As the first New Moon of the New Year, the Aquarius New Moon is your annual opportunity to wake up to the brilliance of your world. Aquarius is associated with lightning bolts and the rainy season—nature’s cues for cleansing and awakening your senses. Because this New Moon occurs at one degree Aquarius, the entrance into Aquarius might catch you still sleeping in duty-bound Capricorn thoughts. What’s more, the Sun Moon conjunction makes no aspects to other planets--you may need to exert extra effort to draw down its inspiration. I offer the following Aquarius ritual for busy people:

Before getting into your morning shower, plant your feet firmly on the bathroom floor. Stand tall as a lightning rod. Invoke your favorite deity and raise your right arm skyward. When it’s pointing to the sky, utter the Aquarius mantra: "From my fingers to my toes, I know, I know." As you lower your arm, exhale a deep "Ah –So." Step into the shower and wash the old perceptions away.

This is the cycle of the Water Bearer. Why is air sign Aquarius associated with water? Maybe because the Nile always flooded when the constellation of Aquarius was overhead. Or because the Sun rose in the constellation of Aquarius during Mesopotamia’s rainy season. Was this why the Romans dedicated the Aquarius month to cleansing rites of purification? Or why pagans celebrate Candlemas (or Imbolc) during Aquarius--when initiates wash away their past, newly dedicating themselves to the Goddess. Whatever the reason, this New Moon offers you a chance to come clean. Send yourself a signal that you’re willing to embrace this season.

When your work day is done, let it be truly done. Don’t prolong your efforts beyond what’s necessary. Take a shower, go for a walk, dance or sing—but don’t turn on the TV or force yourself to exercise if you don’t feel like it. You are courting the fresh curiosity of a child. Inspiration will enter through the empty spaces you create at the end of the day.

This is the second month of winter --when our bodies are traditionally less active than our minds. This is mental preparation time, like the things that are growing below ground, quickening to the future coming of spring. The rain that pours from the heavens may actually come this month as a flood of new awareness. The energy of Aquarius is unconventional, broadminded and progressive. Catch it in a silver bowl. Dance in circles with it. Kick through puddles with it. Sing out loud with gratitude.

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 Aquarius." Every year at this time, you engage subtly or wholeheartedly in a purification ritual. A cleansing in this house can energize your whole year. This house is where you’re used to shaking up your status quo—and during this New Moon cycle, you have a unique opportunity here… but you must tune in. Listen for the stray thoughts that get you really excited. It may be your inner revolutionary handing you the manifesto you need. (If you’d like to explore this in greater depth, you may enjoy my seasonal/new moon workshop, Twelve Moons.)

© 2004 Dana Gerhardt
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