Sagittarius New Moon– 2024

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?   Finding inspiration is not as easy this month but looking for it is as important as finding it.  

Sagittarius New Moon

November 30

10:21pm PST

9 Sagittarius 33

Welcome to Sagittarius New Moon.  Let’s get this party started, sort of, well, maybe it’s not exactly a party, this Sag new moon is a wee bit muddled, but whatever this thing is let’s get it started. 

The Final Fire and Third Mutable 

Sag, the final fire sign, inspires us like the candle in dark or in the window or on an altar reminding us of there is a way.   No matter what the task, there is a way.    Sag taps joy and optimism and is infectious and inspiring.  Bold and loud in both laughs and stories.   Everyone wants an invitation to Sag’s party.   Sag the humorist or bard at the royal court, can get away with much by just the perfect well-formed phrase or joke.     Like all mutable signs, Sag wraps up one season as we pivot to the next.  The mutable signs remind us it is okay to shift and with fire Sag there is a confidence that ‘this move is the right one’.   “Winter is coming but my heart has a light in it” Sag says.  

During the Sag lunar month, we long to stretch and get out of our regular spaces.  Sag wants to be moving and exploring.   During the Sag cycle, which is punctuated by holidays, people are on the go.   Heading across the globe, country or state.   But also, for those who do not travel, finding a good book or watching a good story where one feels transported is Sag.   Heading to a restaurant in a corner of the city that is ‘foreign’ also scratches the Sagittarius itch.  

The centaur which is the symbol of Sagittarius is half horse and half human.  The man holds a bow and arrow, and Sag likes to point that arrow off into the distance, ready to hit a goal.  Sag is forever on a hunt.   Typically, in the Sag new moon and 29-day lunar month we can go inward and figure out how to expand our world, reach beyond our normal circles and ponder if there are new goals we should put on our target list.   However, this year the Sag new moon is not as focused on goals.  Things feel softer, harder to grasp.   Looking for a path of optimism and faith are a little muddy.  

All year, the mutable signs, which are Gemini, Virgo, Pisces and Sagittarius have been challenged.  The mutables are gifted in their ability to sift through information and then make a change.  However, Jupiter, which expands a sign, has been twitching the mutables ever since it moved into Gemini (May).  Too much information is overwhelming their groove.   At the same time, Saturn which is traveling in Pisces, is slowing all the mutables down.   No matter what the task or the goal, Saturn is the planet of timing, and in Pisces feels like divine timing, which has been saying, “Not so fast”.    And so, it is in on this Sag new moon chart, the sun & moon; oppose Jupiter and both square Saturn.  Ouch!  This is a T square.  Additionally, retrograde Mercury opposes Jupiter, the ruling planet of Sagittarius.   Jupiter is not its best in Gemini, alas more sand in our gears.    

The T Square  

All these new moon aspects impact the tone of the 29-day cycle.   For as much as we may want to think about our future and consider what the landscape could look like, it feels as though everything or things that are important are out of our view.   Instead of planning, our business will be more sifting a lot of information.  In particular, the first week of the new moon will be processing the T square.   Mercury’s opposition to Jupiter in Gemini is exact on December 4^th and the Sun square Saturn in Pisces is on the same day.   On the 5^th Mercury forms an inferior conjunction to the Sun and then on Dec 7 the sun is exact opposition to Jupiter.     This is a lot of T square grinding on us during the new and crescent phase of the moon.   Finding the light could be a bit difficult.  

In mundane astrology look for stories in the news perhaps about the news.     Facts will be changing.  Judges and judgements could be in the news.  Opinion writers could be loud.  Travel snags and hurdles could be vast.  The ocean could be in the news.   Media purchases or a sense of something being gobbled up.   If there has been a cloud of mystery around some topics all year, there could be a resolution, or a new truth is revealed.  In personal charts anyone with planets between 13 and 15 degrees of Sagittarius, Pisces, Gemini and Virgo could be overwhelmed by too much information, too many plates in the air and too many distractions.   Feeling control or one’s calendar could be challenging.   Tapping your inner wisdom will be critical all lunar month.      

