by Robert Wilkinson
This article covers significant aspects, degree symbols, and other important factors in this Sagittarius New Moon chart. This one helps us get to the truth so we can find a balanced view or way to do something.
We’ve now left the long period of Jones patterns that shifted between Locomotive, Splay, and Buckets, and now have entered a long term Bowl pattern, anchoring the main way the energies express. A Bowl is defined as all the planets occupying signs between Jupiter in late Virgo and Uranus in mid-Aries. While it’s not an “ideal” pattern of all planets within a 180 degree span, it’s close enough.
This Bowl will dominate for about 2 weeks at a time, when the Moon is between Virgo and Aries. The pattern will shift when the Moon is between early Taurus and late Leo. During those 2 weeks, it will again make a Locomotive, Bucket, or Splay, depending on what sign the Moon is in.
Ultimately it will give way to a Bucket pattern once Mars begins its long stay between late Scorpio and early Sagittarius. That will dominate February, March, and April, and by May we’ll be back in a Locomotive pattern, except when the Moon is conjunct Jupiter in late Feb and late March, when it’ll make a See Saw. To note, these patterns operate their own independent influence, regardless of which planet is in which sign.
In this New Moon, the span occupied by the inner planets (in this chart Mars in Libra through Mercury in Capricorn) is 75+ degrees, making it the major focus in our charts. The most intense part includes Saturn, the Lunation, and Mercury, a cluster with 4 planets in a 23 degree span.
This month we have 10 planets occupying 7 signs, which are fairly spread out around the zodiacal wheel. We have Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Pisces, and Aries represented, with 7 planets clustered between Mars at 17 Libra and Pluto at 15 Capricorn. That’s the major focus of action these next 4 weeks.
So What is a “Bowl Pattern” and how does it work?
This type of spread, with all the planets occupying approximately half of the signs with an empty half opposite the occupies half, creates a “special type of conscious selfhood,” which Dr. Jones says “marks the Bowl type of temperament. He goes on to state “Fundamentally it is an extreme self-containment,” which “holds things, and a Bowl individual is one who always has something to bear.”
He goes on to state that with the Bowl, “the whole dynamic of man, his total power of achievement, arises in his instinctive realization that he is set off against a definite part of the world, that there is a complete segment of experience from which he is excluded in some subtle fashion. The Bowl not only holds something, but also places whatever it holds into relationship with a larger consideration.”
Dr. Jones continues that “the occupied segment of the Bowl horoscope reveals the activity and organization of the self, since planets are significant according to their place by sign and house, and the unoccupied segment becomes a challenge to existence, or the need and emptiness to which the native must direct his attention. The outstanding characteristic of the Bowl temperament is its marked sense of what is self-contained in contrast with what the self cannot hold, and this take an everyday form in an advocacy of some cause, the furtherance of a mission, an introspective concern over the purpose of experience.”
He concludes his explanation of how the pattern works with “The Bowl native always has something to give to his fellows, whether literally or psychologically, whether constructively or vindictively, because his orientation to the world arises from division; that is, frustration and uncertainty. The leading planets, determined in exactly the same way as for the Locomotive pattern, give a point of application, and shows where and how the native seeks to carry out his mission or gain his everyday justification for existence.”
He brings up another important point of analysis, as he states “the leading planet is of secondary importance in the Bowl pattern, unless it is found in a strong opposition or cosmic cross. The fundamental attack on the problems of life by the Bowl individual is indicated more significantly by the tilt or house-position of the Bowl-segment.”
He concludes this section by stating “the Bowl character is definitely more self-expending, or self-seeking, and more practically interested in what things mean and what they are. It continually throws the emphasis from the signs into the houses. It a general way the Bowl tends to ‘scoop up’ things and initiate experience when the position of the leading planet ranges from the fourth cusp, up and over the ascendant, to the midheaven cusp, and then inclines to “capture” things or consummate various phases of life when the leading planet is placed similarly from the tenth angle down over the descendant to the nadir.”
With Jupiter as the lead planet in this Bowl pattern, open to experience with a discerning eye to what fits where in the bigger picture, and organize a plan or series of plans that will yield practical innovation or the ability to “apprentice” in a way that opens doors to a larger life and effectiveness. Jupiter teaches us lessons involving Wealth v Poverty, and how our consciousness shows whether we are “grasping circumstances with abundance or neediness.
With Jupiter leading the planetary parade, we can see if we’re using time, energy, or money effectively, and open to the eternal abundance of the Universe and accept what we need when we need it. And because Jupiter always searches for truth, make sure you find a balanced view of where everything fits into a bigger picture.
The Sabian Symbols for the New Moon
A New Moon sets the seed forms for what the following month will demonstrate. This Lunation falls at 20 Sagittarius. While I've given you a sense of this degree up to now, this is where we go into depth.
The symbol for the 20th degree of Sagittarius is "Men cutting through ice." In "the Astrology of Personality," where Rudhyar uses the original Dr. Jones' class notes on the symbols, 20 Sagittarius is said to symbolize "depth of operation necessary to prepare for next phase of life," and "sacrifice of present to future."
