Capricorn Full Moon: Playing a Long Game

Our beautiful green planet just marked a shocking new milestone – enduring 12 consecutive months of unprecedented heat. Every single month from June 2023 to May 2024 was the world’s hottest such month on record. For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, who are about to mark the beginning of summer, this is sobering news. While we’re looking forward to picnics and pool parties, we may also be wondering, Will wildfires threaten my home? How will I avoid heatstroke? Or, Can I afford to pay the A/C bill?

Climate change is a hot topic – and a controversial one. But there is reason for hope. Although many experts despair over global warming, climate scientist Susan Solomon isn’t one of them. In her new book, Solvable: How We Healed the Earth, and How We Can Do It Again, Solomon describes past environmental victories – against ozone depletion, smog, pesticides and lead – and extracts the essential elements of what makes change possible. Cooling the climate, she concludes, is doable. But it’s a long game. The path to success begins, she writes, when an environmental problem becomes both personal and perceptible to the public – engaging our passions. The heroes in her book include gang members turned social activists, concerned Long Island birdwatchers and brilliant legislators and scientists. Reviewers say that Solomon’s book provides a hopeful reality check showing how we can solve the problems we face.

The sign of Capricorn excels when it comes to reality checks and playing a long game. And, at the Capricorn Full Moon (June 21, 6:07 p.m. PDT) we’ll have a chance to harness the mountain goat’s fortitude and patience to gain traction on our goals – whether personal or global. This Full Moon is extra special because it occurs just after the June 20 Solstice – when the Sun is highest in the heavens. The ancients worshipped the Sun at this time of year, calling down the light to illuminate their beings – and we can do the same. As the Sun moves into Cancer, sign of the Great Mother, the seasonal energies shift. And we also have Mercury and Venus traveling through this nurturing sign, spreading watery, healing energies.

This Full Moon is also noteworthy because it “bookends” another Capricorn Full Moon at the end of the sign, on July 21. Whatever comes to light at this first lunation can be revised or expanded upon at the second one. It may also be helpful to review any goals from the January 11 New Moon, and see how you’re doing. Have you made progress on them? If not, either recommit or shift your focus. No matter where you are in relation to your New Year’s goals, you can harness this stalwart energy by taking a step forward at the June 21 Full Moon and building slowly to the next Full Moon. The July 5 Cancer New Moon will play a part as well; we’ll be covering this period in more detail in upcoming blogs.

Meanwhile, the upcoming Capricorn Full Moon opposite three planets in Cancer asks us to balance matters related to feelings and practicalities, home and family, business-building and nurturing who or what you hold dear (like Mother Earth). The Sun and Moon will make an out-of-sign but potent square to Neptune at 29 Pisces. This encourages intuitive thinking and going on faith, though Neptune can also stimulate confusion or heartbreak/empathy related to the suffering of the world.

If you want to pursue a new challenge or energize an existing one, begin by searching your heart for what matters most to you – since you’ve got to have a passion for something to stick with it. Then set a reasonable goal for achieving it. The first step could be as simple as clearing out old files to make space for a meaningful new project. Or, if global warming is your primary concern, you could become an activist by registering voters or petitioning President Biden to declare a climate emergency to free up resources for mitigation.

What if you’re not inspired to take bold action? That’s okay. With the Sun, Mercury and Venus in cozy Cancer, you may just need some rest and rejuvenation at home. But if you’re ready for action, take one small, practical step to improve things. Either way, be sure to draw down the Full Moon’s light and see what she illuminates. Just remember that you’re playing a long game. We can all be inspired by Susan Solomon, who recently told The Guardian in relation to the climate situation, “It’s certainly scary, but I don’t share the pessimism…you can’t look at the [falling] price of solar energy and batteries and not see big change coming. For goodness’ sake, let’s not give up now, we’re right on the cusp of success.”