Pairing Up with the Aries New Moon

Dear Friend and Reader:

Early on Friday the Sun and Moon conjoin in Aries for the Aries New Moon. This is occurring right at the midpoint of the sign, in a rather interesting chart. The sky right now features a strong mix of Aries and Pisces; and while that often occurs at the very beginning of this season, the mix is feeling especially striking to me this year.

I chalk that up partly to the fact that the Mercury-Neptune conjunction is still going strong, its influence seemingly all the more potent due to its level of exactness when Mercury stationed direct a week ago.

Photo by Amanda Painter.

Related to that, for the last week I've been repeatedly confronted by a mix of my intuition being right on some things, and other thoughts and feelings -- sometimes related to the same topic -- being completely wrong. Heightened awareness of energetic, emotional or spiritual boundaries, particularly when I'm starting to overstep them, has been another prominent theme for me.

What has your week been like? Your personal experience of the energy may vary considerably, yet Mercury-Neptune is the background against which tomorrow's New Moon occurs, so it's worth considering. I sometimes think of the Aries New Moon as kind of the 'other shoe' to the equinox. It's a 'restart button' for a shorter-term cycle (lunar rather than seasonal) that invokes, concentrates and then releases into the same energy of newness, growth and initiative.

Yet what caught my eye about this New Moon chart is that the Sun-Moon and Mercury-Neptune conjunctions are only two of four conjunctions in effect right now across Pisces and Aries. There's also Venus conjunct the centaur planet Nessus in Pisces, and Vesta conjunct the centaur Chiron in Aries.

Taking a broad view, this mix of spiritually sensitive and imaginative energy with the fiery get-up-and-go of Aries could be a potent combination for getting some things done. What might those things be? Healing of past hurts and growth processes is one possibility, given the centaur presence. They are reliable markers for such, and for addressing ancestral material as it relates to that.

Simplified chart section for the Aries New Moon, showing four conjunctions in Pisces and Aries. From top: Nessus, Venus, Neptune, Mercury, Vesta, Chiron, Sun, Moon. View full chart here.

I could also see this combination as speaking of the process of bringing vision out of the clouds and into contact with vital life-force energy -- whether that be through creativity, sex, or any other form of enacted agency. As in, the kind of thing that creates you as you are creating it. Any time we commit energy to tangible actions, we not only have an effect on our environment, but on our perception of who we are; in the case of activity that, say, introduces or builds a skill, we're literally changing who we are ever so slightly.

Speaking a little more specifically about Venus-Nessus, there's a suggestion here to be on the lookout for possible conflation between how you're feeling (and what you're sensing from others) now, and the echoes of any past hurts or boundary issues. In the same way that a Mercury-Sun conjunction can describe a blind spot in one's perception, I suspect Venus conjunct Nessus might function similarly -- particularly in the realm of emotions and psychic sensitivity.

With so much Pisces energy still in the sky, it could be easy to lose sight of the fact that true empathy means feeling the actual emotions of another, not assuming that what you're picking up on through indirect channels is correct. In other words, you have to ask the other person what's going on for them to know for sure how they feel. Don't be afraid to give yourself that kind of reality check.

Photo by Amanda Painter.

With Vesta conjunct Chiron in Aries, notice whether you're feeling an impulse to initiate a new step in your healing process -- or some form of learning or teaching.

Yesterday's Written in the Planets lists some possible themes for this aspect: who you are when you're of service to others; the ways you can hold space for others to figure out who they are, simply by being who you are; teaching (particularly by doing); your own sexual healing (and healing of sexual identity); what it feels like to give yourself space and permission to be who you are, no matter how different; beginning a new role or new process; tending to your inner creative and/or sexual flame (especially in ways that have previously felt injured); what truly serves your personal development and healing.

Tomorrow's Aries New Moon is also making some aspects to several minor objects: a trine to Ceres in Sagittarius; a close square to the triple conjunction of Persephone, Orius and Hylonome in Capricorn; and an exact opposition to Iris in Libra. (There are a few other objects just a couple degrees off.) While I have not quite been able to parse all of that out, it is clear there's some support from Ceres (possibly in the form of some kind of mentorship, or perspective-broadening 'soul food').

