Waning Moon in Capricorn

Sunday morning through Tuesday afternoon

Authority, determination, focus. Need a job done? Go to Capricorn. The Moon strode into Capricorn's orderly domain at 9:04am EST and remains within his precincts until Tuesday. She will enter Aquarius at 6:21pm EST. Precisely.

Author G.D. Falksen

If Capricorn is a captain of industry, a waning Capricorn Moon surely evokes steampunk, the genre of fiction, music, art and roleplay wrapped in nacreaous fogs of alternative history.

The Moon and Capricorn share a love of history and reverence for tradition. The Moon is emotional, even moody; Capricorn is rational, pragmatic. Looking back to a time that never was, longing for something we can't quite reach ... if it has gears, pistons, and a Babbage engine, Capricorn is so there.

With five planets already in Aquarius and an Aquarian New Moon dead ahead, today's energy puts the Capricorn Moon's nostalgia on an airship and flies it right into a radical future.

So, in these last days of the waning cycle, pull out the funky jewelry your crazy aunt gave you, and those radio tubes from the science kit your cousin left in the basement. Lay everything out in Capricornian orderliness, then bring in Aquarius to mess with the boundaries. Make something radically new, then sell it on Etsy. Seriously.

It's a radical day. The Moon steps into Capricorn right on top of the North Node, place of destiny and karma. Then she challenges Jupiter the philosopher king in square, and with Jupiter igniting fiery Aries, this square could be the spark that lights the boiler. This evening, the Moon conjuncts Pluto, when we could feel the rumblings of an underground shift.

Monday brings a square between the Capricorn Moon and Saturn in Libra, a meeting of titans. Tuesday, the Moon joins messenger Mercury, then communes with the outer powers Neptune, Uranus and Chiron before retreating into her time between times.

As ever, we choose to engage with the archetypes as they present themselves. This waning Capricorn time could see us slipping into a nostalgic reverie, lost in nihilistic mists, lamenting the past, raising a glass of absinthe to what is gone. Yes, Capricorn is saturnine, and can get downright depressed.

As ever, the remedy for Saturnian moodiness is hard work. So go ahead, dive deep into the past ... your personal past, or history you're passionate about. And then, instead of getting lost in a labyrinth, pull the best of tradition into the future and work it into something wonderful and new.

New Moon in Aquarius

Wednesday, February 2 9:30pm EST

The New Moon in Aquarius coincides with Imbolc, the turning of the year from the darker dark, toward the light and the coming of Spring. The power around this New Moon supports the call of Aquarius to step out the box, reach for the stars, and dream our biggest dream.

The radical nature of this New Moon is evident in the number of planets and asteroids clustered in Aquarius: Mars and Ceres conjunct the New Moon, layering the Sun-Moon masculine-feminine partnering with another pair of masculine-feminine archetypes.

Neptune and Chiron stand poised in the last degrees of Aquarius. Chiron will swim into Pisces waters next week, while Neptune wades into Pisces in April, only to step back out. We stand at the water's edge wondering where these tides will carry us.

The revolutionary Aquarian plans we make at this New Moon will be more than castles in the Air, as Saturn flows his energy in trine, making it real. This is an opportunity to manifest a vision, and a reminder that thoughts are actions, and come with consequences.

The Grand Cross counterpointing the New Moon echoes the theme of consequences. Pluto and Venus conjunct the North Node and oppose the South Node of the Moon, as Jupiter and Uranus oppose Juno, and all four corners square each other.

Pluto pulls us onto our true path, whether we will or no. Jupiter and Uranus forge ahead, leaping into the unknown with no thought of nets. Yet Venus and Juno remind us we are not alone, in both senses of the phrase. Everything we do affects our communities; being mindful of this can guide our choices. And, we have support: Even in our darkest moments, we can find help.

One of the paradoxes of Aquarius is the emphases on both individuality and community. Aquarius reminds us that, whatever Capricorn might think, no man is an island ... and our unique selves are the medicine our communities most need, whether they realize it or not.

The path of Aquarius is the path of individuation, and it ain't easy. Carl Jung saw this process as one calling for the ego to give way (something the ego hates to do) to the wider, deeper vision of the Self, "a process of open conflict and open collaboration at once ... the old game of hammer and anvil" (CW9i, par 522).

Astrologer Ellen Longo begins an exploration of leadership through the signs with Aquarius, and her examplar is Yoko Ono ... someone who elicits strong reactions, always has, always will.

This is Imbolc, the festival of Brighid, goddess and saint, another Aquarian leader who cannot be defined as solely pagan or Christian, standing through the ages as a singular figure of strength and protection. The stories associated with her also reflect the radical determination and community focus of Aquarius.

As Michele Grace writes in her New Moon Journal, this Aquarius New Moon is an invitation to dream our biggest dream. As the New Moon approaches, take time to remember your largest, brightest visions. Reconnect with their energy and vitality. We can bring those dreams forward now, and make them real.

Waning Moon in Sagittarius

party icon

Thursday night through Sunday morning

Overnight, we emerged from Scorpio's dark basement into Sagittarius' well lit, convivial kitchen ... a place where all are welcome, something rich and fragrant is always cooking, and the talk flows easily. Welcome!

Sagittarian warmth is heightened today by a flowing trine between the Moon and Jupiter, Sag's ruler now shining in fiery Aries. With energetic sextiles between the Moon and Sun, and later, the Moon and Mars and Ceres, all in innovative Aquarius, we'll feel we can do anything and have fun with it.

Tomorrow (Saturday), the Moon forms a flowing sextile with Saturn, newly retrograde, and later reaches conjunction with Venus in late Sagittarius. We feel ready to get things done, putting our responsibilities in a wider context and ready to fine the good in (and savoring the delights of) the work we have before us. Venus and the Moon together align relationships and creativity with emotions.

Very early Sunday morning, the Sagittarius Moon contacts the outer planets Neptune and Uranus, and the asteroids Chiron and Juno. She'll form a T-square with Uranus and Juno, who are opposing each other in late Pisces (Uranus) and Virgo (Juno). At the same time, she'll be creating flowing sextiles with Neptune and Chiron.

