loveless birds now flock as winter friends,
Content with bud-inspecting. They presume
To say which buds are leaf and which are bloom.
A feather-hammer gives a double knock.
This Eden day is done at two o’clock.
An hour of winter day might seem too short
To make it worth life’s while to wake and sport.
TAURUS
April 21 - May 21
HEAVENLY HINTS You’ll start the month nicely balanced, and will be calm on the whole, though the 16th-19th could find you rather up in the air. Out of all the starsigns, Taurus has one of the best prognosis for relationships of all kinds in December, with you feeling warm and loving towards those you’re romantically involved with, including in new, burgeoning partnerships.
Something unusual probably turns out to be your most enjoyable and desirable Christmas present!
HORRORSCOPES Though it’s an excellent month financially for many of you, you do need to know where you stand with money, as some of you have got all tied up in this area and don’t know if you’re coming or going... And don’t work too hard all through December...
The suggested TAUREAN poet is CHARLOTTE BRONTE, born 21 April 1816. Later the author of ‘Jane Eyre’, she wrote the following poem at the age of 15:
From ‘The Fairies’ Farewell’
...It was midnight, deep midnight, and shrouded in sleep
Men heard not the roar of the terror-struck deep
Nor the peal of the trumpet still sounding on high;
They saw not the flashes that brightened the sky.
All silent and tomb-like the great city lay,
And fair rose her towers in their moonlight array:
‘Twas the Ruler of Spirits that sent forth the sound
To call his dread legions in myriads around.
....The Hall where they sat was the heart of the sky,
And the stars to give light stooped their lamps from on high.
The noise of the host rose like thunder around,
The heavens gathered gloom at the grave sullen sound.
No mortal may farther the vision reveal:
Human eye cannot pierce what a spirit would seal.
The secrets of genii my tongue may not tell,
But hoarsely they murmured: ‘Bright city, farewell!’
Then melted away like a dream of the night,
While their palace evanished in oceans of light.
Far beneath them the city lay silent and calm;
The breath of the night wind was softer than balm
As it sighed o’er its gardens and mourned in its bowers,
And shook the bright dewdrops from orient flowers;
But still as the breeze on the myrtle-groves fell,
A voice was heard wailing: ‘Bright city, farewell!’
The morning rose over the far distant hill,
And yet the great city lay silent and still.
GEMINI
May 22 – June 22
HEAVENLY HINTS There’ll be excellent financial gains later on in the month, and you’ll find a whole lot of bargains (in advance of post-Christmas sales). You’ll do your best to be good to an ‘underdog’ type person.
For some reason, you’ll be noticing Father Christmas (!or someone who’s dressed up as him!) rather more than a lot of the other starsigns! And acting classes could be an interest of yours, or of someone close to you...
HORRORSCOPES Relationships could be up and down, with the downs definitely followed by ups... Don’t get angry with someone who hasn’t really done anything to deserve it.
The suggested GEMINI poet is ALEXANDER POPE, born 21 May 1688. This much-anthologised poem was written when Pope was less than 12 years old, so he said, and seems amazingly technically accomplished for one so young. But he probably revised it later!):
‘Ode to Solitude’
Happy the man, whose wish and care
A few paternal acres bound,
Content to breathe his native air,
In his own ground.
Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,
Whose flocks supply him with attire,
Whose trees in summer yield him shade,
In winter fire.
Blest! Who can unconcern’dly find
Hours, days and years slide soft away,
In health of body, peace of mind,
Quiet by day.
Sound sleep by night; study and ease
Together mixed; sweet recreation,
And innocence, which most does please,
With meditation.
Thus let me live, unseen, unknown;
Thus unlamented let me die;
Steal from the world, and not a stone
Tell where I lie.
CANCER
June 23 – July 23
HEAVENLY HINTS An amazing and intelligent month for Cancerians’ careers! But don’t get too involved in other people’s problems – you sensitive souls can absorb others’ Downs and bad moods, and feel them yourself. This doesn’t help anyone! Go to the bathroom and wash your hands, imagining you’re rinsing off the unwanted bad feelings that aren’t yours! (this can really work – water’s an ancient symbol of purification).
Toys and trinkets will amuse a whole lot of Cancerians (NOT just any children around you!) You’ll get something (or someone!) really unexpected for Christmas – it’s an excellent happening!
HORRORSCOPES New Moon on 27 December means a great influx of people will need you around them then. But you may really need your own company and space a lot at that time – go with your instincts on what to do about this....And (though most Cancerians won’t need to be warned of this) make very sure you don’t get run over (literally or metaphorically....)
The suggested CANCERIAN poet is LAURIE LEE, born 26 June 1914:
‘Christmas Landscape’
Tonight the wind gnaws
With teeth of glass,
The jackdaw shivers
In caged branches of iron,
The stars have talons.
There is hunger in the mouth
Of vole and badger,
Silver agonies of breath
In the nostril of the fox,
Ice on the rabbit’s paw.
Tonight has no moon,
No food for the pilgrim;
The fruit tree is bare,
The rose bush a thorn
And the ground is bitter with stones.
But the mole sleeps, and the hedgehog
Lies curled in a womb of leaves,
The bean and the wheat-seed
Hug their germs in the earth
And the stream moves under the ice.
Tonight there is no moon,
But a new star opens
Like a silver trumpet over the dead.
Tonight in a nest of ruins
The blessed babe is laid.
And the fir tree warms to a bloom of candles,
The child lights his lantern,
Stares at his tinselled toy;
Our hearts and hearths
Smoulder with live ashes.
In the blood of our grief
The cold earth is suckled,
In our agony the womb
Convulses its seed,
In the cry of anguish
The child’s first breath is born.
