“. . . everything we observe, everything we are, arises from an invisible sea of being, which is the deep cosmic ground of the phenomenal world and our own consciousness. From this perspective, all the divisions and polarities of our world fade into insignificance.” Anne Baring, The Dream of the Cosmos
As I sat down this morning to write about the Capricorn Super Moon, I checked to see what themes were in the news, because today is July 11th, the second Pluto return for the USA which takes place in Capricorn, a sign that has been co-opted by patriarchal aspirations of power, dominance and control. And what do I find but a story about a 3-Star general who has been suspended from the army for a comment about the First Lady. Apparently she posted on Twitter after the Supreme Court reversed Roe vs Wade. Her comment was not included, but this general said “Glad to see you finally know what a woman is.” So much juice to extract from this tidbit!
Apparently this comment was a reference to the challenge from Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee during the confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. Blackburn asked Judge Jackson to define the word “woman” in regard to transgender rights. Interesting question. How to define woman? The most obvious answer relies on sexual organs, but is that the definition of woman? Seems that’s all the Supreme Court was interested in when it decided to strike down women’s reproductive rights. Is the general suggesting that women be defined by their genitals and reproductive function?
Women are extremely complex, especially awakened ones. We are more than our reproductive equipment. We have minds and emotions, thoughts and beliefs, logic and intuition. We are receptive but also assertive, creative as well as productive. We are multidimensional with souls and spirit as well as bodies and minds. But doesn’t this also define man? So how do we define a human being, or a group of humans, based on such narrow criteria? And why do we need to? Because of our consensual belief in Duality.
Duality is a primitive and simplistic way to view reality. It reeks of the need to control, define, pigeon-hole. Everything is black or white, good or bad, male or female. Evolution however happens through complexification and we are evolving beyond the illusion of duality into a growing awareness of our Oneness and interdependence. As we leave behind the Age of Pisces, the lines are blurring between polarities and we are realizing how complex and subtle the spectrum of humanity has become.
This Full Moon shines a light on the Cancer/Capricorn spectrum. Cancer is about Motherhood, Mother Earth, the Great Goddess, and the nurturing they provide. Capricorn has become all about our institutions, our government and our social contract, all of which have evolved through a masculine paradigm. We see clearly where this has led us – to the brink of social, political and environmental disaster. As more and more women assume positions of authority and leadership, this duality will break down. Our institutions will be infused with feminine values and we will focus on our humanity beyond the confines of simplistic thinking.
So let’s take a look at this extremely complex, inclusive Super Full Moon on July 13th.
Full Moon in Capricorn
The Moon opposes the Sun on Wednesday at 11:37 a.m. Pacific time at 21+ degrees of Capricorn. In the USA chart the Sun is in the 8th House and the Moon in the 2nd. There is a full cast of archetypes lined up to evolve our consciousness – a Cardinal Cross, a T-Square, a Grand Trine and a Mystic Rectangle. It’s kind of like the end of a fireworks display when they set off all the remaining fireworks at once as a grand finale. This Full Moon is an explosion of meaning and significance.
The Sun in Cancer is within three degrees of Mercury which is headed for its superior conjunction on July 16th. This is the midpoint of the current Mercury cycle which began on May 21st at 0 degrees of Gemini. So it functions like a Full Moon. All the information we have gleaned over the past two months is coming into clear focus. Plus Mercury is sextile Uranus so we can expect insights and breakthroughs in perception.
The Sun is also conjunct Ceres, reinforcing the Cancer theme of Motherhood. There is an emphasis on self-care on many levels. We need sleep, good food, exercise and at least 15 minutes of sunshine a day. But we also need to tend our emotions. Full Moons are emotional times. The Moon is the ruler of Cancer, the sign of our emotional life. Insights can bring delight but they can also bring shock or pain. It’s time to love ourselves the way the perfect mother would – unconditionally.
The Moon in Capricorn is the second of three Super Moons this summer, meaning it is close to the Earth, seems enormous on the horizon, is very bright and its influence strong. On top of that it is conjunct Pluto which has just returned to its natal place in our nation’s chart. While Capricorn addresses our social and political life, it also supports our growth and maturity.
The symbol for Capricorn is a goat standing on a mountain top. This suggests victory after a long hard climb. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn who is a stern task master. He functions in our psyches to bring us challenges so we can learn mastery. He brings up the past and stirs up karmic issues so we can deal with our pain, heal our wounds, integrate shadow material and become responsible adults.
We’ve had a truck load of adversity from Saturn since his 2020 conjunction with Pluto, but its intent was not to punish us. Rather it was to wake us up, to grow us up, to provide the fodder for personal power and mastery. But Saturn isn’t the star of this lunation. He operates behind the scenes via semi-sextile to the Moon and quincunx to the Sun. He is also conjunct White Moon Selena helping steer us back on the right path.
Pluto gets the starring role because of its conjunction with the Super Moon and its return in the USA chart. The focus is on our destiny as a nation, the values upon which we built our Republic and the corruption of those values which threatens the freedoms we once cherished. We are coming to a reckoning, and while it may be painful for some, it is imperative for our country to heal and move forward.
I mentioned that this was an inclusive lunation, so let’s take the major aspects one at a time.
