Full Moon Eclipse in Capricorn- Breaking The Habit

Authority forgets a dying king.

Alfred Lord Tennyson

The Full Moon in Capricorn on Tuesday July 16th, culminates a cycle that started with the New Moon in Capricorn on January 5th this year, and which has been telling the story of how and where we are learning and growing and about what we are “creating” in our lives, and at this Full Moon, we are faced with the reality of whether this “creation” is on a sound footing, or whether it is time for a major overhaul.  

This particular Full Moon represents a powerful time for release, for under its light, in the tension between the archetypal parental energies of Cancer & Capricorn, we are better able to see where we may have stumbled in our objectives through the challenges of nurturing all aspects of ourselves. Good intentions are not enough here, and it is important to recognise that keeping the self healthy, physically emotionally and spiritually are all vital if we are to succeed. Our projects, our relationships, our careers and our happiness are all reliant on the due care that we exercise for ourselves, for how can we succeed well, how can we birth our dreams if we remain depleted and weak… constantly looking outside of ourselves for the nourishment and succor that we crave. 

What aspects of our lives have we neglected? where are we “holding on” to outmoded ways of being, through a fear of the inevitable pain that accompanies change and movement?  where are we “bursting to grow” and desiring to free ourselves from outdated situations that no longer serve us?; these questions and more may be arising now as a result of the events of the past  six months, and on many levels, life may be presenting messages at every turn, that beckon to a different way of living. With Mercury also retrograde, heading back into Cancer, there will be the inevitable difficult conversations to be had over the next few weeks, and as the moon wanes and the energy dies away, there could be a sense of loss, but also the feeling of cleansing and making ready for something new, something better. 

This month, the Full Moon is conjunct to Pluto, announcing emotional control issues arising from the unconscious… patterns relating to fathering, paternity, authority, and the external loss of authority and control through a lack of inner self control and authority; situations that highlight the weaknesses and strengths of your own structures, both what you have inherited and what you have created may cause the foundations of what you have built, to shudder and begin to crumble, as Pluto exerts his influence. Hades, god of the underworld, rarely takes prisoners, and the demand for authenticity is the order of the day. 

The cards associated with this cycle are the following, The 3 of Coins, representing the seeded New Moon which took place on January 5th, with the 4 of Coins and the 4 of Vessels representing the Full Moon on July 16th (Moon in Capricorn & Sun in Cancer). Images here are from The Alchemical Tarot by Robert Place. 

The Three of Coins

The Four of Coins

The Four of Vessels

These cards give an overview of the theme, pictured in the first card, as the hopes dreams and potentials of what was planned, the vision, half formed, and filled with inspiration and hope. It also suggests the immaturity of the builder, and how “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. It easy to think that success is at hand, when the first part of the project is successful, but we also need to understand that we must move beyond that feeling of security and achievement, to push on, to grow, and to face the challenges, and to allow the experiences to shape us, and mold us, rather than stay in a place of comfort that eventually grows stale and confining. 

The images suggest to me that emotional growth and movement is required, before the wealth of what has been attained can be fully appreciated. Nothing can change while the situation is in its present guise, and therefor, risk is required…. risk to move further on, to challenge what is known and to move into new territory, rather than repeating the same old patterns in the same old way, that could well represent too, what has been passed on through your family of origin. Nothing less than a break with the authority of tradition is required, and authority that actually has no place in your world right now, if you are to continue on on your own path, rather than the path that has been bestowed upon you.  

So for this Full Moon, recognise that what is meant for you will not pass you by, that the demand is for freedom to grow beyond what you have, and to risk change in order to embrace your future. 

The Astrologers Diary 

The Full Moon every month offers an opportunity to release old cycles, and as an Astrologer, I find it to be a useful exercise for myself and in working with others, to use the energy of each particular Full Moon, according to the Sabian Symbol that it falls on, together with the position in which it falls in the Natal Chart. Such considerations can be invaluable in steering through ups and downs, and in becoming “easy” with the ebb and flow of what life brings.  

Here, in the southwest of Ireland, Moonrise on the 16th of July will be at approximately 21.45… but it will be very difficult to see the moon rising, because it will be in a state of full eclipse. It is recommended to take a high viewing point, looking towards the South East, where, if the skies are clear, we should be able to get at least the view of a partial eclipse, at around 22.30 as the moon gains height in the skies. Because of the very late sunsets in the summertime at this longitude, it is difficult to see an eclipsed moon rising. 

This particular Full Moon highlights the following pair of degrees: 

Moon in CAPRICORN 25°: A STORE FILLED WITH PRECIOUS ORIENTAL RUGS.

Sun in CANCER 25°: A WILL-FULL MAN IS OVERSHADOWED BY A DESCENT OF SUPERIOR POWER.

This pair of symbols speak to me about the tension caused between holding on to tradition with an unquestioning faith, and in allowing change to arise through connecting to a personal sense of the divine. Recognising that your own intuitive sense of the truth is at least equally important to your path as to what has been handed down to you in life, is key to escaping the bondage to cultural, social and family rhetoric that can so easily happen.    

This particular Full Moon falls across my own 1st & 7th houses, and illuminates various issues connected to how I relate to self, and how I relate to others.

This Full Moon presents to me the opportunity to release old patterns of relating, where I have been sought as a “nurturer” & “carer”…. offering “structure” and “organisation” to those who are unable for whatever reason to care for themselves. Developing better routines for self care, as seeded at the New Moon in Cancer is my intention for this cycle, so this Full Moon will help me to look at how these old patterns arose, and to see where they are no longer valid now.  

In other news, Mercury retrograde has already been causing havoc in my family… with unreliable network service from my provider, and the drowning of a cherished mobile phone! Things have not been all bad though, as new friends and groups have been connected with, opening into new ideas and experiences and new ways, which is the function of Mercury- The Traveller Between Worlds. 

This kind of “house-keeping” engendered by the Moon’s cycle can be invaluable in keeping “on track” with life, rising to the inner rhythms, and flowing with the lunar tides. Knowing which houses the Full Moon falls in, and whether it is in close aspect with any planets in your chart can be an invaluable tool, along with the wider cycle of the Progressed Moon, for discovering the secret rhythms of your daily life. 

A free natal chart wheel can be set up at www.astro.com  

My name is Joanna Grant, I am an Astrologer, Tarot Reader and Writer, who lives for now in the South West of Ireland. Throughout my life, I have watched as the planets have woven their stories into my life; as Jupiter has brought me the desires of my deepest longings and as Pluto has torn my life into shreds, and eaten the remains. I have answered the clarion calls of Saturn, as he has brought me to new lands, to hardship, and also to deep learning, and have also witnessed that he has never left my side. Uranus has ensured that I have not stayed in any one location for very long, whilst Mars & Venus have led me by the nose on far more occasions than I care to recall, but who have also brought their passionate creative spirit to the fore in my life. Neptune has beguiled and confused me, but also entranced and inspired, whilst Mercury has made certain that I have studied the reasons “why” for everything to the “nth” degree. The Moon, my eternal guide on this journey and the lady of my own chart, has given me my deep love of The Stars, steering me ever onwards along the path to seek The Sun.

At this stage in my life, it is time to give back….. and my long knowledge of Astrology leads and informs my practice in offering guidance and empowerment, helping others to lead a more authentic, productive and magical life. You can read more about me here.