NEW MOON IN CAPRICORN – Strap yourselves in – it’s going to be a bumpy ride! (January 12, 2021)

by Anne Reith, Ph.D.
Astrology

Intermediate Astrology CourseIn the Pacific Time Zone, the New Moon will occur at 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 12.  This New Moon finds the Moon and Sun conjunct (0°) at 24° of Capricorn.  To further clarify how this New Moon will impact you on a personal level, locate 24° of Capricorn in your birth/natal chart.  The issues associated with that house are going to be most influenced by this New Moon’s presence. 

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SPECIAL NOTE:  I wrote and entitled this blog post on January 3, 2021.  This was 4 days before the events that occurred in Washington DC at the Capital Building on January 6, 2021.  As I re-read this post now (on January 8), I have to admit that even I am astounded at the insights that can be gained from astrology.  I have purposefully not changed the content of the post during my final reading today.  You can judge for yourself whether this is as amazing to you as it is to me!     

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As is true with all New Moons, this one allows us the opportunity for new beginnings and new emotional starts in the areas associated with the sign.  This New Moon occurring Capricorn.  The higher expression of Cap includes being responsible, practical, organized, disciplined, and patient.  It also is related to leadership and being a hard worker.  However, its lower expression can include being critical, too conventional, status-seeking, and materialistic. 

This Capricorn New Moon is both powerful and rather complicated.  I will do my best to break it down and make it as easy to understand as possible.

At the time of the Cap New Moon, the Sun and Moon are in an exact conjunction (0°) to Pluto.  Pluto is the planet associated with transformation, rebirth, healing, and how we choose to use power (versus force).  Luckily, Pluto provides us the power we need to make any necessary changes that move us toward having more control in our lives.  But the involvement of the Moon could mean this is an emotional process, and Pluto indicates that whatever emotions are present could be felt very deeply.  Power struggles are likely to occur, especially if one group tries to use force to get their needs met.  With all the Sun, Moon, and Pluto all located in Capricorn, this will likely be a serious time, and either we or those around us may be taking on new responsibilities or possibly new leadership roles.  We will be willing to do the hard involved to make concrete, practical changes in our lives and in the lives of others. 

The Sun/Moon/Pluto trio described above are all forming sextiles (60°) to Neptune.  Although sextiles provide a supportive energy, we do need to keep in mind that Neptune is the planet that can “cause the fog to roll in.”  We need to make sure that we are seeing things clearly and are not getting drawn into an illusion of what we want something to be or what someone else tells us might be true.  Having the Sun, Moon, and Pluto in very responsible, practical, and serious Capricorn can aid us in seeing things clearly.  However, sextiles aren’t a strong aspect, so we have to consciously choose to use the support provided.  If we can do this, then we can hopefully tap into the higher expression of Neptune’s energy, which includes compassion, gentleness, kindness, and intuitive abilities.

As I explained in the last two Moon Updates, Jupiter and Saturn both have moved out of Capricorn and are now located in Aquarius.  (NOTE:  If you haven’t had a chance yet, I recommend reading (or re-reading) (a) the Moon Update from December 14 that discussed the Grand Conjunction that occurred on December 21 and (b) the Moon Update from December 29 that provided my astrological forecast for 2021.)  At the time of the Capricorn New Moon, Jupiter and Saturn are conjunct (0°) in Aquarius and Mercury is conjunct (0°) both of them.  This plethora of Aquarian energy means that it’s likely we will be thinking and talking about issues related to justice, ethics, fairness, responsibilities, integrity, and humanitarianism. 

