Aquarius New Moon– 2023

By Tracy Cook

Where should my focus be during this next 29-day cycle? 

When we draft a chart for the new moon, we get a sense of the energy that will be up for processing for the next 29 days.  

Okay what is this cycle about?   Circle up.  Find your weird and put it on your sleeve.  The world needs it.  

Aquarius New Moon 

1 Aquarius 53 

January 21, 2023

12:53pm PST 

Welcome to Aquarius.   Aquarius is the final air sign of the zodiac and therefore its identity is wrapped up with mental constructs.   The two earlier air signs, Gemini, and Libra were focused on our ability to communicate and form partnerships.   By the time we get to Aquarius we are focused on how we connect to others through groups.   We find those who have a shared interest.  From sewing circles, to video gaming, car clubs to civil war re-enactors, hiking groups to politics—Aquarius understands the power and joy of being with others sharing a common goal.  However, Aquarius is not interested in a blind obedience instead it knows that the power of the group is when everyone brings their unique voice.    In Aquarius we find what makes us different.   Aquarius knows we have a gift in us that is unique but instead of taking that uniqueness and running off and hiding in the woods, Aquarius asks us to bring it to the group and share it.    

Aquarius is not prone to sentimentality and perhaps can come off a bit chilly.  But Aquarius ability to share its own unique style, vision and voice and then coax others to find their own ‘different’ is a gift.  The generosity of “I see your weird and its great” is also arguably a very tender act.  

During the 29-day Aquarius lunar month we exercise our ability to engage with friends, circles, and community while also celebrating what makes us tick different from others.  It is a conundrum but perfectly Aquarius.  

On the chart of the new moon, the sun and moon are in conjunction with Pluto.   These aspects are providing a powerful drill bit to this Aquarius 29-day lunar cycle.  Pluto encourages depth.  For the last fourteen years we have had a few new moons on top of Pluto in Capricorn.  However, this is different since this is an Aquarius new moon and Pluto is NOT in Aquarius; it is at the bitter end of Capricorn at 28 degrees and the new moon is at 1 degree of Aquarius.  

This conjunction is remarkable because in March, Pluto will move into Aquarius ushering in a major cycle not experienced since 1778-1798.    Starting in March, the whole world will be getting their Aquarius on.  This new moon could be acting as an ambassador to our future.   During this 29-day cycle there may be stories that telegraph where the world is heading when Pluto ingresses into Aquarius.   The last time Pluto was in Aquarius, the United States ratified the constitution, and the French had a revolution.   Societal changes were great as Pluto in Aquarius was a planetary driver for the Industrial Revolution.  Modernization of technology like the Cotton Gin (invented in 1794) and steam engines replicating around the world were instrumental shifting the world from agrarian society to urban society.  The Industrial Revolution influenced every aspect of daily life.    Pluto may send some messages in this 29-day cycle that will be part of where we are heading for the next twenty years.   

On a personal level, Pluto’s influence on the new moon chart may just have us seeing power in our groups in a new way.   We may see our own evolution by the company we keep or the groups that inspire us.   Something new is in the offing.  Take this 29-day cycle to see what wires get tripped in us.   It may speak to our own future.  

Everyone’s Direct  Jan 22 – April 21 

Because at the end of the day, The Universe has a wild sense of humor, the day after the New Moon in Aquarius launches, Aquarius ruling planet, Uranus, will station direct.  Emphasizing again, "Get your Aquarius flowing."  Once Uranus turns direct all the planets will be in a forward motion for three months.   We do not always have such a nice long window of planetary forward movement.   Each planet has its own activities and bailiwick, and they will all be puttering away with no distraction as they move along the zodiac.   It could be subtle, but we may feel there is progress happening around us.   There will be some big bold movement as we indicated when Pluto moves into Aquarius in March and Saturn moves into Pisces also in March, then there will be two Aries New Moons which both put the emphasis on launching new activities and we will have one eclipse, all before the next retrograde (Mercury April 21).     Movement is afoot.   Are you picking up on the theme of change?  

