The Sun enters Capricorn III on 10 January 2024 at 1:31 pm EST over my small town in western Massachusetts, entering the realm that Austin Coppock called The Throne, that T. Susan Chang named Money in the Bank, and that tarotists have associated with the four of pentacles or disks for a couple of hundred years now. The ancient Greeks dedicated this season to Tolma, the goddess of daring or courageous action — a tutelary spirit responsible for chivvying elected officials to intentional activity on behalf of the polis and not simply enjoying the perks of their newfound station. It's likely to be a complicated season for us all, as a result.
Though Capricorn as a whole belongs to the slow and overbearing Saturn, this decan is the province and peculiar territory of the Sun. The Throne is an entirely suitable name for this decan, for sovereigns must often do what is personally reprehensible to themselves — and often have a body of subordinates who help them commit to an action they find repugnant... but who also carry out their personal dirty-work. In this sense, Tolma's power comes to the fore — it's too early to make a decision when you only have 10% of the information, and too late when you have more than 60% of the information; the daring and the courage comes from accepting your advisors' call to action far earlier than you might want to on the basis of your own private feeling. That's about all we know about Tolma, too — that you maybe should rush in when you're only at 20%-30% of the necessary information. It is possible to play things too safe.
The dodekatemoria of Capricorn's third decan tell something of that same story, being re-capitulations of Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius. Virgo represents a kind of analysis-paralysis, while Libra is the energy of weighing the costs and benefits of any action. However, Scorpio suggests a sudden burst of action, as when a concealed scorpion leaps up as the rock is lifted, to sting the mortal that dared disturb his hiding spot. And Sagittarius is the cavalry rushing into battle, heedless of risk, launching flights of arrows into their opponents. The analysis-paralysis is overcome, and the rush to action, to daring strikes, comes after a mere 50% of the information has been properly studied.
The upshot of all this? Don't get caught in the trap of indecision this week. Tell yourself: "By the time the Sun comes up on Saturday this week, I will be rolling toward my destiny, good or bad." Make that decision you've put off too long.
Planetary Positions
This chart has the Sun above the horizon and the Ascendant in Gemini, making this a day chart with Mercury acting as director or chief minister of the next ten days. It's funny that the secretary of the planets is also serving as the secretary of the Sun's dirty business — but it's worth noting that Mercury (despite being of the day sect in this chart) is both overloaded with work in Sagittarius where they're in detriment. The herald-planet is also running far behind the Sun — who has left his queen, his chief general and his mistress far behind in his wake... even as he goes to consult with the most nefarious and mercenary merchant-prince in the Zodiac, Pluto of the billionaires.
What in heaven's name does the Sun have to discuss with Pluto? Why does the king of heaven meet in his private office with the lord of the underworld, while all the court gathers at the doors to try to listen through the soundproofed doors? I've noted that Pluto has been a functional stand-in for the decision-making by the ultra-billionaire class and their proxies while in Capricorn; the Anaretic (or last) degree of a sign usually indicates a moment of recognition or conscious decision to move in the direction of "whatever comes next." For perhaps two decades we've heard stories of billionaires gaming the system and opting-out of full participation in a society they distrust; it may be that the three-way meeting among Moon-Sun-Pluto on January 11, or the two-way conjunction on January 20, both point to a shift in the upper class's understanding of their fortunes... and the role they ought to play in society rather than the one they have created for themselves. Or maybe it's more of the same, an intensification of the same tedious playbook. One way or another, these two dates point to attempts to make decisions at the highest levels at what will be the norms for great wealth and power in the world in the next twenty years.
Still, the questions and concerns of the next ten days are likely to play out in the public, political arenas rather than the private or economic ones. All of the planets are above the horizon at the start of this decan, starting with Uranus and Jupiter in Taurus on the eastern horizon in the twelfth house. Associated with the courts and the administration of justice, a number of important issues are likely to go undecided this week, but leave their question marks hanging over the world like a sword of Damocles: is it as sharp as it looks? What will happen if it falls this way? What about that way?
The Nodal Axis hungers for political affiliations between friends and acquaintances, allies and casual connections, while doing its best to rain on the parades of anyone seeking personal pleasure. Those seeking to monetize their hobbies or keep their personal pleasures private in a time of austerities are likely to be shamed; while those who shout their passions from the rooftops are likely to be handed a paper crown and a megaphone. It doesn't mean that this is correct or responsible, by the way — only what happens.
Neptune and Saturn are both direct in Pisces, bringing down the foundations of buildings awash in more enthusiasm than sense, and restructuring the way we tunnel through reality in search of meaning. In the tenth house, this suggests significant restructuring of career paths and job goals in the next ten days, with aspects suggesting that starting a "side hustle" out of desperation this week is going to feel like a good idea, without necessarily being a good idea: as with any business, make a written plan, write out your objectives and major milestones, and don't expect to turn things around right away. Similarly, talk to your spouse or significant other, or business partners, about your goals — they will give you guidance you won't want to hear... but that's at least part of the reason you need to hear it!
The Midheaven in Aquarius II Heaven and Earth indicates that it is a good idea to write down your long-term goals and resolutions for 2024, as though they were a business plan. I find the best format for these sorts of plans is 1) Mission (what do you want to do), 2) Vision (how do you think others will see you if you succeed); 3) goals (what will take you 12 months to do); 4) objectives (what will take you 3-5 months to do); and 5) activities (what will you do every day to achieve that). Post your business plan on the wall by your desk or mirror, and attend to it. You'll have an easier time keeping commitments if you remember what they are.
Pluto, the Sun, the Moon, and Mars are all in Capricorn in the eighth house. This is the place of obligation, of bureaucracy, of odium, of tedious duties that no one wants to do and no one wants to accept. Yet wealth, brilliance, intuition, and ambition are all connected to these responsibilities that carry no rewards — and yet all the great things you want out of the coming year are dependent on starting or continuing to do what is required of you, or that you've demanded of yourself. Don't let yourself down: keep working at what must be done.
Mercury and Venus occupy the seventh house above the western horizon: public displays of affection, and open communication, are your cornerstone tools in your relationships with a spouse or significant other; and even if you think you're pulling more than your own weight in the relationship, or beating a dead horse in how many times you say "I love you" or "let's talk this situation through again," know that these conversations, and this effort, is part of the way that two (or more people) find unity of expression. Don't stop having these conversations this week: bring them up again and again.
Horoscopes by Rising Sign
Decan I of any sign (usually covering the 21st of the month to the first of the following month) is free to all visitors; Decan II is only available to Patreon and Ko-Fi.com subscribers; and Decan III is available to Patreon, Ko-Fi, and MailChimp subscribers.
Gemini:
Cancer:
Leo:
Virgo:
Libra:
Scorpio:
Sagittarius:
Capricorn:
Aquarius:
Pisces:
Aries:
Taurus:
Colophon
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