by Robert Wilkinson
This article covers significant aspects, degree symbols, and other important factors in this New Moon at 10 Capricorn on December 30. This brings the Light of overcoming fear and generating harmlessness. Be creative as you are educated in higher truths.
We’re now solidly in a new era which began at the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction at 22 Taurus in late April. That conjunction, in effect until 2037, promised we have seen or will see the “white dove flying over troubled waters.” That symbolized a sign from Spirit that having endured our “ordeal,” we could move into a new life. That is now an active element in our lives and will become more prominent in May 2025.
This Lunation is going to be a VERY intense period due to the numerous semisquares, sesquisquares, and two squares involving most of the planets. As Jupiter squares Saturn, we still need good Virgo and Sag skills to integrate the friction in the air. Add Mars opposed Pluto, and it’s a challenge to find a way to get around inhibiting circumstances while maintaining some degree of control over the process.
The span between 6-10 Capricorn is about “crystallization” on the social and emotional levels of life. 10 Capricorn fulfills the span which began with the need to finish things up before going into the beyond we had to learn at 6 Capricorn. The tension of Mercury in Sag opposed Jupiter in Gemini is past, even if their Mutual Reception is still active.
The Planetary Spread
In this chart, because the inner planets are between mid-Sagittarius and late Aquarius in a 68+ degree span, that’s the main focus for the next 4 weeks. At this point, with the planets occupying 2/3 of the zodiac between Sagittarius and Leo with none in Virgo, Libra, or Scorpio, it creates a Locomotive Jones pattern. At this time we have planets in Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Taurus, Gemini, and Leo.
Depending on the position of the Moon and the inner planets relative to the outer planets, different months bring us different Jones Patterns. These patterns operate their own independent influence, regardless of which planet is in which sign.
Currently, the outer planet occupied span begins with Pluto in early Aquarius, and proceeds through Saturn in mid-Pisces, Neptune in late Pisces, Uranus in late Taurus and ends with Jupiter in mid-Gemini. (We don’t include TransPluto, since Jones didn’t use it in defining his patterns). Because we have 7 signs represented in spread out around the signs and a one third gap between Mercury and Mars, this is a “Locomotive” Jones Pattern.
So What is a “Locomotive Pattern” and how does it work?
This type of spread, with all the planets occupying 2/3 of the signs with an empty third, creates an imbalance that leads to power if we can find the compensatory “weight” to make things move forward smoothly rather than rock side to side creating friction. Target what is needed, and provide compensatory energies accordingly.
As Marc Jones put it, “this type of horoscope reveals a balance of this sort in the life. A third part of things… consisting of a free span in experience, is set against a two-thirds part, embracing a related but limited span in experience…. The basis of the dynamic is found in the native’s resulting strong sense of a lack or a need, of a problem to be solved, a task to be achieved in the social and intellectual world around him.”
Dr. Jones states “The temperament reveals a self-driving individuality, an executive eccentricity that is not … unbalance but rather is power. It exhibits a dynamic and exceptionally practical capacity which is neither the broad universality of the Splash pattern, nor the special obsession with some particularly narrowed aspect of experience characteristic of the Bundle people.
He goes on to state “The Locomotive classification is … moved more by external factors in the environment than by aspects of its own character. The point of application for the powers of the self is shown … by the “leading planet,” or the one of the two in the empty trine which forms its aspect clockwise in the zodiac, irrespective of any distinction as “applying” or “separating.”
Mercury at 19 Sagittarius is the leading point on a degree of being spurred to action. This shows we must open to the spontaneity of Sagittarius energies at the technical degree in the actional-physical level of transference. This entry to the Locomotive tells us we are now opening to a new freedom, a new adventure, a turning point of reorienting, perhaps going inward, or seeing the future and why we have to leave old “polluted” circumstances. With Mars in Leo closing the Locomotive, we’ll finish experience with a sense of heart power as we admire the wisdom coming from our mature experience. So we open with a way if escaping “pollution” and finish with actions which express our creativity, heart knowing, and independence.
As the Locomotive keeps things out of balance, Mercury in Sagittarius is now the front end to finding the way of initiating activity that must be accompanied by a compensatory “weight” to keep things moving forward rather than sideways. The more we work with the imbalances by making efficient, energy saving reorganizations, finding a balanced perspective on the transfigurations in motion, and eliminate toxic feelings and responses while moving away from these in others, the easier it will be to navigate the imbalances in this pattern.