Uranus station Direct 

January 22, 2023

2:58pm PST 

14 Taurus 56

May 7, 22: Uranus enter shadow 

Aug 24,22: Uranus station retrograde (18 Taurus 56) 

Jan 21,23, Uranus station direct (14 Taurus 56) 

May 9, 23,   Uranus exit shadow 

Aug 23, 23  - Next retrograde 23 Taurus 05

For the last couple of years there has been tension between Saturn in Aquarius and Uranus in Taurus.  In 2021 Saturn squared Uranus three times and in 2022 the two planets retrograded close enough to bring back the 2021 tension.   The beef was between holding on to the status quo (Saturn) and jettisoning everything to go new or even rogue (Uranus).    Now with Uranus stationing direct he is free of Saturn who turned direct last September and has moved on down the zodiac road getting out of the tension zone with Uranus.    What Uranus looks like without stern taskmaster Saturn on his ass will be interesting to watch.   

Uranus of course at 14/15 degrees, is in the middle of Taurus a sign it really does not enjoy, and the feeling is mutual since Taurus does not enjoy Uranus.    In the last round of Uranus in Taurus in the 1930s, fascism was on the rise and taking other people’s land and stuff appeared to be a priority.   Extreme weather brought famine and when dirt from Nebraska put DC in a dusty cloud, the media and the Federal Government realized we had a problem.  The cause of the Dust Bowl was mismanaged farming practices in the plains for a generation.  Smarter practices were needed, ah, Uranus never too subtle.   Uranus in charge of new technology helped the radio explode in popularity.  More and more people heard world events in real time in their homes now with the radio.     In our current landscape, look no further than our extreme snow weather events and an airline flight mismanagements  (Uranus rules flight) to wreak havoc on tens of thousands of travelers.   Then of course there is the human equivalent of a walking Dust Bowl – Elon Musk doing whatever it is he is doing to Twitter.   Good luck on that one, EM.    So, a lot has been going on while Uranus was retrograde.   Now that it turns direct, we will be revisiting some of the themes that came up since August 24,2023.   For people who have planets between 14-18 degrees Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius you may be feeling your own need to revolutionize some part of your life.  

The next retrograde will be in August of 2023.   

In conclusion, with Aquarius, our brain is focused on the company we keep.   It is our friendships and our groups.     The average person will spend a voluminous amount of time, energy and resources on family, love life, partners, and career.    Those are major components to being a human.  However, just as important are our friendships and our community.  Aquarius reminds us being a part of a community stimulates the brain and the heart.  In the community everyone brings their own uniqueness.     Find yours.  Find groups that inspire you.   Reach out to new circles.   Even if you only do it for 29 days, give it a shot, it might open you up to whole new experience and your weirdness may be someone else’s weirdness.   Viva La Weird!  

The 8 phases

Aquarius New Moon 

1 Aquarius 53 

January 21, 2023

12:53pm PST 

New moon: Plant seeds, make calls, activate, start projects.   Activate something that will ideally lead you to more.  This is the phase where INTENT is critical.  Even if the results are not immediate, the intent is there.  You may not have all the answers or road map, but you should put out your Intent.

This focus:     Where are your groups?  Who is your community?  What is unique about you?   How are you bringing your unique ideas, vision, approach to others?    How are you celebrating your weird?  

Special note:

1/22:  Venus conjunct Saturn.  Serious about humanity.  Serious about love and money and how to help others.  

1/22: Uranus station direct (see above) 

Crescent Moon Phase

January 24, 2023

6:54am PST 

Crescent:  We will receive information, we will research a bit more, perhaps get feedback on stuff that we planted on new.  Perhaps get some information that will help down the road on a seed we planted a while ago.  We can collect some data now.  Even if you think you are not getting information, stop, and re-look at everything.  Who called you?  Even the silliest things when they come up during Crescent are note worthy.  A parking ticket.  An argument with a spouse?  A refund check from the phone company?  All of it needs to be considered a message from the universe.  How can this information help you?

Focus on: What are you learning about compassion?  How can you make changes but still tap kindness?  How can you be sensitive to others while you mix it up with the world? 

Special Focus

1/24: Sun sextile Jupiter.  Small doors open through friends that provide opportunities. 

1/26:  Venus enters Pisces 

First Quarter Moon 

January 28, 2023 

First quarter: We do more actions based on the information that we just received. Or we feel our instincts guide us on something.  We pursue again.  We make another call, or we see someone. We mail something.  We stir the pot again.  This can be a time when we realize that the goals, we planted on new need more action from us, perhaps actions that involve breaking away.   Are there people who say they have our best interest in heart but fear us growing away from them?  Maybe we need to get help from others not the usual suspects.  Some independence may need to be exerted. 

