Humans: Keeping Rhythm With The Sky
It is possible that humanity has always been looking to the sky; specifically the sun and the moon. Although the sun was used to keep track of one day, many ancient peoples used the moon to keep track of the cycles. Anthony Aveni, a professor emeritus of astronomy and anthropology at Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y., and a founder of the field of archaeoastronomy explains “There is good evidence that [lunar timekeeping] was around as early as 25,000, 30,000, 35,000 years before the present.” Since then, we have developed ways to keep track of time and rhythm: but it is truly the sun and the moon that keeps and maintains that rhythm.
The moon is our ancient guide: steady, cyclical, and ever present; even when we don’t see it. Today is a new moon, specifically in the astrological sign of Capricorn. This is the first new moon of our year, and we can use the moon cycles to help set our intentions and banish bad habits and emotions for the new year to come. I would love to take you on a journey with me to learn about our Luna guide, and explain what we can learn from the moon’s rhythm. Since today is our new moon–it is the perfect time for us to begin together.
The Astrological Wheel
So, what does the new moon symbolize, and what does ‘being in Capricorn’ mean? When we say “the new moon is in Capricorn,” we’re speaking in both an astronomical and an astrological language at once. The phrase “in Capricorn” refers to where the moon aligns along the zodiac band–this is the path the Sun, Moon, and planets appear to travel across the sky.
The Babylonians are credited with coming up with The Astrological wheel, as early as 600BCE, and the wheel comprises 12 sections, or 12 astrology symbols, respectively. Although their wheel starts with Aries on the Spring Equinox, our new year starts with Capricorn. At this moment, both the Sun and the Moon are positioned in front of the constellation of Capricorn.
In astrology, Capricorn’s symbol is a Sea Goat. The Sea Goat symbolizes the mountain, the elder, the builder, and the keeper of time. The time of Capricorn is associated with structure. responsibility, endurance, time, and the slow and hard work of building something meaningful.
Capricorn is not about rushing. It is about committing to what matters in your heart, even when the path ahead is difficult. Capricorn’s magic is subtle, but powerful–although it doesn’t sparkle immediately, the light lasts.
We live in a world that constantly demands urgency, productivity and perfection. Capricorn is the reminder that this is unobtainable. You can’t transform overnight; you must build yourself up slowly. Rest is a part of your devotion to your goals. Growth isn’t urgent, it is slow and meaningful.
Understanding New Moons
Now that we understand Capricorn, let’s understand the symbolism of the New Moon. Stillness, rest and introspection align while under a new moon, and it is a great time to find and take time for these ideas. In a new moon, it is a great time to plant the seeds of your month and set your intentions.
New moons are also a time for you to align your ideas with your inner self. Reminding yourself of the person you want to be, and start making little changes to become your best self. This is the deep breath you breathe in while your story begins.
The best goals to set during new moons are not about doing more; it is about listening to your inner voice. During any new moon phase, I would like to encourage you to try these small rituals for any new moon phase:
- Pause: Even five quiet minutes is enough. Use this moment of stillness to be your anchor in a loud world. Center yourself with your thoughts.
- Reflect Inward: I ask you to check in with yourself. What feels heavy right now? What feels quietly hopeful? What am I ready to grow within myself?
- Set an Intention: Please don’t try to do a grand overhaul of your life–just plant a seed. Make them an obtainable, spiritual goal that you can remind yourself of in dark times. For example, “I will make a space for rest.”
- Write it Down: In a journal, on a piece of scrap paper, or even in your phone. Writing helps make the intention tangible and obtainable.
- Create a Small Moment of Ritual: This can be as simple as lighting a candle, holding a crystal or charm, sitting by your window or outside, or taking three deep breaths. Anything that makes you feel grounded and centered.
- Let it Go: You do not control the outcome of your life, so let go of the feeling that you need to control. The new moon is about planting a seed, not forcing it to grow into flowers.
New Moon in Capricorn–A Sacred Beginning: January 18th, 2026
A New Moon in Capricorn is highly important for setting your intentions, since Capricorn is a time of structure and responsibility. Capricorn is not about flashy wishes or suddenly reinventing yourself. It’s about choosing intentions that can last for the year and beyond. This is a moon for goals that are rooted, realistic, and kind to your future self. These are the kind of goals that thrive under Capricorn energy:
- Steady Habits: These are things that will grow through your consistency.
- “I want to have a gentle morning routine that wakes me up and helps me become centered.”
- “I will drink more water and try to listen to my bodies signals.”
- “I want to start writing a few lines each day.”
- “I want to work out three days a week, if I miss one day, I won’t get discouraged and will keep trying.”
- Self Respect and Boundaries: Capricorn is tied to self-worth and responsibility to yourself.
- “I will protect my time and energy.”
- “I will say no when I need to.”
- “I will stop measuring myself against others.”
- Long Term Dreams, Broken Into Small Steps: Take the first small intentions towards something you have wanted to work for.
- “I will take one step toward the life I want.”
- “I will research, learn, or practice ______.”
- “I will begin ______, even if I am imperfect.”
- Inner Structure: Help create your emotional and spiritual stability.
- “I will journal and check in with myself each week.”
- “I will be patient with my growth.”
- “I will meditate three times a week.”
These goals are not something that burn bright and fade away, these goals will become a part of who you are. By having a time to set these goals through the new moon, you can check in with yourself as the moon phases through the sky. The moon can help bring these goals into your everyday life.
A New Moon Capricorn Intention Spell
You will need:
- A small piece of paper
- A pencil
- One Candle (in a color or scent that feels grounding to you)
- Something heavy and earthy (a stone or crystal)
Steps:
- Begin by dimming the lights or sitting under the moon. Wait until the room or area is quiet. Take three slow breaths. With each breath, think of what you want to breathe in this year. With each exhale, breathe out the negativity and concerns holding you back.
- On your paper, write one intention you wish to grow. Keep it gentle and honest, let it be something that can last.
- Hold the paper in your hands and say aloud:
“In this dark and fertile night,
I plant a seed of becoming.
May this intention grow in patience,
Rooted in truth, steady in time.”
- Light your candle. Then, place the piece of paper under the stone or heavy object you chose–this symbolizes your seed being planted in the earth.
- Sit with the flame for a moment. Picture your intention not as a finished dream, but as a tiny sprout, slowly forming beneath the soil.
- When you are ready, extinguish the candle. Bury the paper within the ground. Remember the words you wrote on your seed.
On the night of the Full Moon, we will return to our set intention. Think of what you wrote, and reflect on what has shifted in your life and actions.
Upcoming: The Full Snow Moon of February
The Snow Moon, or February’s full moon, will happen on February 1st, 2026. This is a great time to reflect on the intention you set during this new moon. Please remember to be kind to yourself, and to not be hard on yourself if you haven’t achieved everything you have wanted. Have patience with yourself.
For my next article, I will be giving you more information about the moon cycle as we approach our next full moon. I will also be giving you a tarot card reading that you can align with this upcoming full moon. Please stay tuned for the next blog, which I always post on Sundays!
References:
Ancient humans used the moon as a calendar in the sky By Rebecca Boyle
The History of Astrology: Where it Began and How it Evolved
Pictures From:
Capricorn Zodiac Wheel Horoscope
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