(Pic courtesy of www.dreamstime.com)

Back in August I wrote a post about Leo. My Capricorn sister read it and asked when I was going to write something about her. At the time I replied flippantly that I would need to think of something nice to say about Capricorn… ouch! So, this blog is for my Cap sister Bec, her Cap husband, Cap children and my Cap Moon Dad, with apologies to last weeks Muse for the Miley lyrics… but seriously, they just work!

I read books to escape from the every day-tales of fantastical journeys and sweeping romances and mysteries with twists and turns. Anything from Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Ian Rankin to Harry Potter, Twilight and, my latest obsession, the Outlander series. If I do read non- fiction, they are either astro texts or travel stories- the ones where people leave their normal lives behind and escape to somewhere else. I live in a world where bad people get their karma in the end. I like to cry from happiness rather than at misery. Having so much Pisces and water in my chart, it is imperative to my emotional survival that I don’t take on the suffering of people I don’t know.  I refuse to watch the news and have been accused (and rightly so) of living in a fantasy world.

My Cap sister, Bec, on the other hand, dislikes escapism. Reality and triumph over adversity or seemingly chronic conditions does it for her, but leaves me cold- I don’t have the focus required to dwell on setbacks- give me Jamie Fraser and his swashbuckling plaid any day. But Bec likes to learn from the experience of others- reading about hardship and challenge reinforces the importance of stability and security in life. She also firmly believes that reading about these difficulties will reinforce a survival spirit- especially when others are so much less fortunate than yourself. A mother of 4 she is practical, secure and with an Aries Ascendant which gives her the energy to run her household and the competitive spirit of achievement required to transport 4 children to different activities on a timetable that would exhaust many a lesser mortal. Whilst I live in a fantasy world, Bec is well and truly grounded in reality.

As kids we would play Monopoly (possibly the ultimate Capricorn game?). I would buy whatever property I landed on, generally lose focus and go bankrupt quite quickly- not that it mattered, after all, monopoly money is only play money. Bec would play the game strategically, aiming for the quality properties and utilities, quietly erecting hotels on each and then waiting for the sting. She would wait until I had become bankrupt so she could buy up my defaulted properties and immediately improve them as well. Bec and my Aries brother would then generally battle it out to the death (or tears- usually when Mr Aries would pick up the board and throw it- hence the reason that Monopoly is now banned at my parents’ home).   The combination of that Capricorn Sun, Aries Ascendant and focused Scorpio Mars was way too much and too disciplined for my Aries brother.

Why tell these stories? By associating with a person or a scenario, I am able to understand the Capricorn Sun a little better.  Every astrologer has a sign (or two, or three) that they find difficult to identify with and difficult to write about. This doesn’t mean that we don’t like that particular sign, (or the people who have placements in that sign) but rather that we find it difficult to understand- usually because of differences within our own chart and with our own motivations.

As much as I love my sister, Capricorn is one of those signs for me. Not just because I have no planets in Capricorn myself, or because I have a difficult relationship with Saturn (the ruler of Capricorn), but because the motivation of Capricorn is so entirely different to that of my Pisces planets.

Most signs have something in their key descriptive words which is sort of interesting or even slightly glamorous sounding. Cancer is caring and empathetic, Libra social and decorative and Taurus tactile and musical. Capricorn, though, is ambitious, goal orientated and hardworking- motivated by the attainment of security, stability and societal respect. Positive traits indeed, but difficult to live up to- especially when young… Capricorn doesn’t want to jump off anything and everything, escape into their dreams or run off to fight a crusade- and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Capricorn is, however, one sign which really grows into itself- quite possibly one of the reasons that people with Capricorn Ascendants and Suns (or with Saturn in the 1^st house) age so well- they literally grow into their own skin. As Indiana Jones once said, ‘It’s not the years, but the mileage.’

However, mention these motivations to Capricorn and the response is likely to be ‘I am nothing like that, which just goes to show that astrology is a crock of s%^t,’  or, ‘You make me out to be motivated by nothing but work and I am nothing like that, which just goes to show that astrology is a crock of s%^t  ,’ or ‘you make me sound so boring and I am nothing like that, which just goes to show that astrology is a crock of s%^t.’

