Capricorn can be a serious sign, ruled by Saturn, but like this little "Astro Kid" version of the mythical Seagoat suggests, there's room for whimsey, too. Capricorn natives, though ambitous and disciplined, often have a wry and
witty sense of humor. New Moon in Capricorn could have meant a more subdued New Year's Eve party for some. But if fun prevailed during your celebrations of New Year's Eve, the serious nature of this New Moon most likely set in for all of us as 2006 began on New Year's Day. Early in the day Moon changed to Aquarius, a freedom-loving sign with the modern ruler Uranus, but still with the ancient co-ruler Saturn. Then, too, Venus retrograded out of Aquarius and back into Capricorn. The back-to-work day for many will be January 3, Crescent Moon. But are we ready for the challenges of turning our hopes for the year ahead into clearly defined goals?
I'll admit to my own feelings of lethargy to overcome, especially after an especially busy December during which all the usual holiday activities included my being in San Diego for the birth of my new little granddaughter, Reilly. It was exciting and wonderful to be right there to hold her just after her birth!
Reilly was born the day before Winter Solstice, so she has Sun in Sagittarius, Moon in Leo—a little flying horse and a lion as her zodiac pets.
Now, though, back home in New Hampshire, there's all the holiday things to put away and my desk piled high. I really feel the need to follow some of my own advice today and take time for my little Crescent Moon Ritual, as excerpted below from Chapter 9 of Moon Tides, Soul Passages. If it fits your needs , too, try it this week, prior to First Quarter's action phase that begins on Friday. It may help clarify your focus and get your New Year's goals in motion so that you can take full advantage of First Quarter leading to a culmination at Full Moon.
Before beginning any ritual, create a sacred space where you'll not be interrupted. Center yourself with a period of mediation. Playing soft music in the background can eliminate white noise from the environment, and help set an appropriate mood.
Experiencing Crescent Moon—January 3
Key: Struggle to overcome self-doubt or lethargy so as to thrust forward within waxing light. Intent: Resist pull of old habits or the naysaying of others. To get back on track when focus and momentum have been interrupted.
Ritual for Getting Back on Track
Face the East and call the Air:
Air I call for clarity, balance and focused mind that's free.
Turn to the South and call Fire:
Fire I call for energy, passion, faith and spirit free.
Turn to the West and call Water:
Water I call for mystery, compassion and serenity.
Turn to the North and call Earth:
Earth I call my goal to see, complete and fine as it will be!
Now, standing at center facing East again, raise hands high into the air and stretch:
At center I call the Cosmos above...
Kneel to touch the ground:
And Mother Earth below...
Stand again with hands over your heart:
I call these powers within me, and knowing that as the power is within, so it expands without...
Move hands and arms slowly outward as it to encompass the Universe and then slowly circle in place, saying:
And as my Universe, so is my soul!
Now, centered and focused again, you can get back to work!
Full Moon in Cancer—January 13-14
Full Moon, in the watery sign of Cancer, is now in opposition to the Capricorn Sun, but she reflects his light in complementary opposition, intended to objectively show the Sun what is needed for balance. Here we can learn to understand the importance of the medieval zodiac's Seagoat fishtail, symbol of the watery emotions that cannot be denied. Modern zodical art for Capricorn sometimes portrays a proud mountain goat standing on a snowy peak, but what climbs high must eventually come down to the sea again. Cancer is the watery depths of emotion, and in mundane symbolism, our home, roots and foundation. It can be lonely at the top of that mountain, if the needs of the sea are suppressed or denied. Our feelings can either motivate what we seek to manifest, or they can hold us back in fear, doubt and second-guessing.
Full Moon, in the USA, will actually occur in the very early wee hours of Saturday morning January 14. Because applying aspects are strongest, Friday evening January 13 is an optimum time to celebrate Full Moon in the states. Here's a suggestion for the working within a Full Moon ritual designed to balance the quest for outerworld goals with appreciation for those from home and roots, past and present, whose love, guidance and even hard lessons of life have influenced and supported you. The fruits of achievement are most satisfying when shared with others, so as you acknowledge what others have shared with you, plan also how you will share with others.
Full Moon Ritual of Appreciation and Sharing
Prior to beginning, gather photos or symbols of each person whom you want to remember. You'll need a votive candle for each one, and a chalice and beverage. Assemble these things along with whatever other tools you normally use to create sacred space.
After you've cast circle, then place a votive candle beside each photograph or symbol. Light each candle as you thank that person for what he or she has meant to you. Then, while all the candles burn brightly around you, offer a toast with your chalice to each one, again with thanks for what each has contributed to your life and thoughts of what you might share with them, or with others in their honor.
New Moon in Aquarius—January 29
Sunday, January 29th is the New Moon in Aquarius. Shortly before Moon conjoins the Sun, she separates from opposition to Saturn in Leo. Sun passed his opposition to Saturn on January 27th. This could mean that obstacles or resistance begins to let up, though the potentially stressful New Moon semi-square Pluto is still applying through much of Monday. Issues of conflict and authority are suggested, with whatever emotional detachment Moon in Aquarius may have giving way to overreactions as Moon passes into Pisces. Though we could see these conflicts played out on the larger political scene, as individuals we always have the choice as to whether we project or shadow fears onto the planets or others in our lives, or instead, choose to look for and express them in better ways. Moon in Pisces passes through a series of aspects that suggest avenues of creative inspiration (Moon conjunct Uranus) of beauty (Moon sextile Venus), success and growth (Moon trine Jupiter) productivity (Moon sextile Mars) and the opportunity for significant change (Moon square Pluto). Sounds like a good time for me to paint...how about you? What will you create?
A few years ago I wrote a "shadow" ritual for my former Moon Magick column on the San Diego Starcrafts website. It works for this New Moon, so I'll repeat it here.
A Playful Shadow Ritual for New Moon in Aquarius
Assemble on your altar: a censer, incense, a bowl of water, salt, a Spirit candle, a flashlight you can prop to focus on a nearby wall, paper and pen. Play recorded music to which you can dance and raise energy. Drumming is good.
Bless the incense and salted water. Create sacred space by sprinkling the salted water around your ritual area, then charge the space by circling it with the incense. Invoke your favorite deity and light the Spirit candle. Set the flashlight so that your movements cast shadows on the wall. Begin by sitting just below the light and meditate on what you want to create during this New Moon cycle. When you feel ready, cup one hand into a fist and move it upward toward the light so that it forms a shadow "seed" on the wall. Now, slowly open up your pointer finger and wiggle it like a sprout growing out of the seed. This is the sprouting of your creative plan. Enjoy it for a moment...and then bring your other hand up like a big mouth opening and shutting to gobble up the sprout. This is your OWN SHADOW—don't be frightened by it! Turn that sprout into a firm sword and stab that gobbler right in its open mouth. Collapse it into the pointer hand to form a double fist out of which four fingers now emerge as sprouts. Now, slowly rise up in the light and begin to dance with your shadow. Move slowly at first as you think about your goal, and dance energy into it. Dance, building the energy, until you feel confident and ready. Then, go back to your altar to creat a talisman with the paper and pen. Name your goal with a word or short phrase and write it in the center of the paper. Write it again and again, each word connected to teh one before in a spiral pattern that goes gradually out toward the edges of the paper. As you write, chant the word or phrase. This focused action charges your intent and the power of the talisman. When you've finished, consecrate the talisman by sprinkling it lightly with the salted water and passing it through the incense smoke. Hold it above the Spirit candle and scribe a circle around it nine times while chanting:
