Maybe I’m a winter apologist, but I think this is the most optimistic time of year. Back when moon missives was a quarterly print magazine, I wanted the cover of the winter issue to be a goldenrod yellow. I also thought it would be cute if the cover of the summer issue was black. I lost both editorial battles. But I still stand behind the poetry of that color story. Summer is emo. Winter is bright. The days only get longer from here. Capricorn Hayley Williams once titled a Paramore track, “For A Pessimist, I’m Pretty Optimistic.” The sun is reborn at the Winter Solstice. It’s cold and damp. The orchards are closed. Nothing grows here. But still, there’s nowhere to go but up.
Today (12/23) at 5:17 am EST, there’s a New Moon at 1º Capricorn.
The moon is a satellite. It travels around the Earth every 28 days. Always returning to the same place. The moon represents our emotional and physical regulation, as well as our literal body and mind. For better or for worse, the moon is what we call home. Luna prefers to take up space in Cancer where she focuses on compassion and nourishment, or Taurus where she focuses on stability and ease. Capricorn is the sign of the Moon’s exile. Luna doesn’t express herself in her usual way here. She’s less about indulgence and more about sustainability. She chooses what’s actually good for her, even if it’s not the thing that looks or tastes or smells the best. She gulps down the cod liver oil, plunges in ice water, adds a staggering amount of ginger to her tea. A New Moon in Capricorn is more than just the monthly reset. It’s about setting up structures that will support us for seasons (and maybe even years) to come.
This New Moon is in conversation with both benefic planets, Venus and Jupiter. Venus is co-present the Sun, Moon and Mercury in Capricorn while Jupiter is in Aries. This New Moon goes exact in a near perfect square to Jupiter giving our best laid plans some much needed oomph. The dream is there and so is the drive. Choose your intentions carefully at this New Moon because what you set your mind to might actually come true.
Though Capricorn is the home of Saturn and the exaltation of Mars, this New Moon can’t see either malefic planet. Saturn is currently finishing up its 2.5 year tour of Aquarius while Mars is retrograde in Gemini. Saturn and Mars both say “No” to things. And lately, they’ve been saying “No” to a lot. But right now, they’re staying out of our business. What begins now also comes with more ease than what we’ve gotten used to over the past several years. It sounds wild, but things are actually working out with little protest under these skies. Heavy lifting doesn’t feel so hard when there’s some actual momentum.
That being said, there’s no rush to get it all done or figure it all out. Mars is still retrograde and will be until January 12th. Mercury is also slowing down to station retrograde from December 29th until January 18th. Mercury stations in an exact conjunction to Venus and Pluto, plunging us back into the depths of last winter’s Venus retrograde. It’s not deja-vu, we have in fact been here before. Last year’s decay pulled at our heartstrings while this year’s is a problem to be solved. Mercury wants us to think this through one more time.
This New Moon also falls in the first decan of Capricorn. Austin Coppock calls Capricorn I The Headless Man, and the Golden Dawn called it Change. The associated tarot card is the 2 of Pentacles which in the Rider-Waite deck is illustrated as a man (who I always read as a clown) balancing two coins in an infinity symbol. Behind him, ships roll on impossible waves that seem to move East to West rather than toward the shore. This card brings this quote by Capricorn Louise Bourgeois to mind, “Verticality is the move from the passive (fear and violence) to the active.” It’s the movement that’s important. And movement is funky. We’re at our best, not when we’re climbing the ladder, but when we remember to be tiny rocks embracing the angry sea.
Coppock calls Capricorn I The Headless Man because of its connection to prospecting. If the Capricorn journey is one of building a great stone castle, then Capricorn I is about seeking the most ideal spot to break ground. In this part of the zodiac, we choose what feels right. I find that many with placements in this decan are dancers and (literal or figurative) choreographers. People who express themselves through movement rather than words. It’s an intuitive geography. We know what’s correct here. We can’t explain it, but we can feel it. We let our feet be our guides.
The last New Moon in this first part of Capricorn was a Solar Eclipse on Christmas Day 2019. You know, before everything changed. Where were you in that last week of 2019? What were you longing for? What direction were you moving in? Is now the time to get back to it? Or is it the right time to finally let that dream go? What feels right? This New Moon is a launching pad. Go with your gut feeling and you won’t go wrong. You don’t have to have it all figured out yet. You just need to know what you want. Be careful what you wish for this Solstice. It just might come true.
Quick horoscopes follow for each sign. Read for your rising sign to get the most accurate take on what’s “actually” “happening.” Read for your Sun (if you’re born during the day), or your Moon (if you’re born at night) if you’d like a second opinion. Take what makes sense and leave what doesn’t. These horoscopes are meant to be found.