I also find that most signs have a shadow side that they are secretly willing to admit and even more secretly are proud of. Aquarians like their detached and quirky side, Gemini jokes about duplicity and Scorpio revels in her paranoia and revenge fantasies. Sag brags of his excesses and Pisces her addictions, but Capricorn has difficulty admitting to her shadow side. Materialistic? Elitist? Social climbing? ‘Not I,’ they will say, ‘I am nothing like that, which just goes to show that astrology is a crock of s%^t.’

"The Master," card by Symbalon

All zodiac signs are a function of their modality, element, ruling planet. Therefore Capricorn is:

• A cardinal, feminine, earth sign with Saturnian characteristics.
• Energy is introverted and inwardly focused rather than outwardly expressed. 
• Earthly attributes of practicality and stability are paramount.
• Change and initiation will occur when security and societal respect are threatened.

Saturn represents maturity, mastery, containment, boundaries and restriction. As such:

• Capricorn is by nature cold and dry, with not a lot of vital heat- this is the energy of discipline and hard work.
• Capricorn rules the parts of the body that represent structure- skin, joints, hair, nails, teeth, the skeletal system.

Saturn structures get stronger as they mature- as experience and wisdom is absorbed and storms weathered and survived. So too with Capricorn:

• Despite protests to the contrary from Capricorn Suns, Saturn does tend towards gloom, prudence, economy, melancholy and worry. Capricorn tends to “lighten up” with age.
• Capricorn careers tend to peak later as achievement is based on practicality, prudence and perseverance rather than charisma and light-bulb moments.

Symbolically, Capricorn is represented by the image of the Sea-Goat, a mythical creature with the body of a mountain goat and the tail of a fish. The symbolism of The Mountain is inherent when we think of Saturn and Saturn transits. Where the mountain for Sagittarius is part of the adventure, existing as a challenge to get past, jump off and see what is on the other side; for Capricorn, it isn’t about what is waiting on the other side- it really is all about the Climb.

Capricorn achievement is not of the “look at me” fame and glory nature. It is quieter and more intrinsic. It is about mastery. It is about understanding the gravity and reality of life and confronting issues honestly and with wisdom and integrity.  It is about maturity and becoming an adult.

Capricorn needs to feel that their experience, wisdom and knowledge is appreciated- with or without the supporting feedback. As such, Capricorn does tend to internalise when down and can be prone to depression if she feels that she hasn’t achieved what she thinks she should have achieved. The danger for Capricorn is when she becomes hooked on social approval or compares herself and her position, salary and achievements to others and finds herself envious of the apparent ease with which others have accumulated. It is at this point that the shadow of Capricorn and its’ associated “ist” words come into play.

The lesson for Capricorn is that of the hermit in the Symbalon card- inner knowledge, inner strength and inner certainty is what is important. Learn to be alone, learn to just “be”- what other people think matters less than you would imagine.

There’s always gonna be another mountain
I’m always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I’m gonna have to lose

Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

(“The Climb” by Miley Cyrus)

(Pic by me, Sea World, Gold Coast)

There is this politically incorrect joke about a mercurially challenged girl… for the sakes of this piece and with apologies to all such girls who may have the same hair colour but are not similarly mercurially challenged, lets refer to her as The Blonde.

Anyway, The Blonde is down on her luck. She has lost her job, her credit cards are in a mess and she owes debt everywhere. To make matters worse her boyfriend has just left her for someone less mercurially challenged, but also more venusianally (I just made that word up too) challenged.

In desperation she cries to the Almighty:

“God, I haven’t asked anything of you for like years, but can you please make me win the lotto as I am just soooo broke.”

She sits in front of the TV that week for the Monday night draw, the Wednesday night draw and the Saturday night draw. She even watches the Powerball draw in case God misunderstood her. Nothing. Her numbers don’t come up.

