Capricorn season is in full swing, and on Saturday January 5th we'll have the first New Moon of 2019 at 15° Capricorn. The 15th degree of any sign is considered to be where that sign is its most potent, so here we have the Capricorn Sun being it's most Capricorn-y. Just before the New Moon, we have a partial solar eclipse as the moon passes slightly between the sun and the earth, so this New Moon is extra potent. New Moons are powerful times for setting intentions and planting seeds, and Eclipses are powerful portals for manifestation, so all the seeds you plant during this new moon will be super-charged - be careful what you wish for!

It's no coincidence that we generally feel a strong desire to set lofty goals of self-improvement at the New Year - it's more than just setting our calendars to the beginning again - it's that strong Capricorn sun influencing our inner drive. Capricorn is the sign of Ambition and this New Moon (Sun/Moon Conjunction) is certainly inspiring us to self-improve.

Remembering the Cancer Full Moon 2 weeks ago, where we were reminded by that mothering Cancer archetype to nurture ourselves and practice self-care? That's still important, but the moon aligned with Capricorn Sun is now pushing our inner focus on the outer work. Are your goals and ambitions lofty enough? Capricorn's Fathering archetype certainly doesn't want us to settle for second-best or give up before we meet our goal.

However, there is a sobering effect to the Capricorn moon. With this earth sign comes maturity and with that maturity, realism and practicality take front and center. Whatever goals and New Year's resolutions you came up with a few days ago - it might be time for a reality check. If you didn't set any resolutions or goals - it's also time now to reality check that strategy! Capricorn season reminds us that life is nothing without some goal to strive for; while also harshly cracking down with rules and structures that might make progress seem impossible. For this reason, Capricorn energy is also associated with a tendency for depression - to have the ability to be so ambitious yet also see the realities of life that will make the journey so hard; can be depressing.

How can you make your goals both big enough for this Capricorn New Moon Eclipse while also being realistic? The hint comes from Pluto - planet of transformation. Pluto is at 20° Capricorn, chiming in heavily on all this energy. In fact, as the moon continues to travel through Capricorn, it will conjunct Pluto several hours after the eclipse before sunrise on the 6th. The sun will conjunct Pluto on January 10th and 11th.

Pluto in Capricorn is all about challenging the structures that hold us back. The ambition of Capricorn when influenced by Pluto is more willing to take risks. Doing things the same way can only get you so far and Pluto is here to remind us that change can be scary, but it's also necessary. As the Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, "The only thing that is constant is change", reflecting that all of life is constantly changing. Capricorn energy generally dislikes change - the tried & true methods haven't failed us so far, right? Except they have. And Pluto's been shining a light on all the structures that need to change in order to really make progress as he's been traveling through Capricorn since 2008. (Just take a look at the world's political climate over the last decade and you'll see Pluto's Capricorn presence) Pluto is really good at pointing out the things we might not want to look at, but through this discomfort we find real motivation for change and transformation.

As you take some time to clarify and re-evaluate your New Year's Resolutions for intention setting with this New Moon - I encourage you to listen to Pluto. This might be time for planting the seeds for a radical change. Are you ready?

Lilliana Blackstar

Hestia's Muse

Author Bio: Wendy, aka "Lilliana Blackstar" is an Evolutionary Astrologer and Reiki Master Teacher living in Washington, USA. She is a practicing Pagan and currently enrolled in the Wiccan Ministry Degree program at Woolston-Steen Theological Seminary . You can learn more about her or contact her for services at https://www.hestiasmuse.net/