The first week is also highlighted by two planets stationing.  One retrograde and another direct.  

Mars 

Sept 4:      Mars enter Cancer 

Oct 4:        Mars enters shadow (17 Cancer 01)

Nov 3 :      Mars enters Leo  

Dec 6:        Mars station retrograde (6 Leo 10)

Feb 23 :     Mars station direct (17 Cancer 01)

Apr 18 :    Mars re-enters Leo

May 2:       Mars exits shadow (6 Leo 10) 

June 7:      Mars enters Virgo 

On December 6, Mars will officially station retrograde.   Since September, we have been discussing Mars.  Normally Mars is in a sign for five weeks but during a retrograde it is in a sign for seven months.   On December 6 Mars stations retrograde at 6 degrees of Leo.  Then on January 6 Mars re-enters Cancer where it will continue to trek backwards until Feb 23 when it stations direct at 17 degrees of Cancer.    Mars will eventually leave Cancer on April 11 and then leave the second shadow point of 6 degrees of Leo on May 2.    This is a long time to be experiencing Mars in Cancer and early Leo.   Let me be clear, all of us will be sick and tired of Mars retrograde by time it wraps next spring.  We will also be assessing what deserves our warrior nature and what does not. 

The last Mars retrograde in Cancer was Nov 2007 – Feb 2008, covering 24 Gemini through 12 Cancer.   Before that time there was Nov 1992 – Feb 1993 covering 8-24 Cancer.   And the closest Mars retrograde to the current degrees we are about to experience was Dec 1977 with Mars retrograde 11 Leo through 22 Cancer in March 1978.  You may want to think back to those periods for insights to your personal experiences of Mars retro Cancer and Leo.    Also, consider what has come up since October 4 when Mars entered the first shadow point.   Once the retrograde begins, look backward and consider actions you took between October 4 and December 6:  What worked and what did not work?   What would you do differently?     In general, Mars in Leo is a time for bold action, enjoying the pleasure of drama and pulling focus to self.  Juggling how to be confident without being arrogant can be tricky.    Tapping the power of strong self-esteem is important but no one wants to strap on wax wings which melt heading up to the sun.  Mind your ego.   Find a way to express your creativity but also be respectful to others as they share their own big ideas.   Mars in Cancer is all about EMOTING especially around mothers, home, family and childhood.  Memories are pronounced, emotions are peak, and sensitivity is great.  Some of us will feel protective and put up a big hard Cancer-the-crab shell others will use the crab’s pinchers and do a lot of snapping.  Of course, there is a possibility that many of us have outgrown our shell.  There could be patterns, behaviors and habits that no longer serve us and during the shadow and retrograde we have a skirmish or two and realize something inside us has changed.  We may sense we have outgrown something.   Will we let our shell crack?   Mars opposition to Pluto could show cracks. 

Look around three dates of the opposition to see if there is any personal cracking which could be the case for those folks at planets around those degrees.   Also watch the news for cracks.  

Nov 3:    Mars oppose Pluto (29 Cap 46)  #1

Jan 3 :    Mars oppose Pluto (1 Aq 08)  #2

Apr 26 :  Mars oppose Pluto ( 3 AQ 48) #3

As always, more to be revealed.   

