In the Pacific Time Zone, the New Moon will occur at 9:12 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19. This New Moon finds the Moon and Sun conjunct (0°) at 29°50’ of Aries. To further clarify how this New Moon will impact you on a personal level, locate 29°50’ of Aries in your birth/natal chart. The issues associated with that house are going to be most influenced by this New Moon’s presence. (NOTE: Click here to learn how to find the transiting Moon in your chart.)
New Moons always provide us with an opportunity for a new emotional start in the areas associated with the sign. This time, we are focused on Aries. The higher expression of this sign includes being independent, initiating, enthusiastic, assertive, direct, energetic, confident, fun-loving, and innocent. The lower expression can include being competitive, impulsive, and even aggressive.
Aries is the sign of the ram. We have all seen rams who make a running start at something to . . . well . . . ram it with their head. This type of straightforward, powerful energy can accomplish a great deal; however, we need to be fully cognizant that this can be a very headstrong energy (excuse the pun).
This New Moon in Aries is unusually powerful for several reasons:
- This New Moon is located at 29⁰50’ of Aries. The 29th degree of any sign is referred to as the anaretic degree, which is the last degree before moving into a new sign. Whenever any planet is located at this degree, it signals the end of a cycle. We often feel a strong (sometimes urgent) push to make any final changes related to qualities of this sign and the planet(s) located at that degree. With this New Moon, that means we have both the Sun and Moon in this position.
- This New Moon is also a total solar eclipse, which means the Sun’s energy will be entirely blocked out by the Moon. (NOTE: Although it impacts everyone equally, this eclipse will be visible in parts of the United States, Mexico, and many countries in Central and South America.) Any eclipse magnifies whatever is happening astrologically. Solar eclipses typically help us see things more clearly and assist us in making important and necessary decisions that lead to new beginnings. (NOTE: Click here to read my blog post about eclipses.)
- The Sun and Moon are both conjunct (0⁰) Jupiter, which is also located in Aries. Jupiter is the planet of expansion. It magnifies whatever it comes in contact with, so it’s increasing the power of this New Moon substantially. The good news is that Jupiter is often described as the “happy planet,” and it typically provides an increased sense of hope and a belief that “anything is possible.” Although these are wonderful feelings, they can sometimes cause us to go too far and/or overestimate our capabilities or the capabilities of others.
- Additionally, the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter are all squaring (90⁰) Pluto, with the Sun and Moon in exact squares (i.e., orbs of 0⁰ 20’). Squares always mean that there is tension between the astral bodies, and something needs to change in order to relieve the tension. This makes Pluto a very important planet at the time of the New Moon, which I will discuss next.
Understanding this New Moon and the solar eclipse requires exploring the impact of Pluto:
- Although small in size, Pluto is actually all about how we use power. A healthy use of power is needed to be productive, make changes, and get things done. However, power used inappropriately (e.g., force, manipulation, coercion) can be incredibly damaging. These squares indicate the increased chance of power struggles, suspiciousness, and/or jealousy. When combined with the headstrong energy of Aries and the potential magnification due to the influence of expansive Jupiter, we all need to be consciously aware of how we are using our personal power. If used effectively, we can accomplish a great deal. However, we do need to be careful not to go too far.
- Pluto is also associated with transformation and eliminating whatever is no longer serving us. A lot of healing energy is available to us, and this may be tapped into by cleaning out any clutter, such as closets, the garage, filing systems, thought systems, etc. Just one little warning: When doing any purging, we should stay connected with our bodies and our intuition. If we feel any hesitation about letting something go, then we might want to put it aside and reevaluate our decision in a few days. It’s probably fine to toss or donate the item; however, due to Jupiter’s sometimes unbridled optimism and all of the Aries energy, there is a chance that we may act impulsively. Trust your gut and revisit it in a few days.
- Pluto will continue to be very active in our lives during the remainder of 2023 and into 2024. It has a strong tendency to uncover secrets, and I think we can all agree that there has been a number of powerful stories in the news about information being revealed. Keep in mind that around the time of the New Moon, there is a chance that we will have a stronger-than-usual reaction to whatever is revealed. This could occur in relation to something in our personal lives or in news. This increased emotionality could have a positive or negative impact. For example, if we have been postponing making a decision, Pluto and the impact of the solar eclipse could suddenly help us to see things clearly. The decision suddenly becomes very clear and easy. Although painful, we may be ready to make the touch choice to move forward without that person, situation, belief system, etc. However, if we feel ourselves reacting strongly to something, it may helpful to take a step back, breathe, and think through the decision for at least a few days before taking concrete action. Aries can be very impulsive at times, and Jupiter can magnify that effect.
With the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter all conjunct (0⁰) in the sign of Aries, we will definitely be feeling energized. In fact, many of us may be feeling like we have consumed a few too many cups of coffee. Mars, the planet of action, adds to this feeling by being located in Cancer. Aries and Cancer are both cardinal signs, so that means we have 4 out of 10 planets in cardinal signs at the time of the New Moon.