The Capricorn cluster is offering a little friction you can perhaps push against, as you embark on a new phase of something after the New Moon. Iris, who in mythology was the messenger between the gods and humans (often appearing as a rainbow), suggests to me messages that may feel divinely guided but which come to you through a relationship you have with a fellow mortal.

That might also relate to a synchronicity I just noticed: tomorrow's Aries New Moon is exactly square the Capricorn New Moon and partial solar eclipse we experienced on Jan. 5 (they're only 8 arc minutes apart in their respective signs, in the same degree). As you engage with the Pisces visioning energy and hitch it to some Aries thrust, consider how what you're doing now relates to the clearing, intention-setting, constructing and initiating you were involved with three months ago. Can you see any continuation, development or sense of integration? If not, the review might help to spur some ideas of what to do next to get that ball rolling.

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter
A Martian Meditation? By Amanda Painter

New Moons are often times of inner reflection, low energy and re-centering. Yet Aries is known for its fire and fight. What's a good way to combine the two energies -- especially with so much planetary influence still in soft, watery Pisces?

You might want to try listening to F*ck That: An Honest Meditation. 

Created by Jason Headly, this two-and-a-half minute video of gently lapping waves is accompanied by his calm, measured voice guiding the listener to let go of intrusive thoughts -- and to say, "Fuck that" (probably with a good laugh) to whatever's distracting you, pissing you off, or otherwise getting you down. There you go: New Moon meditation, gentle Piscean waves and some no-bullshit forthrightness Mars himself would be proud of -- all with a healthy dose of laughter medicine. Enjoy. Planet Waves FM: Wall-to-Wall Astrology

Dear Friend and Reader:

This week's edition of Planet Waves FM is all astrology, top to bottom, focusing on the conjunction of Mercury and Neptune, and expanding from there. Every time I look at these charts from a new angle, I'm seeing something I've never seen before.

The music is all Vision Quest -- about five new pieces that you haven't heard.

Listen to the program -- or download -- here.

Planet Waves FM is part of the Pacifica Radio Network. We are supported by your contributions to our nonprofit organization, Chiron Return, Inc. Thank you for your monthly and one-time donations, which are tax-deductible for residents of the U.S.

With love,

Monthly Horoscopes and Publishing Schedule Notes

Your extended monthly horoscope for April was published on Thursday, March 28. We published your extended monthly horoscopes for March on Thursday, Feb. 21. Please note: we normally publish the extended monthly horoscope after the Sun has entered a new sign.

Aries (March 20-April 19) -- If you're wishing to make a fresh start on any facet of your life, a New Moon in your sign is always useful in some way to that end; though this particular conjunction may be significantly more so. The act of making a beginning, and of getting yourself out of any situation where you feel stuck, will require you to take the initiative. Once you do, though, the metaphorical wind should be at your back. Count yourself in, and try to envisage what you want without placing limits on your potential reach.

Get your full Aries INTELLIGENCE reading by Eric here.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) -- Profound healing may be open to you at present, especially relating to longstanding patterns of self-judgment or self-suppression. You are on a path to a place where you can be fearlessly unique; this means addressing every challenge to your doing so as it arises, and probably digging deep to tackle some sensitive material. The sense of liberation you are likely to feel at the end of this endeavor should make every effort worthwhile. Make accepting yourself in your true identity a conscious intention.

Get your full Taurus INTELLIGENCE reading by Eric here.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) -- You may well be able to have some fresh experiences in your social life in the coming days. This could come in the form of simply meeting new friends; you might also decide to revisit certain activities you enjoyed in former days. Taking advantage of whatever opportunities occur may require you to loosen up a little, particularly in regard to work commitments. You are perhaps overestimating the importance of remaining tied to your duties; don't forget to treat your need for relaxation and fun as equally significant.