In "The Astrological Mandala" he states the keynote is "the foresighted use of natural resources to supply future human needs." He says this point is where our "ingenuity and foresight" can be used to plan for the future in terms of "assuring supply."
He offers that this degree "stresses the value of actively planning for future need, and of foresight based on the knowledge of cyclic processes." He says it falls in the span of span of Detachment in the Actional level of Transference in the Act of Group Integration.
According to Dr. Jones, creator of the Sabian Symbols, this degree is about individual potential working with "natural resources and social opportunities" so that "personal endowment" can be demonstrated in "organized effort," and "the facility with which men organize the processes of nature for the benefit of the community at large."
He offers us the keyword PROCUREMENT. We are told that when positive, the degree is "exceptional capacity for overcoming obstacles and capitalizing on every possible eventuality."
Of note is that this degree was where Mercury went stationary direct in December 2010, and where Jupiter went stationary retrograde in April 2007. Those Jupiter lessons were directly related to the information, signals, and ideas set into motion in early 2011. This New Moon will put a new light on those Jupiterian and Mercurial energies in motion back then, showing us how to use foresight of what was to come to get clear about ensuring our future well-being, with “The Guide of Souls" leading us to our better interests in terms of future supply.
Important Aspects
Remember that in reading a Lunation chart (as well as a horary, inceptional, electional, or any event chart) the forming aspects show things to come, while separating aspects show things already past. This section covers only forming aspects.
As I outlined in part 1, the Lunation makes only one important aspect, a square to Jupiter. That’s actually very fortunate, since the release of Jupiterian energy is usually beneficial for turning thing to better advantage, as long as one does not overdo it. Other aspects are far more important, and indicate a very productive period, even if there are two crucial septile series aspects made between Mercury and Uranus and Mars and Saturn.
All septile-series aspects indicate a measure of non-rationality, where why something has come to be is not as important as what we will choose to do about it, or how we choose to handle this fork in the road. With these planets involved, it will throw many areas of our lives into crucial choices. These include Aries, Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, and Aquarius.
Mercury biseptile Uranus opens the following zones for major activity: 1-5 Capricorn, 23-27 Aquarius, 15-19 Aries, 6-10 Gemini, 27 Cancer-1 Leo, 18-22 Virgo, and 10-14 Scorpio. People with planets or angles in these zones will be challenged to find organized ways of demonstrating their discipline, maturity, and ability to focus their yearning while also withdrawing from erratic situations and people.
Mars septile Saturn is the turning point in the old Mars-Saturn cycle that began August 2014 at 18 Scorpio. This aspect opens these zones: 15-19 Libra, 7-11 Sagittarius, 28 Capricorn- 2 Aquarius, 20-24 Pisces, 11-15 Taurus, 2-6 Cancer, and 23-27 Leo. People with planets or angles in these zones will be challenged to find balanced ways to strip away the husk of the old so that the seeds of the new destiny can drop to the ground over the next few months.
Besides those already mentioned, other important aspects include Mercury sextile Venus, sextile Neptune, and conjunct Pluto, Venus novile the Sun and sextile Pluto, Saturn trine Uranus, and Uranus again square Pluto. Overall the sextiles show productivity, and the beginning of Saturn trine Uranus portends a long period of blending the old with the new.
Element Balance
Of the traditional 10 planets, there are 4 planets in Fire signs, 2 in Water, 3 in Earth, and 1 in Air. This indicates a major emphasis on intense feelings and a workable expanding practicality, with a lot of inspiration and not a lot of interactive idealism, except for Mars in Libra, the sign of its exile.
With the emphasis on Fire and Water with Jupiter in earthy Virgo as the ruler of the Lunation, we have a combination of strong feelings and inspiration with practical grounding as the backdrop. With the emphasis on Fire and Water, we have a very volatile combination that creates steam power when focused or fogs and mists when uncontained. So contain the fire to achieve results, and follow the emotional intensity into something that nurtures you or your intention.
Air and Earth are “cool” elements, while Fire and Water are “hot” elements. With this distribution, things will be running a little more hot than cold, with the Earth element steadying the energy.
What's the proper sequence at present of deciding, feeling, and thinking, with an Overview of the Lunation
As a process of moving through events, over the next 4 weeks we’re all going to be inclined to feel our way into decisions and actions. After we decide and/or act, it will be important to get new information to come to a new vision or understanding. Once we get the right view or understanding, then a new feeling-experience will naturally arise that points the way to the next action.
So we’ll naturally lead with our feelings, then make decisions on the basis of those feeling experiences, followed by new information, new ideas, new interpretations, and new views. We’ll be “feeling our way” into new experiences, then deciding and acting on the basis of those feelings. After a decision or action, then we’ll have to find newer, more up to date information, facts, and understanding so we can get a new vision.
So learn and teach through anecdotes, seeing how others handled things practically, or how you handed things practically in the past. Let your thinking and communicating and envisioning follow your actions, and let your feelings follow a new understanding, a new perception, or a new view.
