The Great Conjunction and Capricorn Season
Capricorn season, beginning on December 22, occurs on the heels of the era defining Great Conjunction on December 21. This aspect coincides with the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, making it all the more poignant. Jupiter and Saturn come together every 19 years or so, and for the past 200 years this event has occurred in signs of the Earth element. This one, however, takes place at 0 degrees of Aquarius, and beginning a 200-year cycle of Great conjunctions in the Air element. The Age of Pisces is drawing to a close, and the Age of Aquarius is beginning (Note: the exact date of the change of ages is debated by astronomers and astrologers; some say we have been in the Aquarian Age since 1930. Other accounts say it began in 2012. Other sources say it won’t be until 2140 or so. The important thing to keep in mind is that these transitions are not light-switch instant, but gradual turnings of the tide). When two planets come together, their energies join forces: Saturn, planet of stern boundaries, realistic expectations and a general get-your-shit-together vibe, meets Jupiter, planet of abundance, expansion, opportunity and idealism. This astrology can help us bring our most impossible dreams within our reach…but only if we develop a worthy implementation strategy.
Capricorn knows that building a pyramid (or a culture of kindness, or a new career for ourselves, or whatever it is we are called to create) is possible, but not easy. It expects to be challenged or shut down on the long march of its hero’s journey, so it plans accordingly. The Aquarian energy of the moment infuses us with the wisdom that there is power in numbers, for better or for worse, so be conscious of your group and community alignments. Many small steps taken over time add up to more than one big leap. Take into consideration not just what, but how and why you’re building it. With so many planets changing signs and beginning new patterns, the Rebirth theme of Capricorn season is even more poignant than usual. The problems of the world are more clear to us than ever after this year of reckoning, but so too is the way forward. The rains will come, the dark days will lengthen. There’s an old saying: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is Now.
WORKING WITH IT
Take the last few days of 2020 to get some extra sleep, stay hydrated, and sort out your priorities. After that, trust that you know what you most need to do: whatever it is, do it in small, consistent, compassionate steps. Take whatever you’ve learned this year and build yourself better for it. Refuse to get discouraged when problems inevitably arise. Let fear and frustration be your fuel for further growth. Ask yourself: What is the most intelligent next step I can take right now? What am I learning from the challenges I’m currently facing? How can I join forces with others? Keep your goals in the front of your mind, but ground your ambitions in practical steps. Respect the necessity of the mundane.
DATES TO WATCH
12/29 Full Moon in Cancer. This is the first time that a lunation in Cancer, sign of the home and the big feels, is free from the opposing glare of Saturn. This is a day to appreciate all we’ve come through this year and how we are different because of it. Take a bath, make your bed, hug your dog, or write yourself a thank-you note.
1/6 Mars Enters Taurus. Today, reflect on how you experience pleasure and success on the material realm. We know we can no longer afford to accumulate resources without considering how our actions affect the whole. Make sure to take at least one small sweet step toward the things that are most important to you, but also to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. When Mars is in Taurus, slow and steady wins the race.
1/8 Venus Enters Capricorn, Mercury Aquarius (and squares Mars), Sun sextiles Neptune. Check in with your Power People today. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but neither was it built alone. Whether your endeavors are personal or political, they’ll benefit with support. If your connections to community feel too meager, what small step can you make today toward strengthening those connections?
1/13 Mars Squares Saturn. The feel of this day may echo the challenges of 2020. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” is a good affirmation for today; be on guard against the demons of self-doubt and escapist fantasies of “normal” or “later”. Take good care of yourself; if anything within your personal system feels exhausted or worn down, address it before it becomes a problem. Be brave!
PLANETS CONT’D
As a refresher…
Once you have a sense of the zodiac backdrop, the movement of the planets is the key to the language of astrology. Planets represent the various Archetypal energies that we live out in our human experience — our primary drives. Like the moon, all the planets have a gravitational relationship with earth and can be seen with the naked eye in the night sky (except Uranus, Neptune and Pluto). In a chart, their placements and relationships hold the keys to a personality. In transit, they stir us up in different ways. We all have all the planets represented in our chart, and the transits of the planets through the sky affect us in various ways. Each planet has a different characteristic, and over the next few months we’ll continue examining them in more detail.
In brief:
Mercury = communication, thought, and our day-to-day lives
Venus = love, beauty and pleasure.
Mars = strength, drive, aggression
Jupiter = expansion, abundance, spirituality
Saturn = boundaries, discipline, hard work
Neptune = dreams, illusions, creativity
Uranus = breakthrough, upheaval, the unexpected
Pluto = regeneration, shadow, power
SATURN: Saturn is the furthest planet we can see with our naked eye, and therefore for thousands of years it was considered to rule the outer boundary of our solar system. It moves slowly, taking 29.5 years to circle the sun, and is surrounded by huge rings. It is the dam that harnesses the energy of the river, it is the rulebook that keeps the game in play. It is the “no” that leads to a new “yes”. Saturn is the ruler of Capricorn and the traditional ruler of Aquarius. Working with Saturn energy is adult-ing at its finest. In a natal chart, Saturn can show us where and how we are likely to struggle, and also where we have the greatest potential for mastery. It can be seen now very close to Jupiter after dusk in the southwestern sky.
MERCURY: Mercury is the planet closest to the sun. A mercury year is only 88 earth days, and it spends 15–60 days in one zodiac sign depending on its retrograde pattern. It is never more than two zodiac signs away from the sun itself. Being so close to the sun, it is said to be the Messenger of the Gods and therefore key in helping us to understand and express our fullest potential. Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo. Mercury rules travel, communication and writing of all kinds, the way we think and how we live our our basic day to day existence. Working with Mercury energy helps us harness the power of our thoughts, words and actions. It is currently too close to the sun to be visible to us earthlings, and will reappear toward the end of January.
