Jan 18, 2026 at 11:52 am PT is a new Moon in Capricorn. Earth sign Capricorn rules the 10th house of career, finances, and the practicalities of life. The new Moon, Sun, Mercury, and Mars are all in Capricorn creating a powerful lunar month for problem solving, clear communication, maintaining structure, and completion of projects. Consistency and focused work are not seen as burdens, but the way to success.
Fortunately, this new Moon begins the lunar month of the Earth Ox, the gold Ox, adding the ability to steadily accomplish goals. Earth qualities perfectly suit Ox’s temperament: stable, honest, practical, prudent, reliable, and kind. Ox correlates to the Western sign Capricorn. Chinese lunar year always ends with an Ox month to organize your home and workspace in preparation for Lunar New Year. This final month of Snake year is the time to reduce and clear clutter. There’s still one more month to shed your skin!
It’s easier to be innovative and inspired in your methods so obligations do not have to feel like drudgery. The new Moon, Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Pluto all trine Uranus in Taurus. There will be opportunities for new methods and self assertion to make corrective changes without causing problems or upset, and see more clearly what routines can have fewer limitations. Relationships can have a sense of freedom to become renewed and fresh. Even everyday social contacts can become more exciting and constructive.
Staying focused is easier with the new Moon, Sun, Mercury, Mars, and Uranus sextile Saturn in late Pisces. With these five harmonious sextiles there will be opportunities for achievement, and you’ll have the discipline and self control to deal with emotionally complicated issues. You can work slowly and thoroughly so what you build can last. There can be a balance of the old and the new in your life while allowing new interests and activities.
Plus Neptune brings inspiration. The new Moon, Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Uranus sextile Neptune in the final degree of Pisces. With these six harmonious sextiles there is increased concern about the welfare of others, and more sensitivity to the world around you. Emotional understanding is heightened, creative imagination is stimulated, and relationship interactions to get your own way are not as important as sharing goals, or discovering and listening to your quiet voice within. Your world view, ideals, and objectives can be transformed, just in time for Horse year.
Please join me for my annual Lunar New Year talk on Zoom:
2026 YEAR of the FIRE HORSE
Sunday Feb 1, 2026 at 12 pm PT
(3 pm on the East Coast and 8 pm in London)
If you are unable to attend, recordings will be available.
The Year of the Fire Horse begins on the new Moon eclipse Feb 17, 2026 at 4:01 am PT on the 2nd new Moon after Winter Solstice.
Contact me for your astrology forecast for Fire Horse year.
Practical focus and creative completion of projects to prepare for Fire Horse year (when we’re off to the races) are most empowering for Earth signs Capricorn, Taurus, and Virgo and those born in Rat, Ox, Snake, and Phoenix (Rooster) years.
Happy new Moon,
Susan
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