The new Moon

At this new Moon, Sun and Moon occupy Capricorn, a cardinal earth sign. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, which is currently moving through Libra. People born under the sign Capricorn tend to be hard-working, practical, serious and ambitious in one way or another. Cafe Astrology has an excellent article about Capricorn.

At this Moon event there is a stellium in Capricorn that includes Pluto, Mercury, Sun, Moon and Venus. To get a good feel for the influences of this sign, read the article titled "The Accomplishments Of Capricorn" by Genevieve at the site Blue Light Lady. The artwork at this site is lovely; an excerpt from the article is below:

... Cardinal signs are action oriented, while Earth signs like to be pragmatic, thus Capricorn doesn’t just ike to do to keep busy, but rather does to accomplish a tangible, and often socially-oriented goal. The roster of Capricorn-born souls is formidable in terms of what these people have accomplished during one lifetime; not that the accomplishments are always of the highest and purest of spiritual motives, mind you. There are plenty of people in this list who have achieved much that was questionable in terms of ethics and true social service for the highest good, for example: Joseph Stalin, Al Capone, F. Batista, and Richard M. Nixon. Nonetheless, the roster certainly includes more souls of high-minded motives who made their contribution to society in a positive and substantial way such as Clara Barton, Louis Pasteur, Joan of Arc, and Martin Luther King...

Saturn is currently in Libra and forming an out-of-sign trine to the Sun-Moon dyad. The trine suggests an easy exchange of influences between the three, especially in the area of social and work relationships; the out-of-sign part indicates some jarring moments when things just don't fit together right.

The U.S.

This new Moon transits the U.S.'s 3rd house with Saturn in the 11th. The 3rd house indicates daily news and/or communications, radio and transport, the post office and postal matters, primary education, science and publications released on a periodic basis, such as newspapers and magazines. Natal Pluto in the third house and in Capricorn indicates that these areas can have powerful influence in our daily lives, but also that the wielders of this power may use their means to maintain systems that no longer work and work against the interests of the general populace. It also suggests hidden forces at work.

Sun-Moon are conjunct the U.S.'s natal Pluto and in opposition to natal Mercury, natural ruler of the 3rd. Saturn is the actual ruler of the 3rd. Transiting Saturn in the 11th house suggests to me the legislation currently being considered in the U.S. Senate. For more information see this opinion piece at attorneyatlaw.com. Here is an excerpt:

Bipartisan legislation introduced today in the U.S. Senate would make cheaper, generic versions of brand-name biotech drugs available faster than makers of biotech drugs want to face generic competition.

The bill, proposed by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), would require makers of biotech drugs, which are derived from living cells, to compete with lower-cost generic versions after just five years on the market.

Biotech drugs do not currently face generic competition, but companies that make them, including Amgen Idec. and Genentech, have argued for at least 14 years of exclusivity before facing generic competition if the current rules against generics are changed.

The full Moon

The axis activated at this full Moon is Leo/Aquarius. The Sun rules Leo, and is in detriment in Aquarius. At Astro Dienst (www.astro.com) the article on the Leo/Aquarius axis includes the following:

The Leo/Aquarius axis describes the relationship between the individual and the group, between what is right for me, as an individual, and what is right for everyone else. These two things are not so easy to integrate, because we find ourselves once again entrenched on a fixed axis, in which neither pole is prepared to adapt, adjust or negotiate. It is all too human to behave as if the rules that govern society do not apply to us personally. On the other hand, if we are particularly law-abiding citizens, then we will no doubt find ourselves repeatedly outraged by the selfish, thoughtless behaviour of those who refuse to become responsible members of society or conform to its rules. Nevertheless, the heart and the head do co-exist, since most of us have the conviction, or the proof, that amongst all the millions of people in the world, there will be one unique and special person who is absolutely perfect for me.

The Moon in Leo is a watery, emotional and self-protective presence in a fiery, fixed and attention-seeking field-of-play. It can work but at times forces will appear to be working against each other. Mars is conjunct the Moon at this time, adding volatility. At this Moon event there is a 4-member group in Aquarius, consisting of the Sun, Venus, Chiron and Neptune. There is also a 5th member, Jupiter--out-of-sign in Pisces and close to a conjunction with Chiron and Neptune.

The U.S.

At this time the full Moon occupies the 9th house, which denotes law, religion, and science in the sense of research, rather than applied. Both the natural and actual rulers of the house--Venus and the Sun--are conjunct and in the 3rd house. Conjunct the Moon in the 9th is an angry, war-like Mars.

This full Moon is applying to a conjunct with the U.S.'s midheaven. Paraphrasing Michael Munkasy's (Midpoints: Unleashing the Power of the Planets, 1991, page 148) write-up about this pairing:

These points denote America's and Americans' capacities to combine qualities such as mothering, caring, sensitivity, support and sympathy with personal growth and development and the growth and development of our democracy. Uncertainties over how to mature and grow independently, how to gain respectability from others, how to improve our individual reputations and standing as a country, and what the rules of conduct and behavior should be, are mirrored here. When these points are activated, we try to reach back to simpler times, when the world fostered us and promoted our well-being (whether they really did or not). Also, we may show a sensitivity toward understanding our true purpose, both individually and as a group; we may become emotional when having to cope with external stresses...

With the presence of Mars conjunct this full Moon there is an element of rebellion against being pressured to conform to rules seen as irrational, possibly old-fashioned, and too limiting.