Neptune 

Mar 11:     Neptune enter shadow 

Jul 2:          Neptune station retrograde 29 Pisces 56

Dec 7:         Neptune station direct 27 Pisces 08 

Mar 28,     Neptune exit shadow 

During this summer and fall, Saturn and Neptune were retrograde, getting the last drops out Pisces before they go into Aries next year.   Neptune is going to have to shed its cloak of ‘vague’, when it transits into hot ass and bright Aries.    Like a human spelunking in a deep wet cave and then exiting into a hot desert that is what is going to happen next year when Neptune moves into Aries.     Our psyches will be drawn to something hot and stark and independent next year but during the retrograde Neptune retreated into the cave.  Since July 2 and now how have we been tapping our inner landscape?  Where do we find our intuition, our creativity and our humanitarian?   How do we access those kind, gentle energies?   It could serve us next spring when we are in stark bright experiences and need to remember the power of tapping our quiet.   What have learned?  What has your intuition told you?  What was that thing you kept thinking about and was unsure of its meaning?  Did you connect the dots?    

Watch and see what comes up around the stationary date of December 7 for more insights.  

Pluto Stuff 

Nov. 19, 2024:   Pluto re-enters Aquarius 

Feb 2, 2025:       Pluto exits shadow (2 Aquarius 06) 

Now that Pluto has returned to Aquarius we are in a new twenty year era.   It is hard to know exactly how it is going to all play out, but we can get informed around the inner planet contacts with Pluto which will occur this cycle on the following dates:

Dec 5: Mercury semi-square Pluto (0 AQ 20) 

Dec 6:  Sun semi-square Pluto (0 AQ 22) 

Dec 7: Venus conjunction Pluto (0 AQ 23) 

Dec 21 Sun semi-sextile Pluto (0 AQ 46) 

Dec 28: Mercury semi-sextile Pluto (0 AQ 58) 

Mercury contact Pluto speaks to transformative information especially if it involves new technology.  And if it is a bit odd that is also perfect Pluto in Aquarius.  Are we connecting with friends and groups in new ways?   Because Mercury will is retrograde we get two rounds of Mercury in Sag semi square Pluto in December. 

Venus the planet of love, money, beauty with Pluto is also transformative as we consider how all of those things and what else we value speaks to our future.   What technology do we love?  Is it fresh and does it bring evolution to our values?   

The Sun semi-sextile Pluto is the first solar aspect to Pluto in Aquarius.    The sun at zero Capricorn is like an apartment tenant moving next door to Pluto.   Completely different energies except for their focus on rules.  The sun in Capricorn likes rules and keeping the status quo while Aquarius likes to blow up rules especially if they no longer serve the greater good.    

Watch the dates to see what comes up. 

Jupiter square Saturn 

August 19:         17 Gemini/Pisces   (#1)

December 24:    14 Gemini/ Pisces  (#2)

June 15, 2025   01 Cancer/Aries     (#3) 

Last August we had the first of three rounds of Jupiter square Saturn.   Jupiter wants to spread out and get bigger while Saturn seeks constriction.     Our second round of this aspect will take place on December 24 and the final aspect will be next June.  This aspect in December will be at 14 degrees in Gemini/Pisces. 

Jupiter in Gemini as discussed is high on rhetoric.  Communication can be too big.  Jupiter can appreciate peace, but it is also judgy.  Saturn in Pisces longs for deep compassion.  It understands hard work and struggle especially for the greater good and remembering humanity. Jupiter wants to expand but Saturn restricts.  These two energies are at odds with one another.  This struggle will be evident.  There may be some big event that is deep in conflict or duplicity.   Because Jupiter is in Gemini watch for social media posts that are NOT accurate or strident opinions that feel ‘off.’ Beware of gossip.  Discipline could be difficult to find.  Or it may be found because there is no other choice.  Standing still could be important.   Retreat and contemplation may be needed.   Next year’s final round is at 1 Cancer/Aries and is a whole different animal than this date in December.   All things considered, next June is more emotional and thinner skinned, just sayin’ 

The Optimism Factor

This chart is stressed by the T square, so that is a pain in the Sag ass and 29-day cycle.   The Mercury retrograde is wonky, for sure.    The final Saturn Jupiter square is constricting.   But curiously, there is a bright spot in the Sag new moon chart.    The sun and moon trine Mars and they trine the north node in Aries.   This provides some optimism that even as we muddle through an avalanche of data, conversations, and thoughts that seem to crash our inner software we are still able to get something done.   When we tap our generosity, bravery, self-esteem and are willing to bring out our independence in thought and actions we will have some accomplishments that are inspiring.  This is a thread of something fresh and new that keeps us in the fight and keeps us going.   Given so much about 2025 speaks to Aries this input by Mars in Leo and Sun/Moon in Sag is important for our future.   The creativity we tap, the inspiration we feel will no doubt make sense next year.   Also look to see what stories inspire us that can also be informative.   Who knows?  Maybe our own stories will inspire others. 

