The New Moon in CAPRICORN will grace the sky on January 11th reaching peak illumination at 6:57am EST.
This blog post covers all you need to know about the New Moon in Capricorn along with a simple ritual for you to deepen your nature spirituality practice.
In this blog post you will find:
Introduction: Moon 101
The sun and moon are in a cyclical relationship as they weave through the seasons of the zodiac. This celestial dance provides us with an intuitive road map to explore our own inner/outer journey as we too make our way through the ebb and flow of nature's seasons and come into new and ever-changing dimensions of our lives.
While the sun is ruler of the day and influences our "outer" expression in the world, it is to no surprise that as ruler of the tides and queen of the night the moon is also ruler of our emotions and "inner" felt experience. Our emotions have long been associated with representations of water and the sea: fluid, ever-changing, ebbing and flowing. As the moon pulls at the tides, we also experience this influencing force on our emotions, desires, shadow realms, fears/worries, psyche, and dreams.
Self-knowledge arises through a process of uncovering hidden layers of self through revelation and integration. This process is mirrored in the ebb and flow of the moon which is why it's something we learn to observe and track. As the light of the moon waxes, more of what lies hidden becomes revealed - our deeper motivations, mechanisms, and feelings. As the light of the moon wanes, we are given time to integrate these new learnings and discoveries.
This New Moon falls within the sign of Capricorn, three weeks after Winter Solstice. Keep reading to learn how you can use this moon portal to explore new dimensions of self seeking expression in the world.
New Moon Energy
Since the moon is the closest "planet" to Earth, this satellite zips around the zodiac very quickly, completing its round in less than a month. Actually, the entire trip takes 29.53 days, to be exact, and is measured from one “New Moon” to the next. We call this a lunation or lunar cycle.
So, this New Moon in Capricorn marks the beginning of another lunar cycle. During a New Moon, the moon is sitting between the Earth and the Sun, hence the Sun is shining on the side of the moon we never see. Both the Moon and Sun are in the same Zodiac sign during a New Moon forming a conjunction, which means that the influencing energies are united and enhance the other. In this case, both the Sun and Moon are conjunct in the sign of Capricorn.
You can think of the New Moon phase as the point of beginning again or returning to the conception stage of the lunar cycle. The darkness of the new moon represents fertile ground. New moon energy is a time for introspection, heightened intuition, surrendering to the unknown, releasing what no longer serves you, opening to magic and conjuring visions. At this time, you can plant your dream seeds or set intentions by consciously focusing on the "feeling' of your hearts' desires.
Capricorn Insights
SYMBOL: SEA GOAT: agile and surefooted, mountain goats find security in the highest places, whereas the fish represents a strong connection to intuition.
PLANETARY RULER: SATURN: the planet associated with restriction and limitation, bringing structure, containment, and meaning to our world.
ELEMENT: EARTH : element of physicality and matter.
HOUSE: 10th HOUSE: purpose, career and destiny (House of Midheaven).
MODALITY: CARDINAL: initiates change; makes direct contact with reality; corresponds to the equinoxes and solstices
Two weeks ago the Cancer Full Moon emphasized the importance of creating the right conditions for manifesting the light of your longing: routines that support embodiment, rituals that weave you into a larger story of belonging, and practices that give shape to your heart’s devotion. Like the water needed to mold something on a potter's wheel, we each must stay creatively nourished by tending to our inner longing and finding ways to give it expression in the world. Cancer represents the emergence of being from the primordial ocean, not just physically in terms of biological evolution but also esoterically in terms of life itself.
As we move through Nature's Arc of Change, we are now on the other side of Winter solstice with the seed of light growing imperceptibly day by day. With the New Moon in Capricorn, we have strong earth energy supporting us to create those necessary conditions. Capricorn is represented by the agile and sure-footed mountain goat / half fish who steadily ascends steep cliffs and jagged terrain with focus, willfulness, and determination while listening deeply to the inner guidance. Capricorn ascends by taking one small yet sure-footed step at a time.
