What We Will Make

New moon at 20° of Capricorn

One of Andy Goldsworthy’s ice sculpture called Snow Circles, in Izumi, Japan, 1987

Thursday, January 11th at 3:57am PST, in the dark hours of the morning, the moon renews herself at 20° of Capricorn, the holy sea goat. While all earth signs teach the art of manifestation, Capricorn is cardinal earth and ruled by Saturn, and so it has particularly important lessons in the initiation of new forms and the power of limitations. It wants to teach us how to take an idea or spark of an idea, a nothing, and make it into a something; how to do the hard work of bringing something into existence and making it solid and real. It’s also the most expanded and ambitious of the earth signs, because it’s in charge of what we build in the outer world, the large structures and artifacts and offerings. Like, not just my personal garden that pleases and sustains me (Taurus), or the research I do and the book I write about about the right and holy way to garden and communicate with plants (Virgo), but the nonprofit I create to promote and fund community gardening projects, the laws I help write to protect species diversity and pollinators and soil, the museum/temple/school I build to honor the heroes of the plant world and preserve their teachings for future generations (Capricorn).

Just writing that made me anxious! Big pictures often make me anxious. One of things I’ve learned from Capricorn, and from taking on big projects, is the importance of focusing my attention on where I am at on the mountain right now, on the step right in front of me, rather than trying to see the top of the mountain or where I am going. Goal setting is an extremely useful skill, and it doesn’t help at all when we are called to an emergent process. In fact, a focus on destination or outcome could interfere, badly, with the kind of presence and openness needed to make a long climb or journey, or create something that’s never been created before. Another thing I’ve learned from Capricorn is how to spiritually love a process, how to not actually care where it’s taking me, or if it’s hard, because I am wholeheartedly in it either way. There’s a secret joy in Capricorn, one we can open up when we consent to hardship because we know we are on the path. And it’s that joy that makes the impossible task possible.

Not only are the sun and moon in Capricorn, giving us this month’s new moon, but Mars is here as well, supercharging Capricorn’s practical, diligent, work-ethic-y vibes with the courage and energy to back it up. Mercury stationed direct in Sagittarius back on January 4th, and it’s making it’s way back to Capricorn, clearing up confusion on its way. In fact it will be there on Saturday, with Venus not far behind. Pluto is also hanging on to the final degree of Capricorn, getting ready to re-enter Aquarius in 9 days, at the same time the sun moves on, which will be a big deal. It’s likely offering some us real perspective on what has transformed for us here. So this is a lot of activity for Capricorn, and it’s all supportive. In a very real way, we are all stand at the base of another mountain, at the start of a Capricorn current of manifestation. We get to ask ourselves, what impossible task am I being called to take on, joyfully, and make possible? What do I want to build, long-term? Maybe not what would make me happy, but what might make me feel fulfilled? What life or possibility is moving and thrilling enough to me that I could commit to the mundane everyday grind of making it a reality? Those kinds of commitments — especially if they are in some way connected to making an offering to the larger world — will receive Capricorn’s sober-but-abundant blessing. Strongly consider how you might want to use it.

I know I am not alone in having been totally cashed by that Cancer full moon that came at the end of 2023. Maybe you, too, swooned and moaned and slept over the new year’s threshold, taken down by Covid or some other awful thing and the requirements of adulthood and family and bodies that can’t just keep taking it. If that was you, this new moon gets to be your do-over — the real start to this year. And if you’re still not ready, you can wait for the next new moon, which will start the Year of the Dragon. I also know some of you did not go down or stay down at the end of the year, and felt the boost of this astrology right away last week. I know because my inbox was filled with enthusiastic news of new projects and shows and ideas from creative friends, when I finally opened it. I am genuinely happy for you, especially now that I am joining you.

For all of us I feel like saying one more thing on the Capricorn front. Capricorn is connected to our sense of adulthood, or our adult selves, the time in our lives when we carry the most responsibility, and the stakes are really high, and when we keenly feel the limitations of that. When our life is defined by work and the hardships of paying bills and caring for others who need us; when we don’t fully consent to that work, or don’t feel like we have enough choice, and so we are giving all we are giving half-heartedly or even resentfully; when all that is not balanced by play, and the receiving of care, and a little reciprocity, it will grind down our spirits. When the spirit is ground down, and we are at the base of another mountain, of another year, of another day, everything appears to us as Sisyphus’ boulder. We become disconnected from the very life force needed to face the tasks before us.

If you’ve taken on too much, for too long, and reading this is bringing some tears to your eyes, I want you to really receive this invitation from the new moon to reset and recalibrate. We need you in this joyful fight this year. This year is going to be one for the books. A part of you, possibly deep down, possibly in your very cells, knows what you need to rebuild your capacity and nourish your spirit. With this new moon, a new awareness is being ignited. It’s an awareness of a way back to an integrity that includes your creative self and what feeds your soul. It will light up in the coming days. It may call you into more work—into hard work, different work, the work of changing your life or the world in some way. But it will be the kind of work that gives you energy, in addition to taking it. Just get quiet, and be in this winter moment, and listen for your inner voice. And when you hear it, make a commitment to honoring it. Little by little, day by day, adjustment by adjustment, change by change. A new form of your life is just beginning. Now is the time for whole-hearted leap of faith in yourself, and the life you are here to make.

Ritual & Writing Prompts

(Disclaimer: Prompts are suggestions, not instructions. Play with what inspires you, ignore what’s doesn’t. Adapt in any way you see fit.)