Sagittarius season generally brings some light relief after the emotional intensity of Scorpio season, imbuing us with some hope, faith and, at the very least, the capacity to laugh at the absurdity of it all! New Moons are a time when we sow energetic seeds that blossom and grow over the course of the month ahead, so it can help to be mindful of our thoughts, feelings and conversations in the build up to the New Moon, as they will hold clues about what we are working on and what our hearts truly wish for. Sagittarius is an enthusiastic, optimistic, energetic Fire sign that encourages us to think big and set our sights high. The sky’s the limit as far as Sagittarius is concerned!
Sagittarius is the part of us that has supreme faith that we are being guided by forces larger than us, and that somehow all is exactly as it is meant to be. It is the part of us that knows that everything that happens, big or small, has something to teach us, no matter how challenging it may feel at the time. When things seem at their most bleak, and it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, Sagittarius reminds us that “this too shall pass”, and that we will be bigger and wiser for the experience. While it might be hard to understand why some things happen, the Sagittarius part of us has faith that all will be revealed in the fullness of time, and that it is all occurring according to some grand master plan, even if it seems to make absolutely no sense in the here and now.
Saturn in Pisces is involved in this particular Moon, however, which could dampen our spirits somewhat! While Sagittarius has so much faith and enthusiasm, and seeks to expand, grow and broaden our horizons, Saturn reminds us to slow down, keep our feet on the ground and keep an eye on reality. While the Sagittarius part of us wants to shoot for the stars, Saturn asks us if we are truly on the right path, and whether we are actually ready to take responsibility for it. Sometimes what we think we want is not what we actually want, in reality, and it is not until we get it that we realise that it is not what we imagined it would be!
There is the potential for a test of faith when Saturn is involved, because everything can feel more “real” than hopeful. However, sometimes we need big tests of faith in order to step up to the next level in our soul growth. And sometimes it really is darkest just before dawn. Saturn’s involvement could create obstacles that we need to overcome for us to “pass the test” and move forward. Saturn asks us to be truly accountable, and to make a proper commitment to live according to our truth and to align with our higher purpose. Saturn reminds us to play the patience game and to slowly, surely and steadily work towards our goal, whatever that may be, and to fully learn the lessons along the way.
Mars in Leo is helping this Moon, however, bringing extra motivation, enthusiasm and drive to the picture. Mars is part of a Grand Fire Trine with the Sagittarius Sun/Moon and the North Node in Aries, helping us to prioritise ourselves and find our sacred “No” if we need to. The Aries North Node calls for us to get in touch with our own needs and to truly honour them, asserting and sticking up for ourselves if we need to, and Mars in Leo can certainly help us to do that!
Mars in Leo is very passionate, expressive and bold, and can help to bring out our creativity, our capacity to take charge of our own lives and the courage to follow what brings us joy. Mars can help us to be brave enough to expand our horizons and follow our hearts during this Moon. It can prompt us to make positive steps in the right direction, and to not only set inspired intentions, but also to act confidently on those intentions. It can also bring the courage to express our truth if we need to. We are invited to follow the path of joy during this Moon, stepping boldly forward into the unknown, with the spirit of an adventurer!
Mars is getting ready to turn retrograde on 8 December, which means that the planet of action, drive, anger, motivation and desire will be going back over old ground for a few months, until 25 February. This can help us to reflect on how we assert ourselves, how we handle anger, how we use our energy and how we go after what we desire. What is blocking us from taking action and following our hearts? What creative endeavours might we need to go back over and tweak? How can we act more from the heart and not from a place of ego or need for validation?
Mars retrograde invites us to take a step back and not push things, as the forward momentum and outward progress might slow down somewhat. This could feel frustrating, but we are invited to be patient and use this time to reassess our desires and goals, possibly coming up with a different plan of action. We may also find ourselves revisiting any old conflict with others that might not have been resolved. This is an ideal opportunity to go back over old ground and hash things out so that we can find a way forward. Mars retrograde can feel like we are not moving forward but is an invitation to turn inward and reassess and reflect upon what we really want and need, and what action we need to take. Mars will be retrograde in Leo until 6 January, when it will move back into Cancer.
Venus in Capricorn is also forming a harmonious, supportive trine to Uranus in Taurus during this New Moon, which can help us to break down any unhealthy patterns of relating and breathe fresh air into our relationships. Uranus can help us to see our relationships from a different perspective, bringing insight, clarity and the potential for relational dynamics shifting in the direction of freedom and growth. Uranus combined with Venus in Capricorn calls for us to think outside of the box and to relate to others from a place of authenticity, maturity and integrity. What do we truly need, when it comes down to it? What needs change within our relationships for them to last, and how can we help to make that happen? What old habits and structures are simply not serving us within our relationships, and what can we do about it?
Uranus certainly can bring a nice surprise in the realm of our relationships and finances which could be both exciting and freeing. It can also help us to come up with solutions to long standing issues and blocks. The trine between Uranus and Venus will be exact on 2 December, so it is very strong during this Moon. Those of us with personal planets or angles around 24° of a sign, especially the Earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn, will feel the benefits the most. The fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius will be feeling the liberating, innovative and shifting energy of Uranus the most acutely.
The Sabian symbol for this New Moon, at 10° Sagittarius, feels somehow appropriate, given the current global climate: “A theatrical representation of a golden-haired goddess of opportunity”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “Society’s efforts at dramatising the greatness of what it offers to the ambitious man. Civilisation as a process demands the goading of individuals to spend their vital energies in the pursuit of achievements which, while fulfilling the individual’s ambition and greed, nevertheless generate various forms of what we call “progress.” This sequence of symbols mainly refers to the drive for advancement along “human, all too human” paths of growth. We see in this symbol how sociocultural forces operate by dramatisation and propaganda. The result is all too often a process of FORCED GROWTH”.
This symbol seems to suggest that some things are too good to be true, so that possibly we are being asked to think long and hard about any opportunities that come our way and make sure they are what we really truly want and need. Mars in Leo calls for us to follow our heart’s true desires and to be brave enough to act on them. This Sagittarius New Moon calls for us to connect with our faith and our heart’s wisdom so that we can see our way ahead. Saturn’s influence does seem to be testing us, so it might be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel or to recognise the cloud’s silver lining. Saturn calls for patience, accountability and playing the long game. However, there is a lot of positive energy around during this Moon that can help things shift and move us forward. Not to mention that Sagittarius is such an optimistic, faith-filled sign that can help us to see the bigger picture and reminds us that all is exactly as it is meant to be.
Much Love
Amy
xoxo
Picture; Hanging onto Hope, by Jennifer Main