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January arrived like a winter dream, not with a leap but with a soft, deep exhale. This season reminds us that our minds, bodies and spirits aren’t meant to race forward just yet, as it is a time to conserve our energy and go within. Hard to believe when, even as the calendar flips and whispers “new year, new you,” there’s still an inner longing for peace and quiet.
If you’ve been lacking momentum or inspiration, you’re not alone. Fortunately for us, something magical is approaching as the moon will renew itself in Capricorn on January 18 at exactly 2:52 p.m. ET. Vanishing into the sky at 28 degrees of this Cardinal earth sign, Luna is meeting us exactly where we are, encouraging us to be grounded, intentional and aware of how far we’ve come.
Capricorn season is always a reality check — it’s the wisdom that comes from lived experiences, from climbing, slipping, rebuilding and climbing again. Wherever this new moon lands in your chart, consider this the area of life where you’re standing at the highest point of your proverbial mountain, and now able to look back with clarity.
This isn’t about starting from scratch; it’s about integration and recognizing what has shaped you, what you’ve mastered and what no longer deserves your time, energy or devotion. Adding to the depth of it all is Saturn (Capricorn’s planetary ruler), making its last, karmic run through Pisces.
Did you just get through your Saturn Return? Congrats! Celebrate with this cheeky hat or get one for a friend here.
There’s a sense that something long-carrying is dissolving, or finally making sense on a soul level. The lessons of the past few years are crystallizing now. You may feel a shift in your priorities, especially around what (and who) you’re willing to invest in moving forward. Capricorn thinks long-term: What needs care now? What is worth building?
With Mercury and Mars conjunct in Capricorn during this new moon, there’s almost a quiet but powerful determination in the air. Whether it’s strategy and planning, or you making the conscious effort to pursue a certain path, you know the route, but you’re not rushing it. In fact, having discipline and restraint is a superpower right now.
Besides, after this new moon, the planets will all migrate into Aquarius together, meeting with Pluto, which opens the door to wildly new possibilities. The seeds of intention you plan now could evolve into something electric, bright and intellectually vivacious.
For now, read on for your new moon horoscope and affirmation — remember to read for your sun and rising sign!
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Aries
Pause before you push forward. Aries. This new moon is asking you to redefine what success actually means to you. Capricorn rules your 10th house, the part of your life tied to career, reputation, and long-term goals, but this lunation isn’t about chasing applause or proving yourself. It’s about honest assessment. You may feel called to close out a professional chapter, redefine your ambitions, or finally acknowledge how much you’ve already accomplished. Something you’ve been striving for may no longer feel aligned, and that realization is powerful. New moon affirmation: I celebrate my achievements with pride; I allow my definition of success to evolve with clarity and confidence.
Taurus
Open your mind before you commit, Taurus. This new moon invites you to see your future through a wider lens. Capricorn governs your ninth house, and Luna is shifting your focus toward belief systems, long-term vision, and the bigger picture of your life. You may feel the urge to release an outdated perspective or question a truth you’ve long accepted without challenge. This isn’t about losing direction; it’s about refining it. You’ve been through enough to know what resonates and what doesn’t. New moon affirmation: I trust the wisdom of my lived experiences; I release outdated beliefs and embrace the journey.
Gemini
Lean into depth rather than skimming the surface, Gemini. This new moon is asking you to go there, as Capricorn rules your eighth house of transformation, drawing attention to emotional intimacy, shared resources, power dynamics, and the inner rumblings you can’t rush or intellectualize. This lunation marks a turning point where something quietly but profoundly shifts within you. You may feel called to set firm boundaries or renegotiate terms. New moon affirmation: I release what drains my power and reclaim my inner strength; I choose investments that nourish me.
Cancer
Choose clarity over comfort, Cancer. What agreements are you ready to honor? Capricorn rules your seventh house and this new moon is shining a light directly on your relationships, highlighting connections of all kinds and asking you to take a mature, honest look at how you connect, commit, and compromise. This lunation can mark the end of an old relational dynamic or the beginning of a more grounded, intentional chapter. This is a powerful moment for redefining boundaries, expectations, and shared goals. New moon affirmation: I choose relationships rooted in respect; I honor my needs and welcome those who meet me halfway.
