Category Archives: Moon Transits

Full Moon in Aries & Big Cardinal Energy

The Aries full moon will be exact in the morning hours of October 17th, but we are already feeling it, and it will be especially potent tomorrow, October 16th. This moon is forming squares with Mars, the planet of action and aggression, and Pluto, the planet associated with power and compulsion. And when it’s in Aries, the moon is ruled by Mars, so the Martian energy is extra heavy. 

What does this mean? Intensity! Even though this moon marks the end of eclipse season, this will still be intensely felt and give off eclipse-type vibes. Aries has many great qualities (leadership, pioneering, joie de vivre, spontaneity), but it is not known for restraint. You may already feel more punchy than normal. Have you had trouble sleeping? I woke up at 3:30am last night and didn’t fall back asleep until 5ish, and the whole time I was awake I was agitated. If you have sleep issues regularly or if you find yourself easily influenced by the moon cycles, tonight and tomorrow night you should try to wind down early and do whatever you can do to help you rest.

The Aries moon is opposite the sun in Libra. Mars is in Cancer, and Pluto is at the very last degree of Capricorn. These four planets are forming a grand cross in the four signs known as the cardinal signs. Cardinal signs are the initiating signs of the zodiac. Each one ushers in a new season and represents beginnings.

She’s startin’. 

Dorinda, like yours truly, has an Aries moon. People with Aries moons can be impulsive, can be eruptive when pushed, and have an emotional need to be #1. Of course, the entire birth chart of a person influences how they react and respond to conflict, but Dorinda’s iconic explosiveness is a pretty good representation of the potential intensity of an Aries moon. Can’t wait to see her on Traitors! 

Full moons are about culminations and releases, so you may find yourself with the impulse to release some pent up anger or resentment this week. This is especially possible because of the friction with Mars and Pluto. At the same time, Venus, the planet of diplomacy and relationships, is in a tense opposition to Uranus, the planet of disruption, which unfortunately doesn’t make things easier. This is divorce energy. 

It’ll be tough, but whenever you can over the next few days, try to ground yourself. If you can feel yourself boiling into a rage, take a couple steps back. Walk away from your laptop. Put your phone on the charger and leave the room. Take a walk if you feel yourself about to throw your plate across the dinner table. 

You’ll feel this more acutely if you have any personal planets or luminaries (the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, or Mars) or angles (ascendant/rising, descendant, midheaven, or IC) at or around 24 degrees of any of the cardinal signs mentioned above. And if you ever want a complex look at how the transits could affect you based on your birth chart, book a reading with me! 

As we go into Scorpio season, things won’t be less intense, but the mood will be a little less fiery, which I’m looking forward to. More on that in a couple weeks.

A Look Back on Mars-Uranus and an Opportunity Ahead

The astrology of July was mostly smooth, except for one major transit, and that one major transit has pretty much just blown everything up. I’m talking about the Mars-Uranus conjunction that was exact on Monday, July 15th.

What a doozy, huh? 

I had drafted a post that I ultimately didn’t publish, but the gist was this: Mars, the planet of action and aggression, was going to be aligned with Uranus, the planet of disruption and upheaval, and that was occurring in Taurus in alignment with a particular star (Algol) that is associated with beheaded Medusa and referred to as the “demon star.” So on the world stage, the news was likely going to be wild and tumultuous at best, violent and scary at worst. And on a personal level, some of us may feel particularly anxious, paranoid, and under threat.

I was definitely feeling the vibes of the Mars-Uranus conjunction a few days leading up to it and a few days after. The crackling energy has been palpable everywhere. As far back as last Friday, the 12th, it felt like tempers were short and people, men especially, were acting out. I mean, obviously. Besides the T***p rally, which was a very literal manifestation of the Mars-Uranus-Algol combination (he almost actually lost his head), there was also the scary, chaotic situation at the Copa America final.

Mercury is approaching a square to Uranus, meaning that on top of the Mars-Uranus effects, there are also communication disruptions. Cue Friday’s global technology outage. And Mercury is in fire sign Leo to boot, making our interpersonal communications more self-focused and more incendiary.

On the morning of Sunday, July 21st, there’s a full blue moon in Capricorn. A blue moon occurs when there’s a second full moon in the same sign within the month. The Capricorn full moon a few weeks ago was at 1 degree, and now we will get the second, this time at the last degree of Capricorn. In whatever story has been unfolding in your life since June 21st, the other shoe is now dropping. This full moon is conjunct Pluto, which signifies intensity and hidden things. Secrets will be illuminated, and there will likely be some high-profile denouements.

The full moon is also in a helpful relationship with Mars, so on a personal level, it’s a good time for taking actions to let go of unhealthy and unwelcome compulsions and to take a break from anything that’s been driving you crazy. If you are curious to know what topics this may touch on in your own life, look for 29 degrees of Capricorn in your birth chart and see what house it falls into and whether you have any personal planets (sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars) or sensitive angles (ascendant, MC, IC, or descendant) at or close to 29 degrees of a cardinal sign (Capricorn, Cancer, Aries, Libra).

There are more intense moments to come in a few weeks. Mars and Jupiter come together, signifying the expansion of action, on August 14th. On August 15th/16th, Mars makes a tense aspect with Saturn; then on August 19th, Jupiter follows and makes the same tense aspect with Saturn, and we have a full moon in Aquarius (which is answering to Saturn). Saturn is like a stop sign. It represents structure and order, so it looks like we can expect to see conflict between proliferations of assertiveness and heightened emotions, and structures and systems.

