Aries New Moon:  Warriors in the Temple of the Angels

Is it the overwhelming influence of Mars this year that has been filling my email inbox with daily invitations to increase my penis size? Or more to the point, is it Mars that is raising the incidence of terror and violence in the world? Given the complicated alignment of planets this year, it's worth remembering that planets don't cause what happens on earth, people do. Astrology is a system of pure symbolism. The Aries New Moon is an especially appropriate moment to contemplate the symbol of Mars, the ruling planet of Aries. Mars describes the capacity to direct creative energy, to initiate action. Used positively, it inspires leadership, courage, passion, and self-reliance. Used negatively, it can be destructive, taking its orders from ego, bent on crushing whatever stands in its way. Mars, as the God of War, brings conflict and anger, inspires fears for our very survival, and can obliterate faith and trust.

Just read a newspaper or turn on the television to see negative Mars in action today. The real question this New Moon is how you will use the energy of Mars. Individually, one by one, we can make a difference in the global expression of Mars. And the New Moon chart suggests our first step. Preceding the tension of its Sun/Mars square, the Sun/Moon conjunction offers a trine to Jupiter and a sextile to Neptune. As the traditional and modern rulers of Pisces, these two planets remind us to tend our faith. There is a reason that Pisces precedes Aries in the zodiac. Pisces prepares the Aries warrior properly. Pisces can renew our awareness of interconnectivity, our faith in higher guidance, can strengthen our hearts with love. Without love, Mars is dangerous. With love, a soulful warrior can achieve miracles.

Mars is conjunct Chiron, the Wounded Healer, in the New Moon chart. It seems on all sides-whether global events or personal battles--there are wounds. Chiron is a fine role model. He suffered the wound but continued his healing work even when he couldn't fully heal himself. His devotion showed how we might tame the aggression of Mars into spiritually productive activity. Devotion, says spiritual philosopher Rudolf Steiner, is the virtue we need to develop in the Aries cycle. Devotion represents fire in its purest form: We turn our eyes upward, and with love, dedicate our efforts to something greater than ourselves. We can become warriors in the temple of the angels.

What should you grow this cycle?

Astrology typically answers "what" questions by looking at houses. Look to the house of your birth chart where the New Moon falls: here's your personal seed bed. This is the place you usually "do Aries." It is the house where your personal Hero resides. This is the area of life where you've been routinely challenged-it describes your individual path to developing courage and strength. This is also the area of life where the energy to begin is strong. During this New Moon cycle, you have a unique opportunity here… but you must tune in. If you're feeling lost and confused… one of the best ways to begin is by finding the Aries impulse in your body. It's initiating, ascending, and instinctive. What wants to get you in motion now? (If you'd like to explore this is greater depth, you may enjoy my seasonal/new moon workshop, Twelve Moons).