Mercury Retrograde 

11/7:         Mercury Shadow 6 Sag 24 

11/25:       Mercury station retrograde

12/15:       Mercury station direct 

01/02:       Mercury exits shadow 22 Sag 40

During the Scorpio lunar month, we discussed the final Mercury retrograde for 2024 that launched on November 25.   The retrograde will continue until December 15when it stations direct.  We already know that we benefit when we slow down for Mercury retrogrades and when we research and double check stuff.   The usual kerfuffle that can come up with a Mercury retrograde soften as we take a beat.   Given Mercury’s pronounced role in the Sag new moon chart and the tension with the T square and the inferior sun conjunction and the square with Saturn all in that first week of December, it is hard to imagine Mercury getting the last word anywhere.   Saturn the task master will be pulling the yoke on Mercury.   That inner vibe suggesting, “Maybe I shouldn’t say ___” could be loud.   Where Mercury in Sag gets righteous-y, Saturn in Pisces is quick to remind, “There by the grace of god goes I”.   Those who practice the three H’s.  Humility, humbleness and humanitarianism while also stretching self to be, think or do more, could be well served during this retrograde.    Also great time to be inspired by the arts.   

In Conclusion, 

Sagittarius is the final fire sign of the zodiac.  In Aries, the flames are a wild brush fire clearing the landscape.  In Leo the second fire sign is a roaring boldness that attracts like a bond fire on a beach.   Now at Sag the flames of the fire are lower but still accomplish much.  We can cook on it, read by it and stay warm, especially important with the impending winter.    Seek the inner landscape that you carry inside you.  Your inner philosopher, your inner priest, rabbi or imam and your inner humorist.  Tap them all as you bumble through this lunar month.   The inner light is in you, looking for it is half the battle.  The other half is the willingness to share it with others.  Together we will find our way.  

See you at our first Capricorn New Moon  without Pluto in 16 years.  Yay on December 30^th.  

The 8 phases

November 30, 2024

9 Sagittarius 33

10:21 pm PST  

New moon: Plant seeds, make calls, activate, start projects.   Activate something that will ideally lead you to more results.  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:    How are you finding your inner light?  When things are thrown in your way can you find your inner compass?   What shows up when you take a beat and ask your inner philosopher for advice?   

Special note:

12/1:  Mercury trine Chiron.  Thoughts that are self-healing.  

12/2: Venus trine Uranus.  Creativity is inspired, freshened and dynamic.   Favors money and values. 

12/4 : Mercury oppose Jupiter.  Strident conversation serve who?  Righteousness versus flakiness, how to find balance is difficult.  (#1)

12/4 : Sun square Saturn.   Know-it-alls versus martyrs.  Neither are appealing and yet stories about both get our attention. 

12/4: Venus sextile Neptune.  Creativity and values are inspired by the unworldly.  Mysticism and religion have a place today. 

Crescent Moon Phase

December 4, 2024

5:27PM 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?  No matter how mundane it arrives, consider it as message.  How can this information help you?

Focus on: What are you learning about your executive skills?  What are you learning about tapping your inner CEO?  What are you learning about navigating systems?  What are you learning about being super practical?  

Special Focus

12/5: Mercury conjunct Sun (inferior) Big ideas, big opinions can be satisfying but are they accurate?  Do they still make sense?   

