Sagittarius New Moon– 2021

By Tracy Cook

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

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

Okay what is this cycle about?    We don’t need a bonfire to find truth.  The brightness of a small match will do.  

Sagittarius New Moon & Solar Eclipse 

December 3, 2021 

11:45pm PST 

12 Sag 22 

Welcome to Sagittarius New Moon & Solar Eclipse. 

This total solar eclipse is wrapping up a cycle that started in June of 2020.   This eclipse cycle speaks to our thinking, communication, logic and how we sort through and share information.  This final eclipse emphasizes truth, beliefs, judgements, journeys, what inspires us and the pitfalls of hypocrisy.    

The last time we had Solar eclipses at roughly this same degree of Sagittarius (13) was Dec 4, 2002, Dec 4, 1983, and Dec 4, 1964.   You may want to consider those dates and what belief system you were under and where you needed more confidence or where you were too far out in your opinions.   If you are a little fuzzy on your memory, then consider this; if you could go back in time and meet you at those eclipses and be a guiding force or teacher what you tell the YOU at that time?    Where did you need a push that said, “Go for it!”  or where did you need, “Hold, on, cowboy you may be going too far”?  Or maybe you needed, “Don’t worry, it will be okay.”    Sagittarius is the light we look for when we feel lost.   Or if not lost, a light to guide us into unknown territory or to help us find figure something out.   Of course, Sag is also how we fine our inspiration.  

Like everything in astrology, we look at patterns, and in terms of elements, every fire sign follows a water sign.   Water speaks to our wet emotions, sloppy, overwhelming at times. Water seeks the lowest spot in nature and in our hearts.  In water lunar cycles our fears and anger are easily tapped.   After 29 days of water, we then arrive in 29 days of fire.   Fire speaks to action and impulses.  ‘Getting up and doing’ is fire’s game.   Fire elevates us.   In Sagittarius, the final fire sign, we look around at our landscape and ask, “Is this enough for me?”   The drive for adventure, whether it is physical or mental is strong.   We want to stretch.  Sagittarius is the only sign that is both animal and man, all other signs are either one or the other.  Sag straddles between animal instincts and human reasoning.   The centaur (half man half horse) has its bow and arrow and is ready to shoot for its goals.    But first we need to make sure that are goals are grounded in truth.  

The total solar eclipse in Sag puts us on notice that our goals need to be freshened up.    The beauty of eclipses is that they occur in 18-month cycles and by the time we get to the last eclipse we are  more equipped with knowledge and understanding.   For a year and a half, our brains and hearts got pinged with each of these eclipses:

Lunar Eclipse June 5, 2020

Lunar Eclipse Nov 30, 2020

Total Solar Eclipse Dec 14, 2020 

Lunar Eclipse May 26, 2021 

Solar Eclipse June 10, 2021 

And now we are at the final Total solar eclipse Dec 4, 2021, of this Gemini/Sagittarius cycle.  

This eclipse begs us to consider new goals that match the reality of our world.   Gemini excels when it finds the true facts on the ground and Sag has its strongest game when it lives within a belief system that matches those true facts.   What have you learned since June 2020 about your life or your world?  What are the facts?   Now on this Sag eclipse, what pivots do you need to make to your beliefs or goals that make more sense given the facts?   What shifts do you need to make?   Where are you tired?  What do you need to scale back?   Or where do you need to ramp up?   What do the facts suggest of areas that are not working?  Are your beliefs in alignment with those facts?   This is NOT the new moon or 29-day cycle to ride a righteous high horse.   Anyone sounding like a holy roller preacher will be missing the gift of this final eclipse in this cycle.   

The chart for the Sag new moon has the Sun, Moon and Mercury scrunched together like astronauts in a capsule riding out the eclipse.   They all will be in shadow.   This new moon is not the usual bold, loud, Sag.  We must turn inward to find our light.    We must get quiet to find our truth.   Listening to self and others is critical this cycle. 

Mars is in square with Jupiter, the ruling planet of Sagittarius cautioning us to not race a thought, an action, a comment without considering the bigger picture.   During this 29-day cycle, we should take pause before any big action.  We should note any knee jerk reactions and wait a beat before acting.   It is okay to tell someone, “I need to think about it.”   Or “Give me some time to process.”    Adding to the need, to take a moment, is Neptune the planet of the unworldly, mystical, metaphysical, and intuition is in a (wide) square to Sun/Moon/Mercury.   There will be some fuzziness.  Perhaps for this 29 day cycle we will find our goals are muted and more like an impressionist painting instead of a sharp photograph.  Finding inspiration and our goals takes an internal journey rather than an ’in our face’ ‘do it now’ vision.   Inspiration is coming in at a whisper, not a roar.    But remember, light is light.   If you enter a pitch-black room and someone lights a match it will catch your attention no less than if that person lit a torch.   This chart suggests leaning into smaller lights can be our way to truth.  A quieter Sag can be very powerful.  

