There is a New Moon in Capricorn on January 11th. New Moon are the point where the Sun and Moon occupy the same degree of the zodiac, 22 degrees of Capricorn, for this New Moon. New Moons symbolize the start of a new cycle of expression. Capricorn deals with power, career, social standing, and the structure of society. And so it would follow that on this New Moon, we are dealing with a new expression of those themes. Yet this is not entirely true. Since 2008 Pluto the planet of transformation has been in Capricorn. Whenever Pluto moves through a sign there is a deep cleansing transformation of all themes ruled by that sign. It is Pluto’s nature to uncover all that is hidden to unearth it, see what needs to be changed and summarily transform it Pluto deals with the work of the shadow. Those parts of ourselves that are disowned because they are either too painful or too distasteful. There is a decidedly emotional component to Pluto, yet one of the shadows of Capricorn can be a suppression of
emotion. So with Pluto in Capricorn there is plenty of fodder for transformation.

The sign of Capricorn is naturally ruled by the planet Saturn. Saturn’s function is to build structures that are efficient, utilitarian, and workable on the material plane. Considered a very black and white energy, Saturn determines does it work or does it not. Saturn is not interested in feelings, just the bottom line. Yet we do not live in an absolute world, in fact we live in a world that is made up of all different shades of gray.

As the ruling planet of Capricorn, the placement of Saturn is a very important consideration in this chart and Saturn is in Scorpio and has been there since October 5, 2012. Since that time, Saturn and Pluto are in something called mutual reception. Technically they are occupying each other signs, functionally this creates an easier flow between the two planets resulting in an
accelerated expression of both planets and signs.

The theme of ‘what is working and what is not’ is something these two signs and two planets have in common. They aid each other in finding the problems and ultimately releasing them. Yet the areas of life which these two planets and signs rule, in the case of Scorpio/Pluto, shared resources, sex, death, taxes, and merging with powers greater than self, and in the case of Capricorn/Saturn, the structure of power, issues of power/powerlessness, government, large corporations, the moneyed few and the structure of society, the transformation of which can foster a deep sense of insecurity and fear. So although the planets and signs work together, the themes in which they work, are serious and rather heavy duty. It’s as if the hammer is coming down and the structure of our society is trembling.

The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon is : ‘By accepting defeat gracefully, a general reveals nobility of character. ‘ According to humanistic astrologer, Dane Rudhyar, the keynote to this image is as follows: “The realization that one may grow through defeat as well as, and perhaps more than, trough, success“. And this is true, it is through our mistakes that we learn our greatest lessons. And the ability to accept our mistakes with grace and be willing to try again, is the work of the spiritual warrior.

So no matter how scary this may all seem, the real message of this New Moon to be willing to let go of what no longer works.

We have moved into a New Age where we have a choice, to create a world that is based on fairness and the will to good, or, to stay in fear with a sense of victimization.

We are faced with a crumbling societal framework, especially in those places where unfairness is the rule and the common good, the exception. If we can bravely move forward toward our common destiny, knowing that this is the time to put forth the effort to create the structures that will foster equality, we are on our way to creating a New Earth. One based on love, mutual respect
and fairness. And that, is a reality, well worth working toward!