January's Super New Moon Is the Fresh Start You've Been Waiting For

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There's something about flipping to an entirely blank calendar in January that can't help but light a spark of optimism. And it should be especially potent this year, as the very first new moon of the new year, in industrious, goal-oriented earth sign Capricorn will occur on January 2 — spurring plenty of "fresh start"-infused inspiration and motivation.

This positive new moon, exact at 1:34 p.m. ET/10:34 a.m. PT, could set the stage for thrilling, creative breakthroughs while providing plenty of gung-ho, take-charge energy that will make it easier to make even your most ambitious dreams a reality in the coming months.

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The new moon in Capricorn is wired to support your drive.

New moons — which happen when the confident sun pairs up with the intuitive moon in the same exact spot in the sky — always present a monthly opportunity to get clear on which new chapter you want to write over the course of the next two weeks (up until the next full moon) and next six months (when the corresponding full moon occurs). This month's new moon has several factors cranking up its intensity: Not only does it fall just one day after New Year's Day, when we're already amped up to take advantage of a clean slate, but it'll be a super moon — meaning la luna will be at the closest possible proximity to Earth — and it falls in hardworking, grounded cardinal earth sign Capricorn, which is one of the most driven, self-motivated signs of the whole zodiac.

This ambitious new moon fits perfectly with our desire to set lofty goals and map out practical game plans to achieve them. Capricorn, symbolized by the Sea Goat, is best known for setting their sights on climbing a particular mountain and then moving toward the peak one steady, calculated step at a time, so that tone is sure to be baked into any intentions you put out there around this lunar event.

A trine to Uranus brings electrifying but grounded epiphanies.

The main aspect of this Capricorn new moon is a positive trine to game-changer Uranus, which is the master planet of shake-ups, rebellion, and ingenuity. When it's in a harmonious aspect to the moon, as it will be this time around, it can spur thrilling, eye-opening, emotional breakthroughs — all of which should be welcome and positive.

And thanks to the fact that Uranus is moving through fellow, sensible earth sign Taurus, the realizations you could have around this new moon should be rooted in pragmatism. Approaches and endgames that are unrealistic won't be as appealing as those that are practical.

But Venus retrograde is still a factor for relationships.

Because the main aspect of this new moon is the trine to Uranus in Taurus, which is ruled by Venus, here's your reminder that the planet of love and romance is still retrograde, moving backward through Capricorn until January 29. Although every planet's retrograde is frequently painted as a total disaster for the area of life it rules, the truth is far more nuanced. Retrogrades are all about turning inward and dealing with the past so that you can ultimately move forward unburdened by it. That said, the wake-up calls and brainstorms you have as a result of the new moon's dance with Uranus could steer your focus toward tackling existing, Venusian issues aka those in relationships, creative projects, and moneymaking.

And again, because Capricorn is so goal-oriented and industrious, the overall vibe of this Venus retrograde — and new moon — is that you can achieve whatever your heart desires as long as you're willing to put in the work.

Last year's ongoing Saturn-Uranus square is still in play too.

Capricorn's ruler, Saturn — which oversees limitations, boundaries, and commitment — is basically the commander-in-chief of this new moon, and at the time of the event, it'll still be fairly close to the square it formed to Uranus on December 24. In other words, 2021's battle between the status quo and big, sweeping change isn't quite out of our rearview vision just yet. In a personal context, this could mean that you're still in the process of figuring out whether you want to stick to what you know or take a chance on something new. But if you do opt to go the latter route, it won't necessarily be easy — but, in this powerful moment, you'll have plenty of industrious Capricorn energy on your side.

Here, how this Capricorn new moon will affect you, based on your sign. (Pro-tip: Be sure to read both your sun and your rising sign, if you know it. If you don't, you can find it on your natal chart or via this CafeAstrology calculator.)

Aries (March 21-April 19)

With the new moon lighting up your tenth house of career, now's the time to envision — and ideally, get the ball rolling on — switching up long-term professional goals.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

The new moon is in your ninth house of adventure, inspiring you to be more open to change. You may even be ready to take a leap of faith to satiate your appetite for something different from your usual grind.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Because the new moon falls in your eighth house of emotional bonds and sexual intimacy, you'll be thinking about different ways of opening yourself up to a transformative bond — and possibly even tackling financial challenges with a partner or friend.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Thanks to the new moon falling in your seventh house of partnership, you'll be feeling confident and excited about kicking off a thrilling new chapter with your S.O., dear friend, or a colleague.

Leo (July 23-August 22)

The new moon will be in your sixth house of daily routine and wellness, which means opening yourself up to tackling your regular schedule — and perhaps also workout plan — in an inventive way.

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

With the new moon falling in your fifth house of romance and self-expression, you could be inspired to pour your emotions into a creative project — and step up your fun-loving, flirtatious communication with someone special.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

With this new moon highlighting your fourth house of home life, your closest relationships, roots, and security will be a main focus. You could be preparing for a move or working alongside a loved one to create a new, future-bolstering financial plan.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

With the new moon falling in your third house of communication, big, game-changing conversations — potentially with a partner, romantic or platonic — will be on your mind. It's time to speak your truth.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

With the new moon falling in your second house of income, you'll be inspired to bring your skills to the table in a different way on the job in order to feel more centered and satisfied on a daily basis.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

With the new moon in your sign, you have all the wind in your sails to kick off that ambitious new chapter you've been mulling over. For the best results, the path you're now on should feel as playful and creative as it does practical.

Aquarius (January 20-February 18)

Falling in your twelfth house of spirituality, this new moon can have you realizing how linked your mental well-being is to your overall success, so consider this a clear runway for tending to old emotional wounds and prioritizing self-care.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

This new moon falls in your eleventh house of networking, motivating you to get involved in a new collaborative project. You have everything it takes to go for it — including a bolstered ability to communicate your most brilliant ideas to others.