We wrap up 2024 with a New Moon in Capricorn on December 30 at about 5:30 pm (EST). Capricorn is the cardinal earth sign and its New Moon is a time to clarify what "matters" (see what I did there? Earth sign - matter...)
"All my life's a circle, sunrise and sundown..."
In astrology, everything is part of a cycle. The Solar Eclipse in Libra in early October drew attention to intimate partnerships and how we maintain connections with our important others while also honoring our individuality. In Scorpio season, we explored the emotional depths of those intimate connections. During Sagittarius season, having obtained a better understanding of ourselves, we expanded this awareness to our beliefs about the world and our place in it. Now, Capricorn focuses on demonstrating the insights received during those earlier seasons out in the world. At this point, we have had opportunities to redefine ourselves in terms of important relationships and clarify how the world works. With this New Moon in Capricorn, we embody these understandings as we express our purpose; we bring the awareness "down to earth".
This New Moon is at 9 degrees of Capricorn. The number 9 is the vibration of completion. In numerology, 9 signifies coming to the end of a cycle and preparing for the start of a new one. 2025 is a universal 9 year. The New Moons since October's Solar Eclipse in Libra have all fallen at 9 degrees of their respective signs. This pattern will continue until the Solar Eclipse of March 29, 2025 at 9 degrees of Aries. It will be the last eclipse along the Aries - Libra axis. The eclipses through 2025 will then be along Pisces - Virgo.
What are you ready to leave behind as you move forward into 2025? Capricorn is the sign of ambition, patience, maturity, discipline, and strategic advancement towards a goal. It expects nothing less than your best. In the natural chart (the one that starts with Aries on the first house representing dawn and proceeds from there) Capricorn occupies the "high noon" position. Nothing is in the shadows; everything is out in the open. So, what are you showing the world? More importantly, does the world see what you want it to see? Is the reputation you desire for yourself the one you are creating for yourself? What are you trying to achieve and why?
Capricorn Energy - Your Best Self
Capricorn does not tolerate sloppy work or cutting corners. This is your life. Capricorn energy knows what you are capable of and does not lower the standards. It is the energy that pushes you to be the best version of you. Like all signs, its energy can express in a variety of ways. The higher expression of Capricorn is the coach. Like the wise teacher or mother, it holds the vision of your destiny fulfilled and this keeps calling you forward. It offers the template of bringing your best to each situation.
The lower expression of Capricorn is the critical voice. It undermines you and your efforts with the mantra of "not good enough" in the misguided attempt to motivate you. But criticism is not motivating. If this is your Capricorn default setting, consider whose voice it is. It might sound like yours, but odds are it belongs to someone else; someone who you held in regard or who had authority in your life. That critic is showing you how you disempower yourself. Has that voice kept you out of the game? Allowed you to talk yourself out of reaching for your goals? Has that voice protected you from failure by sidelining you? If so, under this 9 degree Capricorn New Moon, it's time for a reset. That starts with honestly assessing where you have sabotaged yourself.
Distractions, Diversions, and Disempowerment
Luckily, the Universe is kind. This New Moon has Mars opposite Pluto, which delves into just that. Mars, currently retrograde in the early degrees of Leo, is the planet of personal will. It is how we act to get our desires and needs met. Pluto, currently in the early degrees of Aquarius, is the planet of self-empowerment. It operates by first showing us where we have allowed our power to be usurped. Consider, to whom have you given your power? What control dramas are you involved in? Do you create chaos as a distraction? Is there always "something" that is getting in the way of your plans? Some "fire" that has to be managed or demand from someone that must be addressed before you can attend to your priorities? Oppositions show where two forces need balancing. How do I prioritize myself and honor my goals while also contributing to the community to which I belong, be it family, work, friends, or some other group?
Under this New Moon, consider what sabotaging behavior patterns need to be acknowledged and replaced? On what is your sense of worth resting? Are you trying to be all things to all people? Do all the tasks? Capricorn's opposite sign is Cancer. Again, oppositions show where two aspects need to find balance. Cancer understands the importance of feeling nurtured and supported before heading out into the world. Cancer knows the roots require a continual source of nourishment in order to allow growth. Nothing and no one can become its best version (Capricorn) unless it rests on a strong foundation (Cancer). This requires a consistent investment in self-care. When you empower yourself by prioritizing care of yourself, you cultivate a wellspring from which to draw without depleting yourself. You demonstrate your worth through your commitment to yourself. This is not about taking care of yourself so you can then show up for others; showing up for others wholeheartedly, as needed, and without creating resentment is the happy byproduct of feeling cared for which comes from the consistent investment in your self-care. Another cycle.
This is a perfect time to "act as if." Meaning, among other things, Capricorn cares about image, reputation and how you are perceived in your "outside life." If you were to show up as your best self, what would that look like? How would you respond to others? What energy would you emit? The question at any choice point is "How would the best version of myself handle this moment?" Use that as your lens. Adopt that perspective. See what happens.
"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." Dr. Wayne Dyer