12/6: Mars station retrograde 6 Cancer 10 (see above)

12/6: Mercury square Saturn.  Strident conversations pitted against martyr talk.  No one wins when you go too long in being the teacher or being the victim.  

12/6: Venus enter Aquarius .  One month of creativity that is different and experimental.   Love of friends and groups is important.  

12/7: Venus conjunct Pluto (00 AQ 23) (see above) 

12/7 : Sun oppose Jupiter.  Too much information can cloud our inner landscape.  It is difficult to get a compass heading.  

12/7 : Neptune station direct 27 Pisces 08 (see above) 

First Quarter Moon 

December 8, 2024 

7:26am  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. What hurdles have popped up involving the seeds you planted on new moon?    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 in faith?  How are you focusing on spiritual or metaphysical matters?  How are they important to your goals?   How is your philosophical nature connected to faith?  What actions can you do that support both?  

Special Note

12/9 :  Venus sextile north node.  Fun and creative projects that speak to values such as love, money, investment, beauty and creativity.   

12/10 : Sun trine Chiron.  Healing is easy today.  Whatever the psyche needs or wants may be clear.   Get it. 

Gibbous Moon

December 11, 2024  

4:59pm 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.   How are we perfecting our goals? 

Special focus How are you refining your possessions?  How are you sorting through your finances?   How are you focused on your property?   Where has any of those matters suffered from any neglect?   How can you step up your focus?  

Focus on:  

12/12: Venus oppose Mars.  Love of others versus love of self.  Being there for the greater good versus doing a personal victory lap.  

12/12: Venus sextile Mercury.   Fun thoughts, talks, communication that is inspiring, novel and fresh.   The brain is given oxygen.  

December 15, 2024

Full Moon – Gemini

1:01am PM PST

23 Gemini 53    

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:   How do we process our thoughts?   How do we process communication?   How do we realize it is time to pivot?  How do adapt?   How do we filter truth from lies? 

Special focus 

12/15:  Mercury station direct 6 Sag 24 (see above)

12/18: Sun square Neptune.  Confusion, things feel out of focus.  Intuition seems unplugged.  Identity can feel a little ‘off’.  Get lost in TV.   

Disseminating

December 18, 2024 

2:29pm PST          

Disseminating: Share information; find a teacher or someone who has more knowledge. Perhaps there was a big ol’ blow out on the full moon 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 your creativity?  How are sharing your pride?  How are you connecting to others through your self-esteem and generosity?  

Special focus:

12/19: Venus trine Jupiter.  Joy, pleasure, fun, novelty, getting together with others is inspiring and satisfying. 

12/21:  Sun enters Capricorn – Happy Winter Solstice  

Last Quarter Moon Phase

November 22, 2024 

2:18pm 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:

What actions are you taking that impact your relationships?  How are you finding balance?  How are you reacting to others?  How are others reacting to you?    How are you making big moves that connect to nuance negotiations?  

Special focus 

12/23: Sun square North Node.  Hanging on to status quo versus going out there and carving a new way.   What to do?  

12/24: Jupiter oppose Saturn (see above) 

12/26: Mercury oppose Jupiter Strident conversation serve who?  Righteousness versus flakiness, how to find balance is difficult.  

 (#2 see #1 on Dec 4 ) 

Balsamic Moon Phase

December 26, 2024 

5:43pm PST  

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

Focus on:  How are you releasing your controlling energy?  How are letting go?   How are you releasing the dead?   How are you releasing anything that you are bringing in that is not good for you?  

Special focus:

12/26: Mercury square Saturn.  Constricting conversations.  Conserving mental energy.   Everything feels like a hard lift.  Lean into pragmatism. 

12/27: Venus square Uranus.  Creativity and joy and values feel like they are cracking under pressure.   Should something new be folded in?   

12/29: Chiron station direct at 19 Aries.   The planetoid of self-wounding knows there is healing that comes with some type of independence.   What have learned since July 26 when it retrograde?