With Neptune and Uranus in similar degrees of adjacent signs, an "easy" aspect with one planet means a "challenging" aspect with the other. Yet Neptune and Uranus are in mutual reception ... each in the sign ruled by the other. So as the Moon contacts one, the other is there, each sending intuitive messages that flow (Neptune) and flash (Uranus).

In this waning part of the lunar cycle, we're integrating what we've learned and releasing what no longer serves us. This transit through Sagittarius helps us make sense of what it all means ... Sagittarius is a philosopher and mentor who can help sort out the complexities of these challenging times. This Moon transit brings energy, focus and balance, and closes with intuitive messages from the cosmos.

At 9:04 am EST Sunday, the Moon steps into determined and responsible Capricorn, ready to make something practical and real.

Waning Moon in Scorpio

Tuesday evening through Thursday night

Tonight at 9:15pm EST the Moon emerges from her time-between-times and dives into Scorpio's watery depths. Scorpio demands we look at things we don't want to see, acknowledging the power of the Shadow.

power from the depths

Scorpio is an energy we tend to resist. In an interview last night on Blog Talk Radio, April Elliott Kent described it as repellent, a common, if not always deserved, response. Yet when we're ready to shoulder our packs and walk into the dark, Scorpionic journeys lead us into the heart of our own power.

Jung's concept of the Shadow points to why Scorpio energy is something we prefer to turn away from. As individuals, families, and societies, we make choices about what is acceptable and what is not. Some of these choices are absolutely essential to creating and maintaining strong, healthy communities. Some reflect styles and preferences that express and define who we are.

As we push away the unacceptable, making it taboo, it acquires great power. How we respond to the unacceptable then defines where that power is and who has access to it. Is it ours or only part of those others out there?

This aspect of Scorpio is highlighted as Saturn stations at 17 Libra and turns retrograde (1:10am EST Wednesday). Libra is a the sign of balance between self and other. Saturn is all about limits, rules, and boundaries, what is acceptable and what is not, who is in and who is out, and where responsibility falls. His retrogrades are times to think again about these issues.

During this waning transit through Scorpio, we look at fallout. Things like results and consequences may come up for review. We may find ourselves asking, whose fault is this? Where are we willing to step up and accept our role, and where do we only look around for a scapegoat?

Wednesday's transits include challenging squares between Mercury in Capricorn and Saturn in Libra, the Moon in Scorpio and the Sun in Aquarius, and the Moon in Scorpio and Mars in Aquarius. Meanwhile, the Moon creates a flowing sextile to Pluto in Capricorn.

All of these aspects ask different versions of the same question about action and consequence. We must act; in acting, we choose; actions and choices have consequences; not all the consequences are pretty. Even inaction is action, and inaction can sometimes have the worst consequences of all.

What's a body to do? Wednesday's Sun-Moon square marks the last quarter Moon, our entry into the final phase of this lunar cycle. This is a time of reflection, integration, and release. We strive for insight, accept what is ours, and release what is ready to move out of our lives. The Scorpio Moon opens the door to engage in this process with great depth.

In the early hours of Thursday, the Moon will flow energy in sextile with Mercury, communicating about this theme, perhaps sending dreams we can remember and work with.

By Thursday evening, the Moon will communicate with outer planet messengers. Neptune and Chiron wait at the end of Aquarius, asking for adjustments with inconjunct angles. Uranus is will be there also, at the end of Pisces, flowing message in trine to offer intuitive guidance on what comes next.

The Moon enters her time-between-times late Thursday night, stepping into welcoming Sagittarius at 1:55am Friday. The lights of Sagittarius will seem brighter if we make our Scorpio journey first.

Waning Moon in Libra

Sunday afternoon through Tuesday evening

This afternoon, the Moon enters balanced Libra, Cardinal Air, turning our thoughts to how we relate to others and to the world. With Jupiter surging forward in Aries, this Libra Moon offers a chance to find our bearings.

Degas – Two Dancers

Libra and Aries are opposite signs, Aries the fiery new kid ready to take on the world and grab his share, and Libra the calm diplomat able to step back, think things through, and consider all sides. The Moon's first aspect in Libra is an opposition to Jupiter (7:22pm EST), bringing us right into this challenging dialogue.

Libra is sometimes accused of being wishy-washy, so ready to please others and see all sides that no decision is reached. Honestly, this is a side of Libra I rarely see, but perhaps one voice in today's Aries-Libra debate might be a Libra Moon saying, "oh, I don't know ... will this really be for the best?" as Jupiter rockets into new adventure. It's hard to hold Jupiter in Aries back, and vague doubts will probably not do it.

The Moon in Libra is perfectly capable of holding her ground when her values are clear, aesthetically as well as personal and social ones. A strong role for today's Libra Moon might be to calmly assess Jupiter's enthusiastic drives and ask, is this going to a good place? Will the result serve my needs and the needs of others? Will this be balanced? Will it be beautiful?

Jupiter in Aries is not an energy that can be contained, nor should it be. This is a potent energy for change, but one that is new, raw, untamed. The gentle hand of the Libra Moon can shape this energy, guiding it into channels that are sustainable, productive, and glorious to see.

The Moon moves from this opposition into a challenge in square to the Nodes of the Moon. The North Node in Capricorn and South Node in Cancer continue to echo the polarity of the Full Moon in Cancer. We have more work to do here, it seems, more to balance, integrate and make beautiful as we explore these energies of public achievement and private safety, authority based on outer structures and authority based on inner strengths, and practical rationality and emotional insight.

Tonight, the Sun and Moon trine each other, a time in the waning lunar cycle when we reach a point of understanding. The Sun in radical Aquarius and the Moon in balanced Libra, together, review what has been and plan for what is to come.

Tomorrow (Monday), the Moon walks through a series of aspects that explore the territory of how we work, why we work, and what we work on. Overnight, she will square Pluto in Capricorn and trine Mars in Aquarius. Monday evening brings a square to Mercury in Capricorn and a conjunction with Saturn in Libra.

The Libra Moon is cool, calm and collected. She can find common ground whether the dialogues are challenging or easy, and map out an innovative path that honors tradition.

Very early Tuesday morning, the Libra Moon sextiles Venus in Sagittarius, a chance to reconnect with Jupiter's enthusiasm within the circle of relationships. Venus has been exploring Sagittarius for a few weeks now. She's ready to share some of her adventures, and the Libra Moon pulls up a chair to listen.