“God, I know I haven’t been as good as I could have been over the last few years, but if you do this one thing for me, I will be like so much better. Pleeeeeeeease.”

Again nothing. None of her numbers.

On the third week she is even more desperate, “I will do like anything that you want if I can win the lotto,” she pleads.

In the distance comes a thunderclap and a booming voice. The Blonde is scared, but pays attention. The voice says “I heard you the first time, but help me out here, OK? Buy a F$%&ing ticket!”

You can almost hear the voice of Jupiter. When Jupiter is transiting sensitive planets or points in your chart, you need to make yourself available to luck- take a chance, put yourself out there, enter contests. Often when opportunities fall into your lap or things “just happen” Jupiter has been activated.

There is, however, more to Jupiter than regarding him as a celestial sort of Santa Claus. Jupiter brings gain, but he also brings loss. Getting what you think you want may not necessarily be good for you. Sometimes you need to lose what you don’t need in order to recognise what it is that you really do want. As painful as the loss may be at the time, it may liberate you to a higher expression of what you can be. Losing a job frees you to do something else, losing a partner may open you up to a relationship that really works for you. When someone says “Losing that ______was the best thing that ever happened to me…” they have had a Jupiter transit.

Even if it is inappropriate or turns out not to be the best decision, getting what we want can be instructive- we learn more about what we do need and where we can improve or expand upon ourselves. Wherever Jupiter is transiting in your chart is where you may have been under-estimating yourself or asking for too little. You come to a place or a point where you just need a few wins. If Jupiter is transiting your 1^st house, you have been underestimating who you are capable of being; if he is running through the 7^th look at your relationships; in the 10^th are you valuing your experience enough or simply accepting a more junior role than what you are capable of?

During a Jupiter time nothing may happen. Not a thing. You don’t apply for that job so you can’t get it. You don’t enter that lotto draw so you can’t win. You don’t ask that guy out so you can’t start a relationship. Jupiter presents the possibilities, it is up to us to do something with those opportunities, including making the choice to turn away from them. Jupiter wants us to say “yes”, but has neither the patience nor the inclination to hang around while we debate and analyse all potential outcomes- quite frankly he can’t be faffed.  Show some faith, hope and courage and he will hang around, turn away from opportunity and he will simply move on- he can’t be bothered to stay and punish you like Saturn would.

Where Saturn wants to see commitment and discipline and maturity, Jupiter is interested in audacity and a willingness to lose in order to gain. Jupiter wants us to say “yes” to life in all of its glorious possibilities.

Often we choose not to hope or to wish as we have been taught over the years that this avoids disappointment. If we don’t hope, we can’t be hurt. If we don’t take a risk, we can’t lose. But if we don’t enter, we can’t win either. So which is the better state? Being happy or content with all that you have or wanting more? As soon as you begin to hope implicit in that is a knowledge that tomorrow can be better than today. As soon as you begin to hope you acknowledge that there is something in your present which you are not satisfied with.

There is no right or wrong to this. There is, however, a danger in over extension, in not knowing when to pull back- your own Jupiter placement and the boundaries imposed by Saturn in your birth chart will help you there (subject for a whole other posting). The dark side is also in wanting something passionately and stupidly- being seduced by the insidious nature of glitter- you may get it and what then?

During a Jupiter time, don’t be afraid to want, to look up, to aim higher, but do it from a position of self knowledge, from experience and wisdom- from what we have already learned. During a Jupiter time if you don’t look up, you will miss it- but don’t blame Jupiter, he has presented the opportunities, you are free to choose to ignore them.

Next time: Jupiter through the houses.

I may have said it before, but I do some of my best thinking at altitude. Not sure whether it is the fact that things seem clearer or whether it is the noise reducing headphones that send me into a world of my own or just that I have no choice other than to think, but I have more a-ha moments on a plane than at any other time.

So it was the other week during the 5 hour flight to Perth. I had eaten what passes for breakfast on Qantas cattle class flights, watched the movie and predictably cried at the happy/sad bits. All that was left to do was think- I couldn’t put it off any longer- and, with the worst Mercury in existence, tucked away in Pisces in the 12^th house, I do tend to put off thinking as long as possible. What sprang into my brain was the realisation that I am at this point in time in exactly the same position as I was 12 years ago.

