Editor’s Note: Genevieve writes a horoscope designed for your Moon sign for Planet Waves called Moonshine. We’ve just started running them twice per month, for each Full and New Moon. You can read them as part of the Planet Waves premium service that features Eric’s horoscopes and astrology articles. — Amanda
As the Aquarius New Moon arrives at 2:20 am EST on Sunday, we are being brought into a chance to continue healing shadow material — especially regarding denial. It also comes with tough questions that can be quite uncomfortable to address, courtesy of the New Moon’s conjunction to Nessus, a centaur planet that has been very active recently.
Externally, we can see the themes in Egypt: this past week protesters there called for the resignation of the guy they elected last spring to be President, Mohamed Morsi. Egyptians are waking up from their denial about who this guy is and what his agenda entails — the candidate who handed out free bread last year turns out not to be all about freedom and democracy. Egyptians are not alone in receiving a heavy dose of realism.
Prominent in the Aquarius New Moon alignment is an exact square with the Lunar Nodes, which are in Taurus (South Node) and Scorpio (North Node) currently. The South Node is a point on the zodiac that roughly translates to ‘past’, including general tendencies we rely too much on in this lifetime or ‘karma’.
The North Node roughly translates to ‘future’, and gives information about where we are going (if we make the effort) and how to get there. When activated by an aspecting planet, the North Node is accompanied by sensations of pushing into unfamiliar territory.
The Aquarius New Moon’s square with the North Node in Scorpio is at the north bending placement. The term north bending describes the New Moon’s relationship to the North Node — a sort of active dialogue or energetic exchange that translates to external experiences. Mary Plumb wrote in The Mountain Astrologer that this relationship of north bending was “a point where energy comes in; events and experiences will manifest in the outer world.”
Denial or sidestepping the issues or circumstances brought into focus this weekend will not be possible. You may notice the feeling that there is only one way forward.
It takes courage to navigate shadow material; it can seem like the issues are too big or deeply rooted to address and move beyond. No matter how seemingly complex and scary situations are, understand that being honest with all involved and facing uncomfortable situations head-on will help you reach resolution.
A few degrees away from this New Moon is Nessus, hiding in plain sight in the darkness created by this meeting of the Sun and Moon. When darkness descends all around us, our eyes adjust to the lack of light and we can see clearly what was in the shadows.
The main themes for Nessus involve patterns of sexual and emotional abuse and related psychological wounding; potentially inappropriate sexual contact; and the idea that we can resolve and release the karma involved. You have the ability to end any of the negative patterns Nessus represents once you see them for what they are.
With the Aquarius New Moon conjunct Nessus at the point of the north bending, those are the themes that will be manifesting as events and experiences. It looks like direct access to this material — however ‘unmentionable’ it has seemed.
Nessus also describes that moment when abuse is consciously addressed, dealt with and released. Melanie Reinhart coined the phrase “the buck stops here” for Nessus. As we enter this ‘get real’ moment, it’s time to look at what we’ve swept under the carpet.
“The ‘lesson’ of Nessus,” Eric has written, “is to take control by taking responsibility, starting with being aware of the situation you face.” Accountability involves owning our choices and their results — including deciding to do something now about choices we’re not proud of.
If you are uncertain how to end a cycle, try holding a vision that you will no longer propagate the pattern, then take small experimental steps to act, think and feel differently. Make adjustments as you go, and note what you learn.
On a both a global and personal scale, we’ve lived with a lot of denial for a long time. See the work you’re called to do over the New Moon as simply cleaning house — a very cluttered house.
This moment we’re in may feel compressed, distilled to its essence, and with a sense of needing to do the inner housecleaning we’re faced with. Situations will evolve and change quickly; ‘get real’ moments often come with very focused and quick-moving energy. Admitting what is real for us, no matter how upset it makes others, is liberating. At the heart of this New Moon is an opportunity to gain freedom and a genuine sense of self-confidence.
Genevieve Hathaway is an astrologer, Planet Waves contributor and photojournalist. Genevieve is available for astrology readings. You can contact her at genevieve@venusinblue.com.
Hi Genevieve. Thank you for all your words and insight. Your work is very helpful!
aword, your words reminded me of stories from Women who run with wolves, I’ve been thinking lately that this is a good time to re-read it. Much love and light to you for your healing.
thank you Genevieve, I believe I’ve confronted something this evening thats been brewing for 2 weeks actually. I finally made a choice and it came from some painful time alone. I still can’t figure out some parts to this, but I don’t think I have to. It’s okay just to leave it and let it go. I feel ultimately really happy. I have an exact opp sun Scorp and Taurus moon so there’s a lot of energy moving things around. Thank you for some truly helpful writing.
