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CAPRICORN NEW MOON - 23 December 2022

12/20/2022

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Picture
Exact at 10.16am UK time (GMT)
 
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

 

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GEMINI FULL MOON - 8 December 2022

12/6/2022

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Picture
Exact at 4.08am UK time (GMT)
 
Well, this Moon could certainly heat things up a bit! We have retrograde Mars, the warrior planet, sitting right next to the Moon in Gemini, which has the potential to bring out into the open anything we might have been bottling up and not expressing. Retrograde Mars certainly brings the potential for us revisiting old anger that we might have swallowed so that it has turned into ongoing resentment. There are very few of us who have been taught how to express our anger in a positive way, so that it tends to come out in a distorted fashion or get pushed down so that it becomes self-destructive and unconsciously sabotaging. This Moon could help us to consciously access our anger and even find a way to verbalise it, although hopefully not in a reactive or explosive way!
 
Gemini is the sign of the mind and communication, so we could find that our minds are very active during this Moon and that the pace quickens, with lots of information flying around and lots going on for us to think about. Gemini is a curious, adaptable and versatile sign that likes to gather information and pass it on to others. As such, the media comes under the Gemini banner, as does gossip and slander. It is important to watch what we say and think during this Moon, as words have the power to both help and harm!
 
We are in the midst of Sagittarius season, a sign known for having strong opinions and a good sense of humour, not to mention a great deal of optimism and faith. This is a good sign for the Sun to be travelling through during holiday season, as it can bring out our more jolly, jovial side and the capacity to laugh at ourselves and life! Sagittarius is the truth seeker, and is known for speaking bluntly and honestly, while Gemini is better at saying things in a smoother, more palatable way. Indeed, Gemini has the gift of the gab and a silver tongue, and can tell a good story, although it may not always be the truth. We could find that things are said in the heat of the moment during this Full Moon, getting to the truth of the matter. Mars could make us say things in anger but could also give us the courage to speak in a more open, direct, candid and forthright manner rather than pussyfooting around the issue.
 
Juno, the goddess of long term, committed partnership, is being squared by the Sun and Moon, bringing her energy into focus. It is quite possible that whatever truths need to come out, or whatever information comes to light, or whatever needs to be said during this Moon could have an impact on long terms relationships or marriages. Possibly we have been putting up with something for a while that has now become intolerable, so that we are forced to let it out. Possibly we need to say how we really feel rather than holding back, putting our cards on the table so that everyone knows exactly where they stand. Sometimes the truth hurts, though, and this combination can make us a bit more impulsive and not as sensitive as we might usually be! However, it is always better for everyone to know where they stand.
 
Anyone with personal planets or angles within a couple of degrees 16° of a sign will feel the energy of Mars and this Moon most acutely, especially the mutable signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. Mars could be very energising and motivating but could also make us quick to act and react. With Mars in Gemini at the moment there is the potential for heated discussions and angry words spoken in the heat of the moment, especially with a Full Moon building! This is the kind of Moon that could have us blurting things out without having time to think, which could be both helpful and hurtful. Possibly some hitherto hidden information could be revealed that makes us angry.
 
Interestingly, Mercury, which is the ruling planet of this Gemini Moon, will have just slipped into Capricorn on Tuesday 6 Dec, a sign known for being quite cautious and withholding. This could put the brakes on a little, helping us to carefully consider what we say and how we say it. It can also make our conversations and thought processes a bit more serious and somewhat weightier. This could temper the impulsiveness of Mars slightly, although Capricorn can also strip things down to the bare bones of the matter and certainly doesn’t mince its words.
 
Neptune in Pisces is forming a dynamic square aspect to the Sun and Moon that is fairly wide, but note-worthy nevertheless. If Sagittarius and Gemini pertain to knowledge, information, understanding and truth, then Neptune can muddy the waters somewhat!  We may find that the actual truth is so hard to find, given the sea of propaganda and disinformation we are currently swimming through, that we experience Neptunian disillusionment and just feel like giving up and not bothering anymore. Neptune is the part of us that just wants to escape the harsh reality of life for a while, through alcohol, drugs, sleep, TV, video games, movies and novels. Neptune is also known for illusion, deception and smoke screens, which could make things quite confusing but also calls us to be as sensitive and compassionate as possible while saying whatever needs to be said during this Moon.
 
Uranus is also very present right now, as the planet of change and wake-up calls is close to the North Node in Taurus while also forming a nagging inconjunct aspect to the Sun. Are we willing to step outside the comfort zone and embrace necessary change? Where in our lives are we stuck in a comfortable rut for the sake of security? How can we be truer to ourselves and more authentic? Where in our life do we feel the need to break the rules and bust out of a cage? Whatever house Uranus is in right now could give a clue. Uranus can bring sudden insights and revelations that shock us back onto our true path. It calls for us to think outside the box and embrace a different perspective that we might not have considered. It calls for us to break away from any restrictive or unhelpful conditioning or programming.
 
Uranus is at 15° Taurus, so any of us with personal planets or angles around 15° of a sign, especially the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, will be experiencing the erratic, unpredictable, liberating energy of Uranus most acutely.
 
The Sabian symbol for this Moon, at 17° Gemini, is interesting: “The head of a robust youth changes into that of a mature thinker”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The transformation of physical vitality into the power to build concepts and intellectual formulations through which knowledge can be transferred. What we see pictured is the transformation of emotions into mind, of instincts into thoughts – a process of MENTAL METAMORPHOSIS”. It feels as if we are being asked to mature with regard to the way we think and to apply our wisdom to what is being presented to us. We may have to face some truths that we would rather not think about, but it is necessary, as it will bring a greater understanding of how everything works. “Growing up” can be uncomfortable, but we can’t bury our heads in the sand forever.
 
It will be interesting to see how this Moon plays out! Mars certainly brings issues around war, anger, assertion and even aggression to the fore, but can also help us to have the courage to confront ourselves and others in a direct, open and candid fashion. Whenever Mars forms an aspect to the Sun, as it does during this Moon, there is the potential for acting and reacting from a place of ego, so it is important to be mindful of what makes us angry and why. Is it righteous anger or are we reacting because our sore spots have been triggered? It will be interesting to see what information comes to light during this Moon and what messages we receive. It certainly could get things out into the open, which could be well and truly overdue.
 
Much Love
 
Amy
Xoxo
 
Picture – artist unknown

 

 
  
 
 
1 Comment

    Amy Bird

    I love writing about the Moon and the effect it has on us all, both collectively and personally. We all look at the same Moon and feel her energy, albeit in different ways. It reminds us that we are not alone and there is something very comforting about that!

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