What is needed is Virgo, Libra, and Scorpio energies to complete the empty span. Accept the opportunity to see what’s core and what’s peripheral, educate and/or be educated, any transfiguration of forms and “repair work” which needs to be done. Then focus, eliminate, open to deeper truths, and see a wider view. As we find the appropriate ways to channel the spontaneity and creativity of Mars in Leo, and then move into healthy Virgo, Libra and Scorpio expression, we’ll naturally find ourselves at the next Sagittarian entry into the next phase of experience.
This leads with actional and material transference and closes with actional and material combustion. Because the leading edge is Sagittarian Fire, approach experience with humor, openness, and a willingness to experiment with different approaches and interpretations. With Leo Fire closing, our experience should lead us to expressing our heart, our playfulness, or our creativity.
The Sabian Symbol for the New Moon
A New Moon sets the seed forms for what the following month will demonstrate. This Lunation falls at 10 Capricorn, and it is said that the first third (decan) of any sign deals with the physical, material, and actional levels of life, and being the first decan of Capricorn it has a sub-influence of Capricorn/Saturn with an added dose of Jupiter. While I've given you a sense of this degree up to now, this is where we go into depth.
The Sabian symbol for the 10th degree of Capricorn is “An albatross feeding from the hand.” In The Astrology of Personality, where Rudhyar uses the original Dr. Jones' class notes on the symbols, 10 Capricorn said to be a symbol of “overcoming of instinctive fears through gentle persuasion,” “kindly conquest,” “culture of spiritual values,” and “Harmlessness.
In The Astrological Mandala, he says this degree involves “the overcoming of fear and its rewards.” He says that those who can “radiate perfect harmlessness can call the wildest creatures to them,” and potentially “establish a partnership based on mutual respect and understanding.” He continues that we all play a role “in the world’s ritual of existence; beyond these specific roles, which too often separate one entity from another, the communion of love and compassion can bring together the most disparate lives.”
He states this symbol presents us with “a picture extending the ideal of peace and happiness through culture” so it includes everyone and everything on the planet. He offers “the power of such a culture of harmlessness and compassion generates trust everywhere,” and says this symbol falls in the span of Illusiveness and it’s the culminating degree of the emotional-cultural level of the scene of Crystallization in the Act of Capitalization.
According to Dr. Jones, creator of the Sabian Symbols, the degree is one of human “basic self-justification on the practical or commonplace side,” and of our “complete dependence on the cooperation of the world at large for any actuality of personal experience.“ He offers that we must always “take the initiative in meeting the needs of others if (we) are to expect them to stir appreciably and similarly” for us.
He states that if we “reap in life we must sow abundantly,” and we “establish ourselves as we expend ourselves and thereby encourage others to do the same.” He says the keywords is NURTURE, and says when operating in a positive manner, this degree is "unusual success in dramatizing the potentialities of human nature and its ramifying achievements.”
From this symbol, it seems that over the next few weeks there is peace to be found, fears can be overcome, gentleness can be expressed when needed, and we can generate a lot of compassion. Of course, the aspects it makes to our planets shows how this larger global force will impact our particular planetary lights.
This month is about a culmination of a social or emotional energy which began as an entry into virtually “limitless possibilities.” See what’s being shaped on the social, emotional, or cultural level in your life, regarding the events of January to be a sort of “dress rehearsal” before the actual performance.
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. Partile separating aspects show what’s been going on in the Now. This section covers only forming and partile separating aspects.
The Lunation is semisquare Venus, triseptile Jupiter, sextile Saturn, and sesquisquare Uranus; Mercury is 68 degrees from Venus, the maximum distance they can have; it is sesquisquare Mars, triseptile Uranus, and trielftile Neptune; Venus is triseptile Mars, tredecile Jupiter, vigintile Saturn, square Uranus (collection of light) and semisextile Neptune; and the Sun makes the same aspects as the Moon.
Outer planet aspects feature Mars semisquare Jupiter and sesquisquare Saturn, trine Neptune (out of sign) and opposed Pluto; Jupiter is square Saturn, vigintile Uranus, quintile Neptune, and quadraelftile Pluto; Saturn is conjunct Neptune and semisquare Pluto; and Uranus and Neptune make only separating aspects to each other and Pluto
This month the friction is provided by 4 semisquares, 2 squares, and 4 sesquisquares. While squares challenge “right action” at a turning point of a cycle, the semisquares are more about internal decisions and movement with personal inner crises, both public and private, which we must deal with.
