The Context at the Start of Capricorn Season
Capricorn Season begins with the Winter Solstice on December 21. The sun joins Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto in Capricorn, where Saturn and Pluto are approaching a conjunction that only happens about once every 35 years, marking the peak of the dark Saturn-Pluto themes that have been playing out since the end of 2017—like conflict, oppression, borders, walls (and border walls). Venus has just left Capricorn and is transiting Saturn's other sign: Aquarius. Mars begins Capricorn Season at home in Scorpio. The slow moving outer planets Neptune and Uranus remain in Pisces and Taurus respectively.
Saturn-Pluto Conjunction Peak January 10-13
The exact Saturn-Pluto conjunction is a big deal. It only happens every few decades, and it historically coincides with periods of war and oppression (including World War I and World War II). We've been experiencing the effect of Saturn and Pluto sharing the same sign for over 2 years already, so we kind of know what to expect at this point. But the exact conjunction on January 12 will likely register as a more overt or intense manifestation of those themes—especially with the extra emphasis provided before and after by the nearby Mercury cazimi (Jan 10), lunar eclipse opposition (Jan 10), Mercury conjunctions with Saturn and Pluto (Jan 11), and then sun conjunctions with Pluto then Saturn (Jan 13). In other words, the days of January 10-13 will all have a lot of emphasis on Saturn-Pluto themes.
In world events, we are likely to see news regarding escalation of conflicts and widespread oppression. Don’t be surprised if old clashes over geo-political boundaries intensify or new ones crop up.
On a personal level, folks with Capricorn placements (sun, moon, rising, and personal planets) are more likely to feel the effects of the transit on a personal level—especially if those placements are near 22° of Capricorn. This could manifest as a connection or heightened sensitivity to the events on the world stage, or other intense manifestations of the Saturn archetype (depression, anxiety, injury, setbacks).
Notable Transits:
Dec 25-26 Christmas Annular Solar Eclipse in Capricorn. Eclipses are not typically auspicious times to start new things, and this one is definitely not an exception. Eclipses often bring change—best to roll with it.
Dec 27, Sun conjoins Jupiter exactly and the Moon conjoins Saturn and Pluto, emphasizing all the good and bad elements of the stellium in Capricorn.
Dec 28 Mercury enters Capricorn. Mercury will act out Saturn themes via communication and technology for most of Capricorn Season (until ingressing into Aquarius on Jan 16).
Jan 2 Mars enters Sagittarius where it will remain for a month and a half. This may be experienced as a reduction in energy and motivation. For most, it won't be too significant until the first half of Aquarius Season.
Jan 10 Mercury cazimi with lunar eclipse opposite. Secrets may come to light.
Jan 11 Mercury conjoins Saturn then Pluto
Jan 12 Saturn-Pluto conjunction: Peak point of Saturn-Pluto themes like oppression, borders, walls (and border walls),
Jan 13 Sun conjoins Pluto then Saturn.
Jan 13 Venus (love, art) enters Pisces and will remain there (exalted!) through Feb 7
Jan 16 Mercury ingress Aquarius
Jan 17 Moon-Mercury-Uranus T-square in fixed signs. This configuration suggests new radical ideas may come into conflict with the status quo. If mutually exclusive options present themselves, it may be best to sleep on it rather than making a hasty decision.
Moon Phases:
Dec 25-26 New Moon Solar Annular Eclipse: may bring change - roll with it.
Jan 3 First Quarter Moon: Be cautious of Saturn-Pluto influence.
Jan 10 Full Moon Penumbral Lunar Eclipse: An intense lunar opposition to Saturn-Pluto and Mercury cazimi. High emphasis on the upcoming Saturn-Pluto conjunctions.
Jan 17 Third Quarter Moon emphasizes Saturn-Pluto in Capricorn through a square aspect.