Tuesday afternoon, the Moon reaches the last degrees of Libra where she will commune with Neptune, Chiron and Uranus, receiving intuitive guidance and healing. At 7:40pm EST, she slips into her time between times, diving into Scorpio's depths at 9:15pm. Look for intense dreams tonight!

Leo Moon Moving into Virgo

This note covers the Moon's transit through Virgo, today through Sunday afternoon.

Yesterday's post explored this morning's Leo Moon, so today we join the Moon resting in her afternoon void of course time, watching as she steps carefully into Virgo at 6:10pm. Virgo is mutable Earth, grounded, practical, watcher over details, caretaker, and healer.

After the exuberant passion of Leo, and the heady communication with powerful outer planets, this evening is likely to feel calm and quiet, offering a chance to check in, regroup, and get organized. Virgo wants to make sure everyone is ok after the last few day's wild ride.

on the road ...

A friend posted a comment yesterday, sharing a dream of the Cowardly Lion that got me thinking about Oz. If the impulsive, passionate Lion is Fire, and the empathic, sensitive Tin Man is Water, the Scarecrow is surely Earth with more than a little Virgo in the mix. He's the one who calmly makes sure everyone keeps going through poppies, snow, and flying monkeys; the one who asks, "What about Dorothy?"

Virgo has a humility that veers easily into self criticism, never feeling it can do enough. Every transit from Leo into Virgo can bring up feelings that we missed the boat somehow. A happier, more productive expression of Virgo's energy is to check in gently with ourselves as well as with those we care about. How are we feeling today? What healing might we need?

Today's Moon in Virgo offers support for self care, as well as care of others. She forms a flowing trine with the North Node and an inconjunct angle-of-adjustment with the Aquarian Sun, connections that offer information on where we are on our path. We can use this information to make course corrections, compassionately.

Overnight, we move into transformational territory as the Virgo Moon forms a flowing trine to Pluto in Capricorn and an inconjunct to Mars in Aquarius. The focus shifts from where we are, to what we need to do. Watch for dream messages about alchemy and action.

Action and energy abound Saturday as Jupiter enters fiery Aries just after noon, beginning a new twelve-year cycle through the zodiac. Jupiter entered Aries back in June, part of the amazing Cardinal Cross of the summer. But then he slipped back into Pisces, giving us a chance to revisit, revise, and revitalize our dreams and visions. Now's he back, ready to surge forward, reaching out.

It's time to check your chart, to see where Jupiter's transit will energize you. Cafe Astrology offers an overview of Jupiter's impact, with extra notes for each sign.

The Virgo Moon moves into a flowing trine with Mercury in Capricorn, opening a window for practical, organized thought and communication. If you've got editing to do, Saturday afternoon is a great time to complete it, or any other tasks that require focus, determination, and analysis.

Venus is sailing through exuberant Sagittarius these days. A challenge in square from the Virgo Moon Saturday night can provide a check-in, making sure we're not overextending, or engaging in behaviors a little too risky.

Sunday, the Moon continues her steady pace through Virgo, reaching the last degrees in midafternoon. Here she will conjunct Juno, the asteroid of partnership, as she forms an opposition to Uranus and inconjuncts to Neptune and Chiron.

These challenging aspects remind us that sometimes it's hard for Virgo to accept intuitive guidance and healing. Virgo can too easily demur, saying, "Oh no, you can't mean me, this message must be for someone more worthy. I'm not the one, there are others more qualified and deserving."

Sunday afternoon, we open to possibility that our guides know what they're doing, that the intuitions we receive are for us and not anyone else, that we're each the hero of our own lives.

Waning Moon in Leo

The Moon continues in bright, passionate Leo today, basking in the glow of the Full Moon. The task of this time in the lunar cycle is to see clearly what's been illuminated, and begin the process of winnowing. Some of what has come to fruition during the waxing cycle is of lasting value; this we integrate and share. Some things have ripened and now reach completion; these we savor and release, to become compost for the next cycle. Both are processes are necessary and natural.

hip hop dancer in the spotlight

The Leo Moon warms us, igniting the fire of creativity beneath the cauldron of our dreams. Everything goes into the pot today, and we watch for the gifts that emerge from this alchemical cooking.

With the Moon in an inconjunct angle-of-adjustment with Mercury in practical Capricorn, we may feel tension as we try to stay grounded in the midst of this process. With the Sun moving into radically innovative Aquarius today to join Mars, revolutionary ideas are everywhere.

This afternoon, the Moon trines Venus, passionate feelings flowing with a generous, philosophical approach to relationships and creativity. As Venus continues to explore everything she learned during her long stay in Scorpio, the Leo Moon highlights where our hearts want to go.

This evening, the Moon moves into a flowing sextile with Saturn in Libra. Saturn moves very slowly now, preparing to stop and retrace his steps through Libra, the sign ruled by Venus. We're about to have another opportunity to explore what relationships and creativity mean for us, this time under Saturn's lens.

Tomorrow, the Moon moves through the last degrees of Leo to oppose visionary Neptune and healing Chiron in Aquarius, just as she also becomes the apex of a yod connecting the Sun at the beginning of Aquarius and Jupiter and Uranus at the end of Pisces.

This yod, which focuses the energies of Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Chiron and the Sun all on the Leo Moon, spotlights once again the vital important of expressing our creative gifts and shining our lights into the world.

Full Moon in Cancer Moving into Leo

We're moving now into the Full Moon in Cancer, which arrives at 4:21pm EST with all its opportunities for illumination and understanding. But of course the Moon, and indeed none of the planets, will stop there.

Just after the Moon and Sun reach their Full Moon opposition, the Moon moves into her exact trine with Jupiter who's sitting at the last degree of Pisces (4:26pm). This is the moment when the Moon enters her void of course period, until she steps into Leo's spotlight only 45 minutes later at 5:16pm.

Shine Road!

Leo is the sign of the Sun, of the passionate, creative expression of the heart. The time around the Full Moon is one of shining our light, which Leo loves to do, so we'll want time for expressing whatever the Full Moon brings us today, in words, images, movement ... some form that reflects our unique passion and excitement.

