Sun Trine Mars: The Alchemical Awakening of Willpower and Purpose

Last night, the Sun formed a trine to Mars, a sacred turning point in the synodic cycle of Mars, marking a significant shift in the journey that began in November 2023. This moment is not just an astrological transit—it is an initiation, an emergence from the deep underworld of Mars’ recent retrograde. Though Mars stationed direct nearly a week ago, it has remained suspended in stillness, recalibrating in the liminal space between death and rebirth. But now, he awakens with a renewed vision as an evening star, ready to ascend with newfound purpose and direction.

Esoterically, the Sun represents the divine intelligence, the higher will that illuminates our path. It is the source of our creative vitality, the beacon that guides us toward our soul’s evolutionary journey. Mars, the embodiment of raw willpower and assertion, has undergone an initiatory descent, shedding layers of old conditioning, outdated ambitions, and unconscious patterns that no longer serve the evolving self. This trine acts as an alchemical spark—a merging of spiritual clarity (the Sun) with the purified desire nature (Mars). The question is: how will you direct your will moving forward?

This is a pivotal moment to listen deeply. What desires have reawakened in you? What call to action is arising now, unmistakable in its clarity? This moment is not about impulsive force but about conscious momentum—one that is attuned to your spiritual directive. The vision emerging now is the one you will carry forward until January 2026, when Mars begins its next synodic cycle.

Reflect on what has been evolving in your life since November 2023. Where have you been internally forging strength, resilience, and a new understanding of your own drive? With Mars in water, this shift is felt emotionally, offering renewed clarity, magnetism, and optimism. You may notice an energetic surge over the coming days, a sense of certainty returning after a period of uncertainty.

Honor this turning point. Let your will align with your higher vision. The fire of Mars now moves with purpose—let it guide you forward with courage, trust, and unwavering clarity.

Looking Back To Move Forward: The Wisdom Of Past Venus Retrograde Cycles

Venus retrograde is a potent time for working with one of the great benefics in the sky and manifesting long lasting changes in our life.  It is a time of deep reflection, an opportunity to slow down and reassess what truly matters.  But its lessons don’t emerge in isolation – each Venus retrograde we experience is a part of a larger story, weaving together past cycles into a greater tapestry of growth, love, and self-worth. 

Venus retrograde periods reflect a beautiful, repeating pattern of personal growth and transformation that quite literally mirrors the sky above with our life below, when we choose to accept the invitation to work with the cycle and engage in the transformative opportunity.  Its important to point out the reminder, that doing so truly empowers us to become co-creators of our reality and stories instead of victims and witnessing bystanders.

If you take some time to reflect and look back, you may notice familiar themes arising.  Patterns in relationships, self-esteem, finances, or creative pursuits often surface in these cycles, inviting us to finally see what we once overlooked or embrace what we were not ready to receive at the time.

Because Venus retrograde cycles only happen in 5 signs throughout our life and happen in repeatable 8-year cycle patterns, you can loosely predict what themes may show up for you, by looking at the prior cycle from 8 years ago.  This cycle of Venus retrograding in Aries & Pisces is a story pattern that repeats every 8 years.  The retrograde will shift the degrees that it impacts by 2 degrees each cycle, but it is otherwise similar in the houses and signs that it activates in your personal chart.  So, to glean a clue into what story you may see play out this cycle, again reflect back to the last cycle that occurred in March of 2017.  This will again repeat in 2033.  You will want to look at the houses that hold Aries and Pisces in your natal chart along with any personal planets included in the retrograde degrees (click here for a step-by-step).  Venus was last retrograde in Aries/Pisces March 25, 2017 for 40 days, retrograding from 13 degrees of Aries to 26 degrees of Pisces.  What patterns were alive for you then in terms of relationship, values, finances, or other Venusian topics relevant in the houses effected in your chart? 

Take a moment to reflect:

·      What was going on for you during the last Aries/Pisces Venus retrograde?  What emotions, challenges, or life events come to mind?

·      What desires were stirring in your heart?  Did you take action or did fear hold you back?

·      How have you grown since then?  What have you healed?  What still feels unresolved?

A significant relationship?  It may resurface in some way for you this time or themes surrounding that relationship may pop up for you in a new way, allowing you to re-evaluate those themes from a new perspective.  If it was a challenging experience, take a deep breath – in no way does this mean that the same challenge will re-present itself again.  You are now 8 years wiser and more equipped than you were then, to begin with.  Remember that you are the co-author of your story and get to shape how this will unfold for you.  

By revisiting the past, we gain clarity on what this Venus retrograde is here to refine, release, or realign.  Perhaps an old dream is ready to be reborn, or a past heartbreak has finally lost its grip.  Maybe a version of you that once felt small is now ready to step into their power and take up space.

Venus retrograde is not just about looking inward – its about reclaiming the wisdom that we have gathered along the way.  Let this be a time to honor your journey, trust in divine timing, and step into the next chapter of your life story with an open heart.

As an example, I will share a little insight into my own Venus retrograde story.  In 2017, after years of IUI and IVF I decided to take a break from the emotional and physical impact of daily trips to the fertility clinic for ultrasounds and bloodwork.  I had over a dozen miscarriages at this point in my life – all unexplained and this was 5+ years into my fertility journey.  I was exhausted mentally, emotionally, financially, and spiritually, and to be completely honest, I just needed a break.  My husband was not ready to cross the bridge into adoption yet and so I was at a standstill.  Yet, my heart deeply longed for a child.  So, I decided to open our home temporarily to fostering while I took some time to reset and renew.  I felt it was a great way to fill my internal desire for a child to share love with and that it would be a great distraction as well.  I completed the stack of paperwork, classes, inspections, and bought all the necessary furniture, clothing, toys, and other ancillary items, and embarked on the journey to become a licensed foster care parent and home in 2017.  Little did I know the profound impact that foster care would have on my life at the time.  Fast forward 8 years, over a dozen kids, later and I am wrapping up what will likely be my last 2 foster care cases (at least for now!).  Aries is in my 9th house of higher wisdom, philosophy, teaching, spirituality, and travel and Pisces is the sign of my natal Venus in my 8th house of shared resources, karmic ties, and deep transformation.  My natal Sun and Mercury sit directly in the window of the retrograde degrees both cycles.  This has been a profound chapter in my Venus life story; the love, energy, healing, and transformation that has taken place in this chapter of my life all align strongly with Venusian themes of values and connection.  It has deeply shaped my identity (Sun) and self-worth (largely a Venusian theme).  And, while it was never my original intention (as life so often humbles and teaches us), it ultimately has unfolded that all 4 of my children are (or soon will be) adopted from foster care.  The process, as well as helping neglected and traumatized children heal, has been the catalyst for deep spiritual awakening, growth, and healing in my own life.  And, it was ironically the desire to help young children who couldn’t fully express themselves heal, that initially led to me discovering and opening the door to astrology in my own life. It is really fascinating to see that story woven out in reverse.  What story can you find woven in your own life through these retrograde chapters?  What past Venus retrograde cycles have taught you the most?  Journal on these for deeper insight.  The answers you may be seeking may hold a clue, or already have been written, in your past.  Sometimes, we just have to take the time to reflect, integrate, and connect the dots, to see the bigger picture.

Read more about my personal Venus retrograde story in the 8th House here.

Venus Retrograde & The 8th House: A Foster Parent’s Reflection on Love, Loss, & Transformation

Eight years ago, under an entirely different Venus cycle, I opened my home to my first foster child.  I knew in my heart that I would undoubtedly love whatever child we were placed with, but I did not know then how much this journey would shape me as the children who passed through my doors.  Now, as Venus retrogrades through my 8th house again – the house of deep bonds, transformation, and shared resources – I find myself closing this chapter of my life with a full heart and a deeper understanding of love, loss, and the nature of true connection.

The 8th house is often associated with shared resources, but its meaning runs much deeper.  It governs the spaces in life where we merge with others – emotionally, spiritually, financially, and even karmically.  It is the house of deep bonds, transformation, and the things we give and receive that forever change us.  In many ways, foster care fits seamlessly into this symbolism.  It is not just a system of shared legal and financial responsibility, but a very real exchange of love, care, and emotional investment.  The children placed in my home were never just temporary guests; each one of them became a very real part of my heart, my energy, and my life in ways that far transcend the physical.  And, they always will be carried as part of my deeply treasured life story.  Love, loss, and healing all exist here in the 8th house, intertwined.  And perhaps nothing has shown me the power of love, surrender, and connection more than fostering.

