Monthly moon insights by Candace Looft, of Beyond the Veil Tarot / Original art for J. Southern Studio by Spirited Animals
Welcome to your January 2021 Celestial Insights overview!
What better way to start off the New Year than with PLANETS DIRECT!! We have a solid month before anything goes retrograde. This means the cosmos are blessing us with forward motion and want 2021 to start with FULL steam ahead. Looking over the two lunations- the New Moon in Capricorn and the Full Moon in Leo- they both seem as if they’re catapulting us forward into massive change. While the first New Moon has the Sun and Moon in close proximity to transformative Pluto, many of us will be having one last hoorah with Saturn after three long years. The Sun and Moon collectively shine a light on the shadow of Pluto, asking us to spend the next six months honing in on our personal power and standing up to the bullies and cruelness of this world. Following two weeks later, the Full Moon in Leo will be pulling out ALL the stops, and ushering in the controlled chaos of the gang of planets in Aquarius. The point is that this is the month we’ve been waiting for. If you’ve read my posts throughout 2020, I spoke specifically about the build up to 2021, and the need to personally and collectively EVOLVE. Well my friends, welcome to the finale! Ironically- at the very beginning of the year.
The big news is Saturn and Jupiter’s shift into the fixed air sign of Aquarius. Just before the holiday last month, the two connected, giving each other cosmic kisses and ushering in a new era for human kind. With Aquarius energy you want to expect the unexpected. Controlled chaos, parties, evolution, REVOLUTION are all key words. In a strange cosmic turn of events, these two planets connected emphasizing excessiveness and magnification (Jupiter) along with commitment and responsibility (Saturn). In a weird way it makes me wonder, if a negative and a positive meet, does it become neutral? Maybe, in some mathematical cases. What’s going to keep that from NOT happening? Number one, the world is evolving. It’s going to start collectively manifesting before our very eyes. But sometimes there needs to be a bit of chaos before there is some control. Number two, in the weeks and months ahead, these planets will square off with Uranus in Taurus. This will collectively give us a push to radically change world economics, beauty standards, our natural resources and more. Likely through a series of sudden shocking events, we learn how to create change. All fixed signs be warned, this is the year where you are pushed to evolve with this shift.
Astrology is a series of mathematical degrees and angles which can be interpreted and used to make predictions. With easy aspects, like sextile and trines, we see positive and often harmonious happenings. However, squares produce the need to make physical changes in several different areas of life to better work together in the long run. When dealing with a client who experiences these squares, I often hear things like, “There is so much pressure, I don’t know how to balance it all”, or “I don’t know if I can do this”. While I empathize with them, I also know that squares produce grit, and we could all use a bit of that to light a fire under our ass sometimes. Change is constant, so get used to it in 2021. Fixed squares are more so reluctant to make changes because well, they’re “fixed” in their ways (pun intended). Learning to be adaptive and flexible is the only way though the next few months. The world will be changing in exciting ways. It’s up to us to move through that change for not only our best interests, but the world collectively.
Last but not least, the Mercury retrograde at the end of the month starting on the 30th. The same usual rules apply- read contracts closely, including the fine print. Watch for issues in communication, with vehicles, and possibly even electronics. Back up hard drives, and be prepared for delays. What makes this retrograde different- is the fact that Mercury will retrograde back through Aquarius and meet with a slew of other planets in Aquarius, while trining the North Node in Gemini. I expect some very important highlighted information about your new “Saturn mission” to arrive somewhere around end of January or early February 2021. Aquarius wants us to break free and be unconventional, unpredictable. One thing is for sure, I don’t think we’ve seen the end of the political chaos yet. More protests, social justice movements, and political scandals are yet to come. 2021 will be remembered as the year that the people took their power back. Standing collectively to create change and treat everyone equally, and humanely will be the primary focus. Every small change you make in your world to help this movement creates a ripple effect.
Notable dates and transits
Read more below about the full and new moons for the month ahead. Refer back as needed!
Planetary Aspects
Themes: Transformations, rebirth, clean slate, withdrawn, seclusion, privacy, dedication, a turning point, faithfulness, sanctification, responsibility, unearthing information or secrets, moments of power.
Symbolism: The Sea-goat, Goats, Saturn, Elders, Bones
This New Moon is a lunation that will be deeply transformative and powerful. The trick is learning to be patient and work with these energies throughout the month. Capricorn focuses its earthy energies on long term planning and rising to the top. Intentions set for the New Year are strongest made at the time of this Moon. The Sun and Moon meet directly on top of Pluto, the Lord of the Underworld. This opens our eyes to issues of power. Where we give it away, don’t have enough of it, or need to rise up and become more powerful. The choice is yours on this lunation. Steer clear of power struggles, fear and anything that’s heavy handed. Power can go one of two ways, keep that in mind. Death, sex, and transformation are all Pluto’s realm. In Capricorn it suggests massive transformations will be taking place when it comes to those in positions of power, be that government officials or world leaders. I expect to see major movements when it comes to police reform. The rise of the Black Lives Matter movement may take center stage once again. The darker sides of Pluto deal with crime, violence and secrets. The days surrounding this Moon are likely to drum a bit of this up as well. The Veil will be extremely thin with close contacts to Pluto, so forms of divination or even ancestral/ mediumship work will be favored.
Ways to Ritualize this Moon
Crystals: Garnet, Onyx, Ruby
Herbs: Mullein, Wintergreen, Lemon Balm
Colors: Black, Brown, Grey
Work with elements like Earth, crystals, and herbs. Bones and ancestral work is well aspected at the time of this New Moon. Communing with the dead is an excellent choice as the Veil will be very thin.
Planetary Aspects
Themes: Unrest, rebellion, breaking free, revival, stimulation, strength, fresh start, purity, transmuting ego issues, changes in friendships or values, financial fluctuations.
Symbolism: Lion, The Sun, Ra
This Full Moon is a flat out EXPLOSIVE and DRAMATIC one. Hold onto your shorts. This energy will bleed clear into February and set the stage for raging opposing sides of a matter. I suppose the most obvious divide will be political, but it will take many other forms. The explosive energy is due to the Leo Moon’s opposition to Jupiter and Saturn, and square to Mars and Uranus in Taurus. Sudden jolts and changes are likely. Humans can be creatures of habit, and find themselves not necessarily coping well with sudden changes. Take it easy on yourself, and others as well. Jupiter Uranus squares have a tendency to have us acting impulsively, and acting first before thinking later. You would be wise to not be rushing around during this Moon. Watch for dramatic ego flares, and reckless behavior. Take your time when moving around town and driving, as this may cause literal accidents or fights with others. The Sun is the star of this Full Moon, and with so very many aspects opposing or squaring the Sun, the focus is on YOU. Not other people. Your goal is to be an actor, not a reactor. Other peoples reactions should have NO effect on your moral grounds. On the more positive side- this Moon is excellent for shifting gears, cutting loose and having fun. Sometimes you need a little shake up in the day to day to get the creative juices flowing.
Ways to Ritualize this Moon
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Candace Marie of Beyond the Veil Tarot has her degree in Cultural Anthropology with a minor in Theology, and studied at the School of Evolutionary Astrology. She is also a graduate of Sacred Crossings Death Midwifery School, and a root worker and herbalist. Read her bio here, and catch more of her work on Beyond the Veil Tarot.
Read more on astrology, horoscopes, occultism, magick & ritual on our blog, Esoteric Insights!
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