Between the events this week and mid-August, Mercury goes into Virgo on July 25th. We don’t get much downtime, but look at this period as a little bit of a break. While in Virgo, Mercury will station and then go retrograde overnight on August 5th/6th. It gets to 4 degrees of Virgo before it starts to go back.

Virgo is an earth sign that is associated with pragmatism, discernment, and efficiency. Mercury retrograde is treated with fear and dread in the zeitgeist, but when Mercury goes retrograde, it’s a chance to reflect, reassess, and reconsider.

Last week, I attended an excellent webinar from Kepler College on the Solar Return of the United States, and the astrologer who presented, Dorothy Oja, pointed out that Mercury’s transit through practical, critical Virgo marks an auspicious time to reflect because this transit will aspect the moon (in Gemini) and Neptune (in Pisces) in the U.S.’s solar return chart. She referred to it as an “antidote to confusion,” which I loved. And while it’s particularly useful in that context, I think it’s also useful for us on a personal level as well. Our anxiety and emotions may be clouding our perspective, but Mercury going into Virgo and then the Mercury retrograde offer us the chance to re-see things in the world, in politics, and in our own lives, with more discernment and ultimately clarity. 

There’s so much to unpack right now. We’re living through truly wild times, so we have to look for opportunities for calm reflection. More to come as we gear up for the August planetary alignments…stay tuned.

Cancer Season and the Full Moon in Capricorn

We are about to enter Cancer season. The cavalcade of planets that has been hurtling through Gemini is now, one by one (save for Jupiter), transitioning into the sign of the crab. On the way, each–first Venus, then Mercury, then the sun–makes a tense angle with Neptune (ugh, Neptune). We may experience some disillusionments. If you have had some harsh realizations in the past few days, you’re not alone. I hope they were more like aha moments than rude awakenings.

On Thursday, with the sun’s ingress into Cancer, we get the solstice. In the Northern Hemisphere, it’s the longest day of the year. And then on Friday, right on the heels of the solstice, we have a full moon in Capricorn. 

The Cancer-Capricorn axis feels really different from the Gemini-Sagittarius one. Gemini-Sagittarius is about the tension between the pithy and the verbose, between thinking quick and delving deep. The Cancer-Capricorn axis is about the tension between our emotions and our responsibilities. Cancer is feelings; Capricorn says, “fuck your feelings.” Both signs carry with them the sense of obligation. Cancer, ruled by the moon, is associated with loyalty and protectiveness, and Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, with diligence and discipline. 

Cancer is connected with the Chariot card in the Tarot, which definitely gives off Capricornian vibes as well. The chariot protects the person within, as they progress to their destination. Being armored while forging a path speaks to both Cancer and Capricorn qualities. 

This Capricorn full moon invites us to examine what we are working for. Is it worth it? How does it make you feel? 

What’s our beautiful reward for all the time and the care we give, whether it’s to our jobs, our careers, to others, to our bodies, to our minds? 

The juxtaposition of the solstice with the full moon makes it a time for both releasing and beginning a new cycle. Cancer and Capricorn are both cardinal signs, meaning they each begin a season and usher in something new. This represents a time to consider what plans you want to execute over the next year and what you need to shed in order to achieve your desired ends. Whatever our goals are, it’s important they nurture us and fulfill us emotionally.

Because Neptune (again–ugh, Neptune) is forming a t-square to the moon and the sun, thinking about what we want to achieve isn’t necessarily going to be easy. You may have a hard time putting your finger on exactly what it is you want, and you may feel especially tired and depleted. The end of this week could be a time when you feel pulled between your personal feelings and your public ambitions or your devotion to your family and other more practical commitments, and Neptune irritatingly throws a shroud of confusion over it all.  

Hang in there, because as the planets continue to move through Cancer, they’ll break free of the Neptunian influence, the fog will lift, and more clarity will become available regarding Cancerian topics: home (both physical and the sense of home), family (both blood and chosen), and care. And we get a rare second full moon in Capricorn later this month, which represents another chance at harnessing the full moon energy under different (albeit still complex…we’ll get there later) astrological circumstances.

Does that make sense? Or does it all sound like gobbledygook? If so, blame Neptune. Happy Solstice! 

New Moon in Taurus

There is a new moon in Taurus tonight, May 7th, at 18 degrees. This new moon is glorious for two reasons: 1) it is supported in rulership and by aspect, which I’ll get into, and 2) it marks the end of eclipse season. 

How was your eclipse season? Every single eclipse does not have world-shaking, life-upending implications for every person. However, if you think back through your life, many of the most unpredictable, wrenching events that have occurred likely did so around eclipses. 

I’ll offer a case from my own life. Libra falls in my 4th house, which has significations of home and family, and Aries in my 10th, which relates to career and public identity. Coinciding with the Libra lunar eclipse, my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and my world has changed. This has resulted in shifting things around, pulling up stakes to change my home base, and the importance I place on my work and my public life sloughing away, like skin shed from a snake.

