New Moon January 8, 2008
6:37 am EST
3:37 am PST
17:33 Capricorn Sun and Moon
It is an extra, special and potentially very lovely and creative New Moon at 17:33 Capricorn. Most of the planets involved in the lunation are answering to Saturn in Virgo. That is great!! Mercury, in charge of Virgo, is found in his exaltation in Aquarius. Furthermore, Mercury is feral ~ having no Ptolemaic aspects (conjunction, opposition, square, trine or sextile) to any planet or asteroid in the sky. Feral means gone wild and is used to describe animals or plants that live or grow in the wild after having been domestically reared or cultivated or who are typical of a wild animal. When used to describe a planet, it means it can operate at its maximum levels ~ in this case, exaltation! That means Mercury gets to operate wildly and with OUT any of his normal relationship restraints with other planets. Completely exalted in his vision while not responsible for or answering to anyone ~ we’ll get to see the brilliance of our Hermes in his full glory and bloom. Watch out world here Mercury comes!
Next, Mercury DOES have two bi-quintile aspects to Mars and Saturn and a semi-square aspect to Uranus. Bi-quintiles are gifts of Genius. Bi-quintiles answer to the fifth harmonic of the chart’s deepest creative and most profound purpose for existence. We are incarnations of the heavens at the moment of our birth ~ you could say we were created to fulfill heaven’s (or God’s) intent of love and creation. We are each the fifth house of the universe‘s chart! If you think about it, the purpose of each and every life is to propagate themselves so the species and life continues.
Thus the 5th and 9th houses ~ as the children and children’s children, act in a creative, harmonious aspect to the Ascendant of each and every chart. We live to create. Then, once we are done creating, we are supposed to move off stage to let the young un’s take over and create their things. Now, if you think about it a bit more, some of us create children, or books, or art. But each and every one of us is here to create ~ that is why the fifth house is the house of pleasures, love, fun as well as children. We have fun when we create! We are a creation ~ a vision of the sky at the moment we were born. And if we are the Universe’s fifth house, then our creations are the Universe’s 9th house. And so the cycle of life goes round and round!
But I digress, back to our dear feral, exalted Mercury’s bi-quintile to Saturn and Mars. Mars is still out of bounds, still retrograde and now Mars is in Gemini ~ so he also answers to Mercury, feral and exalted. And we know that Saturn in Virgo answers to Mercury, feral and exalted, while Saturn is in Virgo. Imagine, if you will, the lunation’s Mercury as YOUR toddler. Mercury strolls over to a harpsichord and sits down. You expect a plink, plink, plunk ~ Mercury’s a toddler after all. All of a sudden, instead of a few random, plunked notes, you hear profound music coming from the instrument as your toddler starts to play. It is as if Mercury already knows how to play, has practiced for years and all of a sudden, is creating and making music before your startled eyes. And, THAT is how you discover your toddler of Mercury is Mozart.
Fifth harmonics describe those kinds of Mozart skills available to each of us. And, yes, we all have fifth harmonic aspects to use and exploit on this lunation! Even you! You only have to look at your chart, especially your 5th harmonic chart, to see how it relates to this lunation chart to spot what or where the creative aspects are. Or just push, a teeny tiny bit, at the forward direction you’d like to move in ~ that will do it too! Or listen for Mercury to whisper an idea in you ear. He will. Pay attention!
There is enormous creative energy available to us under the lunation. We also have Mars and Saturn in a quintile aspect to each other ~ the same kind of energy but a bit more practice is involved. A lesson or two is needed to draw the skill out. And Mars is approaching an air trine to Neptune ~ even MORE creative and inspiration energy.
The energy of the lunation is particularly profound in its gifts of creative energy. Fifth harmonics are the things we do effortlessly that other folks struggle with. They are the things where folks drop their mouths open and go “wow” at how easily we do it. Push the energy a bit to see how fast it can move you forward.
On the lunation, we have feral, exalted Mercury in a semi-square aspect to Uranus ~ we can get scared, sometimes, when we turn around and see everyone with their mouths open and staring at us. They are staring at us because they don‘t know how to process what they are seeing ~ a toddler playing Mozart. We go, “What, what did I do wrong?” Nothing. Don‘t listen to any criticism offered under this moon for something you do naturally, for some thing that seemingly evolves and appears out of nowhere. It isn‘t out of nowhere. It is time to move on. You figured it out. The open door is the universe’s sign to you to move forward. You are ready. You’ve done your work.
When we track the energy of the lunation back to where it finds its source, we keep returning to that Mercury, feral, exalted and involved in fifth harmonic aspects with Saturn and Mars. Saturn in Virgo, goes to it and back to itself as the ruler of Aquarius. Vesta, Chiron, Neptune and the North Node, all answer back to Mercury in Aquarius. The Capricorn based planets, Moon, Sun, Jupiter, all go back to Saturn and end up with Mercury in Aquarius as their ultimate ruler. Mars in Gemini goes back to Mercury in Aquarius. Venus and Pluto in Sagittarius ~ ruled by Jupiter in Capricorn go back to Mercury in Aquarius. Ceres in Taurus goes to Venus and through that route back to Mercury.
