The July Full Moon in Capricorn is the second full moon in Capricorn this year. That’s what happens when there are thirteen full moons in a year, but only twelve zodiac signs and twelve calendar months; someone has to go twice and this year it’s Capricorn’s turn. Last month I wrote about the full moon in Capricorn that occurred at the beginning of that sign, and when I was analysing the aspects in the full moon chart, I noted that the full moon was sextile Pluto – creating a ‘triangle of irritation’. That particular triangle of irritation suggested that it was time to draw a line under an unsatisfactory situation and move on.
This July full moon in Capricorn is situated in the final degree of that sign, on the anaretic degree, and is conjunct Pluto. So, is this the time to draw the line and move on? This is proving to be a dynamic and unpredictable full moon and I suspect its fallout will be felt for longer than the next few weeks. Within hours of the full moon reaching culmination, Joe Biden announced he was withdrawing from the US presidential election race. Full moons have the power to make an impact at all levels – and this one is an incredibly powerful full moon. When a lunation’s sign is repeated, it emphasises the message.
July Full Moon in Capricorn: The Essentials
Capricorn is one of the power signs. It’s concerned with executive power, experience, deliberation and the slow climb to the top. It’s also concerned with old age, so it’s hardly surprising that the dynamics of this sign have been on display this weekend. The full moon represents matters coming to a head; again, I’m going to use the events surrounding President Biden as an example of how matters culminate under a full moon: the issues surrounding President Biden’s age (Capricorn) have been gathering momentum since the debate with Donald Trump – and now that issue has reached its conclusion (full moon).
What is notable – and again this aligns with the inner meaning of the full moon in Capricorn – is how matters reached a conclusion in a controlled, orderly and dignified manner. Of course, the other side to this would be the argument that it’s taken too long to get here – and that dynamic, of something reaching a conclusion in its own good time (even if it’s not quick enough for some), is something you may experience in your own lives too. Very few of us are in charge of a country, but the meanings associated with the Moon in Capricorn affect us in ways that are relevant to our own personal circumstances.
July Full Moon in Capricorn: The Chart
The chart for the July full moon in Capricorn shows exactly how and why this staid and steady full moon is so capable of springing a surprise. The Sun – Moon opposition is an easy opposition twice over, with a trine from the full moon to the separating Mars – Uranus conjunction that is still in orb – and I suspect still has a few surprises to send our way. There is also the sextile aspect from the full moon to Neptune in Pisces. Neptune is in the final stages of its transit through that sign – and it’s now positioned on the final, anaretic degree. The aspect pattern is a cradle and signifies making the best out of a difficult situation.
Of course, the big story is the Moon – Pluto conjunction. Pluto is the planet of no return. And Pluto at 0˚ Aquarius is in an exact trine from Mars, now at 0˚ Gemini. With planets like Pluto and Mars in aspect to a full Moon, you know that things are only going to go one way – and fast. Add Uranus into the mix and you’re going to spring a surprise or be surprised. Having to react to the unexpected is big with this lunation – and the influence of Neptune is also something to be factored into the celestial equation: whatever happens, you need to let go, but keep the faith.
Okay, so full moons are powerful, but what makes this one especially so? It’s not an eclipse, it’s not a supermoon, so how is it having such an impact? The answer to that question is – I feel – to do with something I’ve mentioned a few times already – planets being on either the anaretic degree (29˚, the last degree of a sign) or at 0˚, the first degree of a sign. What this point us towards is a powerful moment of transition and, with Pluto having such a major influence on this particular full moon, transition from one phase to another is the key underlying principle. That has been a huge astrological message this year.
If you look at this full moon in the context of what is happening in the run-up to the US election (and with President Biden in particular) that process of transition becomes fairly self-evident – handing over to a new generation always marks closure – not just for the individuals concerned, but for a generation. It’s going to be the responsibility (Capricorn) of someone else to take things forwards to a future as yet unknown.
