This is no ordinary New Moon, as it is also a Supermoon, which means that it will have a bigger impact on us, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It also heralds the beginning of the Yin Water Rabbit, which could feel like a welcome relief after the Yang Water Tiger year! We may feel the need to slow down and get some rest this year. Yin Water is softer and more flowing, and the Rabbit is known for being gentle, sensitive, tender, elegant and refined. That being said, Rabbits can sometimes be a bit fearful of predators, so while we are encouraged to be creative this year, we could feel a little stuck at times, as we struggle to find the courage to put plans into action. However, Rabbits do intuitively know how to get ahead in the world and can be quite quick and alert.
This does feel like a very potent and energised New Moon, and Aquarius asks us to contemplate our hopes, dreams and visions for a better future, setting positive intentions that come from our heart. The Aquarius part of us truly believes in community in the truest sense of the word, and genuinely wants to make this world a better place for everyone. An Aquarian Motto could be “All for one and one for all!” Aquarius is also the part of us that questions the rules and is willing and able to stand up to authority if needs be. As such, Aquarius season, which begins with the New Moon, can bring the activist, rebel and revolutionary out in us, bringing the potential for more uprisings, marches, protests and revolutions.
There is an unpredictable, electrical energy to Aquarius, which is quite a contrast to the more cautious, realistic, disciplined and responsible energy of Capricorn season. Aquarius is the part of us that is a good friend and likes to gather in groups with like-minded people. Our relationship with our friends is slightly more detached, less intimate than with our lovers and family members, and so we are able to see each other more clearly, giving our objective feedback when our friends are in need of advice or support. The closer we get to someone, the harder it is to be objective! Aquarius is a friendly yet slightly cool and aloof kind of energy – friendly but not too familiar.
This could be a good Moon for taking a step back from whatever we are going through and seeing things from a different perspective, which could help bring some insight, understanding and clarity. Indeed, we could experience some kind of shift that brings much needed change, setting us back on the right path. Aquarius and its planetary ruler, Uranus, are the kind of energy that shakes things up somewhat, dusting off the cobwebs and helping us get out of whatever safe, secure but stagnant rut we may have inadvertently fallen into. Change can be a scary thing to contemplate, so we tend to put it off until things have become so intolerable that we have no choice in the matter. This could be a very good Moon to instigate healthy and positive change, rather than waiting for something to come along and force it on us.
Luckily, we have Mars and Jupiter forming supportive and helpful aspects to the Sun and Moon, which could really help us to find the courage we need to either take a stand or initiate change. Jupiter in Aries is such brave and enthusiastic energy, helping us to feel the fear and do it anyway! Jupiter is the planet of growth and expansion, while Aries is the pioneer and brave warrior, so this Moon could help us to have the courage, confidence, faith and motivation to move past obstacles, rolling any boulders out of our way with ease! Jupiter will be exactly sextile the Sun in the early hours of Wednesday 25 January, so the energy will be building in strength during this Moon.
Mars in Gemini is also forming a helpful trine aspect to the Sun and Moon, although it is not as strong because it won’t be exactly trine the Sun until 30 January. However, it is still significant and could help us to make decisions and to have the courage to act on whatever we decide. Gemini is the sign of the mind and communication, so Mars can help us to say what needs to be said and to confront some thorny or challenging material. Mars helps us to not waver once we have decided upon a course of action. As Mars approaches the trine with the Sun in the next week or so, we could feel a much-needed boost of courage, motivation and energy.
Interestingly enough, there is a supportive trine aspect between Uranus and Mercury that is starting to build during this Moon, which is also exact on 30 January. This could help us to think outside of the box and see things from a different perspective. It can open our minds to new information and help us to come up with ingenious solutions to anything we may be facing. It can help us to change our minds, bringing new insight, epiphanies and even an “aha” moment or two! Mercury is now direct, having been retrograde for three weeks, and Uranus turns direct on 23 January, so there is a forward moving energy around, especially as all the planets will now be direct!
Anyone with personal planets or angles around 14/15° of a sign will be feeling the liberating, exciting, changing energy of Uranus most acutely, especially those in the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Those with planets and angles around 1° of a sign, especially the fixed signs, will feel the full impact of this Aquarius Moon.
Pluto and the Sun are joining forces in Capricorn on Wednesday 18 January, a couple of days before the New Moon. Anyone with personal planets or angles around 28° of a sign, especially the cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn could feel this powerful, transforming and potentially empowering energy the strongest. Power and transformation are the theme here, as well as potentially having to face something we would rather not have to deal with. Pluto will still be very close to the Sun and Moon during this New Moon, although they will have moved into Aquarius, while Pluto remains at 28° Capricorn.
The Sabian Symbol for this Moon, at 2° Aquarius, is a powerful one indeed – “The unexpected thunderstorm”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The need to develop the inner security which will enable us to meet unexpected crisis. The symbol itself – “An unexpected thunderstorm” – could be given a very positive meaning in an arid environment, but the emphasis on “unexpected” tends to accent the sudden dangerous character of the event. Such a thunderstorm in a region of dry hills can cause a devastating flood. At any rate, it refers to an event for which one is not prepared – a menace to men’s works. This scene stresses the fact that nature may reduce to impermanence the seemingly most permanent endeavours and constructive activities of men. Under a downpour of rain, adobe brick can return to mud. All human institutions and their achievements can be washed away, even in their day of great glory. “Dust you were, dust you must become.” This is NATURE’S CHALLENGE.”
Indeed, Aquarius does bring the potential for sudden shocks and surprises that bring change. And Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius, is currently in Taurus, a sign that represents the natural world, the economy and our safety and security in a physical and financial sense. As such, we could receive some surprises in this area of our lives. However, Aquarius and Uranus also call for us to come up with solutions and can be very innovative. Sometimes we need a bit of a shock to jolt us out of apathy and stagnation. This Moon does seem to be providing us with the faith, courage and motivation to initiate change, to stand up for what we believe in and to take a step towards creating the kind of world we would be happy living in. It’s up to us to make the most of it.
Much Love
Amy
xoxo
Picture: Rabbit in a Lightning Storm – Daniel Eskridge