by Lynn Hayes
The New Moon today (December 27) is part of a powerful line up of six planets in the sign of Capricorn, focusing on work and responsibility. This includes the approaching conjunction of Mars to Pluto, the Sun/Moon conjunction which comprises the New Moon, with Jupiter and Mercury rounding out the stellium, as we call a grouping of planets in a sign.
Venus conjuncts Neptune on the 27th which aligns love for the individual (Venus) with the compassionate love of divine consciousness (Neptune), helping to set the stage for the New Moon in Capricorn. Capricorn is the sign of achievement and a successful life with both feet firmly planted in the material world. This will be an interesting Capricorn New Moon, occurring at a time when the material world is breaking down around us. It’s important to see now that as some aspects of our world break down (under the influence of Pluto in Capricorn), sprigs of new life are taking form – new life forms that will be better suited for the age in which we are living now. We see this with the Big Three automobile manufacturers in the US, which have become tied to an old model of doing business and protectionist thought that has broken down under the influence of globalization.
In this New Moon, Mars has just entered Capricorn and is exactly conjunct Pluto. The combination of Mars and Pluto links the will of the individual self (Mars) to the will of the higher self (Pluto). If the individual will is aligned with the greater Consciousness, this is a powerful planetary dynamic for change and positive growth. If the individual will is resisting the will for complete transformation that Pluto brings to the table, this can be extremely difficult. Six planets/lights are now in Capricorn: Mars, Pluto, Sun and Moon, and the approaching conjunction of Mercury and Jupiter, so practicality and Doing What Must Be Done (a Capricorn theme) is highlighted here.
For those of us who have planets near the zero degree of the Cardinal signs (Aries, Libra, Capricorn and Cancer), like me, with my Mars at zero degrees Capricorn, the last few days along with the next few days will apply an intense pressure for change. Rather like the pressure that a diamond undergoes when being transformed from a lump of coal, this intense Capricorn focus that includes the fire of Mars aligned with the power of Pluto is designed to distill only what is most practical, most real, and most durable from our lives.
The New Moon provides energy for change, and this is really a terrific influence to have manifesting at the end of the year when we are reading to slough off the dead energy of the past and begin anew with the New Year. Surrender to what is no longer needed, and begin creating the future. Over the next couple of months the planets now lined up in Capricorn will shift into Aquarius, and Jupiter (abundance and opportunity) will conjoin Neptune (mysticism and creativity) between May and December, giving new ideas an opportunity to flower and take root.
Update: I really liked what Joseph had to say in the comments so I’ll add that here:
One part of this magic I find fascinating is the Saturn – Uranus opposition now
occurring. Saturn rules Capricorn and Uranus rules Aquarius. As sign rulers,
this dynamic tension will hold great sway over anything moving through their
ruling sign. That so many aspects are affected at the same time by these filters
bears important significance in the days ahead. Pluto/Mars sure has made its
presence known as we unfortunately see renewed violence in the Middle East and
Africa, and horrific acts here in the United States on Christmas Eve/Day. Obama
has his Venus at 1 degree Cancer. He has been chaffing recently at the tight
press bubble around him. No matter where he goes the press pool follows. Pluto’s
“authority” in Capricorn is making that Cancer Venus very uncomfortable. And
he’s not even sworn in yet. Will be interesting to see how he is able to
rebalance this energy.
I’d also like to add that Pluto is about to make the second pass of a square to the Midheaven in the US chart. The fact that Obama’s Venus is square to the Libra Midheaven in the US chart, and both are being challenged by Pluto right now, speaks to the transformative effect that Obama is having to the US Government as identified by the Midheaven in the national chart.
Is anyone else having an intense experience this week?
posted December 27, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Thanks for the post Lynn. I have Saturn in Aries @ 1 degree and I’m wondering if that has any influence over what is currently happening in my life: Two weeks ago it was suggested to me that I might want to go back to school for career advancement. Since then, I’ve signed up for and am currently studying for the graduate school entrance exam and have scheduled an interview at the local university. Continuing my education is the last thing I EVER had planned for myself – but the feeling to “go for it” is so strong, I’m just going to give into it. Could this be related to the current planetary influence?
posted December 27, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Intense experience? That’s one way of describing it. My natal Capricorn Moon staggers under the weight of the world once again.
New moon, new month, new assault on Gaza and the starving, frightened civilians caught between Hamas and the Israeli embargo now in its 18th month. They have nowhere to run, nothing to eat, no clean water, no medical supplies, nothing but more bombs, more artillery, more blood.
