January’s Dark Moon occurs at 15 degrees 25, in the second decan of Capricorn (exact at 01:28 am GMT).
This decan is under the rulership of Mars, which is exalted in Capricorn, and so receives all the respect accorded an honoured guest. As might be also expected of such a guest, Mars is on his best behaviour and exhibits all his most positive characteristics in this sign (courage, confidence, endurance), which are also reflected in the attributes of this decan. The tarot card attributed here is the Three of Pentacles, entitled “The Lord of Material Works”. Aleister Crowley, who titled this card “Work” wrote that it describes the energy of Mars as “constructive, like that of a builder or engineer”. Combined with the reflective, internalised qualities of this month’s Dark Moon, this decan favours planning, forging harmonious links with and laying a solid foundation for future plans and projects.
The degree of this month’s Dark/New Moon (15 degrees 25) is conjunct the position of the powerful fixed star Wega), one of the brightest stars in the heavens. In the medieval astrological magic of the European and Arabic worlds, the image of this fixed star was a traveller, hen or vulture (this last being associated with the goddess Nekhebet, an Egyptian protective deity). Wega has rulership over the protective gemstone chrysolite , the strengthening herb succory (chicory) and clearing and balancing fumitory (also known as earth smoke). This star was employed in the construction of talismans which bestowed the qualities of magnanimity and pride on the wearer, and which provided power over beasts and devils; all gifts and attributes related to Mars. However, it would not be wise to attempt such a talisman with the Moon here, for the reasons given below.
The lunar mansion which holds sway over 15 Capricorn 25 is the 23rd, called S’ad Bula: “The Fortune of the Glutton”. The unfortunate reputation of the Moon in this Mansion may be attributed to her being in the sign of her detriment in Capricorn, a debilitation which tarnishes the expression of the positive energies of Mars, and which, according to the Picatrix, makes the Mansion fit only for talismans dedicated to works of discord and destruction. Additionally, the Moon here seems to dilute the strength of Saturn (ruler of Capricorn) , although with potentially positive results: The dissolution of boundaries inherent in the Moon’s placement in this Mansion is noted by Cornelius Agrippa as useful in magic aimed at liberating captives.
By LouiseOfArabia
Bibliography
The Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology by Vivian E. Robson
The Book of Thoth (Egyptian Tarot) by Aleister Crowley
Tarot and Astrology by Corrine Kenner
The Mansions of the Moon by Christopher Warnock
Stars and Stones: An Astro-Magical Lapidary by Peter Stockinger
The Picatrix (Liber Atratus Edition) Trans. by John Michael Greer and Christopher Warnock
Three Books of Occult Philosophy by Henry Cornelius Agrippa of Nettesheim (Llewellyn’s Sourcebook Series Ed. Donald Tyson)
Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic by Catherine Yronwode
The Astrological Tarot by Georges Muchery
Chart calculated with Astrogold for Mobile
ASTROLOGY BY LOUISE OF ARABIA 