Transformation at the Roots: The New Moon in Mula Nakshatra (December 19, 2025)
- Pamela McDonough
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
A message from Pamela ✨
The Moon going dark in Mula nakshatra is a powerful time for endings and release, but it is not ideal for initiating new beginnings. Mula nakshatra's association with Nirṛti, the Goddess destruction means this is a time to clear the ground so that something genuinely new can take root. The ideal time for a releasing ritual is before the Moon begins to wax. With the best times from 11:30AM PT to 5:30PM PT
Occurring just two days before the Winter Solstice and within the darkest, most liminal hours for those in the Northern Hemisphere, the timing of this dark phase of the Moon is Nirṛti's ally .At this threshold between lunar phases, seasons and calendar years, transformation becomes
inevitable rather than optional.
Keep looking up! ✨
Pamela
Lunar Lowdown: Tranformation at the Roots
New Moon Snapshot: Your Lunar Coordinates
Date & Time: Friday, December 19, 2025 — 5:43 PM PST · 6:43 PM MST · 7:43 PM CST · 8:43 PM EST (01:43 UTC on Dec 20)
Sign & Degree: 04°11′ sidereal Sagittarius
Nakshatra: Mula — The Foundation Star
Shakti: The Power to Destroy
Deity: Nirṛti — Goddess of Destruction
Ruling Planet(s): Ketu (nakshatra), Jupiter (rāśi)
Key Aspects: Conjunct Mars, Opposition from retrograde Jupiter, 10th Aspect from Saturn, Square from Neptune
Major Planetary Influences to the New Moon
Fiery Mars in Sagittarius, aligned closely with the Sun and new Moon, demands decisive yet righteous actions. That said, Saturn and Neptune in Pisces form a cross-current to the Mars heat, encouraging you toward slowness, methodical work, spiritual seeking, and transcendence. This is one of the core tensions of the new Moon. Mars wants to take action now, Saturn insists you do the work properly and slowly, even though it will take longer than you would like.
Retrograde Jupiter in Gemini adds another dimension to the Mars–Saturn conflict. Expansion, confidence and righteousness are emphasized through Jupiter's opposition to the New Moon. But Saturn remains unmoved by Jupiter's influence, demanding accountability and steady, bite-sized chunks of work. There are no shortcuts around this new Moon. Just the deliberate dismantling of what's hollow so something more concrete can take its place.
All of these planetary interactions may feel like watching the tide wash away a sandcastle. Saturn demands you build a lot higher up on the beach next time. What once appeared solid may now be temporary as Neptune attempts to dissolve everything it touches. The Saturn–Neptune conjunction in Pisces is quite rare and will intensify through early February. (For deeper exploration, see my Saturn–Neptune in Pisces series here.)
Mula Nakshatra: Going to the Root
Since the new Moon lands in Goddess Nirṛti's territory, and she not-so-gently invites us to examine what must be released. Fiery Mars is also conjunct the Moon and your immediate instinct may be swift and surgical. Be aware though, Neptune's idealistic influence can cloud the picture. This is an ideal time to get very clear about what actually needs to be removed, literally or metaphorically, although it is not an easy task with Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and Neptune in the mix. The warning stands: don't discard something valuable in your zeal to eliminate what doesn't serve.
Nirṛti is relentless in her work to break apart what has calcified within us. The roots as symbol of this nakshatra speaks to where transformation begins: deep beneath the surface, in the soil of our souls.
Where our oldest patterns have taken root and our invisible world takes shape. Some of these roots anchor us and must be honored. Others strangle growth and must be excavated. The work is discernment: knowing which is which.
In order to grow, we sometimes must pull up some roots, but at the same time, remain grounded. This is the paradox of Mula nakshatra.
Trees are only able to reach toward the heavens if its roots are established and firmly anchored into the earth. This new Moon asks you to do both: go deep into the soil to exhume what's rotting or dead, while tending fiercely to what sustains you. Nirṛti dismantles old structures, creating the empty space required for truth and renewal to emerge and encourage new growth.
Uprooting Illusion and Finding Inner Wisdom
The Galactic Center and the connection to cosmic consciousness is within Mula nakshatra. Mula nakshatra is not only the cosmic root, but also the spiritual root. The fierce energy that demands we sever ties with illusion to access a deeper truth that is insistent on radical honesty. Uprooting what is false so that genuine wisdom and eternal power can emerge.
Ascendant Advisory: Sagittarius New Moon Influence for your Rising Sign
To experience the most accurate insights, use your Vedic rising sign rather than your Sun sign. Haven't discovered your Vedic rising sign yet? Calculate your free Vedic Birth Chart to unlock these powerful New and Full Moon guides.
