by Susan DeRyder | Jan 15, 2026 |
The New Moon arrives at 28°43’ Capricorn this Sunday, January 18, at 11:52am PT /2:52pm ET. This first New Moon of 2026 is a continuation and reminder of the key themes of the past couple of weeks. In fact, when we observe the chart and the angles present, we can see the curriculum has not changed much, only powerfully underlined and highlighted by outer planets coming in to reinforce, deepen and amplify present themes.
We (the collective) are being held in a space that offers no place to hide, no distractions and no chance to dissociate from what must be seen and felt. If you are feeling a lot, you are not alone, we must heed the call to come together, to walk through this underworld passage hand in hand, creating a chain of support and hope that will carry us through. The image that comes to mind is that of a flock of birds, holding the flight together and regularly swapping out who is leading so that each of us gets our turn to hold and to be held in the journey.
The Key Set of Instructions
This New Moon presages some huge planetary shifts in February, namely the Saturn/Neptune conjunction culminating on February 20, and Venus rising from underworld February 17. The key set of instructions between now and then revolves around the famous meeting of Mars, Venus and Mercury in the Underworld on the other side of the Sun.
At the New Moon point, Mars will be at 26°27’ Capricorn and Venus at 1°37’ Aquarius; still so close to the Sun. When Venus is within 10° and Mars within 15° of the Sun we refer to this as the ‘Underworld’ part of their journey. Venus has been there since November 25 2025 and will remain through February 17. Mars has been there since November 13 2025 and will remain there through mid-March. This meeting in the underworld is all part of the bigger Underworld Saga which you can hear more about here.
Venus and Mars have been traveling within 10 degrees of each other since December 18th. A remarkable series of events involving Sun, Venus, Mars and Jupiter between January 6-10 brought the Underworld Saga to a massive crescendo:
* Jan 6 Venus conjunct the Sun
*Jan 7 exact Mars/Venus conjunction within less than 1° of the Sun
*Jan 9 Mars conjunct the Sun
*Jan 9 Jupiter opposite Venus
*Jan 10 Jupiter opposite Sun
*Later on Jan 10 Jupiter opposite Mars
The addition of Jupiter to what already held huge potential for unparalleled transformation of the archetypal Sacred Masculine and Feminine was amplified to the nth degree. One week later, the New Moon carries the memory of this series of celestial events and, as aforementioned, is echoing into the coming lunar cycle. How does this explain the intensity, chaos and insanity that is unfolding in the outer world? Logic and reason do not work here. What we can do is look to our own inner processes during this time and remember the teachings within the reflection of the outer world of the inner landscape of our own being. You have heard it before; As above, so below. As within, so without. Remember, underworld processes are designed to bring the shadow to the surface, out there and in here.
A Collective Experience
While we are likely all feeling this personally in some way, let us not forget that this is a collective experience. Each of us are invited to do the work here, taking responsibility for our personal story in all of this as well as offering up our healing into the whole. This works much like a single cell in an organism. The more of us participating in this healing and transformation, the greater the chance of the whole coming into Healed Wholeness together. Thank you to all beings choosing to be courageous, to participate and to collaborate in this intense process of transformation and renewal.
There Is Work To Be Done
One of the few aspects in this New Moon chart is that of Chiron conjunct Eris square Sun, Moon, Mars, Venus and Mercury. Chiron, the master healer, is here to offer a clear opportunity for the Underworld crew. The square aspect suggests this will not be a passive process. There is work to be done, a need for active collaboration. This includes the deep willingness to go there. We must ask ourselves; “Am I actually willing to go through this transformation?”. If the answer is even a hesitant yes, it is essential to start this process with uncovering any and all blockages around laying ourselves out ‘on the table’ and allow for a big change to occur. Because, as we all know, a big change has to occur and Chiron works best when the way is open, when we are speaking out a resounding “yes!”. Again and again, you don’t have to do this alone either. Ask for help, find support. You don’t have to be fearless, you do have to be courageous.
A Blessing in Disguise
Meanwhile, the addition of Uranus trine Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury is a blessing in disguise. We may hear ‘Uranus’ and immediately assume the worst. For me, Uranus trine offers the gift of the unexpected, the unique, the unusual. Uranus trine sounds like a Samurai sword slicing through illusion, awakening us to a new perspective, a new vision.
It is similar to a single shaft of light shining directly from the heavens deep into the darkest caverns of the Underworld. Pay attention, the signs and signals may come out of leftfield, and those are the ones we could benefit from paying closer attention to. Let us not be confused, overwhelmed or lost in illusion. Let us go quietly, listening to the voice that comes from our higher selves carrying the highest truth.
Onward Into The Coming Lunar Cycle
Following the New Moon point, Venus fast approaches her conjunction with Pluto in the underworld on January 19, a meeting that may bring about surrender if we are not already there, or deeper layers of feeling if we have already let go. This is the last significant event for Venus until she conjuncts with the North Node February 17 which is the same day she rises as an evening star, exiting the underworld and beginning the ascent following death, rebirth and the many deep initiatory processes during her underworld journey.
For me, this lunar cycle, January 18 – February 17, is to be held in utmost reverence and navigated with the most mindful awareness we are capable of. It feels like we have reached the bottom of the well, we are deep in the belly, we are Caterpillar Soup. As we cycle around to the next New Moon things will shift in ways beyond expectation. Now is the time to dream an intentional dream. To sing and pray and vision with such care as we prepare for the biggest shift in energies in a long time.
The coming events of mid-February feel like nothing we have experienced recently.
The February 17 New Moon – an Annular Eclipse no less – also kicks off the Year of Fire Horse in the Chinese Zodiac. ON THE SAME DAY, Venus emerges from the Underworld, initiated and ready to begin harnessing her newfound power. On February 18, Venus conjuncts the Moon for her first ‘Gate’ in her ascending Inanna journey. And on February 20, Saturn and Neptune meet in the sky in their final conjunction – releasing their hold and letting us now is the time to ride on the back of the capacity we have built over the past couple of years.
****************************
TOTAMS strives to continuously bring you high quality content and courses, reflecting the latest developments in the unique Shamanic Astrology Paradigm ™. If you have enjoyed this article, consider leaving a tip!