This has also meant that I haven’t been writing or consulting current astrology as much of late, but I know it’s there, a constant, and I see the impact unfolding for me personally. I’m ready for this eclipse season to be over, and with this eagerly anticipated new moon in Taurus, it will be. FINALLY. 

And this new moon is resplendent (figuratively). It’s in Taurus, a fixed earth sign. The moon is exalted in Taurus, meaning that when the moon is in Taurus, it is like a special guest star, with fanfare and a spotlight. It operates with aplomb.

Taurus is practical and deliberate. The energy is slow and grounded. This new moon takes place between Venus and Jupiter, also both in Taurus, and both planets are benefics, which means that in ancient astrology, they were considered favorable (vs. the malefics Mars and Saturn). 

The moon in Taurus is ruled by Venus, which, because it’s in Taurus now, is firing on all cylinders. Taurus is Venus’s domicile (along with Libra), so Venus has no barriers when it is in Taurus. Venusian energy, with its focus on relationships, love, luxuries, and values, is unfettered and prominent with this new moon. 

The moon is also making a supportive aspect to Saturn in Pisces. Saturn lends it some stability, and in earth sign Taurus, this new moon becomes an auspicious time to lay the groundwork for new projects and for working toward our desires. It could be an especially potent time to start new physical routines and to focus on your self and your body. The Saturn aspect imbues anything we start now with some extra discipline, much needed after the chaos that the eclipses and Aries season wrought. 

And because it’s in Taurus, the earth goddess sign, it marks a great time to garden and plant flowers, to buy a new piece of clothing or jewelry, and/or to learn to make a new signature dish or dessert. It’s all about beginning anew with mindfulness. Get out in nature if you can. In the words of English rose Natasha Bedingfield, feel the rain on your skin; no one else can feel it for you.

The new moon inspired me to write again and to do a little ritual, which I also haven’t done in a minute, because of the hope springing from it. And then I wait to see how this personal eclipse story of mine will conclude in March of next year, when the final eclipse of this cycle will occur. The rest is still unwritten.

Full Moon in Virgo

There’s a full moon in Virgo coming up, exact at 7:30 am on February 24th. The moon will be at 5 degrees of Virgo and the sun at 5 degrees of Pisces. We’re already feeling it (along with all the Mars-Venus-Pluto stuff that’s been going on) and will be feeling it throughout the next week. I need to make sure I actually go out and catch a glimpse of it. If you have anything from about 0-10 degrees of a mutable sign (Virgo, Pisces, Gemini, or Sagittarius) in your chart, you’re going to feel the effects of this full moon more than most. (And if you don’t know what’s in your chart, book a reading with me!)

The Pisces-Virgo axis is marked by deep feelings and adaptability. Virgo is an earth sign and way more grounded than Pisces, but it’s still a mutable sign. When changes arrive or are needed, a Virgo can shift gears and recalibrate relatively easily. Pisces, a mutable water sign, is boundless. Virgo is a caregiving sign but can be harshly critical, while Pisces is compassionate and empathetic but can be so caught up in their own feelings that they ignore your needs. They make for an interesting combination. There’s a lot of caring here, but how it manifests can vary.

As for full moons, one occurs when the moon is opposite the sun and fully illuminated, reflecting the sun’s light. It’s the culmination of the lunar cycle, and it represents a time to let go. This full moon is an especially opportune time to release because it’s the last full moon of the zodiacal year! Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac, and with the spring equinox, Aries season begins, as does the new astrological year. So this is truly about letting go. It’s also the last full moon before the next set of eclipses, so if you’re someone who manifests or does any sort of ritual work around full moons, this is your last chance for a couple months. 

With the moon in Virgo, this means that we may be feeling called to let go of something in our daily routines or our annoyances, our judgments, our critiques. It’s a good time for cleaning the house and sweeping the dust away. With Virgo-Pisces, I think of making a list (Virgo) of the shadow qualities (Pisces) we want to work on. Or cathartically releasing emotions while doing housework or crafting. Cry and knit. Listen to the most maudlin music while you scrub your bathtub. Make a commitment to start a daily yoga practice.

Pisces is associated with the Moon card in the Tarot. I love the Moon card as illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. Even the crustaceans respond to the moon’s power.

The sun at 5 Pisces is also between Mercury and Saturn, both in Pisces, when this full moon occurs, lending some discipline and some thought to it. So while we’re all likely to feel super emotional, it’s a little more grounded (from the Virgo moon + Saturn’s presence) than we’d feel during a Pisces season in another year.

Mercury in Pisces is interesting because Mercury is in its fall in Pisces, meaning that when it’s in Pisces, it’s harder for us to think clearly and connect the dots. Our thoughts and words are more abstract than usual. However, Pisces’s ruler is Jupiter, and Jupiter is in Taurus, another earth sign, so we can tap into the practicalities and realities of where these abstract thoughts and emotions are coming from if we try. 

This is all to say that if you find yourself crying over the next few days, and you ask yourself why you’re so emotional, remember that it’s just another full moon, and it’s during Pisces season, and let yourself ride the waves over the next couple weeks. (The state of the world right now doesn’t help; if you’re not despondent, I’m not sure how.) Over the next couple days, though, if you are in a list-making, task-mastering, cleaning, and clearing zone, the moon is on your side. 

Of course, astrology is not fortune telling, and this is simply my interpretation of what’s going on with the current transits in the sky. Take all of this with a grain of salt, as always.