Thank you, Genevieve. I appreciate the continuation and supplementation of the Nessus conversation aka the nodes. With transiting south node exact on natal Nessus – which is also in the home of my natal south node (Taurus 10th house) – this is all profoundly personally pertinent.
Be, thank you so much for mentioning Sedna. Her story rings true/parallel to my own and her transit conj south node on natal Nessus feels like no small coincidence to this little fish who’s father is a fish who’s father’s father is a fish – and for how many layers of generations of Pisces and pattern of family/abuse come down to me in this moment…?
An opportunity for heavy weight – the weight of the sea, perhaps – to be lifted.
Thank you for your insightful contributions here at PW.
Lizzy – you are very welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed this piece and Moonshine!!
Lunesoleil – thank you for the lovely comment. 🙂
Thank you Len! Interestingly, in Egypt right now there are also a lot of protests focused around abuses against female protesters. Fits nicely with the astrology.
Bkoehler – great comments and additional astrology insight!
Genevieve, your words regarding the south node reminded me that not only is the south node (past, karma, habits, etc.) at 21-22 Taurus, but so is transiting Sedna (sea, sea-life). If we are consciously (Sun) starting a new cycle (New Moon) that is adjacent to centaur Nessus (buck stops here, poison, etc.), then quite likely we will hear of some news in the near future regarding the shared (Aquarian) water sources (Sedna) and/or sea life that have been abused or tainted. This would probably be related to industrial or government practices that have been in place for many many years, possibly practices that are beneficial to us as individuals.
Even so, alternate practices are being made available through opportunities the north node provides “if we make the effort”. In the last solar return (birthday) chart for the U.S. and based on the Sibly chart, Juno was at 21 Scorpio, along with Diana, goddess of the hunt and protector of the young. In that chart they were on the cusp of the 12th house of what is not public and what is kept secret. This solar return chart for the U.S. has the same ascendant (12+ Sagittarius) as the original Sibly chart and carries a message to return to the beginning; the roots of the country’s founding. The Moon in the solar return chart conjuncts the Pluto in the natal Sibly chart and Moon represents “the people” or the U.S. citizens in this case.
Pluto represents things hidden too, like the 12th house, but Pluto also represents unquestioned power. This year “the people” confront “the powerful” and begin a new cycle (conjunction). It appears to me that, for the United States, this New Moon in Aquarius, conjunct Nessus and square Sedna will address past practices that have corrupted our water supplies (Nessus square Sedna) that affect all the people (Aquarius). Perhaps this has something to do with the oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico or some other sources we don’t yet know about (12th house, Pluto). In any case, the answer and our only recourse is to follow the north node of the Full Moon chart, along with Juno and Diana in the solar return chart. That Sabian symbol for all three is:
HUNTERS SHOOTING WILD DUCKS The keynote: The socially accepted release of an individual’s or a group’s aggressive instincts. Dane Rudhyar says “in this symbol for Scorpio 22 degrees it is society that willingly accepts – and in accepting, ritualizes and to some extent refines – the aggressiveness inherent in most individuals [or groups].” He calls it “socialization of instincts”.
Perhaps there is a way society can contain these practices that cause irreparable damage to our waters and the life it contains, and which will put us on the high road to returning them to health and abundance. If so, we must do it as a collective as well as individually. Eric says “the lesson of Nessus is to take control by taking responsibility, starting with being aware of the situation you face.” I say “amen” to that.
be
Genevieve: Thank you so very much. Your fresh elucidation of the North Bending truly supports seeing old things anew. Your informed insights on the events in Egypt not only provide a clearer perspective of what is going on there but dovetail nicely into the astrology you are describing. Your piece today is an engaging combination of what is unique to you and what is unique to the current astrology.
Thanks Geneviève for your reflection on Nessus to which I preferred mention Eros with the approach of the holidays lovers on 14 February. I had not yet hooked to the symbolism of Nessus, and for that I had to enter it in an example concrete in my life, something that I have… with Nessus to the square of March in Nessus conjunction in a man who has expressed on several occasions the jealousy. The fact that Nessus was in the squares of the Lunar nodes, I see it as a carrefour but also vehicle catches of consciousness which were very strong when Mars was in Nessus conjunction last week of January… However jealousy was mutual but not necessarily based. Events create this scenery to deliver this message to Nessus as a very distant from egregore haunt the human soul. These are messages from the subconscious that the stars have awakened and we do not really like back on the carpet…
Thanks for your lights in the spotlight of astrology
Good Weekend to all 🙂
Thank you, Genevieve, for this wonderful piece, which describes so well what I’m going through right now and has great advice for dealing with it. “If you are uncertain how to end a cycle, try holding a vision that you will no longer propagate the pattern, then take small experimental steps to act, think and feel differently. Make adjustments as you go, and note what you learn”. Yes.
And thank you for your gorgeous Moonscopes, too.