Sagittarius NEW MOON 2017   

By Tracy Cook

Many years ago I studied lunar phases with Robert Buz Myers.  It is my hope that he would be proud of my work today.  Blessings to you, Buz! 

What is a New Moon?

A new moon is the beginning of a 29-day cycle.  Technically, when you look up in the sky you only see a thin section of the moon illuminated.       

And the not so technical point of view?

Well, similar to farmers and indigenous people, who have used the eight phases of the moon for eons, astrologers also utilize the different phases of the Moon.  Certainly on the New we know it is time to plant seeds.  But the other seven phases are equally important.

Where should my focus be during this next 29-day cycle?

When we draft a chart for the new moon we can get a sense of the energy that will be up for processing for the next 29 days. 

Okay what is this cycle about?    Who are you? What is the truth of you?   And what is your place in the big, wide world when it looks crazy?   

 

Sabian symbol:  

A Sculptor At His Work

 

 

https://cafeastrology.com/sabiansymbols_degreemeanings.html

 

 

Sagittarius New Moon

December 18, 2017

1:30 am   (EST)

26 Sagittarius 31

 

Go Deep With Me

We’re going in deep---so prepare yourself.   I’m talking about a lot of stuff in this report because this is, in my opinion, no regular Sag New Moon.  Nope.  Not even close to regular.   

 

In our galaxy, the Milky Way, there is a center.   It is called the Galactic Center (GC).    If you do any kind of stargazing and have seen the Milky Way (which I did this fall) you know there is a dark black crack right in the middle.  Astronomers figured out about fifty years ago that this was not just a big old black hole it is the actual center of our galaxy.  The GC has a mass of three trillion stars and all gravity comes from the GC.   Like a Sun for our whole universe our solar system and all other systems swirl around the GC.   

 

Astrologers started to study the GC and Philip Sedgwick has been writing about the importance of the GC for years.  Sedgwick reminds us that this powerful pulsating three trillion star field force is speaking to us. 

 

“The Galactic Center acts like a satellite dish. Directing divine inspired information straight to the potentially receptive gray matter of our brains.  If you believe in God, this might be the voice you hear.  Regardless, with this connection you have the ability to pull down wild information which you would otherwise have no way of knowing.” 

Philip Sedgwick

 

 

And why are we talking about the Galactic Center now?

The GC is at 26-27 degrees of Sagittarius and this year’s Sagittarius new moon is exactly on the Galactic Center at 26 Sag 31. Not sort of near the center we’re talking:  In.  The.  Middle.  Bingo.

 

 

How important is a new moon on the Galactic Center?     Let me say this, I am not even remotely educated enough to talk about the Galactic Center.  But I am not stupid and when I looked at the chart of this new moon and I saw the tie in with the GC and all of the planetary aspects with the Sun and Moon I decided I needed to research and I am hoping I can share with you some insights that might make sense to what we are perhaps all feeling --that something big is going on.

 

 

How rare are New Moons on the GC?  

I pulled out my ephemeris and I find that there have been six new moons on the GC as it is in this New Moon during the last 117 years.

 

December 18, 1903*

December 18, 1922

December 18, 1941*

December 18, 1960

December 19, 1979

December 18, 1998

 

I took pause when I compiled the list as there were two dates that hit me right away —Dec 18, 1903 &  Dec 18, 1941.  I knew these dates were important without having to go to Wikipedia. 

 

On December 17 one day before the 1903 Sag New Moon on the GC, The Wright Brothers took flight in Kitty Hawk and changed the world.

 

And of course, eleven days before the1941 Sag New Moon, The Pearl Harbor attack took the US into World War II.  But I researched more and found out that on the new moon, the Manhattan project members met for the first time and agreed to spend $400,000 on Isotope separation.   World War II ended four and a half years later after two atomic bombs were dropped.   Those bombs would not have been conceived had it not been for that committee who met on Dec. 18, 1941, on the GC new moon, which again, changed the world. 

 

Are you starting to feel something might be going on with the Galactic Center?   Can you feel the gravity?   I looked ahead and based on my observations I see the next New Moon on the GC is not until Dec 17 2036 and that is one is not as tight of an aspect as this new moon.   I figured that is a long time off in the future so that makes me think we have to make the most of this GC New Moon.  I then went back to the other dates to see what else I could find.   