Focus on:  What actions are you taking that support your abilities to be part of a group?  Concrete actions.   What are you building up bit by bit that supports community or your like minded cohorts?  

Special Note

1/29: Mercury trine Uranus.  Unusual thoughts provide unusual benefits.  Communication that seems totally random can provide new opportunities. 

Gibbous Moon

Feb 1, 2023 

7:07am PST    

Gibbous:

We refine our information.  We pick and choose, we discriminate, and we organize to be ‘Virgo’ like.  We sort through details.  Have we missed something?  How are we sifting through the information?  Go back and make sure something hasn’t been neglected.  Refine our actions.  

Focus on:  How are you refining your communication?  How are you being wise with your words?   How can your words benefit your group?   How can your language speak to the value of community as defined by you?  

Special focus

2/3:  Sun square Uranus.  Accent on needing freedom.  Wiggle room. Space to be an individual important.  

2/4: Venus square Mars.   Energy to get out there and do something may need to be measured.  Or a feeling of being held back may need action to break free. 

February 5, 2023

Full Moon

10:28 am PST  

16 Leo 41 

Full Moon:  We make the needed adjustments on the things we planted. Usually, emotions are up and running and for those people who perhaps did not utilize the new moon and the rest of the waxing moon, this is when emotions can get the better of us.  There can often be a big emotional break, for no other reason than to get back on track.   Some partnership will offer up some balance.  The moon is bright and full and there is no room for shadows, what is reflecting on you?  

Focus on:   Putting ourselves out there in some public manner.    Playing to an audience.    Needing to break out of ruts (Uranus square).   If we are feeling locked down by other people’s perception of us, we may feel the need to rebel.   Dig deep find a creative reservoir to address any bumps. A flair for the dramatic might have a place.  

Special focus 

2/6: Mercury sextile Neptune.  Gentle thoughts, sensitivity is highlighted.   The vulnerable are on our mind.  

2/7: Venus sextile Uranus.  Creativity, joy, money, values, love get a boost in some weird, odd, out of the blue manner.  

Disseminating

Feb 9, 2023      

9:07pm PST    

Disseminating: Share information; find a teacher or someone who has more knowledge. Perhaps there was a big ol’ blow out on the full and one feels in need of support and help, this is the phase to reach out to one who knows more. This is when we find a rabbi or a minister or therapist who gives us more insight.   And of course, you too may be ready to teach and share your own information.  

Focus on:   What knowledge about relationships are you sharing with others?  How are you sharing your ability to find balance?   How are you sharing your skills with negotiating?  How can all this benefit groups?  

Special focus:

2/10: Mercury conjunction Pluto.  This is a once-a-year aspect. Intense thoughts and communication.  Great day to go deep on anything that needs research.  

2/11: Mercury enters Aquarius 

Last Quarter Moon Phase

February 13, 2023

8:00am

Last Quarter moon:  Now we do the final adjustments to the seeds we planted on new. The final call, the final letters to send, we follow all the trails that came up that still make sense.  And we let the other parts lay fallow. It is a time of action but wise action.  It is a time for living “The serenity prayer” 

God, grant me the Serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change Courage to change the
things I can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference.

Focus on:

How are you taking actions that tap a deep reservoir of power?  What actions can you take that use co-mingled funds or resources?  How would you benefit by letting something die so you can take a new action stimulating growth?  How does this all support your community as defined by you? 

Special focus 

2/15: Venus conjunct Neptune.  Sweet gentle, a bit unworldly patina to the day.   Love and values get a boost and focus on humanity is highlighted  

2/16:  Sun conjunction Saturn.   What does your group or community need?  What can you bring to your friendships that is practical?  How are you responsible to others? 

Balsamic Moon Phase

February 16, 2023 

6:33pm 

Balsamic:   We let go.  By releasing we can prepare for the new.  

Focus on:  How are you releasing ambition?   How are you releasing pretense?  How are you releasing fake?  How are you releasing work addiction? 

Special focus:

2/17: Mercury sextile Jupiter.  Joyful thoughts, humor, great for writing.  

2/18:  Sun enters Pisces 

2/19:  Venus sextile Pluto.  Joy through depth.  Tunnel down on values bring surprises.    

Pisces New Moon Feb19, 2023 11:05pm PST