Notes on the New Moon in Capricorn: January 6, 2019

The New Year arrives with a bang. The bang of a gavel. The New Moon, happening at 15 degrees of Capricorn, is not your normal New Moon. It is a partial Solar Eclipse, making its powers even that much more palpable, it's potential that much more potent. It is said that the during eclipses, the veil between our physical world and the immaterial world beyond our five senses becomes thinner, making your communication and communion with the powers that be far more influential. And with five planets stacked in Capricorn during this lunation, powers that be need not only apply to deities or spiritual superheroes, but also the powers that take hold in your own life. Capricorn gives structure and reason to power, stacking it up into hierarchies and building it into institutions. On a macro level, these entities become the law and order we contend with on a daily basis. But on a micro level, this New Moon is asking you to take a look at the institutions and hierarchies of your own life. You have far more, ahem, power, to shift and change the structures of your own experience, building or demolishing them in ways that can serve your long-term goals. Much is said of the Capricorn bend towards money and status, making our name in the world out there. But what about your inner worlds? What of enriching and making solid the foundations of our private lives, so that they remain strong and steadfast no matter what changeability the world offers? It is our commitment to bolstering our own worth that makes for a richer life experience, one not measured by numbers or decimals. And you’ll be happy to know that in a world defined by material success, an inner state of abundance is the fastest track towards outward abundance. As within, so without. So as the goat steadies his or her way up the mountain, travailing narrow cliffs and enduring weather, think about the mountains of your own life—the ones worth climbing, the ones worth abandoning, the molehills masquerading as Mt. Everest. Eclipses open up portals of influence that can last up to six months. Not to mention that we are in for another year and a half of Capricorn-Cancer eclipses. It is what happens now that can truly build the direction of the life you want to experience. So make sure that the powers that be have the power to become.

Who is present in the courtroom? The Sun and Moon are conjuncted by Saturn (11 degrees of Capricorn) and Pluto (20 degrees of Capricorn) on either side. What an interrogation. The two cosmic cops make their presence known here, and in Capricorn they easily have the power to subvert the routines of your physical experience. Saturn has been in Capricorn for about a year now, where he feels home. And Pluto has been there for roughly 11 years. Safe to say the implications of these planets in Capricorn are firmly ensconced in your psyche by now, but the co-presence of the Sun and Moon, during an eclipse no less, will shove the consequences of these planets back into your awareness. Saturn and Pluto have the CCTV footage, and will be asking you where you were the night of. Don’t lie. Rigorous honesty when these two are around. If your alibi checks out, your rap sheet is clear, then Pluto and Saturn mean no harm and work in harmony, one with a wrecking ball and the other with the blueprints. Keep building and eliminating in the direction of your dreams. Though if you find yourself faltering, sweaty palms, unsure of your own responsibility to your life, Saturn and Pluto will demand that you get it together. And you might as well start to here, less you continue to come up short eclipse after eclipse, ultimately finding yourself in shackles of your own making. Capricorn bricks build empires—or prisons. I in no way mean to overemphasize the fear these planets instill in people, nor to make you afraid of what is to come. I firmly believe that Saturn and Pluto are productive influences, their destruction and restriction ultimately serving positive purpose. But like driving in front of a police officer, these planets inspire a nervousness that compel us to act correctly, and not necessarily in accordance with what the world deems as correct, but in accordance with the laws and truths of our own lives. It is a call for authenticity. It is a two-way mirror—Saturn and Pluto can see you, but you can only see yourself. And so you must confront the ways you are unjust to yourself, the ways you allow criminals to run amok in your life, be it through behaviors, relationships, or patterns you know are detrimental to your highest good. Arrest them, bring them in for questioning, know where to be good cop and where to be bad cop. Do this until you are the judge, jury and executioner. Because only then do you have full authority over your life.

