Aries 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?   It is about YOU.   Seriously, it is all about you.   Who are you?  What do you want?  Where are you going?  You’ve got two Aries New Moons to get it figured out.   You CAN do it! 

Let’s be clear, this is a special Aries season because there are two Aries new moons in 2023.   The last time we had two Aries new moons was 2004.  Before that time was 1928.  The next time is 2053 and that’s it for this century.   Let’s make the most of it this year.   

The dates for the Aries New Moons are the following: 

March 21, 10:23am PDT  0Aries49 --New Moon #1

April 19,    9:12pm PDT  29Aries50- New Moon #2

Aries is the first sign of the zodiac and launches the zodiacal lunar year.   It speaks to new beginnings and the power of “self-driven.”  In Aries we stand up and tell the world, “I am here” and “I’m on my path.”   

The fact that we are getting two Aries 29-day lunar cycles is a confirmation from the universe that it’s time to get our ‘self’ on.   Not that we need to go around and only think about number one.  More to the point, we tap what’s inside us, access our goals and plan our new year’s journey.   Our inner fire, inner strength and inner warrior help us harness our authentic nature.   In the northern hemisphere Aries is associated with spring.   The seed that is planted, breaks through the winterized hard packed dirt, sprouting a green shoot.  The DNA in that seed says, “Go for it”.    In the southern hemisphere, it is the fall season that launches, and in that case the Aries DNA is saying, “Winter is coming but I can handle it”.   With Aries, the fire in the belly is ON.    

For those who have been reading these reports know that Aries is when we make our Treasure Maps.   For more information on Treasure Mapping go 

http://tracyastrosalon.blogspot.com/2023/03/treasure-map-season-is-upon-us-two.html

Because we have two Aries New Moons you can choose from the following suggestions as to when to make your map. 

I hope you will make a map.  Especially, since the Universe is giving your two bites at the Aries Apple. 

In terms of this Aries New Moon and this 29-day lunar month, we have got a lot going on with the chart.    

Sun/Moon square Mars (out of sign) 

Sun/Moon conjunction Mercury 

Sun/Moon conjunction Neptune (out of sign)

Sun/Moon sextile Pluto 

Sun/Moon semi sextile Saturn 

Venus conjunction North Node 

A few days before the New Moon, the Sun squared Mars and a few hours before New Moon the moon squared Mars.   In many ways this feels like a parting shot by Mars.   Mars has been up our butts since last August when it entered Gemini.   Normally Mars is in a sign for six weeks but because of the Mars retrograde in the fall and early winter we have had Mars in Gemini for seven months.   My god we must all be exhausted by it.   Gemini is our thinking, our processing, our communicating, and Mars is the warrior.   It moves into Cancer on March 25 4:45am, so these last two aspects by the sun and the moon are the final acts of this very long Mars period.   This sends a message for the 29-day cycle to be ready to pivot.   Mars in Gemini understands moving on information.  New data comes in, the processor recalculates, and we pivot.  Adapt or die speaks to this long haul we have had with Mars in Gemini.  Adapt in thinking.   Use this lunar month to make any adjustments you need to any of your plans.   We have all learned a lot and this is that final month of putting all our knowledge to work.  

On a similar note, the Sun and Moon are in conjunction with Mercury in Aries.   Mercury is the planet of communication.  In the sign Aries, Mercury has a quick tongue.  It can be impulsive in thought and comments.  For 29 days our thinking and speaking will be fast.   Take care not to rush through anything that needs a cautious tone and temperament.   Take a beat.    Watch those snappy answers to perceived stupid questions.    Hurting people’s feelings can happen if we don’t take a pause.     

On March 15 the Sun formed a conjunction with Neptune.  Then a few hours before the new moon, the moon formed a conjunction with Neptune.  This conjunction provides a patina of gentleness to what would normally be a rough and ready Aries lunar month.   Neptune speaks to our gentler sides and our mystical.  It reminds us that all those people interacting with us as we pursue our goals are also humans.   Humans make mistakes.  Humans are wired in their own unique manner and if they should do, say, or be in some way that bugs us, well, Neptune is a reminder to find the kinder nature.   Forgiveness goes far.  Patience is a virtue that can be hard to tap in Aries cycle but still important to find these 29 days.     Our mystical also will be helpful as we build our Treasure Maps.  

Sun Moon sextile Pluto.  This aspect provides some nice sparks to the 29-day lunar month.   Pluto in the last moments of Capricorn (at least this round) works well with the Sun and Moon.   Normally, Capricorn and Aries are at odds but because of these particular degrees they can find common ground.  Aries is looking out to the future figuring out where it wants to go, and Capricorn is pointing out terrain that might have good possibilities.   There may be some opportunities that at first might seem small but something in you stops and says, “Wait a minute that might be a good thing to pursue.”   There are perks this month. 

