New Moon | December 12, 2023 | 20 Sagittarius 40’
“I am involved in mankind.”— John Donne.
The root of the word man is mind. This is a time for us to consider what our thinking has wrought. Mutable (fluctuating, alterable) signs represent mind, and require examination and perhaps modification of ideas. The mutable signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. When we have a proliferation in these signs, as we do now, we have the opportunity to examine, correct and elevate our ideas. Such is the case with the New Moon in Sagittarius conjunct Mars in Sagittarius and square Juno in Virgo (Community Health) and Neptune in Pisces.
Norman Lear, who recently made his transition, is a stellar representation of the examination of ideas. He is, a Leo male with his natal Mars in Sagittarius. Lear was said to have spearheaded a revolution in talking about ideas, mostly through television.
Sagittarius is about ideas that further society. At this New Moon we might be a little discouraged about the fate of society. This is shown by the square between the Sagittarius planets and Neptune, the tiny far-away planet of higher love. Our puny hatreds could press on us and make ideal or higher love seem silly and insignificant. Some say we are in danger of destroying ourselves. So much destruction is begun in speech and fanned with more speech. Sagittarius is the zealot in us. Neptune in Pisces might have the message of toning down righteous evangelical dehumanizing of those who have messages against us.
What we need for balance is personal, disciplined thought and speech. “Where there is hatred, let me sow love.” Mercury, ruler of Gemini, the mind, the thinking individual, can be disciplined and no-nonsense in Capricorn. Hold yourself accountable for what you think because what you say and do will usher from it.
Mercury, the thinker, is in Capricorn and forms a sextile with Venus and Pallas in Scorpio, an opportunity to think and love wisely. Mercury/mind sextiles Saturn in Pisces too, which enables the discipline of compassion. Mercury in Capricorn trines Jupiter in Taurus, indicating that we can easily either extend our optimism or exaggerate apparent obstructions.
It rides upon our will. Hate is a default position. It is easier to hate those who hate you or are just ignorant about you rather than consider that what we see is fact might be seeing partially. We have to have the will to not return the fire.
Upon reflection of the character of Archie Bunker, the “lovable bigot” created by Norman Lear, I appreciate the complex job of both showing Archie to me (I would have had no exposure to his behind-closed-doors conversation) and at the same time making me pause long enough to not hate him.
Perhaps it was because Archie’s son-in-law, who Archie called “meathead,” was already suffering Archie and sticking up for me. Perhaps it was because the situations presesented were funny, and laughter was the medicine.
We have experienced a lot of community trauma in the past few years, from politics to pandemics to wars, but the lovers and the artists persist and insist on loving and creating beauty. We are being encouraged to be mindful and to carry on through the storm. I believe we are going to survive. Gold does not corrode and when you look on the bright side, you can see the light that shines in the darkness.
Practicum
Listen to yourself think and speak. Are you constructing or corrupting? How you think about yourself, and others matters. Be patient, encouraging and kind. Quiet the voice of hatred. If you can’t say anything that leans toward good, say nothing.
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