a Click on image for larger view	Aries New Moon April 12, 2002 Sun and Moon joined at 22.42 Aries 12:21 p.m. PDT 2:21 P.M. CDT 3:21 p.m. EDT Sabian Symbol: "Woman in summer dress carries a precious veiled burden."
What does listening to the zodiac do for us at each moon cycle?  It attunes us to the yet living quality of this ancient rhythm.  It sharpens our senses to new ways to bring ourselves forth.  It puts us on the alert -- as an animal living in the wild -- to something new in the air...

Aries New Moon
April/May 2002

Pear orchards in full bloom, lilacs on street corners, hyacinths and daffodils!  All testimony to the explosion of energy that is spring. In the Aries New Moon chart, the Sun and Moon are separating from a conjunction to Mercury and a trine to Pluto. What was that brilliantly transformative thought you recently had? Don't let it slip away. Determine rather to give it a good birth this cycle. 

And if you've forgotten what it was you wanted to manifest, contemplate Novella Maia's Aries mandala. Gently bring yourself to stillness. Notice your breath. Allow both your body and soul to absorb the imagery. And then, or in a day or two, that important thought may spring forth again; Aries' passion may take root in your psyche. Blessings of the season everyone!

Cast for the New Moon in Denver, Colorado, the Ascendant is nine degrees of Leo, and the New Moon is conjunct the Midheaven.  The Native American Zodiac was my main source of inspiration. The red hawk is the animal totem for the Budding Trees Moon (Aries), and the flower is the dandelion. I wanted the hawk flying up and toward the Sun, and found that using Denver gave me that placement.

Juno is within seven degrees of the Ascendant, highlighting the asteroid; she is significantly aspected by the Nodes, Vesta, Saturn, Venus, Sun, Moon, Ceres, Pallas, Neptune, and Pluto!  So the principle of relatedness and the concept of partners seemed to be demanding attention.  Further, the Sabian Symbol for Juno's placement is about men and women uniting to work together toward a common goal. The asteroid anchors the Leo point in a Grand Fire Trine with the New Moon and Pluto, so perhaps this is a propitious time for us to plan New Moon goals and intentions to join with other like-minded souls in a project to make a difference in this world!  Let's call the project Juno, see it here as the "community" of dandelions, and plan for Plutonian transformation, with Saturn and Vesta reminding us of the importance of commitment, perseverence, and thoughtful consideration. Our project is in harmony with that. She is squared by Venus, so in working for this project, we need to be wary of the traps of materialism, vanity, and sloth.

The asteroid Lilith is conjunct Juno, bringing in elements of independence, equality, and conflict resolution. Hmmm.  On the other side of the chart, Pallas in Aquarius contributes: wisdom for seeing possibilities of the future; creativity and inventive genius for effecting social and political change, organizing grass roots movements, and advancing humanitarian causes. Neptune also opposes Juno, bringing in idealism and magic--but also potential for deception and illusion. We need to remember tht there can be discrepancies between our ideals and the reality. We need to cultivate discernment.

The Snow Goose near the top represents Saturn--traditional, cautious, responsible. Pallas and Neptune are represented by the two ravens, who bring magic and transformation. In our New Moon project, we can ask Raven to be our courier in carrying forth the energy of our efforts and spirit messages. Near the bottom we find Pluto, represented by a bat, a symbol of  death and rebirth. 

(See The Medicine Wheel by Sun Bear and Wabun; also, Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams and David Carson)

Prints of the Aries New Moon Mandala are available for $20. Click here for more information about this and other mandalas by Novella!
 

 Drop into our Mooncircle for April/May:

• The daily moon sign, phase and aspects... 

"At the New Moon refresh your animal nature, senses awake, happily, simply aware of being alive..." (Today's Moon)
 
• Face Forward into the Future, with Pythia... 

"The old myths teach us an important lesson about moving forward: don't look back... [J]ust when we have committed to moving forward in a new direction, we are tempted by doubt, looking backwards into the past with nostalgia and regret  - yet in the process undermining our faith in our newfound purpose. ..." 
(Moon Meditations)
 
• Consider the Ritual Power of Electional Astrology, with April...

"...I think using astrology in an attempt to influence anything actually minimizes its power in an attempt to increase our own. But doesn’t it stand to reason that if there is indeed 'a time to every purpose under heaven,' that it would make sense to try to align your activities with this purpose?  If astrology isn’t any good for this, what is it good for? ...."
Moon Teachings
 
• Join us for a Full Moon ritual on April 26.

• And you're always welcome to take up the Talking Chalice!

This page is yours.  We love to hear from you!  (Talking Circle)