A Sobering Lunation

The always powerful new moon of Capricorn, at 9°44′, is the first after the winter solstice and will occur on December 30 at 3:27 p.m. in California, 4:27 p.m. in Mexico City, or 11:27 p.m. in Central Europe. The solstice marked the maximum Night Force and therefore Capricorn represents the integrated collective, which is typically the State as representative of what sociologists have called the coercive power, but it could also be the Church as symbol of the persuasive power or the “markets” symbolizing the economic power. In any case, it is the power resulting from the interrelationships of individuals. However, since neither Spiritual force can be nil, the Day Force is at its minimum value at the winter solstice. But it is not zero, it is the seed of the individuality that will be fully integrated at the next summer solstice and in the sign of Cancer.

Capricorn is ruled by Saturn which, as you can see in the new-moon chart, will be at Pisces 14°27′ (left-hand side), a few days after forming an exact square with Jupiter retrograde on Christmas Eve. Also notable is the opposition of Mars (Leo 2°16′) and Pluto (Aquarius 1°02′), which will be exact four days later, on January 3 (shown in blue at the 5–11 hours axis, if it were a clock face). Meanwhile, Neptune (Pisces 27°17′) forms an out-of-sign conjunction with the North Node (Aries 1°07′). Let me say a few words about these and other astrological configurations, like the square of Venus and Uranus.

Searching for Truth

The triple square between Jupiter and Saturn, the second of which was on Christmas Eve, represent the First Quarter phase, the crisis of action, in their relationship cycle punctuated by the Grand Conjunctions. As we have seen, the last one occurred in the first degree of Aquarius on December 21, 2020. In this waxing square, we are confronting any issues found when trying to actualize the Aquarian need for Truth, with a capital T. I mentioned that the first square, on August 19, seemed to be the thesis of a dialectic “argued” by Jupiter, since Saturn was retrograde. But Saturn was who “argued” the antithesis, the square of December 24, for Jupiter was retrograde and it will remain so at the new moon.

Both of those squares happened with Jupiter in Gemini and Saturn in Pisces. However, in the final square on June 15, the synthesis, Jupiter will be in Cancer and Saturn in Aries, moving from mutable signs that often need to ponder, to energetic cardinal signs ready to act. Acting, in this case, is to continue seeking our personal truth during the remaining waxing phases towards the Full Moon stage which, in this case, consists of five oppositions from December 22, 2029 to October 6, 2031. Thus, between now and then, humanity has a unique opportunity to visualize and structure, in other words, to co-create a new civilization based on higher values, such as universal love and compassion.

At Gemini 13°20′ (near the bottom of the chart), Jupiter not only forms the square with Saturn but also the mutual-reception opposition with Mercury (Sagittarius 18°31′) that may give birth to new philosophies searching for truth or give rise to mere intellectual arrogance. Thus Saturn also forms a square with Mercury and is the driver of a T-Square configuration that will stabilize the opposition effects. It is worth noting that Chiron (Aries 19°00′) had been slowing down its retrograde motion and will be stationary at the new moon. As a result it continues to form a Mystic Triangle with the Mercury–Jupiter opposition, as it has done for at least a month. Our search for truth will be a healing journey.

Cycle of Wills

In previous articles, we have called the Mars–Pluto opposition a test of wills, since Mars represents our individual will and Pluto the Cosmic Will. Their relationship cycle lasts 24–26 months, and the current one began this year on Valentine’s Day, February 14, in the first degree of Aquarius! Yet another important cycle starting in that degree. Ask yourselves, were there issues in your life related to truth at that time? The First Quarter phase (crisis of action) happened on June 11, perhaps bringing those issues to the front. As mentioned, the triple opposition was exact on November 3, and it will be again on January 3 and on April 26, possibly bringing to light how to be true to ourselves and align our will with our destiny. For completeness, the Last Quarter, the crisis of consciousness, will be on September 24, 2025 and the next cycle will begin on January 27, 2026.

