Capricorn Full Moon Lunar Eclipse

Capricorn Full Moon Lunar Eclipse – July 4, 2020; 9:44 pm PDT

As we start into July, we are still under the influence of the Jupiter/Pluto combination that occurred on June 30th. This is the second in a series of three times that these two planets will come together. It is one of the signature aspects of 2020 and will impact the first half of the month. Jupiter conjunct Pluto is about revealing what’s been hidden or buried. We are seeing this happen collectively and we can expect it to happen personally as well. It brings up questions about the foundations of our belief systems. Another key topic associated with this aspect is wealth, so we may be focusing on our own wealth or the wealth of others. Issues of financial abundance or financial scarcity will come to mind. It highlights the concept of what wealth means to you, how you define it, how you contribute to the wealth of your family, and how you may be suffering because of financial choices you or others in your life have made. In Capricorn, the issue of wealth is tied to awareness of the future and longevity and helps us to think about and make choices regarding our long-term financial security.

As the month opens be are also heavily influenced by the recent move of Mars into its own sign of Aries which happened on June 27th. Mars is associated with assertiveness and going after what you desire. It’s the planet of the warrior and is made stronger by transiting through its home sign. That energy can be used positively in a pioneering and trailblazing way or detrimentally as aggression, anger, and hot-headed behavior. This energy stays with us for the next six months because of the Mars retrograde that happens from September 9th to November 13th and sets a defining tone for the rest of the year. When Mars is retrograde it is closer to the Earth making its symbolism stronger. This will be a very ‘hot’ time. Emotions will be high and decisions will be made without sufficient forethought. It will likely bring us more craziness during the elections, a warmer than usual fall, and the potential for fires as the land dries out.
For the last few months Saturn has been in the sign of Aquarius and has given us a taste of the energy we can expect at the end of 2020 and into 2021. But starting July 1st, Saturn retrogrades back into the sign of Capricorn and kicks off a reactivation of the Cancer/Capricorn axis energy. This is extremely significant given the push back of the masses against governmental control, regulation, and decisions. We will spend the next 5½ months completing the ‘Saturn in Capricorn’ cycle. This is the final chapter of what began in December 2017 when Saturn first moved into this sign.
I’ve talked about Capricorn a lot over the last several months. It represents governments, powerful leaders, large corporation and institutions, the rules and structure of our society, and what we would consider the status quo. Saturn in the final degree of this sign (known as the anaretic degree) puts the planet in a situation where it is either getting too much or too little of something. It represents a weakened state and a desperate situation. It also brings to light the ‘shadow side’ of the sign and that is very obvious with Capricorn as we watch our government struggle and our leaders makes poor decisions. We put less and less trust in what we are being told by the media and there’s an underlying sense of subterfuge. We are witnessing the crumbling of the old order and it’s a bit mind-boggling to watch.
Personally, this brings up the sense of needing to put structure around certain parts of your life. This can also bring up issues of boundaries – those that are necessary and give you a foundation for your life and those that stifle your personal expression. This is an excellent time to let go of past issues that have anchored you in place. Family issues may also surface now in order to be healed or resolved and working on generational healing will be very successful.
If you have planets or chart points from 25 to 29 degrees of Capricorn or any cardinal sign (Aries, Cancer, Libra) then you will be having Saturn transits over the next six months and will be more strongly affected by this energy. Saturn is about consolidation and will bring you back to your core priorities. You now have the ability to choose what matters most and to pinpoint what is the most important thing upon which to place your effort. Use Saturn’s boundary energy to clarify your focus and priorities. Any Saturn transit is about you remembering and/or resetting your goals and determining the path to achieving them.
This is the final activation for Saturn passing through the Capricorn part of your chart. Once this concludes at the end of December, Saturn will not return to this area of your life for 30 years. So, if there is any unfinished business in this area, now is the time to resolve it.
On July 4th at 9:44 pm PDT we have a Full Moon Lunar Eclipse at 13 degrees Capricorn. Full Moons tend to bring things to a head, and in Capricorn those issues will relate to control, containment, and security. At the time of the lunation the Moon is full in the sign of Capricorn along with Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto and they all oppose the Sun in the sign of Cancer. Where these signs fall in your chart, is where you will be most impacted by the energy of the Full Moon.
This Eclipse is the completion of a series of three which have occurred over a four-week period of time. It’s unusual to have three in a row and that is a lot of churning, stirring, unsettling energy to deal with. It’s very disruptive, and unstable. And, like a storm in the ocean that churns up the sand on the ocean floor it clouds the view but also uncovers treasures and skeletons that have been hidden. It can feel very overwhelming and we may question how we can find our way through the maelstrom. When we are faced with this much intensity it’s important to keep in mind that astrological energy is always fluid. Eventually the focus will shift and clarity will return.