Intense, ah yes. Massacres tend to be that way. I’m not even angry anymore… just sad beyond belief. Alas, Palestine.
posted December 27, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Yes, my natal moon and my 1 degree capricorn ascendant are making me feel as if I’m under this intense weight – it’s just plain exhausting. I’m so fatigued I seem to be unable to move in any direction – and it’s becoming frightening.
posted December 27, 2008 at 9:10 pm
I have Cap moon and Mars at one degree Cap. I just feel like I’m on a waiting list. I’ve already pared down my life considerably this year. It’s bare bones and no fluff right now.
posted December 28, 2008 at 2:27 am
Hi Lynne:
My ascendant is at zero capricorn. I gained fifty pounds this year! Just ate too much, with Jupiter going through my first house, and it’s still not through. Every day I say tomorrow is the day I’ll start to take it off.
I’ve also been really attaching myself to someone that I know isn’t interested in me, and therefore not very good for me either. I know better, but I’m doing it. I’m afraid to let go. I can feel the whole complex going on inside me.
My ankles and knees hurt! Never happened to me before! But this is what happens when you gain fifty pounds, right?
I have an important job interview coming up.
I feel like I’m in hibernation. I know my life is a mess and I know exactly what to to do clean it up. But I don’t wanna, not yet, you know? I want to stay here in my old comfort zones.
posted December 28, 2008 at 8:17 am
Hi Lebella:
I have Saturn in Aries @ 1 degree and I’m wondering if that has any influence over what is currently happening in my life:
Absolute, when Pluto squares Saturn we often see big changes in the structural underpinnings of our life, which are represented by Saturn. So it’s not uncommon to see old things ending and new things beginning, which is sometimes how Pluto effects its transformative power. This week, with Mars making a square to Saturn along with the New Moon, it’s not surprising that now you feel so strongly about it! This is a time for a new beginning and you are energized right now for change.
posted December 28, 2008 at 8:27 am
My natal Capricorn Moon staggers under the weight of the world once again. Kieron, there are so many tragedies in the world it’s difficult not to be overwhelmed by despair, especially when like you we understand the political realities that underlie all of these terrible situations. I sponsor two women in Afghanistan and two in Rwanda under the Women for Women International program, and the women in Afghanistan are so beaten down by war it’s horrific to me. But Capricorn teaches that we do what we can, and in doing we become healed. Like the Serenity prayer, which is so hokey but also so true: “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” If we can channel that despair into action, we can begin to make even a tiny bit of a difference and that can sometimes be enough to shift everything.
posted December 28, 2008 at 8:36 am
Sue – I’ve had the same experience as Pluto transited my Mars over this past year, it’s like being in a vise. Is your Moon also at 1 degree Capricorn? If so, with Mars crossing over your Moon you may feel irritated and yet wanting to suppress some of the anger simmering from under the surface, which can exacerbate the fatigue, and with the New Moon conjunct your own Moon, there is a lot of emotional depths to plumb right now!! The good news is that by February Pluto will have made it to 2 degrees which will take it off your ascendant and the sense of oppression should lift. Meanwhile, as with any Pluto transit, surrender is the key.
Togi – that’s an interesting description – like being on a waiting list. Under a Pluto transit things happen that are beyond our control.
LQH – It sounds to me as though Pluto is pressuring you to make changes in your life which you are resisting; hence the pain in your legs. I am a firm believer that dieting doesn’t work because until we address the cause of our weight gain, which is nearly always emotional, we will not lose the weight. You might be interested in Geneen Roth’s books, she has some great tips on this subject. In the meantime, it might be useful for you to clarify what it is that you want from your life right now. It sounds like you’re being torn in several different directions!
posted December 28, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I have MC at 2 degrees Cap and I have been feeling Pluto for awhile but certainly now more than ever as it gets closer and closer to 2 degrees.
I am not sure where I belong out there in the world but I don’t fear it having been through PLUTO conjunct sun and saturn in the last 10 years.. I know it is best to just get the heck out of the way.
This new moon is a huge moon. I don’t think it is an accident that the new moon is happening so close to Pluto. I think Pluto is the engine to this rocket.
my astro blog:
http://tracyastrosalon.blogspot.com/search?q=
posted December 28, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Thanks Lynn. I really enjoy your perspective, and appreciate your ability to post images matching the vibration.
Remarkable New Moon energy, which carries through this next two weeks. One part of this magic I find fascinating is the Saturn – Uranus opposition now occurring. Saturn rules Capricorn and Uranus rules Aquarius. As sign rulers, this dynamic tension will hold great sway over anything moving through their ruling sign. That so many aspects are affected at the same time by these filters bears important significance in the days ahead.
