The new Moon in Sagittarius on the 13 or 14 December sets the scene for the new lunar cycle taking us into the new year. We have some interesting angles to Neptune and with Mars close by we are likely to be confronted with some powerful Sagittarius themes.
Depending on where Sagittarius is configured you have probably already noticed it in your day to day life, as well as on your screens. We also have Mercury retrograde through this cycle, just to add to the complexity and confusion. Fun times.
So, how is your Sagittarius season going?
The Archetype
Sagittarius offers us archetypal themes like idealism and philosophy, the ethics and beliefs, religious and cultural frames of reference that shape our world view.
This archetype is a mutable fire sign; it is dramatic, optimistic, jovial, loud and extrovert. It adapts to change because of the way it can encompass diversity and see the bigger view. Like the aerial view from drone footage, it sees the entire landscape, painting it with broad colourful brushstrokes, showing us things not normally within the scope of everyday life.
People with strong Sagittarius are often outdoors-y, and into music and the arts, and driven by big dreams or a lofty purpose.
Tina Turner, who had Sun, Mercury and Venus in Sagittarius and Taylor Swift with Sun and Mars in Sagittarius both show off their incredible legs in their performances, the thighs being the body part assigned to Sagittarius.
It is Ms Swift’s birthday on this new Moon and mine shortly after, and while I can’t boast about my thighs I can relate to her idealism and integrity.
Things fake, phony, mendacious, fraudulent and dishonest are anathema to the Sagittarian spirit, their directness and honesty often landing them in hot water.
So it will be interesting to see the part that Mercury and Neptune play over the next few weeks.
Watch the way people speak. Does it align with their actions? Does it seem truthful and honest to you?
Sometimes referred to as truth seekers, Sagittarius Sun people often make it their business to shine a light on injustice, and they can be evangelical in pursuit of their version of truth.
I see, says Sagittarius, and while they most probably do, it can be very annoying to have a Sagittarius in your life getting on their high horse. The more extreme version of Sagittarius is a religious fanatic or fundamentalist, who identifies so emphatically with their beliefs or world view that they will wage holy war to defend it.
The Mythology
The mythology of Sagittarius tells us much more about the sign of the archer, reminding us of its original intention, uncluttered by modern conflations with the affairs of the 9H such as freedom and adventure.
There are many famous archers in Greek myth, such as Eros, Cupid, Artemis and Apollo. However, the mythology of The Archer originates from ancient stories about half animal, half human nature spirits, such as satyrs. In ancient Greek myth, a satyr has a horse’s tail and long hair like a mane.
Krotus, a well known satyr from Greek myth, was said to have invented archery when he made the first bow and arrow, and was often seen out hunting with horses, as he was a keen horseman and a great hunter (note there are no centaurs in this story).
He lived on Mount Helicon among the Muses, who enjoyed his company. His skills at archery, hunting and horsemanship were highly valued by them. The nine muses were the goddesses of the arts and sciences and represent the defining categories of western culture. Urania (astronomy and astrology), Polyhymnia (hymns), Melpomene (tragic theatre), Thalia (comedic theatre), Clio (history), Calliope (epic poetry), Euterpe (song and elegiac poetry), Terpsichore (dance), and Erato (lyrical poetry).
The nine Muses raised Krotus from birth and in return he looked after them and protected them. They sang for him, and he applauded them loudly. In fact he is said to have invented the custom of clapping hands to show appreciation for a performance.
He loved music, song and dancing, and all the arts that the nine Muses taught him. Krotus served the Muses all the days of his life. Upon his death they requested that Zeus place him among the stars in gratitude for his service to them. The mythology emphasises the Sagittarius connection to culture and learning, and as a fire sign the inspiration and intuition that creates it.
New Moon in Sagittarius
Let’s take a look at the new Moon chart in more detail. If you have mutable signs such as Virgo, Pisces, Gemini or Sagittarius you will notice this new Moon acutely, and of course for Sagittarius this is your annual reset, the most powerful month of the year for you. Otherwise check where Sagittarius falls in your whole sign chart based on your rising sign (do I need to keep repeating this? Astrology will only make sense when you can relate to how it shows up in your actual life).