During this eclipse, Mercury will have newly ingressed into Capricorn, sitting soberly at 1 degree, out from the roaring party of Sagittarius where mental faculties may have been jeopardized. Mercury in Capricorn is the court reporter, catching every detail with stunning speed and ease, compartmentalizing facts and statements into their proper place. Though not in conjunction with this lunation, the doubling down of Capricorn energy matters all the same. Mercury will help you keep your facts straight and collect the evidence needed to move forward. Be careful with your words and thoughts here, as Saturn-ruled communication can be needlessly sharp and pessimistic. In fact, you may find your impulse to communicate dampened, or turned inward during this time. In any event, Mercury in Capricorn comes equipped with the transcript, and can pull out the receipts. Having mental processes in step with the conscious will (Sun) and emotional reactions (Moon) of the time can fuse the importance of this lunation into your awareness even more, making it easier to problem-solve or cash in on street smarts.

Mars will be squaring Mercury from 3 degrees of Aries. Mars loves being in Aries, so this is a time where energy and enthusiasm can be kicked up a notch. But in a tense conversation with Mercury, and in cardinal signs, Mars can be the silver bullet that either cracks the case or the friendly fire that compromises it. Be careful where you shoot. Mars and Saturn (ruler of Mercury here) are a contentious pair, with one assertive and the other conservative. With Mercury at issue: don’t say things that don’t need saying, don’t do things that don’t need doing, and don’t believe things that don’t need believing. Mars in Aries can easily become caricatured, a homecoming that self-aggrandizes. With Saturn as the ruler of this lunation, this eclipse, you must temper yourself. Positively, Mars provides the kick in the ass you may need to start getting your affairs in order, or the enthusiasm needed to make changes. Mars will also be forming a five degree out-of-sign trine with Venus, who is approaching a critical last degree in Scorpio. Not tremendously powerful, so don’t look for Venus’s grace to save you. At best, this a good time for finally wrapping up all your Venus RX drama, and letting Mars strong-arm it into surrender so that it no longer bothers you. Venus has long since passed over her shadow degree. But as long as she is still in Scorpio, hitting powerful anaretic degrees that awaken all that was dealt with during her stay in Mars’ sign, prickles of retrograde themes can still arise. But be glad it is just a prickle now, and not the sledgehammer it was before.

And what of the other benefic, Jupiter? Can some levity finally be inserted here? Dicey. Jupiter in Sagittarius will be squaring Neptune in Pisces with a 2 degree orb, and will be doing this dance for much of 2019. This combination is like a cosmic siren song—Jupiter will be pulled into the glamour of Neptune, hypnotized, and unable to act for us in tangibly productive ways unless fought for. Of course with Jupiter around, nothing can be all bad, and this square does connote some spiritual higher ground and creativity that makes a nice foil to the Earthbound work of Capricorn. Neptune is sextiling this New Moon, providing access to scope, compassion and softness. But Jupiter to Neptune aspects also provide fertile ground for growing absurd beliefs, escapism, disillusionment, zealotry, and garden-variety huh. The witness on the stand that rambles and cannot remember any detail with clarity or objectivity. This is where Saturn, and Capricorn in general, can be an asset. That’s right, look to Saturn to save you from flights of fancy, as he provides the landing into a fact-based reality.

Really, there is nothing juicy or wonderful or WOW about this partial solar eclipse. Nothing along the lines of the warmth our Sagittarius season and Jupiter-ruled lunations brought. Saturn may feel like a cold shower—a shock, but ultimately something that can revive and reset your system. This eclipse is positive in other ways—the ways that ask us to take inventory of our lives, so that they may grow into things that function well for us and for society as a whole. As the next series of eclipses illuminate the Capricorn-Cancer axis of your chart, you’ll find the hard and dirty work of tending to your plot, your weeds and seeds in Capricorn, is what becomes watered, nourished and blossomed in Cancer. So now more than ever, plant, plan, and proceed with intention, and with the full authenticity of your soul.

Reframing the Idea of Dignity vs. Debilility, “Good” Placements vs. “Bad” Placements

I came upon a great blog post by astrologer Steven Forrest that supposes that using terms like "detriment" (and by extension, "fall") do a disservice to the person seeking answers through their natal chart. People hearing the word "detriment" may conclude something to be wrong with their planetary placement(s), and thus themselves. (I've seen this especially with beginners and I've been there myself.) I've also seen many astrologers feed into that misunderstanding as if that's the end of the story.

