NEW MOON IN CAPRICORN || WEDNESDAY 29 JANUARY || 10.35PM AEST (BRISBANE) // LUNAR NEW YEAR OF THE WOOD SNAKE // VENUS GATE CROWN CHAKRA
- Leila McKail
- Jan 29, 2025
- 4 min read
The January New Moon occurs in the wise, patient and disciplined sign of the Sea-Goat Capricorn and marks the Lunar New Year of the Wood Snake. With the dawning of the crescent moon in a day or two, the Venus gateway will be activated at the crown chakra. With all of these aspects, this new moon is steeped in mysticism, wisdom, intuition, and a deep sophistication only available to those who have journeyed far and long and have the wisdom of their embodied experience to show for it.
In greek mythology the sea-goat shows up in two stories - the story of Pricus and the story of the god Pan.
Pricus, an immortal sea-goat created by the Titan Cronus, was the father of a special race of sea-goats that could live both in water and on land. However, when his children moved onto land, they lost their intelligence and became ordinary goats. Heartbroken, Pricus repeatedly turned back time to keep them in the sea, but they always returned to land. Realising he couldn’t change fate, he accepted his loneliness and asked Cronus to let him die. Instead, Cronus placed him in the stars as the Capricorn constellation, where he could watch over his children forever. This myth reflects Capricorn’s wisdom, perseverance, and acceptance of destiny.
When the monstrous Typhon attacked the gods, Pan tried to escape by jumping into the Nile River. In his panic, he attempted to turn into a fish, but only his lower half transformed, leaving him with the head of a goat and the tail of a fish. After Typhon was defeated, Zeus honored Pan by placing his unique form in the stars as the Capricorn constellation. This myth symbolises Capricorn’s dual nature—practical and ambitious like a goat, yet deeply intuitive and emotional like a fish.
Then we have the overarching Wood Snake Lunar New Year. Wood is masterful, structured, and diligent. The Snake is characterised by wisdom, intuition, and sophistication, making it insightful and perceptive. Snakes possess a deep knowledge of the world around them, often relying on their intuition to navigate complex situations with grace and finesse. They are attracted to intelligence and adaptability.
With the Venus gate activation at the crown chakra we are all being given an opportunity right now to deeply drop into the high spirituality of your life, the ancient codes you carry and the qualities of wisdom harnessed by the lifetimes of journeys you have taken and the lessons you embody. Under the guidance of the most wise and mystical guides - the sea-goat and the wood snake.
Make sure you check out your 13 Moons New Moon in Capricorn & Year of the Wood Snake Ritual
Are you new to the Chinese Zodiac and understanding the Lunar New Year?
The Chinese Zodiac is based on a 12-year cycle, with each year associated with a specific animal sign. This system incorporates elements from traditional Chinese philosophy, including Yin and Yang and the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water), to provide astrological interpretations.
In the sacred dance of time, the cosmic wheel turns in a cycle of twelve, each year cradled by the spirit of an animal guide. The Chinese Zodiac weaves together the wisdom of Yin and Yang and the sacred flow of the Five Elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—each a breath of the Great Mystery, moving through seasons, directions, colors, and the rhythms of life.
Long ago, when the heavens and earth whispered their secrets, the Jade Emperor, guardian of the celestial realms, sought to bring harmony to time. He called forth the creatures of the world, inviting them to a great river crossing, a sacred journey to determine their place in the cosmic cycle.
The Rat, small but wise, rode upon the broad back of the gentle Ox, leaping forth at the last moment to claim the first place. The Ox, steady and strong, followed in second. The Tiger, fierce and determined, battled the currents and emerged third. The Rabbit, swift and light, danced upon stones and was carried by the wind of fate, landing fourth. The mighty Dragon, keeper of storms and breath of the sky, could have soared ahead but chose kindness, pausing to summon rain for the land and lending the Rabbit a guiding breeze—thus, it arrived in fifth.
As the Horse galloped toward the shore, the hidden Snake uncoiled, slipping ahead to claim the sixth place, leaving the startled Horse in seventh. The Goat, the Monkey, and the Rooster, knowing that unity is the way of the wise, journeyed together upon a raft, arriving in harmony as eighth, ninth, and tenth. The Dog, playful and free-spirited, lingered in the joy of the water, arriving in eleventh. And last came the Pig, unhurried, nourished by feasting and rest, taking the twelfth and final place in the celestial dance.
Each being moved with its own rhythm, revealing the sacred gifts they carry—wisdom, endurance, courage, grace, kindness, and the power of trust. And so, the cycle was born, a sacred reflection of the many ways the soul walks its journey through time.
The qualities of each animal are determined by how they behaved in the race
Rat Intelligent, resourceful, quick-witted, adaptable, and charming.
Ox Hardworking, dependable, patient, strong, and determined.
Tiger Courageous, confident, enthusiastic, competitive, and bold.
Rabbit Gentle, kind, sociable, cautious, and creative.
Dragon Charismatic, noble, ambitious, selfless, and powerful.
Snake Wise, intuitive, calm, mysterious, and resourceful.
Horse Energetic, independent, loyal, ambitious, and free-spirited.
Goat Peaceful, empathetic, artistic, gentle, and cooperative.
Monkey Clever, curious, playful, versatile, and sociable.
Rooster Confident, punctual, observant, bold, and responsible.
Dog Loyal, honest, kind, fair-minded, and protective.
Pig Generous, easygoing, diligent, optimistic, and warm-hearted.
Calculating the Lunar New Year
Metal: Year ending in 0 or 1
Water: Year ending in 2 or 3
Wood: Year ending in 4 or 5
Fire: Year ending in 6 or 7
Earth: Year ending in 8 or 9
Qualities of the elements
Metal tends to be sharp, decisive, and always seeking clarity. Water is intuitive, creative, and emotional. Wood is masterful, structured, and diligent. Fire is enthusiastic, colorful, and restless. And Earth is nurturing, reliable, and grounding.
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