Wisdom of the Incremental Journey

The New Moon in Capricorn, on January 18th at 2:52 pm EST, is all about committing to the long-term vision of our goals and dreams. It is the wisdom of the incremental journey.

This New Moon marks a seed point where we plant the vision of our future. We are at the base of the mountain, and these coming months and years will be our journey, step-by-step, of turning our dreams into reality.

In this guide, you’ll receive the most significant themes occurring during this New Moon. Each section comes with reflective questions you’re invited to journal about or meditate on. Allow your body to be awake and open as you read through this report, and if anything strikes a chord of resonance in your being, trust that it is what you are meant to focus on during the Capricorn New Moon.

New Moon in Capricorn Overview

New Moons represent the start of a new cycle, as they initiate the next lunar phase. Symbolically, they are a time for setting intentions and planting seeds. Because this is the first New Moon of 2026, it is also about setting intentions for the coming year.

During this New Moon, the Sun and Moon are together at 28° of Capricorn. They are in a Capricorn stellium with Mars and Mercury, who are both at 26° Capricorn. This link of planets continues with an out-of-sign conjunction to Venus at 1° Aquarius, and Pluto and Vesta, who are both at 3° Aquarius.

With this Capricorn stellium, conjunct Venus in Aquarius, our personal planets are being directly affected by this New Moon. This not only means we may have more awareness of the energies of this moment, but also invites us to reflect on these different layers of self and how we wish for them to evolve.

We want to look at our relationships to others and to ourselves (Venus), our thoughts and mental patterns (Mercury), how we take action (Mars), our emotional health and intuition (Moon), and our relationship to our ego and conscious identities (Sun).

Significantly, Venus is the first planet to enter Aquarius. But to understand why that is significant, let’s explore what Capricorn and Aquarius represent. Capricorn is all about structures (family, government, society, organizations), following tradition, and achieving one’s goals. It is practical, ambitious, grounded, steadfast, loyal, and determined.

Capricorn’s traditional symbol is the sea-goat, which is a bit of an odd mythical creature. In modern times, it is often associated with the mountain goat, but the original symbol still holds importance, as it connects Capricorn to its opposite sign: Cancer.

With the sea-goat, we see that the Capricorn archetype rises from the bottom of the ocean (Cancer) and makes its way all the way to the top of the mountain. This symbolizes connecting our inner world (heart, emotions, intuition) to our outward expression and ambition.

One of the shadow expressions of Capricorn is a disconnect from the heart and emotions, which can lead to a disconnect with other people’s feelings. Because they are so ambitious, they may not care who they need to step on or push out of the way to reach their goal.

This journey to the top of the mountain is one of the main metaphors for Capricorn energy. The journey requires fixed concentration on the final goal and dedication to each step up the mountain. Capricorn knows that a slow and steady pace will give them the energy they need to fulfill their quest and reach the mountaintop.

This metaphor teaches us how to approach our goals in life, and that if we wish to truly succeed, we must commit to the long game. We have to show up, little by little, step-by-step, to achieve our goals. It is not about rushing, forcing, or trying to make something happen overnight. It is about fixing your gaze on the distant mountaintop and internally committing to the journey it will take you to reach it. For it is the journey itself, with all the lessons, roadblocks, challenges, and detours along the way, that leads to self-mastery.

At the highest level, Capricorn is about self-mastery, which does not happen overnight or even in a few weeks. Self-mastery is an incremental journey that involves dedication, focus, discipline, and commitment to a specific goal. This is not only what Capricorn teaches us, but also Saturn, which is sextile to this New Moon.

With this New Moon, we’re invited to take each aspect of ourselves represented by the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, and Venus, and ask, “What is the highest version of each of these that I wish to embody?”

With all of the planets soon moving into Aquarius, the energy will shift. While Capricorn represents tradition, Aquarius represents breaking out of tradition and breaking free from old power structures. It is all about finding a new way to do things. With Venus being the first to enter Aquarius, this symbolizes that we are meant to trust our heart and feminine nature to lead us into the new.

The sea-goat also represents this connection—for us to truly succeed, we must stay connected to our heart, emotions, and intuition. We must let our hearts lead the way in envisioning our dreams and taking action toward our goals.

