In one month Pluto will return to its placement in the USA natal chart. We’re all aware of the context. Our democracy is on the line. This two-year period from January 12, 2020, when Saturn was conjunct Pluto, to February 20, 2022 when Pluto makes its return, has been a rite of passage. We can think of ourselves on a hero’s quest. The purpose of a rite of passage is to test the mettle of the hero, to build inner strength, and to prepare for transformation. For our nation, this is the test of our Pluto return. Bottom line, is our Union strong enough to hold?
We are in the midst of several crises: a political/social/economic divide; a pandemic that has tested the capacity of our health care system; destructive weather events that warn us of what is to come; and the slow revelation of corruption at the heart of our government. We are witnessing the collapse of our system – a society that has lost touch with its values.
As a population, we are “rent asunder,” fixed in our conflicting opinions. As long as beliefs are more important than our humanity, we are a weak, vulnerable, dying nation. Pluto is sounding the alarm. It’s screaming at us. “Wake up! Do you want to lose your precious democracy? Do you want to fail your ancestors who believed so deeply in freedom that they would give their lives to secure it? Are you willing to subordinate your self-interest to the needs of our collective population?”
The Covid pandemic has given us time to reflect on the life we are living and the way we are living it. Do we want to chase dollars anymore? Do we want to work to the exclusion of pleasure and loving relationships? Do we want to be fearful of our neighbors? Do we want to stand by and watch our planet become uninhabitable? These are just some of the important questions facing all of us, and at this Full Moon, we can begin to find some answers.
Full Moon in Cancer
This month’s Full Moon falls on Monday, January 17th at 3:48 pm Pacific time. The Moon at 27-28 Cancer is in the USA 8th House closely conjunct our natal Mercury, Part of Fortune and North Node. We are getting optimum lighting by which to choose the path forward. The Part of Fortune is a point derived from the relationship between the Sun, Moon and Ascendant – Spirit, Soul and their expression through our collective identity. The meaning is suggested by the ruler of the sign in which it lies. In this case, Fortune in Cancer is ruled by the Moon, the emotional body through which we experience daily life. Cancer is the sign of nurturing and protecting our children, be it our progeny or our inner wounded child.
The North Node is in Leo, associated with the heart, with courage, leadership and creative self-expression. It is ruled by the Sun. Not only are Sun and Moon in opposition, but the theme is doubly reinforced by this 8th House stellium. We are at a crucial moment in our history and what happens here will reverberate around the world.
The 8th House is a mystery. On a mundane level it represents the assets of relationships which could mean financial, but includes so much more. We get to know ourselves through our relationships. Our friends and family let us know how we appear to them. They also reflect our shadow qualities, both “good and bad.” Thus the 8th House is one of deep exploration. Associated with Scorpio and its contemporary ruler Pluto, the 8th House is about the transformation of our consciousness through exposure to others and to the world. It is also the House of mysticism – where we ask the big questions and begin to wade into unseen realms.
This Moon extends an invitation this month to take a deep dive within. Collective natal Mercury is being stimulated to think about the future. Neptune in Pisces is suggesting, by way of trine to the Moon, that we pay attention to our dreams – day and nighttime dreams – and to allow our imagination free rein. What would an ideal future look like? How good could it be? We can dream it into reality, but first we must clear the way.
To emphasize the import of this Full Moon, the Sun is conjunct Pluto, adding energy and illumination to the Lord of the Underworld. We are deep in a transformative process, not only personally but as a nation. I imagine in the next few weeks we will learn more about corruption in our government and throughout our economy. Sun and Pluto are in the 2nd House conjunct Selena, the White Moon that lights our path forward. This signals to me that our path forward begins with a deep exploration of our values. The Sun and Pluto are also conjunct Juno suggesting we get serious about our commitments. With Mercury and Venus retrograde, we’re called to look within. Self-reflection and life assessment are needed. We all must get honest with ourselves and find clarity about what we want. This is not the time to spectate life.
