Capricorn Full Moon - The Work of a Lifetime
Capricorn, the wise elder, gets the full light of the moon this month, bringing awareness to our level of maturity, commitment to discipline, business endeavors, and developing strategies for our career or lifestyle. The energy of Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, and so there is constant pressure to get work done and work on the plans we’ve crafted. On the low side, however, this pressure leads to workaholism and forgetting the human element in our endeavors. Capricorn can be cold and ruthless when it comes to achieving its goal. The light of this full moon gives us a clearer vision to understand who, why and what we are working for at this time. If our goals have become trivial, materialistic or narrow-minded, this is a good time to broaden our view and reintroduce meaning back into our life’s work.
Because this Capricorn moon sits right next to Saturn, the pressure for us to manifest our greatest career goals is doubled. With a right angle to the great mentor of the sky, Chiron, this moon also encourages us to be sure that the work we do in the world is meaningful, and fueled by our greatest gifts. In order to unlock those gifts, we must lean into the discomfort surrounding our career and life purpose. If we are stuck in a dead-end job, or not doing our heart’s work, the likelihood for greater suffering in this area is amplified at this time. Since the sun sits in Cancer in opposition to the moon here (which it always does at a full moon), we have the added family pressure that might come from our career choices.
This celestial pattern encourages us to march forward in our career so long as it serves our highest purpose or to release the work that no longer serves us. Remember, the light of the full moon is a time to take stock of our lives and reap the abundant rewards of our hard work or surrender what no longer works.
In short, this moon is asking you: What do you really want to do with your life? And, how badly do you want to do it? Take some time to consider these questions carefully as you put more energy into what you need to say, “Yes!” to right now, while letting the rest simply fall away.
Alchemical Ritual for the Capricorn Full Moon
As an earth sign, Capricorn is grounded, committed, strategic and ready to work. This energy intense, both in its capacity to get things done, but also in its ability to overwhelm and overwork. Capricorn constantly strives to reach its goal, but what is most important is that Capricorn reaches the right goal, and maintains a clear vision of the forest for the trees. This full moon ritual for Capricorn draws feeling and emotion into Capricorn’s normally critical thinking, encouraging us to ask ourselves: What do we really want, and how badly do we want it? The right answers to these questions come from the heart, not the head. When fueled by compassion and love, there is nothing Capricorn cannot accomplish.
Capricorn’s ruler is Saturn, the cosmic father who constantly pressures us to get things done. This is an important aspect of life, but Capricorn sometimes also forgets how to enjoy life, too! When we bring meaning to life, it becomes enjoyable, and meaning is found by letting the heart guide all of our endeavors. To enliven Capricorn’s intensity in this ritual, gather a dark stone like onyx, hematite or garnet. Cypress or patchouli essential oil may be used to anoint your third eye, and your knees (Capricorn rules the knees) before and after the ceremony. Use sage, sweet grass or palo santo to cleanse yourself and the space by casting the smoke over yourself and encircling your own body three times. Light a few candles and dim the lights. Enter your ceremonial space with conscious intention to bring your heart’s desire to life in this ritual. Step inside, sit down and close the eyes. Focus on the breath and clear the mind of thought. With clarity and receptivity, say the following invocation out loud:
Capricorn and Saturn, allow me to do the work of my heart, so that I may manifest meaning in my life.
Spend a few moments in quiet contemplation. Clear the mind of thoughts completely. When you are clear, ask yourself the following questions out loud:
What do I want?
(pause, wait for the answer)
How badly do I want it?
(pause, wait for the answer)
The answers may surprise you. When you allow the heart to finally speak, it speaks clearly and concisely, in simple words (often only one or two at a time), elegant concepts (an inner knowing), an image, or most powerfully: a feeling. When the heart serves up a feeling response, it charges your conviction and in that moment, you know you have found meaning. The answers to these questions are likely infused with emotion, which means that there is no denying what the heart wants, nor that you must do what it takes to accomplish it.
When complete, chant Om three times, and snuff the candles. Place your right hand over your heart as a way to connect physically to the driving force behind the meaningful answers you receive in this ritual. This ritual harnesses the powerful energy of Capricorn, giving you the means to make manifest your heart’s desire.