Then the Capricorn Sun moves into an exact sextile with Jupiter, adding Jupiter's enthusiasm and generosity to the Capricorn's determination and steady drive, a combination that energizes creative work.

This evening, the Leo Moon opposes Mars in Aquarius, yet another combination supporting work (Mars) that is innovative, even radical in some way (Aquarius), that we feel passionately about (Leo Moon), and balances our need for creative expression with the needs of the wider community (Leo-Aquarius dialogue).

So let's celebrate this Full Moon with creativity, finding the time and commitment to step into our unique selves and shine like the Sun.

More on Tomorrow's Full Moon

Isis, Osiris and Horus

The complex and powerful symbols surrounding this Full Moon in Cancer invite us into a deep exploration of what they mean to us personally, as well as their meanings in society and culture. My post from Friday offers my own thoughts; I'm also listening to what other astrologers are saying.

The key theme for me is finding the balance between the archetypes of the masculine and feminine, father and mother, as we also seek ways to honor tradition while finding radical new ways to be and become.

Marina at Darkstar Astrology wrote about this Full Moon back on January 4, focusing on the difficulties we face in making actual relationships work in the real world. Pointing to the interwoven aspect patterns, she highlights the role key relationships play in soul evolution.

Dagestani man and woman, 1904

April Elliott Kent explores dark territory in the resonances between the Sabian symbol for this Full Moon, a Daughter of the American Revolution, for the Sun at this Full Moon, directors of a large firm meet in secret conference, and the tragic shootings in Tucson on January 8, suggesting a difficult revolution has begun.

Looking at the heroic responses the tragedy called forth, Julia Bond sees hope that this Full Moon at the Cancer–Capricorn gateways will open each of us to becoming heroes and heroines in our own lives.

Linda Hill discusses many of the Sabian symbols involved in this Full Moon, seeing this as a pivotal time when secrets are revealed, new information comes forth, and we make decisions about where to honor tradition and where radical new directions are needed.

To explore this Full Moon in a more direct way, consider listening to the guided journey I created, which you can find through the widget over on the upper right. The Full Moon illuminates; this one is an opportunity not to be missed.

Moon in Gemini Moving into Cancer

This note covers the Moon's transition from Gemini into Cancer today and tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday.

The bright butterfly Moon in Gemini, shining close to full, is connecting with those four powerful planets in the late degrees this morning.

illumination

Forming an inconjunct angle-of-adjustment with the Capricorn Sun, while creating a T-square with the opposition between the Jupiter and Uranus conjunction and the asteroid Juno, the Moon points up the challenges in maintaining a dynamic balance among the demands of our inner and outer lives, forces of stability and change, and need for partnership and the call to become our true selves.

Finding the right way to honor all these is possible, but calls for Gemini's light touch. Trines to Neptune and Chiron flow energy into dreams and visions for a beautiful and healing future. The Gemini Moon loves to talk, and my dreams last night were full of rich conversations. Unfortunately, most of the details flew out of my head as I awoke, so I hope my subconscious was listening!

Gemini is a wonderful energy for communicating, so open your week by making important connections. There can be a tendency to over-communicate with the Moon in this sign, though, so avoid dominating conversations, talking too fast, or sharing too much where you might regret it later. Instead, direct Gemini's humor and facility with language into reaching out in positive, support ways.

The Moon enters her time-between-times at 12:57pm EST, taking a break to rest and reflect on the many messages received and information collected. She steps into her own sign of Cancer at 2:29pm, relaxing into the nurturing waters of home.

Meanwhile, the Capricorn Sun forms a flowing sextile with Uranus in Pisces, offering an intuitive boost to achievement. Author and teacher Laura Day says that when she teaches intuitive workshops in corporate settings, the most successful business folks often come up privately and admit many of their key decisions were guided by flashes of intuition. Today's Capricorn Sun–Pisces Uranus connection is the perfect conduit for such flashes.

This evening, the Cancer Moon begins intensifying her connection with Capricorn, a preview of Wednesday's Full Moon. She will oppose Pluto and Mercury as they reach their Capricorn conjunction.

This combination of mind and communication (Mercury) and deep transformation (Pluto) in grounded, practical Capricorn, calls us to take what we've learned and what we know and do something with it. Words and ideas are nice, but it's time to make it real. The opposition from the Cancer Moon brings our feelings into this mix, perhaps highlighting anxieties about big changes but also offering a sense of nurturing and the support of the ancestors.

Tuesday's square from the Cancer Moon to Saturn in Libra says again, it's time to confront the need to change, and any anxieties we have about it, with the lovely support of compassionate guides. The connection between Mercury and Pluto helps us connect deeply with the messages that will help.

Moon in Taurus Moving into Gemini

This note covers the Moon's transit through Gemini today and tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday.

The gentle (but sometimes stubborn) Taurus Moon spent last night communing with the four powerful planets grouped in the last degrees: Neptune and Chiron in Aquarius, and Jupiter and Uranus in Pisces.

the Tree of Hermes

These days, each time the Moon or any other planet reaches the last degrees, they step into this powerful ongoing conversation. Although it's possible to look at each aspect separately, considering, for example, the difference between a square to Neptune and a sextile to Uranus, the overall context here feels most important. These four powerhouses of intuitive guidance, creative visioning, healing, mentorship, philosophy, and grace, have been in a close conversation of conjunctions and semisextiles for many months now.

So rather than focusing on the difference between classically easy and classically challenging aspects, it seems more valuable to say, hey, look who the Moon's hanging out with right now. I wonder what she's sharing with these giants, and what guidance she'll bring back to Earth.

The Taurus Moon is very grounded, after all, and her last aspect was a flowing trine to action-oriented Mars in Capricorn, so check your dreams from last night and this morning for messages about what actions you might taken to reach a cherished goal.

Now, the Moon has bounced into lively Gemini, ready to connect with everyone and everything. This shift into airy Gemini, ruled by Mercury, heralds another shift, as Mars moves from grounded, practical Capricorn into innovative, planful Aquarius. We can accomplish much with Mars in Capricorn, but the combination can also feel a bit nose-to-the-grindstone. The shift to Aquarius brings fresh ideas and a longer view into the sphere of action.