July Full Moon in Capricorn: The Aspects
Those basic principles that I’ve outlined above are going to apply to everyone who feels the presence of this lunation in their life for the next few weeks – and I suspect this full moon is one that may have an impact on Scorpio subjects (like Joe Biden), those with important planets or points in late degrees of Cancer or Capricorn – and those who have planets or points in early Aquarius or late Taurus and early Gemini degrees. And let’s not forget late Pisces… However, for the detail, we’re going to have to dig down into those aspects I mentioned above:
Full Moon in Capricorn Conjunct Pluto in Aquarius
A moment ago, I asked the question, why is this full moon so powerful? One of those answers was to do with the degree of this lunation, 29˚ Capricorn. The other is to do with the Moon being in close conjunction with Pluto at 1˚ Aquarius. This is a disassociate conjunction (a conjunction that crosses signs) and – traditionally – they’re meant to be less powerful that a conjunction in a single sign. My view on that is, it depends on the conjunction; the Moon conjunct Pluto is always going to be powerful regardless of how it falls.
Let’s remind ourselves of all that Pluto represents: transformation at the most profound level; death and rebirth; extreme power and wealth; regeneration; profound loss; survival; elimination; crime; the underworld. All of those have the potential to be traumatic – and trauma is, of course, another experience associated with Pluto. However, something most of you will identify with is the notion of Pluto as the representative of crisis – and there is nothing like a crisis to signal that things must change. In that context, Pluto represents a turning point – and that is most likely what we are dealing with here.
One of the major reasons this lunation is so powerful, is its association with a turning point – and that turning point was set just a few years ago. This Moon – Pluto conjunction has at its midpoint, the degree of the ‘Great Conjunction’, the meeting of Jupiter and Saturn at 0˚27 Aquarius that occurred back in December 2020 on the day of the Winter solstice. It’s an astrological event I’ve referred to many times, and its importance cannot be overstated, as it marked the point where the universe moved things in a new direction. This full moon (along with Pluto’s final shift into Aquarius in November) is just one more marker on that road.
Full Moon Trine Mars – Uranus Conjunction
The separating Mars – Uranus conjunction has now become a dissociate conjunction, trine the point of the ‘Great Conjunction’ – and the full Moon – Pluto conjunction – and that makes this aspect between them a powerful one too. Mars and Uranus are ‘trigger planets’; they make things happen. Uranus is coming to the end of its transit through Taurus, the sign of stability – and it’s been testing our patience during its long journey. The end is in sight, but Mars in Gemini suggests there is going to be an argument that’s connected directly to the events signified by the full moon – and with Mars, Uranus and Pluto connecting – there is the potential for violence.
Those three planets together in a trine aspect suggest there is no hindrance to any unexpected explosions or violent actions – however ‘violent’ and ‘explosive’ may be symbolic; ‘ violent’ may be read as harsh or aggressive, or powerful and forceful. And’ explosive’ may be construed as fierce, tempestuous or passionate, as well as the more incendiary associations of that word. Put together, this aspect suggests sudden and/or unexpected actions result from (or result in) whatever is revealed by this full moon. At best, this aspect denotes a sense of urgency is needed to finally leave the past behind – though there may be a high price to pay.
Full Moon Sextile Neptune
If the Moon sextile Neptune has a redeeming feature, it’s this: the potential for healing. However, healing requires you to let go of those things that are preventing you from doing so – and that can be anything from bad habits to illusory beliefs. And that requires acceptance. The process of ageing and letting go is something Joe Biden has had to accept – and that is Neptune’s great gift. It’s a gift that some of you may discover in the light of the July full moon in Capricorn – and if that dynamic plays out in your life, it will do so in ways that are personal to you.
For all of us, Presidents or not, the full moon in Capricorn lights up the road to the future, and it may revealed that the future is not what you thought it was going to be. There may be unexpected roadblocks (Capricorn) or deeply personal or even traumatising events to deal with, but they must be accepted with good grace if you are going to continue your life in a meaningful way. Above all, this lunation reminds you that things change fast – and events are not always in your control. If you have to let go of something, the best option may be to bow out gracefully. The universe seems to be in no mood to tolerate dissent.
Further Reading
Joe Biden: Solar Return Chart 2023
Donald Trump: Solar Return Chart 2024
US Election Astrology: Who Will Face Trump in November?
USA Solar Return 2024: Happy Birthday America?
The Big 2024 Horoscope: The Year Ahead
Jupiter Conjunct Saturn: The Great Conjunction
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© Sara Shipman 2024
Picture Credit: Image by Florian Kurz from Pixabay
