The New Moon takes place at 03.26am BST, 3 degrees 24′ Taurus.
The New Moon is conjunct Uranus and square Saturn in Aquarius. Whilst both aspects are influential, the subtle distinction is that the New Moon is applying to Uranus and separating from Saturn. Certainly frustration (Uranus) is increasing with the current restrictions (Saturn).
Of note is that this New Moon could also seed important future threads – in 2021 we have three exact squares between Saturn and Uranus on February 17th, June 14th and December 24th.
Venus ruler of the New Moon is in Gemini. Venus entered her pre-retrograde shadow phase on April 9th – she turns retrograde on May 13th – and is out-of-bounds from April 3rd to June 3rd. Venus is indicating that seeking and evaluating information and ideas (Gemini) around how we interact with each other, Mother Earth, and handle financial matters is likely to lead to far-reaching, perhaps radical (out-of-bounds) adjustments.
The Covid-19 pandemic has bought the necessity for social distancing, along with massive financial implications, and whilst we may wish for a return to normal, the past – that is not going to happen. Venus retrograde brings an appraisal of our changing circumstances, the need to acclimatise to considering how we socialise, work, in what way the pandemic has possibly altered our desires and values, where we find support and seek pleasure.
Lockdowns have enforced solitude on us, given us time and limited distractions, allowing space to contemplate aspects of life and ourselves that in the past we may have been unaware of or ignored.
The handling of the pandemic by governments, businessses and high-profile individuals has all come under scrutiny – especially on social media – leading to enhanced knowledge and new perspectives arising around how the world is run. Along with amended priorities – our health, the preciousness of key workers, our connection to and dependence on the Earth, Mother Nature, as well as fears – the sudden financial instability of those who were previously comfortable, has opened awareness to the financial struggle many were facing prior to this crisis. Along with, when everything starts to re-open, how apprehensive are we going to be being in a crowd, sending our children to school, going to work?
Everything has changed – collectively we are all processing the sudden, shattered, shocking state of affairs, and wondering how the future will unfold? how do we proceed from here?
The New Moon is conjunct Uranus and square Saturn – currently everything is on hold but simultaneously up in the air, we cannot return to the past (Saturn) but equally nor are we in the future (Uranus), we are in between. Saturn is rules and order, Uranus is change and the need for liberty – the New Moon is all about seeking and defining new ways of attaining material support, security and comfort (Taurus).
Without a doubt, this energy is disconcerting, jangling, challenging and difficult – whilst so much has been swept away swiftly, envisioning, planning and building the future is going to involve a far longer timespan. Change has occurred, but the process of transformation has only just begun. Whilst Uranus is pushing for action, innovation, the future, Saturn wants to be cautious, make sure we have learnt from the past. This energy will carry on into 2021 with the three exact squares between Saturn and Uranus.
Notably Pluto turns retrograde on April 25th, followed by Saturn on May 11th, Venus on May 13th and Jupiter on May 14th. A huge amount of retrograde energy – the alignment of the Jupiter-Saturn-Pluto influence put in motion the Covid-19 crisis, suggesting that as they slow and retrograde we may see a fall in new cases and deaths. The influence of the retrograde energy will pull us inwards, initiate changes and perhaps healing (Pluto) as we seek understanding and meaning (Jupiter) of our individual and collective responsibilities (Saturn).
BUT – with two further Jupiter-Pluto conjunctions to follow on June 30th (with both Jupiter and Pluto retrograde), and November 12th (at 22 degrees Capricorn, the same degree as the Saturn-Pluto conjunction on January 12th) – there is a huge possibility that we will see a second wave, a resurgence of Covid-19. Stay alert and try to avoid any pointless risks.
The current picture is certainly unsettling, as we undergo a massive global transformation. But looking further ahead we have the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction on December 21st, Winter Solstice, at 0 degrees Aquarius – a shift that suggests hope and optimism, solutions being sought that emphasise equality, respect for each other and the Earth. Saturn not only restricts, he can also bring rewards.
This New Moon is asking us to initiate changes, be creative and restructure things – with a request that they be beneficial for all. We all need to flow with these changes – our own and in the world – and try to guide them in the right direction.