Summing Up
The Virgo energy leading the occupied half of the map should help us be practical in how we express the new adventures initiated when Mercury, the Sun, Mars, and Venus were in Virgo between August and October. This should bring a grounded practicality and productive use of power that will be a permanent part of our tool box in 2016.
The next 4 weeks will offer us all opportunities to see truth, know truth, show how we’ve trained, and bring us opportunities to prepare for the future. This is a very productive period, and all of us will be educated in ways that will help us get ready for 2016. Find the right view, and your sense of humor can show you the way to integrate on all levels through finding what we need as we close out the old.
The next four weeks show a lot of great growth where we have early Earth and Water signs in our charts. Be open to the adventure and promise of what is to come, focus your power in practical ways, and show care as you retire from the old and embrace the transition to the new.
© Copyright 2015 Robert Wilkinson
Robert, what a perfect alignment with the conclusion of the UN Climate negotiations, occurring today and tomorrow. You wrote:
According to Dr. Jones, creator of the Sabian Symbols, this degree is about individual potential working with "natural resources and social opportunities" so that "personal endowment" can be demonstrated in "organized effort," and "the facility with which men organize the processes of nature for the benefit of the community at large."
Posted by: William Croft | December 11, 2015 at 10:24 PM
Robert, Some time ago you gave us the name Manly Hall and recommended. I listened to his audio on Destiny and have a question. He stated that you are not destined, or have a destiny, rather you have "cause and effect". For many years I used to tell people that life is full of choices, and every choice you make will determine your future. Basically the same thing.
And from "cause and effect" or karma, or whatever you want to call it, basically says every thing you do, every decision or mistake you make, will have a consequence, therefore karma.
So, as we travel this journey, pretty much made up of a life of "cause and effect" that determines your future, where does astrology come into play? As cause and effect, ie laws of the universe determine our days, months, and years, does astrology really have any bearing on our lives?
Posted by: Norm | December 11, 2015 at 10:39 PM
Hi William - Though Dr. Jones always insisted we not take the symbols literally, sometimes they actually perfectly fit the literal reality! Thanks for pointing out the correspondence.
Hi Norm - Great question, and fundamental to our knowledge of how to use astrology to best effect. I've addressed this in several articles in the archives related to karma, turning bad karma to good, "fate" v "free will," and more. While Manly P Hall was a venerable occultist and metaphysician, and I am for the most part in perfect agreement with his statement, karma is more than "cause and effect." As it's a comment stream, this must be brief, but there's more throughout the archives on the subject.
First, there is what I have termed "little k" karma and "Big K Karma." I have mentioned these in several articles. The former is what could be described by the cause and effect cycle of our actions, non-actions, and reactions. These are the choices and the consequences from those choices. "Big K" Karma are sacred Wounds, archetypal wounds we are born into, and did not "cause" in the usual sense of the word. For example, no one who is raped or abandoned as a child "caused" that wound. That wound was inflicted through another's free will, not b/c it's an effect of something we did before that event.
Sacred wounds are those archetypal wounds that we learn to heal through acceptance that we are not limited or defined by that wound. In the courage, strength, and compassion we find in our healing journey, we find we share that wound with countless others, and therefore are not alone in our suffering. That can lead to radical compassion and a sense of the oneness of Life and the Universal human experience, and we can become the voice of love and wisdom in our world for all others who suffer from that wound.
Everything is free will except two things: a) to be born when you were, where you were, to your parents. This is destiny, as is b) the timing on certain events that will force us to choose, and therefore create our character and our "destiny." Our timing on our choices does not show us what choices we will make, but when we will have to make them, thus shaping our "cause and effect" cycles of karma. The laws of the universe don't determine anything, but are more like the rules of the game we all play. They are the "rules of the road," but WE are the ones driving the vehicle as best we can. WE determine our road by our choices, and we determine whether our lives are joyous journeys of fulfillment or long slogs of confusion and frustration.
Astrology is a road map and a weather report. It shows us our inclinations, our strengths and weaknesses, what we are here to develop, and when we will have to choose which road to travel. It shows us our "wholeness" and our "fragmentedness." It helps us understand our potential, and why some things are better off not pursued. It shows us our road map to Self Realization, and what negative patterns we must transmute to become our Divine potential.
Posted by: Robert | December 12, 2015 at 06:08 AM
Accepting that sacred wound goes a long way in finding my truth. The confusion can happen when that wound opens up again and I get caught in that place. It is a little state of shock when it happens and I am getting over going into that place of panic and taking action that is not in my long term interest.
What is interesting about this last week is that I learned the way I work best. It was a clear statement and new routes opened up to clear the way. I am less concerned now with the 'wanna be masters of me' and their denigration process to coerce me into submission. (And I do realize, they may have more tricks up their sleeves.) Perhaps their message to me has been to master myself. And not get caught up in their shenanigans. And in the long run, did I really have a choice in this. Having all my creative juices sucked dry is not an option. Super Slog. I can't function. It seems to be where I come into balance with the physical world.
Posted by: caliban | December 12, 2015 at 08:18 AM
Thanks for the great information Robert.
No time to waste and much to be open and aware off.
Blessings be to all.
Posted by: Nic | December 12, 2015 at 12:36 PM