OK, there are some minor differences- at the end of 1997 I was 6 months pregnant, working in the Finance industry and contemplating a potential redundancy, career change, and some time off through maternity leave. Fast forward 12 years and I am probably the same weight as I was when 9 months pregnant, feel as though I am preparing to give birth to something life changing and contemplating what I want to be doing when I grow up. As I said- I am in exactly the same position now as I was then.

 Twelve years ago Jupiter was in my 12^th house- where it had been for the whole of my pregnancy. For a Jupiter ruled triple Pisces, this was 12^th house confinement at its absolute most literal. By the time Jupiter crossed my ascendant and squared my midheaven/IC I was a mother with all the life changes to home, public self and relationships that the word “Mummy” implies.

Jupiter moves into Pisces in the next few weeks- January 19 to be precise- and I, for one, am excited. Jupiter is the traditional ruler of Pisces and revels in the lack of structure, lack of boundaries that is Pisces. In Pisces, Jupiter really can expand beyond all previous limitations. Pisces likes to dream and to feel, while Jupiter just wants to say “yes”. When Jupiter is active in your chart, opportunities just happen- the trick is in recognising them and choosing to take what is offered. And that is incredibly exciting.

Naturally it doesn’t follow that all things will be great and good. Jupiter makes things bigger and can make them happen quicker, so giving into the wrong types of temptation can also get you into one heck of a lot of trouble very quickly! The sign and position of your natal Jupiter will give you an indication as to how easily you accept risk and opportunity… mine is in the 5^th house making trines to a 9^th house Neptune and a 1^st house Pisces Moon & Sun- boundaries are fluid and running the gauntlet makes life interesting. When Jupiter is active in your chart, it really can be a case of “be careful what you wish for”.

Think about which area of life Jupiter is transiting for you- where were you 12 years ago, what was happening for you then? Are there any similarities to what is happening now? Over the next couple of weeks, I will look at Jupiter’s transits through each of the houses and how you can make the most of the opportunity which Jupiter brings.

Mars is now retrograde- read all about how it impacts yourworkplace in my piece Slow.

For some really great meaty Mars retrograde info check out my friend AstroSparkles on Facebook. Even if you aren’t into the whole Facebook thing, her Fan site is a great source of all things astro. Pop in & have a look.

(Full Moon by Annalia courtesy of www.dreamstime.com)

How many times has a song come on the radio that just reminds you of a certain time, a certain place, a certain somebody?

A girlfriend gave me a CD compilation the other night that told me more about who she is and how she feels at this point in time than any words could. Listening to it while I was baking yesterday took me back to New Years Eve when I was about 19 and standing on a balcony in a University friends’ Darling Point apartment watching the fireworks over Sydney Harbour and kissing a very kissable musician whose name I can’t remember, but who I met that night for the first time and never saw again.

The song that sent me down Memory Lane was The Waterboys’ “The Whole of the Moon”. It was playing in the background at the time. It was a moment that I hadn’t given a thought to in over 20 years, but which inexplicably came up when I heard that song again.

Flash forward to another scene. I am sitting leaning back against the couch with a male friend listening to vinyl records. We have an empty bottle of cheap wine between us, a fresh one we are taking it in turns to drink out of, and single and album covers lying all around us as we cherry pick individual songs to play. My Cancer friend had reached a crossroads of sorts- he had been with his current girlfriend almost to the point of no return and was debating whether to stay or go. I had recently had my heart broken very thoroughly and was in my Pisces Moon way debating whether to take him back again (I did) so that he could cheat on me again (he did).

‘I love this song! It reminds me of the 1^st time D* and I did it,’ he says. The song? “Busting Loose” by Aussie 80’s band Moving Pictures. D* was his ex girlfriend, the love of his love, the one that got away, the one he was comparing his current squeeze to.

