Capricorn New Moon, December 2024, Albatross

https://youtu.be/cAAcf6RXs2c

albatross

The astrology of this moment calls us to reflect deeply on balance, choices, and responsibility. As we approach the New Moon in Capricorn on December 30th, at 9 degrees and 43 minutes, the energy invites us to revisit past patterns and assess how they fit within the present and our vision for the future. Capricorn, the Sea Goat, represents resilience, ambition, and the balance between material and spiritual realms. Its energy is mirrored in the Two of Pentacles, which symbolizes the need to find equilibrium amidst life’s many demands and shifting priorities.

This theme of balance extends into the South Node in Libra, now at its final degrees, marking the culmination of an 18-year cycle of karmic reckoning. Libra’s focus on harmony, relationships, and justice resonates with the Two of Swords, a tarot card that represents the tension of indecision and the need to reconcile opposing forces. Here, the energy of the South Node calls us to release patterns of avoidance, indecision, or over-dependence on external validation, pushing us to take responsibility for creating balance in our lives.

The Papal Doctrine of the Two Swords provides a powerful historical and philosophical parallel. This concept, rooted in medieval theology, divided power into two domains: spiritual authority, symbolized by the Church, and temporal authority, symbolized by earthly rulers. It reflects humanity's long struggle to navigate the tension between spiritual guidance and worldly ambition. Today, this allegory reminds us of the need to integrate these dual forces within ourselves—balancing the material and the spiritual, the individual and the collective, the head and the heart.

The lessons of Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner further illuminate this balance. The mariner’s impulsive act of killing the albatross—a sacred symbol of harmony between humanity and nature—leads to profound suffering and a heavy burden. His journey of reckoning reflects the consequences of disrupting the delicate balance of life, mirroring the Papal Two Swords’ warning against the misuse of power and responsibility. Only when the mariner confronts his guilt, acknowledges his interconnection with all living things, and rebalances his internal and external worlds does he find redemption.

In times of uncertainty, Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart offers guidance by mapping “the places we go when things are uncertain or too much.” It reminds us that clarity and connection come from naming and understanding our emotions, even in the face of complexity or overwhelm. Just as the mariner learns to navigate his inner turmoil and external trials, we are called to face our own crossroads with courage and intention.

As 2024 draws to a close, we are prompted to reflect on its lessons. Capricorn’s steady influence reminds us to build with purpose and responsibility. The Two of Pentacles teaches us to adapt and juggle life’s demands, while the Two of Swords asks us to make conscious, balanced decisions, guided by wisdom rather than fear or avoidance. The Papal Two Swords and the mariner’s journey challenge us to reconcile spiritual purpose with worldly action, seeking harmony between the forces that shape our lives.

May this period of reflection bring you growth, clarity, and a deeper connection to your path. As you carry forward the determined energy of Capricorn, the wisdom of the South Node in Libra, the insights from Atlas of the Heart, and the lessons of balance symbolized by the albatross and the Two Swords, may you find purpose and harmony in both the tangible and intangible aspects of life. Let us enter 2025 with open hearts, steady resolve, and a commitment to honoring both the Earth and each other.

Blessings to you.~L.R.