Venus, the planet of love, relationships, and value, is now, yet again, retrograding through this house for me.  Retrogrades ask us to look back, reassess, and bring closure to significant chapters of our lives.  With Venus retrograde in my 8th house, I find myself revisiting the immense emotional depth that fostering required – the sacrifices, the love, and the inevitable process of letting go.  This isn’t just a logistical ending; it is a moment of reflection on what fostering has meant to me on a soul and evolutionary level.

Retrogrades also reveal where our understanding of love, connection, and reciprocity has shifted.  In 2017, when I first became a licensed foster care parent, my understanding of parenting, love, and the shared resource system of foster care, was radically different than it is today.  I saw love as something that I could share and pour into these children, hoping to give them stability and healing.  But now, eight years later, I see love as something far more complex and nuanced – something that can’t be always be measured by physical permanence but by the impact that we leave on each other’s hearts.  This Venus retrograde is allowing me a beautiful gateway to process that; to honor this transformation and to decide what I choose to carry forward from this journey. 

I have learned so many lessons on this path, but perhaps the most significant that stand out to me are the following:

The Transformative Power of Love

Loving a child who isn’t biologically yours, who arrives with their own history, their own fears, and their own story, teaches you something profound about love: it is not about possession, but presence.  Foster care stripped love down to its most essential form – meeting the basic emotional and physical needs of a child, being fully present, and choosing to love even when you know that it is temporary.  When you love with an open heart, expecting nothing in return, you become part of something far greater.

Each child who entered my home changed me in ways that I could never have predicted.  I had to learn to become selfless in ways I had never been asked to be before, to sit with my heartbreak, to hold very real space for tiny souls carrying invisible (and sometimes not so invisible!) burdens.  But, more than that, I learned deeply about transformation.  Love isn’t just something we give – it is something that when we allow ourselves to be open and truly vulnerable, has the power to deeply reshape us, soften us, and encourages us to grow into the best versions of ourselves. 

Letting Go 

One of the hardest lessons of fostering, was learning to let go – of expectations, of attachment, of the belief that love alone can fix everything.  When you work within the confines of a deeply flawed and imperfect system, you quickly realize that no amount of love, stability, or care can always guarantee the best outcome.  You learn that justice is not always served, that safety is not always ensured, and that some endings feel heartbreakingly incomplete. 

Losing a child you’ve cared for is a grief that few understand, yet foster parents navigate this heartbreak regularly.  It is a lesson in surrendering to the unknown, in trusting that love was enough – even if only for a short time, to make a positive impact.  Love in the 8th house asks us to accept that transformation often comes through loss.  It teaches us that just because something isn’t permanent doesn’t mean it wasn’t powerful.  And in that, there is a sliver of peace.

The Beauty of Connection

If there is one thing I’ve learned from the children that I’ve had the joy of having, it is that love is not about walls, bloodlines, or guarantees – it is about openness.  A baby does not care who you are or what you have; they do not question whether love is safe or conditional.  They simply trust.  They reach for you with tiny hands, rest their head on your shoulder, cry out when they are in need, trusting that you will respond instinctively, and love with an unguarded heart.

That kind of love is a gift.  It is raw, unfiltered, and pure in a way that few things in life are.  And when you allow yourself to love them back with the same level of openness, it changes you.  It teaches you that connection is the most beautiful, fragile, and life-altering thing that we have.  It strips away the cynicism, the fear, and the barriers we build around our hearts, reminding us that the most profound transformations happen when we allow ourselves to be fully seen, fully vulnerable, and fully present.

The Value of Love in Our Own Identity

Being a foster parent shattered so many of my old beliefs about love, worth, and identity.  Love, at its core, is not transactional.  It is not something we earn, nor is it something we are owed.  It simply exists and is a choice to give and to receive.  It is available to all of us, not because we have done anything to deserve it, but because we are here.

Fostering has shown me that the scars of our past do not have to define us.  Many of the children who entered my home carried deep wounds – some visible, some not.  Yet, they all thrived in some new way when given safety, consistency, good nutrition, time, and love.  It made me question: If they could heal, if they could grow despite all that they had been through, why couldn’t I?  The 8th house is a space of deep psychological transformation and through this experience, I’ve learned that healing is not only possible, but necessary. 

I’ve also learned that family is not defined by DNA, but by choice.  It is built in the quiet moments – bedtime stories, shared meals, inside jokes, and whispered reassurances in the dark.  Love is what makes a family, not paperwork, not names, not even time.  And yet, the world often struggles to see past labels.  I’ve witnessed firsthand the biases, the limitations imposed by ignorance- people who believed certain children weren’t investing in, saw them as broken, troublesome, less than in some way, or not worth the time to invest in connection.  The looks that were given if one child looked obviously unrelated, acted out when triggered by an invisible trauma they knew nothing of, or showed emotional immaturity far beneath their biological age due to stunted emotional growth from trauma or neglect.  Often, just the mention of “foster child” resulted in a change of demeanor and body language in other parents I interacted with – to the point that, with time, I stopped sharing my story openly to avoid the judgement and bias.  Every single child who walked through my door shattered these stigmas, time and time again.

This Venus retrograde is asking me to re-evaluate what love has taught me about myself, about others, and about what truly matters.  It is reminding me that love is the greatest resource we have to give, and the only one that multiples when shared.  It has taught me that the greatest transformation only happens when we meet another with an open, vulnerable heart, devoid of expectation or return.  And it has taught me deeply about the sacrificial and humble nature of true love and devotion.  Obviously, these lessons translate differently in different types of healthy relationships.  But, the essence of the lessons remains the same.  And the integration of them allows for a greater, deeper, and more transformed understanding of love in its purest forms.

We all share pieces of ourselves with others – through relationships, caregiving, mentorship, and love in its many forms.  What relationships or experiences in your life have shaped your understanding of love and shared responsibility?  Venus retrograde is the perfect time to reflect.  I’d love to hear your thoughts – drop a comment or share your own reflections on love, letting go, and transformation. 

Unlocking Your Venus Retrograde 2025 Lessons: A Natal Chart Guide

To look at the themes that will be best to work with and may be surfacing this transit, you will want to look at your natal chart.

1)    Locate Your Natal Venus Sign in Your Birth Chart

You can use a free site like Astro.com to cast your chart.  Natal Venus represents your inherent approach to love, relationships, aesthetics, and values. This will flavor how you experience Venus energy this retrograde and how this Aries Star Point (3/22/2025) will activate it.

 In simple terms, we will break this down by element:

·      Fire Venus (natal Venus in Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius): this Venus Star Point (VSP) will resonate strongly, pushing for new beginnings in relationship, finances, and self-worth

·      Earth Venus (natal Venus in Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn): may present a challenge to comfort zones, but also an opportunity to ground new manifestations (Earth carries extra magick for manifesting into the physical, tap into it!)

·      Air Venus (natal Venus in Gemini, Libra, Aquarius): you can expect intellectual or social shifts; your creativity and relationships may also take on a new direction.

·      Water Venus (natal Venus in Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces): may experience extra emotional and intuitive downloads, particularly in the areas of love and relationship, self-worth, and artistic expression.

2)    Look at your Natal Venus House Placement

Your natal house of Venus will show you where you express your Venusian energy and where this Aries Star Point will trigger new cycles for you this transit.  So, for example, Venus in the Gemini in the 9thHouse, is deeply connected to 9th house themes – higher knowledge and life philosophy, travel, teaching/publishing/writing.  You likely express Venusian themes, such as love and beauty, through the lens of Gemini – curiosity, communication, and mental stimulation.

3)    Identify Transit Venus – Aries & Pisces this Cycle - & the Houses Affected In Your Natal Chart

Each house represents a different area of life.  The houses where 10 degrees of Aries through 24 degrees of Pisces fall will show where you’ll be reassessing Venusian themes such as love, relationships, values, finances, and self worth this cycle.  Transiting Venus reflects the current cosmic energy influencing everyone.  The houses affected will reveal the life areas under review for you this cycle.