Get your full Gemini INTELLIGENCE reading by Eric here.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Continue your journey of growth into the character of leadership, which as you know by now is significantly different from merely possessing a formal title with accompanying perks. A good leader teaches by example, demonstrating the qualities they would see awaken in others. Encouragement and judicious praise also go a long way. Should all this be developing in parallel with possible career advancements, take care to select positions and duties that coincide with your ethical principles.

Get your full Cancer INTELLIGENCE reading by Eric here.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) -- The New Moon in your fellow fire sign Aries could well prove an excellent one in terms of opportunities for your spiritual development and/or making contact with your higher self. It's as if the fence we often place between ourselves and the Divine, in the workaday world at least, is no longer a barrier for you, unless you actively reinforce it. This might appear somewhat discomfiting, though that can be part of the nature of growth, and keeping an open mind almost always has beneficial results. Listen and see what comes through.

Get your full Leo INTELLIGENCE reading by Eric here.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) -- "Know thyself," the famed inscription over the door of the Eleusinian temple, is perhaps especially pertinent for you this week. Specifically, knowing yourself as apart from others might be more precise. With effort, you could very well reach a turning point in understanding the truth of you as an individual in your full power, independent of other people's influences and of your own desires regarding them. Set your aspirations high; in theory, there is very little that is not within your power to attain.

Get your full Virgo INTELLIGENCE reading by Eric here.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) -- Take extra care over the boundaries between yourself and loved ones, mainly in your mind and feelings. Projecting desired or undesired qualities onto a significant other may be a serious temptation over the forthcoming week, the more so if something important to you might be at stake. Check in with your emotional state frequently, and be thorough in analyzing your motives. It would probably be worthwhile to avoid quarrels as much as you can for the time being. Focus instead on living for yourself.

Get your full Libra INTELLIGENCE reading by Eric here.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) -- When you were a child, did you have certain dreams about what you wanted to do and become? This week you may find you have the chance to revisit some of those ideas, and perhaps figure a way to realize them in your present life, or in the near future. The key to this is likely to be a change in your daily processes; probably in making some time for yourself to act. Keeping the spirit of those early bright ideas close by will surely go a long way toward helping you. Wherever you rekindle your passion, stoke the flames.

Get your full Scorpio INTELLIGENCE reading by Eric here.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) -- Give your inspiration free rein as the New Moon kicks off a firestorm of creative potential. Whether or not you think of yourself as an artist, if you feel called to attempt something in that line, try to embrace that mission without allowing any fears of mistakes or of what others might think to deter you. Remember that practice and hard work are almost always the main ingredient in success; you don't need an obvious innate talent. In any case, you have every right to pursue your desires.

Get your full Sagittarius INTELLIGENCE reading by Eric here.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) -- Be a good friend to your inner child, and let yourself out to play. Do things you enjoy, and be with people around whom you can relax. Try to view everything around you with that sense of wonder so many of us seem to discard once we grow older. It's highly fashionable to play it cool just now. Be warm instead, and keep your heart open. You need to stretch your wings and then take them on a good few test flights; to grow into all the space you can reasonably take up, and allow no one to shrink you down again.

Get your full Capricorn INTELLIGENCE reading by Eric here.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- New information you receive this week may require you to revisit something you thought you understood fully: an assumption you might have made or a conclusion drawn based on where the facts seemed to point. Try to consider the matter as a chance to learn and improve, rather than anything to be troubled about. It's rare indeed for one person to grasp the whole picture on any one subject; our perspectives are by nature incomplete, yet to form interpretations is a normal and necessary part of human experience.

Get your full Aquarius INTELLIGENCE reading by Eric here.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Cherish the refinement of your mind, and let the values you hold paramount seep through into your daily thoughts and movements. For you, there is no satisfaction in yielding to inertia, or in merely passive benevolence. You are not content to rest on laurels, imagined or real; you feel the importance of pursuing excellence, of practicing discernment, and of striving for an ever better understanding of the world. These are sterling qualities, and this is a great time to cultivate their full power.

Get your full Pisces INTELLIGENCE reading by Eric here.