 

In 1998, the day after the New Moon, Congress voted to impeach Clinton for perjury.  The case moved to trial in the Senate.  He later was acquitted after going through the whole process.     

 

In 1979 a week after New Moon the USSR sent troops to Afghanistan and KGB killed the president of Afghanistan.    How did that work out for USSR?   And the world?

 

In 1960, a month before new moon, JFK was elected president, there was a new energy in the air but there was a great deal of unrest.  In the two weeks before the New Moon, Nepal, Ethiopia, Algeria, Congo had riots, coups and major leadership changes.  The Supreme Court ruled Segregation illegal in Louisiana.  And the day before the new moon the US Secretary of state offered five nuclear submarines to NATO.    Also on the day before the new moon TWA 266 & United 826 collide over Staten Island, killing 134 in the air and on the ground.   This accident changed FAA laws.   That is a lot of energy and action with long consequences in a two week run up to the new moon.   

And one week after the new moon operation Pedro Pan where Cubans were sending their children on airplanes to the United States so that they would not be a part of the Cuban Revolution

 

Two days after the 1922 New Moon, The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is created with a single-party political system (Communist Party).  Think about that one. 

 

After noting all that history I then drafted charts for each of these new moons.   

 

Uranus on top of the 1903 New Moon was powerful for innovation.  Of which we say, “no shit” and an opposition to Pluto speaks to the power and transformation of the world that would be associated with flying.  Thank you, Orville & Wilbur.    

 

The 1922 New Moon had a trine with Neptune, which of course is inspirational –perhaps TOO much so and curiously it was conjunct Ceres (dwarf planet) goddess of the harvest whose symbol is the sickle.   What symbol is associated with Communism?  The sickle.   You can’t make this stuff up.    

 

 The 1941 chart had a trine with warrior Mars, okay makes sense, a conjunction with mercury (consider the propaganda machine) and wide opposition to Jupiter so you know there were some big goals but the square to Neptune in Virgo suggested it was not going to be easy or fast.   Many years worth of details and mistakes would happen before the end of the war four years later. 

 

In 1960 we see another Uranus aspect this time a trine, again, interesting we revisit air travel and all the world unrest spoke to what would be a decade of unrest on many levels.   Even with a trine Uranus can be rebellious. 

In 1979 Saturn is a perfect square to Sun/Moon and there was a Jupiter Mars conjunction.  Containing ‘foreign’ forces in their own land does not work out for the invaders, does it?  Ask Afghanistan.     

In 1998 Jupiter square Sun/Moon opinions were angered, judgments were made and a trial ensued but Saturn in Aries trine Sun & Moon speaks to freedom and yes, Clinton was acquitted.

 

So, that is a lot of history. What about this 2017 New Moon on the Galactic Center? 

 

I see way more aspects with planets than the previous six charts.   Gulp.   In this chart, the Sun/Moon conjunct Venus, Mercury and Saturn plus trine Uranus and square Chiron.   Wow.   

 

The new moon like all lunar months launches a 29-day cycle.   In the four-week cycle we will go through our eight phases of the moon plus we will have other astrological events.    As we consider the lunar month we should also ponder how this could have longer consequences since it is tied to the GC and a case can be made looking at the previous six Galactic Center New Moons that they have a ripple effect that extends for many years.    

 

Venus

Comparing this chart with the previous charts, this is the only New Moon Galactic Center chart with Venus in the mix.  This struck me right away.    Venus is connected to women and women issues.   Having it on the GC we are reminded that women’s issues are world issues.    Here we are in the middle of one of the greatest reckonings regarding women since probably the time women got the vote.   The drama that has emerged about sexual inappropriateness or sexism or assaults spiked with Harvey Weinstein allegations on October 5.  And it has not stopped.   Every week there is a new story.  It is notable seven days before the Weinstein story Pluto turned direct having been retrograde since April.    Pluto when it is misbehaving or uninvolved is a brute and bully.   How much has bullying been in the news?    Curiously, Pluto is not pronounced in the Sag New Moon chart.  But perhaps it is not necessary given the gravity of the GC. 