Sesquisquares on the other hand create friction, agitation, and irritation in our world that involves others. In my experience sesquisquares are not necessarily associated with times of crisis, but they do seem to be times of no rest and spurs to act that may be inconvenient and aggravating. They definitely aren’t calm! And quincunxes force adjustments and sacrifices.
The long term pressure of Saturn semisquare Pluto is a time of serious internal decisions and movement related to the emergent structure of that which purifies everything. It’s been in play during the recent global conflicts. Adapt, purify, imagine, adjust, and show good humor while not letting the aggravation factor of the semisquare get to you.
Special Configurations in Evolutionary Astrology
This month we have 3 special evolutionary configurations, one involving the Lunation and all thre involving Saturn.
1) We have Jupiter square Saturn configured with Mars opposed Pluto, creating four points of an “8 Pointed Star of the Need for Right Action.” We have Mercury sesquisquare Mars, Mars semisquare Jupiter, sesquisquare Saturn, and opposed Pluto, and Jupiter is square Saturn. This brings friction to planets or points we have near 1-4 Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius, 13-19 Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces, and 28-30 Cancer, Libra, Capricorn, and Aries.
2) The Lunation is semisquare Venus and sesquisquare Uranus, bringing the Venus square Uranus back into play. This also generates three points of an 8 Pointed Star, this time bringing friction to planets or points we have near 8-12 Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn, as well as 23-27 Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. This challenges us to follow our heart’s desire with skill, showing our ability to command situations in nonviolent ways.
3) Mars is trine Neptune and opposed Pluto, showing an intensity preceding a flow. This opens a favorable void around 28 Virgo through 3 Libra, indicating that we’re going through a “transfiguration in reverse” which will ultimately lead us to wisdom and the ability “to escape from a narrow destiny.”
I’ll give a special mention here for three important aspects. First, Venus is triseptile Mars, affecting our relationships, our likes and dislikes, and putting us at a fork in the road between the ruler of our Aries and Scorpio with the ruler of our Taurus and Libra. This brings choices and changes to planets or points near 25-29 Aquarius, 17-21 Aries, 9-13 Gemini 1-5 Leo, 22-26 Virgo, 13-17 Scorpio, and 4-8 Capricorn.
Next, the Lunation is triseptile Jupiter, showing a “fork in the road” of our ability to cultivate telepathy and “nonlocal knowing.” This will primarily affect planets and points we have near 8-12 Capricorn, 30 Aquarius-4 Pisces, 22-26 Aries, 13-17 Gemini, 4-8 Leo, 25-29 Virgo, and 16-20 Scorpio. As you can see, joining these two triseptile zones together we have very wide spans affecting houses ruled by and occupied by the Lunation, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter.
Third, Mercury is triseptile Uranus, which puts us at a fork in the waning Mercury/Uranus cycle focused on our mind’s relationship to our genius. This opens visions of the future related to planets near 17-21 Sagittarius, 9-13 Aquarius, 1-5 Aries, 22-26 Taurus, 13-17 Cancer, 4-8 Virgo, and 26-30 Scorpio. Look to the houses this aspect falls in, remembering that it involves the ruler of your Gemini and Virgo at a fork in the road with the spiritual ruler of your Capricorn and Aquarius.
Explaining Harmonics
Aspects in the same series are considered to be various stages of “harmonics” for each series. In the 7th harmonic aspect series of “destiny,” this month we have 4 triseptiles. In the 5th, 10th, 15th and 24th harmonic specialization series, we have 2 vigintiles, 1 quindecile, 1 quintile, and 1 tredecile. The 9th harmonic gives us no aspects in this Lunation, and in the 11th harmonic faith series there is 1 trielftile and 1 quadrelftile.
The novile (9th harmonic), septile (7th harmonic) and elftile (11th harmonic) series all feature spiritual aspects. All novile series (9th harmonic) aspects indicate things which need to be put on the shelf for a while, or that which has been waiting can now move forward. They represent gestative energies that can lead to great spiritual realizations. Septile series aspects represent forks in the road of destiny, while the 11th harmonic elftile series indicate that faith is required to deal with transcending some dualities, issues and points of evolution where we must make a leap of faith to attain a form of mastery over that type of duality. This series tests our faith. Both the 7th and 11th series involve non-rational aspect values, bringing an element of irrationality in behavior and circumstances.
The quintile and biquintile (5th harmonic) and related 10th (decile and tredecile), 15th (quindecile), and 20th harmonic (vigintile) aspects are all specialization aspects. You can find more by going to Astrology Class on the Specializing Aspects Pt. 1 – The Quintile and Biquintile, and Astrology Class on the Specializing Aspects Part 2 – The Decile, Tredecile, Quindecile and the Vigintile.
