2026 Capricorn New Moon at 29° - Efficiency Without Cruelty, Ambition Guided by Heart

Hi and Happy New Year!

If you read my posts regularly and feel like my message has been on a loop, you would be correct. The cosmos has been persistently highlighting Venus and Mars, alongside the Piscean North Node and Virgo South Node—relationship and collaboration versus drive and competition; compassion and oneness versus criticism and analysis. These themes have been unmistakable for months, and for good reason.

As much as I might like to move on, the sky won’t let us—not yet. On January 18th at 2:52 PM EST, the New Moon rises at 28°44' Capricorn, an anaretic degree echoing the urgency we felt under the Sagittarius lunation before it. Once again, we are witnessing the dissolution of what has outlived its usefulness to make room for something new.

This Capricorn New Moon, like the Sag New Moon before it, holds a significant midpoint—once again between Venus and Mars. However, this time additional players are involved. The Capricorn New Moon sits between Venus (1°28') and Pluto (3°16') in Aquarius, and Mercury (26°54') conjunct Mars (26°57') in Capricorn. Time and again, we are being asked to examine how we balance Venusian (feminine) and Martian (masculine) energies as we rebuild—not just conceptually, but practically.

I’ll paraphrase Marc Edmund Jones once again, because it bears repeating.

Marc Edmund Jones described this midpoint as the principle of efficiency: the ability to accomplish what must be done without sacrificing pleasure, connection, or humanity.

Efficiency without cruelty.
Ambition without domination.
Progress guided by heart.

This is the higher calling of this New Moon.

The Sun illuminates purposeful action aligned with our vitality, identity, and values, while the Moon insists that emotional awareness be included in the process. Together, they pose familiar—but increasingly unavoidable—questions:

How can we pursue progress without losing our humanity?
How can relationships enhance our goals rather than compete with them?
How can clarity and direction coexist with compassion?
How do we remain effective without defaulting to force?

Here, however, the similarities with the Sagittarius lunation begin to diverge.

This Capricorn New Moon finds itself in the middle of a dual tag-team dynamic. Venus stands allied with Pluto in one corner, while Mercury has joined forces with Mars in the other. It’s a classic Lucha Libre match—two Rudos teams, with the Sun and Moon positioned center-ring between them.

Venus and Pluto confront us with love versus power.
Mercury and Mars challenge us with the weaponization of words.

The invitation is not to choose sides, but to consciously integrate these forces. The Sun and Moon are asking us to provide the universe with the right mixture of these elements—much like cement, water, sand, and aggregate are blended to form a stable foundation. This is a co-creative process. We reap what we sow.

Pluto / Venus Rudos Team

When Venus and Pluto aspect one another, relationships become serious business. This energy can be wielded in profoundly different ways depending on consciousness and self-awareness. Do we lean toward love, connection, and what unites us (Venus)? Or do we seek control, dominance, and focus on what divides us (Pluto)?

When expressed consciously, this alignment magnifies magnetism. It enhances our ability to captivate emotionally and physically, drawing people and experiences toward us with intensity and purpose. It often coincides with karmic relationships—especially for those with planets at the end of Capricorn. These connections may become enduring bonds, or they may arrive as life-altering lessons. Often, they are both.

When expressed unconsciously, however, Venus conjunct Pluto can expose deep insecurities and a lack of self-worth. In these cases, relationships may become breeding grounds for jealousy, manipulation, betrayal, or abuse. Power struggles intensify, and destructive dynamics can take root. This aspect also raises concerns around self-harm or victimization. If these themes emerge for you or someone you love, support and intervention are essential.

Mercury / Mars Rudos Team

Mercury conjunct Mars produces a quick mind and a razor-sharp tongue—the weaponization of words. At its best, this aspect grants decisiveness, courage, and the ability to act swiftly under pressure. It favors debate, advocacy, and clear, enthusiastic self-expression. Strategically applied, it can rally allies and inspire action.

At its worst, this same energy erupts as impulsive speech, arguments, and hostility. Without awareness, communication becomes combative rather than constructive.

The key to navigating this aspect is moderating Mars’ aggressive impulse. Tone matters. Timing matters. Even when you’re certain you’re right, allowing others space to speak can prevent unnecessary escalation.

A simple pause can be transformative. Ask yourself: Am I encountering hostility because my energy is being mirrored back to me? This isn’t about backing down—it’s about choosing which battles are worth the cost.

Blow a kiss, or fire a gun? As DJ Snake, Major Lazer, and MØ remind us in Lean On—the choice is always ours.

Sagittarius New Moon vs. Capricorn New Moon: Neptune

Unlike the Sagittarius New Moon, which was challenged by Neptune and Saturn in Pisces, this Capricorn New Moon is supported by them. Neptune’s square to the Sag lunation dissolved illusions and exposed tensions between spiritual ideals and belief systems, asking us to translate philosophy into lived truth.

Here, Neptune in Pisces works harmoniously with the Capricorn New Moon, enhancing emotional connection, empathy, and authenticity. It supports artistic expression, healing work, spiritual service, and compassionate leadership. How much empathy we integrate into the structures we build will become increasingly clear as Neptune prepares to leave Pisces for Aries on January 26th.

Sagittarius New Moon vs. Capricorn New Moon: Saturn

Under the Sagittarius lunation, Saturn demanded proof. It highlighted the gap between aspiration and execution, asking whether our visions were supported by viable structures.

The Capricorn New Moon speaks Saturn’s language. Earthy, disciplined, and purposeful, it receives Saturn’s steady backing. This lunation supports sustainable growth, long-term planning, and responsible leadership. As Saturn moves into Aries on February 13th, the stability of the foundations laid now—and the wisdom behind them—will become evident.

Sagittarius New Moon vs. Capricorn New Moon: Uranus

Where the Sagittarius New Moon formed an awkward angle to Uranus in Taurus, this Capricorn lunation flows easily with it. Uranus continues to offer breakthroughs and innovation, now in ways that feel usable and constructive.

Under this New Moon, Uranus supports authentic change, practical reinvention, and unexpected opportunities that align freedom with security and responsibility. What this evolution looks like will become clearer as Uranus prepares to leave Taurus for Gemini on April 25th.

In Closing…

This Capricorn New Moon reminds us that balance is not an abstract ideal—it is built through conscious choice. The tension between love and power, thought and action, compassion and ambition is not meant to divide us, but to refine us.

Saturn offers structure.
Neptune offers empathy.
Uranus offers the courage to evolve.

Together, they help stabilize what once felt polarizing. What remains is our responsibility to decide how we will use these energies—whether we build with care or fracture under force.

Set intentions rooted in integrity. Build slowly and deliberately. Lead with strength that does not abandon kindness.

New Moon Blessings,
Brenda

Read the Sky. Embrace the Shift. Walk in Soul Alignment.