 

In my research on the Galactic Center I reached out to astrologer David Crook at Stellar Insights https://www.yelp.com/biz/stellar-insights-astrology-san-francisco-2

David pointed me in the direction of Mandi Lockley who has found an extraordinary tie between the GC and Whistleblowing.

From Enron, 9/11 to Karen Silkwood, Lockley connects those people with planets either at 26-27 Sag or planets in aspect to GC who step beyond their skin, putting themselves in real jeopardy in order to whistle blow.   They call out businesses, governments and other groups who are frauds, lie, forge documents and put innocent people at great risk including death.   Please take a look.  

http://www.astro.com/astrology/aa_article160301_e.htm

 

Are you starting to feel the gravity of the GC? 

So back to Venus, there are forces at play with women on this chart that should not be ignored or minimalized.  Even if we don’t see the forces (just like we don’t ‘see’ gravity) let’s trust that there is something going on and there will be long repercussions from this period punctuated by the GC New Moon.

   

Remember with Venus she uses the feminine power of tuning into her value. She does not go out and claim her value or shout it; rather she finds it in her essence and makes all her moves based on it.   Venus breathes her value.   Venus in Sagittarius is riding bare back on a horse heading off towards her target where she will shoot her arrow.    She is not interested in being tamed but give her a lot of room and you will marvel at where she takes you!  It is an enthusiastic and a traveler Venus but it is truth that is beating through her heart.      Watch and see what kind of truth percolates in you.  Watch where you want to travel and it does not have to be far away it could be in your own town but you are driven to experience an adventure.  Personally we may be finding our value and a new truth about us during this 29- day cycle.  How are women playing an important role in your 29-day cycle?   How will feminine nature be important in the world?   She may end up just a foot note in history but as I pondered Venus in this chart on the Galactic Center, I thought about the emergence of Meghan Markle and the engagement to British Royal Family Prince Harry that took place in the last two weeks.   Watch and see if this video does not seem to speak to the Venus conjunct Sun & Moon New Moon all in Sag.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMoVen6_XuA

 

 

Mercury

The Sun & Moon conjunct Mercury in this New Moon chart similar to the 1922, 1941, 1960 charts.   A lot of stimulated thinking that has global implications (Sag) was the case for those New Moons and NONE of them had Mercury retrograde.   This smells like an extra hurdle for us experiencing this GC New Moon.     Of course as we discussed in the Scorpio report, Mercury turned retrograde in the end of Sagittarius at 29 degrees.  Mercury in the conjunction with the Sun and the Moon but it is a little different relationship due to the retrograde.   Mercury retro in Sag is the friend at the party who hands you their glass and says,  “Hold my drink I gotta go back and get something.”   And then returns much later with god knows who or what.   Mercury is going back to 13 degrees of Sagittarius looking for truth.  We are figuring out beliefs and figuring out the beliefs that no longer serve us.   Did we start to realize our life is not in alignment with our inner truth?   How are our judgments keeping us small?   Is there a new us who wants  to come forward but all our silly opinions are getting in our way?  And what about our prejudices how are they keeping us away from a higher good? Not just with other people but higher good for us?    We should feel relief when Mercury turns direct on December 22.    Consider what you have learned between Dec 3 and 22, you may be surprised.   

 

During the 29 day lunar cycle we may find our thinking is not completely there.  And our communication feels weird.   We may feel like we have jet lag even if we aren’t traveling.   If things seem ‘off’ go back to your truth and process it.  You don’t have to have all the answers right now, but the processing of any glitch is what is important.   Use your instincts.  Globally, we will see much in the news.  Journalism and news will be on steroids.   Watch the gossip.   There will be so much information that we will probably feel like it is more than we can absorb.  Get quiet.   See if you can find the truth inside you.   Remember to find gravity.  

