This is a potent New Moon, as it is also a Supermoon, which means that it could have an above average impact on our minds, bodies, emotions and spirits. New Moons tend to set the tone for the month ahead and it can be helpful to contemplate what we might want to leave behind in the dark of the Moon and what we might want to cultivate more of moving forward. This particular Moon is in Capricorn, a sign that likes to set long term goals and work slowly and steadily towards them. As such, it could be good to contemplate what those goals and aspirations are exactly and think about what we would like to achieve in 2023. What would we like to let go of that is no longer serving us? What kind of realistic plans can we make to make our lives better moving forward? What is our greatest wish?
The Capricorn part of us is a realist and a pragmatist. It is the part of us that likes to make plans and set goals for ourselves, and then slowly but steadily work towards making those goals a reality. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, Cronus, Father Time, and so it brings the gift of patience and waiting until the time is right to make things happen. It also brings the discipline needed to apply ourselves to whatever task we have set ourselves. Capricorn also teaches us lessons about responsibility. Do we tend to shy away from responsibility, or do we often find ourselves carrying too much on our shoulders? Where in our lives are we shouldering a burden that has become too heavy? Are we able to share the load somehow, or admit that we are struggling and ask for help? Can we delegate some of our duties?
Capricorn also calls for us to take responsibility for ourselves and to grow up, acting from a place of maturity. It is easy to blame others for whatever happens to us, but Capricorn reminds us that we are always in control of how we respond, react and act, and are ultimately responsible for ourselves. Capricorn is the part of us that strives to be successful and isn’t afraid to take on our authority and put ourselves out there. This Moon could bring into focus what success means to us. What does it mean to be a successful human being? What might need to change and what work do we need to do on ourselves in order for us to be happy, healthy and grounded in the world? How do we hold ourselves back from achieving our goals? Are we afraid of failure, or are we more afraid of success? What, when we are honest with ourselves, are our heartfelt aspirations for ourselves?
Jupiter moves back into Aries on 20 December and will remain there until 16 May 2023. Jupiter is also very present during this Moon, as it is forming a dynamic square aspect to the Sun and Moon. Aries is the sign of “I am”, so this could be a time of considerable self-growth and self-improvement. How can we expand our sense of self and take care of our needs so that we are better able to go out into the world and be a better human being? We could find ourselves raring at the bit, pushing ourselves out there, initiating new projects and challenging ourselves to grow and move past any limitations. Jupiter can also magnify any feelings of anger that we may feel, however, and anger can be quite destructive if projected outward and self-destructive if swallowed and turned inwards. On the other hand, righteous anger can be very helpful, especially if it incites action.
Jupiter in Aries can really help us to find the self-confidence and courage to try new things, bringing out our pioneering spirit, although it can also mean that we overextend ourselves or think that we are better or capable of more than we actually are. Our Aries self may feel very enthusiastic and confident and want to jump straight in, while our Capricorn self asks us to slow down a bit, to be a bit sensible and practice a bit more caution. However, the Capricorn part of us can sometimes feel quite fearful, so a bit of courage and/or righteous anger could be helpful! This square from Jupiter does feel like it could be a good boost of energy to help us to come up with some ways to improve ourselves and our lives.
Venus and Mercury are also in Capricorn now, so the energy has well and truly shifted from enthusiastic Sagittarius to grounded, earthy, cautious Capricorn. Mercury is getting ready to go retrograde in Capricorn from 30 December until 18 January. Capricorn is quite a deep thinking, reflective and introspective sign, so this retrograde period could help us to go back over ground we have already covered in the past month and review and reflect in a retrospective manner.Sometimes there are things we may have missed the first time around, and this retrograde period could allow us to see them or talk them over. We might rehash old plans or ideas and tweak them so that they work better.
Mercury in Capricorn can be quite thorough, helping us to see the bare bones of whatever issue our minds are mulling over. However, it can also send our minds into some rather dark or bleak places, so it is important not to dwell on feelings of guilt, regret or self-judgement. People or memories from the past could pop up for us to tie up loose ends or complete unfinished business and could also bring up old grief to honour and release. Looking back can sometimes help us to move forward.
Chiron the Wounded Healer, on the other hand, is getting ready to turn direct on 24 December, having been retrograde since July. When planets are stationed ready to go retrograde or direct, their energy feels strongest, as will be the case when Mercury is getting ready to go retrograde around the 30th! In the case of Chiron, this brings the potential for some amazing healing to occur over the Christmas period, although our sore spots could also be triggered! It is quite possible that people could say things that are somewhat hurtful but ultimately healing, as Mars, the ruler of Aries, is currently retrograde in Gemini, the sign of communication. This could help us to bring up any issues or anger from the past that need talking about and resolving because they have been festering for too long.
Chiron in Aries doesn’t exactly have the gentlest bedside manner, but it is direct and honest, bringing up material that needs to be faced and giving us the courage to confront and work on ourselves. It does bring the potential for people being a bit over-sensitive and reactionary but could also help us to bring up any thorny issues that need to be addressed for healing to occur. Anyone with personal planets or angles around 11° of a sign will feel the energy of Chiron most acutely, especially the cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.
Uranus is helping out during this Moon, forming a supportive trine to Venus, the planet of relationships, exact on 22 December. This could bring some excitement into our social lives, livening things up and helping us to step out of our comfort zone. Uranus can help us to switch up the way we relate to one another, liberating ourselves from unhealthy patterns of relating and breathing new life into our relationships. If we have been stuck in a rut in our relationships, with things becoming a bit stale, this energy could help us to add some much-needed spice and shake things up a little bit. This combination could be quite fun, calling for us to expect the unexpected! Those of us with personal planets or angles around 15° of a sign will feel the liberating, unpredictable, enlivening energy of Uranus most acutely, especially in the fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.
The Sabian symbol for this Moon, at 2° Capricorn, is: “Three rose windows in a Gothic church, one damaged by war”, which Dane Rudyar describes as: ”The necessary realisation by any individual making a violent use of collective power that it will lead to the inevitable destruction of some of the values ensuring group-integration. It seems obvious that the interpretation of this symbol should refer to the disruptive consequences of war. A “rose window” is not absolutely essential to a cathedral, yet it symbolises that through which the “light of the Spirit” enters into the edifice. Man’s soul is said to be three-fold. Which part of man’s inner trinity of principles tends to be destroyed by the use of violence? Evidently the principle of love and compassion.”
This seems a good time to remind ourselves that Neptune is still in Pisces, calling for kindness, compassion, unity and an awareness that we are all ultimately connected, even though we may sometimes feel alone. The Chiron in Aries energy may be strong during this Moon, and some people may act or react in anger, but this may simply be because they are scared, hurt or in pain. This can be a difficult time of year for many, and this year has been especially challenging, so it is very important to be mindful of this and keep our hearts open to one another, even if others are acting in ways that we do not understand. This New Moon is a powerful one, when we have a chance to turn inward and set some positive and realistic intentions for the year ahead, while leaving anything that no longer serves us behind, in the dark of the Moon. What, when it comes down to the bare bones of the matter, is our greatest wish for this next year?
Much Love
Amy
xoxo
Artwork: Mountain Goat by Marie Keane