From an evolutionary standpoint, terms like "good" "bad" "fall" "detriment" and even "rulership" become more and more nuanced as life becomes more and more complex. Ancient astrologers had a different set of needs, a different vantage point through which to view a chart than we do currently. These blanket, black and white terms were created to meet those simpler needs. Now, a new framework should probably be considered. Perhaps placements are more challenging, but then working through them becomes a bigger reward (same thing with a square or opposition).

The example given was Mars in Taurus. Mars is in his "detriment" there. Mars likes to act impulsively, view everything as a challenge. Taurus is slow and considers, a peace-loving bull. But Mars in Taurus can be a great asset, as the native comes to learn how to take steadied action, an expression of Mars that may not ever come to be learned were he in Aries, his rulership. Mars feels at home, more comfortable in Aries, but where Mars is uncomfortable then becomes his greatest potential for growth, (such is true of life in general, should we allow it). Why would it be a detriment then, when the payoff, when worked for, is truly grand?

"Planets in detriment can embody a subtlety, tolerance, and wisdom not often found in the simpler structures of rulership." I love this idea. And conversely, planets in rulership can become caricatures of themselves.

My Sun detriment in Aquarius then has the chance to learn how to burn bright, shine. and express self in a ego-less, humanitarian way, a perspective that Sun in Leo would fail to acknowledge. A perspective that Sun exalted in Aries would fail to acknowledge.

A Venus in detriment in Scorpio (an upcoming transit for us all), then has the chance to learn about love in its deeper, more shadowed states, an alchemy that would not be available in Taurus or Libra.

A weaker Mercury in Pisces has the opportunity to rise to the occasion, and learn how to communicate and process from a more heart-centered, intuitive place, a gift not found in Gemini or Virgo.

So on and so forth. And this is not to bash rulership or exaltation. Or to bash the established system of words and descriptors used in Astrology since time immemorial. Only to add a more integrated perspective, and to weaken this idea of "this is good" "that is bad." There simply is no such thing.

And you may say, "well its all semantics". True. But words carry power.

To finish here, I want to also add that from an evolutionary perspective, a person with a planet in detriment or fall, is ready and able to deal with any tensions there. One must simply rise to the occasion. And this same is to be said for harsh aspects, transits, and house placements. It works if you work it. And there are always blessings to behold for sticking it out.

So I hope this helps someone view their own detriments and falls differently (and the detriments and falls of planets in transit differently), less fatalistic and more excited about what can be learned. Same can be said for "seasons" (i.e. Cancer season) or moon phases that are particularly triggering--it isn't always bad if you take a more holistic view--"what is this here to teach me?", even if the lessons are hard.

And may you always treat yourself with kindness along the way.

Planetary Dignities and Debilities. (click me)

The Tea on the T-Sqaure

T-Squares are a constant source of stress, and in that way they can be viewed as "bad." But just as easily, the tension and stress that comes with a T-Square can be the catalyst for great success, as the native is so focused on easing that energy that they come up with solutions, or learn to deal with it healthfully. In that way, a square is a bit more productive than a trine, as the energy is way more in your face and more likely to be dealt with and overcome. T-Square is a prominent signature in the charts of highly successful people. Oprah. Just sayin…

T-Squares are formed by planets in the same modality: fixed, mutable or cardinal. Two opposing planets form the base, and each of those planets are then squared by an apex planet, forming the top of the triangle often seen with a T-square. To me, a T-square forms tension because every planet wants to do things their own way, especially the planets in opposition. Fixed T-squares are seen as the the hardest, followed by Cardinal and then Mutable. You can see why, fixed planets are obsessed with GETTING their own way, Cardinal planets are obsessed with GOING their own way, Mutable T-squares don't know WHICH way.