The Gemini Moon opposes Venus in Sagittarius today, a dialogue of balancing between depth and breadth, as Gemini prevents Sagittarius from feeling like THE answer has been found by enticing us with novel new viewpoints. Overnight, the Moon in Gemini forms a flowing trine to Saturn in Libra, offering a lighter touch to the steady balance that responsible Saturn prefers to maintain.

Sunday offers no additional aspects, leaving the Moon to sail through Gemini's bright skies meeting new friends and exploring new ideas. As the Moon grows brighter, waxing to full, Gemini awakens our minds to the myriad possibilities opening before us, reminding us of the infinite variety and wonders that surround us.

Preparing for the Full Moon in Cancer of January 19

This Full Moon, another in a powerful series of New and Full Moons we're experiencing, asks us to look closely at who we are as men and women, and how we live that in our cultures. 

 

Capricorn is the archetype of the father ... tradition, masculine authority, achievement in the world, practicality, hard work, responsibility. Cancer is the archetype of the mother ... tradition, feminine authority, nurturance, the safety of the home, protection of the tribe.

The Full Moon falls at 29 degrees, focusing and emphasizing everything these signs are about. How fulfilled are we with tradition gender roles? With how we've looked at nurturing and achievement, inner and outer, feminine and masculine, in our lives and in society?

Because ... there are other options out there! Mars at 3 degrees Aquarius and Ceres at 6 degrees Aquarius are conjunct the Capricorn Sun. Here are masculine and feminine again, but in the radically innovative, revolutionary sign of Aquarius.

Meanwhile, Jupiter and Uranus are at the end of Pisces, the end of the zodiac cycle, sextiling the Sun and trining the Moon. Uranus is the ruler of Aquarius, and Jupiter is the expansive philosopher king who moves into the new birth of fiery Aries just a few days after the Full Moon. These two honor the strength of the old ways of looking at father and mother, while highlighting the potential for a new dawn.
 

Neptune and Chiron, visionary and healer, are conjunct at the end of Aquarius. They form a yod with the Moon at its apex, along with the North Node, Pluto, and Mercury in Capricorn, offering a healing vision for the future, balanced by the strong work ethic of the past, pointing at the mothering Moon. The resolution of a yod comes by looking at the point opposite the apex, where we find the Capricorn Sun along with Mars and Ceres in Aquarius.

There is a second yod at this Full Moon, if we include the asteroid Juno, another traditional strong feminine archetype focused on creating strong partnerships, who happens to be at 29 degrees of Virgo. The second yod balances the mothering Moon and the partnering figure of Juno, pointing to the healing vision of Neptune and Chiron at the apex. Across from the apex is last degrees of the sign of Leo, bringing the passionate creativity of the heart into the mix.

 

When Juno, advocate of partnership, is included, we see a Grand Cross that surrounds the Full Moon opposition. This Grand Cross brings Juno in Virgo, sign of everyday service, practical aid, and healing, into opposition with Jupiter and Uranus, the philosopher and the revolutionary in visionary Pisces. The other arm of the Cross is the Nodes of the Moon, the karmic path that, like the Full Moon, falls across the Cancer-Capricorn axis. How can we find a dynamic balance that honors both the cosmic and the everyday? How can we create a new vision that works in our daily lives?

Only Venus and Saturn are not tied into this complex aspect pattern, and they sextile each other, another pairing of feminine and masculine.

So for me, this Full Moon asks questions like, how has the balance between masculine and feminine as they've been traditionally conceived, worked out? Our cultures have tried to move into new ways of looking at men and women, masculine and feminine ... are we happy with what's happening? Are we personally fulfilled, and is it working for society?

If we're not happy with where things are, what do we do about it? What personal work, and cultural changes, might be needed? In a framework limited to duality, we feel we must chose, aligning with one side and demonizing the other. The tragic events of the past week show us all over again where that leads. So part of the invitation of this Full Moon, focusing on the father and mother, masculine and feminine archetypes, is to consider how to accept and balance both, moving into integration, with its widening of understanding and experience.

Ultimately, we long for strength that is both masculine and feminine, nurturing and pushing for achievement, sustaining a safe home base and adventuring out into the world. Looking at how this Full Moon interacts with our birth charts can point us to what we most need in this area in the time ahead.

Waxing Moon in Taurus

This note covers the Moon's transit through Taurus today and tomorrow.

Today, after the last high-energy, fiery days in Aries, we go to ground, ready to snuggle in, nest, nurture, and reflect. With much of the Eastern U.S. buried in snow, some of us are homebound anyway, so it's nice to have lunar energy around that helps us appreciate the value of hearth and home.

lobster bisque

We're surrounded by Earth energy as Mercury enters Capricorn, bringing mind and communication into the pragmatic world of steady effort and achievement. If Mercury in Sagittarius, coupled with the last few day's Aries Moon, have you fired up with lots of wonderful ideas, shifting into Capricorn brings the focus to decide which deserve time and attention.

The Moon trines Pluto in Capricorn today as well, connecting Taurus' patient nurturing with Pluto's relentless transformation. If you've been feeling as though the tectonic plates under your feet have been shifting, and, in the words of satirists from Firesign Theater to Weird Al, everything you know is wrong, the Moon in Taurus offers respite.

The Taurus Moon knows we need time, gentleness and caring, especially when big changes are happening. Caterpillars spin those cocoons for a reason! Even the most positive kinds of growth can be uncomfortable, if not downright scary, so take time now to nurture yourself.

This message is echoed later today as Mars in Capricorn sextiles Jupiter in Pisces, semisextiles Chiron in Aquarius, and trines the asteroid Juno. Capricornian Mars can be relentless, so committed to reaching a goal that everything else falls by the wayside. These connections remind us that partnerships (Juno) are vital to success, and all we do fits into a wider context (Jupiter) that includes healing, and fully embodying our true selves (Chiron).

Tomorrow (Friday) the Taurus Moon forms a flowing trine with the Capricorn Sun, a time of harmony at the end of the first quarter of this waxing cycle when we see how our New Moon intentions are unfolding. With the Moon in Taurus, we're not tempted to fuss with the details, rather, we're patient enough to let the plans we've made grow and come to fruition naturally, while continuing to nurture ourselves during these times of change.

Aries Moon

Today's note covers the Moon's transit through Aries today and tomorrow.