Leo
Commit to your well-being like it’s non-negotiable, Leo. This new moon wants you to tend to the details of your everyday life. Capricorn rules your sixth house, and Luna is bringing focus to routines, work habits, and the systems that support your physical and mental health. This lunation is less about grand gestures and more about practical changes that actually stick. You may feel ready to close out an exhausting pattern, whether that’s overworking, neglecting rest, or saying yes when your body is quietly saying no. New moon affirmation: I create routines that support my health, energy, and purpose; I respect my body’s wisdom.
Virgo
Create more space for joy, Virgo. This new moon is an invitation to take your pleasure seriously. After all, Capricorn governs your heart-centered fifth house, encouraging you to reassess how you express creativity, romance, and play. This isn’t frivolous energy; it’s about recognizing what truly lights you up and committing to it with maturity and care. You may feel called to release a creative block or outdated belief that joy has to be earned through struggle. This season reminds you that discipline and pleasure don’t cancel each other out; they can coexist. New moon affirmation: I welcome what brings me joy and allow it space to grow; I create from the heart with intention.
Libra
Take a pause before you make your next move, Libra. This new moon draws your attention home and family, as Capricorn rules your fourth house of innermost feelings, spotlighting your foundations, emotional security, and sense of belonging. This lunation marks a moment of closure or clarity around family dynamics, living situations, or deeply rooted patterns tied to your past. You may be recognizing what no longer feels supportive at your core. Safety isn’t something you chase, it’s something you create for yourself. New moon affirmation: I maintain my emotional stability through boundaries and self-respect; I am redefining home on my own terms.
Scorpio
Speak with purpose and conviction, Scorpio. Capricorn rules your third house, and this new moon is bringing focus to communication, learning, and the way you exchange information with the world. Luna invites you to close out a mental pattern or narrative that no longer reflects who you are. You may feel more discerning about your words and your audience. You’re also integrating lessons learned through observation and experience. This new moon helps you see how your mindset has evolved and where you’re ready to communicate with greater authority. New moon affirmation: I communicate with clarity, integrity, and purpose; I release narratives that don’t serve or resonate with me.
Sagittarius
Get honest about what you value, Sagittarius. Capricorn rules your second house of comfort, values highlighting finances, self-worth, and the resources you rely on to feel secure, and Luna is asking you to reassess your priorities. You may feel ready to release a spending habit, income source, or belief that ties your worth to external validation. Either way, Capricorn’s grounded energy supports long-term planning and intentional investment. What you choose to build now has staying power, especially if it reflects what you genuinely value. New moon affirmation: I invest my time and energy in what truly matters to me; I trust my ability to build lasting security.
Capricorn
Happy new moon, Capricorn. I hope you claim this moment, because it’s especially personal with the moon renewing itself in your sign. This marks a powerful reset around identity, direction, and self-definition. And though it’s the first new moon of the year, it carries the wisdom of completion. You are closing a chapter of who you’ve been so you can consciously step into who you’re becoming. You’re recognizing what has shaped you, strengthened you, and clarified your priorities, and this lunation invites integration rather than reinvention. This moment is fundamental. New moon affirmation: I recognize my growth and choose to step forward with confidence; I lead with integrity.
Aquarius
Consider this the “rest” before the revelation, Aquarius. This new moon invites you to slow down behind the scenes, as Capricorn governs your 12th of closure, spirit and recalibration. This is a deeply introspective lunation, asking you to release what has quietly weighed on you. You may feel called to retreat, reflect, or create space for emotional processing. This is about completing a cycle and making peace with what you’re leaving behind. Clarity comes through stillness now. Trust that this new moon is the calm before that awakening (your birthday season), and a necessary pause that prepares you for what’s next. New moon affirmation: I find enlightenment and wisdom through my solitude; my spirit is healing.
Pisces
Choose your community wisely, Pisces. Luna is bringing emphasis to your long-term visions as Capricorn rules your socially conscious 11th house of friendships, teamwork and the networks who support your dreams. This lunation may mark the end of a group dynamic or a shift in what you want to build collectively. You’re becoming more discerning about where you belong, as the energy of this Saturn-ruled sign helps you see which connections are supportive and which have run their course. This is about intentional alignment, not isolation. As the energy shifts later this month, new opportunities and collaborations may emerge unexpectedly. New moon affirmation: I welcome the connections, individuals and opportunities that mirror my goals and dreams; I am free to be me.
Valerie is an astrologer, writer & visual storyteller. She writes horoscopes for PEOPLE—formerly PopSugar, StyleCaster, Elite Daily, among others. For more of her work, check out valeriemesa.com or follow her on Instagram @valeriemesa.
