First of all, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I hope blessings and prosperity are awaiting you in 2021.
The New Moon takes place on January 13th, 05.00 am GMT, at 23 13′ Capricorn.
The first New Moon of 2021 is conjunct Pluto. It’s potent, intense and takes us into emotionally deep and dark realms. Denotes change and transformation along with the inner strength and resources to handle this. Other influences at the New Moon underline change, as well as that strife and frustration could potentially accompany this.
What is immediately striking, is that the New Moon activates the Saturn-Pluto conjunction that took place virtually exactly a year ago, on January 12th 2020 at 22 46′ Capricorn.
It’s vividly poignant that at this time last year, Covid-19 and all the myriad implications of the pandemic had not, as yet, fractured the world. When we look back, reminisce on the sense of freedom, the enjoyment of simple pleasures we took for granted, it’s complex and sometimes confusing, to recall exactly how it felt to be at ease with life, confident about the lay of the land. The time before fear of illness and death. Before lockdowns, social distancing and masks.
The world has changed. Individually, we have all changed. But, simultaneously we are also still in the process of changing. Mourning what has been lost, trying to come to terms with it all, at the same time as trying to decipher a way forwards.
A New Moon is a time of new beginnings. This New Moon, conjunct Pluto, suggests the turning of a page, the start of a new chapter that links who we were – the past – with who we are now and our future path. Brings awareness of the changes within, along with a call to seek insight into what we have learned and utilise it on our way forwards.
Chart
The New Moon is ruled by Saturn, who is in Aquarius. Saturn is the traditional ruler of Aquarius and is now in orb of his first square with Uranus, the modern ruler of Aquarius. Highlighting a battle between the old and the new, the past and the future, authority figures, rules, and those that rebel against them.
Mercury and Jupiter are with Saturn in Aquarius. Mars is now in Taurus and moving towards exact conjunction with Uranus on January 20th. Which means at the New Moon, Mars and Uranus are square Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn. A square in fixed signs brings the potential for conflict, as stubborn views and uncompromising opinions clash. Anger (Mars) could easily flare up (Mars square Jupiter), be verbally aggressive (Mars square Mercury), or lead to demands for change (Mars conjunct Uranus).
Adding to this, the third and final square between Mars and Saturn is exact on the same day as the New Moon. A heavy influence that may unleash frustration with rules and restrictions as well as perhaps volatile reactions towards obstacles.
On a positive note, Venus in Capricorn is trine Uranus, an applying aspect that will be exact on January 14th. Potentially, this influence could help to bring insight into different perspectives on current scenarios. May bestow some diplomacy that helps neutralise potential disputes and misunderstandings.
For sure, it is a tricky, tangled New Moon. A time perhaps most sensibly approached like the mountain goat, cautiously, one step at a time, but always with an eye on the future and the intention of successfully reaching the top of the mountain.
We need to try to recognise and accept what has changed, and work with it to the best of our ability. Acknowledge what may need to be released from the past and consider how to align with the future. Aim to build up new or fortify existing foundations. Set a goal and keep working towards attaining it, even if initially our progress is slow (Mars square Saturn). Additionally, we may need to make allowances for others, endeavour to avoid conflict and seek the middle ground.
Fixed Star ~ Peacock
Fixed star Peacock is in located in the Constellation Pavo. Peacock is the alpha star in Constellation Pavo, found in the starry tail of the Peacock. Peacock is currently at 24 06′ Capricorn.
Constellation Pavo ~ “It is said to represent Argos, the builder of the ship Argo, who was changed into a peacock by Juno when Argo Navis was placed in the heavens.”
“Pavo is said to give vanity and love of display, together with a long life and sometimes fame.” ~ Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson
TAROT ~ 4 of PENTACLES
The New Moon is in the 3rd Decan of Capricorn ruled by the Sun (Mercury by triplicity). The corresponding tarot card is the 4 of Pentacles.
Book T calls this card “Earthly Power.”
CAPRICORN DECAN III ~ “A man holding a book which he opens and closes, and before him is the tail of a fish. This is a face of wealth and the accumulation of money and increase and embarking on trade and pressing on to a good end.” ~ PICATRIX
The Sun as ruler of this decan illuminates the pursuit and attainment of money, power and influence, but the possession of these rewards does not guarantee wisdom. Mercury, ruler of this decan by triplicity, suggests that careful contemplation and recognition of the responsibilities that accompany material success and power is also necessary.
A throne or a mountain top can be lonely with just money for company, awareness can arise of vulnerability. That material power does not grant omnipotence. From here it is possible to glimpse the divine, and aspire to balance the material with the spiritual.
The Rider-Waite-Smith card depicts a man wearing expensive clothing, a crown on his head. He is seated, perhaps on a throne, with a big city in the background. A pentacle is balanced on top of his crown, he clutches another to his chest, and under his feet are two more.
The two pentacles beneath his feet depict his material stability and wealth. The pentacle at his heart shows he is cut off from his relationships with others – money and power come before love. The pentacle on his head blocks his connection with the divine and any spiritual development.
But there is, “the possibility that instead of being closed off, the figure has succeeded in laying a foundation of material security (pentacles at hands and feet) that will facilitate spiritual development via the pentacles at the heart and crown chakra. From this viewpoint, the houses in the background represent the material and worldly success the figure has already achieved, and the grey in the foreground says his future task is to balance and organise the material with the divine. ~ Spiritual Tarot, Echolls, Mueller and Thomson, page 121
Top Image by Ray Aucott on Unsplash
4 of Pentacles from The Aquatic Tarot by Andreas Schroter
References
Fixed Stars ~ www.constellationofwords
The Complete Picatrix ~ Translated by John Michael Greer & Christopher Warnock