4)    Personal Planets Will Add Intensity

Look to see if there are any personal planets that are affected between the orb degrees of 0-13 degrees of Aries and 30-21 degrees of Pisces.   Any personal planet that will be conjunct transiting Venus will lend energy to your story also this cycle. 

5)    Look at any aspects between your Natal Venus & Transit Venus in Aries & apply Venus Rx in Aries & Pisces themes. 

This will add an additional layer of complexity and insight.  Any significant aspects (square, opposition) transiting Venus forms with your natal planets can intensify a retrograde effect, especially if Venus crosses over a natal planet multiple times during a retrograde cycle.   So, for Aries look to the other Cardinal Signs (Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) and for Pisces look to other Mutable Signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius).  If you have personal planets between 0-13 degrees of any Cardinal Sign or 30-21 degrees of any Mutable Sign this will be significant to note.

Example:

So, in the above example of natal Venus in Gemini, Venus in Aries will form a sextile (a 60 degree, favorable or opportunity aspect) creating a bridge between the themes of personal desires (Aries) and intellectual/expansive values (natal Gemini in 9th house placement).  In other words this transit may activate that person’s need to redefine what love, self-worth, and abundance mean in relation to their beliefs, education, and personal life philosophy.  Themes for reflection might be:

·      How does your identity influence your relationships? 

·      Do your relationships align with your personal and intellectual pursuits? 

·      Are your financial goals and values in alignment with your long term vision? 

·      How can you balance your desire for intellectual freedom with deep emotional connection? 

Gemini loves to learn, rules the 3rd house (writing), and the 9th house carries great themes of a teacher archetype. So if they have any passion or interest for taking a new class, teaching, or writing, this would be a great time to pursue these or any other passionate interests they may have.  This is a more complex layer to add in, if you are a beginner in astrology, don’t sweat this step and just look at your sign and house – it will give you a beautiful starting place for reflection!

6)    Reflect on the Past

Venus retrogrades through the same 5 signs in our natal chart in cycles that shift only 2 degrees every 8 years.  Think about Venus Retrograde cycles that last happened in Aries/Pisces in March 2017 and 2009.  What themes were happening for you during this time?  Similar themes may resurface for deeper healing, transformation, and reflection.

By understanding where Venus retrograde moves through your chart, you can align with its lessons – whether it’s about reclaiming your confidence, healing old wounds, or transforming your love and self-worth. 

People that will feel this transit most strongly:

·      Venus Return - If Venus retrogrades over your natal Venus, this is your Venus Return, marking a major period of self-alignment in love and values.

·      Big 3 – if Venus retrogrades over your Sun, Moon, Ascendant (aka Rising or AC), or your chart ruling planet, this will carry more significance.

·      Angles – if Venus retrogrades in your 1st, 7th, 4th, or 10th house

Venus Retrograde 2025: The Path of The Spiritual Warrior

Venus, the benefic planet of love, beauty, harmony, governs not only romance but the very essence of what we value – both within ourselves and the world around us.  When she retrogrades every 18 months, we are invited to step away from external distractions and deep dive internally, peeling back layers of conditioning and routine, to rediscover our authentic heart.

The Venus synodic cycle is an 8-year celestial dance between Venus and the Earth that traces a beautiful geometric pattern known as the Rose of Venus or the Pentagram of Venus.  As she orbits the sun, Venus’ position relative to Earth create a five-petaled flower shape (or pentagram, if you prefer), symbolizing the harmony and interconnectedness inherent in the cosmos.  Her cycle guides us through a deep and sacred journey of love, self-worth, and soulful embodiment.  And beautifully reminds us of the divine harmony and sacred geometry woven into the universe – and within ourselves – to guide us along our unfolding path.

This sacred geometry has been recognized by various cultures throughout history, reflecting the deep relationship between celestial movements and our own cycles of growth and transformation internally, as above, so below.  Each petal of the rose corresponds to a complete 8 year Venus cycle, inviting us to align with these natural rhythms and embrace the evolving journey of love, beauty, and self-discovery that our soul has been called to.

From an esoteric perspective, Venus is more than love and beauty; she is the bridge between the human heart and divine wisdom.  Her shifting phases from Morning Star Venus (bold, independent, initiatory) to Evening Star Venus (receptive, magnetic, reflective) mirror our own soul’s path – awakening, healing, and integrating the deepest truths of love and desire within us.

From an evolutionary lens, Venus’ retrogrades serve as powerful moments of re-evaluation, calling us to reflect and release outdated beliefs, patterns, and attachments that no longer align with our truth.  Each phase of her synodic cycle – her conjunction with the Sun, her first emergence in the sky, and her full radiance – offers a profound opportunity to realign with what truly matters in our hearts, values, and relationships.

Venus’ 8 year cycle is a sacred invitation to embrace both giving and receiving, action and surrender, self-love and connection with others.  She reminds us that love is not just something we seek- it’s something we become. 

With Venus descending into Aries and Pisces this cycle, we enter a soul-forging process – one that burns away false identities (Aries) and dissolves illusions of love and sacrifice (Pisces).  This transit is not simply about revisiting past relationships or reassessing desires; it is a spiritual rite of passage delving deep into the realms of desire, identity, and spiritual love.  This period is further enriched by a series of celestial aspects this retrograde transit, notably a sextile between retrograde Venus and Pluto in Aquarius, which offers profound opportunities for transformation and empowerment.

Aries and Pisces sit on opposite ends of the zodiac: Aries ignites the self while Pisces merges with the Divine.  Together, they form a sacred paradox – a journey from individualization to surrender, from ego to transcendence, and from passion to universal love. 

This retrograde is a mirror reflecting where we have either lost ourselves in our relationships or where we have walled ourselves off from connection.  The tension between these two states is where the deepest transformation will unfold. 

Venus in Aries: The Fire of Sovereignty (March 1-March 27)

Aries, ruled by Mars, is the warrior archetype of the zodiac, embodying raw will, instinct, and independence. When Venus retrogrades here, it challenges us to ask:

·      Do I truly know what I desire, or have I been chasing something out of habit or expectation?

·      Where have I sacrificed my identity in relationships?

·      Am I expressing my needs unapologetically, or am I waiting for permission to be seen?

·      Where do I mistake conquest for connection, passion for love?

This is a primal heart recalibration.  Venus in Aries asks us to stand in our full power, unafraid to claim what we truly want – but also willing to release what no longer fuels our soul.  Expect themes of personal empowerment, boundaries, and getting very clear about our raw, primal desires. 

Venus in Pisces: Dissolving Illusions, Returning to Divine Love (March 28-April 12)

As Venus drifts into Pisces, the warrior’s fire meets the ocean of universal love, compassion, and surrender.  Here, love is not a conquest – it is a remembering of something eternal. 

Venus is exalted in Pisces, meaning she expresses her most spiritual, poetic, and boundless qualities in this sign.  Yet, in retrograde she journeys internally to reflect, realign, and re-examine and asks:

·      Where have I lost myself in illusions of love?

·      Have I mistaken sacrifice for devotion?

·      Do I open my heart fully, or do I hide behind escapism and fantasy?

·      Where do I need to surrender control and trust divine timing?

·      Where do I need to reclaim my power and energetic boundaries?

This phase brings deep emotional healing, spiritual awakenings, and the release of karmic love stories.  It is a death and rebirth of the heart, dissolving old wounds so that we can love in a way that is pure, limitless, and free from distortion. 

Ultimately, Venus retrograde in Aries and Pisces is a magical time that initiates us into an internal journey of deep self-awareness, healing, and spiritual love.  It teaches us that true love is neither extreme of losing ourselves in another (Pisces) or demanding love through force (Aries), but rather about integrating sovereignty and surrender, passion and compassion, and self-responsibility and Divine trust. 

The Empowering Embrace of Venus and Pluto

A standout feature of this retrograde is the sextile aspect between Venus and Pluto, which we see her do within 2-3 degrees three times this cycle: Feb 7th (pre-shadow), March 21st, and May 6th (post-shadow).  These dates offer profound shifts around values, love, transformation, regeneration, catharsis, and rebirth that are heating up.  Ultimately, helping to guide us towards a more empowered an authentic expression of ourselves.  This harmonious alignment between Venus in Aries and Pluto in Aquarius serves as a catalyst for profound transformation:

·      Unveiling Authentic Desires: Pluto’s penetrating energy encourages us to confront hidden parts of our desires and relationships, foster a deeper understanding of our true needs.