Great Cardinal Cross
This configuration consists of two oppositions and four squares. Sun, Mercury and Ceres in Cancer opposite Moon/Pluto in Capricorn square Eris in Aries which is opposite Haumea in Libra. I’ve discussed this before, but as a reminder, Cardinal signs are initiators. The polarity of Eris and Haumea is particularly interesting. Both are creators but they function in different ways. Eris creates a higher order by throwing the status quo into chaos. Haumea creates with joy and abundance. We may see a lot of contention in the coming months, a lot of dysfunction and breaking down of old structures, but we can have faith that something better will arise out of the ashes, and with Haumea involved it can be beautiful.
How to get the most out of a Cardinal Cross? Stay centered. Become the observer. Your emotions and opinions will be triggered but keep grounded and try to see external reality as a reflection of a transformative process. Do not slip into fear.
Grand Trine in Water Signs
The Sun is also part of a trine with the South Node in Scorpio and Neptune in Pisces. Trines are harmonious aspects in which the players support each other. The Sun brings Spirit and Light into the mix. The South Node in Scorpio draws us into our depths to heal our wounds and release our past in preparation for the future. It is also the repository of the lessons we learned, the skills we developed and the strength we built through many incarnations. Don’t forget the Light Shadow – all the wonderful, amazing parts of ourselves that we fear to claim.
Neptune completes the trine by easing the process. Neptune breaks down barriers and asks us to surrender to the evolutionary flow. It reminds us that we are not separate, nor alone, but part of a glorious whole and one with the Divine. Neptune inspires compassion and imagination, opening us to undreamed of possibilities.
Cardinal T-Square
Mercury at 17+ Cancer squares an opposition between Chiron and the USA natal Saturn in Libra – all Cardinal signs and within 5 or 6 degrees of the Full Moon Axis. With the USA Saturn conjunct natal Juno, there is a double emphasis on commitment. We are not bystanders or spectators of our nations fate. We must all commit to preserving our democracy. Our natal Saturn in Libra has the potential to lead the world into peaceful co-existence. Right now it is dedicated to preserving the status quo. Chiron reminds us of the multiple wounds we have inflicted and suffered in our 246 years as a nation. We cannot ignore our past. We cannot ban books that tell the truth about how we have left a trail of victims. A healthy future depends upon healing these wounds and finding a way to compensate those we have damaged.
Mystic Rectangle
The Sun and Moon form a Mystic Rectangle with the Nodal Axis. This moment in time is crucial in deciding our future. This configuration consists of two oppositions, two sextiles and two trines. Thus Sun is sextile the North Node in Taurus and trine the South Node in Scorpio, while the Moon is sextile the South Node and trine the North Node. Sextiles activate so the Sun lends light and will to the North Node, providing strength and courage to take a bold step forward and overcome our fear. The Moon on the other hand activates the South Node helping us work through our emotions and reclaim our power.
Oppositions are polarities and emphasize duality while sextiles and trines are harmonious and cooperate with one another. Mystic Rectangles show us how to resolve polarities. They offer choice. We can get caught up in conflict and struggle, between the urge to cling to the past because we fear the future. Or we can integrate the oppositions into a spiritual wholeness. We can transcend the duality of opposition into the larger context of Oneness.
The North Node is conjunct Uranus within 2+ degrees. At the end of the month these two come together for a dramatic shift of direction for our country. We may get some shocks and surprises along the way.
Venus
Venus rather knits the whole together. At 24 degrees of Gemini she is semi-sextile the Sun, quincunx the Moon, sextile Eris, trine Haumea, square Neptune, trine Saturn, quincunx the South Node and the Moon forming a Yod or Finger of God. The South Node and Moon/Pluto point to Venus as the answer. The best we can do is envision the future of our dreams, and embody its qualities now. The frequencies of peace, love, truth and beauty will be the context within which our future gestates.
Finally the whole chart is held together by a series of sextiles between planets and dwarf planets around 4-6 degrees. Mars in Taurus is semi-sextile Pallas in Gemini which is sextile Varuna in Leo, which is sextile MakeMake in Libra which forms a semi-sextile with Hygeia in Scorpio sextile Quaoar in Capricorn which sextiles GongGong in Pisces and on around to Mars. We are encircled by mostly Kuiper Belt objects which are awakening new faculties in our psyches. We are held in a context of enlightenment. So hang on to that bigger picture. Don’t be seduced by the rancor of our times. It’s part of the illusion of separation.
Key Dates
7/14 Mercury sextile North Node – think about the future
7/16 Mercury in superior conjunction with Sun
7/17 Venus moves into Cancer
Mercury trines Neptune
7/18 Mercury opposite Pluto
7/19 Sun opposite Pluto
Mercury moves into Leo
Chiron stations retrograde
7/22 Sun enters Leo
7/23 Ceres enters Leo
7/24 Venus square Jupiter – challenge to expand our love
Juno stations retrograde
7/28 New Moon in Leo
Jupiter stations retrogrades and heads back to Pisces
This Full Moon completes a six month phase that began with the January New Moon in Capricorn. You might want to review that post and take a look at how far you have come. What mountains have you climbed?
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