The Southland's Sagittarius New Moon

By Johnny Mirehiel

Seldom do we see such an active and dynamic month as this one, and it all kicks off with this New Moon:

Let's start with this New Moon chart itself. 3° of Scorpio is rising, indicating a "young" Scorpionic world view. Indeed, the Sabian symbol for this degree reinforces that notion: A youth carries a lighted candle in a devotional ritual. This implies an energy that, while willing to look beneath surface issues, is not necessarily equipped to delve too deeply into them, in spite of the Sagittarian call of the Sun, Moon and Venus to seek the truth at all costs.

The 2^nd house placement of the two "Lights" along with Venus, our brightest "star," usually emphasizes the importance of our finances and resources. However, on a deeper level it speaks directly to the core values that underpin our financial needs. It suggests, therefore, that we should ensure that our values are based in truth. In securing such, we can support the bonds of deep affection that the Scorpio ascendant proposes for this "month."

Another point of interest in this month's New Moon is that there are NO Retrograde planets in it. This is a highly unusual occurrence has been in effect since Dec. 1 and will continue through Dec. 20. According to the work of the late John McCormick, we can expect to see no Retrogrades in fewer than 8 percent of all charts. Applying this circumstance to this New Moon chart, it forecasts a month in which we will see the rapid development of things that have been previously been set in motion.

Three Recurring Astrological Signatures

As the final New Moon of the year this month contains three recurring astrological signatures which carry over from last month's.

1. The Bucket pattern with Mars as the lead planet,
2. The Saturn to Pluto Square that continues to hold its shape and intensity, and
3. The ongoing Jupiter/Chiron/Neptune conjunction in Aquarius.

This Moon's "Bucket" pattern continues to carry the energy of a social and/or intellectual problem needing to be solved in an exceptionally practical manner. With Mars as the lead planet, ruling war, military men, fires and disputes of all kinds and appearing in the 10^th house of the government, ruling powers, society and the public in general, we might expect to see some kind of "hot" confrontation break out into the open.

The Saturn/Pluto square (from 03° Libra to 02° Capricorn) continues to suggest the clash between the immovable object vs. the unrelenting force. This combination is a powerful one that forces us (Square) to face up to hard truths (Saturn) and let go of anything that is holding us back (Pluto) so that transformation can occur. In regards to mundane affairs, the Square continues to insure that the issue of our nation's involvement in Afghanistan will remain on the front burner. For all the apparent good that President Obama has seemed to bring, he is committing this country to yet another quagmire which is destined to remain a sore point for the immediate future, at least, as this Square will hold sway, through Saturn's Retrograde, well into next summer.

In regards to the ongoing triple conjunction of Chiron, Jupiter and Neptune, I refer to my friend and Chiron whiz, Joyce Mason who says:

I believe this transit simply hollers healing, merging in a positive way, and big blessings. In the sign of Aquarius, networking and community are the context. We have finally discovered that we're all in this world together and how to make the most of it. I call the triple conjunction an Aquarian Sandwich - Neptune and Jupiter are the bread, Chiron is the filling.

What's New?

Letting these themes represent the background circumstances that will permeate the month, I would like to look at some outstanding astro-events that fall under the shadow of this New Moon: They are:

1. Mercury begins its direct-shadow period on Dec. 19.^. It will remain Retrograde in effect until its post-Retrograde shadow ends on Jan. 27 (see this article for an explication of Mercury in its guise as "The Wretch." http://www.harmonicconcordance.com/NewSite/AstrologicalMusings-MercuryRetrograde.htmduring his rather ugly Retrograde days).
2. Mars reaches its Retrograde Station on Dec. 21 at 5:27 a.m., t 19°41' of Leo, and within five hours of:
3. The Winter Solstice on Dec. 21 at 9:47 a.m. (see this chart set at Washington, D.C.)
4. And then, on New Year's Eve, there is a Lunar Eclipse.

Now that's quite an interesting line-up, all occurring in just more than two weeks and setting the stage for a unique set of mundane circumstances, an altered environment and a new YOU to emerge in 2010. Are you ready for the ride?

The Retrograde Mercury is always problematic. As experience has taught us, although the actual Retrograde doesn't begin until Dec. 26 at 2:40 p.m. that when it enters its shadow period[i] at 2:25 a.m. on Dec. 19, the Retrograde effect does actually begin. During Mercury retrograde weeks, thinking either somehow lacks clarity or it is turned inwards, becoming introverted. In the outer world, while Mercury is retrograde, familiar channels of communication become tangled and confused. In this case, the normally seriously minded Mercury in Capricorn becomes even more so. On the bright side, it also offers the opportunity to review documents or ideas that previously failed and coming as it does in the weeks just prior to the New Year, it can give us a chance to reconsider all those failed New Year's resolutions from years past or to take a new approach to them.

The fact that Mars turns Retrograde, just some four hours before the Solstice is interesting. It means that the normal Martian energies of assertiveness, aggression, ambition, competitiveness, courage and overt sexuality will naturally be checked[ii] and turn inward during the run of its Retrograde period. It's a while before He gets back up to his old combative ways - not until March 26 of 2010. While it may not be as easy as usual to get things done during this period, and we may not be terribly clear about our desires and goals, when Mars is Retrograde, its excited, active energy becomes covert and calculating and its usual motives are hidden. However, there is the chance that an inwardly turned, outward-bound energy, such as Mars usually displays, can become toxic! But a Mars Retrograde is not all bad. Positively, it can give you a chance to think before acting, to assess your motives and aggression before reacting, allowing you to find your inner demons and send them packing before they do any serious damage to your life.