The Moon's in a fiesty Aries mood today, following her own path, then opposing Saturn this afternoon and squaring the Sun overnight. Emotionally, we're ready to step into new territory and make bold moves, adding fire to Saturn and Capricorn's stodgy traditionalism. If the heavy focus on Capricorn these last weeks has you feeling weighted down, today's Moon might provide the spark to get things moving again.

Paeonia lacitflora Blaze

The square to the Sun signals we've reached the first quarter Moon, a time of testing our resolve and commitment. The Aries Moon has the drive to push through to success, if she doesn't get distracted by another tantalizing challenge, so maintain focus and blaze a trail to your New Moon goals.

Meanwhile, Mercury continues his deep conversations with the outer planet cluster: Neptune and Chiron in Aquarius, and Uranus and Jupiter in Pisces. Channels for intuitive guidance are open, so make time to tune in.

By Wednesday afternoon, the Moon reaches the last degrees of Aries, forming flowing sextiles to Neptune and Chiron and semi-sextiles to Uranus and Jupiter. She'll carry Mercury's torch, continuing the vibrant conversation with these outer planets of vision, intuitive, philosophy, healing and mentorship.

Just to show that the won't be held back by Capricorn's limitations, she challenges Mars in Capricorn in square Wednesday at 6pm. Her last connection in Aries is a trine to Sagittarian Mercury is the powerful 29th degree, before entering her time between times just before 10pm EST.

Aries is always direct, and the Moon's messages could not be more clear: focused and energized communication is happening, with abundant guidance available. The Aries Moon isn't shy about reaching for what she wants, so go for it!

The Moon enters patient Taurus just after 10:30pm Wednedsay, offering a quiet night and peaceful sleep following these two days of fiery energy. We can use Taurus' steadiness to reflect on the messages Aries gathers.

Waxing Moon in Pisces, Moving into Aries

The Moon makes a key transition today, from Pisces, sign of endings, into Aries, sign of beginnings. Her final aspects in Pisces, classically speaking, were her conjunctions with expansive Jupiter and revolutionary Uranus just after 6:00am EST, which might have brought big dreams, especially since this also coincided with semi-sextiles with visionary Neptune and healing Chiron.

exploring Mars

Or perhaps you simply woke early, as I did, with a head churning with ideas and emotions. Whatever the Moon's contact with the powerful outer planets offered you, she is now in her time-between-times until she surges into fiery Aries at 10:24am.

A raft of intuitive messages is carried now by Mercury, moving into the last degrees of Sagittarius, and so preparing to sextile Neptune (3:03pm today), square Uranus (7:13pm today), square Jupiter (3:37am Tuesday) and sextile Chiron (5:08am Tuesday).

Over the next 24 hours, the planet of human mind and communication will be in contact with both of the planets bringing intuitive guidance, as well as the planets of healing and mentorship, and philosophy and journeys. The pioneering, courageous Aries Moon can help facilitate deep journeys with Sagittarian Mercury.

The theme of transformative journeys is emphasized by the Moon's aspects as she enters Aries. She begins by squaring the Nodes of the Moon, challenging us to look at where we are on our life path. Then she trines Venus, newly arrived in Sagittarius, inviting us into a creative journey of exploration. Tonight, she squares Pluto the great transformer, the Aries flame ready to take on a Plutonian task.

Today will be a powerful day for all kinds of intuitive and meditative journeys. This afternoon, evening, and overnight, the sky is filled with energies igniting our desire to explore new territory, hear new messages, and take on new tasks as the intentions we set for this lunar cycle and the coming year continue to unfold.

Waxing Moon in Pisces

The Moon continues in Pisces today, and with the tragic shootings of a Congresswoman, her staff, and those coming to speak with her last night outside Tucson, Arizona, we are dropped into a deep well of Piscean loss and sacrifice. Six people, a Federal judge, a nine year old girl, a congressional staffer, and three elderly people there to speak with their elected representative, are dead. Twelve others are wounded, many critically. The congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords, had surgery last night for a bullet wound to her head, and there is hope for her recovery.

candle

One of Pisces' powerful archetypes is the one who gives everything to help his or her people. The little girl who died had just been elected to student council, and came because of her interest in government.

This kind of attack is often described with the word "senseless" and yet comes in the midst of increasingly violent rhetoric in American politics in which Congresswoman Giffords, among others, was targeted for "removal." Gabrielle Giffords and those who stood with her were exercising their rights of free assembly and democratic government. What have we come to in the U.S., and how can we understand this tragedy?

One of Pisces' gifts is empathy, a connection with others that can leave us overwhelmed with emotion, or  allow deep insights into viewpoints and feelings very different from our own. Today the Moon forms a flowing sextile with the Sun, offering understanding and clarity. This Sun-Moon connection can help us move from overwhelm to insight as we try to make sense of what has happened. Perhaps some will step back from violence in speech, and likewise seek understanding.

In our own lives, the Sun-Moon sextile offers a look at how our New Moon intentions might take shape. Overnight, the Moon forms a sextile with Mars in Capricorn, flowing Piscean insight and empathy into action.

Tonight, we might incubate a dream asking for guidance (Pisces Moon) on the actions (Capricorn Mars) that will help us reach our goals. We can also ask for guidance for America to take the best possible actions in response to yesterday's tragedy.

Waxing Moon in Pisces

When the Moon waxes in Pisces we are invited to move into one of the more difficult paradoxes, the experience of needing to leave things behind to reach for something new.

seedling

We're in the growing half of the lunar cycle. We planted seeds at the New Moon and nurture them, wanting them to grow into something wonderful. We're early enough in this cycle that we can't see the emerging plants yet, but we know they're there, and we have hope.

Pisces is mutable Water, a sign of visions and dreams, well suited to this time of imagining the new things that can emerge from our wishes for the year to come.

Pisces is also a sign of release and loss. The last sign of the zodiac, Pisces represents endings, completion, and the realization that the cycle of life includes death. It is completely natural and necessary that we release some forms, allowing the energy contained within them to flow back into the cosmos, so that new forms can emerge.

We know this side of Pisces, and yet the experience of release is not always easy. Sometimes it is, of course. We complete a difficult project and are happy to move on. We realize a relationship needs to move into a new phase, or end completely, and are sometimes at peace with that, even ready to let go of something that no longer works. But sometimes, even when we thought it would be easy, it's hard to let go.