Saturn in Aquarius sextile Sun/Moon in Sag supports practical relief coming from friends and groups of people who are like minded or have experience in areas where we need help.   Wisdom from elders or the more experienced (who might be younger than us) can bring practical results.   Connecting with others could bring real solutions that we may not have even considered.   Sag benefits when it broadens its world and with Saturn in Aquarius, we are gifted when we expand our circles.    Talk to friends.  Talk to friends of friends.   Expand your knowledge.  You may be surprised by concrete results from others that save the day or help in some important way.  

Venus 

Nov 17 Venus shadow 11 Cap 05 Begins 

Dec 19 Venus retrograde 26 Cap 29 

Jan 29 Venus direct 11 Cap 05 

Mar 1 Venus shadow 26 Cap 29 ends 

Approximately every eighteen months Venus has a five-week retrograde.   Our last Venus retrograde was in Gemini during May 13-June 25, 2020.    The current Venus retrograde is between 26 and 11 degrees of Capricorn.   The last time we had a Venus retrograde near these degrees of Cap was Dec 2013-Jan 2014.   Take a moment and consider what was going on for you at that time.    

Venus, like its buddy Mercury, moves through the zodiac lickety-split and benefits by a slow down to catch its breath and consider important revisions or re-dos.  Even if a person has no understanding of astrology, the connection between Venus and love is universally understood.   But in astrology it is not love per se that is Venus it is VALUES.  We value love so we share it and seek it.   Venus also rules money which we value, so we share it and seek it.    Things that we consider valuable are Venus.   Whenever we have a Venus retrograde, we can determine what we value as important, and we also take time to assess how we are valued by others.    

Venus in Capricorn understands one catch phrase more than any other: “Less is more”.    Those people who have Venus in Capricorn will take their time and save their money and spend a lot on one item that they consider important or valuable.   Where others may buy this or that and have no guard rails when sharing their love.  Venus in Capricorn people are not prone to frittering away their money or their love.    Venus in Capricorn is very practical.  It also understands time is money.  Time is a valuable resource, and we take pause when anyone is careless with our time or other people’s time.   

During this Venus in Capricorn retrograde we will assess what we value.  We will relish practicality and what it takes to ‘get the job done’ --whatever is the ‘job’.      While we can look back to the previous retrograde in Dec 2013, we should note that this Venus retrograde has more punch given it is in conjunction with Pluto.   Pluto takes us down to our knees whenever it touches a planet.   Normally Venus conjuncts Pluto once a year but due to the degree of Pluto and the zone of degrees for the retrograde there will be three contacts between Pluto and Venus starting December 11 and ending March 3, 2022.  Pluto is the most intense planet in the zodiac and it’s; black or white, all or nothing, everyone or no one, extreme nature puts the normally light and breezy Venus in a bit of a bind.   Venus who doesn’t seek confrontation and tries to avoid skirmishes is challenged by Pluto.  We should anticipate stories in the news where some person, perhaps someone we respect who majorly screws up.    Or maybe someone or some group is injured or hurt or abused or neglected.  We may see guard rails of protection fail.  It is a long haul from Dec 11 – March 3 and we can see a lot of stories that will speak to love, money, abuse, weakness of characters and flaws in systems.  We may also see stories that speak to love and extreme caring.   Stories that tap the love of power or on the other side, the power of love will be in the news.   On a personal level wherever, transiting Pluto is in our chart it has probably been challenging, having Venus hang there for a few months may bring a new light touch.   A gesture of kindness feels like a mountain of good.   

Saturn square Uranus

December 23, 2020 

11:17pm 

Saturn is a cold muther and Uranus is a weird cat.   When Saturn went into Aquarius the world went into shut down.  Thanks, Saturn.    Uranus the planet of “let’s pull the carpet out” went into Taurus in March of 2019 then it retrograded from August till January 11, 2020.  Two days before it turned direct, The WHO announced, “Mysterious Coronavirus – Related Pneumonia in Wuhan, China.”     

