“Most powerful is he who has himself in his own power.”
Seneca
The next New Moon, which falls on January 13th is placed in the last decan of Capricorn, beginning the next lunar cycle which will culminate in six months, in the first decan of Capricorn on the 24th June 2021. This particular New Moon falls within a degree of Pluto, and with many eyes turned to the USA at the present time, it is interesting to see that this New Moon falls in direct opposition to Mercury, placed in the first house of the USA Sibly chart of 1776, generally taken to be the birth chart of the United States. Here, the common people are represented, the general state of the nation, and in conflict, whoever initiates the action. This is the last decan of Capricorn, and is associated with the tarot card of The Four of Disks, which in the Thoth tarot, is named “POWER”. Associated with the Sun in Capricorn, the energy depicted in this card relates to the struggle necessary to attain great position in the manifest world, a journey where the spirit wrestles with earthly matter, strives to shape it to its will. No achievement is possible however, without the acceptance of responsibility, for positions of power cannot be accepted without the heavy burden of responsibility attached. Every lofty position comes with its own expectations and obligations, the loss of personal freedom often being the hidden price that one pays for any position of authority. The temptation that comes with positions of great influence is always that of hubris, both for those who sit at the top, and also for those invisible figures, who move silently in the shadows to manipulate the reins of control.
4 of Pentacles-Mythic Tarot 
Earth 4-Oracle of Change 
The 4 of Disks-Thoth
After the scenes that were witnessed in the Capitol in Washington on the day that Mars changed signs and moved into Taurus, it is also perhaps relevant to see that on the day of Biden’s proposed inauguration, January 20th, that Mars moves to conjunct explosive Uranus, just as the Sun passes into Aquarius, hitting the recent degree of the Saturn Pluto conjunction, or “Christmas Star” that we were all watching for in the skies a few weeks ago. The USA is currently experiencing it’s “Pluto Return” meaning that Pluto is returning to where it was in 1776, the creation of the nation, and that over the next few years, we are likely to see enormous upheaval and the escalation of confrontation in this nation that was founded on the ashes of genocide, slavery and civil war.
At this New Moon, take a moment to pause, to reflect, to look within. Capricorn is a sign associated with learned wisdom, experience, tradition, the slow steady trek to the top, the necessity of discipline, and of limitation. I have chosen this image from the Quareia deck this month, as a focus for the New Moon, and traditionally, a scapegoat refers to a person or group who is made to bear the blame for others, or to suffer in their place. Chiefly Biblical, tradition tells that a goat was let loose in the wilderness on Yom Kippur after the high priest symbolically laid the sins of the people on its head. In more recent times, the term “scapegoating” has been used for the practice of blaming someone else for one’s own problems, a process that can result in feelings of prejudice; scapegoating can serve as an opportunity to explain failure or misdeeds, whilst maintaining one’s positive self-image.
Image: Scapegoat- by Stuart Littlejohn from the Quareia Magicians Deck.
NEW MOON BLESSING:
I am the power of the bursting seed, dancing in the beckoning void, ripe with limitless potentials. A kaleidoscope of outcomes seduces, invites and tempts you, but be still in the darkness of the Moon. Sense the power of her black womb, and wait. Trust that in the stillness that I, the right “seed” for now, will find you, a vision for your soul to nurture…… In Capricorn-I Achieve: all that I aspire to, slowly and with care and attention. I move cautiously, testing each step, making sure that my footing is secure. I am an upholder of tradition, stable and reliable, change is not a joy for me, but I honour its necessity, and take my time. I appreciate the process and maturity of life, and I come to laugh at how small I am in the greater scheme. ©JKG
The Astrologers Diary
The New Moon every month offers an opportunity to sow new seeds, 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 New Moon, according to where 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. This month finds me still awaiting the arrival of Thoth Journey-The Oracle of Change, from the printers in Italy. After a great deal of difficulty at their end, due to technical problems and covid issues, we do now know that it has finally departed, and is en-route to Ireland from Italy. Although it is due to be delivered on the 11th, I am not getting my hopes up too high! although with the next two cards on my draw from the deck turning up as Water 9 & The Priestess, perhaps we will get to see them this week after all. Check out the artwork below, or click on the links to see the full story of the card together with comparisons between Thoth, The Oracle of Change and The Mythic Tarot. In other news, eldest child has returned to college in her apartment near the college, and youngest child is starting the new term tomorrow at the kitchen table. A difficult new world for them, and all of their generation, poised on the brink of adult hood, and finding the world closing in around them, before they have even learned to spread their wings……
This New Moon falls in my own 8th house, the house of Death, and, strangely enough, I have a funeral to attend, on the day, a rarity in my small family, but nice in a way, because I will be able to attend online, a funeral I would not otherwise have been able to attend due to the expense of long distance travel. It was an expected death, at the end of a long and full life, so a testament to the fact that death is a natural part of life, and something that happens every day… a fact that I like to remind myself of, because I sometimes feel that these days we seem to have lost sight of that.
Hopefully, next time I write, I will be able to share the arrival of the book, but until then, New Moon Blessings, And may the goddess watch over you ❤
Thoth Journey-The Oracle of Change
Gift Boxed Limited First Edition
Full Colour Illustrated Book with Gilt Edged 79 Card Oracle Deck
A new age is dawning, with a need for a new wisdom, one that comes from the heart. This book is dedicated to all those who find themselves, for whatever reason, in darkness; given with love, this work, is a product of our times.
My name is Joanna Grant, I am an Astrologer, Tarot Reader and Writer, who lives on the beautiful Beara Peninsula in the South West of Ireland. I can often be found at home, deep in arcane research, or practicing some new form of divination whilst burning the dinner! My children probably wish that I was “normal” but may well remember my eccentricities fondly when they come to face the challenges of their own paths. My long knowledge of Astrology leads and informs my practice, in offering guidance, empowerment and healing, helping others to lead a more authentic and magical life. You can read more about me here.
Joanna-Kate Grant 