Aquarius Season & the Full Moon in Leo

It’s Aquarius season! As an Aquarius myself, I welcome it with open arms. The punishment of having a birthday in the absolute dregs of winter (in the Northern Hemisphere) is partially mitigated by getting to be an Aquarius, with the joy of being the smartest person in the room and the smug satisfaction of knowing that you listened to that band or were wearing that style or were espousing the tenets of that political movement before it was cool. But it’s coupled with the pain of looking around at everyone else and thinking, “I am truly alone in this world. No one else understands anything.” 

Aquarius is a sign associated with rebellion, revolution, and genius. Not to say that every Aquarius exhibits all these traits outwardly, because every person has a whole plethora of things going on in their own natal chart, but when we look at our geniuses and revolutionaries, it’s not surprising when they have Aquarius placements. Toni Morrison, the greatest American author, had an Aquarius sun, Mercury, and Midheaven.  

It takes the collective a while to catch up with Aquarians, but during Aquarius season, focus gets pulled to what isn’t working and how it can be made better. We see protests. We see organizing. It’s a cliche that Aquarius is about power-to-the-people, but it’s a cliche because it’s true. 

The same day that the Sun moved into Aquarius this year, it was followed shortly by Pluto. Pluto in Aquarius is a big deal. It represents the beginning of a new era, one in which we will likely see the rapid adoption of advanced technology, mass populist movements, and revolutions. I’m hoping Pluto in Aquarius + Uranus in Gemini, coming up over the next few years, will usher in electric air travel (or even better, teleportation). 

The last time Pluto was in Aquarius, we had the American Revolution and the French Revolution, bloody conflicts where the monarchy was rejected, and the Haitian revolution, when the enslaved people of Haiti fought for and won independence from French colonizers. What revolutions will take place over the next decade plus? Time will tell (but some Aquarians are likely already seeing them coming). 

When Pluto is in a sign, it takes about 20 years, give or take, to go through it. We feel it more in the world at large than personally. It’s a vibe shift and the backdrop for big generational stories. I’ve seen a lot on astrology social media indicating that Pluto going into Aquarius will revolutionize something in the individual’s life. I’d like to caution everyone to take that with a grain of salt. Pluto moving through an area of your chart does not mean that you’re immediately going to see transformative things happen to you. Of course, you could, and those who have planets or angle points in the early degrees of Aquarius, Leo, Taurus, and Scorpio may see some huge changes play out over the next couple years. This is why it’s best to get a birth chart reading. Just because Pluto changes signs, it doesn’t herald huge sweeping changes in everyone’s lives right now. Again, it’s 20 years! Most people experience pretty big changes in their lives over a 20-year period, Pluto or no Pluto. 

Anyway. With the sun in Aquarius, we always get a full moon in Leo, and this year it occurs on Thursday, January 25th, and is exact at 12:54 pm ET. This full moon is at 5 degrees of Leo, with the sun at 5 degrees of Aquarius, and it forms a T-square to Jupiter in Taurus, so the usual themes of release that accompany a full moon see some tension with what Jupiter represents: expansion and growth. Ask yourself, how can you use the full moon to shed the stuff you’ve outgrown, in the cool light of the Aquarius sun, to help you grow and evolve? 

At this same time, Mercury is approaching a conjunction with Mars. Our last full moon, in Cancer, was also infused with Mercury-Mars energy, and this time, with the full moon in a fire sign, it promises to be feisty. Tempers may flare. Leo is a campfire, so stoke it with the good stuff, the stuff Leo loves (affirmations! self care!) instead of sharp criticism of yourself and others. In fact, since the full moon is a time for release, maybe it’s your most vicious takes and judgments you want to let go of. Aquarians can be judgmental at an individual level, but they are accepting and understanding at a collective level, so let’s embrace those vibes. This full moon will likely roil some egos in a big way, so best to keep that in mind as you’re dealing with people over the next couple days.

New Moon in Capricorn

On the morning of January 11th, at 6:57 am EST, there is a new moon at 20 degrees of Capricorn. This is the first new moon of 2024. When a moon is “new,” it’s aligned with the sun, and this represents the beginning of a new cycle. 

Given that this is the first lunation of 2024 and it’s in cardinal earth sign Capricorn, which is about practical initiation, this is an excellent opportunity for setting intentions or making your New Year’s resolutions. And because of its positioning in relation to the nodes, currently in Aries and Libra, these intentions may not be just for the year ahead, but more aligned with your soul’s purpose or ultimate destiny. Dream big.

Not only is the new moon in a sign that’s about taking charge and setting plans in motion AND in relationship with the nodes, but there are other aspects at play that make it auspicious for laying the groundwork for what we hope to achieve.

First, both the sun and moon trine Uranus, the planet of disruption, revolution, and change. This means the moon, sun, and Uranus are all lending one another big time support. The intentions you set now could lead to major changes ahead. Or you may get some surprises around this new moon that contribute to your self-reflection and the goals you want to set. All of these guys are in earth signs, which grounds the big shifts and disruptions that come from Uranus. And with Uranus in Taurus, all topics financial would be especially relevant for this new moon.

Concurrent to the new moon, Mars, the planet of action and drive, is also in Capricorn, a sign it loves. And it’s in a supportive trine with Jupiter, the planet of expansion and growth, which is also in Taurus. This is helpful for taking practical action on big plans. And with both in friendly aspects to Saturn, the planet of structure and longevity, concrete plans made now have a good chance of sticking. 