What manifests in our reality is the product of our values. We have been given a chance to see the result of our current value system. It’s not a pretty picture. If we want something better, we must search our hearts, commit to what we value, stand up for it and be willing to sacrifice self-interest for it. That’s a big challenge, but it’s the challenge of the hero. Each of us must find our inner hero and face our inner demons.
Eris and Chiron
The Solar/Lunar axis is square to transiting Eris in our 5th House in Aries. And Eris is conjunct our national Chiron. This is an opportunity for healing, to look at the chaos and discord in our personal lives and find a way to forgive those who wounded us. We need to forgive ourselves as well. Every relationship we can heal in our own lives, strengthens our collective union. It’s a delightful paradox that what’s good for our soul is good for the whole.
The 5th House is about creative self-expression. Chiron has been transiting this house in Aries bringing opportunities to heal and a new way to look at healing. Aries is about new beginnings. It’s a dynamic sign. Chiron isn’t asking us to think about it, or dream about it, but to actually DO something about our wounds. We are clearing the path to a better future, shedding unwanted baggage and dreaming possibilities. We need to rethink our old wounds. Some of them will remain with us our whole lives, but we don’t need to let them control us. We can harvest the lesson of the wound, and move on. We don’t need to carry the collateral baggage. The presence of our wounds help keep our hearts open and our compassion alive. We can come to know our resilience and trust our inner strength.
Our current Rite of Passage can grow us up as a nation. We are a young country with a youthful culture, but we can fall prey to adolescent attitudes. In just two years – April of 2024 – Chiron will make its own return. We can heal the wound of separation. Those of you over 50 have experienced your own Chiron return. For women, at least, it’s a formative time of “letting go” that comes at menopause. Upon its return, Chiron ushers us into a new reality. A more mature and wiser self emerges.
Mercury
This is an active time for Mercury. At the Full Moon it is retrograde at 10 degrees of Aquarius, winding down its Libra cycle which began at the end of last September. During this cycle we have been observing our relationships, seeing how we treat one another, how we treat ourselves as well. On January 23rd, Mercury will conjunct the Sun at 3 degrees of Aquarius. Now we’re being asked to look at a bigger picture. What are the responsibilities of citizenship? of our humanity? We are moving into an awareness of our relationship to the whole of humanity and all life on Earth. It’s a much bigger world than our personal problems. If we are to survive the coming climate crisis, we must think globally.
We won’t solve all our problems in the next four months, but it’s never too early to make a beginning. Mercury is about perception. Everything that comes into our awareness gets filtered through our beliefs, so when Mercury is active, it’s time to take a dispassionate look at our beliefs. My understanding of the cosmos is evolving and, truthfully, it’s rather uncomfortable. Thinking we know gives us a false sense of security. When we unclench our fist of knowing, there’s some instability, confusion. All I can do is ride this out and see where it takes me.
Mercury turned retrograde in Aquarius. It will move back into Capricorn January 26, turn direct at 24 Cap and enter Aquarius again around the Aquarian Full Moon on February 16th. This is a chance to feel into two different energies. Aquarius is the only sign in the Zodiac devoted to humanity. Capricorn, in its current expression, reveals issues of control, power over, our current dysfunctional political system and its social ramifications. During retrogrades, it’s a great time to meditate, journal, spend time in inner depths. Things will pick up speed soon enough.
As Mercury approaches its conjunction with the Sun, listen to your inner voice. Among all the chatter, there is a small voice whispering the theme for this cycle. Mercury is Square to Uranus, which is its higher octave. Uranus sends us insights that can change how we think, what we believe, how we express ourselves.
Mercury turned retrograde on January 14th. It begins a new cycle on the 23rd. Finally in turns direct on February 3rd. At that point all planets will be direct until April 29th. That’s almost three months of forward progress. So listen for guidance. That small voice will whisper the next step.
