Open Your Mind Before You Open Your Mouth
Capricorn Full Moon II + July's Leo Season
We’re knee-deep in Summer Retrograde and the upcoming karmic Full Blue Moon wants us to close the book on the bullshit and move into a new narrative.
Saturn and Neptune are both experiencing their last Rx in free-flowing Pisces for our lifetimes. As these planets in backspin push and pull between the magick and the mundane, strain with labor, responsibility, relationships, career, creativity and an array of important factors can feel like an impossible mountain to climb. Perhaps this is just the world capitalism has built on the backs of our livelihoods. Still the status quo remains, even when desperate for it to change (with all my heart I hope it will). And yet there are so many distractions! When we get real and let go of delusions and devices that keep us tied to dishonesty and desolation, we break the pattern. With fear at the helm, we aren’t helped by stagnation; it only holds us back from a better life.
As we move towards Capricorn Full Moon Round II and into Leo Season, it’s in our best interest to think about what community means to us, macro and the micro, and our place within it, however chaotic the global sphere may feel at this moment. As both Cap and Leo can be aggressively self-reliant and/or self-appoint themselves as leaders, being dead-set on certain courses of actions - even when the public disagrees - can cause more harm than good. (Uh hm, queue the Pluto Rx backspin into Cap right around the U.S. Election - I’m sure that’s going to turn out REAL WELL). So while there is desperation to break the chain, there is also the web of connectivity we must consider.
The Year of the Dragon has potential for big, big opportunity, yet its growth can hinge too much on nobility-seeking, power mongering. What’s certain is that (paraphrasing Dana White) as the country falls apart, we’re going to have to invest in community to survive. As people make decisions for us that are biased and in favor of corporations, we have to be aware of pandering and not let it emotionally manipulate us. Intuition (Cancer and Pisces sweet spot, both highly present for the Cap Full Moon) is urging us to tap in. We’re going to have to care for each other - not pick and choose based on popularity or ease or petty pretty presence - and we’re ABSOLUTELY going to have to learn to communicate. Effectively, kindly, considerately, willing to listen.
Are we going to rally around media sensationalism instead of facts, buried travesties and crimes against humanity? Will we make moves based in fear instead of love, both in the home and in vocation? Shall we choose to be hard-ass and stoic instead of attentive to the needs of the people or even our inner children who never, ever wanted to turn into a fortress of greed and grubbiness? Could it be time to tap into Capricorn’s emotional endowments of kinship and kindness IN ACTION (not intention)? Can we make hope possible and to find a way to choose both ME and WE, a better future for all?
"Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing." — Rollo Reece
WHAT: Capricorn Full Moon
WHEN: Sunday July 21st, 2024 6:16 AM EST
THEME: Maturity & Monstrosity
July’s Capricorn Full Moon is right on the precipice of Leo Season, literally a day before the Sun will move into Leo on July 22nd. With Leo Season starting on Moon-day - while La Luna is still Full - the change from Cancer to Leo during the Buck Moon supplies a surplus of determination. Shedding antlers to a reveal the next level of maturity, whether offset by the internal searching of Cancer Season or the previous rock-solid Full Capricorn Moon in June, concepts of commitment gain focus. I can’t think of a better way to enter the Den of the Lion! On the other hand, this near-ness of Fire Sun flames could be a recipe for disaster, stoking our Egos to an unadulterated Hell.
Capricorn pivots off work and with 2 Capricorn Full Moons book-ending Cancer Season, where we measure up (or don’t) is on the chopping block. The Knuck-If-You-Buck Moon (as I like to call it) dredges up superficial values or sick score-keeping that ALWAYS germinates from an obscure cavernous grievance. Riling up our misadventures in validation - in a fashion that differs from the Cancer New - our reactions speak volumes about the reality we perceive. And with Leo Season a step away, we need to be FULLY truthful about whether or not indignation is really a valuable indicator at this time.