I was going to write up horoscopes for this new moon, but then I thought best not to lead you to focus on one particular area of your life and chart where the new moon occurs over others. This new moon is a good time for setting your intentions to align with your big-picture plans and soul’s desires, so why limit it to one area of your life? 

The astro forecast gets more tumultuous from here on out, especially in the months to come (ahem, April), so this marks a good time for getting your ducks in a row and ensuring your structures are solid for any bumpy weather to come. 

The Solstice and Capricorn Season

It’s the solstice! Fire up the yule log, light the candles, pour the wine, eat the pudding, and listen to the solstice carols. Gods Rest Ye Merry Pagan Folk! In the Northern Hemisphere, it’s the longest night of the year, and from tomorrow onward, we get a little more light each day. 

The sun moves into Capricorn on December 21st at 10:27 pm EST, and Capricorn season begins.

The chart for this is lovely. Let’s hope this is indicative of the year ahead. The sun is conjunct Mercury, which is still retrograde and encouraging us to reexamine, reflect, and revise. Both the sun and Mercury form positive aspects to Saturn at 2 degrees of Pisces, which lends some help if we need to concentrate or structure our communication, which may be feeling scattered with the retrograde. Also at the time the sun moves into Capricorn, the moon is at 0 degrees of Taurus, forming a trine to the sun. A trine is an unfettered, supportive connection, so on this day, we have support in aligning our purposes with our emotional and especially our physical (Taurus) needs.

So, about Capricorn. Capricorn is a Saturn-ruled sign. Saturn is the disciplinarian and the authority figure of the zodiac, a slayer of nonsense and excuses. (Saturn = Dorothy Zbornak.) Capricorn is a cardinal sign, meaning it’s a sign of initiation, and it’s an earth sign, signifying practicality and pragmatism.

Capricorn is symbolized as the sea-goat, a mythical creature. Its tarot card is the Devil.

Both of these speak to the complexity of Capricorns. A stereotype of Caps is that they are all business, but that’s not true. Caps can be some of the most hedonistic people out there. It’s the work hard, play hard ethos. 

Characteristics commonly assigned to Caps are that they are hard-working, responsible, driven, motivated. But motivated by what? For less evolved Capricorns, it can be power and status. For more evolved Capricorns, it’s a motivation to honor oneself. 

Astrologer Steven Forrest, in his seminal book The Inner Sky, discusses Capricorns’ truthful state as being purely themselves everywhere, in both private and public. There are no hidden motivations. With evolved Capricorns, what you see is what you get. People with Capricorn placements are comfortable being alone, and solitude is productive for them because the best thing they can achieve is to truly get to know themselves. Katie from VPR and Kyle from RHOBH are both Capricorns. Katie has finally shed that weight that was Tom Schwartz and is living her life, single and with her stellar haircut. Kyle, on this most recent season of RHOBH, talks about how she’s done trying to please others and is going to be fully herself. That is Capricorn evolution! 

Because of the solitary nature of Cap placements, it can make it hard for others to get to really know them. Their embrace of solitude can be confounding. Partners of those with Cap placements may always wonder what’s really happening inside the head and the heart of the Capricorn person. But Capricorns know themselves, deep down, and the evolved Caps lay it all out there with no pretenses, no masks, no need for questioning. Needy people may find and attach themselves to Capricorns because they want someone to tell them what to do (ahem, Tom Schwartz) and Caps take charge, but Capricorns are at their best if they partner with people who aren’t so needy and give them their space to be themselves and do what they want.  

It’s also often said about Caps that they age in reverse. Cue the Dylan. Someone with a Cap sun or Cap ascendant may have a chip on their shoulder when they are young because no one else can do anything right and they are surrounded by idiots. But as they get older, maturity and life experiences help to mellow them out and become more accepting, both of themselves and of others. Can you imagine what Saturnian Dorothy was like as a youth? Probably way more rigid and judgmental, but in her golden years, she’s chilling with her mom and two other weirdos in Miami.

Capricorn season always encompasses the holidays, which is interesting because it starts off with that truly weird and hazy period between Christmas and New Year’s (a ripe time for Capricorns’ hedonistic pursuits). Having the New Year in Capricorn season makes a lot of sense. Making resolutions and taking action to launch new projects are very Capricornian. 

This Cap season, we have a full moon at 4 degrees of Cancer on December 26th. Cancer is an emotional water sign, and this full moon occurs while Mars and Mercury are aligned, so it’s probably going to be very emo. The fact that it’s the day after Christmas, when a lot of us will be spending time with our loved ones, is maybe not ideal, but it could represent a catharsis. It’s a time to release any tension, anger, and stress that came to a head in the days leading up to the holiday, but that’s best done in a productive way (scream therapy or a nice long bathtub cry). You may want to be cognizant to not pop off on your family, partners, co-workers, and friends and tear them to shreds, because with Mercury retrograde, you may really regret what you say and have to go back and apologize later. 

The new moon in Capricorn on January 11th is a little more auspicious, and this lunation is kind of like the real new year, at least when it comes to planting the seeds for what you’d like to achieve in 2024. Mercury will be direct once again and our thinking should be clearer. Horoscopes for that new moon to come in a bit. 