Venus
Venus began her new cycle retrograde on January 8th when she met up with the Sun in Capricorn. While Mercury is suggesting that we examine our beliefs, Venus is asking us to reflect on the state of our hearts. We’ve been pretty battered over the past two years and it’s easy to get caught up in our heads trying to figure it out. The heart has a mind of its own, literally. There are 40,000 brain cells in the heart that can be brought into resonance with our brain to create coherence. Now would be a wonderful time to practice coherence. I’ve described this technique before. Researchers have discovered that among other things, we make much better decisions when we balance our heads and hearts.
In my opinion this Venus Capricorn cycle is about maturing our hearts. That means integrating kindness, forgiveness, understanding and compassion and expressing, at a bare minimum, respect and civility toward others. I can’t get used to the rudeness that has gripped our society. Venus is bringing gentleness and grace back into fashion. On the Full Moon she occupies our USA First House addressing our collective identity. Who were we when our hearts were filled with hope? Who have we become? Who do we want to be? It’s time we recognize the value of the feminine energy and integrate more of it into our daily lives. Open up more time and space to just BE. Answers are found in silence and solitude.
Mars and Selena
In our natal chart the White Moon Selena is conjunct the galactic center at 27 Sagittarius. Mars at 25 Sag is about to switch on the light that illumines the path to new awareness. We do have a manifest destiny, but it isn’t to conquer the world, it’s to birth and protect freedom, equality and democracy for the world. We’ve hit a rough spot, but the dream isn’t dead.
Mars began its new cycle last October 7th in Libra. Venus began her new cycle in Capricorn on January 8th. Mercury starts a new cycle in Aquarius on January 23rd. These are the personal planets that accompany us through every day. How we think, feel and operate in society. Great potential for change and growth and transformation.
The Nodal Axis
On the day after the Full Moon, January 18, Uranus turns direct. In addition, the Nodes of the Moon shift into new signs. The North Node has been in Gemini and will retrograde into Taurus. The South Node moves from Sagittarius into Scorpio. We go from Fire and Air into Earth and Water. In Gemini and Sagittarius we were seeking the Truth, picking through the debris of fake news, wondering whom we can trust. We’re about to learn some stark facts. This huge energy shift will help us get grounded, out of our heads into our bodies and our unconscious depths. Taurus is associated with our Earth. Hopefully we will take our climate crisis seriously and do what we can to mitigate disaster. South Node in Scorpio takes us into our murky past to resolve old issues, heal wounds and transform our lives as a result.
Conclusion
Change begins with us. On the one hand it is inevitable, but on the other we can assert agency and welcome it, work with it and make the best of it. This Full Moon is showing us the potential, not just for the next two weeks, but the coming year. There may be some intense drama in our reality, but we have built up strength and resilience. We can see chaos and conflict for what it is – a reflection of a psychic reality that we can change from within.
To help you navigate the energies, here’s a calendar of events for the next two weeks:
1/14 Mercury SR 10+ Aquarius
1/14 Ceres SD (stationary/Direct) 27 Taurus
1/16 Sun conjunct Pluto at 26+ Capricorn
1/17 Full Moon at 27 Cancer
1/18 Uranus SD at 10+ Taurus
1/18 Nodes shift Axis into Taurus/Scorpio
1/19 Sun into Aquarius
1/23 Mercury conj. Sun 3+ Aquarius – new cycle
1/24 Mars moves into Capricorn
1/25 Mercury Rx back into Capricorn
1/28 Mercury conj. Pluto 26+ Cap
1/29 Venus SD 11+ Capricorn
1/30 Sun square Uranus from Aquarius to Taurus
1/31 New Moon at 12:20 Aquarius
2/3 Mercury SD 24+ Cap
We’ll talk about the New Moon toward the end of the month. Please take advantage of these transformative energies and keep holding higher energy frequencies. We’re creating the context of our future right now.
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