·      Empowerment in Love: This aspect energy supports the release of outdated patterns we may be carrying, enabling us to embrace relationships that are both passionate and deeply empowering.

·      Creative Regeneration: The fusion of Venusian beauty with Plutonian depth can lead to an upstirring of artistic and creative endeavors, allowing for a creative outflow of expression that is both authentic and transformative.

Other Celestial Forces Unique to This Venus Retrograde

·      Venus Conjunct Mercury – March 11: We can expect enhanced communication, encouraging heartfelt dialogues, and the revisiting of past connections. 

·      Venus Conjunct Neptune – March 27: The energies of unconditional love, compassion, and spiritual connection are amplified, offering a time for healing and deep emotional release.

·      Venus Trine Mars – April 6: This stimulates balanced expressions of both passion and assertiveness, fostering harmony between feminine and masculine energies.

If we fully choose to participate in this deeply alchemical process, by the time Venus stations direct on April 12, we will have undergone a true inner transformation.  Love will no longer be something we chase or sacrifice for – it will be something we embody, from the inside out.

I release the love that binds me.  I reclaim the love that frees me.  I am desire and devotion, fire and ocean, warrior and mystic – whole unto myself.

New Moon In Pisces: Surrender, Soul Healing, & Sacred Renewal

This New Moon in Pisces is all about healing, emotional intimacy and relationship, and intuition and spiritual growth.  Pisces, is archetype of The Mystic, The Dreamer, & The Healer.  It is the ruler of Joy.  It is the energy of living truly in your heart space, and embodies love and deep connection.  Pisces will guide you to seek a spiritual path and search for the greater meaning of life.  It will encourage you to surrender and fully trust, have faith in the greater picture, and guide you to release any resistance to the flow of life as it unfolds.  It is a very dreamy, romantic energy, and revels in its never ending creative and imaginative gifts.  As the final sign of the zodiac, it carries the wisdom of all 12 signs, dissolving boundaries between the self and the cosmos and surrendering to the higher wisdom and power of the universal Divine.  Pisces carries an oceanic depth of emotions and feels everything deeply, absorbing the emotions of others like a sponge.  Its porous nature connects us all together and radiates its innate gifts of compassion, selfless love, and healing.  Like other water signs (Cancer and Scorpio), Pisces energy enables you to see deeply into the human psyche.  Highly intuitive, and aligned in close relationship with astral forces, Pisceans often feel things before they know them and their feelings are rarely wrong.  In its highest expression, Pisces is deeply creative, intuitive, and spiritually attuned; trusting the flow of life and surrendering to the mystery of existence.  It is a mutable sign; adaptable and able to easily shift its energy, when needed.  Pisces helps you find your soul purpose in life.  To trust and relax into divine timing and flow; knowing that when you trust and take a leap of faith in life, a higher power will always catch and lift you up.  And, that when you are aligned with your greater soul’s purpose, you will be filled with reassuring peace knowing that you are protected and doing exactly what you are meant to do.          

The symbol for Pisces, is two fish, and comes from Vesica Piscis (see above) which means “bladder of a fish”.  It is derived from the intersection of two circles and represents the joining of two worlds: the Divine & the human.  The symbol originally represented the Great Mother goddess.  It stands for the yoni, the entrance to the womb, which is also the entrance to the afterlife or spirit world. Pisces represents the waters from which life originated; the primordial Mother, the goddess of chaos, who births all beings into existence and then receives them home into eternity.   The two fish are symbolized as swimming in opposite directions, representing the paradox of being human: both spiritual and material, rational and irrational, victim and savior.  The cord binding them shows they are two opposites of one whole, forever bound together.  Pisces is where the human and divine intersect and the challenge is to find a way to unite them in a way that both includes and transcends; to be in the world, but not of it.

Pisces defies linear thinking.  It is the space where the mind cannot follow- the feminine space where meaning is found not in facts, but in feeling.  Pisces energy is art, music, dance, film, poetry, and symbolism – the ways we give shape to what cannot be explained but can be experienced best through the lens of evoking emotion.  Under this New Moon, logic is not the path forward.  Your emotions, your intuition, and your creativity are. 

The lesson of Pisces is in learning to ground in the material while allowing inspiration from spirit.  As part of the service axis with Virgo, Pisces represents the polarity of spiritual service where Virgo represents a more practical based service – improving, healing, and organizing the material world.  Pisces lean in deeply to hear other’s problems, feel their pain, and use emotion and intuition to empathically heal.  Where Pisces leans into intuition, Virgo’s go to is analysis.  Where Pisces merges into Oneness and self-acceptance, Virgo refines self-improvement.  And, where Pisces has an innate gift of surrender into the unseen and mystical, Virgo has a superpower of control and detailed refinement. Both are natural at helping others in need.  And both approach this through a different lens and skillset.  The challenge for all of us is to learn to embody the strengths of each axis of the zodiac wheel and live in balance along the spectrum.

This new moon, you may feel a heightened sense of empathy and a deep desire to explore your inner world.  It marks the final New Moon of the astrological year, symbolizing a period of closure and preparation for New Beginnings.  Particularly auspicious as it opens our upcoming eclipse portal.  Think of it as a cosmic reset for your intuition; the thinning of the veil between your conscious and subconscious and allowing us to tap deeply into our inner knowing.  Eclipses rewrite our fate, often in ways that we don’t anticipate.  They create moments of divine redirection, pulling us toward the path our soul was always meant to walk; even if we can’t yet see where it is leading.  Even if, our ego or attachment to what is familiar, resists it.  Ruling the feet, Pisces teaches us that we don’t need to see the full map before us, before we take the next step. 

Pisces, is also linked with the 12th house of the inner psyche, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and addressing our emotions for healing.  This new moon offers us an opportunity to confront any hidden wounds or tough emotions that we may have been avoiding.  It is a perfect time to reflect on what aspects of our life are no longer serving us, and declutter and let them go, before the fresh start ahead begins in Aries Season.  In stark contrast to fire, the porous water sign of Pisces is not at all about force.  It is a time to trust, surrender, and manifest from the deep well within our soul.  Pisces is where we both surrender and create – for it is Pisces that reminds us that the visions that find us, the hopes that sing within our hearts, and the dreams that live within our minds – all come from the Divine.  They have floated from the ethers into our being because they choose us….because they are for us, on our path, part of our purpose, awaiting and creating with us.  This New Moon reminds us of the always present, mystical superpower that we all carry to co-create our own reality.

This New Moon is a call back to our soul, weaving Divine inspiration and offering deep healing and transformation in our life.  Allow yourself to dream and your mind to wander with wild, uninhibited imagination. Dig deep into your emotions and psyche.  Feel your visions coming to life as you see yourself living the life you truly want to live.  The New Moon in Pisces is the transitional period right before the Spring Equinox making this an excellent time to go deep before we dive into action with the astrological new year & Aries Season beginning next month. 

Technical Details:  New Moon is occurring on February 27, 2025 at 9 degrees, 52 minutes of Pisces at 4:44pm PST (an angel number signifying stability amidst change, a reminder that even when we don’t see the full path ahead, we are still supported).  Those with mutable energy placements between 4-14 degrees (Virgo, Pisces, Gemini, Sagittarius) will feel this New Moon energy most intensely. 

Other Aspects Involved In This New Moon:

·      Uranus in Taurus is sextile with this new moon, bringing unpredictable energy and a potential for emotional fluctuations.  Getting outdoors in nature to ground, as well as connecting to art, and music, will help with grounding and tap into Pisces energy.  This energetic alignment with this New Moon assists us with breaking through old patterns that obscure our progress and expansion, helping us transform with new potential insights or unexpected breakthroughs.

·      Square to Jupiter – Jupiter is the traditional ruler of Pisces.  It is an excellent time to explore meaning and dive into the greater search for purpose in life.  It is also a wonderful time to tap into the generosity and flow of abundance; where do you receive and give in constant flow and how can you invite more of that, in healthy balance, in your life?  What are you grateful for in life?  This is a New Moon that encourages growth and expansion of both your inner emotional and spiritual world.  Where do you see this showing up?