And then, also falling under the umbrella of the New Moon, are the Winter Solstice (left) and the New Year's Eve Lunar Eclipse:

The Winter Solstice

Astrologically speaking, the new year begins, not on Jan. 1, but rather at the Winter Solstice. This year, that date is Dec. 21. It marks the year's turning point, the precise moment when the Sun stops in its southerly movement, as seen against the backdrop of the Zodiacal Belt, and turns northward to begin its climb in the sky, gradually increasing its daylight time above the horizon.

It has always been my standard practice to look at the Solstice chart as it would fall on my own in order to see what the year ahead might look like for me. Invariably and correctly it points to the field of experience, as represented by the House(s), which will be active in the coming year. However, the standard practice in Mundane astrology is to look at the Solstice chart for the country in which one lives to see what general influences will be active for the nation. For those of us in America, this is commonly done by casting the Solstice chart for Washington, D.C.

In Mundane astrology, The Sun represents a country's president, king, prime minister, chancellor or ruling despot. We can often tell how successful or unsuccessful he or she will be from the strength or debilitation of the Sun as it is aspected by the other planets in that chart. We may also be able to see how the rest of the world will see us in this year by looking at the way the other planets fall into that chart and affect the Sun.

Unfortunately for our President, things do not look too brilliant. He will be under attack from a conservative bureaucracy and infrastructure (the Square from Saturn), which will successfully attempt to control him nationally, while in regards to foreign affairs (7^th house) he can expect opposition, delays, international conflict and even out and out war. For his part, the president (Sun conjunct to Pluto) will attempt to call upon his own political, business, financial and perhaps even underworld (undercover) connections to counter this inevitable confrontation.

He does have strong emotional support and might even be able to bring healing to the situation through the offices of the 11^th house position of the Moon/Jupiter/Neptune/Chiron planetary picture. The Part of Fortune in the 3^rd house tells us that he will once again be able to effectively use his well-known ability to communicate his message by broadcasting an appeal to the nation's highest goals of democracy and individual freedoms (Aquarius). He also has the energy and will to act on what he sees are creative solutions (Mars in the 5^th) for the nations ills. No doubt though, it will be a hard, uphill slog for him.

The New Year's Eve Eclipse

I dwell on this Solstice in Washington chart for a specific reason though: the pattern and planetary house placements are much the same for the Washington Solstice chart as they are for us under the Lunar Eclipse here in the Southland.

The implication here is that we may be able to perceive what the outcome will be for us this year by watching how things play out in Washington for the president. By-and-large, the way things work out for us will be presaged by how things work out for Mr. Obama and the nation. Seems reasonable, I know, but more true in some years than others.

As a matter of fact though, there are two major shifts from the Solstice chart to our Southland Eclipse chart:

1. The Moon has moved from the 11^th house to the 4^th,, and
2. Uranus has, at long last, reached that dreaded 23° of Pisces.

The moon in the 4^th house is at home as at home can be. It rules there and rules the sign governing the 4^th, Cancer, as well. It projects a Congress that, for once, might actually act in accordance with the popular opinion and actually work for securing our basic needs. At long last, health care?

Also, by its shift from the 11^th to the 4^th, it has changed to chart Pattern from a "Locomotive" to a "See Saw." The implication here is that there will be a tendency to act, in a world of conflict, "under consideration of opposing views or through sensitiveness to contrasting and antagonistic possibilities."[iii] This can only be to the good. And about time too!

Not to dump water on anyone's parade, I must in all good conscience, allude to that degree of Pisces as "the degree of sorrow." Now before anyone leaps from a tall building, let me say that it has been my experience that it is disappointment that accompanies that degree much more so than any out and out "sorrow." And being that it is Uranus, which is at that point we can safely say that it will be a sudden and unexpected turn of events. So, if at all possible, stay in for this New Year Eve's celebration, or at the very least have an emotionally secure designated driver.

Do please check into Lynda Hill's notepad pages for her update to the Sabian Symbols for this month.

Using this information for yourself

In your personal horoscope, the house in which the New Moon occurs indicates the area of your life that will be highlighted for the coming month. The effect of the New Moon lasts until the next New Moon, approximately four weeks.

If you know your own chart, take a look at where the Solstice chart sits on it. The house in which it falls will suggest the area of life experience (house) that will be prominent for you this year. There are several places on the net where you can get a copy of your chart if you know the date, time and place of your birth. My favorite is Alabe.com.

And finally, Jan and I would like to wish each and every one of you the very best for this holiday season. We look forward to having you back next year.

Blessed Be,

Johnny

Back to the "thumbnails"

Back to the "thumbnails"

[i] Its daily motion falls below +1° per day.

[ii] Actually, Mars, like Mercury, and every other planet and system body for that matter, has a "shadow period." Such phases may be discernable by its daily motion as it approaches a Retrograde period, and in its acceleration after it turns direct again.  in the case of Mars, a reasonable estimation of these shadow periods is based upon the speed of ±00° 10'.  This translates to approximately 15 days on either side of the Retrograde and adds some 30 days to the already lengthy 80 days "sub-rosa" stay for Mars, meaning that Martian activity can be expected to be muted for more than 3 ½ months all toll.

[iii] Jones, Marc Edmund, The Guide to Horoscope Interpretation, The Theosophical Publishing House, Wheaton, IL: 1972, p. 91.

Johnny Mirehiel is a 40-year student of spiritual, metaphysical and astrological ideas. Internationally known as the discoverer of the astrological chart of the Harmonic Concordance, he is a member of the San Diego chapter of NCGR and he has been accredited by The International College of Astrology as both an astrological practitioner and teacher. He now plies his trade in the high desert of Southern California. Click here to e-mail Johnny.