The New Moon of December 24, 2011 falls at 2° Capricorn. This lunation shows influences for the latter part of December and for the first three weeks of January. This New Moon is conjunct with Pluto, trine Jupiter, sextile Saturn and Neptune, and square Uranus. Pluto lends drive to reach ambitions. There are signs of positive changes and people have a more optimistic outlook.

In the chart calculated for Washington, D.C., Jupiter is in the First House, which usually means some benefits or breaks for the people. Jupiter promotes peace in this position. The country appears more prosperous and people are more contented. Jupiter is trine the New Moon in the Ninth House and Jupiter turns direct on Christmas Day. This suggests forward movement and momentum for growth and expansion. Matters to do with travel see improvements so this may benefit the airlines with increased holiday travel. New and fortuitous developments impact publishing, science and education. Overseas shipping or trade may benefit. Those who work in these sectors may benefit as well.

The recent Solar Eclipse was in Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter, so this New Moon trine Jupiter is especially noteworthy of potential good for those same sectors. Republicans may get a boost too or a candidate may gain momentum since the party is ruled by Jupiter.

There’s another benefic planet in an angle and this is Venus overhead in the Tenth House, showing national celebrations and holidays. There are many public functions. This is also favorable for peace and prosperity. Due to Venus square Jupiter, this may invoke troubling questions having to do with money matters and the First Family. There’s a bit of extravagance and the Capricorn Ingress ruled by Venus suggests that people in general let go a little bit this holiday and take a break from the recent frugality. There is a very social atmosphere and holiday spirits are high.

The New Moon in the Ninth House in Capricorn also suggests important but complicated cases in the law courts, some centering on important national affairs and the power of the government. The law courts are very active and these cases may be the subject of disputes. The Ninth House rules many things including the courts, religion, immigration and foreign trade relations. The house of the New Moon signifies the areas and subjects prone to undergo changes and new developments. While there appear to be benefits for many Ninth House affairs, Uranus in square tells us that things are not entirely smooth sailing.

An important aspect in this chart is Saturn on the cusp of the Seventh House. Saturn rules the Midheaven of the President. This suggests the President is involved in important dealings with other countries. There may be important travels made to other countries by officials. Dealings and relations with other nations entails responsibilities, especially old relationships or alliances. There may be events of national importance with Cardinal signs on the angles. The President may be forced to deal with circumstances of a disturbing nature involving political or economic struggles. Saturn presages some difficulty involving relations with other countries. (Click the image to view the chart, then use your back button.)

New Moon

The New Moon opposes U.S. Venus. Financial problems require cooperative efforts to solve. There are continuing worries about the overall economic picture, with critical or difficult changes, but Pluto is very empowering in conjunction with this New Moon and with the trine from Jupiter and additional assistance from Saturn and Neptune while trine one another, global business and trade conditions may show signs of improvement even if only for this month. Real estate and building operations shows improvement too since the Moon rules the Fourth House.

Matters to do with employment, jobs, health and the military are costly and troublesome. That comes from Mars in the Sixth House, while Uranus in the Twelfth House indicates mysterious crimes, complicated cases in police courts and potentially sudden trouble for the government from rebels or from secret enemies for which there are heightened concerns. Uranus is in a critical degree and this New Moon stimulating the Uranus/Pluto square will likely rile up some rebel types; protesters, revolutionaries or radicals.

In weather, it looks like we are in for another winter of extremes. This comes from Pluto on the cusp of the Fourth House of the Capricorn Ingress chart of December 22, 2011 that runs for three months. For this coming four week period, conditions are wet and cold, and Pluto tends to intensify whatever weather patterns are normal for the time of year.

A Full Moon often brings things to a head that were shown in the New Moon chart. The Full Moon falls January 9, 2012. The Ninth House is again in focus. This may be when foreign affairs are the source of stress or problems. January 18 – 19 may be a time of important developments as the Sun comes to square Saturn.

In your own chart, check the house position where this New Moon at 2° Capricorn falls. This New Moon will stimulate those affairs and draw your attention to them for the next four weeks. This is an area where new developments are taking place. You may be trying to take better control and bring improvements to this area of your life. You feel very determined and hard work will pay off. Check to see if this New Moon makes a major aspect to any of your natal planets within 3 – 5 degrees. If it does, the nature of the planet gives clues as to the subjects brought into focus and the nature of the aspect tells how those affairs will go for the coming month. Not all lunations will make important aspects to your planets so not all months will bring important or exciting events. In any case, for this period, all of the planets are direct in motion as of Christmas Day and since this doesn’t happen very often, it is encouraging for making forward progress in plans and projects. It’s not a bad way to start 2012. Wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year! Celeste Teal 12/19/2011

Actual Events: Tax cuts are extended for two more months, with the news coming just before Christmas. Retail sales and consumer spending is looking more favorable, with sales up this year compared to the last two. A fire on Christmas morning in Stamford, CT claims the lives of 5. A young woman who lost her husband to cancer on Christmas day is forced to shoot and kill an intruder days later to protect herself and her young child. Mortgage rates fall to levels not seen since the ‘70s. Mitt Romney takes the lead among the Republican contenders in the race to the White house. The Iranian president threatens to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large percentage of oil is shipped, if there are sanctions imposed against them (for nuclear weapons ambitions). A former U.S. military man was sentenced in Iran to death for spying, an allegation denied by the U.S. and by his family. Then, an Iranian nuclear scientist is killed, which Iran blames on the U.S. As these contentious matters are underway, the U.S. navy rescues several Iranians who were being held prisoner by pirates. Two similar rescues occurred. Two cruise ships run aground, including a serious capsize on January 14, in which over 100 Americans were on board. Most of the passengers have been rescued and accounted for though there have been deaths and rescue efforts are still underway. There was a British Airway mishap, when the Captain accidentally hit a button telling passengers they’d be landing on water. (Note the number of events connected to ships, shipping and air travel ruled under the Ninth House, where the New Moon fell.) Four U.S. marines face punishment for desecrating the dead bodies of Taliban fighters. A fifth person, who videoed them, is being sought and an investigation is underway. There’s a recall of the Mini Cooper (car). Obama says no to Keystone Pipeline project on January 19.