·      Forms a Grand Water Trine with a Trine to Mars in Cancer (who just stationed direct) & a Trine with Vesta & Hekate in Scorpio – this energy encourages a potent emotional and spiritual reset.  Mars’ energy fuels renewed emotional courage, while Vesta & Hekate illuminate hidden truths, ancestral wisdom, and the power of ritual to guide us through profound healing and soul alchemy.  Let the energy and power of this alignment help you to heal, tap into deeper intuition and sacred purpose, and ultimately transform.

Importance of Grounding & Self Care This New Moon: Pisces is ruled (in Modern astrology) by Neptune, the planet of dreams, imagination, illusion, creativity, psychic receptivity, spirituality, and confusion.  And while we do not witness a New Moon visually, we will always feel its energy.  Be sure to stay grounded with self-care routines and extra time to simply recharge.  As a water sign, this is deeply needed.  This New Moon is the perfect time to reflect, relax, and replenish. 

Journal Reflections: 

·      What dreams are ready to take shape and flow into your reality?  How can you channel your dreams, creativity, and/or emotions into something healing and meaningful?

·      How can you align with Divine timing instead of forcing, or trying to control, the outcome?

·      Where can you embrace more inspiration?  What makes you feel inspired or connected to your imagination?  What are some ways that your inspiration speaks to you?

·      What is your intuition pulling you towards?  How can you deepen your connection with divine guidance and trust your intuition more fully?

·      How do you decipher between your intuition and rational thoughts?

·      What do you feel has reached an ending or what cycles are you ready to bring to a close?

·      What people, habits, and activities help you better connect with hope and purpose?

·      What illusions or dreams are you ready to release in order to see your soul’s truth more clearly?

·      What ancestral or karmic wounds (Hekate in Scorpio) are ready for transformation and release under this New Moon?

·      Where are you being invited to trust the unseen and take a leap of faith in your soul’s journey?

·      What messages have been whispering to you through synchronicity, dreams, or inner knowing, and how can you act on them?

May this New Moon in Pisces guide you gently into the depths of your soul, where dreams, intuition, and divine wisdom merge, illuminating the path of surrender, healing, and sacred renewal in your life.  Making space and allowing for your deepest heart’s desires to be planted and emerge in the next six months ahead.

Mars Finally Stations Direct!

I don't know about you all, but this has been one intense retrograde for me this time around. I’m doing a bit of a happy dance this morning as Mars officially stations direct today in Cancer at 17 degrees. Unlike other planets coming out of retrograde, Mars takes a bit longer to gain momentum and start moving again. So, while he is officially direct today, we might not actually feel this change until he starts gaining speed and movement around March 8. He will be fully out of his shadow around the end of May.

Mars is in his fall in Cancer, meaning that its energy is more indirect, protective, or emotionally driven, instead of its usual assertive, forward moving nature. So, as he stations direct, these energetic themes will be amplified, making it an ideal time for deep reflection and redirection of personal willpower.

As he moves out of his internal deep dive in retrograde, it is a great time to reflect on the insights, reflections, and downloads have you received this transit. Some of the themes that may have come to the surface may have included the following:

The Power of Emotional Willpower

Cancer is ruled by the Moon, which governs our subconscious, emotions, and instincts. Mars stationing direct here asks us, Are you moving from a place of true emotional security, or are you reacting out of fear and defensiveness? It’s a really potent opportunity to contemplate the duality of protection vs. projection; learning how to fight for what nurtures you without letting emotional reactivity drive your actions. What triggers and patterns have you identified this retrograde season?

Healing Ancestral Patterns

Cancer rules the home, family, lineage, and ancestral roots. Mars here brought a courage and encouragement to deep drive and explore and confront inherited wounds; especially any that surround masculinity, protection, safety, and emotional expression. What surfaced up for you here? What generational patterns or cycles have you recognized and are you choosing to break? Are you acting from your own inner authority or are you carrying outdated family expectations?

Where Have You Been Holding Back?

Mars retrograde can often be a time in which we feel like our energy dips, our drive is stifled, and our assertiveness quieted. As he stations direct today, you will begin to notice a shift in your energy, slowly building momentum as he gains motion, and you likely will find yourself inspired with decisive action of some sort. What have you been inspired to pursue?

Divine Masculine Healing & Reclamation

Cancer represents the Divine Feminine, and Mars, the Divine Masculine. My natal placement is Mars in Cancer, which means he is in his fall here. Often described, as the energy of a warrior trying to run in water - not very effective! This placement often speaks to a wounded masculine energy that has been taught to suppress emotions or express them in unhealthy, destructive ways. I can tell you, that in my own life, this is emphatically true. I have struggled with expressing myself and my emotions authentically nearly all of my life. I was primed at a very young age to ignore my body and my emotions and instead to focus on the energy and needs of others and what needs to be done from a perspective of survival, productivity, and “success”. As a result, I often used to dissociate; a pattern that took me decades to recognize and heal. This retrograde season has been a big awakening to me of the connection between these two and the importance of recognizing my own desires - allowing them to flow and finding a voice and aligned energy to empower them. Mars stationing direct is an opportunity to redefine masculinity and power in a way that integrates emotional intelligence, find strength through vulnerability, and empower protective, nourishing leadership. How has this theme shown up for you? What healing have you found and what steps are calling out to you for action?

The Sacred Warrior Archetype

Mars in Cancer isn’t a brute force warrior - he isn’t found on the front lines of a classic battle. He is a guardian, a protector, and a spiritual warrior who passionately defends what is sacred. What is worth fighting for in your life? What legacy of protection and security do you want to build for yourself and those who you love and come after you? How do you want to nourish those that matter in your life?

Realignment of Purpose After Emotional Recalibration

Today’s stationing moment is a pivotal point - an invitation to step into action. But in the energy of Cancer, it may not be in the way that you expect. Instead of charging ahead recklessly, the energy of Mars in Cancer drives us to tap into our intuition and take emotionally aligned movement forward. So, before taking action in the next few weeks, ponder for yourself, your intentions and whether or not the energy deeply aligns and is authentic. Does this path make me feel safe and emotionally fulfilled? Am I taking action from a place of love or fear? How can I integrate deep nourishment into my ambitions?

Mars for me is in both Cancer, as well as my 12th house. The house of my subconscious, past life karma, hidden strengths, and spiritual integration. So, not only has this been my Mars retrograde, but it is also, my Mars return. It has been full of deep awakenings and reflections; self sabotaging habits have bubbled up for awareness, I’ve had a deeply embedded fear surface for healing, and I’ve recognized an ancestral wounding pattern in my life that I know I am purposed to help heal. For at least 3 generations that I can confirm and trace, the women in my family have carried deep wounds of childhood emotional neglect (CEN). Mental illness runs in my maternal line and was the source for both my mother - her mother was in and out of a mental institution during most of her childhood, leaving her emotionally unfulfilled and devoid of deep maternal nurturing, emotional safety, and the beauty and validation of rich emotional aliveness. She, as a result, battled her own mental illness issues of Borderline Personality Disorder and likely (undiagnosed) Bipolar disorder. As the oldest of 3, I became the parentified child of the family; I vividly remember in Kindergarten being left alone to care for my sisters for the first time. Standing on a chair at the sink washing dishes and feeding my younger sister her dinner in her highchair. This pattern continued as I had my first “job” after school in 3rd grade cleaning houses and buying my own clothing on layaway at the Mulberry Bush. I felt so proud buying clothes that no longer had safety pins in them for buttons like the hand-me-downs from the well meaning church friends who donated them. But, it was the little actions like this that validated, and embedded patterns of self-sufficiency, work over emotional tending, and self-subjugation in me at a very, very young age. On my own, since before I graduated from high school, these patterns only became more deeply embedded and normalized, that it was not until decades later that I became aware that I was even doing them and that my operating system was so far out of sync with healthy behavioral patterning. And, while I have done an enormous amount of healing and work, I am aware that I still have more to do. This retrograde season has reminded me of the importance of self-care; taking time for myself, calling back my own energy, being vulnerable enough to be open to receiving love, and that I do not need to self-subjugate my own desires just to appease others. And, while I have not birthed my own children - all 4 of mine are adopted from foster care - 3 of the 4 (the 4th being one we have had since birth) carry trauma from their own childhood emotional neglect from well before coming into our home. That pattern of ancestral wounding? Well it found my lineage even if it wasn’t through traditional means. A fascinating discovery and one that again, I know, I am purposed to help heal this lifetime. But, to do that, I have to heal my own wounds and inner child first. So that I can be fully present, authentically aligned, and deeply nourishing to their own emotional world and needs so that their struggles and future can look different from my own. What a gift. Yet, what an enormous mountain. And that, is my Mars challenge this lifetime.

