New Moon 'Scope:
Summoning the Power of Rebirth
by Karri Allrich

Spring has arrived! The birds are returning. The long-awaited Vernal Equinox, that pivotal moment in the year when daylight finally equals the darkness, has fulfilled the promise of Imbolc. For those of us who follow a path dedicated to the Goddess, this is a time of renewal and regeneration. A time of clearing away the lingering lessons of winter's long introspection, and making way for new growth. We stir from the surrender of our Piscean dreams to focus now on our awakening bodies. Our energy begins to flow outward, extroverted now in the stimulation of Spring. 

With this month’s New Moon in Aries we are challenged to look ahead with anticipation, asserting the power of "I am". This is the fire of the third chakra; the awareness of desire. The rebirth of life's first breath. The focus shifts from our intuitive nature to our Solar Plexus; aptly named. The New Moon in Aires provides us with an opportunity to create a focus for our goals. To honor spontaneity and take risks. This is the moment to be direct. To leap into a new venture, risk a new project or dare to make the first move. 

For your New Moon ritual light candles of yellow and sunny orange. Wear the arousing scents of ginger, cinnamon and lemon verbena. As you meditate upon the energy of this Aries New Moon, concentrate on your breath. Take the time to breathe deeply from your abdomen and imagine the core of your very self as a flame. With each breath this flame grows brighter, more intense. This is the breath "I am", this is the flame of desire. As you relax deeper into your meditation, focus on this simple act of self nurture. The fire of your focus, the burn of your intention needs to be cherished and fueled. Are you defining your needs? Are you giving yourself the care and consideration you so freely offer to others?

Make movement a part of your New Moon ritual. The body needs to stretch and reawaken this time of year. Play music that inspires you to dance; ancient rhythms that resonate within your Solar Plexus. Be present in your body as you breathe and move, opening yourself to rebirth and renewal. Embody the Goddess in this season of awakenings.

Dance and revel in the mysteries of sensuality, the take and give of the feminine uniting with the masculine, of life generating new life.

Pleasure and desire are holy pursuits. Eve's apple wasn't a temptation to sin, it was an invitation to wisdom. In Spring, the Goddess teaches us that the body and soul are one, each an integral part of the other. The soul expresses itself through the body, and the body breathes the very life of the soul. Both are sacred. 

In this green season of renewal, celebrate the awakening earth and honor the divine within you. Rekindle your passion, body and soul.

From March 8 through April 20, Venus will be in Retrograde motion. This is a period for observing our relationships from a different perspective, one stemming from an internalized value system rather than one based upon external role playing. New insights will help you to more accurately assess the value of the people in your life. It is time to re-connect with people from your past. These may not be longlasting but they will indeed prove quite pleasant. It is a time to adopt a wait-and-see attitude with newly formed associations. Purchases associated with pricey luxury items, flashy stocks and charge card splurges should be postponed. Antiques, flea market items, undervalued real estate and second hand purchases could have the greatest value now.

CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19): Value, real and tangible, very is important to you. Go over your portfolio and assess what is working for you and what is not. Evaluate February’s purchases with a new perspective. March 18-19 can prove intense but you must be honest with yourself. Psychological insights provide a major learning process for you.

AQUARIUS (January 20-February 17): March 2 is an excellent day for discussion and, your favorite, rational thinking! Ideas do not have to be practical or useful but they must be rational. You feel a lot of enthusiasm regarding what is said but you need to follow your own intuition. March 15-16 is another good "brainstorm" period for you.

PISCES (February 18-March 19): A Water sign like yourself responds best to Venus Retrograde through involvement in charitable and humanitarian projects, even professional activities with non-profits will work well during this cycle. A relationship formed on March 24-25 may manifest more spiritual aspects, soul-mate qualities. This needs to be re-evaluated later but enjoy and grow from this experience during the Spring months.

ARIES (March 20-April 19): March 2, 15-16 and 24-25 are periods for excitement, inspirational activities, high-risk endeavors or just having fun without feeling cramped by convention. Too much intensity on March 13 will prove stressful as complications, stalemates and cutting disagreements are signals to just let it go!

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): All Earth signs appreciate value and Venus Retrograde can work for you if you like antiquing or bargain hunting at the local "next to new." Something overlooked by others can be your personal treasure. An old flame or childhood sweetheart can call you on March 18 – the is a good date for re-connecting with people from your past. The best reconnection will be at a favorite "old world" restaurant where you can leisurely chat with old friends.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): March 10-11 is a great weekend for socializing but do not promise more than you can perform. Gemini prides itself on knowing a little of everything but this does not mean that you have all the answers. You can give advice that causes hurt feelings. Discussion groups and contacts are more desirable this month than romantic contacts.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Your sensitive feelings have been bruised in the past. March 15, 18 and 24 are special dates for repairing the past. The New Moon on the 24th can trigger a fresh start, healing the past, but it may take a crisis to get the process moving. Use your intuition on the 13th because what others are planning is not going to work out. Use feeling words to press your point. Use your intuition to find those bargains! 

LEO (July 23-August 22): Venus and Mars in Fire signs stimulate the passions this month. Use the retrograde Venus to patch up a previously strained relationship. With magnanimous contrition, you will melt hearts and renew the friendship. Do not allow stubborn pride to be an issue on March 6-7, 13 and 21. You will not be able to get what you want by toughing it out. Know when it is time to bow out gracefully. 

VIRGO (August 23-September 22): Do not obsess upon the minutiae on March 15-16. Rely upon practical but inspired, far-sighted thinking in your discussions and decision making. Work with someone in authority to iron out the details. Working intensely on an important project on March 17-18 will bring rewards later in the season. Bring back some old tried-and-true workers to help with the planning, bringing a new wisdom to the evaluations.

LIBRA (September 23-October 22): Your peace-making attributes will be in active service on March 6-7, 12-13 and 20-21 when communication difficulties arise and stalemate situations require diplomatic harmonizing. When the Moon enters your sign on March 10-11, you will be able to take a costly situation and make an important decision that remedies the problem. Venus is retrograde so you may not feel appreciated at this time. In time, you will be rewarded.

SCORPIO ( October 23-November 21): Do not allow others to rub you the wrong way or at least do not let it show on those poor communication dates of March 6-7, 12-13 and 20-21. Grit your teeth and just let it go. Hurt feelings at this time will prove difficult to appease. You could find yourself working with a Virgo on March 17-18 – a project that is complicated has a lot of potential and it will prove quite profitable in the long run. Give it time.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21): March through July is actually a long cycle that favors those "2 ships passing in the night" encounters. Relating takes on a smorgasbord quality. You need these experiences in order to more clearly know what you want. By the autumn months, this will all become more clear to you. Be patient! Try not to be too controversial on March 2, 15-16 and 24-25. Temper your speech and be open to others’ thinking. Remember, you are not always right!!