This month’s full moon in Capricorn – the strawberry moon – is a reminder that (in the northern hemisphere) it’s midsummer – and I’m pleased to report after the longest spell of cool wet weather that I can remember, summer appears to have arrived. Unlike my strawberries – which are a long way off being ripe – astrology is not weather dependent, so what kind of astrological weather will this full moon reveal? Long summer nights often have a dream-like quality and, with Neptune present in the full moon chart, there may be more dreams available that you could wish for.
However, this full moon may reveal a great deal of uncertainty: Neptune brings clouds – and this full moon may reveal which parts of your life are suffering from vague, ill-defined issues that you can’t quite seem to get your head around. Neptune brings all of its associations to this lunation: everything from empathy to addiction is going to affect those of you who have close chart contacts with this full moon in Capricorn. However, many of you may simply experience that most common midsummer feeling: a longing to escape to the mountains – or somewhere by the sea.
Full Moon in Capricorn: The Essentials
The full moon culminates at 01:07(UT) on June 22nd, at (and this is remarkable) 01˚07′ Capricorn. I will admit to having to check those details just to prove to myself that I wasn’t doing crazy! Capricorn is – of course – associated with making sure that things are ordered and correct, so maybe the alignment of the time and degree of this lunation was always the celestial plan. Capricorn is also associated with a need to be consistent, conventional and prudent – but it may also be overly cautious, depressive and insecure. All of those are feelings that may come to a head around the time of the full moon in Capricorn.
Capricorn is the ‘go to’ sign for appearing to be in control on the surface, even if you are being eaten away by worries underneath. That arises because of the nature of Capricorn and its polar opposite Cancer, the sign we associate with tenderness, moodiness and vulnerability. The full moon in Capricorn, is – of course – opposed by the Sun in Cancer and that emphasises that ‘hard-soft’ dynamic. However, with the full moon in Capricorn, it’s usually emotional ‘chill’ or emotional control that are the major issues; with the Sun in the sign of the Moon, awareness of emotional issues comes to the fore.
Full Moon in Capricorn: The Chart
The chart for this full moon in Capricorn is – at first glance – pretty straightforward. The dominant feature is the t-square aspect pattern that connects the full moon in Capricorn to Neptune in the final stages of its transit through Pisces. With Pisces in the final degree of the sign of its rulership – the anaretic degree – that’s a really strong placement, in what has been a transit with far reaching consequences. I’ve written about it extensively (and will do so again soon), but in the context of this lunation, Neptune in Pisces provides the focal point and its qualities show how the tension found in the full moon are going to manifest.
The opposition between the Sun and Moon also involves Mercury and Venus. Although Mercury is – technically – out of orb to the Moon, it’s part of the solar stellium in Cancer and that means it has a role to play in how the full moon in Capricorn will unfold. In astrology, if it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, you would be well advised to assume that it’s a duck.
The t-square aspect pattern is not alone: the tension in the t-square not only finds release in Neptune, but there are other planets that offer a ‘way out’ of the dilemma posed by the revelations of the full moon: both Uranus and Pluto are connected to the full moon in Capricorn – but it’s how those connections work that reveal the inner dynamics – and the outer potentials – of this particular lunation. As usual, those of you with planets and points on or close to the degree of the full moon in Capricorn – especially if they are in dynamic aspect (conjunction, opposition or square) will feel the impact of this lunation most of all.
Full Moon in Capricorn: The Aspects
To deconstruct the possibilities that are contained within this lunation, let’s take a look at the aspects in detail and – unusually – I’m going to deal with the opposition first, because of the presence of Mercury and Venus.
The Full Moon Opposite Mercury conjunct Venus
This – in itself – is not an unusual aspect as both Mercury and Venus do not stray far from the Sun. When the Moon opposes Mercury, it can be hard to relax as there is an emotional edginess to this aspect. communications are emotional – and that may lead to outbursts, particularly if matters are of a sensitive nature. One reason for this is that it can be difficult to understand another persons perspective – whatever you say triggers an emotional response, so it’s not unusual for this aspect to result in communication withdrawal, such is the defensive nature of this aspect. Your feelings need release – but it’s how you go about it that’s the key issue.