Today, the Pisces Moon forms a flowing sextile with Pluto in Capricorn, as aspect that speaks directly to this tough part of change. Pluto is the transformer, the planet channeling the energy of complete and utter change into our lives. When Pluto moved into Capricorn in 2008, his focus shifted to fundamental structures ... in financial markets, in governments, and in our lives.

Pluto is not an easy energy to live with, but there's an inexorability to the changes he facilitates that has can have us just step back in awe and accept what has to be. Today's Pisces Moon, communicating with Pluto's irresistible force, may open up our feelings about whatever has been shifting for us. Nostalgia, after all, is painful: algia, the suffix, is from the Greek work algos, "to feel pain" and also "to care about."

Pisces cares deeply, and today we may find ourselves caring too, perhaps about things we thought we were done with. The first part of nostalgia, nostos, means "homecoming," and moving into the new, even when we look forward eagerly to positive changes, requires us to leave behind what has been familiar, what has been home.

Checking in with our emotional selves today can help us honor what we are releasing, understand its importance in our lives, and then perhaps complete the process of letting go. Then the Pisces Moon can help us dream into the future, creating a vision in which we can find a new home.

Waxing Moon in Aquarius Moving into Pisces

The Moon is now in the late degrees of Aquarius, and with so many planets at the ends and beginnings of signs, there are many conversations going on.

detail from a Mandelbrot set

The Aquarian Moon forms a flowing sextile with Mercury in Sagittarius, which tells us the trickster is in the building. Aquarius and Mercury both love word play, perceptual tricks and new ways of looking at things.

Sagittarius makes everything bigger, and the Moon engages our emotions. Is something crowding your perspective this morning, or seems too far away to get a handle on? Turn the telescope around, twirl the kaleidoscope, and see how it looks now!

This new view is being applied to all Capricorn seriousness too, as Mars in Capricorn is neatly semisextile between the Moon and Mercury. With the Sun in Capricorn squaring Saturn, Capricorn's authoritative ruler, in balanced Libra, we're challenged to place our work, our drive to achieve, and our responsibilities in a framework that also balances our core self (Sun) and the needs of partners (Libra). The Aquarian Moon and Mercury can help with this, bringing lightness and humor to a heavy situation.

The Moon's last classical aspect in Aquarius is her conjunction with Neptune at 3:51pm EST, but there are other contacts to consider. The Moon will semisextile Uranus at 4:14pm, semisextile Jupiter at 5:01pm, and join Chiron at 5:57pm. These aspects make this afternoon a powerful time for seeking intuitive guidance, as the Moon heads into her time-between-times.

At 9:57pm, the Moon enters visionary Pisces, continuing the strong connection with intuition and psychic insight, and making this a wonderful night for dream incubation. We are growing our New Moon intentions now, and asking for dreams to guide us will be an excellent idea tonight.

Venus, long in deep, dark Scorpio, entered adventuring Sagittarius early this morning. As the Moon swims into Pisces tonight, her first aspect will be a challenge in square to Venus. What philosophical insights has Venus gained from her months of Scorpionic initiation? Perhaps tonight's dreams will point us toward a new quest in relationships, or in creativity.

With all this in mind––the heaviness and responsibility of Capricorn we've all been standing under for some months now, the intensity and deep change in our relationships signified by Venus in Scorpio, today's Moon and Mercury bracketing that Capricornian Mars, and the Moon's communion with the visionary outer planets––I'd like to offer you Elizabeth Gilbert's talk recorded at the TED Conference in February 2009.

Gilbert, author of many intriguing books and notably the wildly popular Eat, Pray Love, talks about creativity and genius and how we place extraordinary burdens on ourselves and each other to be geniuses, when a more gentle and (yes) creative view would be to realize that the genii are all around us. They are there for us to talk to, to commune with, to dance with. We just need to show up and ask.

Waxing Moon in Aquarius

This note covers the Moon's transit through Aquarius today and tomorrow.

The Moon moves boldly into the territory of the new today. She'll step into revolutionary Aquarius at 11:08am EST, being now in her time-between-times.

astrolabe

The Moon in Aquarius is cool, calm, objective, innovative, and all about the greatest good for the greatest number. Yet the accompanying message of attending to our key partnerships is carried into this new lunar cycle: The Moon's last aspects as she entered her current void-of-course period were to Venus in depth-oriented Scorpio, and to Juno in service-oriented Virgo.

A square between Venus, planet of relationships, and Chiron the wounded healer today echoes this theme. Chiron shares with Aquarius an emphasis on being who we truly are, with Chiron's path to the full embodiment of self one of healing old wounds. The square to Venus in Scorpio challenges us to examine where key relationships may need healing.

The Aquarian Moon makes no other aspects today, and we feel the energy of this long-sighted Air sign filling our sails, carrying us into the new directions we've charted for the year ahead.

Tomorrow's only aspect is a flowing trine between the Aquarian Moon and Saturn in Libra, an invitation to work (Saturn) on our long-range plans (Aquarius) in a way that balances (Libra) the heart (Moon) as well as the head.

We have sailed through the New Moon gate into new territory, with the map of our intentions in hand. Now we look to the horizon, seeking the best ways to reach our goals.

New Moon in Capricorn

The New Moon is here! My post yesterday said it would arrive in the afternoon, but that was me reading "p.m." for "a.m." We're in the territory of planting seeds and making wishes with the organized, steady, traditional energy of Capricorn.

Dana Gerhardt offers two essays that highlight today's double theme: This is the time for serious New Year's resolutions, and, wow, there's an upbeat energy of great good fortune in the skies!

Dana writes about connecting with the archetypes of Capricorn, and also about welcoming the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction. Expansive, lucky Jupiter and surprising, psychic Uranus have been traveling together for a long while now, and today reach an exact conjunction. They're also trining Venus, bringing her good luck and partnership into the mix.

The Moon squares Saturn now, emphasizing Capricorn's energy once again. She'll join Mars in Capricorn this afternoon. The message is clear: We need to get clear on what we want for the coming year, and then to act on it. Capricorn, Saturn and Mars are not ones to sit on the sidelines.

