The first New Moon in the first sign of the Zodiac occurs on April 5 at 15°17’ Aries. The symbolic merging of masculine (Sun) and feminine (Moon) energies in Aries will energize our course setting for the new astrological year that commenced when the Sun entered Aries at the Equinox. New Moons are times to set intentions. In Aries, the focus is on new beginnings. Questions we could ask include “What do I want to create?” and “What is needed to burst forth into a new way of being?” Aries represents the archetypal initial stage of individual development and is the pure force of self-determination. This is a time to tune into how it feels simply to exist and know that “I matter.” The more we remain present to what is and keep our fears at bay, the more it will sink in. All of us have the Arian power to become who we are meant to be and cast forth our seeds of creation for the sheer joy of being able to do so. For those who understand this movement, the next stage of the Aries challenge is to learn to adapt the tendency for recklessness to ensure one’s creations will endure for the benefit of all.
Inherent obstacles in the New Moon chart are represented by its square to a close Saturn/Pluto conjunction in Capricorn, with the intensity building as the Sun moves into its exact square with Saturn on April 10 and Pluto on April 13. Saturn represents the principle of integrity, structure and discipline. It can seem restrictive when it triggers situations that force us to accept our natural limitations in life but it also correlates to high achievement when we learn to work with this great teacher of managing the earth life. The Pluto archetype symbolizes the force that demands we be fully present in every moment in order to experience the truth of our life. It’s powerful ‘all or nothing’ nature can seem controlling in the hands of ego, yet transformative when focused on our psychic depths.
The Sun/Moon square Saturn/Pluto in initiating cardinal signs could trigger reactive behavior that results in harsh restrictions or the self-righteous abuse of power, either directed outwards or internalized in a self-punishing way. When we align with the spirit of integrity we can express this alignment at a higher level and with effort use its force to pare down to the essentials of what we need. Out with the frivolous, in with the purposeful and creative. When we move in this direction, we have the potential to arrive at the core power of self, the essence of being, which can then lead to a consolidation of power and determined effort to get things done. Further amplifying the energies of this alignment, the New Moon squares the sensitive 15° Capricorn degree point of the Solar Eclipse of January 5, which was conjunct Saturn and Pluto. This indicates a situation arising at the time of the eclipse is now reaching a peak moment that requires decisive action. If we think about what was transpiring in January, we can get an idea of how this might be playing out for us personally.
Another layer of archetypal energy unfolding during this period has the potential to infuse our state of mind with a sense of optimism and abundant opportunity: Jupiter in Sagittarius stations retrograde on April 10 at 24°21’. When a planet is stationary from the point of view of the earth its archetypal force is intensified. In the case of Jupiter in the sign it rules, this can correlate to an increased love of adventure, philosophy, learning or teaching. We may be inspired to put down our books and expand our knowledge through direct experience, which is the Jupiter in Sagittarius way of gaining true wisdom. Jupiter will be retrograde through August 11, when it will turn direct at 14°30’ Sagittarius. It first crossed this degree on January 14, shortly after the January eclipse, which reveals a synchronicity between the two cycles. Whatever reverberations from that time we experience now may bring opportunities to expand our understanding of life or discover new meaning in it. The Jupiter retrograde period is a time to turn our love of adventure inward and be open to new questions that may be arising within.
The adventure of consciousness is about exploring unknown fields of existence and making the unconscious conscious. The pioneering astrologer and “Seed Man” Dane Rudhyar (an Aries who boldly went where no astrologer had gone before) taught us that astrology can be an extraordinary guide in helping us delve deep into our own psychology to clarify, i.e. make more conscious and objectively real, the unconscious part of ourselves so we can discover the law of our being (Jupiter rules the law). Rudhyar considers the natal chart as a blue print of the structure of our individuality – our potential selfhood, which is a seed that must be attended to in order to grow.
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