Cardinal energy wants to act . . . and it wants to act now! We will have a lot of energy, and we may feel a strong need to begin something new. This is definitely a time to be active and use this wonderful energy in productive ways. Don’t sit still. We need to get the energy out. Move. Exercise. Start a project, or we may want to re-visit a project we put aside and now want to finish. Go for it! Also, because we have so much strong Aries energy swirling around us, this is an especially good time to do something that requires an added dose of courage and self-confidence.
One idea: It may help to tap into Mars (action), which will be located in Cancer until May 21. Mars in Cancer encourages us to use our energy to care for, support, and nurture ourselves and others. This could be one way to focus all the energy that we need to express around the time of the New Moon. However, we need to be careful. Mars, Aries, and cardinal signs all bring strong energy; and when combined with the intensity of this Aries New Moon, solar eclipse, and strong influence of both Jupiter and Pluto, we could end up forcing our assistance on someone (or on a group of people) when our help might actually be detrimental. Another way this energy could manifest in a negative way is if we give so much of our energy to others that we end up hurting ourselves. It’s probably a good idea to begin by assessing if we are in in the right place to give to others. If not, then we should use the Mars in Cancer energy to nurture and soothe ourselves.
About 3 hours after the New Moon, the Sun moves into grounded Taurus on Thursday, April 20. Normally, this grounded energy would help us slow down all this powerful, action-focused energy and assess things more realistically. However, the Sun is just about to reach its exact square (90⁰) to Pluto (a few hours after the Sun moves into Taurus). Consequently, the positive impact of the Sun in Taurus may take a few days to manifest. Eventually though, the Taurean influence will slow down the pace of our lives and allow us time to catch our breath. The energy will become more methodical, careful, and determined. However, it is important to remember that Taurus can be resistant to change, especially if a specific movement feels like it might undermine our foundation or sense of security. It will be helpful to tap into the patience provided by the sign of the bull. Slow and steady will win this race.
Another important astrological event is occurring this week. Mercury will begin its next retrograde phase beginning on Friday, April 21, which will continue through May 14. Mercury is currently moving through Taurus, which means our thinking has been practical and down-to-earth. While in retrograde, we are given a chance to go inward and review the areas of life associated with sign. Taurus has to do with our bodies, possessions, and what we find pleasurable in life. This may be a time when we have some powerful insights about these topics, especially for those with any natal planets in Taurus. (NOTE: Click here to read my blog post about retrogrades.) Even though Taurus is in an earth sign, the time around April 21 could be a bit emotional. Taurus prefers to deal with one thing at a time, so the fast-paced energy of the Aries New Moon may leave us feeling overwhelmed. This will be especially true if we are pushed to think quickly or make decisions before we have had time to process all the ramifications. Remember, we usually have the right to slow things down, if needed.
Then on Monday, May 1, Pluto joins Mercury in retrograde. During the early part of 2023, we had all 10 planets moving direct. But Mercury and Pluto will begin a summertime retrograde party. Any planet becomes more powerful around the time that it changes direction. With Pluto, the time around May 1 will likely bring a very strong push toward transformation, healing, and making sure that we are using our power appropriately. If there is anything that we have resisted changing in the past few months, it is likely that the issue will be front and center in our awareness. After the initial change in direction, the impact of Pluto will become less intense. It is a slow-moving planet and will, therefore, be in retrograde until mid-October. The next few months will see us thinking internally about the changes made over the past few months, and we will also begin contemplating what transformational shifts we want to make once Pluto goes direct in October.
Overall, this Aries New Moon is an incredibly dynamic and highly energized astrological event. Because it is also a total solar eclipse, the initial impact may be powerful, but the implications will likely play out between now and the next eclipse season that occurs in six months. The time around the New Moon is a strange blend of endings and beginnings. Both will likely be happening. We should use the courage of the Aries energy, the optimism of Jupiter, and the push of transformation from Pluto to courageously face any endings and initiate new things. But it is clear that we need to leave behind whatever is no longer relevant and to confidently move forward and make needed changes in our lives. This is a very powerful, courageous, and innovative time.
Just one final note: Without going into the astrological indicators, I want to acknowledge that many of us are feeling a very unsettled energy right now. Unfortunately, this is likely to continue for the remainder of 2023 and into 2024. Many are feeling a sense of evolutionary changes happening in our lives, in our communities, in our institutions, and in the world around us. Especially for those who are sensitive to energy, this can leave us feeling jittery and even apprehensive. If this resonates, remember to acknowledge these feelings. They will only become more powerful if we deny or suppress them. This is a time when we need to use our spiritual skills to release any feelings of victimization and embrace the fact that we usually have power (Pluto!) to change most aspects of lives. We need to look for what we have control over and put our energy there. And then, we are well advised to let go of the rest and trust in Divine Order and Divine Timing.
WRITTEN BY
- Anne Reith, Ph.D.©
THIS NEW MOON
New Moon at 29°50’ of Aries
- Wednesday, April 19, 2023, 9:12 p.m. PDT
- Thursday, April 20, 2023, 12:12 a.m. EDT
- Thursday, April 20, 2023, 4:12 a.m. GMT
IMPACT OF ANY MOON EVENT
- All New Moons and Full Moons influence us for the 3 days before, the day of, and 3 days after the actual event.
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By Anne Reith, Ph.D.