Saturn moving into Aries also represents this change into new structures. But for now, it is at the 29th degree of Pisces, which represents sinking into infinite nothingness. Again, we are encouraged to sink into stillness and to dream without limits.

We are at a beautiful pause point in the lunar and greater cosmic cycles that are occurring. We are at a threshold amidst a great transition. The old is crumbling away while the new is being born. This is a moment to come into stillness, to go within, and to ask, “What do I deeply long for?”

After this New Moon, the energy starts to quicken. Things will start to move at a rapid pace with the transition of the outer planets into fire and air signs, starting with Neptune moving into Aries on January 26th. Saturn moves into Aries shortly after on February 13th. This is an opportunity for us to drop into stillness, into this pause point, and sink into what we truly want to “master” in this life.

As you reflect on the following questions and the future you are dreaming into being, take into account the old patterns or wounds that may also be coming to the surface. These can help inform you of what changes you are meant to make or what you are meant to release. The reason for this is that this New Moon is also affected by none other than Chiron, the wounded healer.

Reflective Questions: 

• What do I deeply long for in my relationships? How do I wish for them to evolve (including how I show up) over the coming months? 

• How do I wish for my thoughts and nervous system to evolve? Do my thoughts feel in alignment with my deeper truth? 

• Is it easy for me to come into stillness? What is my experience with sinking into nothingness? 

• How can I deepen my relationship and connection to my heart, emotions, and intuition? 

• What identities seem to be shifting or transforming? What identities am I ready to let go of, and what identities am I ready to step into? 

• What is my relationship to my inner warrior or action-oriented self? Does this part of me feel aligned with my heart? Is there some inner reorganization that can take place so my inner warrior/doer can come into greater harmony with my heart and body?

• What is it that I’m deeply longing to create, embody, or experience in this life? (Allow yourself to dream big!). What little, tangible, and practical steps can I start taking to make my dreams a reality? 

• What am I called to “master” in this life? What do I want to become a master of? 

The Wisdom of the Wounded Healer 

In the days preceding the New Moon, you may have experienced a bit of chaos, upheaval, or intensity from old patterns coming to the surface. This is because the Sun was in a perfect square to Chiron (the wounded healer) a few days ago. This energy will remain intense and a bit “in our face,” because the New Moon, Mars, and Mercury are all still square to Chiron (the wounded healer) and Eris (goddess of chaos and upheaval).

Squares are intense aspects that require action. They are uncomfortable, which prompts us to take action to relieve the tension. Because of this, they are highly supportive of our inner growth, for it is through discomfort that we learn and evolve.

With the quickening that is about to take place, there seems to be a resurgence of old patterns. I believe that this is occurring not only due to the current aspects, but also because we are preparing for the upcoming shift in energy. Anything that is no longer in alignment with our soul essence—and with how we wish to evolve—is rising to our consciousness to be seen, felt, and addressed.

We are encouraged not to ignore, suppress, escape, or deny the feelings and experiences we are having. It is through surrendering to them and allowing yourself to truly feel what needs to be felt (without getting tangled up in the story surrounding the feeling) that we can start to release and heal these old patterns.

Our inner warrior (Mars), mental narrative (Mercury), and ego (Sun) may fight and resist what we are experiencing. Lay down your weapons—against yourself and others—let go of your inner resistance, breathe into your heart, and allow the wisdom of your soul to guide you through this.

Call upon your higher self, your ancestors, and/or your spirit guides to help you. Soften. These wounds and old patterns are teachers, and if they are in your awareness, it means they are ready to be faced.

We are all wounded healers learning how to best care for ourselves and each other through the chaos happening within and without. Remember to ground and anchor yourself into your center point, and let your heart lead the way toward healing and transformation.

Reflective Questions: 

• What old wounds, patterns, or behaviors am I being confronted with? 

• When I sink into my heart and call upon my wise self, what do they have to say about what I’m experiencing? 

• In what ways do I need to “lay down my weapons and armor” for myself or another? 

• What does surrender mean to me? 

• If I were to let go of the stories racing in my mind and just feel, where do I feel the emotion in my body? How can I support myself in fully feeling this emotion? 

