The new year is almost here, and January comes with a New Moon in disciplined Capricorn and a Full Moon in creative Leo. What do they have in store for us?

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A new moon occurs when the transit (moving) Sun and Moon are in the exact same position in the Zodiac (called a conjunction). New moons are related to beginnings, have high energy, and are enthusiastic. 

A full moon occurs when the transit (moving) Sun and Moon are in the exact opposite positions in the Zodiac (called an opposition). Full moons are related to endings, culminations, and are emotional energy.

The first lunar event for the year is a New Moon in Capricorn, and since Capricorn is the sign ruling our goals, ambitions, and direction, this is a great way to start off the new year. This is especially true since Mercury retrograde ended on New Year's Day, and we likely went into the new year with less-than-stellar focus on what we wanted to achieve.

This New Moon allows us to get clear about what we want, and we can drill down and get working. We can put together long-term plans for the rest of the year or beyond, and can make the most of opportunities to get started. Once we start, we can be disciplined, ethical, hard-working, and focused.

We can feel ambitious, and want to make sure that we're building a solid external foundation for our lives. We can be responsible, and can take the work we're doing seriously.

The new moon is trine (beneficial aspect, 4 signs away) transit (moving) Uranus in Taurus, and this helps us make changes that are necessary to get to where we want to go. We can also be clearer with the future, and focus on what we dream of and hope for. We can be willing to step outside of our comfort zones when needed, which is good since Capricorn is very traditional, so we can embrace both conventional and unconventional methods.

The new moon occurs at 20 degrees 44 minutes Capricorn. The aspects to the new moon are:
Conjunction: 18 degrees 44 minutes - 22 degrees 44 minutes Capricorn
Sextile: 18 degrees 44 minutes - 22 degrees 44 minutes Scorpio or Pisces
Square: 18 degrees 44 minutes - 22 degrees 44 minutes Aries or Libra
Trine: 18 degrees 44 minutes - 22 degrees 44 minutes Taurus or Virgo
Opposition: 18 degrees 44 minutes - 22 degrees 44 minutes Cancer

The Leo Full Moon is a fantastic time for inspiration, and we can feel connected to our hearts. This helps us be more creative, so we can make progress with creative pursuits, and can see results from creative projects and ventures.

This also helps us connect with our loved ones, and we may want more time with the people we love. We can focus on strengthening our spiritual connections with them, and work on being more generous with our hearts.

Leo isn't very good with work, so we may lack a work ethic with this Full Moon. We'd rather have fun, get time away from the mundane, and enjoy ourselves. This can especially be the case if you've been stressed out and working too hard, and are in need of a break.

The full moon is square (challenging aspect, 3 signs away) transit Jupiter in Taurus, and this adds to the idea that we may need a break and aren't super focused on work and tasks and chores. We can be lazy and indulgent and prone to excess, and we'd rather get time off. Make sure to get any work done you need to with the Capricorn New Moon, and then plan for some time off with the Leo Full Moon.

The full moon occurs at 5 degrees 15 minutes Leo. Aspects to the full moon are:
Conjunction: 3 degrees 15 minutes - 7 degrees 15 minutes Leo
Sextile: 3 degrees 15 minutes - 7 degrees 15 minutes Gemini or Libra
Square: 3 degrees 15 minutes - 7 degrees 15 minutes Taurus or Scorpio
Trine: 3 degrees 15 minutes - 7 degrees 15 minutes Aries or Sagittarius
Opposition: 3 degrees 15 minutes - 7 degrees 15 minutes Aquarius

Suggested Reading: The New & Full Moons page for general interpretations by house and aspect