All year, we experienced push versus pull from political circles to grocery stores to living rooms.  For example, wearing a mask or not wearing one has been tantamount to the first shot at Ft. Sumter.  The tension between Saturn square Uranus has been palpable.  It is not just about Covid, it is in many areas.   Saturn wishes to preserve the old, Uranus wants change. Aquarius stresses the importance of the collected good for the most people and Taurus wants personal security.   Who defines what?   That answer is problematic and part of the issue when dealing with a square aspect.  In world events, the first hit of Saturn square Uranus was Feb 17 which will no doubt, be tied to the January 6 USA capitol attack by astrological historians.  On a personal level, what areas have you had your own tussles that involve other people versus your own personal resources?  Tensions were high around the exact dates of Feb 17 and June 14^th.  Dec 23 is the final exact hit of this potent square, but we should take note that in the fall of 2022 the two planets will be close enough to cause friction and we may see some similar themes from this year reappear in 2022.  

Jupiter in Pisces

December 28, 8:09pm PST 

Jupiter enters Pisces May 13

Jupiter returns to Aquarius July 28 

Jupiter re-enters Pisces December 28 

Jupiter enters Aries May 10, 2022

Jupiter retrogrades July 28 

Jupiter returns to Pisces October 28 

Jupiter leaves Pisces enters Aries and won’t return until 2033.  

Finally!  Jupiter will leave Aquarius and enter Pisces for the long haul on Dec 28.    Jupiter is in a sign for about a year, but Jupiter always does a test drive in the sign for a couple months prior to the big transition.   This year, between May 13 and July 28 Jupiter dipped into Pisces.   Think back to that window in your personal life to see if any themes emerged.  

Pisces is spiritual, metaphysical, it is the last sign of the zodiac, and it reminds us that there is something bigger out there than our humanness.  It is by its nature an expansive sign, as big as the universe but also intimate because it dissolves barriers between human beings either built by us personally or by society.   Jupiter will no doubt welcome its journey into Pisces for two reasons.  One Jupiter used to rule Pisces before Neptune was discovered and therefore is comfortable in the unworldliness of Pisces.  “Hey, Pisces you are a big expansive sign, and I am the biggest planet in the zodiac, I get you!”   The other reason why it will welcome this journey is it will be far away from Saturn who has been squelching Jupiter for the last couple of years.   We should find some good energy out of this transit, some reconnecting to faith and being moved by the goodness of humans.   Our creativity and inner mystic can be pronounced.   There could be a lot of synchronistic moments and events in our lives that have us pondering, “Hmmm? That’s curious, I was just thinking/talking/reading/watching etc. on that exact thing”.      

In 2022, Jupiter will line up with Neptune forming a once every 13-year conjunction on April 12, 2022.   We will talk more about this aspect going forward but there is opportunity in this aspect.  Compassion will be highlighted along with healing.  The arts will certainly be impacted in some bigger than usual manner.   Culture pivots will be noted.   The last time Jupiter was in Pisces was 2010 so you may want to consider any boosts you received at that time or perhaps your life felt too big, maybe too many indulges?  Or were you swept up into something that sucked up a lot of your time and energy?    Was there some karma, dharma worked out?   We will discuss Jupiter in Pisces more in 2022.   

USA Stuff   

For us Americans we are grinding towards our Pluto return.   A Pluto return means that Pluto is exactly where it was at the birth chart.  No human can experience a Pluto return because it takes 247 years for Pluto to go around the Sun.    The USA will have its Pluto return in 2022.     Yep.  You and I and everyone else on earth get to experience the USA and a Pluto return in our lifetime.    Gulp. 

Getting into the astrology weeds of the Pluto return, if we go to a traditional tropical ephemeris and look up the dates, Pluto will be at 27 Capricorn 34 on three dates in 2022:  Feb 22, July 11 and December 28.    However, the orbit for Pluto is not a straight 247 point zero years.  It is 247.686 years, all that stuff past the decimal point stretches out the orbit to Feb 22, 2024.   This difference has caused some debate in astrological circles but in truth no one is getting that worked up because, well, because it is Pluto.   Pluto has a long punch.  You feel it way before any exact date and way after those dates have unfolded.   The bottom line is that Pluto will be grinding it out in the USA for a couple years no matter what date is exact, and it already started years ago.   Even if you know nothing about astrology you can look at the USA since 2008 when Pluto entered Capricorn and the stock market crashed followed by the Great Recession and then add everything in the last years and know that the USA is going through ‘something’.  That something is Pluto.   

Besides Pluto returning to its natal position, transiting Neptune will be opposing Neptune in the USA chart which brings its own nebulous influences.    

In the USA chart drafted by 18^th century British astrologer Ebenezer Sibly is the most widely accepted (July 4, 1776) chart with Sun in Cancer, Moon in Aquarius, and Sagittarius Ascendent.   The ascendent is at 12 Sag 21.  This new moon eclipse is at 12 Sag 22.   The eclipse on the ascendent will no doubt have some significance in the USA and this 29-day lunar cycle.    This may be part of the tee up as we head to the great Pluto churner of 2022-2024.    More will be revealed.  