This Capricorn New Moon invites you to get really honest with yourself about what's important to you, how you want to use your precious energy, and toward what larger vision (hopefully Sagittarius helped you to define this). Having a clear sense of who you are and what you're in devotion to is absolutely critical for manifesting the visions we carry for our world. It's important to acknowledge where you are now and how you've changed so that you can work with the materials that are here with you now. The light of your longing is your inner compass and the steps you take toward nurturing that becomes your devotional practice.
Capricorn is an earth sign that is supporting you to create necessary structural changes for rebirth. Give your whole focus to taking the next step, and making it your prayer, infusing it with your heart's devotion.
Themes:
Honesty // determine what's important to you given the changes
Focus // hone in on the very next step you can take
Devotion // let every action become an offering or a prayer
New Moon Energy
Since the moon is the closest "planet" to Earth, this satellite zips around the zodiac very quickly, completing its round in less than a month. Actually, the entire trip takes 29.53 days, to be exact, and is measured from one “New Moon” to the next. We call this a lunation or lunar cycle.
So, this New Moon in Scorpio marks the beginning of another lunar cycle. During a New Moon, the moon is sitting between the Earth and the Sun, hence the Sun is shining on the side of the moon we never see. Both the Moon and Sun are in the same Zodiac sign during a New Moon forming a conjunction, which means that the influencing energies are united and enhance the other. In this case, both the sun and moon are conjunct in the sign of Scorpio.
You can think of the New Moon phase as the point of beginning again or returning to the conception stage of the lunar cycle. The darkness of the new moon represents fertile ground. New moon energy is a time for introspection, heightened intuition, surrendering to the unknown, releasing what no longer serves you, opening to magic and conjuring visions. At this time, you can plant your dream seeds or set intentions by consciously focusing on the "feeling' of your hearts' desires.
What you need to know about Capricorn
THE CARDINAL CROSS
LIBRA - ARIES AXIS
CAPRICORN - CANCER AXIS
Initiatory energy, pushing forward, beginnings, equinoxes and solstices
Cardinal signs align with the seasonal cross points of light and dark. Aries aligns with Spring Equinox, Cancer with Summer Solstice, Libra with Fall Equinox and Capricorn with Winter solstice. The Cardinal Cross is considered a most important set of axis lines. It's the first sign of each element where things begin.
"Cardinal signs are the initiating aspects of whichever element they represent. Like fire, they reach out and make direct contact with reality. They know where they are going. Geometrically, they correspond to straight line." - Vicki Noble, Motherpeace
Capricorn is the cardinal earth sign (circled in the diagram), opposing it is the cardinal water sign of Cancer which creates one axis of the Cardinal Cross. The two feminine elements (Water and Earth) always create an axis and the two masculine elements (Air and Fire) create the other axis. Each cross contains each of the four elements. In this case the cardinal signs are represented by: Capricorn (Earth), Cancer (Water), Aries (Fire), Libra (Air).
ELEMENT: EARTH
EARTH: BODY & PHYSICALITY
CAPRICORN, TAURUS, VIRGO
Earth is the element of stability, growth, and home. It is related to fertility, prosperity, grounding, and centering, planting and harvesting and animals.
"Earth is our home, the one place in our known universe that has just the right conditions for a myriad of life forms to evolve and flourish. Earth provides everything we need—from the healing medicine of plants and herbs to the water for us to drink, all of our core needs are provided for from this abundant planet. We simply wouldn't exist without the Earth." - Kayla White
Earth signs feel at home tending to core routines, crafting rituals, working on tangible projects like building garden beds, cooking with nourishing foods, and love anything deep, sensual, practical, grounded, and stable with a particular orientation toward action.