This all might sound relatively straightforward, but for me these are profound jewels that I’ve unearthed. And, that is my treasure this season. What have you mined for yourself this retrograde and how will you honor your new discoveries by your actions this year? This, my friends, is how we work with the sky and make internal shifts and growth in our own life. And over time, these small shifts and steps lead to profound transformation.

Wishing you all the magick, desire, and growth you so deeply crave and deserve this Rx season. Remember that Mars in Cancer isn’t asking you to take warrior action - instead it is asking you to dive deep, align with your innermost emotional truth - and tap into the wisdom of your heart to lead the way forward.

The Balance of Brilliance: Self-Growth Under the Leo Full Moon

Wednesday, February 12th, 2025 Leo Full Moon at 24 Degrees at 8:53am EST

Key Aspects:

·      Opposite the sun, Mercury in Aquarius

·      Square Uranus in Taurus

·      Mars (Rx) in Cancer trines Saturn in Pisces

Themes to focus on under the energy of this Full Moon:

·       Where Uranus is shaking you awake and asking you to pay attention?

·       What is dimming your soul light and ability to shine?

·       Where you are not being yourself and in full integrity and authenticity?

The last Cancer Full Moon came to illuminate the way forward into our year. Then, to quantum leap us into new timelines and a new future vision, was the Aquarius New Moon, asking us to assess where we stand in our authenticity and break free from comparison and social conditioning.  Now, to help us to take big, brave, bold steps towards our future, is the Leo Full Moon. Like all of our moons so far this year, this full moon is working with Uranus, the Great Awakener, who really wants us to listen.

This Leo Full Moon is the perfect mix of Aquarian and Leo energy.  While both signs teach us to embrace authenticity, Aquarius (collective authenticity) and Leo (personal authenticity) is about balancing individuality with the need to connect with, and contribute to, the world around us. 

Leo represents the raw, unfiltered expression of the self.  It allows us to tap into the deep inner wisdom of our heart.  It rules creativity, play, and the courage to shine.  Leo is about being seen and celebrated, and standing boldly in the spotlight of one’s own truth.  It teaches us that genuine authenticity comes from embracing one’s personal desires, talents, and passions, unabashedly – and without external validation.  It is the courage to make up your life in any way that you desire.  And, it is asking you to look at where you are still playing small and giving your power away.  Whatever it is that you are doing, thinking, dedicating your money, energy and thoughts to – that is what has your power.  Does it align with what you truly want in your life?  Because if its counter to that – if its destructive or toxic in any way, that is what it means to give away your power.  And Leo wants you to deeply explore your desires. By becoming aware of what or who you give away your power to, you can reclaim it.  Leo asks you to fully embody and express yourself authentically – even if it means risking rejection or standing alone.  Trust that anything surfacing right now is doing so for your highest good.  Any vulnerability you may be feeling is intended to help you experience a deeper level of intimacy with yourself.

Leo is, at its essence, about radical self-love.  This moon is illuminating any places of self-betrayal that may be lingering in your life.  Are you hiding or seeking validation for yourself?  If so, where?  Radical self-love and acceptance means you are able to be fully yourself around the people closest to you.  If you are in relationships that you aren’t your full, authentic expression of self, or you’re in a situation where you are not standing in your own power, there may be a situation or power struggle that surfaces to force you to see and acknowledge this dissonance and make changes.

The polarity opposite, Aquarius, seeks authenticity also, but from a different perspective – through the lens of alignment with a higher vision.  Aquarius is less concerned with personal recognition and more about staying true to one’s values, even if that means going against the grain.  Aquarius’ authenticity isn’t about ego – it is about being uniquely yourself while also uplifting and improving humanity as a whole. 

Both of the signs help provide axis balance.  Leo reminds Aquarius that authenticity isn’t just about ideals and intellect, but that it must be embodied and expressed with heart and passion.  And Aquarius, reminds Leo that authenticity is not just about the self, but must be aligned with a greater vision and purpose.  Together, they both teach us that true authenticity requires both personal courage (Leo) and a commitment to something beyond self (Aquarius).

As the sign ruled by the Sun, Leo represents our radiant core– the raw essence of who we truly are. The Sun represents our vitality, our self-confidence, and our heart centered leadership.  This Moon carries the power to help you break free from anything dimming your light. It offers us an invitation to reconnect with what lights us up inside and share that magical spark with the world.  Still in Aquarius Season, we are also reminded that we are energetic beings with our own unique frequencies. Leo reminds us of the incredible power of heart centered consciousness– that our heart creates an electromagnetic field more powerful than any other part of you, extending far beyond your physical body and touching everyone around you. This Full Moon invites you to tap into this remarkable power. Remembering that when you operate from your highest Self, you remain constantly connected with your heart’s wisdom.  And, that when you align with your heart's frequency, you become a beacon of light for others. You naturally inspire others through your authentic expression of love, gratitude, and acceptance.  Think of your heart as your energetic messenger to the world– now is the time to raise its vibration and clarify its expression.  Your individual light becomes part of the greater awakening of consciousness on our planet.

Following your heart requires courage. Unlike your mind, your heart isn't interested in perfect plans, spreadsheets, or nitty, gritty details. The heart speaks to us through the lens of emotion – through joy, love, compassion, and yes, sometimes through pain or fear. Leo teaches us to embrace all of these feelings with strength and self-love. You have the power to face anything within yourself with compassion and understanding. By tapping fully into the expression and wisdom of your heart, you step into your natural ability to lead and inspire others. While we often think our mind runs the show, it's actually our heart that knows the way forward. Your heart connects you to life's purpose and the infinite wisdom of the Universe. Your mind is simply along for the ride.

This Full Moon also invites us to heal through inner child work. Leo energy naturally connects with the pure joy of childhood, bringing to light any wounds around love, approval, and courage that formed in our early years. Spend some time exploring your inner child and their needs this week.  What do they need to feel truly loved? Let them know they are perfect exactly as they are. Reflect on your earliest experiences with love - were you taught that love had to be earned? Did you learn to seek approval from others? This Full Moon supports you in healing these old patterns and remembering that you deserve love simply for being you. Let Leo’s energy remind you that you are always enough and you are always worth of love, just by being you.  Feel into this truth and recognize that you have the power to give yourself any unconditional love that you may have missed as a child.  Start peeling back those layers of wounding and show that child within you the radical, unwavering, and unconditional love and self-acceptance that we are all hardwired to need and watch your healing begin to unfold.

Leo energy also helps to remind us that our own uniqueness is our superpower. We each have special gifts and talents that only we can shine and share out in the world. Each of us carries a unique message from our heart that needs to be expressed. True leaders inspire through authenticity, lighting up any room they enter with their presence. As you begin to follow this lead, and share your gifts freely, watch how your own authentic energy inspires others. When you share your true self without hesitation, you give others permission to do the same. Leading through love and authenticity literally has the power to create ripples of positive change throughout the collective consciousness.  This Full Moon asks: Are you ready to take up your space? Are you willing to be seen in your full radiance?

There are several aspects in the sky during this Leo Full Moon, which create powerful opportunities for breakthrough and transformation.

The Moon and Sun Square Uranus in Taurus, bringing revolutionary breakthroughs in how you express your authentic truth. This energy will shake up anything blocking you from shining your brightest light. Uranus loves to surprise us with sudden insights and unexpected changes– all designed to wake us up to our highest potential. You may feel called to break free from situations, relationships, or beliefs that have kept you playing small.  

While unexpected changes may feel unsettling, trust that any disruptions are actually intended to guide you towards living more fully from your heart. Uranus in Taurus specifically helps you revolutionize your relationship with your values and self-worth, supporting you in claiming your natural right to shine radiantly. 