There are two sources of release for a T-square. One is: the apex planet. Harnessing the energies of the focal/apex planet mediates the tension between the two opposing planets. I call the apex planet the babysitter planet, always trying to get the opposing planets to get along. To use myself as an example--I have a Fixed T-Square (ouch, but also, yay!) with Venus in Aquarius as my apex, and Moon and Pluto in opposition, Taurus and Scorpio respectively. To be brief, I find relief from the Pluto-Moon tug-of-war through expressing my Venus. How does that look for me? Well--music, arts, being detached, being friendly and cool, being with my friends. Venus in the 9th--release through learning, taking a wise and long-view, foreign travel. I pinpoint those things and do them when I feel Pluto-Moon foolery uprising (obsession, jealousy, being afraid of change, compulsion, duty, fear, withdrawing, isolating).

The other source of release is the empty point. There is always a point/sign across from the apex planet/house that is unoccupied in the T-Square, or else you'd have a Grand Cross. Using me again, the point missing here is Leo. And luckily for me, Jupiter is there (by sign, not really by tight degree). So then Jupiter/Leo/3rd house becomes another way to ease the Moon-Pluto opposition. An example given is that a T-Square is like driving a car with 3 wheels, and then that empty point becomes where you need to attach the 4th wheel in order to make a move on. So for me, Jupiter and Venus become the solution. Also, transits to the empty spot provide more opportunity for solution. As well as transits to the apex planet. Transits to the planets in opposition double down on the tension.

So how does it it influence your life--well you may fall into careers and expressions that befit the apex planet or the empty point. Oprah had an empty point in the 5th house and her entire life is about self-expression, joy, cooking (Weight Watchers anyone!?), being unapologetically herself. And her T-square formation became the catalyst for her talk show career, and now just her public persona as a wise sage. So the T-square can color the direction of your successes.

That’s the tea on the T.

Cast your chart on Astro.com to dig deeper into your chart, and your own T-Square (red triangle).

Reframing Capricorn

You may wonder why Capricorn season corresponds with two of the biggest celebrations of the Western calendar year: Christmas and New Year’s Eve. And across different cultures, societies, and ethnicities many more celebrations occur during this time of year. So what is it about the Saturn-ruled, stoic goat that hints at anything but coldness, dryness or despair. Or in pop Astrology terms—the workaholic. Seems more like Sagittarius’ job to impart the gifts of conviviality. Centaurs were known, after all, for their rowdy parties, excess, and disregard for manners. Sounds suspiciously similar to the type of audience you’d encounter at a bar or club on New Year’s Eve, and the materialism you witness during Christmas. But it may surprise you to know that these correspondences are no accident, and rather point to a side of Capricorn rarely ever talked about: the joyful and giving party animal. Let’s look briefly at Saturn, Capricorn’s ruler.

Our modern Christmas bears historical similarities to the ancient Roman festival, Saturnalia. Held in honor of the god Saturn and on the Winter Solstice, Saturnalia, a week-long extravaganza, had all the typical signposts of the holiday season we know today: partying, gift giving, and masses of food. Plus, slaves were freed for the day, given agency to act how they pleased, and moral misgivings were not only forgiven, but encouraged (i.e. gambling). Some even describe the day as distinctly Mardi Gras (named after the planet, Mars—but that’s another topic for another day!) in nature, with chaos bleeding through the streets. People dressed as crazily as they could, played raunchy games and chased people around. All this plus a bevy of booze. How, you ask, does this debauchery relate in any way to Saturn, Saturn who we know to preside ominously over law, order, and integrity?