My books are open through February 2023! I’d love to sit with you and help you gain clarity on what’s to come. Use code SOLSTICE for 20% OFF all full length readings through end of day today! xo
Capricorn
What image were you set to debut back in December 2019? Have you shed that personality like worn out snake skin? Or have you made it into a gorgeous snake leather coat? What feels right in your body? It’s never too late to share what’s on your mind, to embody your values fully. This New Moon is a launching pad for you. Make sure everyone knows your name.
Aquarius
Where were you hiding back in December 2019? Have you exhausted the selection in that grand research library? Or have you twisted your way into an even greater beyond? Right now, it’s painfully clear to you what is healing vs. what is claustrophobic. This New Moon is for putting a lot of the lingering questions you have to bed, and for letting go of what you can’t control. With vigor. Goodbye worries! Hello rest!
Pisces
Who were you connecting with back in December 2019? Have you grown tired of that network? Or are you eager to jump back into that community after some time away? Who feels safe? Who is always on your team? It’s never too late to join, to make a choice, to crash land into the dreams that you deserve. This New Moon is a launching pad for growing your audience and expanding your vision. You can play the hits, but give them some of your new stuff too. :)
Aries
What ambitions were you pursuing back in December 2019? Have you retired from that industry? Or are you excited to jump back into that great work? It’s become very clear where you’re respected and where your input is valued. If you want to be the boss, it’s time to be the boss, though you may have some lingering problems with authority that must be solved. This New Moon is a launching pad for a big goal. It won’t all happen at once, but six months from now, you’ll have what you want.
Taurus
What journeys were you setting out on back in December 2019? Are you finishing up grad school and wondering what’s next? Are you seeking some spiritual guidance? You can feel in your heart and your body that you’re meant to keep exploring. Expertise might be a fallacy, but there’s always something more to learn. This New Moon is a launching pad for the part of you that wants to teach and share your knowledge. Keep an eye out for your students.
Gemini
Where were you putting most of your energy back in December 2019? Are you still engaging with those people, those feelings, those projects? Or have you moved on to a whole different kind of collaboration? Trust your gut when it comes to sharing yourself. You can ask for what you need. Boldly. With a solid sense of humor. This New Moon is a launching pad for growing your patronage or going back to therapy. Share what’s up. It will pay off.
Cancer
What relationships were you focused on back in December 2019? Are you still feeling supported by them? Or have you found more nurturing commitments elsewhere? You can feel into your next connection. It can develop slowly. You can spend a long time in the “early phase.” You don’t have to know where it’s going to trust that you know this is where you want to be. This New Moon is for taking a fresh approach to commitment. Say yes.
Leo
What were you struggling with or against back in December 2019? Are you feeling more confident in how you fill your days? Or are you at the precipice of a whole new day job, fitness plan or healthy routine? You know better than anyone else what feels right and what compels you to wake up and get through the day. This New Moon is for choosing the divine over the slog and accepting that progress will always be hard work. You can’t fail if you keep trying. You won’t fail if you keep moving.
Virgo
What were you creating back in December 2019? Are you still in the elaborate throes of that creative process? Or have you set sail toward new crush horizons? This is a sexy time for you, Virgo. It’s been a long time since you’ve stayed up all night working on a song and flirting with the band. You know what feels good so please, please, please have fun! This New Moon is a launching pad for your next great romance. Sew your heart on your sleeve.
Libra
Where were you settling back in December 2019? Have you finished the renovations and upgraded the structures? Or have you moved into a new home entirely? If you’re in the right place, you know it. And if you’re in the wrong place, you know that too. There’s no getting better, there’s only changing. This New Moon is a launching pad for building the home that you deserve. Quiet. Peace. Color. A sturdy foundation. Keep turning toward comfort.
Scorpio
What were you surrounded by in December 2019? Have you dug deeper into that local community? Or have you let those tiresome close friendships erode? What you’ve cultivated here is boundaries. Be proud! Now you need to feel into what’s the right next step for your little corner of the world. This New Moon is for a long walk, a visit to the coffee shop, a short trip or a long phone call. It’s for all the little things that make up your best days.
Sagittarius
How was money flowing back in December 2019? What have you collected? Or have you purged your entire closet since then? How have you learned to be even more resourceful? Sometimes what makes you feel good isn’t the bigger paycheck or the promotion or the expensive jeans. You know what stuff actually makes you feel good. There’s not too much you absolutely need. This New Moon, for you, is a landing. A spa of security. Keep choosing what feeds your soul.