Every guy’s a clumsy poet and every girl’s a beauty queen and they’re fogging up the windows of their friends parked cars on the way to their land of dreams- do you know what I mean?

I choose Abba’s “The Winner Takes It All”: But tell me, does she kiss, like I used to kiss you. Does it feel the same, when she calls your name?  Tears rolling down my cheeks I take another swig of the wine bottle and pass it across before selecting the extended play version of Yello’s “Oh Yeah” (which had been “our” song- long story…) and Pet Shop Boys’ version of “Always On My Mind”. He chooses Johnny Logans’ “Hold Me Now” (puh-leeeese) and The Clashs’ “Should I Stay or Should I Go?”

Anyone who follows on me on Facebook and Twitter will see that I often post lyrics that say what it is I need to say. If love is a bolt from the blue, then what is that bolt but a glorified screw and that doesn’t hold nothing together. But for one crowded hour you were the only one in the room. (“One Crowded Hour” by Augie March). I like to use lyrics also in this blog as a way of illustrating a planet or a sign that I may have difficulties otherwise describing.

I keep a playlist on my ipod that I move songs in and out of. They are all songs that mean something to my Pisces Moon at a point in time. Damien Rice (“The Blowers Daughter”, “Accidental Babies”, “9 Crimes”) and Fine Frenzy (“Almost Lover”, “Think of You”) for pain and longing: so you’re gone and I’m haunted. Did I make it that easy for you to walk in and out of my life?

When I’m angry and trying to feed the rage I may have Duran Durans’ “Careless Memories” or The Veronicas’ “This is How it Feels” on high rotation.  …And maybe I won’t forgive, I’ll just forget you lived, And I hope it hurts…This is how it feels: When you wait for a call that never comes Are you waking up ’cause you miss someone?

Currently I am playing The Partridge Familys’ “I Think I love You” and Sugababes’ “About You Now”: Can we bring yesterday back around cause I know how I feel about you now.

Everything on my playlist shows the extreme emotions of my Pisces Moon. The music on my friends list was different and expressed her Moon. For those of us with an “unfortunate” Mercury or some other inhibition around saying what we feel out loud, our personal playlists are able to do it for us. Even if we never have the courage to dump the music to CD and send it to where it needs to go, our personal playlist speaks from the heart, from the Moon and from the planets which aspect your Moon.

What’s on your playlist right now? Are you full of the earthy joy of Xmas and enjoying traditional carols or are you drowning in cheesy love songs remembering lost romance? Perhaps you are indulging in the hidden meaning of clever lyrics or feeling the burn at the gym with some heavy metal.

I leave you with the lyrics to “The Whole of The Moon”- a song for the limitlessness and beyondness that is my Moon- but feel free to let your Moon use it too and learn how it feels to reach too high, too far and too soon.

I pictured a rainbow
you held in your hands
I had flashes
but you saw the plan
I wandered out in the world for years
while you just stayed in your room
I saw the crescent
you saw the whole of the moon!
The whole of the moon!

You were there at the turnstiles
with the wind at your heels
You stretched for the stars
and you know how it feels
To reach too high
too far
Too soon
you saw the whole of the moon!

I was grounded
while you filled the skies
I was dumbfounded by truths
you cut through lies
I saw the rain-dirty valley
you saw Brigadoon
I saw the crescent
you saw the whole of the moon!

I spoke about wings
you just flew
I wondered, I guessed, and I tried
you just knew
I sighed
but you swooned
I saw the crescent
you saw the whole of the moon!
The whole of the moon!

With a torch in your pocket
and the wind at your heels
You climbed on the ladder
and you know how it feels
To reach too high
too far
Too soon
you saw the whole of the moon!
The whole of the moon!

Unicorns and cannonballs,
palaces and piers,
Trumpets, towers, and tenements,
wide oceans full of tears,
Flag, rags, ferry boats,
scimitars and scarves,
Every precious dream and vision
underneath the stars
You climbed on the ladder
with the wind in your sails
You came like a comet
blazing your trail
Too high
too far
Too soon
you saw the whole of the moon!