In conclusion,  

Sagittarius inspires us and speaks to us on how we can lead ourselves to our higher ground and purpose.  Where we get lost with low energy Sag is when we get caught up in righteousness that serves no one and does not even match our own reality.   Take this Sag eclipse and 29-day cycle to get quiet and listen to truth.  Find truth in others, acknowledge our own weaknesses and weaknesses in others and in systems.   Remember, it is okay to say, “I don’t know”.   Find an opening, a crack in your heart and psyche to let in a tiny light.   This tiny light will guide you on your journey and remind you of faith.  

Also, a little prayer helps soothe the soul as well.   

Have a bright season and I will see you in Capricorn New Moon Jan 2, 2022.     

Sagittarius New Moon 

12 Sag 22 

December 3, 11:45pm PST

Please note all times Pacific 

The 8 phases

Sagittarius  New Moon 

12 Scorpio 40 

December 3, 2021    

11:45pm PST  

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:     What areas of your life need inspiration?  Where do you need to freshen up some goals?  Have you double checked if your values match your actions?  How about your beliefs are they in sync with your values?   What area of your life has cracks that needs the soothing help of inspiration?   How about a little prayer?   

Special note:

Crescent Moon Phase

December 7

4:50am PST 

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 circle of friends?  Are they in sync with your goals?   Where are you finding your community of like-minded?   How is social media of help or hurting your goals?    

Special Focus

12/7:  Mercury Square Neptune.   Cloudy, unclear communication.  Fuzzy thinking.  Perhaps deceitful. 

12/7: Mars square Jupiter.   Stretching actions to the breaking point.  Are they in sync with values?  Are they too extreme?   Is it off-putting?  Where do you need to take a beat?  

First Quarter Moon 

Dec 10,  

5:35pm PST  

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 lean into faith?  What actions are taking that are influenced by something greater, perhaps fuzzy and nuanced?   How are synchronistic moments lining up? 

Special Note

12/11:  Venus conjunction Pluto.  Finding values and overhauling any that are out of sync our outdated.   Money and love feel tweaked.  What’s our bottom line on both love and money and things we value? What systems are no longer serving and need to be replaced?  

12/11:  Sun square Neptune.  Fuzzy influences.  Hard to touch ground.   Goals seem muted.   Faith seems hard to find.  Breathe. 

12/13:  Mars enters Sagittarius 

12/13:  Mercury enters Capricorn 

Gibbous Moon

December 14, 2021

4:40 pm PST  

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 assets?  How are you refining your practical skills so that they support your goals?  How are you aiming your arrow high in the sky but keeping your feet on the ground?   

Special focus

12/15: Mars oppose North Node.  How do we need to get back to the ground and check our facts before we act?  How do we need to be swift with untruths?  

Full Moon Phase – 

27 Gemini 29 

December 18, 2021

8:35pm PST  

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:  

The Gemini Full moon is focused on communication.  How are the facts on the ground lining up with the thinking behind the goals you activated on new moon?  

Special focus 

12/19 Venus retrograde 26 Capricorn 29  (see above)

12/20 Mercury trine Uranus – brilliant and breakthrough thinking.  Communication is spirited, liberated.    

12/21 Sun enters Capricorn 

Disseminating

December 22, 2021   

10:36pm PST   

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 strength?   How are you sharing pride?   How are you sharing your fire?  How are you a hero?  Who is sharing their heroic nature?   

Special focus:

12/23:  Saturn square Uranus (see above) 

12/25:  Venus now retrograde conjuncts Pluto again.  What has come up about money and love since 12/11 that needs attention?  How are you releasing anything that is not in alignment with values?   

Last Quarter Moon Phase

December 26, 2021

6:23 pm PST

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:

How do your partnerships influence your goals?  How do you find balance through others as you pursue your goals?    How do your goals benefit by diplomacy?  

Special focus 

12/28:   Jupiter enters Pisces (see above) 

12/29:  Mercury conjunction Venus.  Thoughts pointed perhaps obsessed about money matters, love matters and values.   

12/30:  Mercury conjunction Pluto.  Thinking that does not work will collapse.   What new thoughts replace the old thoughts?  

Balsamic Moon Phase

December 30, 2021

5:28am  PST      

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

Focus on How are you releasing rigidity?  How are you releasing power?  How are you releasing in order to birth something new?  

Special focus: 

1/1 Mercury enters Aquarius 

Capricorn New Moon January 2 10:33am  12 Capricorn 20