Capricorn and its ruler Saturn are the task masters of the astrological world.  Their influence on this Capricorn New Moon could be perceived as both helpful and annoying, depending on how willing you are to work with the energies involved.  Here are some possibilities:

  • As mentioned above, Pluto is conjunct (0°) the New Moon. This could help us to “step up” and us our personal power (Pluto) in responsible ways (Capricorn).  Pluto also relates to transformation and healing, so this could be a time when change leads to something positive.  However, like the phoenix, something may need to die first before it can rise from the ashes and be reborn.  
  • Saturn and Capricorn are more interested in the past, in being conservative, and following tradition. Aquarius, on the other hand, focuses on the future, breaking with tradition, and even being iconoclastic.  This provides very different and potentially conflicting perspectives.  One positive way to blend these energies would be to patiently and responsibly (Saturn/Capricorn) move toward changes that will serve humanity (Aquarius).
  • Given that Jupiter and Saturn are conjunct (0°), it may be that Saturn can help keep Jupiter from getting out of control. Jupiter can go too far, which could exacerbate the rebellious qualities of the sign in which both are located (i.e., Aquarius).  This felt need to “break free” will be particularly powerful if we feel our independence is being threatened.    

Help is available!  This trio of planets in Aquarius (i.e., Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury) are all in sweet sextiles (60°) to Chiron.  This provides us with an opportunity to free ourselves from negative beliefs or attitudes that might be undermining our progress.  It also encourages us to be more open than usual to new attitudes and beliefs, which can help us move forward toward needed changes.  Additionally, the sextiles to Chiron can help us be more sensitive with others and with ourselves.  Given Chiron is the healer, we could also see advances or necessary adjustments in the health-care field. 

However, we now need to discuss the fact that Mars and Uranus are conjunct (0°) in Taurus at the time of the New Moon.  This is a very important transit that will be influencing us for the entire month of January.  The Mars-Uranus conjunction is what makes this New Moon unpredictable.  When working together, these two planets can cause us to feel restless and act impulsively.  We may be more willing than usual to take risks.  The atmosphere may feel super-charged with energy, but the energy will likely feel unstable and even, at time, uncontrollable.  Upheaval is very possible as old energies are being replaced with new ones.  Whenever Uranus is involved, it’s best to assume that the unpredictable is to be predicted.  We should do our best to flow with whatever happens.  Although it can impact any area of life, Mars and Uranus are conjunct in Taurus.  Therefore, the unpredictable energy might be focused on economic issues, personal finances, material possessions, and whatever we determine is valuable in our lives. 

Mars and Uranus are both in close squares (90°) to all three planets in Aquarius (i.e., Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn).  A square indicates that a change in direction is needed, so this adds to the theme of change!  Hopefully, the inclusion of Aquarian energy will help us be open to new ideas.  But this shouldn’t diminish the powerful impact these planets can have right now.  The presence of Uranus (which is empowered by its conjunct to energetic Mars) means that breakdowns are possible, but these could lead to important breakthroughs.  Our goal is to not get stuck in the old way of doing something and to be open to new approaches, which will help us find new solutions.  It’s clear that it’s time to move forward into a new future, and we can’t dwell on the past or the old regime without getting stuck and feeling very frustrated. 

In addition to its conjunction with Mars, Uranus is particularly powerful right now.  On Thursday, January 14, it ends its annual 6-month retrograde phase and begins moving direct again.  Whenever a planet changes direction, its power is intensified for the few days before and after.  Therefore, Uranus (i.e., change!) is going to play a key role around the time of the New Moon. 

The good news is that over the next few weeks (as Uranus picks up speed), we will feel ready to take new, evolutionary steps, both individually and collectively.  It is very likely we will all feel an urgency to move forward and initiate the changes that we’ve been thinking about for the last 6 months while Uranus was in retrograde.  Luckily, on this same day (Thursday, January 14), the conjunction (0°) between the Sun and Pluto will be exact.  This will provide us with the extra light (Sun) we need in order to more clearly see where changes are needed (Uranus) and how we can use our power to transform and heal (Pluto). 