RULING PLANET: SATURN
Qualities: structure, limitation, consolidation, borders, conservation, strength, karma, shadow, darkness, time, responsibility, crystallization, aging
Saturn is the second largest planet in our solar system (Jupiter is the largest). Despite its size, Saturn is not very dense. If given the chance, it would float in the water of a planetary-sized bathtub. Saturn is surrounded by an extensive ring system that stretches for thousands of miles and yet are only 9 meters thick. They consist of small particles made almost entirely of water ice and trace amounts of rocky material. Saturn has more than 62 moons.
It takes Saturn about 29.46 Earth years to traverse the Zodiac circuit and thus is the slowest of the ancient planets. In medieval Europe, Saturn was seen as a solitary planet, slow, cold, melancholic, and the regulator of time. As a result of such qualities, Saturn became personified as an old man in many ancient cultures.
CONSTELLATION
Capricornus the Sea-goat is one of the 12 constellations of the zodiac. The sun passes through this constellation from mid-January to mid-February every year.
In the northern hemisphere, the best time to spot Capricornus is in late summer or early autumn evenings just above the southern horizon. Keep in mind however that you will need a dark sky to see it since the constellation is so faint. This constellation is much more prominent in the southern hemisphere.
Capricornus is the smallest zodiac constellation and looks like a large triangle of fairly bright stars.
Capricornus is associated with the ancient Greek myth where the god Pan was transformed into a half-goat, half-fish when he dived into the Nile River to escape the giant Typhon.
Ritual Elements
Capricorn New Moon Ritual
What You'll Need
1. Elements for your altar. Drawing on the Capricorn Ritual Elements above, consider what you might want to bring to your altar. Start simple. There is absolutely no need to go out and "buy" altar items. This is something that we encourage you to unlearn. Everything we need is within us and can be found around us. A simple candle will do, or a yellow flower for example.
2. Candle & lighter for the eco-somatic practice
3. Journal & something to write with for the journaling portion.
Important Considerations & Prep
1. RIGHT RELATIONSHIP: being in right relationship with your spiritual practice means approaching each aspect with humility, curiosity and reverence. This includes checking yourself on the nature of how you relate to "objects" as things and the process itself.
For example, if you feel called to stones as part of your ritual, consider WHY first. Then contemplate the impact of whatever action comes next. For example, instead of mindlessly purchasing cheap precious stones from somewhere like amazon (which have more than likely been harmfully mined/extracted and then shipped across the world as part of the consumer machine that's destroying our planet), perhaps part of your spiritual practice is to resist such a prompting and instead take the time to go for a mindful walk in your backyard, or a nearby stream and see if the right stone presents itself to you.
2. CLEANSE & PURIFY YOUR SPACE: Cleansing, also known as purification, is the practice of clearing out and releasing negative energy from your space, as well as energy that’s just old, stale, stagnant, or no longer serving you. Here are a few different methods:
Physical cleaning: dusting, vacuuming, opening windows for fresh air
Salt: a common element used for purification and protection in many different cultures. To use, simply sprinkle salt along doorways and windowsills to protect them from negative energy entering or just keep a small bowl of salt on your altar or nearby surface.
Smoke cleansing: light incense or burn a bundle of dried herbs such as rosemary, cedar, or mugwort. Choose plants that you have grown yourself or that grow abundantly wild nearby, plants that you have ancestral tied to or just those that have been grown and harvested ethically.
NOTE: If you do not have meaningful/authentic relationships to Indigenous culture and customs, "smudging" with white sage cultural appropriation and is dishonoring to Indigenous nations across Turtle island. It is important to understand that smudging is not just about burning sage to purify the negative energy from your space but is a sacred ritual that is culturally specific to tribes such as the Lakota Sioux, Comanche, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Navajo. If you have been gifted sage by an Indigenous friend, use to your discretion in how to engage with this medicine. This sacred plant is being abused, exploited and mass-harvested for commercial and consumer use which perpetuates the violence of white supremacy and settler colonialism. Take some time to locate yourself within a settler-colonial context interwoven with the land you currently occupy. Check out Native Land to learn the name and more about the territories you occupy.