 

Saturn

Saturn is so up the butt of the New Moon that it is impossible for this 29-day cycle to not feel a bit heavy.   Not necessarily depression (although maybe a tinge) but more about a feeling of responsibility or burden.    Once again we find ourselves talking about the very last degree of Sagittarius.   On this new moon chart Saturn is at 29 Sag. Saturn crossed the GC on November 25 activating some kind of herald from above which --drum roll--we may or may not have seen.  Then on December 6 Mercury conjunct Saturn making us look at restructuring some of our big ideas.  And now at the new moon Saturn is looking at the Moon and Sun reminding them that they need to be big, be enthusiastic, travel, broaden their world, broaden their judgments and make sure their philosophy is in alignment with their truth.  Saturn in Sag even the last degree of it, knows that the most important thing a human can do is, make sure their beliefs are in alignment with who they are and that they ---walk their talk!    This is a big ask for The Sun, Moon, Mercury & Venus all on top of each other in crazy circus loving Sag.   But Saturn, like Obi Wan Kanobi, reminds us that the crazy circuses must still have discipline.    Watch and see how sobriety and discipline and responsibility speak to you during this 29- day cycle.

 

And speaking of Saturn---

Saturn in Capricorn

Dec 19, 11:48 pm EST through March 21, 2020 11:58pm EDT

July 1, 2020 7:37pm Saturn Retrograde re-enters Cap

Dec 17, 2020 12:04 am Saturn re-enters Aquarius

 

The day after the new moon Saturn moves into Capricorn where it will be for the next two and half years.    Saturn is comfortable in Capricorn since it is a home sign.   Saturn with its legendary rings likes to pull in the reins and get serious the minute it transits a sign.  In Capricorn issues around business, career, economy, infrastructure, government (lots of Capricorn in politicians), aged community, traditions and conservation take front stage.

 

Thirty years ago, the last Saturn in Capricorn 1988-1991 followed right on the heels of the 1987 economic crash.   And in 1929 Saturn was in Cap for half of the year then it retrograded back into Sag and while it was at the Galactic Center (note that!) we had the 1929 crash, which activated the Great Depression.   Saturn helped focus people to do hard work while the world struggled.  Actually the hard work and struggle is exactly what Saturn in Capricorn likes to do     And you don’t need to be a Rhode Scholar to see there is great work in front of the world at this time.   I do wonder if and what seeds were planted in the last month when Saturn went over the GC and how will we spend the next couple years perhaps working on it?

 

We will talk a lot about Saturn in Capricorn for the next three years especially as it heads towards Pluto in 2020 but when I poked around on my ephemeris I see that the last time Saturn was on Pluto in Capricorn was January 1518 and more to the point--- in the run up to the conjunction during that fall of 1517 Martin Luther started the Protestant Reformation.  Also in the run up the first European dignitary met the Ming Chinese officials.   What will we be building towards something between now and 2020?   A new reformation?   Something important in the international community?   Who knows but we will talking about it going forward. 

 

Chiron

The Chiron transit in Pisces began in Feb 8, 2011 and continues until Feb 18, 2019.   We have talked a lot about Chiron and how the last time it was in Pisces was during the tumultuous days of 1960 – 1969 but under the tumult was the need to heal.   Chiron the great healer will eventually get us to the antidote but not without bringing up all the issues first.   Sigh.    In 1965 the US healing around race was huge and healing around health were paramount.  Lyndon Johnson signed both the Civil Rights Bill and Medicare & Medicaid right smack in the middle of the Chiron Pisces Transit.  Now both areas are getting more attention and in many cases it could be argued being dismantled.   Riots, civil unrest, Vietnam also speak to the last Chiron in Pisces cycle along with the Space Race and the Cold War.   How are we revisiting those issues now?    During its transit in Pisces there are New Moons in Sagittarius which square Chiron.  But in the last 100 years none of the Galactic Center Sag New Moons squared Chiron except for this one in 2017.   This is a first for us so it is hard to predict but it would seem issues that need great healing will be in the news and personally we may bump into raw issues.  I would look for issues of Sag who can be enthusiastic but also brash and sloppy.   Pisces can be humanitarian but also addicted to brokenness and martyrdom.   Sag can be a leader and educator or it can be a zealot with a cult.   Pisces can be contemplative & meditative or lost.   Both Sag & Pisces speak to religion and spirituality.    Will someone do something that claims to be holy but perhaps it is not?  Will righteousness spike?    We may feel all of this during the 29-day cycle.    Check your personal life and globally let’s see if there is rushing, judgments, opinions all that create sturm und drang.  Look for people who are victims, addicts, madness and under it all what needs to be healed?   Will it get it healed in 29 days? - Of course not.  But acknowledging the issue is the beginning of the healing.  