Here’s how the New Moon may unfold for each rising sign. Please remember that your individual birth chart will add a lot of nuance to your New Moon experience! Note: If you are in the planetary period (Vimshottari Dasha) or sub-periods of Moon or Ketu, this Full Moon will hold even greater significance for you!
♈ Aries Rising
This New Moon in Mula goes straight to the root of your beliefs, your faith, and the stories you’ve relied on previously to find meaning in life. Something about your philosophy, a teacher, a guiding principle, or maybe even a promise you once made could be ready to be released now. Allow certainty to gently transform into a new truth, and let your journey unfold naturally without feeling the need to justify it.
♉ Taurus Rising
This New Moon in Mula lands in your 8th house, where the universe asks for some serious untangling related to shared finances, debts, taxes, inheritances, or any financial arrangement that may quietly siphon off your peace of mind. This also works on the emotional side of the 8th house that relate to obligations, unspoken bargains, and energetic cords that keep you tied to situations that may have run their course. The release is simple, but it may not be easy. Name what you’re still paying for, and begin the process of ending the attachment at the root.
♊ Gemini Rising
Relationships are your mirror under the New Moon in Mula. Can you identify personal patterns in your negotiations, compromises, or how you keep the peace at your own expense? This is a powerful time to release outdated relationship agreements or interpersonal dynamics in business partnerships. It is time to return to unvarnished truth with less conflict, and more honesty.
♋ Cancer Rising
It is time to examine the roots of your day to day routines and work since the New Moon lighting up your 6th house. Consider your habits, daily work patterns, health routines, and the potential for resentment to build when you’re overextended and are ready for a reset. Allow something inefficient to end. Maybe it’s a long term obligation, or one draining system, or an “I’ll just deal with it later” pattern that’s stealing your vitality.
♌ Leo Rising
Creativity and self-expression come under pressure from the destructive force of Nriti during this New Moon. Be prepared to release perfectionism, self-censorship, or even end a creative project that feels more like a burden than an innovative spark of brilliance. Fierce honesty about what you want to express and what you’re ready to stop performing is the call for December’s New Moon.
♍ Virgo Rising
Home and inner foundation work takes priority–you may feel inspired to clear physical clutter in your living space, shift a family dynamic, or let go of an emotional script that was written long ago that no longer feels like it belongs to you. Make space for peace in your inner rooms so that a solid sense of safety can take the place of the roots that were excavated.
♎ Libra Rising
Your mind and your voice are deep within the terrain of Nirṛti now, with your 3rd house new Moon activation. Old communication habits, anxious narratives, and any compulsion toward information consumption may be ready to be uprooted. Ues straightforward language with a clear purpose for release. Speak directly, break cycles of overthinking, and gather courage through small yet decisive actions. Baby steps!
♏ Scorpio Rising
Money, personal values, and self-worth are being purified under this New Moon in Mula, emphasizing 2nd house matters. A leak may reveal itself: whether it is a spending habit, a scarcity script, or loyalty to your family of origin that may undermine your self-worth. Release whatever destabilizes your personal or financial resources so that your words and actions can reflect your genuine intention.
♐ Sagittarius Rising
This lunation hits the metaphorical front door of your birth chart, with the New Moon in the first house. This can create an uprooting at the very self identity-level: a former persona, role, or position you may have been holding onto for security, approval or acceptance. Identify and released what no longer fits. The more honest you are about who you are becoming, the cleaner the rebirth cycle will be.
♑ Capricorn Rising
A major cycle of endings is activated as the New Moon in Mula occurs in your 12th house. This is the basement of the psyche where sleep, grief, spiritual fatigue, and invisible attachments live. Clearing work done just before the New Moon is best done in silence, whether it is through rest, retreat, ritual, or meditation. Excavate and release one habit that obstructs clarity, allowing your inner sanctuary to rebuild.
♒ Aquarius Rising
It is time to take a close look at your social and business networks–both online and in person. Where do your casual friendships, business connections, or financial goals feel transactional, performative, or misaligned with who you’re becoming? Release the social weight and make room for allies and ambitions rooted in personal truth rather than external validation.
♓ Pisces Rising
This New Moon in Mula is shaking up your 10th house, the all-important and most visible piece of the sky that is all about career and reputation. Are you starting to notice empty ambitions or promises made that you can’t keep are tough to ignore now? If some of your former career goals just don’t feel right anymore, it might be time to drop those stories and pick new commitments that you will want to grow and establish deeper , more stable roots.