Solar Eclipse in Capricorn 🐐 Jan 5, 2019

Art by Glyn Smyth

Saturday, Jan 5 at 5.41pm PST

Happy new moon! Happy solar eclipse! The last solar eclipse fell on Aug 2018 in the constellation of Leo. This one falls in Capricorn, the earthen sea-goat. The eclipse will be partial, not full, and visible to viewers in northeast Asia, including China, Russia, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

With the mantra “I use,” Capricorn implements stellar self-control and self-discipline. Capricorn demonstrates application of knowledge, yet his season is also one of relaxation, rich foods, materialism and beloved rituals. Let’s summon that famous work ethic too. Meditate on the themes that entered your life around mid-January 2018 (the last new moon in Capricorn), for the same ones are about to come rushing back. From Capricorn we learn the power of gravity; silence; work; and frugality.

Every new moon introduces fodder for the coming month. The new moon in Capricorn introduces ideas of a practical, tangible nature. This is a good time to make progress on long-term goals and plans by creating an action list and then actually completing a few of the items. It is also wise to be conservative with finances. Capricorn encourages us to save for the future, to be pragmatic and strategic.

This might all sound really familiar, probably because Saturn has been “at home” in Capricorn since last December. Imagine building a house. Where will it be? Who will live there? How will it be maintained? Some astrologers conflate Capricorn with all of the outdated patriarchal values and institutions so loathed by modern new age folks, but if we understand Capricorn only through this lens, we will never destroy these old structures or build anew. Capricorn is not just the man in the suit, but also the fresh-faced architect: the first assembler of the New Earth. These eclipses are helping all of us remember that within every man there is a woman, and within every a woman a man. The sun’s fire is remembering itself as a flower wreathing Shakti’s breast. This is our alchemical destiny.

New moons make us feel more tired, and this is especially true with Capricorn: solid, stagnant, heavy, drowsy. In Capricorn the moon is strained, in her “detriment,” opposite the sign she rules, which would be Cancer. A planet is weakest in detriment. Removed from her warm ocean, Luna is naked and vulnerable. Watch for mood swings and unusually low energy. Your inclination to stay home and meditate is perfectly natural.

There will be a grand total of five planets in Capricorn on the day of the new moon. Holy leaden goat energy. The morning of the eclipse comes off the heels of a conjunction with Saturn in Capricorn. The morning will be slow, serious, methodical. Similarly, on the day after the eclipse, the morning cools off from a conjunction with Pluto in Capricorn. This influence is also slow and serious, but more emotionally volatile. Be mindful of reactions. It is wise to spend time alone during this whole eclipse time frame. By Jan 7, the moon will be in Aquarius and we’ll be feeling zesty and funky. On Jan 12, the moon enters Aries, marking the end of the new moon period and beginning of the first quarter moon.

And so we creak forward inexorably, yearning for joy in the endlessness of self-work. Go outside and inhale low gray clouds. Though you may be tired, even depressed, do not forget that you are infinitely supported by the earth and she would love to see you. Visualize new sprouts popping, reaching for the sun. Connect to the earth with this image of lightness.

In meditation, focus on the root chakra. Wear earth tones and create an altar with stone, bone and coniferous goodies. Take a hot bath and curl up with a good book. Give yourself a hand and foot massage. Stay grounded with Capricorn Yoga. To find your personal moon sign, click here.

Mantra: I build