Chances are you need to go deeper, if you haven’t already. Under resentment and frustration lies the source of what needs to heal, be forgiven or let go of.
Above all imparting a reality check while holding space for vulnerability can assist with info we’ve gathered in the first half of the year. Yes, this kind of honest assessment isn’t an effortless experience, but if you’re struggling with your current situations (like many of us are), knowing where we DO have control is vital. It’s not best to simply slap a “you reap what you sew” ideology on projects and relationships that involve other parties and then call it a day. We can not blame ourselves for the actions and words of others. We can, however, learn to center our values in regards to what we THINK and how we internalize these events. Capricorn has much to do with control; applying that control to our emotional landscape and in turn our output results in decisions and responses that are thought-through and deliberate.
While we try to untangle the massive mess we might find ourselves caught in, avoidance and pleasure-seeking might push us off a cliff altogether. Dealing with the issue at hand through one-upping and combativeness will get us burned. Please do yourself a favor and get to work on yourself instead! As we individually are always part of something larger (families, villages, romances, friend-groups, collectives, the World), applying Capricorn’s thoughtful gestures, calm under pressure, using tools available creatively and ethically, and taking responsibility for oneself can move us further forward. While begrudgingly holding on to grievances or wanting automatic quick fixes to our shaky sense of worth can be valid, blaming everything else but doing nothing to find solutions to the structure and stability of one’s own life gets us nowhere. It’s good to identify and feel through the pain of our past (or present), but that’s not enough to change it. Hard facts.
These useful and accountable reminders about emotional conduct are topics I specifically need to recognize (but sometimes may not personally want to hear). Though I can pinpoint and analyze the behaviors underneath another’s mistreatment of me, it’s also my job to decide what role I want to play in the conflict. As a Capricorn Venus, I am sentimental but also highly value respect in my partnerships. I’ve always been very independent and cringe at relying too much on others, but I’ve also had to deconstruct how this holds me back from the intimacy and vulnerability that relationships need to become fully fertile. No man is an island! Besides, isolation is hollow; to be so self-contained you end up not relating at all is a curse.
Understanding where someone else is struggling and can not fully show up has also been a salve to not taking someone’s lukewarm vibes as insulting half-heartedness. And as someone with ADHD, I know that I have my own limitations with my energy, time and effort. Being able to communicate barriers around our involvement is the only solution to being able to hold empathy and understanding and establish healthy expectations. Very few of us can be fully ON for everyone all the time and this faux trait of success is simply capitalistic brainwashing at work. But in order to be clear, which we do have a responsibility to do, we have to make our limitations AND our value of others known at the same time (not one or the other), while we navigate this messy insane world we live in.
Canons of the Capricorn Full Moon
Round 2 of Capricorn could be a moment of recognition and reward, especially if you’ve put in the hard work. As a review between the Summer Solstice and June Capricorn Full Moon and the intimidatingly vulnerable Cancer New Moon, have you shown up intentionally in your interactions and routines? If not, this Full Moon and the Summer Retrogrades (esp. Saturn Rx which rules Cap) can help recalibrate.
The Cap Full Moon pinpoints what we need to reconcile to create balance. Distraction vs. necessity, facts vs. feelings, addiction vs. fortitude are examples of exploration. We’re called to develop emotional maturity and master our fallback into fleeting escapism. A burning blinding spotlight has BEEN honing in on the material and emotional foundations (or lack thereof) in our lives for an entire Astro Season. Considering the trio of outer planet retrogrades, neglect is no longer an option.
Intention without action is just wishful thinking. Enough said.
Ignoring the elephant in the room only makes it grow bigger - ‘til it busts thru the walls and the roof caves in - and such avoidance has never done anyone any good. When we curtail the necessary process of engaging in conflict, we therefore sidestep solutions. This form of silence, stonewalling if you will, is not only a disservice to yourself and the other party involved, it’s a form of abuse. Even with backgrounds that could spur such behavior (ex. a trauma response), we still have the responsibility to show up for difficulties between us and others.
