The strong emphasis on the Capricorn archetype continues this week. Tuning into it can help us embody the power of concentration as we go about our daily life. Both Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn were evoked at the January 5 Solar Eclipse that occurred at the midpoint between them. This week, the Sun forms a conjunction with Pluto on January 11 followed by Mercury forming a conjunction with Saturn on January 13. This not only extends the potent Capricorn Solar Eclipse energies of last week but also underscores how important it will be to internalize and make real to us the steady and industrious Capricorn qualities throughout the year.
The Sun represents our will and sense of purpose. Pluto symbolizes a transcendent force that targets anything not authentically aligned with the cosmic grace of Love. The Sun conjoining Pluto in Capricorn at this time will serve to intensify whatever is happening in our external environment and compel us to pay full attention to it. Pluto creates crises to force us to look at things we avoid dealing with. We could try to project unresolved issues onto others or blame external circumstances but this serious, penetrating energy will make it difficult to remain in stasis if something needs to change. In Capricorn, Pluto confronts the structures of life at home, work and in society that have become crystalized and no longer evolve with our ever changing needs. To best work with this energy we may need to face hidden fears and become more conscious of identifications and other psychological structures we live by.
Mercury represents the processes of the mind and how we perceive the world around us. It governs how we gather information and disseminate it through all forms of communication. Saturn rules Capricorn and so is the ultimate influencer over the other planets currently transiting this sign. It represents the structures and processes by which we organize our life and function in this reality. Mercury merging with Saturn in Capricorn symbolizes a well-organized mind. Tuning into this archetype can help us focus in on what is actually happening around us and see it from a rational, even scientific point of view. This can help us respond appropriately to the needs that arise in the midst of these intense transits.
The strong Capricorn archetype has been active since the Solstice of December 21. This suggests a time of contraction that may endure for a while. Many consider limitation as a bad thing, but Capricorn recognizes the need to simplify our lives in order to focus our energy where it is needed most. It teaches us to discern what is truly necessary at any given moment and to devote our full attention to it. This requires discipline and a willingness to go it alone if necessary. Capricorn also challenges us to develop integrity of purpose and flow that out into our deeds by taking responsibility for our situation, including our attitude about it. If we don’t like where we are or generally see life as negative, that’s on us. Integrity is paramount to Saturn and Capricorn, which says we can’t blame others or the external environment for our problems.
A strong movement of conflicting energy also unfolds at this time that can inhibit the equally compelling Capricorn movement to get real. Jupiter in Sagittarius forms a square to Neptune in Pisces on January 13 that will be in effect most of the year with additional exact alignments on June 16 on September 21. This planetary pair in hard aspect may tempt us to live in a beautiful dream world where everything works out as we hope it will. Fantasizing about ideal outcomes will not make them happen unless we back them up with strong intentions and make concrete choices that move us in the intended direction. Jupiter/Neptune promotes living in a state that enhances imagination but not necessarily the hard work required to manifest our dreams. Jupiter is the principle of expansion. It is adventurous, inspirational and compels us to constantly seek new experiences that enrich our knowledge and stimulate inquiry into the nature of life. Neptune is the principle of cosmic love, compassion and the sense of connection with all that is. It is amorphous rather than structured. Jupiter and Neptune are strong in the signs they rule, with the added affinity of Jupiter being the traditional ruler of Pisces before Neptune was discovered.
On a personal level, the conflicting energies between the Capricorn elements and the Jupiter/Neptune alignment could manifest in having to make a choice between going out to have escapist fun or finally attending to a dirty apartment we’ve been ignoring. On a collective level, the conflict could play out with hardening positions on border issues, with one side favoring strong, protective borders that keep us safe from danger while the other prefers more open borders that promote the free exchange of cultures, ideas and human talent. Mercury in Capricorn provides a communication link between the clashing energies when it forms a sextile to Neptune in Pisces that is exact onJanuary 14. Now flanked by Saturn and Pluto, Mercury’s voice of reason is strong. Its harmonious alignment with Neptune pulls the energy of compassion into the discussions as well as the motivation to speak for the greater good of the collective. It will only be by integrating the conflicting energies that we will collectively find a wise and balanced solution that includes both integrity and compassion.
Here’s the data for the major aspects this week (Pacific Time):
January 11 – Sun conjunct Pluto 20°56’ Capricorn at 3:36 a.m.
January 13 – Mercury conjunct Saturn at 12°51’ Capricorn at 5:31 a.m.
January 13 – Jupiter square Neptune at 14°22’ Sagittarius/Pisces at 11:01 a.m.
January 14 – Mercury sextile Neptune 14°24’ Capricorn/Pisces at 5:19 a.m.
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