Mars forms a trine and Pluto an exact sextile with the North Node, so the Mars–Pluto opposition is one diagonal of a Mystic Rectangle formed with the nodal axis (not shown) as the other diagonal. This will be another lunation with opportunities for growth (North Node) by aligning our will with the Cosmic Will. With the North Node nearing its Pisces entrance, it will do so on January 11, and forming a conjunction with Neptune, even if it is out of sign, the opportunities may involve compassion towards masses of people. Once again, these configurations rarely last more than a couple of weeks, and here we go having them for a couple of months. It behooves us to take advantage of such opportunities.

Relationship Changes?

At Aquarius 26°34′, Venus is ruled by Uranus (Taurus 23°40′) with which it forms a square that will have been exact on December 28, two days before the new moon. Remember that Uranus essence is to point out the obsolescence of structures built by Saturn, so any contact between Venus and Uranus will challenge existing relationships. The square aspect is highly energetic and aims to build or destroy, its keyword is construction.

For people seeking relationships, a Venus–Uranus square may provide opportunities to find one suddenly, although it may be unusual in some way, perhaps with someone of a different background or nation. To those in a relationship, such a square often points out routines that should be addressed to avoid a breakup, and perhaps novel ways to spice up the relationship. This is accentuated when Venus is in Aquarius, boredom is generally not tolerated and much less forming a square with Uranus.

Sabian Symbol

Capricorn 10° has the image: “An albatross feeding from the hand of a sailor”, expanded as the overcoming of fear and its rewards. Its keyword is, simply: Trust. The picture extends the ideal of peace and happiness to all creatures of the biosphere, and such a culture of harmlessness and compassion generates trust everywhere. The symbol encourages us to act true to ourselves and trust those who do the same. However, from another point of view, the sailor must irradiate warmth and honesty for the albatross to overcome its instinctual fears.

Wrapping Up…

As mentioned earlier, we are experiencing a crisis of action when trying to be true to ourselves, both individually and collectively. It may be related to issues of honesty and truth raised back in December, 2020 which are relevant once again since August of this year. Everything will be clearer around June of next year.

The new year may bring a surprise relationship or perhaps stir the pot in existing relationships in an effort to make them sizzle again.

Don’t forget to set your intention for the lunar month before the new moon, for example, this Sunday night. If you know your chart, the intention should involve the field of experiences symbolized by the house where the new moon will occur. Else, set an intention around whatever might have arisen in you after reading this article.

Always Love. 🌹🙏💖

PS. About Pets

There is no doubt that animals are conscious but it is believed that only humans have reflexive consciousness, as Teilhard de Chardin called the fact that humans are conscious of being conscious. Animals respond to their instincts, conditioned by the genetic material of their species, and to the consciousness of their collective, for example, the pack.

However, by turning them into pets, humans have introduced a limited sense of self to such domesticated animals. They probably don’t identify themselves with their name, but certainly know that it precedes words directed at them. In my own experience with multiple dogs, they listen to their name and mostly ignore the name of the others. Over generations, pets have gradually evolve a primitive sense of individuality that goes beyond their name, making them unique companions.

In Memoriam

Sadly, I recently lost two wonderful companions: Nikita and Heraldo.

Through more than thirteen years, Nikita ruled a pack of up to six dogs. She came as a rambunctious puppy with a keen intelligence that made her a natural leader. Prone to accidents due to her exuberant disposition, she had damaged ligaments and severe arthritis in her old age. The photograph is recent, from September of this year.

Meanwhile, Heraldo was a large husky with a menacing scowl and the sweetest disposition. He came to my possession at the age of three on September 25, 2018 and his presence was quietly felt in the house. With a huge appetite, he usually was the first to ask for the next meal. One day he refused to eat and three days later they found cancer all over his body. The photograph was taken one day after he arrived at the house in 2018 but he remained a handsome dog till the day he died.