On the 13 December (in NZ) the new Moon perfects at about 20 degrees Sagittarius, Mars is nearby at 13 degrees and Mercury is stationing retrograde at 8 degrees Capricorn. As the Moon squares Neptune later the same day, Mercury turns retrograde. A beginning that starts by going back. Going back to something lost, forgotten or unresolved.
The Moon carries her light through into Capricorn, where she is in fall, and joins with Mercury Rx, in trine to Jupiter, the following day. The entire cycle will obviously have a lot going on in the realms of speech and communicating. Life could feel harsh or cold-hearted.
Neptune has only just stationed direct after hovering at the same 25th degree of Pisces for weeks, and the ruler of this configuration is Jupiter, who is still retrograde in Taurus and ruled by Venus.
We can expect to see a focus on finding agreement and unity, the purview of Venus, who wants us to put our personal beliefs to one side for a moment to find common ground. With Mars and Jupiter to the fore, it will still be tempting to draw swords in defence of something dear to you.
But is it real? Neptune squares can so often lead us up the garden path and the danger is that we can take action based on false information which could be embarrassing for you, but also lead to unnecessary conflict, violence and self-righteous judgements, especially when Mars makes his square to Neptune.
The few days at the end of the year involve Mercury retrograde conjunct Mars and square to Neptune, when this theme potentially comes to a head.
The power of belief, our hopes and dreams, our fantasies and delusions can coalesce into a giant disappointment at this point. A bubble bursts and we see things as they really are. It might feel like waking up from dream.
So much now depends on what we choose to believe in, what is meaningful for us. Does it elevate and inspire us? Or does it drag us down into fear and rage. This moment offers us a very real opportunity to give up those beliefs that don’t line up with our dreams.
Be prepared to stand back and take a good look at yourself and the baggage you want to take with you into the new year. We may have dreams or an inner knowing, a gut feeling that leads to epiphany, enlightenment. Trust this.
Who am I?
Is my vision for the coming year realistic?
Does it support my ideals?
If I strip away my cultural conditioning and the beliefs I identify with so strongly, what is left?
What is most meaningful to me? What is at the core of my being? What is my soul calling for?
Neptune and these heightened Jupiter themes are intensely creative and inspiring. This could be a profound breakthrough in your art form, especially if it involves music, performance such as dance or acrobatics, visual arts, film or photography or an art form that combines all of these.
Christmas Day
25 December; if you celebrate Christmas Day, it seems especially appropriate to examine your deepest principles. But be careful, Mercury is retrograde and is applying to a conjunction with Mars. This is an angry, strident voice, someone who wants to complain or pick a fight. Don’t go there. Yes there are lots of problems to talk about, but everyone will feel better if you can find the lightness, humour or creativity in your situation.
New Year’s Day
New years day; Jupiter has finally gone direct and is configured with the luminaries in a lovely earth trine as the Moon wanes toward the new Moon in Capricorn (the real new year’s day) around the 11 January. This looks like a day of peace and tranquility, an opportunity to begin the year doing the things we love.
Jupiter is host of Mars, Mercury and Venus in Sagittarius so all these themes about beliefs and ideals haven’t gone away, but perhaps we don’t want to talk about them anymore. Instead we are looking back, revising and cogitating on what is meaningful. Taking stock of where we are.
By the next new Moon the lay of the land looks very different. Venus and Jupiter now have mutual reception to support healing, harmony and unity. Mercury is direct and has finished its final square to Neptune before bringing in a more practical, down to earth focus, and Mars makes a nice trine to Jupiter while exalted in Capricorn. Mars is his most self-disciplined in Capricorn, an earthy, practical and productive Mars. Just what we need to get things done over the holidays.
Best wishes for a safe and happy season, see you in the new year.
An astrologer should not, I suppose have favourites, but I have a soft spot for Sagittarians (Sun and/or Moon). Needless to say I am a Swiftie :-)
Yeah❤️And isn’t she having a power moment!