7/21 Capricorn Full Moon coincides with multiple aspects each with their own Astro impression
The Full Moon conjunct Pluto Rx in Aquarius urges us to take a long hard look at defense mechanisms that stand in the way of flow. To be a recipient, an open margin must exist. Are you being combative when you THINK you’re being protective? Are you blocking your own progress?
Venus in Leo sextiles Jupiter in Gemini, attracting the attention economy (Leo’s realm tbh). Social seduction can either fill us with Air, riding into a realm of arrogance or be a light-hearted lift (if it doesn’t go to our heads). This is a little treat, not an entree, but must be treated so.
Mercury in Leo squaring Uranus in Taurus overwhelms! A shock-inducing clash, a tense plot-twist that demands to choose our battles wisely. Queue our emotional complexity in dealing with abstract information (we’ll be in the Mercury Rx shadow) and be flexible to adapt to bombshells and brash bravado outside of us. This thorny dimension to the day is best for a pause on dire decisions or ostentatious outbursts. The true test will not be the drama; it will be nervous system regulation. Use the court of Capricorn to gain grounding and wait to respond (not react) when the Moon is not Full as fuck (lol). More will be revealed!
Sun in Cancer and Full Moon in Cap trine Neptune in Pisces Rx. Confusion around what is needed to move past problems arise! This trine is prime for invoking panic, but Neptune’s all-flowing possibilities aid in awareness. Hone in on how to conduct yourself, especially in an uncertain transition. Your ideal self is showing up to say it’s time to test out a role of bravery and self-respect! When we can focus on how to be resolute in our emotional (Cancer) and material (Capricorn) foundations, we combine values with routine for the best outcome. No better way to start Leo Season than to be proud of your choices in the face of fear.
Mars in Gemini trine Pluto in Aquarius Rx is at least a silver-lining and THE keen team to side with! A trine gifts follow-through where there was once a hold-up. It contains a magnetic edge for multi-tasking and crossing off needed to-dos (and sometimes staying active with what we can control is the biggest accomplishment we can hope for!). There is also a possibility to step into a leadership role or collab in our relationships with mutual respect and empathy. This passionate Air Energy COULD go hay-wire considering everything else, but it truly is a rainbow on a top of a terrible mountain climb where we are able to get a clearer view of what lies ahead and find some stake with practical hands-on solutions.
ADDITIONAL JULY ASTROLOGY
7/22 Sun enters Leo and opposed Pluto in Aquarius Rx can be a little bit of an identity crisis, no surprise after all the happenings on 7/21. New and Full Moon aftercare are important (if you haven’t been incorporating such, now is the time to start), but with this aspect can lend to negative overthinking. Good time to give yourself extra room to just be. REST UP!
7/25 Mercury enters Virgo for detailed meticulous planning and precise but polite communication. Sun in Leo sextiles Jupiter in Gemini coaxes even the most shy to come out of their shell. Both of these Astro moments can balance each other for a lovely blend of gentle sociability.
7/26 Chiron in Aries Retrograde begins. We have mentioned the Wounded Healer here and there throughout the Moon Muse but as Chiron is minor planet in the outer orbit, it has not been a main focus. However, it is worth mentioning its time in Aries has stoked much strife. Chiron in Aries can trigger needs around inner child healing, as the Ram is related to the child archetype at the very beginning of the Zodiac.
Chiron Rx can also bring opps to work thru family-of-origin, generational curses, reclaiming the creative self, imposter syndrome and social barriers re: community (all related to the Cap Moon as well). Basically, any deeply held wounds stemming from youth that have held us back from freedom of expression and connectivity has an auspicious chance to be healed. Chiron Rx ends on Dec. 29th and can be intentionally worked in tandem with the 4 main Summer Retrogrades.