 

Uranus

Finally we have Sun & Moon trine Uranus in Aries.    Surprises that inspire could bring joy and freedom.   For 29 days we may see and feel liberation in a curious moment.   Watch if you feel inclined to do something out of the norm.  See if it broadens your world and adds excitement and inspiration or optimism.   Perhaps the liberation of being a straight (as an arrow) shooter will open you up in new ways.    And moments of independence can be invigorating and set up a new belief system.  

It is interesting we are getting this trine with Uranus on the New Moon since it is one of the last goodies we can get from Uranus before it moves into Taurus next spring.   On January 2, 2018 Uranus will turn direct at 24 Aries 34 during the Cancer Full Moon.   The Aries energy stokes independence and moving forward by our own initiative.    How do we step out from our family, partner, friends, associates, neighbors to put our self forward?   What have you learned since it turned retrograde in July.  Go here to consider the Uranus process and how it impacted you in the last five months.   http://tracyastrosalon.blogspot.com/2017/07/

 

Use this information of independence to its fullest because you may need it when Uranus goes into Taurus.  Just sayin’.

 

In conclusion, this is a lot of energy for any new moon.   Then add the fact that it is Sagittarius which all its big and loud craziness and now add that it is on the Galactic Center.  The gravity is great.   I believe we are in uncharted waters on a certain level but I also think we know it and the beeps coming from the Galactic Center will help guide us where we need to go to help our selves and the world. 

 

Let’s all try to breathe, if we can and in the meantime have a good Sag lunar cycle, a happy holidays and of course Happy New Year. 

 

 

Have you friended TracyAstroSalon on FB?  Why not? 

 

https://www.facebook.com/tracy.astrosalon

 

 

The 8 phases

 

 

Sagittarius New Moon

December 18, 2017

1:30am EST

26 Sagittarius 31

 

 

New moon: Plant seeds, make calls, activate, start projects.   Activate something that will ideally lead you to more.  This is the phase where INTENT is critical.  Even if the results are not immediate, the intent is there.  You may not have all the answers or road map but you should put out your Intent.

 

This focus:  Are you feeling the need to find your truth?   What is your truth?  What are your beliefs?  How are you moving forward?  How are you putting your arrow up in the sky and aiming for a target?   How are you inspired and how are you offering inspiration? 

 

 

Special focus

12/19:  Saturn enters Capricorn (see above)

12/21:  Sun enter Capricorn

12/21:  Sun conjunct Saturn.    Negativity and pessimism serve whom and how?

 

Crescent Moon Phase

Dec 22, 2017

 5:18 am EST

 

Crescent:  We will receive information, we will research a bit more, perhaps get feedback on stuff that we planted on new.  Perhaps get some information that will help down the road on a seed we planted a while ago.  We can collect some data now.  Even if you think you are not getting information, stop, and re-look at everything.  Who called you?  Even the silliest things, when they come up during Crescent are note worthy.  A parking ticket?  An argument with a spouse?  A refund check from the phone company?  All of it needs to be considered a message from the universe.  How can this information help you?

 

Focus on: What are you learning about your friends? What are you learning though your like minded groups?   Where are you finding your elevated thinking?  Who is bringing it out in you?  What are you learning from others and how do they bring out your uniqueness?  How are you learning the value of breaking out of normal thinking?  

 

Special focus:

 

12/22: Mercury direct 8:50pm and together we say, “hurray.”  (see above)

12/24: Venus enters Capricorn

12/25: Venus conjunct Saturn:  Serious about love and money.  Practical approach to values.

 

First Quarter Moon

December 26, 2017   

4:20am EST

 

 

First quarter: We do more actions based on the information that we just received.  Or we feel our instincts guide us on something.  We pursue again.  We make another call or we see someone. We mail something.  We stir the pot again.  This can be a time when we realize that the goals we planted on New need more action from us, perhaps actions that involve breaking away.   Are there people who say they have our best interest in heart but fear us growing away from them?  Maybe we need to get help from others not the usual suspects.  Some independence may need to be exerted.