Even though the square (90°) between Jupiter and Uranus doesn’t becomes exact until Sunday, January 17, it is likely that most of us have been feeling its impact building over the last week or so.  Further, we will feel its impact for most of the rest of this month, although it will diminish in intensity toward the end of January.  (You can read more about this aspect in the 2021 astrological forecast section of the last Moon Update.)  As I explained last time, there will be times when we feel ready to move forward but our progress may feel too slow or may actually be blocked or thwarted by external events.  However, as we discussed above, whenever Uranus is involved, it is always advisable to expect the unexpected.  Any events that slow us down are meant to help us remember that although we think we are ready for “a whole new world,” many of us need to finish up any unfinished business and make sure we are headed in the right direction.  This is another time when change just for the sake of change is not recommended. 

On Tuesday, January 19, the Sun will move into Aquarius.  This air sign often brings a level of objectivity and emotional detachment.  However, Aquarius is ruled by Uranus, so the “unpredictability show” continues!  The next month is one in which we will be open to innovation, learning, and new perspectives.  We are looking forward and ready for change.  We seek freedom from anything that restricts or inhibits us, and we are drawn to things that are innovative.  We are ready to let go of anything that has outlived its purpose, including things and people, but also structures, beliefs, and ways of doing things.   

Before wrapping up this Moon Update, there is one more astrological event to mention.  On Wednesday, January 20, the conjunction (0°) between Mars and Uranus will be exact.  This is when the aspect between these two planets will be at its most powerful.  I mention this because January 20 is Inauguration Day in the USA.  We already know that due to the pandemic, this Inauguration will be unlike any other.  However, we need to be aware that the day may be punctuated by the unexpected.  If you are interested, you might want to re-read the information above about the Mars-Uranus conjunction with the Inauguration in mind.  It will be very interesting to see how these energies play out. 

Overall, this Capricorn New Moon is filled with indications that the changes that we’ve been long anticipating are here, but that the process of change is going to be rocky.  Some of the previous astrological highlights include: 

  • At the end of December, Jupiter and Saturn made the historic move into Aquarius and formed the Grand Conjunction.
  • Then on January 6, Mars (finally) moved out of Aries after its extended stay in its home sign for almost six months, which caused a lot of volatility. As Mars moves through Taurus for about 2 months, we are ready to use our energy (Mars) to patiently move forward into a more beautiful and bountiful future (Taurus). 

This Capricorn New Moon on January 12 and all of the aspects occurring at the time of the New Moon are providing us with a green light for those long-awaited changes.  However, the strong presence of Capricorn and Saturn are telling us that the changes may occur at a slower pace than expected, which can be frustrating.  It’s also likely that the influence of Mars, Uranus, and Pluto will leave us feeling very energized but perhaps to the point of agitation.  How can we effectively deal with all of this?  It’s a good time to exercise in order to “let off steam.”  It will also be helpful to reframe any unexpected events as “wake-up calls” or “re-routing opportunities” rather than “disasters.”  Cultivating our ability to use this type of positive “reframe” will be important as 2021 unfolds.  This is a year when the speed with which our manifestations materialize with acceleration.  For this reason, it is becoming vitally important that we all focus on what we want and not on what we don’t want.  Luckily, the disciplined energy of this Capricorn New Moon can help us start off the year on the right foot in that regard. 

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THIS BLOG POST WAS WRITTEN BY

  • Anne Reith, Ph.D. (AnneReith.com)
  • For information about Dr. Reith’s downloadable ebooks and meditations, feel free to visit her online Store

SOME INFORMATION TAKEN FROM

  • The Mountain Astrologer (magazine)
  • Various online sources (e.g., www.cafeastrology.com)

REMINDER

  • New Moons and Full Moons often influence us for the 3 days before and 3 days after the actual event.

NEW MOON

New Moon at 24° of Capricorn

  • Tuesday, January, 12, 2021, 9:00 p.m. PST
  • Wednesday, January 12, 2021, 12:00 a.m. EST
  • Wednesday, January 12, 2021, 5:00 a.m. GMT

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