Chart
Fixed Stars ~ MESARTHIM & SHERATAN
Mesarthim and Sheratan are located in the left horn of the Ram in the Constellation Aries. Whilst the New Moon is in Taurus, the stars are in Constellation Aries, due to precession.
Precession
The zodiac signs and the constellations are different, separate things. The zodiac is the mathematical division – into the twelve zodiac signs – of the ecliptic, the path the Sun appears to travel in a year. In actuality, the Earth orbits the Sun thus the ecliptic is the Sun’s path as seen from Earth. The constellations are the star groupings around the ecliptic – the visible, constant backdrop to the motion of the Sun, Moon and planets.
Around 2,000 years ago they lined up and were named the same names, but due to the precession of the equinoxes they are now approximately 30 degrees out of alignment.
The signs are associated with the seasons, and are measured from the equinoctial points where the celestial equator and the ecliptic intersect. The equinoxes are the two days in the year when the Sun rises exactly over the equator, and day and night are equal length, but this balance is brief, as then gradually a shift towards either longer or shorter days is put in motion, a change in season. But, the equinoctial points are moving points as the Earth’s axis of rotation is tilted, subtly but ceaselessly altering the angle between the plane of the equator and the plane of the ecliptic. Meaning the Sun does not cross the equator at exactly the same point each year. This motion is tiny from one year to the next, but significant over longer periods of time.
Whilst in the tropical zodiac zero degrees Aries – the starting point of the zodiac and spring – always aligns with the vernal equinox, precession of 1 degree every 72 years means that slowly the vernal equinox point is drifting backwards in relation to the constellations. Essentially, the signs move through the constellations. Over a 26,000 year period, all the zodiac signs move through all the constellations known astrologically as the cosmic “Great Year”
“All the Aries stars have been in the sign Taurus for 200-300 years now. … and in this same period we have seen large-scale aggression change its nature from barbaric raiding and migration of earlier centuries to the building of large empires which had to be administered and kept in peace and order, as well as exploited by their conquerors. This is typical of the sign Taurus and of the planet Saturn.” ~ The Living Stars, Dr Eric Morse
“The stars in the head of Aries possess an influence similar in its effects to that of Mars and Saturn:” ~ Ptolemy
Mesarthim ~ 3 27′ Taurus
Sheratan ~ 4 14′ Taurus
Mesarthim “has been called the First Star in Aries, as at one time nearest the equinoctial point (392 BC)” ~ Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen
Sheratan “causes bodily injuries, unscrupulous defeat, destruction by fire, war or earthquake.” ~ Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E Robson – as well as – “Daredevils and bold, danger is indicated when acting impulsively and in a foolhardy way.” ~ Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin
TAROT ~ 5 OF PENTACLES
The New Moon takes place in the 1st decan of Taurus ruled by Mercury (Venus by triplicity).
Taurus Decan I ~ “There rises a woman with curly hair, who has one son wearing clothing looking like flame, and she is wearing garments of the same sort. This is a face of plowing and working on the land, of sciences, geometry, sowing and building.” ~ Picatrix
In the tarot Taurus is The Hierophant Mercury The Magician – both cards illustrate the eternal connection between the earthly and the spiritual, the essentiality of our plans and efforts being in harmony with both to achieve success. Book T calls this card “Material Trouble.”
The Rider Waite Smith card depicts two bedraggled individuals, traipsing through a snowstorm. They are passing by a stained glass window featuring five pentacles, but fail to notice it.
“It depicts the wounding and spiritual isolation that can occur from overreliance on material Pentacles energy. Look around and come in out of the snow, this card signals loudly. It’s time to change our attitudes, take personal responsibility, and start working toward recovery. There is potential for growth in every crisis.” ~ Spiritual Tarot, Echols, Mueller and Thomson, page 123
New Moon Meaning
The Sun and Moon are conjunct at the start of a new cycle. A New Moon indicates we could be initiating, putting in place changes – either by commencing something new or refreshing, spicing up a habitual routine. It’s a time seeds are sown – new ideas, goals or approaches in life.
Image by Sam Barber on Unsplash
5 of Pentacles from the Aquatic Tarot by Andreas Schroter
Fixed Stars ~ constellation of words.com