 

 

Focus on:  What actions are you taking that support self?  What actions are you taking that speak to your independence?  What actions are you taking that are spirited?  What actions are you taking that speak to breaking out?   What actions are you taking that set you off on some new beginning. 

Special focus

 

12/27:  Mars Trine Neptune:  Actions based on faith and spirit reward new growth.  

 

 

Gibbous Moon

December 29, 2017

4:42 pm EST

 

 

Gibbous:

We refine our information.  We pick and choose, we discriminate, and we organize to be ‘Virgo’ like.  We sort through details.  Have we missed something?  How are we sifting through the information?  Go back and make sure something hasn’t been neglected.  Refine our actions. 

 

 

Focus on:

 

How are you refining your finances?  How are you refining your resources?  How are you refining your banking?  How are you refining your ‘stick-to-it-ness’?  How are you refining your practicality?  

 

 

 

Full Moon Phase

January 1, 2018 

9:24 pm EST

11 Cancer 37

 

 

Full Moon:  We make the needed adjustments on the things we planted. Usually emotions are up and running and for those people who perhaps did not utilize the new moon and the rest of the waxing moon, this is when emotions can get the better of us.  There can often be a big emotional break, for no other reason than to get back on track.   Some partnership will offer up some balance.  The moon is bright and full and there is no room for shadows, what is reflecting on you? 

 

 

Focus on:   Full Moon in Cancer.   Our emotions are up.  Our family is up.  Our cozy is up.  Our tenderness is up.  Our thin-skinned is up.  Our snappiness is up.   What are we doing about all of it? 

 

 

Special focus:

 

Go to blog for full moon report.

http://tracyastrosalon.blogspot.com/

 

Special focus:

1/2/18 Uranus direct  (9:10am) 24 Aries 34 (see above)

 

 

Disseminating

January 5 2018 

3:04am  EST  

 

 

Disseminating: Share information; find a teacher or someone who has more knowledge. Perhaps there was a big ol’ blow out on the full and one feels in need of support and help, this is the phase to reach out to one who knows more. This is when we find a rabbi or a minister or therapist who gives us more insight.   And of course, you too may be ready to teach and share your own information. 

 

 

Focus on:  How are you sharing your courage?  How are you sharing your strength?  How are you sharing your pride?  How are you sharing your drama?  How are you sharing your bold and your creativity?  

 

Special Focus:

1/6: Mercury trine Uranus.  Thoughtful creativity, communication that breaks through, thinking that breaks out. 

1/6: Mars conjunct Jupiter.  Actions that feel volcanic.  Beliefs and judgments that create evolution. 

 

Last Quarter Moon Phase

Jan 8 2018

5:25pm  EST

 

 

 

Last Quarter moon:  Now we do the final adjustments to the seeds we planted on new. The final call, the final letters to send, we follow all the trails that came up that still make sense.  And we let the other parts lay fallow. It is a time of action but wise action.  It is a time for living  “The serenity prayer”

 

God, grant me the Serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change Courage to change the
things I can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference.

 

 

 

Focus on:

What actions are you taking that speak to your relationships?  What actions are you taking that support balance?  What actions are you taking that speak to ‘sharing’?  What actions are you taking that feel tit-for-tat?

 

Special focus:

 

1/8: Sun conjunct Venus.   Love & money & values get showcased.

1/9: Venus conjunct Pluto.  Love of power.  Power of love.

1/10: Mercury enters Capricorn.  Light thoughts go to serious.  Practical thinking replaces too much enthusiastic thinking. 

 

Balsamic Moon Phase

January 12 2018

5:28pm EST

 

Balsamic:   We let go.  By releasing we can prepare for the new. 

 

Focus on  How are we releasing  our black and white?  How are we releasing our morose nature?  How are we releasing our controlling nature? 

 

Special Focus:

1/12 Mercury conjunct Saturn.  Very dark thinking.  Very practical thinking.   Depressed thoughts our super business thinking. 

1/13 Venus square Uranus.  Love & Money & values get put on their side.  Not taking the usual approach to any of it.  

 

January 16, 2018 5:28pm EST