But for now, solstice greetings and glad tidings! Get some rest before the heady work of Cap season ramps up.

New Moon in Sagittarius

The last few lunations (new and full moons) we’ve had have been very intense (that Gemini full moon a couple weeks ago was crazy!), and this upcoming new moon in Sagittarius is no exception (and neither is the full moon in Cancer later this month). 

This new moon, which occurs on December 12th a little after 6:30 pm EST, is fiery. While the sun has pulled away from its conjunction with Mars, Mars is still co-present in the same sign as this sun-moon combo. But with Mars in the mix and not currently making any hard aspects to other planets right now, this new moon is a good one for harnessing our energies and focusing them on our lofty goals and global views (in true Sagittarius spirit). However, the moon is making a hard aspect with Neptune, the planet that shrouds circumstances in uncertainty and vagueness, so you may find it hard to get clarity on what you actually want. 

Venus, now in Scorpio, is currently separating from an opposition to Jupiter in Taurus. Venus doesn’t usually like being in deep, dark Scorpio, but its movement through this sign gives us the opportunity to dive deep into our relationships, face hard truths, and strategize about our finances and our resources. Opposite expansive Jupiter, Venus is a little more powerful and friendlier in Scorpio than it would normally be. 

However, Mercury retrograde looms. Mercury is stationary when the new moon occurs, which means it’s at a virtual standstill. It starts to go retrograde overnight on the 12th/13th. When a planet is stationary, its influence is felt even more than usual, so our communication and our tech activity is going to be very prominent during this new moon. If you haven’t already, you may start to experience the usual Mercury retrograde mishaps. A package I mailed to a friend in Virginia last Monday somehow passed through Virginia on Wednesday and sailed on to Florida. Florida! She ended up getting it, just several days later than anticipated. 

The good thing about Mercury being retrograde in earth sign Capricorn is that there’s a grounded quality to it, so it’s not going to feel a mile minute. Capricorn is a take-charge cardinal sign, so even though Mercury retrograde encourages reflection and reassessment, in Capricorn, you’re likely going to feel hard-pressed and want to forge ahead regardless of the retrograde. Just know that anything you move forward with now will likely need to be revisited again and potentially revised in January. 

To learn more about where this new moon will play out in your chart, read below for your rising sign and your sun sign. 

Sagittarius & Sagittarius Rising: You’re renewed at this time. This new moon is an excellent time to harness that energy of renewal and plant seeds for the next year. The Mercury retrograde encourages reflection prior to manifesting anything new, so look backward before looking to the future, but it’s still a good time to think about your goals, your desires, and your dreams. Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter, is about the big picture, so mood board or journal your loftiest goals. It’s also a good time to think about a new look, e.g., coloring your hair or zhuzhing up your wardrobe, if you’ve been feeling stagnant and wanting a change. 

Capricorn & Capricorn Rising: New moons generally have us feeling more tired, but this may be particularly true for Caps and Cap risings this time because it’s occurring in your 12th house. Mars’s energy could offset some of the darkness of the new moon, so you may find yourself with some erratic sleep schedules around this time. Rest as much as you can, hydrate, and with the nights getting longer now, use the opportunity for hibernation and self-reflection. Mercury is going retrograde in your sign, so it’s time to get introspective. 

Aquarius & Aquarius Rising: This is occurring in the part of your chart concerned with friendships, community, and hopes and dreams. Think about what you’re giving to and getting out of your friendships and your larger networks, and consider whether you should make adjustments. It’s also a good time to spend some QT with your friends. Go to people’s parties, even if you feel out of your comfort zone. You may end up planting seeds and making connections that will be fortuitous down the road, and even if not, you’ll have a good time. Take a tip from one of my all-time favorite Joni Mitchell lyrics and wreck [your] stockings in some jukebox dive.

Pisces & Pisces Rising: For you, this new moon may signal a new career opportunity. Even if no offers or interview requests come your way, you may try to lay some groundwork for career growth through small actions, such as setting a new LinkedIn alert or reaching out to an old colleague that you haven’t spoken to in a while, that leads to a new opportunity. With the Mercury retrograde, reassessment is key, so you may want to revisit your resume/CV and make some edits that are more reflective of where you are now.

Aries & Aries Rising: Have you been feeling some sort of spiritual calling, or a desire to study a topic that intrigues you? Or is the cusp of winter making you get the urge for going? This new moon may have you both seeking deeper meaning in life and craving adventure. Aries folks are impulsive, but this is an apt opportunity for some soul searching. And whatever you embark on at this time, whether it’s going back to school, signing up for a meditation retreat, or checking out international job boards, could influence or result in a new income stream in the future.

Taurus & Taurus Rising: Things may be feeling particularly heavy around this new moon, as it is occurring in an area of your chart that relates to finances and resources, which can be tangible assets, time, or energy, that we receive from others or that we owe. A new moon represents the new phase of a lunar cycle, and with Mercury retrograde, it’s a good time for reviewing not only your bills and spending habits, but also the mental and emotional resources you share with others. Take stock of how you give and take, and make adjustments where necessary or advantageous for you.