You can find out more about the spiritual aspects (septile, novile, and elftile series) by referencing this brief overview of Astrological Aspects – the 7th, 9th, and 11th Harmonic Series Aspects and their Symbols. I did a much lengthier exploration and explanation of how each of the 11th harmonic series aspects work in the article The 11th Harmonic Aspects in Astrology – the Elftile Series of Faith and Transcendence.
Element Balance
This month shows a fairly balanced distribution. This month the 10 traditional planets occupy 7 signs. We have 2 planets in Fire (inspiration and warmth), 3 planets in Earth (practical grounding), 3 in Air (relatedness and communicating), and 2 in Water (feelings and experiencing).
Air and Earth are “cool” elements, while Fire and Water are “hot” elements. With this distribution, it’s a little more cool than hot. This shows a balance between practicality, flow, ideas, and inspiration.
The current sequence at present of Deciding, Feeling, and Thinking
We’ve been through several different sequences over the past few months. There are six patterns, and each has their strengths and weaknesses. This continues the recent Full Moon pattern. For now, as a process of moving through events, the most effective “firing sequence” for approaching life and experience over the next four weeks involves beginning activity with thinking, then deciding, then feeling.
This pattern leads with a vision, or an understanding, or a communication, and then makes decisions and actions based in those things. While it is tempting to move back into more thinking, communicating, and envisioning, it is more important to move from deciding or acting into feeling what we’re experiencing as a result of those actions and decisions, and bring those feelings to the surface of your consciousness and get clear about what you’re feeling and why.
By naming the feeling or experience, it will naturally lead us back to new information, new vision, new ideals, and new understanding upon which you can do your next set of decisions and actions. Then again name what you’re feeling. That way nothing will get bottled up through underuse, and you can move through experiences with power and clarity.
What is your vision or understanding telling you that you must do? Are your ideas inspiring action? Let your knowledge lead you to make clear decisions.
Summing Up
This New Moon will bring forth new activity driven by a sense of taking command of powerful material energies and overcoming fear wherever it comes up. This month is about being educated in some way, with a focus on truth, future, and creativity. We’re still dealing with the Mars opposed Pluto. That aspect can bring deep insights and freedom to “cut to the chase” in anything we’re doing. This is the month to see what you have to deal with as a dress rehearsal for reorienting or “escaping” in some way.
Aggravation is in the air, but it doesn’t have to lead to crises if we remain practical and know the “order of priority” of what is and isn’t to be done in the moment. It’s especially true because Mars is opposed Pluto, requiring us to show caution as we do prep work but don’t push the river. Still, be cautious around people and situations which are passive or active-aggressive or are not honest, and slow down from time to time to enjoy life.
Mars continues to slow through the coming Sun opposition Mars. This is why things are moving at a slower pace even as some things have seemingly stopped or reversed course. This brings a new pace of activity showing us permanent patterns in our life and the world.
Pay attention to what happens during Mars opposition Pluto, since it portends what will be shot out of a proverbial cannon beginning in April. Keep open to spontaneity while being appropriate and open to innovations and new ways to enjoy life.
While Saturn’s in Pisces, we are learning about the collective field and techniques of “non-local awareness” while developing our subtle senses of clairvoyance, clairaudience, and clairsentience. Forgiveness allows Divine Grace to manifest, and the quicker things flow down the timestream the less of an obstruction they’ll be.
Saturn in Pisces is teaching us how to demonstrate practical compassion as we live at a higher level than we used to. We are now living the life renewal we “heard as a call” last June, and are preparing for our symbolic “feast.”
We’re in the midst of an 11 week period of saying goodbye to old ways, places, and people, However, since all forms pass away in this impermanent world, this created space for new ways and new experiences since there’s more potential than there is in whatever has left. Celebrate the uplifting energies at play in your chart, and let go of memories which don’t serve the flow into the future. Feel the lightness of your unique evolutionary dance through space and time. We’re all moving from the interpersonal to the transpersonal level of focus.
Neptune is showing the way to “let go let god” as we approach the threshold of Neptune in Aries. For now, practice sensing the flow and simultaneity of knowing and experiencing a vaster connection to the collective field. This prepares us for receiving what we need to walk into the new collective reality of Neptune in Aries in 2025!
We have been exploring our new life, new land, new field and new focus which has unfolded since January 2024. We now will be given glimpses of the future which may show us the need to reorient, or escape some “polluted” situation altogether. Be willing to learn, to see, to understand, and be open to other futures. This helps us glimpse a greater freedom and heal old losses by seeing how it brought us together with our Spiritual Brothers and Sisters.
