NEW MOON 1/10/05 at 20 Capricorn 21
Sabian: A relay race
Chandra: A stately old house in a ruined condition
Cancer Sabian: A prima donna singing
Cancer Chandra: High up on a mountain an eagle's nest
Marc Jones says the Capricorn Sabian shows "the continual enhancement of the individual's skills and talents through his thoroughgoing cooperation with others in some vital phase of experience" [italics mine]. The Chandra symbol shows the failure to join community - a once stately house is in a ruined condition; it has not been kept up by a family as a "vital phase of experience."
Thus, the New Moon seems to be only about working with others - until we look at the polarity symbols, which contrast sharply, emphasizing the individual striving to reach higher. The prima donna's soul purpose is to sing. She practices ceaselessly to reach her "soul's recurrent and constant rediscovery of itself." The eagle, of course, in many cultures throughout the ages has been a prime symbol of communication with the Spirit - of communication with the Primal Source, however it is thought of in a particular culture. Here the eagle is "at home" - its nest is high up on the mountain - it as reached Spirit. Again we have a symbol of the individual fulfilling his/her soul purpose.
Thus this New Moon puts the emphasis on working with others to accomplish a vital phase of experience - whatever that may be in your life - whether that group is family, neighbors, community, a certain group (such as church or club), nation or humanity. The house in which it falls in your chart should direct you to the type of task at hand.
Yet we must also remember to not neglect our own individual soul path. A balance must be maintained.
FULL MOON 5 Leo 34
Sabian: An old-fashioned woman and an up-to-date girl
Chandra: A hamster running in a treadmill
Aquarius Sabian: A performer of a mystery play
Aquarius Chandra: A gardener with just one leg
The key phrase for the common theme for all four symbols of this polarity is in Jones' phrase for Aquarius: "interpret the individual and his world to each other."
The Leo Sabian has two very different types of people together. They have the choice of seeing each other as individuals and relating in a way that builds understanding and rapport - or they can stereotype each other and strengthen their own prejudices. It depends how they interpret their worlds.
The hamster is a negative image. Each of us has the choice to face our world in a creative, individual way - or we can conform to society's expectations and join "the rat race."
The Aquarius symbols continue this theme. The mystery play was a common form of drama in medieval times - a presentation of a moral of Biblical story. One of the most common types featured a main character "Everyman" who was faced with various trials over which he triumphed by his faith and morality. The actor became an archetypal figure that resonated with every viewer and helped him/her see his/her own life in a more spiritual light. "Reality" became a backdrop for "self-realization" to use Jones' terms.
The Chandra symbol is a bit more difficult. A gardener's life purpose is to produce food to feed him/herself and others. This gardener has only one leg. The normal way of gardening with not work. A choice has to be made: "Do I give up or do I innovate, dream up new ways to accomplish my purpose?"
The New Moon asked us to work with others in something vital. The Full Moon asks us to evaluate and communicate our evaluation of that vital work. Does it express our own individuality? Does it broaden our perspective? Does it serve to open others' perspectives or give them recognition as individuals? Can we problem solve and find new solutions? And, lastly, can we communicate our thoughts on these issues to others and be willing to think about their reactions?
Looking Further:
Sun, Moon, Mercury and Venus are all in Capricorn at the New Moon. Capricorn is, in one sense, the sign of collective practical effort - the theme of the New Moon Sabian symbols. Having four of the five inner planets here emphasizes the importance of the message of this first New Moon of 2005
Chiron's loose conjunction to the New Moon adds a more subtle message. Most people immediately think "Wounded Healer" when they see Chiron. My view includes another facet - I see Chiron also as the Cosmic Maverick - it is a comet within a solar system whose very unusual orbit carries it within the orbit of earthly Saturn and into the realm of the transpersonal planets. Chiron in mythology was a very strange creature - half human, half animal. To me, Chiron here is saying, "Hey, go outside the box to accomplish what needs to be done! Brainstorm! Innovate! This is something that affects all realms - not just you, but everything!" It's opposition to Saturn shows this will not be easily accomplished, but the conjunction suggests innovation and openness to the new may well be the key to accomplishing the vital experience your life needs at this point.
The square from Jupiter at 18 Libra encourages us to expand our perceptions and our sense of what is possible, just as Chiron does. It also, however, reminds us to maintain our objectivity and weigh how our actions will affect ourselves and others as it is in Libra, a needed perspective to balance Chiron's energy.
Vesta's tight sextile/trine to the Full Moon polarity emphasizes its evaluative tenor. Vesta's influence is one of dedication and focus, of making sure everything is done right. Vesta will help us to meet the Full Moon evaluative objective.
© Kasey Kester - 2005