This is an excellent time to let go of the past, especially any angry feelings that no longer serve you. There may be family issues that surface now and need to be dealt with. One of the positive aspects of this Eclipse is the Moon interacting with Uranus. This supports new ideas, visions, and new ways to use our personal and global resources.
In regards to the United States, this is an incredibly important time. Not only is the main path of the Eclipse across North America, but the Full Moon falls on our Independence Day and also opposes the United States Sun to the exact degree. The Sun in the birth chart of a country represents its leaders, so we can see the potential for a situation to arise regarding those with high level positions in our government.
In the hours immediately following the Full Moon, the Jupiter, Pluto, Saturn combination becomes activated. This can bring a feeling of heaviness or a sense of increased responsibility and you may worry about how you will carry the additional load. This energy will clarify where your true obligation lies. You may not like what you see, but it will be made known to you in an aha moment kind of way by July 5th and 6th.
On July 8th, Retrograde Mercury interacts with Mars to bring frustration. This combination represents sharp and direct communication and can bring the need to say things that are true and specific but may not be easy to say because not everyone is in the same place you are. Mercury/Mars combinations like this are not tactful. We have a tendency to say things directly and sometimes forcefully. Mercury is still retrograde during this time so whatever arises; disagreements, poor decisions, etc., we will get another chance to set it right.
This pairing can bring hectic, busy energy with the need to make decisions quickly – even though you have incomplete information. It’s also volatile because it stirs up emotions and we feel compelled to put words to feelings. If you feel frustrated or that you’re not being heard fully then there may be something that needs to be said. This is about truth telling and saying things that are difficult to hear, but are important to be aired out.
Mars in Aries is creating a challenging aspect to the Cancer/Capricorn planets, producing a cosmic tension. Mars in Aries adds heat and a level of urgency. It’s a call for action, an impetus to move forward and inspires us to take initiative and express ourselves boldly and with courage.
July 12th, Mercury stations direct so that ends this Mercury retrograde. The planet will continue to retrace its steps through the ‘shadow’ until July 26th. There is a slow unfolding until the shadow degrees are transited, so wait three or four days after the station direct before making decisions, plans, or signing any major contracts.
Also on July 12th, we have the Sun in a nice aspect to Neptune. This energy, along with Mercury stationing direct (which can produce a stagnant feel) brings a hazy, foggy quality to life and our interactions. This is also a softening type of aspect, not a go-go energy. It’s very inspirational, creative, and intuitive. There will be a sleepy, restful quality to this energy and it’s best used by taking downtime. Meditate, take naps, soak in a salt bath, listen to beautiful music, and allow creativity to suffuse you. Keep plans flexible and even take this day as a non-doing day. Meander. Let the easy energy flow through you and allow yourself to act with grace, compassion, kindness, and forgiveness.
By Monday, July 13th, the Sun in Cancer begins to make a series of oppositions to planets in Capricorn. This is going to flavor the next eight days. The first opposition is with Jupiter. Normally, this combination is hopeful and optimistic but this particular aspect is slightly muted because of the condition of Jupiter in Capricorn. This planet is not as happy in this sign as it is in other signs because Capricorn dampens the expansive, exuberance of Jupiter. There is a sense of looking forward, thinking big, and putting structure around long-range planning, but there can also be frustration surrounding restriction. Sun/Jupiter oppositions also bring opportunities to work for something that is important and very positive with the result that your efforts are rewarded. Effort put in = success, but it’s possible that you may need to shift your vision or compromise on what you’re trying to achieve. And a word of caution with this energy, there is the tendency to bite off more that you can chew. Be aware of your limitations and don’t over-promise. Don’t exaggerate your ability or the time you have available.
The next day, July 14th, the Sun opposes power planet Pluto. This is one of the most dramatic activations of the week. This energy brings a clash between power structures. The Sun represents leaders and leadership and Pluto describes wealth or influence. From a global perspective tensions may arise between special interest groups and political leaders. Personally, you may run into a bit of a brick wall if you are trying to accomplish something or be blocked by bureaucracy. Roadblocks or bumps in the road are common with this energy. If that happens, patience is the key. Give it a day or two and you’ll find a way to move forward.
This is an aspect that shines the light on the concepts of power and control. You may come to realize that there is some aspect of your life where you have more or less power than you realized. Sometimes this can shine a light on something that is hidden or secret and bring a strong realization that can be eye-opening or even shocking. That can be unsettling, but from that place of knowing we can adjust our behavior, our actions, or our attitude so that we can reclaim our power. So, if this time reveals a challenge or a stressful situation in the context of power and control this is a clue that a change is needed.
A sequence of oppositions like this highlights differences and is a clue that we need to be aware of an opposing point of view or an alternative experience. So often we think that our view or opinion is the only one that exists and are unwilling to hear what the other side thinks. But as the world changes and we move away from the status quo, innovation and new ideas need to be put forward. Change isn’t easy, but transformation is vital in order to come through this successfully. — Beth Lauderdale ~ Evolutionary Astrology