Gemini & Gemini Rising: This new moon is occurring in the area of your chart concerned with partnerships. Against the backdrop of your ruler, Mercury, about to go retrograde, it may have you feeling some extra stress or facing some questioning thoughts about your relationship. Reassess the give-and-take of your relationship(s) and make some changes if you feel an imbalance. This new moon could also mean that you are beginning a new phase of your relationship with your partner, or that you’re meeting someone with whom you’ll build a relationship. It could also indicate the beginning of a new phase or change for your current partner; where this will play out for them depends on where this new moon occurs in their own chart. 

Cancer & Cancer Rising: New moon, new routines. For Cancers and Cancer risings, this new moon marks an opportune chance to review your daily schedules and rituals relating to work and your health. Are you slacking off in some area? During this new moon, you should be able to harness the energy of Mars to change it up. If your work life is feeling stale and stagnant, now’s the time to focus on what you can do to switch up and energize it so that it doesn’t feel like drudgery. You’re also primed to assess your diet, your exercise plans, and your sleep schedules and make changes. 

Leo & Leo Rising: If you have kids, this new moon could signify a new phase for them. Maybe they start a new project, make a new friend, learn new things that delight you, or suddenly seem like an adult. With or without kids, this lunation marks a chance to reevaluate your attitudes around joy, fun, creativity, all the good stuff, the stuff that brings you pleasure. Think about how you’re structuring your daily life and how you can carve out space for the stuff you do purely because you like it. Sex? Have it! Wine? Drink it! Painting? Buy new brushes. 

Virgo & Virgo Rising: It’s a good time to reevaluate your commitments to your family and your home and make sure you’re taking enough time for yourself. Striking the balance between what you want to do and what you are obligated to do can be difficult. With your ruler, Mercury, going retrograde, now is the time for introspection and reevaluation. You may also feel compelled to get in touch with your roots, which may involve booking some international travel. Start a new adventure, but just make sure to triple check any reservations you book from now through January so that you can minimize Mercury retrograde-type snafus. 

Libra & Libra Rising: You may have a heightened awareness of your everyday routines and communication at this time, and with Mercury about to retrograde, this is an especially opportune time to reflect on how you interact with the people with whom you surround yourself. There may be some frustrating misunderstandings that occur, or expectations you have of others or vice versa are not clearly stated. Try to be as clear as you can with others and ask for details and specifics from them, so no one is left guessing. Also be conscious that Neptune is going to have people feeling anxious and sensitive, so it’s all about being explicit but striking a balance by also being diplomatic (which, as a Libra, is your forte).

Scorpio & Scorpio Rising: The focus of this new moon is on your finances, your resources, and how you make your money. Take a look at your bank account(s) if you haven’t in a while, and consider carving out a dedicated savings account for something you’re striving for. Mercury retrograde is all about those “re” activities, so you may want to wait until January to make any big moves, but this is a great time to review your finances and your assets and think about how to configure or reconfigure them so they are helping you achieve your long-term goals.

As always, horoscopes are for entertainment purposes. so take them with a grain of salt. These are based on my interpretation of the transiting planetary positions. Unfortunately, I cannot predict the future. 

New Moon in Scorpio

In the early morning hours (4:27 am EST) of Monday, November 13th, there is a new moon in Scorpio. New moons, occurring when the sun and moon are aligned, kick off new lunar cycles. We’re experiencing this new moon in Scorpio on the heels of the conclusion of the Scorpio-Taurus eclipses that began in late 2021. So it’s a chance to plant new seeds in the same areas of our lives that were undergoing cycles of beginnings and endings over the last couple years.

This particular new moon has a volatile energy. It’s in Scorpio, a sign of deep intensity and transformation, which is ruled by Mars. Mars is also in Scorpio now and it’s sitting right next to this sun and moon combo. Mars in Scorpio can utilize its strengths, which is a good placement for concerted action. However, Uranus is currently in Taurus, opposite the moon, the sun, and Mars. Uranus, the planet that signifies disruption and revolt (among other more specific things, such as electricity and earthquakes), creates tension with our plans of actions. I noted in my Scorpio season post that even though this is the first lunation post-eclipses, it still has a very eclipse feel to it because of the Mars-Uranus presence. 

If we are deliberate about what we want to achieve this new moon, this Uranus placement is likely going to throw us some curveballs. Uranus is an outer planet, so its transits generally affect the collective more than the individual. While you are encouraged to plant new seeds and set intentions for this new moon, it’s against the backdrop of the wildness out in the world. 

With Mars and Uranus in the mix, you may be feeling anxious, like you can’t sit still. Practice mindfulness and breathwork, and as much as you can, try to just go with the flow. The universe may show you the new beginnings coming with this cycle instead of you carefully charting them out yourself.

To see which area of your life this new moon is highlighting, read below, first for your rising sign if you know it, then for your sun sign. And if you have any of the personal planets (sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars) or sensitive points (the ascendant a.k.a, your rising, the midheaven, the IC, or descendant) on or around 20-22 degrees of a fixed sign (Scorpio, Taurus, Aquarius, or Leo), you’ll be feeling this new moon more acutely than most. (And if you want a reading, hit me up!)

Scorpio & Scorpio Rising: New moon, new you. The eclipses of the last couple years have likely been felt pretty majorly by you. Have you seen changes and evolution to your sense of self and your closest relationships over that period? This new moon, you can reflect on what has changed and the growth that you want to experience going forward. This new moon in your sign gives you the opportunity to set intentions for further evolution of self, whatever that means for you–getting more grounded, becoming more active through exercise, using your voice more to speak out for the issues you’re passionate about, etc. Now’s the time to set those goals.