April Elliott Kent invokes Marley's Ghost, reminding us that the Saturn who squares the Moon today is in Libra. Marley's mission to uber-Capricorn Ebezener Scrooge was to scare him into a more balanced view of himself and his life, a balance that opened his heart and saved his soul.

The partial solar eclipse arriving with this New Moon tells us that we are in a time of heart and soul decisions. The wishes and intentions we create now will resonate for many lunar cycles to come. Capricorn and Saturn bring their structure and gravitas to the table. It's time to get down to business, they say. And yet, here are Jupiter, Uranus and Venus reminding us, as Marley did, that our business extends so much farther than "business."

Perhaps our most important task at this New Moon is to do whatever personal work is needed, so we can open to the riches of the universe. With all the Capricorn energy around, the messages to get serious, get to work, and focus on realistic goals are clear. Yet the cosmos is reminding us that being realistic means expecting the unexpected, and opening to success and plenty, as much as disaster.

Capricorn loves tradition and achievement. Today we might recall the words of Ben Franklin who said (among many other things) that failing to prepare is preparing to fail, and Louis Pasteur, who said chance favors the prepared mind.

Waning Moon in Capricorn

The Moon entered hard working Capricorn overnight, and today joins the North Node and Pluto. We're now in the territory of 2011's first New Moon, which arrives tomorrow afternoon along with a solar eclipse. Getting ready for this seed time, resolutions in hand, means learning about Capricorn.

There's a construct in psychology called Need for Achievement (NAch) that captures a lot about Capricorn. Those with high Need for Achievement are intense, driven, and committed to reaching their goals.

Defined by Henry Murray in 1938 as "intense, prolonged and repeated efforts to accomplish something difficult. To work with singleness of purpose towards a high and distant goal. To have the determination to win," this statement is something Capricorn can definitely get behind.

Capricorn is a traditionalist, respecting the hard-won knowledge of the past and skills honed over time. This sign wants to win, but is not a gambler. Those with high Need for Achievement tend to focus on challenging but achievable goals; they like to work but hate to lose.

The "hate to lose" part points to one area of Capricorn's shadow: the drive to reach a goal can turn into an ends-justifies-the-means willingness to accept high levels of collateral damage. If the goal is important enough, no cost appears too high. Capricorn can be the sign of burnout as well as success, and the sign that sets feelings and comfort aside to reach a desired outcome.

So, at this New Moon, wishes and intentions relating to how we work, why we work, our determination, and our commitment to reaching goals, would all be supported. If we tend to let our tenacity get in the way of our health, our relationships, and our joy in life, then wishes and intentions to develop a more balanced view of life are also supported.

We all have Capricorn in our charts somewhere; check your birth chart to see where this sign falls. Most likely, you'll see Capricorn in two houses, one where falls on the cusp and therefore rules the House, and one for the degrees before the cusp.

In the Dalai Lama's chart, for example, Capricorn falls on the Descendant, which is the 7th house cusp, making Capricorn an angular ruler (sitting on one of the four angles of his chart). Yet his Descendant at 27 degrees of Capricorn means that most of Capricorn actually falls in his 6th house, where (in the Placidus house system) we see his North Node.

The 7th is our house of relationships, with the Descendant marking the place in our charts where we move from the private to the public sphere. The 6th house is our workplace, our service, and physical health.

The houses in which Capricorn falls in your chart will tell you something about where the energy of this sign influences your life. For an introduction to the houses, visit Cafe Astrology and The Mountain Astrologer.

Linking New Moon wishes and intentions to the spheres of life in which Capricorn falls in our birth charts will increase their power, by aligning them with our own energy patterns.

Waning Moon in Sagittarius Moving into Capricorn

The Moon welcomes 2011 with the open arms of Sagittarius, and with open ears. If you're still working on your New Year's resolutions, listen up! As I write this morning, the Moon is joining Mercury in the sky, sitting with the messenger of the gods, planet of mind and communication.

what will this year bring?

Throughout the day, Moon and Mercury, thought and feeling, will join forces. Aligning these two is a vital step in setting New Moon intentions; when we get the wording right, we feel the resonance in our hearts. If the resonance isn't there, then the words need to be adjusted, or we're not ready for that intention.

It's not time yet to make New Moon wishes, as it's important to wait until after the moment of the New Moon. This is a great day to begin exploring what those wishes will be, though, and how they might be phrased, with the Moon and Mercury's cooperation.

Begin with your birth chart (which you can get here if you don't have one). Maybe you're intimately familiar with its contours and patterns, maybe you're learning what the symbols and lines really mean for you, maybe you're somewhere in between. No matter how many times I look at my own chart, new things can pop out at me when I least expect it, so pull out that chart and take a look.

Donna Cunningham offers a comprehensive process for working through a birth chart to set intentions for the whole year. It's an excellent, if daunting, one that involves looking at the transits of major planets throughout the year and figuring out how to work with them.

Here's an approach that fits Moon and Mercury in Sagittarius the adventurer: Choose something in your birth chart to explore today. Begin with a planet, aspect or house that intrigues you. What does it mean to have a Moon in Leo? How does a Venus-Jupiter conjunction affect my relationships? How have I experienced having Scorpio on my Fourth House?

Or begin with an issue you know you want to work with this year: if I want to develop a healthier lifestyle, or get my finances sorted out, or deepen my friendships, what can my chart tell me about patterns in these areas of my life?

Choose a place to begin, and dive in. Use any tools that present themselves. Search the internet; I'd recommend anything linked here as a great jumping off point. Pull books off your shelves (libraries might be closed today). Engage your intuition. Joanna Powell Colbert's Gaian Tarot website offers an online oracle, and Julie Cuccia-Watts offers free online readings from her three wonderful decks.

By tonight, the Moon will be receiving messages from the outer planets Neptune, Chiron, Jupiter and Uranus. Having spent the day with Mercury, her antennae will be finely tuned to listening to these cosmic frequencies. Spending time exploring our own issues in the context of our birth charts will open our senses and help us craft strong, clear intentions for the year ahead.

Overnight, the Moon leaves Sagittarius and enters Capricorn. The first Monday morning of the new year brings us the energy of Cardinal Earth, determined, practical, and steady. Use today's open invitation to explore, before getting down to business tomorrow.