When it’s combined with Venus, one issue that may occur is that you feel you are not getting enough attention – or you may be the subject of that accusation. Either way, issues of shared values and fulfilment, or money and love – those two perennial bones of contention – are likely to be the subjects of emotive discussion. It’s also easy to feel some emotional pressure to fill the void if your relationships are unfulfilling.
A cold and dispassionate full moon in Capricorn may prompt you to examine how you have been substituting other things like food, alcohol or other addictions for genuine emotional connection and satisfaction. And if you’re not the victim here, you may recognise this scenario in the life of someone close to you. Oppositions are relational – and that is always reflected in a full moon. The relationship that is causing tension may be with someone or something – or both – and that is what you need to resolve at the time of the full moon in Capricorn.
Full Moon Square Neptune
That mention of the word ‘addiction’ brings me to the full moon square Neptune. Let me remind you of something: a full moon brings an issue to a head by shining its light on the situation so it can’t escape your attention. The square aspect made by the full moon in Capricorn to Neptune in Pisces, signals that there may be something in your life that you have let drift or that you have simply been in denial about something that is now demanding you take action to correct. A t-square aspect demands action; it’s tense and dynamic: if you ignore it, you will remain frustrated and stressed by a situation that is demanding to be resolved.
And, as far as Neptune in Pisces is concerned, time is running out – but I would wager (a Neptune thing) that whatever the pressing issue is, it may have evolved during Neptune’s transit through Pisces, and/or be Neptunian or Piscean in nature. The presence of Neptune in the anaretic degree is so significant because it can’t be ignored – no matter how much you try. However, you may find the situation emotionally painful; you may be oversensitive to admitting there is a problem, or you may not appreciate the full extent of a particular problem – especially as Neptune suggests boundary issues.
The full moon in Capricorn suggests that clarity needs to be brought to this state of confusion. The problem is, will you find the energy to bring this about? The danger is you may not know what to think – or what to do and that’s not helpful when you feel that something must be done. The full moon in Capricorn is always concerned about moving onwards, upwards and getting things done – leaving things as they are is never an option – as you already know. the situation is only going to make you more uncomfortable the longer it remains unaddressed.
Full Moon Sextile Pluto
One reason for this, is the proximity of the full moon in Capricorn to Pluto in Aquarius. An exact sextile creates what is often called, ‘the triangle of irritation’, as Pluto also makes a quincunx (inconjunct) aspect with the Sun. The triangle of irritation is like a thorn in your flesh – and with Pluto involved, there is every reason to decide that enough is absolutely enough. A line needs to be drawn and an unsatisfactory situation need not be endured any longer. What does it take to get you moving? Are you that afraid of taking control? Control is a major issue with both Pluto – and Capricorn. If it takes a revolution to get there – so be it.
Full Moon Biquintile Uranus
As if that wasn’t enough, the full moon also makes an exact bi-quintile aspect to Uranus in Taurus. This is a minor aspect you may not have heard of but it derives from the pentangle – dividing the chart wheel into five. Unsurprisingly, this aspect often has more power than its given credit for – especially when it’s connection with magical powers comes into play. For ‘pure magic’ I prefer to substitute something like magnetic, charming and irresistible – your resistance to an urgent new ideas, schemes, beliefs, styles, fantasies – whatever they may be – may be low.
If something promises you heaven on earth, you may be more inclined to run with it than at any other time. That’s not to say that you’re misguided, however, your perceptions of reality and how the future may look could (of course) be affected by the rose-tinted presence of Neptune. In astrology (as in life) all things are connected – and this new moon in Capricorn suggests you may have to navigate your way across some uncharted waters with extreme care – just because you know changes have to be made, it doesn’t mean you should be ‘going in blind’, as that could lead you from one unsatisfactory place to another. Have faith – but proceed with caution at all times.
Further Reading
Neptune in Pisces: It’s A Seriously Bad Trip
Neptune Transits Pisces: The Big Lie
Neptune and the Ocean of Dreams
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© Sara Shipman 2024
Picture Credit: Image by Alois Grundner from Pixabay
