January 21 3:53 PM EST
There is a bit of a “tipping point” energy to this New Moon, as though we are finally at an important precipice and things are either going to go one way or the other. Part of this is due to the fact that Aquarius’ two rulers, Saturn and Uranus, are also the two most dominant planets at the time of the new moon. Archtypally, they represent the tug of war push/pull between the old (Saturn) and the new (Uranus). Unsurprisingly, they have been locked in a fixed square to each other for the past TWO YEARS, with Uranus staked out in Taurus (for a 7 year transit) and Saturn in Aquarius. Saturn moves more quickly and as such will be moving on into Pisces on March 7th. This new moon then is highly significant in that it is in Aquarius (the sign ruled by both Saturn and Uranus) and is also the FINAL new moon of the past 2 years where Saturn and Uranus will be square to one another. (*Saturn will still be in Aquarius at the time of the Pisces New Moon on February 20th but will be out of orb of a square to Uranus).
This point is underscored further by the fact that Venus is nearly exactly conjunct Saturn in Aquarius at the time of the new moon (at 23 and 24 degrees respectively). And Uranus, at 14 degrees of Taurus, is stationing to go direct the day following the new moon. Let’s take these two aspects one at a time.
Venus is approaching Saturn within 1 degree at the time of the new moon indicating that certain situations related to Venusian themes such as relationships, finances, and balance are coming to a head. Saturn is interested in reality, what is ACTUALLY happening, not what we wish or hope for. If there are situations or relationships that have been playing out over the past several months (or years) where we have been ignoring the writing on the wall, this could very well be a time when we can no longer sweep issues under the rug. The more willing we are the be realistic and handle situations pragmatically, with minimal fuss or drama, the more easily we can navigate this. Since this conjunction is happening in the sign of Aquarius, this can also apply to Aquarian type situations or issues such as technology, science, teamwork and associations.
Uranus has been retrograde in Taurus since August 28th. Uranus retrograde can function in several ways. On the one hand, it can help us with internal breakthroughs and realizations. It can quiet down the stream of external distractions or disruptions in our lives. But on the other hand, it can also make it more challenging to ‘figure out’ or discern from the mass of different things that are happening. It’s almost like a tangled ball of wire, where the reason we are not really moving forward with haste and confidence is because we cannot really tell what is what. When Uranus stations and comes OUT of retrograde, as it is at this new moon, then “all of a sudden” we can have realizations and make sense of various things that have been going on. Uranus is associated with lightening bolts, literally and metaphorically.
And, as mentioned, Saturn (along with Venus) and Uranus continue to square each other, building tension and conflict. There is a part of us that is already leaning into the right next steps that we want to be taking for our lives (Uranus), but another part remains at least partially ‘bound’ (a very Saturnian word, as it deals with restriction) by old and outmoded structures, institutions, status quos (Saturn). And we can see that especially now in the realm of money and relationships (Venus). We may need to make important (Saturn) or even urgent (Uranus) decisions about finances or whether we want to continue forward with certain people or money situations.
Uranus and Saturn do not need to be “in war” with one another. The highest aim here is for these two aspect to be working together. We WANT to see what needs to be shed and dismantled from the past so that we can be practical and take action in those directions. Then the new (Uranus) can flower (Taurus) for us more easily. And indeed it is time to take action on our knowing. Action planet Mars moved into Gemini around the same time that Uranus went retrograde (on August 20th). We have all been dealing with a lot of differing “narratives” during this Mars in Gemini transit, especially during the Mars retrograde phase between October 30 to January 12. We are finally getting clear on projects or ideas we may have had between August 20-October 30th but got stalled since then. Mars at 8 degrees Gemini is trine the new moon and offering enthusiasm and support. And we feel more confident taking steps forward now as well especially since Mercury comes out of retrograde in Capricorn just before the new moon on January 18.
The new moon at 1 degree Aquarius is also in a close (but out of sign) conjunction with Pluto at 28 degrees Capricorn. Again, we are at the precipice. Pluto does not mess around. Pluto is focused on digging up the weeds and uncovering the skeletons in the closet. We simply cannot afford any more to be ‘deluding’ ourselves. One of Aquarius shadow traits is a deep entrenched fixed stubbornness, and we cling to this stubbornness at our own detriment now. If we have been getting the messages over the past weeks and months and having the inner realizations prompted by Uranus, Mars and Mercury all retrograde, then its important to put those realization into action now, rather than remaining entrenched or attached to old ways of communicating (Mercury), taking action (Mars) or expressing our individuality (Uranus). It’s not about a new & improved “mask”, rather its about authentically stepping forward in an ‘upgraded’ way, based on what we have learned. And high vibrational Aquarius is all about true authenticity that makes it possible for our uniqueness to shine and find its right place within the whole community.
Finally, Jupiter is now speeding forward in Aries and is at 4 degrees of that sign, making lovely sextiles to both the new moon and Mars in Gemini. When we have faith and trust in ourselves and spirit (Jupiter) that is when amazing things can happen in our lives. And for those ready to act on the messages that have been surfacing and move forward with faith, discernment and trust- miracles are very possible now.
*art by @emilyyys.art.page
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