Sagittarius & Sag Rising: New moons can sap our energy, and this one is particularly exhausting. You’re often on the go, exploring, traveling, and wanting to embark on the next adventure, but this new moon is an opportunity for resting. You may feel isolated, but embrace alone time during this new moon. You don’t always have to be on the move. It’s a great time to newly commit to or reinvigorate a meditation practice and journaling routine. Sleep and write about the dreams you remember to get more insight into your deepest needs and fears.

Capricorn & Cap Rising: This new moon is occurring in your house of friendships and community. You may have a new experience that leads to meeting new friends or building new relationships within a collective. This is also a time when you may feel a spark of motivation to more openly voice your concerns and raise awareness about the causes important to you. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines with regard to issues you feel strongly about up to now, this new moon may usher in the desire to take action.

Aquarius & Aquarius Rising: During this time, you may be planting the seeds of a new career opportunity or starting a project that will ultimately bring you some public recognition. With new moons in the 10th house, at the top of your chart, it’s a opportunity to lay the groundwork for whatever it is you’re hoping to achieve in the public realm. You may have seen some changes in your career coincide with the eclipses over the last two years. With Scorpio in the 10th, you bring an intensity to your career and can do whatever you set your mind to. This new moon is a good time for setting intentions to help you get what you want.

Pisces & Pisces Rising: If a class or a new intellectual or spiritual pursuit piques your interest, explore it. With Saturn traveling through your sign for the next few years, if you do sign up for classes or a certification of some kind or an apprenticeship, your ability to master whatever you are learning is bolstered. Or maybe you’re already an expert in a topic, and it’s time for you to look for teaching gigs or ways you can share what you know. You may be asked to take on a mentoring or a tutoring role this new moon.

Aries & Aries Rising: Aries is rarely passive, but this new moon is about what comes your way from others. This can be in financial form; you may see some money paid out to you, or you may get a bill for something you didn’t know you owed. This can also be in the form of the emotional baggage we get from others, so people may be venting to you a little bit more or those you know may seem to expect more emotional labor from you than normal. If you start to feel out of control of situations and are experiencing a lot of nervous energy, focus inward and do whatever you need to do (exercise, furious journaling, lighting candles) to get zen. 

Taurus & Taurus Rising: If you aren’t in a relationship but want to be, this is a great time for trying to meet someone. With Venus, your chart ruler, in Libra, you’ve got its benevolence on your side. People want to get a little deeper and find commitment, so get yourself out there. If you’re already in a committed relationship, this is a good time for deepening your bond with your partner. You may make a new discovery about yourself or have an aha moment that will impact your current relationship and inspire some new emotional connection between you. 

Gemini & Gemini Rising: Gemini is not a sign that is associated with deep, long-lasting commitment, but during this new moon in Scorpio, this is a time to get to work and set intentions for the everyday that can be sustained long-term. If you can deepen your concentration in the area of your work life, you may reap the rewards in the long run through process improvements or new ideas you implement now. If you’ve been having some health issues pull into focus recently, this is also a good time to commit to routines that address those, which could mean changing your diet, sleep patterns, or wellness practices.

Cancer & Cancer Rising: For Cancers, Scorpio rules your house of creativity, fun, and children. This new moon may initiate a spark of inspiration for a new creative project. This could be the time when you start writing your novel, in the dark early mornings in front of your SAD lamp. Dive deeply into your passions with this new moon. Explore your artistic side and your sensuality. This time could also represent the start of a new cycle involving your children, or you could find that you are welcoming children into your life in some way.

Leo & Leo Rising: This new moon brings new routines at home. They may be due to something that arises unexpectedly or it could be the result of planning you have done, but there’s a new phase in how you are dealing with your home and possibly your family. You could be setting new boundaries with your loved ones or taking on a home improvement project. Don’t let the Uranus-Mars tension and nervousness get the best of you. Your home life should be the grounding source of comfort for you, so with any changes that are happening now, try to take them in stride and relish the time you’re home and find strength in it.

Virgo & Virgo Rising: The new moon in Scorpio is in your 3rd house. Your siblings, if you have any, may be experiencing new beginnings or life changes, or there may be a particular focus on your communication and/or relationship with them at this time. You may also be kindling some new relationships in your neighborhood. This new moon offers you the opportunity to deepen your communication with your neighbors, your networks, your friends, and your sister(s). It’s also a good time to plan for a quick getaway locally if you’re feeling taxed or drained and need a break.

Libra & Libra Rising: With this new moon in Scorpio, the focus is on what you value, your resources, and how you make your living. It’s a time for looking at your multi-year plan for your finances, your job, and how you can build your savings. Venus is in Libra right now, so you’ve got your chart ruler in its domicile, which gives you an extra boost in this area. Venus rules that which we value, and Venus’s current placement is emboldening its strengths. This new moon, if you start to lay out how you want to make money and how you’re going to use those resources to achieve your goals, you’ve got Venus on your side for success that is sustainable.

For all: drink lots of water and get lots of rest! And take these horoscopes with a grain of salt; astrology is not fortune-telling, and these are just my interpretation of what’s going on in the current sky.