The day before the new moon, Venus forms a conjunction with North Node in Taurus.   Venus rules Taurus so when it lines up with a planet in Taurus there is a simpatico exchange of energy.   North node in Taurus is wrapping up its final couple months before an ingress into Aries in July.   These last few planetary aspects with the north node will be sending us off with some final messages.    Taurus knows better than any other sign how to put its head down and do real work.   Like its bovine brethren the ox, it can focus.  It can also use its legendary stubbornness to dig in and take care of even the most complicated task.  Bit by bit.  Taurus understands the saying, “You’ve got the watch, but I’ve got the time.”   Venus crossing over North Node in Taurus is a signal to listen to the heart and do the hard work that love calls.   Venus is values.   What value do we put above other values?  One may have been hanging out there ignored and now with this final Venus conjunction of North Node it gets our attention.    Watch and see what comes up.  See if it calls you to work on something that maybe you didn’t think needed work but you are happy to give it your attention and love now.  

Pluto 

March 23, 2023 

Pluto will ingress into Aquarius three times:

March 23, 2023 – June 11, 2023 (0 degrees – 0 Aquarius 21)

January 20, 2024 -September 1, 2024 (0 degrees – 2 Aquarius 06)

November 20, 2024 – March 8, 2043 (0 degrees – 29 Aquarius 59) 

Here it is.  Every astrologer on planet Earth has been talking about Pluto’s ingress into Aquarius.  God knows I have been talking about in these reports.   I encourage all of you to put into Google “Pluto in Aquarius” and read the voluminous discussions.   It is NOT a simple, ho-hum, outer planet sign change.  It’s a big deal.   As we have discussed, the last time we had Pluto in Aquarius was when the USA was in the latter half of the revolutionary war and when the constitution was written.   About halfway into Pluto in Aquarius the world got the French Revolution.   The French Revolution was way different deal than the American Revolution.   For those interested in the French Revolution and Pluto I recommend the last issue of  Mountain Astrologer (Issue #224 Dec – Mar )where you will find “Pluto in Aquarius: When the Center Cannot Hold” by Shawn Nygaard.  It is an excellent write up.   You can purchase it here:

https://mountainastrologer.com/product/the-mountain-astrologer-capricorn-sol-2022-2023/

In the meantime, let’s snap our seatbelts as we head into Aquarius on the back of Pluto.  Anyone with planets at zero up to two degrees of Aquarius, Taurus, Leo and Scorpio, let’s be frank, Pluto has already begun talking to those planets.    Maybe some intensity has arrived in one or two areas of your life that you had not expected but it makes sense when you consider those planets at early degrees of the fixed signs are getting Pluto on them via conjunction, square and opposition.   For those of you who have got planets at early degrees of Gemini and Libra you may already be starting to feel an empowerment and rebirth as Pluto forms a trine with your planets.      

For those of you with 27-29 degrees Capricorn, Aries, Cancer, and Libra planets, you have been dealing with this overhaul as Pluto hits those planets by conjunction, opposition and square.    Pluto will go back and forth over those degrees in Capricorn this year and next year until it finally is in Aquarius for good November 20, 2024.  

In mundane astrology, meaning world events, we should anticipate news events including problems around cyber security, artificial intelligence, technology, social media, television, radio, and air travel.  We may also see astrology in the news.     Breakthroughs in sciences could show up.    Coalitions of people whether it is in unions, societal organizations, from fraternities and sororities to not-for-profits and NGOs.  If there are problems in these areas, they will be exposed.  If they need to be retooled, they will get our attention.   This is a long haul.  We will have Pluto in Aquarius for twenty years.     

It is curious that when Pluto went into Capricorn, we had the financial collapse of 2008 and the bank failures and now as we head out, (for the first time) into Aquarius we have another bank failure in the news (last week).   It was not a lot of banks, but curiously it was a bank that financed Start Ups in Silicon Valley--- that is the Aquarius factor.  

Once Pluto goes into Aquarius on March 23, we should watch the first planetary aspects as it might provide some heads up to Pluto’s new themes. 

4/3: Mercury square Pluto.  Mercury is in Taurus, calm and deliberate, often plodding and sometimes stubborn thinking.  At odds with rigid, penetrating, group consciousness.   Tension that smolders.   

4/11 Venus trine Pluto.   Playful, mercurial, fun values in sync with groups, associations, social endeavors for joy and love.  

Ah Mars…

Mars enters Cancer March 25 4:45am and we can finally say goodbye to Mars in Gemini.  All that we have been processing and learning about our thinking and our communication can now be tested with family and our emotional interior.   We go from the head to the gut.   Wow.  How does that feel?  It’s been a long seven months stuck in the head.   

