New Moon in Sagittarius
We have a new moon in Sagittarius on Sunday 1st Dec (6.20am, UK time), which brings with it a reviving upsurge of fiery energy which can lift the spirit and launch our awareness into the possibility of what could be. The Sun and Moon align for their monthly conjunction in the sign of the centaur-archer, the sign that seeks to expand the scope of our imagination and inspire us to further our creative and spiritual quests.
Separating from Mars…Applying to Saturn
The Sun and Moon are separating from a trine aspect to Mars in Leo (4˚), which may have enhanced our confidence and encouraged us to take more of a risk in the run up to this new moon. There is a more sober signature at play here, however, as this Sun-Moon conjunction is applying to a square aspect with Saturn in Pisces, who will not be far off in insisting that our wild imaginings are called to account, reality-checked and, being in Pisces, tested as to whether they are really in service to the deeper calling of our life purpose. This could signal doubt, uncertainty, revision; particular fears could resurface in the face of our longed-for hopes and dreams. It is not that those dreams need be dashed, however, simply that we may need to apply ourselves within certain parameters, acknowledge limitations and pay attention to rules or regulations that may be unavoidable. It can be that under such a moon as this, while some avenues may not bear fruit, and adjustments may be required to those that do, our ambitions can be shaped and honed in ways that make ours ideas, projects and pathways realisable in a more concrete way.
Do You Have Planets at 9-12˚ of the Mutable Signs?
The Sun and Moon align at 9, making this (and the degrees either side of it) the most sensitive degree. Saturn is at 12˚ of Pisces, so if you have personal planets or angles (AC, MC, IC or DC) between 9˚- 12˚ of Sagittarius, or the other mutable signs: Gemini, Virgo or Pisces, then your charts will tend to the be most activated.
Re-Kindling the Flame
Our last new moon was in Scorpio, where we journeyed downward into the shadowy depths of the soul, to encounter death and conduct the necessary rites with the spirits of the underworld. Now, in Sagittarius, we ascend with the spirit into the metaphysical heavens, rising like the phoenix from the ashes, with energy and passion. Sagittarius comes as a leap of faith, a re-igniting of the flame, as the creative force is re-kindled within the womb of winter, that dark place of wisdom where the seed of life can germinate secretly beneath the ground, ready for its birth into the world in Aries in the Spring. Even while the presence of the Saturn square might appear to subdue or delay the force of this movement, Sagittarian energy carries with it an irresistible momentum that reaches beyond the mundane looking always for a way forward, seeking meaning in the stars and sourcing inspiration in far off places.
Meeting Mercury Within
Mercury is also in Sagittarius, having recently turned retrograde a few days ago, and is now heading toward its ‘inferior’ conjunction with the Sun on 6th December. So this is not a time to rely on logic to navigate an issue or solve a problem. Mercury is at his most irrational in Sagittarius, leaning more into imagination and intuition than a well-reasoned argument. And being retrograde to boot, information may seem not to conform to our expectations, surprising questions may arise, and answers may tend to come when we are least expecting them! The conjunction on 6th December is a mystical moment in the calendar when we should take a moment to tune in deeply with our inner guidance, find stillness within and ask for what is hidden to be revealed to us.
The Watcher in the West
It is also worth nothing that the degree at which the Sun and Moon align, 9˚ Sagittarius, is with half a degree of that claimed by the fixed star Antares, when its position in the heavens is projected onto the ecliptic. Antares is the alpha star of Scorpio, and is one of the four royal stars, the four ‘watchers’ of the cardinal directions. Antares, the heart of the scorpion, is the ‘watcher in the west’, and carries great power and prowess, courage and ruthless determination to penetrate to the heart of any matter.
The Upcoming Jupiter-Saturn Square
We also observe that Jupiter, moving retrograde in Gemini, is approaching its second square aspect with Saturn, now moving direct in Pisces. This will align on 24th December at 14˚ of these two signs, and will bring the Jupiterian forces of possibility, light and optimism into an inevitable confrontation with the Saturnian forces of necessity, shadow and melancholy. We are getting an important glimpse preview of this aspect over this new moon, where our Jupiter ruled Sun-Moon conjunction meets the challenge of the Saturn square, compelling us to meet certain karmic tests and to pass through necessary stages of initiation.
The Third Fire Sign
Let us consider Sagittarius’ place in the Zodiac wheel, as the third of the fire signs in the seasonal, zodiacal round. Aries, the first, presents us with its cardinal directive, generates the spark that lights the fire, initiating the life force of Spring, while fixed Leo tends the fires of summer, keeping alight the eternal flame, ensuring that the ever present life force endures. Mutable Sagittarius now spreads the fire, gives it direction and helps us to see beyond the horizon. As the mutable representative of the element group, it re-imagines the fiery force as both an outward adventure, and an inward or philosophical quest. Within the soil at this time of year, elements are re-combining to warm and protect the seeds of life under the ground, as a new cycle of gestation begins. This new moon in Sagittarius this marks a moment of profound spiritual re-birth that will be realised by the new birth in Spring as Aries rises again.
I leave you with my Sagittarian mantra:
“I know the way, I am guided by the stars, and I trust that my aim is true.”
New moon blessings to all.