Mercury and Saturn are in mutual reception, allowing them to swap places with each other ~ amplifying the creative, productive energy even more of the Aquarian Mercury and Virgoian Saturn. Saturn, Ceres and Jupiter are in a Grand Earth Trine, pushing the creative energy to a new, higher and more profound level. Even if it is only the tiniest, smallest, more infinitesimal beginning, I want you to begin something under this new moon. If you can, begin 300 things! Begin 1001 things!
Begin things with the idea that you can change your mind down the road apiece if you want to. Begin things! This is way too powerful of a lunation to skip over because Mars is retrograde ~ besides Mars has quintile and bi-quintile aspects to Saturn and Mercury. So, yes, Mars is retrograde but SO MANY things have been born out of actions meant to go one way while the other way provided the eureka moment ~ mistakes so to speak ~ but powerful mistakes. Such is the new moon energy.
Post-it notes were a mistake. Chocolate chip cookies were a mistake. Rubber was a mistake. The pacemaker was a mistake. Silly Putty was a mistake. Coca-Cola was a mistake. Scotch guard was mistake. Christopher Columbus meant to sail to Asia and made a mistake. Penicillin was a mistake. The telephone was invented for blind people ~ not the rest of us. You get the idea. Out of mistakes or mistarts, powerful things can be created. Such is the type of creative new moon we have this month. Get yourself, your ideas, your vision, your-whatever-Mercury-is-telling-you-to-do, and your beginnings out the door and into the world so the universe can help you create.
Louis Pasteur, said, "Where observation is concerned, chance favors only the prepared mind," so make sure to observe the events that take place under this lunation too~ you never know what you might spot with Mercury so feral and exalted! All the planets answer to Mercury so talk your dreams out loud ~ you might mention a dream near someone who can help you make the dream come true~ how do you think Cinderella got to the ball? And wasn’t l
eaving her glass slipper a l
ovely mistake? It helped her prince find her!
It helps to remember the first myths about Mercury under this moon where Mercury is so prominent. When Mercury was a day old, he stole 50 cows from his brother, Apollo. On the lunation, Mercury is opposite to the asteroid, Apollo ~ the story of the two brothers will be active. From the Internet:
Zeus joined in love with the beautiful nymph MAIA in a luxurious cave, and she bore the god HERMES (MERCURY). This precocious baby was born at dawn, by midday he was playing the lyre, and in the evening he stole the cattle of Apollo.
As soon as Hermes left the cave where he was born he encountered a tortoise and quickly devised a plan. He seized and cut up the tortoise and used the hollowed tortoise shell, along with reeds, an ox’s hide, and strings of sheep gut to invent the seven-stringed lyre. In no time at all, he tuned the lyre and was singing beautiful songs in honor of his father and his mother.
Very soon Hermes became intent on other pursuits; he craved meat and devised a scheme for stealing the cattle of Apollo. In the night, he cut off from the herd fifty head and cleverly made them walk backwards, their heads facing him, while he himself walked straight ahead, wearing sandals of wicker that he had woven to disguise his tracks. When an old man working in a luxuriant vineyard noticed Hermes driving the cattle, the infant god told him not to tell, promising him a good harvest of grapes and much wine.
At daybreak Hermes fed the cows well and found a shelter for them. Then he gathered some wood and was the very first to use dry sticks and by friction kindle a fire. He skinned and butchered two of the cattle (baby though he was) and divided rich parts of the meat into twelve portions and roasted them as offerings to the gods. Following the ritual of sacrifice, he, as one of the gods, could not eat any of the meat but only savor the aroma. After destroying all evidence of what he had done, he returned home to his mother.
Hermes got into his cradle and acted like a helpless baby; but his mother Maia was not fooled by his display of helplessness and berated him, for she knew that he had been up to no good. Hermes answered her with clever words assuring her that he was to be the prince of thieves and that he would win honor and riches for them both among the Olympian gods.
Apollo, anxious about the loss of his cattle (which he explains were all cows), made inquires of the old man tending the vineyard, and the old man told him that he saw a child driving a herd backwards. The sign of an eagle with extended wings told him that the thief was a son of Zeus, and when he saw the tracks of the cattle turned backwards and the tracks of the robber cleverly obscured, the ingenuity of the theft led him to the cave of Maia and Hermes.
In a rage, Apollo faced Hermes, who sank down into his blankets with a look of baby-innocence that failed to deceive Apollo. After a search of the surroundings, he urgently questioned the child about his stolen cattle. Hermes claimed that he did not know a thing; since he was only born yesterday, it was impossible that he could have committed such a crime. Apollo, however, was not fooled but knew Hermes for the sly-hearted cheat that he was. Their argument only ended when Apollo brought Hermes to the top of Mt. Olympus, where he sought justice from Zeus himself.
