Mental powers are on overdrive. Near the end of January, we are experiencing a big shift, from a heavy earth sensation, to a light feeling of the cold winds of logic. Air energies will be blowing around us. Celestial Uranus will be turning direct and chthonic Pluto is changing signs, from feminine Capricorn to masculine Aquarius. Pluto, an earth god, who has been comfortably transiting through an earth sign for twelve years, is moving into an air sign, while Uranus, a sky god, is continuing his journey though an earth sign. This makes for big changes, some uncomfortable changes, in the relationship between the two of them. It will be felt individually and socially by all of us. We will get a glimpse of what that means when the moon travels through the opposite sign of Leo, illuminating this configuration. Change will be slow, complete, non negotiable and electrifying, with sudden bursts of energy.
The Full Moon takes place on 25 January, 2024, at 17:53 GMT, and at 05 degrees and 14 minutes of Leo. We will experience this powerful revelation with dignity and pride. With the full moon in Leo illuminating the skies, it will be a royal perspective administering justice and balancing executive decisions within a group dynamic.
At the point of the new year we find ourselves exhausted in the physical realm of our endeavours. We are not just imagining things. It is a fact. The Nine of Wands alludes to real life obstacles and a sense of defeat or injury. But notice, we are still standing. The Nine of Wands is a fire card, it’s a card of passion. Just as Leo is a fire sign. Leo represents joy and happiness in love and creativity, and perhaps the cards are showing us that our passions are exhausting us just before we reach our goals. Potentially we are at the point of achievement but we are hesitant, hurting, resistant and anxious. The sun is illuminating group dynamics in Aquarius (and is in fall) while the moon shines upon our individuality but it’s quick moving and fleeting. We see a person alone in a landscape of obstacles. There’s an assumptions that others have been there and yet we are alone. Just as with the full moon we see completion of a task or endings of a situation, the Nine of Wands suggests a battle that has been fought just recently. It represents the outcome of a situation that has history to it.
The context of what it all means is very important therefore. The Nine of Wands is flanked by two very potent air sign cards, The Justice, a major arcana card, and the Ace of Swords. They talk of a mental energy and a mental strain that is causing us exhaustion and stress, even possibly, paranoia or delusion, as we pause and look around the field. The full moon in Leo – a love sign – emphasises that it’s time to rethink love and passion projects, emotions, feelings, and to stop and take a moment to assess our condition before moving forward with our aims and goals.
The Justice card reminds us not to loose sight of some balance in our lives. Going off on emotions and passions will not bring truth or clarity, or even a fair outcome. We are reminded of the potential for illusion and misrepresentation when we are driven by self advancement and unbridled desire. The Justice card brings into focus the importance of cool logic and rational thinking before taking action, that disciplines our movement towards realisation. Venus, Mercury and Mars are all in Capricorn during the full moon in Leo, and are sextiling Saturn (Capricorn’s ruler) by sign, and trining both Jupiter and Uranus from Taurus. Aspects that bring in the element of slowly-does-it, painstakingly observing the rules of the game to achieve harmony and beauty. Both values inherent within and indivisible from justice.
During this full moon in Leo, justice is illuminated, and our fight for it, is observed. This is where our passions are leading us. With the Ace of Swords we are taking the initiative to fight for what matters even though we might feel defeated or low in energy. Leo is one of the most optimistic signs of the zodiac, and the Ace of Swords is one of the most generous cards in the tarot. So we can be optimistic about our expectations of gifts, honours, and acclaims, by taking charge of our situation. It requires, maybe, momentarily, stopping to take stock and reassess the environment we are working within, under the light of new information. We are heading towards success in achieving justice once our role is based on valid principles and for the good of all. Reality will crush delusions of grandeur and self seeking goals. But positive action that cuts through the noise brings strength and will lead to a breakthrough following on from hardship. Our mental focus and attention is our strength. We are resilient and are only a step away from the final result, but perhaps this is the end of a chapter. This is how far we have gone this time, and we can feel proud of our selves for it.
The fight is not over yet however something new is already on the horizon. As the sword cards relate to the mind, we are directed with new ideas, concepts and theories towards something new, greater than ourselves, and we see the beginning of it within the ending. We are advised by the Ace of Swords to think with purpose and continue moving upwards on taking action towards realising our plans. This will bring us comfort and stability. It will get rid of the anxiety and suspicion we face with the Nine of Wands, and we will be coming closer to a more just outcome of our actions, for us and for our wider community. An amazing window of opportunity for realisation is opening up with all planets moving forwards, and meaningful change is forecast for the future, as big plants move into new signs. Take a breather, believe in justice and keep going.
Flavia