We will save the Mercury retrograde period for the next new moon since it occurs after this 29-day Aries New moon.   However please note that the shadow does begin in the last few days of this lunar month. 

Mercury 

April 17, 5:02am shadow begins 

April 21, 1:35am PDT station retrograde 15 Taurus 37

May 14, 8:17pm PDT station direct 5 Taurus 50 

May 31, 12:39pm PDT shadow ends 

Finally, 

It will be impossible to not feel the energy.   Let me say it again, impossible.   Are you feeling your independence call to you?  Are you getting it that now is the time to look at you and find what you want?   The energy is calling you.  As the ancient poet Horace Odes wrote 2,000 years ago --- “Carpe diem”  

Sieze the day.  Every 29 of them. 

See you at the next Aries new moon!  

And make a map either now or the next moon! 

The 8 phases

Pisces New Moon 

0 Aries 49

March 21, 2023

10:23am PDT  

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:     We find our inner fire.  We tap our inner warrior.  We take all the energy and let it ride up in us and we decide what we want out of this world.  This is our life.  We are in charge of what we want.   Plant those seeds and go for it! 

Special note:

3/23:  Pluto ingress Aquarius (see above) 

Crescent Moon Phase

March 24, 2023

9:58pm PDT  

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 your practicality?  What are you learning about building something from the ground up?  What are you learning about love?  What are you learning about money?  What are you learning about your values? 

Special Focus

3/25:  Mars ingress Cancer 

3/25:  Mercury conjunction Chiron.  What independence needs your focus?  How is your thinking shifting?  How are you focus on your ability to ‘self start’?  

3/27: Mercury conjunction Jupiter.  There is joy that comes from big thinking.  Big ideas.  Bridging between here starts with our thinking.  

First Quarter Moon 

March 28, 2023

7:32pm PDT 

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:  How are you taking actions that support your independence and finding your own path?  What seeds did you plant on new moon a few days ago?  How is this impacting your family and what new actions must you take that speak to your family?   How are you harnessing your emotions? 

Special Note

3/30: Mars trine Saturn.  Actions around family that bring strong faith and mysticism. 

3/30: Venus conjunction Uranus.  Values get topsy turvy.  Love and money get something from out of the blue.   Either incoming or exiting.  

Gibbous Moon

April 1, 2023  

10:39pm PDT  

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 ability to shine?   How are you refining your creativity?  How are you refining your self esteem?  How are you separating ego from true inner confidence?  

Special focus

4/2: Mars sextile North Node.  Practicality supports actions for home and family.  Emotions feel grounded.

4/3: Mercury ingress Taurus 

4/3: Mercury square Pluto (see above) 

4/5: Mercury sextile Saturn.  Sound thinking brings creativity and joy.  

4/5: Sun conjunction Chiron.  Where is there place for a new independence?   How does it look to experience a break through?  Or Break out? 

4/5: Mercury conjunction North Node.  Thinking that is fresh and practical.  No matter how scary consider the fresh practicality.  

April 5, 2023

9:34pm PDT

Full Moon

16 Libra 07   

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:    What is going on with your partnerships?  What is going on with your relationships?  What is going on with your ability too balance?   Where have you been too far in one direction and it is time to pull it back?  

Special focus 

4/7: Venus sextile Neptune.  Love, money, creativity get a boost of energy from the mystical universe.   Faith and spirit are valued.  

4/7: Mercury sextile Mars.  Creative thinking and fun energy come together for new emotional experiences. 

Disseminating

April 9, 2023

2:24pm PDT       

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:   How are you sharing your wisdom?  How are you seeking wisdom from others?  Where are you finding a teacher who can share knowledge?   How are you sharing your ability to expand your world?  How are you building doors to others?  How are you building bridges?  

Special focus:

4/10 :  Venus ingress Gemini 

4/11 Venus trine Pluto (see above) 

4/11: Sun conjunction Jupiter.  Go big or go home.   A day for authentic warriors to be tapped. 

Last Quarter Moon Phase

April 13, 2023 

2:11am   

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 capitalize on your place in the world?  How are you taking actions that speak to your leadership for others?  How are you acting out in the world that speaks up to authority?  

Special focus 

4/14:  Venus square Saturn.  Creativity and love feel blocked.  Feeling put on ice.   Time to be quiet, go inner.    

4/14: Saturn sextile North Node.  Structures based on faith support practical moves.   Concrete actions 

Balsamic Moon Phase

April 16, 2023 

11:07am PDT 

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

Focus on:  How are you releasing your fuzziness?  How are you releasing vagueness?  How are you releasing any victim patterns?   

Special focus:

The Second Aries New Moon April 19, 2023 9:12pm PDT 29 Aries 50