The Long View
In 2020 we entered a transition phase in human history. While we will be functioning within the Capricorn cycles we began then, we also have begun an era unknown to humanity since the 13th and 14th centuries. Even then, we were still in the depth of the Age of Pisces, so the awakening of new ideas then were relative to the old era, whereas what’s coming involves wave after wave of Aquarian energies, pushing us to the coming Great Age emerging in the second half of this century.
The long wave Aquarian pulses were initially set into motion by the Mars conjunct Saturn at 1 Aquarius on March 31, 2020, marking the initiation of archetypal Aquarian preliminary structures offered by Saturn. The promise and potential of the new Aquarian pulse then began to expand into a greater social and cultural vision beginning at the Jupiter conjunction with Saturn, the Grand Mutation of the Solstice also at 1 Aquarius. So we have 20 years of Aquarian energies set into motion by that conjunction!
All Aquarian transits and conjunctions in 2022, 2023, and 2024 have given a new impetus and new expression to the Aquarian structures which took shape in 2021. Each transit strengthens the Pluto in Aquarius “generation” of the 21st century which lasts until 2043. As there will be a Jupiter conjunction with Pluto at 15 Aquarius in 2033, we’ll see the “expansion of the Angels of the Age of Aquarius” at that time.
2021 opened a new adventure for all of us, and the “metamorphosis” we went through showed us what the coming Age of Aquarius is about. 2022 helped us remember we are Beings of Light, a Superstar shining the Light of our Eternal Love into our world. We’re now expanding our spiritual knowledge, understanding, and effective forms of service, and have entered a new phase with Mars in a new Sun/Mars conjunction cycle.
New groups of Spiritual communities have formed since 2021, and are being given a boost this year. Those which are Aquarian in nature will be “lifted on the wings of angels” in 2024. Trust the process. Revolution is in the air! And when you find things and people of eternal worth, value them with all your heart.
Saturn: Spiritual Master, Spiritual Friend
Saturn in Pisces helps us understand how to deepen our connection with others and Source. Because Saturn plays such a large part in our lives, if you haven’t gotten your copy already, please give yourself the timeless gift of my book, Saturn: Spiritual Master, Spiritual Friend. This book shows you the way to take command of your power to steer your life in a conscious way, using Saturn’s strengths and skills to master life on your own terms. It was written for both astrologers and non-astrologers, and will help you understand how your life experiences assisted your Soul growth and your power to change negative karma to positive karma. Each time you re-read any part of it you’re sure to find undiscovered gems of insight helping you throw off attitudes which frustrate your ability to live your higher Purpose on your own terms.
And now, on a related note….
Because Venus is the ruler of Uranus and herald for the Sun and Mercury, She continues to be very powerful. Add the tredecile to Jupiter, and we can expect serendipity in our social life, perhaps finding a lucky circumstance without trying. We’ll all add something elegant to our values this month as we prepare for a spiritual harvest and beginning of a life renewal in February. Venus has tremendous influence in shaping our expression and how we release our “potential for beauty” or “potential to enjoy life with others.” This month She brings beauty and value to our ability to contribute to the larger group work.
If you want to know more about how Venus works its magic to bring us the people and things we need to find spiritual understanding, you can get a deeper understanding of you power to shape your future by getting your copy of The Magic of Venus: Friendships, Soul Mates, and Twin Flames.
It’s the most comprehensive book on Venus ever written, and takes a deep dive into how our Venus shapes our likes and dislikes, and how we can change our patterns of attraction to make future relationships more fulfilling. It explains the world of relationship from the angles of psychology, astrology, spirituality, and worldly experience. I’ve been told it helps people find strength to turn away from unhealthy relationships and understand how not to attract anything similar in the future. It examines the qualities in healthy relationships and friendships, and offers tips on how to create long lasting personal relationships and friendships, why Soul Mates come into our lives, and how to know the difference between a Soul Mate and our Twin Flame.
It has chapters on the qualities of each sign’s natural mate, the qualities of Venus in each sign, Venus retrograde, and when crucial choices and changes are made, affecting who we attract in the future. It was written for both astrologers and lay people, and as it has a thousand gems for better relationships, with self, others, and Source, please consider getting your copy by going to the link above! (And when you’re done, please leave a review on Amazon, since it helps the book and all other books on astrology as well!)
© Copyright 2024 Robert Wilkinson
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