A (Re)Introduction

I’ve been asked, by several people in my life now, if/when I am going to start my New and Full Moon newsletters again. And I’ve hesitated. It is a big commitment, a labor of love that takes a lot of my time and energy when both are pulled in many directions at the moment. But as I began the ritual I share below, I felt called to say yes to it, once again. I miss the way it helps me track time and movements through my months and years and life. I miss the way it helps me keep rooted and connected, to the ground beneath me and the stars above me. So, with this new moon, as we do with new moons, I am beginning again.

I do not know yet what form it will take, or if it will continue. I am toying with ideas like a subscription or community or some other offering. For now, it looks similar to what it was before. A blog, a newsletter, a post on social media. A tip jar at the end to support the offering if you get something from it. A gift, a returning, a community, a circle. I hope you enjoy.

New Moon + Winter Solstice + New Year

One of my favorite things about astrology is its beautiful symmetry, the patterns and the ways they weave in and out, reflect each other, call us back to reminder, remember.

The way each phase of the moon each month reflects the seasons of the year as the earth turns. The spring equinox bursting forth like the first quarter moon, all breathless and action and alive. The fullness of summer solstice, a full moon hanging fat and satiated, celebratory. The third quarter moon like autumn, the release, the falling away. And the winter solstice, a new moon, quiet and dark, like death—but the seeds already breaking open beneath the surface, waiting to be born. The darkest night, before the sun again, begins to grow.

The new moon nearest the Winter Solstice is always one of my favorites, the way they mirror each other, rhyme. Not to mention it’s one of the best times to begin to set our intentions, to plan for the month and year to come, to pull away the fallen brush, to ready the soil. And this year, it also lines up nicely with the Gregorian calendar New Year, falling just the day before New Year’s Eve.

A beautiful time for reflection and ritual.

New Moon in Capricorn December 30 3:26 pm MT

I love this new moon for the new year. Not only is it in the sturdy, reliable, building Cardinal Earth sign of Capricorn, but it is in positive aspect (sextile) to its ruling planet, Saturn. Now, Daddy Saturn loves limits, restrictions, boundaries, which may sound like a bit of a bummer for the new year/season celebrations—but what Saturn truly asks of us is to choose, to prioritize. Every boundary is a fence around what is actually important to you; every limit a door to what you truly want; every no buys you more time for your yes.

So this moon asks us: What is it you really want to create this year?

And not just this year, but with the very few (relatively speaking), quickly passing years that are all we truly have on this planet. Saturn, father of time, knows how quickly it all goes, and he asks you, with this short and precious time you have, what do you want to build; what legacy do you want to leave?

Sure, this can be an overwhelming question—but it can be inspiring as well, if we let it. Saturn just had its square with Jupiter, the planet of expansion, growth, King of the YES, on December 24—and with the Grateful Giant (Jupiter) retrograde and in a position of exile in Gemini, and the emphasis of this new moon on Saturn—what’s being highlighted is the opportunity to prune, to embrace the limits of Saturn, so that, come later in the year (and years), our dreams, our goals, our yeses can grow and thrive.

The creative ritual and writing prompt, then, honor this prerogative of Saturn, along with the impetus of the new moon, the winter solstice, and the new year. A time of planning, of intending, of seeds wriggling beneath the surface to find sustenance and warmth. Of cracking, breaking against their shells, reaching in the darkness, with nothing but faith that in time, they will see the light. A time of readying, for when, someday, they tear through the surface, and stretch for the sun.

Winter Solstice + New Moon in Capricorn Writing Prompt + Ritual—Reflect + Revise

Part 1. Reflect

Let’s look back over 2024 (must we? Yes, I know, but, yes). Focus on your year, not the year in the world.

You can do this part as a freewrite or a list, but my preference is to start with a freewrite and then go into a list.

Sit with and then write with the question: What am I most proud of, and most happy about with the past year?
Now, sit with and write with the question: What or where do I feel the most negative emotions or charge around about the past year? What are the events or patterns, and also, what are the specific (so-called) negative emotions that come up for you.
Make a list of what you want to leave behind in 2024. What is something you don’t want or need to carry into 2025.
Can you narrow that to 1-3 things? Write those on a separate piece of paper.

Part 2. Revise

This is adjusted from an editing exercise I like to use for creative writing. In honor of Saturn, we’re going to do a bit of editing of our year, before it even begins.

Make a list of 10-15 things you’d like to do, feel, experience, become, believe in the New Year.
Now, take a black pen (for Saturn) and cut that list in half. Cross out half of the things on the list, the ones that don’t sing quite as loudly to you.
Now, cut that list in half. (Don’t worry, you can cross it out so that you can still read it if this is hard for you! Crossing it out doesn’t mean you can’t or won’t do it. We’re finding our most electric yes here.)
Now cut that list in half.
Keep cutting, crossing out, until you have only ONE (yes, one) item left.
Write this item on its own, small piece of paper (or a bay leaf, if you have one). This is your 2025.

Part 3. Ritualize

Take the first list of 1-3 things you want to leave in 2024. Burn it in a candle or fire.
Take the paper or leaf with your 2025 dream on it. Bury it in your yard or park or a flower pot if need be. If you have the opportunity, bury it near the base of a tree. A thing that stands through all the seasons, even as it changes. Extra points if you want to bury it just before sunrise, in the dark before the dawn.