The new Moon

At this new Moon, Sun and Moon occupy Pisces, a mutable water sign. The sign Pisces is the last sign in the zodiac and often denotes an accumulation of experience to the point of one's individuality drowning in it. There is a definite feeling of things coming to an end and sometimes bit of cleanup is required in preparation for a new trip around the zodiac. Albert Einstein's natal sun was in Pisces; here is a good article about him. As a contrast, L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology, was also born with the sun in Pisces; here is an interesting article about him. Note that both articles and the natal charts for these men can be found at the Astro Databank, an excellent resource for every astrologer.

The Sun-Moon dyad is contained in a Piscean stellium which also includes Jupiter, Mercury and Uranus. The ruler of Pisces is Neptune, still positioned in Aquarius; both Neptune and Uranus are semi-sextile each other and in mutual reception (Uranus rules Aquarius). In a discussion of the semi-sextile aspect at Cafe Astrology, this is said:

Uranus semi-sextile Neptune
Like most people, you enjoy a bit of wonder and magic, perhaps a fairy tale, the Christmas season, or a story of seeming miracles. These little diversions may not seem important, but they give greater meaning and depth to your life than you may realize.

Mars, having just entered Aries, forms an out-of-sign trine to Sun-Moon-Mercury. Because they're not in the same element, the smoothing and free-flow that is indicated by a trine is missing. And because the elements involved are fire and water, with the majority of planets and the lights in water, new endeavors springing up may be rained on at present.

This new Moon is transiting the U.S.'s 5th house with transiting Neptune, ruler of the sign on the cusp, in the 4th. The position of the new Moon emphasis activity in the areas of "All forms of national pleasure and entertainment; sports, general amusements; Society, children" (Wikipedia). And Neptune in the 4th speaks of "Land and housing; agriculture; the opposition in congress" (currently the Republicans).

That all these planets --Sun, Moon, Mercury, Uranus, Jupiter -- are ruled by Neptune suggests that it is a powerful influence during this Moon event. One aspect of Neptune is self-sacrifice; another aspect of Neptune is self-delusion. With what is being called The Reconciliation, it may be necessary to sacrifice one group's desired method to what is needed for the greater good. On the other hand, conducting business as usual and preferentially choosing "obligations" to special interests may, in the end, sell Americans' best interests short.

The axis activated at this full Moon is Libra/Aries. Venus rules Libra; Mars rules Aries. Currently Venus occupies Aries, which places it under the influence of Mars.

At Astro Dienst (www.astro.com) a discussion of the Aries/Libra axis opens with this paragraph:

The Aries/Libra axis concerns the struggle to find the balance between autonomy and compromise, self-assertion and cooperation, respect for the self and respect for the other. Naturally associated with the 1st/7th houses, this is a cardinal, fire-air axis ruled by Mars and Venus, mythic lovers and antagonists in equal measure. It describes the inherent tension that exists in all relationships: the struggle to find a balance between personal freedom and autonomy on the one hand, and the support, approval and appreciation we all need from others on the other hand. ...

At this time the full Moon occupies the 11th house. Because Virgo is the sign on the cusp at this time, Mercury is the ruler of the 11th and currently occupies the 6th house, where it is conjunct Venus. This speaks of pleasant social gatherings (with just a little back-biting mixed in) and help from friends on the local level. Meanwhile the House of Representatives and local government may experience or cause delays.

Natal Neptune, in detriment in Virgo, is at entrance the 11th house and natal Saturn, exalted in Libra, is at the exit. According to Bob Marks Astrologer --

Neptune in Virgo: happened last time during the Great Depression. The dream of that Age was just to get a job and get ahead. People born with this Neptune placement either focus their intuitions on the material world or are totally foggy in dealing with reality.

Bob Marks also says that:

Saturn in Libra: needs a partner in order to feel safe and secure. But it doesn’t have to be a marriage partner, nor does it have to be permanent. They simply need someone around to help them knock around ideas. Since Saturn is also the planet of fear, this placement of Saturn can also give fears with respect to partners. Perhaps, for example, a fear of loosing them or of making a mistake and driving them away.

What I'm reading here, Nation, is that the House, or its members, starts out in a fog, just wanting jobs and to get ahead, and ends up partnering with anyone who looks like they might help. And that's a wrap.