The New Moon takes place at 28 degrees 43 minutes of Capricorn on Sunday 18 January 2025 at 19:51 UTC.

She signals a busy and intense astrological period at the end of January. Shortly after this new Moon there will be inner planetary sign shifts; those planets will then conjunct Pluto as Neptune finally leaves Pisces and enters Aries on 27 January.

Soiléir /Clear, Apparent, Manifest

This Moon may herald a moment of clear understanding in the dark stillness providing something sharp to cut through the chaos providing clarity. This is a short sharp inhalation which may link timelines and storylines together in a flash of realisation. The exalted (Mars) and domicile (Saturn) rulers of this new Moon are in testimony by sextile. There is a strong message of something new coming through which may speak to events from April and May of 2025.

Saturn ruler of this new Moon is at the end degrees of Pisces 27 degrees 26 minutes, the last degrees of the Zodiac. He is closing out a chapter here as he enters Aries on 13 February where he will be under the domain of Mars. Saturn is sextiled by the Mars/Mercury conjunction with this new Moon. The Mars/Mercury conjunction may provide Saturn with the beginnings of a plan for what will occur when he changes sign. In Aries Saturn will dry out and there will be little time for slowness while he is being cajoled onwards by an impatient recently rebirthed Mars. A definitive rhythm change.

Mars restarted his synodic cycle with the sun the week prior, affecting us in the Capricorn areas of our chart. Mars has a natural affinity with the Sun. Both are planets of motivation, fire, and purpose. We have all witnessed Mars’ strength in Capricorn over the last weeks as the world appears flipped upside down and more aggressive than ever. Mars is at the same degree as Mercury during the new Moon and appears to be pushing the planets still in Capricorn into Aquarius to meet Pluto just before Neptune makes his sign change at the end of the month.   

Éist / Listen

Mercury having caught up to Mars wants to hear his story. What messages of courage, heart, motivation can Mercury take forth with him through the Zodiac from the Martian reset? These for now may just be internal messages, thoughts and sharp insight. Once Mercury enters Aquarius two days later there may be further clarification of Mars’ intention as Mercury reaches their own cazimi (in the heart) with the Sun. There may be some clarity to be gained from something physical – these messages may come during or after some physical exertion, conflict, or friction. It could be words that need to be spoken to power as Mercury enters into an immediate copresence with Pluto.

The conjunction is also applying to a trine with Uranus at the end of Taurus. Again there are messages being passed between the quartet of inner and outer planets Mercury, Mars, Saturn & Uranus. Uranus is the planet that is unpredictable, harbours surprises, causes earthquakes, shakes us up and out of anything stale in our lives. These are the last months of Uranus in Taurus and he is travelling over old ground. Themes from May 2025 when Uranus was at the same degrees may return with new information or sharp clarity from the Mars/Mercury conjunction. The old order is collapsing what will we build in it’s place?

Venus entered Aquarius the day before the new Moon on 17 January and is approaching her own conjunction with Pluto. A moment of obsession, possession, of deeply hidden desires and power. This conjunction that will last only a few days however in the midst of the change chaos deeply hidden new desires are stirring. All the planets currently in Capricorn Sun, Moon, Mercury & Mars will make conjunctions with Pluto in the coming days when they all enter Aquarius. Mars entering the sign last on 23 January after Merucry cazimi in Aquarius on 21 January.

Athrú Rithime / Change of Rhythm

Neptune sextile this new Moon at the culminating degree of Pisces will enter Aries 27 January. Signalling a vibe shift for us all. Aries is youthful, enthusiastic, driven by a need for individualism and authentic action.  Soon the talk of care and therapy speak will be replaced with talk of courage and heart. Neptune idealises the traits of the sign that its in. It may also glorify war, dominance and destruction. Aries is a place that is hot and dry. It burns up quickly. Without Saturn there is little staying power in this place. Fads may come and go quickly or ideals may range from one end to the other. Fighting for a cause, fighting to individualise, not following the ever changing cycle of fads. Saturn will affect the vibe possibly injecting an element of discomfort, the idealising of effort-ing as self-worth.

So before this Neptune vibe shift occurs it feels like there is a message from Mars via this New Moon. A hint of what’s to come perhaps. Friction! Sharpness! Acuity! A pacier rhythm! All these may be the words that we are speaking more than care, gentleness, slowness. Prepare your heart, your body, gain an understanding of your values and all else will follow.