Even people with a cursory understanding of astrology know that the Moon's natal placement provides the clearest indicator of an individual’s emotional character.
Lunar positioning in the horoscope also gives a clue as to the environment of the native’s early life, their relationship with their mother, and how they relate to children and women in general.
As with all the planets in the horoscope, there are placements for the Moon which are more beneficial than others.
For example, if the native’s lunar placement is Cancer – the astrological ruler of the Moon – it’s said to be in its Dignity, since the planet’s natural energies are easily expressed through the individual’s personality.
However, when the natal Moon finds its home in Capricorn, the lunar placement is classified as being in the sign of its Detriment. This indicates that the native may face serious challenges in their emotional life, as well as in their personal and professional relationships.
Capricorn’s ruling planet Saturn gives some suggestion as to the quality of these challenges and also points the way towards the steps that must be taken if the native is to mature emotionally.
1/ The Saturnine Moon – Psychology of the Lunar Capricorn
Humans are emotional creatures and the Moon in Capricorn native is no different. But while many individuals may experience natural growth in their emotional lives without much effort, the person with the lunar Capricorn faces significant obstacles to the honest expression of their feelings.
The challenges faced by an individual with this lunar placement can be linked to Saturn’s dominion over Capricorn.
As a planetary influence, the Moon is most content in intuitive water signs - like Cancer and Pisces - where feelings are easily integrated into the personality, or in Taurus, where the innate refinement and largesse of the placement permits potent expressions of profound emotional depth.
With the Moon in Capricorn however, the inhibitions and restrictive qualities of Saturn are brought to bear on lunar energies, leading the native to repress emotional responses.
This individual may distance themselves from relationships where intimacy is essential, echoing in some way the literal or perceived association they had with their parents – particularly their mother – when they were a child.
Since Saturn also embodies the principal of judgement, the planet bestows a penchant for banishing unsavoury feelings to dark and distant corners of the psyche.
This inevitably results in a sort of emotional impoverishment, most benignly expressed as an inclination to obsess and compulsively worry, and - in more serious cases - as a propensity to exhibit dangerous pathological tendencies.
Unable to find acceptance within themselves for their feelings, the native with a Moon in Capricorn is driven to seek validation from the world around them.
This is the placement of the man or woman driven by ambition to reach the top of their professional field, no matter what the cost is to their family or their personal health.
Conversely, it is also the sign of the individual who refuses to advance their ambitions for fear any rejection will shatter their fragile self-esteem.
In their basest emotional state, these individuals will seek the respect and support of their peers, since they cannot rely on the consistency of their own emotional resources.
Sadly, this support is often repaid with scorn when powerful and not necessarily benevolent forces deign to give the native a leg-up, impressed by the efficient and executive qualities of the lunar Capricorn.
It should be clear from these examples that the Saturnine influence on the natal Moon does indeed present difficulties for the individual who has it in their birth chart.
But while the placement indicates challenges to the personal growth of the native, the degree to which challenges are met and overcome can also result in exceptional emotional maturity.
2/ Lunar Extremes – Four Historical Figures with Moon in Capricorn
Many individuals with the Moon in Capricorn placement are attracted to a life in politics. Here, the extreme personalities of those who possess this lunar orientation can be studied.
In one corner, the Saturnine Moon is exemplified by would-be conquerors like Adolf Hitler and Napoleon Bonaparte, both men driven by personal demons to quite literally conquer the world.
In the other corner are lunar Capricorn natives Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, equally powerful figures who defined the American ethos for generations and helped keep the country on track during its turbulent early years.
Few would contest the fact that these four men were compelled to serve a cause larger than their own. In fact, their sense of responsibility – the purposeful drive behind their ambitions – is likely the only commonality they all shared, save for their natural charisma, which aided in their missions as well.
While the historical legacies of these individuals are different, their shared value – the sense of duty that comes from being needed – are quite similar, and provide valuable insight into the psychology of the lunar Capricorn native.
3/ Towards Wholeness - A Healthy Moon in Capricorn
Although the emphasis in this article has been on the difficulties faced by someone whose Moon is in Detriment, the overcoming of these challenges by the native can lead to a fulfilling and well-integrated emotional life.
The need for external power and control – once recognized as compensating for inner emotional blight – becomes a potent tool to focus the intention and will of the individual with the lunar Capricorn placement.
Coupled with natural discipline and a proclivity to seek purposeful vocations, the native can become a dignified, loyal and self-sacrificing member of the larger community.
This individual sets a positive example by embodying oft overlooked values like modesty, self control and sensitivity. People respect their work ethic and admire their shrewd management of material resources.
With conscious effort and a firm distinction between denial and discipline, the way towards healthy emotional expression becomes clear for the individual who has their natal Moon in Capricorn.
(2010)
(2010)