Pluto/Mars sure has made its presence known as we unfortunately see renewed violence in the Middle East and Africa, and horrific acts here in the United States on Christmas Eve/Day.
Obama has his Venus at 1 degree Cancer. He has been chaffing recently at the tight press bubble around him. No matter where he goes the press pool follows. Pluto’s “authority” in Capricorn is making that Cancer Venus very uncomfortable. And he’s not even sworn in yet. Will be interesting to see how he is able to rebalance this energy.
Lynn: Regarding the opening paragraph ” This includes the approaching conjunction of Mars to Pluto, the Sun/Moon conjunction which comprises the New Moon, with Jupiter and Pluto rounding out the stellium, as we call a grouping of planets in a sign. “, I know you meant to say “Jupiter and Mercury” – seems the Mercury Retrograde shadow is already at work!!!
Saw Mercury last night right under Jupiter. Very pretty sight in the sky.
posted December 28, 2008 at 5:41 pm
I have been in counseling, for the past three years, and undergone significant healing from a very destructive and abusive childhood. This week, I made the decision to visit my mother, from whom I was estranged for nearly 25 years. This, I think, qualified as an intense experience, in that I was able to view her with compassion, instead of rage. She is old, and suffering from multiple health problems. Being able to hug her tightly, choosing to focus on the core of love I have for her, and ignore the past, was transforming!
posted December 28, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Thanks Joseph, for your comments about the images. That’s one of my favorite parts of the blog.
Also for correcting the Jupiter/Mercury mention, I’ll correct that right away. I’m going to add some of your comments to the post, they are an excellent counterpoint to the sense about these events that I was trying to convey.
posted December 28, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Callista, I would certainly agree that this qualifies as an intense, and also transformative, experience. I commend you for being able to transform your relationship with your mother – it’s extremely difficult to leave the pain of a miserable childhood behind and repair a relationship with a parent. I was estranged from my own mother for nearly that long, and now she lives 5 minutes down the road. It’s been an intense but very rewarding experience to see that transformation take place, and the effects have filtered down to other members of my family.
posted December 29, 2008 at 12:13 am
Many people I know are affected by the current planetary alignment. My 11 year old son is 2 degree Mars in Libra Rising with 2 degree Cancer Sun on midheaven. He had a pretty hard Christmas but surprisingly stood up for himself which I applauded since often a Pluto/Sun opposition can be brutal. Next I have an (almost ex) friend with 29.5 Sag Sun so the Pluto/Mars conjunction was right on it. She is of the generation of the Pluto/Uranus conjunction opposite the Saturn/Chiron conjunction. The oppositions form a T-square to her Sun. She is a terrible control freak right now! I just about can’t stand to be around her and watching her beat up on her husband (yes, I know there are no victims, only volunteers, but sheeeesh!) has me very upset about how people claim their power, not out of inner strength but out of the strength of Power-Over others. This was one heck of a holiday season! The Uranus/Saturn opposition sits directly over my Sun (23 Virgo) and I have watched the close-down of my business, losing of my home and need to file bankruptcy, all of this after being on my own for the last 25 years and making a success of myself. Here’s to hoping the triple conjunction brings major healing for everyone in 2009-10.
posted December 29, 2008 at 7:19 am
Holy smokes, Diane, quite a story. You are right about the Pluto/Uranus opp Saturn/Chiron generation, I see a lot of them in my practice. They went through quite a time over the past couple of years with Saturn and Uranus transiting these planets.
I would like to hear more over the next year about what changes these cataclysmic events (losing your home, closing down your business) have brought in your life. Saturn brings tests and challenge but Uranus typically brings a fresh start. I hope that this is true for you.
posted December 30, 2008 at 4:23 pm
God, this was such an intense week, I knew something had to be up. I have my Sun at 2 degrees Libra (a loose conjunct to my natal moon at 10 degrees Libra) and my Jupiter is at 4 degrees Capricorn — basically realizing that I can’t change my mother nor can I help her steer her life in the right direction. She’s the mother, I’m the child, I can’t fix her so I have to focus on me. It’s been so, so hard, I am finally looking forward to returning to therapy once Mercury goes retrograde. Believe it or not, I left my therapist a message on Christmas Day requesting an appointment — the holidays were THAT challenging!
I am so beyond ready to move out of my mom’s house (moved back after a financial setback, ready to get out again) that I am hoping to sign the lease on a new place before Jan 5, possibly tomorrow on the 31st — is this a good move? Jupiter is highlighting my solar 4th house, bringing luck in that area, but I am worried about signing a contract while Saturn is in retrograde? Any advice on this? My birth info is 9/25/84 at 12:14 pm in Brooklyn, NY if that interests anyone!