Apollo spoke first and truthfully stated the facts about the theft of his cattle. Hermes’ reply was full of lies, and he even swore a mighty oath that he was absolutely innocent. Zeus gave a great laugh when he heard the protests and denials of the devious child and ordered Hermes in his role of guide to lead Apollo to the place where he had hidden the cattle.
Hermes did as Zeus commanded, and when Apollo found his cattle the two reconciled. Hermes took up the lyre that he had invented and played and sang so beautifully that Apollo was enthralled and exclaimed that this enchanting skill was worth fifty cows! He promised that Hermes would become the messenger of the gods and that he and his mother would have renown among the immortals (and thus Hermes’ promise to his mother was fulfilled). At this, Hermes gave the lyre to Apollo ordaining that he should become a master of the musical art, and Apollo in turn gave Hermes a shining whip and put him in charge of cattle herds. And so the two returned to Olympus where Zeus united them in friendship.
Furthermore, Hermes swore to Apollo that he would never again steal any of his possessions. For this Apollo gave to Hermes a golden staff, protective of wealth and prosperity, and as well another gift. Apollo alone had the prerogative of knowing the mind of Zeus and uttering prophecies in accord with his divine wisdom. This prerogative he could not share with his new friend Hermes. Yet he could and did tell Hermes about the Thriae, the three virgin sisters who were masters of the art of divination, whom Hermes could consult as a source of prophetic knowledge which he could pass on to mortals, who would be fortunate if they listened.
So make sure to listen when Mercury whispers in your ear on this lunation! He is telling you things you will be fortunate to listen to!
The Sabian symbol for the Sun and the Moon, interpreted by Lynda Hill is:THE UNION JACK FLIES FROM A NEW BRITISH WARSHIP
Commentary: The Symbol ‘The Union Jack Flies From a New British Warship’ is an image of the need for protection and control. It pictures having to oversee and protect a large “empire” where reliability and leadership are vital to the welfare of the people. Having to make one’s presence felt and to guard one’s territory can be a tiring responsibility, but there is an awareness of the guidance and protection of “all who went before”. Effective supervision needs to be employed to protect what’s been won, sometimes at great cost, from others who might want to take it away. Countries, and things such as social and political constructs, all the way down to the individual, all need this surveillance and protection from those who might invade, attack or threaten. We invest the “armed forces’ with this responsibility, so that we, as individuals in society, may enjoy our secure lives.
Oracle: This Symbol is about the need to defend our ideals, lifestyle or culture from outside influences. It important to show one’s power, but also to continually renew strength. This can be a show of strength put on for others, but also an affirmation of safety for yourself and those who are in your circle of influence or protection. If there is a threat from either outside your boundaries, or from within, there needs to be a swift response to snuff it out. However, if anarchy erupts within the ranks, political ploys may be used, such as the concept of “divide and rule” – the political rule that government is more easily maintained if factions are set against each other and not allowed to unite against the ruler. Distrust or disrespect for “authority” can lead to problems with people branded traitors. Being confident in your ability to hold, maintain and protect your own “turf” will ensure others will, as well.
Keywords: Colonialism. Protectionism. The government, big business and the media. Class-consciousness. Power and political displays. Displays of “law and order”. Border patrols and protection. Strength and might. Nationalism. Royalty. The ruling elite. Supervision. The armed forces. Patrols. Pitting people against each other. Empires. Victory bringing riches. The mother country. The struggle against decline. Flags. Imperialism. The commonwealth.
The Caution: Artificial shows of strength. Bullying from the “big guys”. Being armed “to the teeth”. Strong-arm tactics. Disrespect for authority. People or institutions that throw their weight around. Anarchy. Traitors. Being antiestablishment. Social disintegration. War games. Civil wars. Feeling squeezed by
authority. Rebellion. Civilian lives lost for political causes. Governing forces that deny individual rights. Invasions.
Use power to curb power. Chinese Proverb
I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. John Adams
Sail on, O Ship of State! Sail on, O Union, strong and great! Humanity with all its fears, With all the hopes of future years, Is hanging breathless on thy fate! Hendry Wadsworth Longfellow
Councils of war never fight. Proverb
FLAG, n. A colored rag borne above troops and hoisted on forts and ships. It appears to serve the same purpose as certain signs that one sees on vacant lots in London-”Rubbish may be shot here.” Ambrose Bierce
I went to a very militantly Republican grammar school and, under its influence, began to revolt against the Establishment, on the simple rule of thumb, highly satisfying to a ten-year-old, that Irish equals good, English equals bad. Bernadette Devlin
Britain is not a country that is easily rocked by revolution . . . In Britain our institutions evolve. We are a Fabian Society writ large. William Hamilton
Copyright © 2008 Anne Ortelee
