We end the year as we began it- with a Capricorn New Moon and a Capricorn Mercury retrograde. And if astrology is your thing, you know Capricorn themes have been rampant this year. You may remember me writing in past blogs that Capricorn represents structures and foundations- whether external in the form of government, leadership, laws, banking, and overall infrastructure or internal in the form of mission, duty, and responsibility. You may also remember me writing about how all these things are being called into question, any dysfunction rising to the surface, shadowy layers on full display. The point, of course, is to reveal what isn’t working to find better ways. Because if Capricorn represents foundations, it is vitally important to assess how those foundations are being built. In simple terms, it matters which direction our perseverance is pointed and which mountain we are climbing. Our choices determine our destination.
Just because we can doesn’t mean we should. Just because it feels right to some part of us doesn’t mean it is. This is why Capricorn is so closely associated with forces like integrity, honor, honesty, logical reasoning, discernment, and principle. Our actions, words, and choices define precisely who we are and where we end up. This is also why Capricorn times represent the force of leadership, inner and outer. Good leaders require those Capricorn skills. No matter the system, big or small, if you want to ascertain the health of the leader, look at the whole system. Because it is our leaders and the choices they make that creates the chemistry of the system itself.
Further honoring this focus on leadership and authority, the Sabian Symbol for the New Moon is “An Indian Chief claims power from the assembled tribe.” Indeed, with power comes great responsibility. It is up to us to use it wisely. You can be sure that you will be asked to rise to the occasion and lead somewhere in your life. So, pay attention to those choice points and discern accordingly, ensuring it is not your wounded parts leading the charge.
Closely following this New Moon (12/28), we have the last of 3 exact Pluto conjunctions in the Pluto return cycle of the US chart. The learning isn’t over. Those Capricorn themes we have been living are revisited (again). The good news is we are at the tail end of the cycle itself. A cycle that started in 2008 and has only intensified during the last few degrees of the sign. The challenging news is that any weak foundations, unlearned lessons, denial, or bypassing will be shaken loose. Think of this time like a college class wrapping up at the end of a semester of learning. We are currently cramming for the final. Have we learned what we have needed to learn? Or have we slept through class, procrastinated, or decided the information wasn’t important or didn’t agree with our narrative? Time will tell.
Either way with Pluto involved, you can be sure light will be brought to dark places one way or another. Because while the alchemy of transformation promises the hope of potential, we must do the work required to get there. We will get the same results if we keep doing the same thing. There is nothing punitive about this of course. It is simply reality. It is also an opening. An invitation. The challenge is harnessing the grit and discipline to actually choose change.
This is how we make the impossible- possible.
Jupiter in Aries squares this New Moon reiterating this theme. It reminds us faith is a muscle. It doesn’t bypass what is. Instead, the force of faith must be called upon again and again, always seeking the grace within the hardship, not escaping it.
And we can be sure the Sun will rise again. The winter solstice echoes that reminder. Things will start to move forward after a long cycle of stagnation. This Pluto cycle will soon be waning and integrating. Pluto is set to briefly enter Aquarius in May after being in Capricorn since 2008. All the planets will be direct by the end of January. Many of the long-running squares (Uranus/Saturn) will be ending.
No doubt some interesting times are coming. Aquarius tells us that. Science, innovation, new discoveries, and technologies are expected. Additionally, we can expect some predictable backlash. Technical truths are often not comfortable or popular because they force us to rethink what we think we know. Collective freedom will be a necessity. Our Plutoniun transformation over the last decade and a half is meant to add to the bigger picture by healing toxic individualism. We will need all of it. Times will require it. We have complex problems to solve. Our world is changing before our eyes, and that pace is only accelerating.
So, as we dance with the revelations and required reckonings, let us revisit these Capricorn themes and commit to leading with integrity and grace. Because we can’t enter the new until we have learned from the old.
~Let us commit to being radically accountable with ourselves, looking at what we most want to deny or spin. No need to go far. Your life will show you where the work is.
~Let us also commit to being gentle and compassionate as we do so. Whatever we have done or are doing makes sense to some part of us until it doesn’t. No need to berate an already sensitive part. Be discerning, not judgmental.
~Let us accept and pay attention to the pauses, both forced and chosen, with the understanding lessons repeat until we learn them.
~Let us explore the nature of ego goals versus soul goals. The former is fueled by attempting to get to enough. The latter simply wants to express it. It is vitally important we know we are summiting the right mountain. Intention is everything.
~Let us remember the tools of manifesting and positive thinking are not meant to shapeshift our reality or bypass what we deem unpleasant but to better understand what is. There is no transformation without reverence for what got us there, regardless of any inherent dysfunction.
~Let us practice integrity, honor, and honesty in our thoughts, words, and deeds, as these are direct examples of who we are and who we want to be. The means of the journey create the ends.
~Let us rest, ask for help, and revive our weariness as needed. Climbing mountains is hard work, and often, we need support.
~Let us remember the root word of discipline is disciple, and sacrifice means “to make sacred.” Both are required to combat any selfish freedom protector parts demanding control. In the words of Peter Marshall, “May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” If you haven’t truly traced the edges of both discipline and sacrifice during the last couple of years, I urge you to do so. It is a vital lesson of the time.
Which is what transformation is all about. It is not meant to destroy us but awaken us. It is not meant to limit us but free us. If we are brave enough to face it.
Because the authentic leadership and mastery level of Capricorn is not a focus on what we can get, it is about what we can give. This is the required rebuilding. Then every step becomes a choice. Every lesson is an opportunity and a dedication to give back, inspire, or serve in some way every day.
Let that be your intention for the New Year and moments reflect it.
“An authentic and genuine life grows like a sturdy tree. And like a tree, it grows slowly. Every time you make a different and better decision, it grows a little. Every time you choose to do the right thing, even when nobody would find out otherwise, it grows a little. Every time you act with compassion, relinquish your right to strike back, take a courageous stand, admit fault or accept responsibility, it grows a little.” ~Steve Goodier
~This New Moon occurs at 1° Capricorn.
~Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash
~Want to know what this time is revealing for you? Contact me, for more information.
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