In Roman mythology, Saturn was said to rule over The Golden Age, a time of abundance and equality. Agriculture, and the seasonal structure of crop and bounty were taught to the Romans by Saturn. Saturn also gave them laws and societal structure, but not under the pretense of rigidity. Saturn was not tyrannical. Rather, Saturn established order, that there is a time and place for everything—including fun. And so in talking about Saturn’s rules and rigors, we must also acknowledge its lighter side, the satisfaction achieved through meeting those rules and rigors, and the justified celebration of a job well done. Here, Saturn is not like Jupiter, giver of gifts just for the sake of it, or excess in excess. Saturnalia was limited to a seven days. This should sound familiar—Saturn restricts. But our modern view of Saturn leaves out the grace periods, seeing it only as an energy of work or hardship, unending. Saturnalia reframes this bias—where Saturn is measured and practical, so is it practical that life should be enjoyed. Work hard, play hard—that is optimal balance. We can see this concept mirrored through our understanding of The Saturn Return. A period of hard work and stress is then rewarded, usually through a sobered maturity, status, accomplished goals, economic gain or heightened responsibility—all things that serve to enrich life and make it more enjoyable, even if in the long run. And have you ever thought about the spelling of Saturday? It is Saturn’s day. Saturday can be a day of rest or leisure following the traditional Monday through Friday work week. (I get paid on Saturdays, thanks Saturn!). One last tidbit: the greeting during the festival of Saturnalia was “Io Saturnalia! Io, Io, Io!” Though yet proven, many believe this to be the root of Santa’s famous catchphrase, “Ho, ho, ho!” Could Saturn be Santa Clause? Maybe. Saturn does represent, in some ways, the energy of an old man tallying up whether you’ve been good or bad, and then rewarding you accordingly. Only now we can understand that Saturn doesn’t only give coals, but cherished gifts too.

Tied to the holiday season is also the idea of charity—being altruistic and spreading cheer, especially to people and communities of need. All this as the Sun makes its annual dalliance into a Saturn-ruled sign. The Scrooge? Think again. Saturn is concerned with equality and order, setting up structures (and safety nets) wherein outcasts (economic or otherwise) are brought out of the fray and into consideration. Giving to the needy, spreading happiness to the forlorn, spending time and energy on causes oft ignored the rest of the year-- these all speak to a Saturnian balance. So forget what you think you know about Saturn being the bad guy. His law and order often protect and serve those otherwise forgotten. And what good is holiday cheer if everyone hasn't the chance to be cheerful?

Related to the word Capricorn is capricious, given to fickleness, impulse, and unpredictability. Sounds distinctly un-Saturnian. Look at any video of a baby goat and you’ll see it prancing, frolicking, and jumping around, as if free from worry or care. But it is precisely this changeable nature that can give Capricorn their surprisingly sharp humor or infectious happiness. So why is depression the only part of the spectrum ever talked about? Jump deeper into the history of Capricorn and you find gems that confront our modern understanding. The Greek myth of Capricorn surrounds Pan, the God of the wilderness, music, always surrounded by nymphs. What a party. Pan did eventually turn himself into a sea goat, the horns of which were known as the cornucopia or “the horn of plenty”—another allusion to abundance, bounty and pleasure. In some versions of the myth, Pan was erotic and seductive, teaching his practice of personal sexuality and fulfilment to others. Capricorn, especially its ruler Saturn, are talked about now in ways that appear to limit sexuality and intimacy. But let’s not forget that Capricorn is an Earth Sign, and particularly susceptible to sensuality in all forms. Statistically, sex in couples peaks during December and January—Capricorn season (northern hemisphere). In Babylonian Astrology, Capricorn was known as the Goatfish, and had affinity with benevolent deities, one of which was called “the granter of requests”, a quality you’d hope for when making a Christmas or New Year’s resolutions list, and a quality we all imbue when giving Christmas gifts. Moreover, this Goatfish invented arts and crafts, and gave civilization modalities through which to enjoy and celebrate life.

Capricorns are said to age backwards. Born as old, serious and studious souls and eventually aging into childhood: play, joy, mischief. So always inherent in Capricorn is the propensity for pleasure and amusement. Even the presence of Saturn in our natal charts ferments and softens over time, or, let’s loose! So while the serious and hardworking, or even melancholic and sacrificial, side of Capricorn prevails and is correct, all things exist in polarity. Capricorn also brings the party, and corresponds astronomically to the point in time where the Sun starts to gain light. So look closely at the Capricorns in your life. You may find you can take some pointers from them about how to have fun and enjoy. And if you carry heavy Capricorn energy yourself—make like the solstice and lighten up! You may find it easier than you think.