Mercury is also conjunct the Sun in Aquarius, illuminating new, brilliant ideas about how to share your unique gifts with the world. This may offer new insights and clarity about your future, helping you see innovative ways to create positive change through your self-expression. This alignment supports you in articulating your truth in ways that inspire others and contribute to collective evolution. You might receive amazing insights about your path forward or suddenly understand how to communicate your heart's message more effectively. It is a powerful time for brainstorming, writing, speaking your truth, and connecting with others.  Especially after the Mercury-Sun cazimi we just had Sunday, this energy will be felt potently.  In conjunction with Uranus, expect to be offered an opportunity to look at something through a completely new and innovative lens; to think outside the box in a way you perhaps haven’t before.  And, applying this energy to Leo, this will enable you to learn to shine even brighter, perhaps, in a new, unique way.

The Moon also opposes Mercury in Aquarius, creating a powerful bridge between your heart and mind. This alignment helps you find the perfect balance between feeling and thinking, allowing you to express your emotional truth with clarity and wisdom. While oppositions can create tension, this one offers a beautiful opportunity to integrate your emotional intelligence with your intellectual understanding. You're supported in finding ways to communicate your feelings clearly while maintaining awareness of the bigger picture. This aspect will help you share your personal truth in ways that contribute to collective awakening.

Mars (still retrograde!) in Cancer Trines Saturn in Pisces and offers a beautiful flow of energy that will support you in taking aligned action. Mars in Cancer connects you deeply with your emotional wisdom, encouraging you to move forward in ways that feel nurturing and authentic. The retrograde motion invites you to dive deeply into your innermost world and refine how you assert yourself and take action. Saturn in Pisces adds spiritual depth and grounding power to your efforts, helping you build lasting foundations based on your intuitive guidance. This trine creates an easy flow between your emotional wisdom, spiritual insight, and ability to create concrete change in your life.

Together, this energy helps to amplify the moon’s potential for growth and awakening. The square to Uranus breaks open any limitations holding you back from your full expression. Mercury aspects illuminate your path forward with clarity while helping you communicate your truth effectively. And the Mars-Saturn trine supports you in taking practical steps aligned with your heart's wisdom.

Where the Full Moon happens in Leo is the part of your chart you are meant to shine into and illuminate.  Think about how you are learning in life to shine in this house of your chart.  Because again, this Full Moon is going to give you a breakthrough about it.  This is a powerful time for transformation.  What you choose to do with that invitation, is completely up to you.  You might experience unexpected revelations about your path forward or feel called to express yourself more boldly than ever before. However this lands for you, welcome these shifts - they're helping you align more fully with your authentic self and highest potential.

Journal Reflections:

·      Where are you holding back your gifts, your voice, or your presence?

·      Are you leading from your heart or are you stuck in ego battles and pride?

·      Where do you seek validation and how can you validate yourself instead?

·      What childhood passions or creative pursuits have you abandoned but may bring you joy to reconnect with?

·      How do you respond to being seen and celebrated?

·      How are you embodying joy, play, and pleasure in your daily life?  How can you invite more?

·      How are you uniquely meant to shine in this world?

·      Where do you let fear of failure keep you small?

·      Where do you dim your light to make others comfortable?

Nodes of Fate Officially Change

Today the nodes of fate officially change. This is the closing of a chapter of our lives looking at the balances between our relationship with others, and ourself as the Nodes transition from the Aries/Libra axis to Pisces/Virgo. With the North Node in Pisces, our collective future destiny is to find deep connection to our soul, immerse ourselves in the spiritual and sacred, live in full trust and surrender, knowing that we are always fully supported and guided, and follow our intuition and deep internal wisdom. The South Node in Virgo asks us to leave behind patterns of overthinking, worrying, and trying to control and hold on to things that are ready to be let go of. It is asking for us to loosen our grip of control, micromanaging , perfectionism, and overworking tendencies. Letting go of the pressure to have everything align, make sense, and be figured out. Encouraging us to sit in stillness, tap into our inner wisdom, and be in the flow.

Full Moon in Cancer - 1/13/2025

The full moon occurs at 24 degrees of Cancer on Monday, January 13th, at 5:26pm EST. This moon carries some magick with it and will be potent. The lunar nodes change signs just two days earlier and this full moon is beginning a story that will unfold through 2027.

Aspects:

• Opposes the Sun and Pallas Athena in Capricorn & Pluto in Aquarius

• Conjunct Mars (still retrograde!) in Cancer

• Sextile Uranus in Taurus & the South Node in Virgo

• T-Square with Aries Stellium - Chiron, Eris, Hygiea squaring the Moon

• Trine Neptune & the North Node in Pisces, Juno in Scorpio, & Astraea in Sagittarius

The last Gemini Full Moon came to help each of us tell and begin to live a new life story. Then, to set the tone for our year ahead and move us into deeper purpose & potential, was the Capricorn New Moon, offering us action oriented and supportive energy to achieve our goals. Now, to illuminate our way forward is the Cancer Full Moon.

The moon is at home in her ruling planet of Cancer. As the cardinal sign of water, Cancer carries profound potency. This full moon is calling us home and asking you to begin from a place of well nourished rest, introspection, connection, and deep grounding. Only from a place of deep authenticity and owning all parts of yourself in love and complete acceptance, are you able to fully tap into the innate wisdom of your soul’s calling, connection and purpose, and fully co-create the reality ahead that you wish to bring in.

The nodes which have just changed signs are prominently supporting this full moon in sextile and trine, echoing the affirmation that this begins a new chapter in the story of our lives. The deep water of Cancer & Pisces encourages us to lean into stillness, our deep, innate inner wisdom and connect with our Higher Selves & purpose. To truly sit in surrender and flow. While the South Node in Virgo, encourages us to move past any blocks that may delay this connection: overthinking, worry, perfectionism, and control. The North Node in Pisces asks us to lean into full trust of our divine intuition, faith, and fully trust and surrender to divine timing. And, to embrace unconditional love, forgiveness, and interconnectedness.

With Chiron in Aries, we are also being asked to heal wounds of unworthiness. In other words, releasing a need to look outside of ourselves for approval, validation, or anything else external that you may be using to fill a void of feeling “enough”. The Moon in Cancer reminds us that this fulfillment will only come from being deeply grounded, loved, and at home, within yourself. Nothing external will ever fill your void of self worth and love, but you. And as you accept this and journey fully back home to yourself, fiercely embracing your own love and worth, only then will you see that you no longer seek as much from the outside world and that all you need, has, and will always be, found within you.

One of the most magical aspects of this Full Moon is that she squares Chiron at 19 degrees of Aries. This is the exact same degree point of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, in which Chiron was conjunct. This offers us a huge opportunity to close old stories and heal old wounds and patterning. It asks us to get really curious and reflect back to themes of self worth. Where have you been living from your worth wounds and playing small? Where have you been allowing stories of not being good enough or limiting beliefs hold you back from achieving your wildest dreams?

Chiron is also conjunct the dwarf planet Eris & asteroid Hygiea and creates a T-Square with the Sun/Pluto and Moon offering a powerful opportunity for deep self healing and stepping into your power. At the heart of this tense aspect is a profound healing medicine. The breaking of old patterns. Eris, who was said to cause the Trojan War out of rage that she was always relegated to outsider status, is standing arm in arm in a conjunct aspect with Hygiea and Chiron - the two most potent healers of the zodiac and Greek pantheon. Let Eris show you boldly where your soul purpose lies and what patterns need to be released for you to advance on your path. These energies call you into deep forgiveness, healing, and empowerment.

Another magical thread forms as this Full Moon creates a sextile to the exact degree point of the Virgo Full Moon Lunar Eclipse that will happen on March 14, 2025. What we begin now, will be transformatively affected to this first eclipse in Spring and continue through 2027.

So, how are you becoming your own safe space and sanctuary? How are you nurturing your inner child and yourself today, this full moon, and every day? Unless we come from a place of wholeness, we cannot operate at our fullest potential. Not in relationship, not in work and service, and not in connection with our gifts and with ourselves.