Uranus: The Great Awakener  

In the midst of your dreaming during this New Moon, connect with the frequency of Uranus: the Great Awakener. He will be one of the major planets of 2026, as he is about to enter Gemini.

The New Moon + Capricorn stellium is trining Uranus at 27° Taurus. This tight aspect supports us in receiving grounded insight and out-of-the-box ideas about the seeds we are meant to plant for our future.

As such, let your dreaming be “out there,” even if you think it’s impossible. Uranus is the planet of expanded consciousness, rapid insights, spiritual awakenings, and revolutionary ideas. He pushes the boundaries of reality, causing us to re-evaluate our beliefs, worldviews, and inner limitations.

With his support during this New Moon, we’re invited to expand our consciousness to the infinite possibilities of the future we are dreaming into being. That thing you deeply long for but think is too far out of reach? That’s the gold. Uranus is here to remind us that nothing is too far out of reach. Remember, we are co-creators of our reality. We are powerful beings, and we have the power to shape our reality. Dream big, dream wild.

In this dreaming, we may not receive practical step-by-step guidance about how to create wherever it is we want to create, embody, or experience. That’s okay; it is the incremental journey. Ask your wise self what the first, tiny little step you are meant to take is. And it may not be an outward action; it may be something within you that you are meant to explore or awaken within. Commit to the first step, and trust the next step, and then the next, will come in perfect timing.

Reflective Questions: 

• Which of my longings or dreams feels out of reach or too “out there?” Why? 

• What insights or ideas have dropped in for me recently? 

• In what ways are my consciousness and ideas of reality expanding? Are there things in my reality that would have seemed crazy or impossible to me in the past? 

• What is the first step I am meant to take in manifesting my desires? 

You Are Already Where You Are Meant to Be

In all of this talk about future visions and dreams, I want to remind us all that we are already whole. In a spiritual sense, we already have all that we need and desire. It is all here, within us.

In reflecting on this coming year and how you wish to evolve, it’s also important to notice the ways you already embody who you long to become.

Sometimes we already have what we long for; we’re just not receiving it because we don’t think we deserve it or are not worthy of it. Other times, we’re so future-focused that we’re unaware of the tremendous progress we have made and how far we have come.

So, in your dreaming, remember to honor who you are in this moment and how far you have come. You are whole, worthy, and deeply loved just as you are.

Reflective Questions: 

• In what ways do I already have or embody what I long for? 

• Do I have a hard time receiving what I long for? Why? 

• In what ways have I grown in the past few months or years? 

• How does this statement feel in my body: “I am whole and worthy. I have all that I need. All that I seek is already within me.” 

Practice Ideas

This New Moon, I encourage you to set aside time for stillness meditation and/or yin yoga. Really sink into a place of quiet relaxation and become fully aware of your body and breath.

You can stay here, or you can go a bit further and imagine yourself sinking into blackness, the void of eternal nothingness. Let yourself be held in the dark womb of the Great Mother, and in this restful place, you do not have to be anyone or do anything. This is a place of renewal, rejuvenation, and rebirth.

In this cosmic womb, when you are ready, allow a dream to unfurl. Ask your higher self to help you sow the seeds for your future that are in alignment with your highest good. Sow these seeds in the fertile darkness of this womb.

You can also take a relationship, a passion project, a health concern, or an internal hardship into the Cosmic Mother’s womb. Allow her to wrap you—and whatever you brought with you—in her vast, unconditional love. Allow her to heal and rejuvenate it.

Along with this meditation, this time is highly supportive of planning and taking practical steps for your dreams. Journal, have conversations, and think creatively about the structures that will support you in following your ambitions. Make it grounded and practical.

Lastly, be gentle with yourself. Prioritize rest, self-care, and things that nourish your nervous system. Spend time in nature, take a hot bath, listen to calming music, gaze into a fire, and spend time with those who fill your cup. 

May the Capricorn New Moon reveal the mountain of your dreams and plant the seeds of structure and commitment so you may manifest what your soul truly longs for. Sink into the darkness of the Great Mother’s womb and allow her to weave the vision of your highest potential. 

With Love,

Rhianna Quanstrom
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