(You Cancerians are ruled by the Moon – and with this December’s New Moon taking place on December 27th, Christmas Day falls in the time of the month called the Dark of the Moon)
LEO
July 24 – August 23
HEAVENLY HINTS An intriguing time on the financial front early in the month – with wins and windfalls for quite a few Leos! Venus going into your opposite sign of Aquarius on the 7th(?) could make you and many others around you rather jolly...
You’ll find yourself feeling unexpectedly happy while eating Christmas pudding – and when you’re in a new and unusual environment. It should be an okay Christmas – especially if you ring the changes on other years a little...and you’ll love some of your presents.
HORRORSCOPES You may be temporily fed up near Full Moon time (the 12th), and frustrated and angry when Saturn squares your ruling planet the Sun around then, but it will pass soon, as will work difficulties early in the month.
The suggested LEO poet is TED HUGHES, born 16 August 1930:
‘Minstrel’s Song’
I’ve just had an astounding dream as I lay in the straw.
I dreamed a star fell on to the straw beside me
And lay blazing. Then when I looked up
I saw a bull come flying through a sky of fire
And on its shoulders a huge silver woman
Holding the moon. And afterwards there came
A donkey flying through that same burning heaven
And on its shoulders a colossal man
Holding the sun. Suddenly I awoke
And saw a bull and a donkey kneeling in the straw,
And the great moving shadows of a man and a woman -
I say they were a man and a woman but
I dare not say what I think they were. I did not dare to look.
I ran out here into the freezing world
Because I dared not look. Inside that shed.
A star is coming this way along the road.
If I were not standing upright, this would be a dream.
A star the shape of a sword of fire, point-downward,
Is floating along the road. And now it rises.
It is shaking fire on to the roofs and the gardens.
And now it rises above the animal shed
Where I slept till the dream woke me. And now
The star is standing over the animal shed.
VIRGO
August 24 – September 23
HEAVENLY HINTS You’ll be more relaxed than your sometimes highly strung sign often is in winter! And something excellent could happen on the career front when you really weren’t expecting it (perhaps in the later part of December).
If you find yourself amidst snow this Christmas, you may be happier about it than you’ve often been in your adult life – because of interesting events surrounding this particular weather condition this particular year. Reindeers mean a lot to you, for some reason... And (some) Fridays could be good days for Virgos in December (perhaps not so much the FIRST Friday!)
HORRORSCOPES Around the 12th, you may be fed up with friends’ ideas – ignore them, and organise YOURSELF well (that’ll make you feel happier).
The suggested VIRGO poet is JOHN BETJEMAN, born 28 August 1906. He wrote these verses when he was 13 years old:
‘Dawn’
Ever ting-a-linging my bedroom clock is ringing,
Ringing, ringing,
As the sun breaks in the east;
And, stretching with a yawn,
I curse the lovely dawn,
And wait in moody silence till the bedroom clock has ceased.
I’ve read the poet’s rhymes about early morning chimes
At awful times;
And the sun through window panes;
The little birds twitting
And the big ones flitting.
But poets NEVER write about the dawning when it rains.
LIBRA
September 24 – October 23
HEAVENLY HINTS With so many planets in the sign of Capricorn this month, in the fourth house of your solar horoscope chart, your home life is emphasised. You’re getting out and about a lot, but your thoughts seem to be more on your home environment – in a good way.
A visit to the theatre could be an interesting occasion. Toadstools could also mean something to you for some reason(!), as could a kite (whether a bird or a man-made one!)
HORRORSCOPES You need to sort yourself out financially – it’s not about Christmas overspending, but about organising yourself better, as to where you put/what you do with your money.
The suggested LIBRA poet is T.S.ELIOT, born 26 September 1888. He apparently wrote the following poem (as a school exercise, imitating Ben Jonson) when he was 16 years old:
[‘A Lyric’]
If Time and Space, as Sages say,
Are things which cannot be,
The sun which does not feel decay
No greater is than we.
So why, Love, should we ever pray
To live a century?
The butterfly that lives a day
Has lived eternity.
The flowers I gave thee when the dew
Was trembling on the vine,
Were withered ere the wild bee flew
To suck the eglantine.
So let us haste to pluck anew
Nor mourn to see them pine,
And though our days of love be few,
Yet let them be divine.
SCORPIO
October 24 – November 22
HEAVENLY HINTS: An excellent month for family links – even if you think someone might be about to be problematical (which of course is quite likely with Christmas in the offing!) You’ll enjoy quietly hunkering down in warm and enjoyable surroundings this month.
Physically and sportily, you may be fairly adventurous now. Health-wise: it may sound odd, but be careful of your hands and neck (don’t rick something or pull a muscle.) In the cookery area, some stuffing (probably during Christmas culinary activities) may go wrong or pear-shaped!
HORRORSCOPES There could be sudden panics about money in the early part of the month – you can sort it out, but like Librans you should now organise yourself more intelligently financially now (WHICH you CAN!)
The suggested SCORPIO poet is Sylvia Plath, born October 27 1932. She wrote the following poem when she was 14 years old:
From ‘I thought that I could not be hurt’
I thought that I could not be hurt,
I thought that I must surely be
impervious to suffering -
immune to mental pain
or agony.
(How frail the human heart must be -
a throbbing pulse, a trembling thing -
a fragile, shining instrument
of crystal, which can either weep,
or sing.)
Then, suddenly my world turned gray
and darkness wiped aside my joy,
a dull and aching void was left
where careless hands had reached out to
destroy
my silver web of happiness.
The hands then stopped in wonderment,
for, loving me, they wept to see
the tattered ruins of my firma-
ment.
(How frail the human heart must be,
a mirrored pool of thought. So deep
and tremulous an instrument
of glass, that it can either sing,
or weep.)
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