New Moon in Aries 4*17*26
If you follow any astrology at all, you have likely been hearing about this New Moon. Just before 8 am (EDT) the Sun and Moon met at 27 degrees of Aries, joining Neptune (2 degrees), Mercury (3 degrees), Mars (5 degrees), Saturn (7 degrees) and Chiron (26 degrees). As has been noted, never in recorded time have there been this many planets in Aries at the same time. This energy is enhanced by the lack of any planet in retrograde motion.
Aries is the first sign of the zodiac. It represents initiation energy - that first awareness of being a separate entity; an individual, distinct and unique from all others. Aries is spirit starting out in its human experience. It takes the wisdom and understanding synthesized in Pisces and from this vantage, starts a new exploration of the world with a fresh perspective.
Aries is the cardinal fire sign. Like all cardinal signs, it focuses on taking action, getting things started. Fire signs are motivated by ideals. Things like truth, justice, valor, honor, and love are not words or even concepts for Aries. They are the foundation of everything Aries energy does. Aries is known for being direct, optimistic, courageous, loyal, and confident. Aries energy can also be aggressive, inconsiderate, impulsive, and argumentative.
All planets are specific energies. As they move through a sign, their energy expresses according to the parameters of the the sign. All of the planets currently in Aries are expressing themselves through the Aries lens.
Neptune is bringing the energy of spirituality, compassion, and creativity in an Aries way. Neptune's tendency to go with the flow is meeting some resistance in Aries. Much of the illusions that Neptune brings are burned away in Aries fire. For the next 14 years (the length of Neptune's transit through Aries) we will be challenged to define our dream for ourselves in terms of our individual purpose and expression.
Mercury is the way we communicate and process information. In Aries, we tend to speak up more; we take our ideas seriously and are more willing to advocate for ourselves. We may find ourselves having conversations that we have previously avoided because we are called to be honest and assertive. Of course, a shadow expression of this is impulsively blurting out something without stopping to think about how it will land or who might be collateral damage. Mercury will be in Aries until early May.
Mars is Aries ruler. In its home sign it is at full power. Mars is physical action, especially taken to achieve one's desires. It is also how we express passion and anger. Mars in Aries wants what it wants and it wants it now. It can be so focused and driven that it ignores the potential effects on others. Aries energy is not naturally mean or inconsiderate, but these can be unintended consequences of Mars in Aries. Mars moves into Taurus in mid-May.
Saturn in Aries is an very uncomfortable placement for the planet of restriction and limits. The last thing Aries wants is to be told no. Saturn in Aries is in the challenging position of acting as the brakes on a fast moving car. Saturn demands forethought, accountability and attention to the practicalities of the situation. None of that is natural to Aries. Still, here we are, learning to apply that Aries forthrightness and action in a more measured way, broadening awareness of consequences of each choice made. Saturn will be in Aries for 2 years, so these lessons will be repeated. Saturn is nothing if not patient. Over the course of the transit we will all learn the importance of moving at a sustainable pace grounded in awareness, as well as the benefits of taking calculated risks.
All of these planets are conjunct right now, meaning their energies are blending and expressing as a unit. On Sunday, Mars and Saturn will be exactly conjunct at 7 degrees of Aries. It's a template for the immovable object (Saturn) being introduced to the irresistible force (Mars). Notice where you are feeling "drag on the line." Are you feeling angry or frustrated? What are you being shown? It's important under this transit to be aware of your default settings - meaning do you use your anger as permission to act out or attack and ignore consequences? What does that say about your relationship to your own power? Can you advocate for yourself without wanting to decimate another? Do you explore your anger and its message or does it hijack your nervous system and provoke an outburst? What practices are effective for you to help settle before you burn down your own house? Do you know how to repair relationships after conflict? Do you take responsibility for the impact of your actions or do you excuse yourself because your emotions got the best of you and you didn't mean to cause harm?
On Monday, Mercury joins Saturn and Mars in an exact triple conjunction. This is the opportunity to practice expressing yourself and your feelings in a new way. It will bring the language that allows you to show up for yourself and your needs without scorching the earth. Be aware though, that this is volatile energy. It's important to maintain boundaries and sidestep any drama that might show up on your doorstep. Remember the power of choice. Will you react or respond? This is a time when a pause will serve you and allow you to be intentional with words and thoughts.
The Sun and Moon are conjunct Chiron here. Chiron is a particular orbiting body known as a centaur. It orbits between Saturn (limits) and Uranus (freedom from limits). Chiron has a 50 year orbit around the Sun, but it is erratic, spending 2-4 years in Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Capricorn; 6-7 years in Aquarius and Taurus; and 8-9 years in Pisces and Aries. It has been in Aries since 2018 and will move into Taurus in July. Chiron was conjunct the New Moon in Aries in 2020, 2022, and 2024. Can you remember what was happening for you in the spring of those years? In some way, you were being shown your tendency to deny or edit yourself in some way.
In Greek mythology, Chiron was a centaur who was a great teacher and healer. One of his students accidentally shot him with a poisoned arrow. Anyone else would have died, but Chiron was immortal, so he could neither heal the wound nor die from it. Instead, he suffered unending pain. He is known as the wounded healer, for he needed to learn to live with his wound. Ultimately, his wound taught him a new level of compassion for the suffering of others. In the end, the gods allowed him to die but honored his insights and teachings by transforming him into stars and placing him in the constellation Sagittarius.
Chiron represents our deepest wound, the one that keeps showing up in various ways. Our particular Chiron wound depends on its placement in our birth chart. When Chiron travels through Aries, it also draws attention to our wound of acceptability as an individual. Chiron in Aries often shows up as being deemed "too much". It can result in shrinking ourselves to be more palatable, trying to not take up too much space, to not be a bother. Chiron in Aries wounds are about being worthy to exist.
Aries spirit is not meant to be small and quiet. It is exuberant, generous, and playful. This is the final New Moon in Aries while Chiron is in Aries. Where might you be ready to gain the wisdom of your wound? Are you ready to own your power in a new way? To step into your fullest expression of your purpose while also showing consideration for the others in your life? To show your courage by honoring your unique point of view while also honoring your community? There is something that is ending under this lunation. It is tied to a version of yourself that got you to this point but it is not how you move forward. It takes courage to make the transition into your next best self, but Aries has loads of courage. This is a great time to evaluate your strengths, your talents, and what brings you joy. What steps can you start taking to create the life you want - one that is rich in purpose and contributes to humanity (Pluto in Aquarius) while also bringing you personal fulfillment?
Aries is a deeply spiritual sign. It is the first embodiment of spirit as a distinct expression. Human life offers the vehicle that allows the spirit to experience itself through the choices it makes and the relationships it forms. Its element, fire, is transformative. It is the nature of fire to transform, to take what is no longer viable and turn it into a resource to nourish something new. What aspects of yourself are asking you to allow the process of transformation? What qualities are you being asked to embody instead? As much as Aries is about doing, it knows that the doing is the demonstration of the qualities the soul is currently exploring. This is the ignition point. It is not reacting to life's circumstances, but deciding who it will be in response to what life offers. What version of yourself are you birthing and rebirthing as you choose what matters and how to best express it?
"Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside dreams; who looks inside awakes." ~ C.G. Jung