3. CLEANSE & PURIFY YOUR BODY-MIND
Take a shower our bath; visualize any negative energy that has accumulated in your auric field to be washed away as the water goes down the drain.
Meditate, center and take some time to ground in stillness and embodied presence.
Write or speak your intentions for your ritual out loud
4. BE MINDFUL & STRIVE FOR INTEGRITY ALWAYS.
Altar Creation
Creating an altar is optional. Altar tending is a beautiful practice, especially if you have a designated area in your home that you can tend to over the course of each moon and seasonal cycle.
Tending to an altar is an intentional practice that supports your exploration of nature spirituality and carries the potential to deepen your relationship to the energetic archetypes of the unfolding seasonal & moon cycles.
To set up your altar, simply play with any number of the ritual elements offered above in the chart by using symbols, colors, precious gemstones, symbolism, etc.
There is no right or wrong way to go about creating, tending or being with your altar, however we do not condone cultural appropriation or theft of any kind.
Eco-Somatic Practice: Authority of a Mountain
For this eco-somatic practice we will be drawing upon the element of EARTH since this new moon falls within the sign of CAPRICORN.
ABOUT THE PRACTICE:
Authority of a Mountain is a practice that invites you to explore the felt sense of inner authority in the physical foundation of your body. Mountain pose, otherwise known as Tadasana in yoga, is the standing pose that supports a strong foundation for all other poses. Breath, grounding and alignment are all important elements of creating a strong inner foundation; elements to contemplate as you engage with this practice.
MATERIALS:
Rocks or gem stones
STEPS:
PREP
Determine where you want to be. If conditions allow you to be outside find somewhere you can be undisturbed for about 10 minutes.
Place 10 gemstones or rocks in a circle large enough for you to stand inside with a wide stance.
ORIENT
Orient to the space around you. Look around and sense the air or atmosphere against your skin. Notice any sounds and aromas. Observe movement, color, light and shadow.
Feel the ground beneath your feet as you allow gravity to embrace and hold you.
Come into the breath, inviting it to be soft and slow.
MOUNTAIN POSE - 10 minutes (1min/zodiac sign that has been crossed)
Now come to stand with your big toes touching and your heels slightly apart. Lift and spread your toes wide, releasing them down to the ground, and root down through all four corners of your feet — the big toe mound, pinky toe mound, and the two outer edges of your heels.
Engage your thighs to lift your kneecaps slightly (without hyperextending your knees). Gently draw your energy in toward the midline of your body.
Lengthen your tailbone down toward the floor and find a neutral pelvis.
Draw your low ribs in to your body and press your shoulder blades into your back, lifting your sternum. Move your shoulders away from your ears, and broaden your collarbones.
Relax your arms by your sides, and turn your palms to face forward to open up through your chest.
Bring your chin parallel to the floor and soften your face and jaw. Get tall from the soles of your feet up and out through the crown of your head.
Stay connected to breath as you do this, sensing the rise and fall of your belly or chest.
Sense your connection earth as you make contact with the ground, settling into gravity's embrace.
Contemplate: How does cultivating your physical foundation strengthen and support a felt sense of inner authority? What does authority feel like in the body?
INTEGRATE
Coming out of the pose notice what has shifted in your moon or overall energy. Note any sensations or feelings that are present for you.
Simply be here in presence until you are ready to move into journaling.
Journaling
What came up for you during the eco-somatic practice? Take some time to reflect on anything you'd like to hold onto.
Additional prompts:
How does cultivating my physical foundation strengthen a felt sense of inner authority? What does authority feel like in my body?
How is authority different from being controlling?
What does it mean to live aligned with my inner authority?
What fears disrupt my sense of a strong inner foundation?
In what ways am I giving up my power and living out of someone else's program?
How can I strengthen my physical foundation and inner authority?
What practices might support me to soften into my foundation?
Finish the following sentences:
A habits of thought or behavior that I am releasing is....
A new practice that I would like to incorporate into my routine is...
Something that I am letting go of is...
Something I am welcoming in is...
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