Aries New Moon~April 5, 2008

Spring has arrived in the northern hemisphere with the promise of new life as this year’s growing season gets under way. The energy of change is particularly palpable and pervasive these early spring days. Dr. John Lilly, who worked extensively with dolphins and interspecies communication, and broke new scientific ground in countless areas said, “Our only security is our ability to change.” The world is changing before our very eyes these days. Change for the sake of change, however is an invitation to more of the same.

As we choose to awaken to more of who we are and expand our self-awareness, we naturally contribute to the awareness available to the whole and change follows in forms that are expansive and life-affirming. “Know thyself,” could be the Aries motto. Aries knows through the experience of living–of acting on that which calls. Through experience we truly know in a way that isn’t possible through observation, study or analysis.

In times like these great opportunities abound, with potentials and possibilities never before imagined. Our task is to recognize and embrace those that spark our individual inspiration to act and that speak clearly to our own heart. If it moves you from within, you are on track and good to go.

The Aries New Moon occurs at 8:55 PM PDT tonight, April 5, 2008. This is the first new moon of the of the natural new year which begins with spring, at the Vernal Equinox. The Aries New Moon marks the official start of the growing season, when Sun (consciousness) and Moon (unconscious and emotions) unite for the first time in the natural annual cycle. This is said to be the most potent day of the year for planting the seeds of intention for what you would like to spark into being as this astrological year unfolds.

Aries is the sign of the initiator, of passion, of breaking ties with what is and striking out on one’s own or leading others to a place they’ve never been before. This is virgin territory; there are no rules; the map is created as each new discovery is made.

The Aries color is blood red, representing the birthing of Self and something new. Their number is, of course, one, being the first sign of the zodiac. Aries reminds us that ndividuality, instinct and inspiration are key to aligned action. In essence, change is what Aries is all about.

At the Aries New Moon we are invited to birth something new and exciting. Out with the old, in with something that gets our energy moving and expands the edges of our current experience. Aries delivers the impetus to strike out on our own and pioneer new ideas into action with courage and enthusiasm that we may not realize we have until we’ve taken those first steps. In following our instincts to do those things that call to us we come into alignment with the energy and circumstances necessary to step into something new or extraordinary. The reward for stepping up and out is a renewed sense of strength and the experience of having stretched to become more than we previously knew we could be. Whatever we do with our time and energy over the next couple of weeks will give shape and substance to our experience as the year progresses and we see the fruits of the seeds we plant today in the coming months.

We all have Aries energy in our astrology chart, and our life, calling us to take courageous action as a path to self-knowledge. A lack of self-awareness results in an ongoing sense of insecurity that undermines our ability to live a contented, effective, fulfilling and successful life. In order to grow wiser and mature we must first know and embrace our true nature. Only then can we know what we have to offer the world and how we can contribute whole-heartedly.

To have courage is to have heart. May the Aries spirit of childlike wonder lead you back to the place in your heart of knowing what you, from your instinctive nature, were born to do. Then, as Goethe said, “Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.” I wish you great and inspiring adventures on each step of your journey into springtime.

Aquarius, Aquarius!

Though the Sun has already completed its journey through Aquarius for this year and moved on to Pisces there is still a lot of action in the sign of the genius, the inventor, the rebel and the humanitarian. Aquarius is the sign in charge of technology, the Internet, science, unique individuality and equal relationship–like friendship and the kind of relating we do when we collaborate on a project with others.

Today Venus, Mercury, Chiron (The Wounded Healer), Neptune and the North Node of the Moon (the dharma or destiny point) are all lined up in Aquarius, signaling a time for the seeding of revolutionary and evolutionary new developments. If you’ve been contemplating doing something that is a little to the left of normal, a little unexpected, a little bit quirky, the time for it has arrived.

With Mercury finally through its retrograde period in Aquarius and headed in a forward direction arm in arm with Venus, the Goddess of Love and Beauty, self-esteem, money and that which we appreciate and hold dear, we are more prone to approach things from the perspective of what matters to us rather than what we have come to think of as logical or reasonable. Venus rules the senses and when she makes contact with Mercury, encourages us to think in terms of what makes sense for each of us rather than to operate from a prescribed perspective that paints with a broad brush declaring this right and this wrong, this good and this bad for one and all.

With all this Aquarian energy in the cosmic pool of potential, it makes sense to let our imaginations run wild and see where they take us. Under Aquarius the “crazy idea” is not so crazy. Visionary, inventive, progressive ideas that break with convention are more likely to surface and be supported now.

Though Venus and Mercury will move through Aquarius in the next couple of weeks, before they go they will touch and activate Chiron to awaken new possibilities in healing and insights about our wounding, Neptune to spark and help actualize the vivid spiritual imagination and then on to the North Node where we can access the possibilities and potentials humanity is now becoming aware of and ready to make real in our experience of life on earth.

This reminds me of the Seal song:

And through a fractal on that breaking wall
I see you my friend and touch your face again
Miracles will happen as we trip
But we’re never gonna survive unless
We get a little crazy

Aquarian energy can feel a little crazy. Many of us who were born with Aquarian energy have felt compelled to push the boundaries of reality and question authority. We know what it feels like to be misunderstood, judged and found lacking. Some of us secretly wonder why we can’t be satisfied with what others consider normal, thinking that would be so much easier. It’s not, though. Those born with Aquarian energy are designed to break the old molds and usher in a new day and a new way.

In my birth chart Chiron was rising in Aquarius. It took me a long time to understand that I wasn’t here to fit in. I am here to offer a new perspective and fresh ideas about the nature of reality; even to question what people have accepted as reality. Humans are amazing beings with tremendous potential about which we are just beginning to get an inkling. In my work as an intuitive astrologer I encourage my clients and readers to trust their own nature and the instructions of their heart above anything else. There is no time but the present and no one to be but you, in all your unique glory.

Crazy isn’t necessarily a bad thing. And if crazy is what it takes to break out of the old mold of who we thought we had to be, I say please, let’s all go a little crazy. And enjoy the ride.