We are being asked this year to live fully guided by our intuition and the Universe. Following the signs, synchronicities, and fully trusting our soul to lead the way. Our main motivating force for this year is spiritual awakening and commitment to our spiritual practices and soul growth - truly finding and stepping into our soul mission. As the Moon opposes Pluto (in an out of sign conjunction) this could not be more loud and clear. Pluto is about to spend his first full year in Aquarius since 1779 and is breaking the chains of patriarchal injustice and bringing the power back to the people. He is reminding us of who we truly are - powerful co-creators, having a human experience. Pay close attention to where you give your power away and live from the outside in. This Full Moon is calling for you to anchor in your own essence, truth, and soul, and to remember that the outside world is a direct reflection of our own inner world. It is a powerful call home to yourself, your sovereignty, and to fully claim what you desire, living in a way that is true to who you are and who you are here to embody.

To help us with this is Uranus, who is sextile to this full moon, shaking the foundations of your life and asking you to free yourself from anywhere that you aren’t fully free to be all of yourself. It is our wake-up call to action, to be authentic and ensure we are in alignment in our life, no longer playing small. In true Uranian energy, you may find yourself pushed along your path, needing to leap out of your comfort zone, face up to things you have been avoiding, or accept challenges that you’ve not felt quite ready for. 2025 is a year of true soul growth, expansion, and evolution, calling us to remember who we are and why we are here. Neptune’s trine helps to further support this, connecting us to our soul, with divine and deep spiritual connection. Allow yourself to trust and be guided to where you need to be. Surrender to your soul and know that you are part of something much greater- always being supported and guided along your path.

Cancer, the cardinal water sign, helps us to generate the water within ourselves. Our water element is what helps us to heal, connect with Spirits, and replenish and nourish our soul. It reminds us that we are both soft and fierce. It also teaches us the magic of flow and soft change. Just as the ocean gently molds the shoreline, we too can shape our own lives if we are willing to be patient. There will be times in our lives when this soft flow is needed, and times we tap into our fire, blazing in swift change with a crash. Both of these energies are beautiful in their own right and both are necessary at different chapters of our life as we carve our own place in the world.

Cancer is represented by the crab, who uses their hard shell to keep all of their emotions contained and close to heart. The challenge that Cancer carries is to explore vulnerability - the willingness to acknowledge that life is meant to be lived, enjoyed in full, and not always be hidden. That, to grow, means to put yourself out there and take risks at times. As the crab leaves the safety of his own shell to grow into a new one, he is exposed to elements that force him to rely on surviving through intuition and instinct alone. Just as the crab evolves through times of transition, so do you, even if they make you feel vulnerable or afraid. The silver lining of uncertainty is that it gives you no choice but to trust and rely upon your own inner knowledge and power. The lesson showing us that empowerment can often come through being vulnerable. So, this Full Moon, consider if you, like the crab, need to leave your old shell full of patterns, safety, and limitations for a new shell, capable of holding your new expansive self. Are fears - of the unknown or other - holding you back from taking a leap of faith in a new direction or allowing yourself to grow? Feel into what transformation is calling to you. Allow yourself to process all the emotions it brings so that you can take the steps you need to fully evolve next year.

This Full Moon will magnify your intuition as well as your emotions. Cancer teaches us that the two go hand in hand. You cannot access your deep inner wisdom without feeling your way there. If you shut yourself off from feeling or suppress your emotions, your intuition is also lost. Let the moon bring forth inner knowledge that you know, without hesitation, is your truth. For this, brings out your magick.

Lastly, I want to talk about the Cancer/Capricorn Polarity axis because these are the energies we are feeling and tuning into this Full Moon. The sun still being in Capricorn and the moon sitting in her glory, in Cancer. These two zodiacal archetypes oppose each other and have different rulers - Cancer being ruled by the Moon, and Capricorn, ruled by Saturn. This is the axis of structure - of learning to dance between the dualities of interdependence and self-sufficiency which often play out like a theme of inner emotional security vs. external achievement. Cancer, rules our emotions, our care, and nurturance, reflecting our deep need to feel safe and supported by others. Cancer also emphasizes the need for interdependence - our ability to connect emotionally and build relationships that foster belonging and mutual care. It is what allows us to build and nurture a family, or cultivate our own deep, internal “home”. Cancer teaches us to embrace vulnerability as a strength, showing us that needing others isn’t a weakness and reminding us that we are all innately hard wired for relationship and connection. Cancer, perhaps more than any other zodiacal sign, also helps us to understand the cyclical ebb-and-flow nature of life and our emotions. She is the wisdom keeper of our emotional body and helps us unlock the keys to that gift. At its best, Cancer teaches us that interdependence - forming authentic bonds and seeking support - is a fundamental part of the human experience and reminds us to trust in others. Capricorn is the polarity opposite and embodies structure and self-sufficiency. Ruled by Saturn, Capricorn symbolizes ambition, discipline, and responsibility, and is focused on self-sufficiency and drive. Capricorns thrive in environments that reward hard work and determination and seek to build a legacy through concrete achievements. It teaches us to take personal responsibility for our own success and security and to create healthy boundaries that protect our containers, independence, and autonomy. Capricorn also teaches to cultivate the gifts of resilience and endurance which are critical to weather life challenges without falling out of balance and into unhealthy patterns of reliance on others. The duality of the axis again dancing between the need for deep emotional connection vs. practical ambition, nurturing vs. material provision, healthy dependence vs. independence, and the wealth of both inner and outer success. Together these energies challenge us to learn when to rely on others and ask for help and when to lean into our own internal drive and rely upon ourselves. They teach us that both types of care (emotional nurturing and material and structural provisions) are valuable and that balance is key. Overemphasis on one vs. the other (ie. unhealthy codependency vs. emotional neglect) creates imbalance. And it teaches the importance of cultivating deep emotional wisdom and intuition as well as the need to remain grounded, practical, and emotionally restrained to achieve our material goals. Learning to cultivate a balance upon this axis is key to success in life. Cancer calls us to dive deep under our shell, get real, and cultivate our own self love and security instead of relying upon, and seeking it, within others. It calls us to recognize when nurturing becomes enabling and teaches us to set healthy boundaries. Capricorn teaches us the need to develop emotional awareness, resilience, and allow ourselves to become vulnerable, even while striving for independence. It pushes to really understand the concept that developing emotional support does not diminish our own strength, but instead can strengthen our vessel for success. This axis ultimately guides us to embody and integrate these dualities and finely balance them within us, creating a life that honors both energies and provides us with the skills for ultimate fulfillment and success.

Journal Reflections:

• Think about what makes you feel safe and supported. What are the cues that let you know you are safe to let down your exterior walls, soften, and feel safe and secure? What does emotional security mean to you and how can you cultivate this in your life?

• What is your own internal “home” frequency (ie. love, peace, gratitude, contentment, etc)? What self care practices can you create to return back to this frequency no matter what happens throughout your day? What will bring you back to yourself and your intuition? Decide how you want to feel this Full Moon, and commit to feeling that way each day as you flow with the curveballs of life.

• What emotions have I been ignoring? How can I honor and release those today?

• How do I balance caring for others vs. taking care of my own needs?

• What family dynamics or ancestral patterns are you ready to heal & release this Full Moon?

• Where are you overly self-reliant and how can you allow others to support you? In what ways do you lean too heavily on others for emotional support and how can you bring balance to this dynamic? In what ways can you nourish your inner child?

• How can you release old fears or insecurities to make space for deeper emotional fulfillment?

• What intentions can you set to nurture yourself and others more deeply in the coming weeks?

• What blessings in your life fill you with profound gratitude?

Dancing with Mars: Working with His Synodic Cycle

From Earth, the planet Mars (the closest planet outside of Earth’s orbit) has a regular, visible pattern in the sky that can be observed. We call this pattern a synodic cycle.

The Synodic Cycle of Mars begins and ends with its relationship with the Sun and refers to the full orbit of Mars with the Sun which takes 780 days or roughly 26 months. The Sun is our sense of purpose in our lives, it is the core essence of who you are - your soul’s purpose, vitality, and the light you radiate. Mars is the energy that drives and fuels your ability to act on that purpose, embodying your courage, willpower, and determination. It is the sacred warrior energy that takes the Sun’s purpose (your Divine Will) and brings it into the world through action and desire. It is the “how” that fulfills the Sun’s “why”. In other words, the Sun holds our vision and Mars actualizes it. Without Mars, the Sun’s purpose remains unfulfilled, existing only as unrealized potential. Both are dependent on the other to fully fulfill their destiny. They work together to bridge the spiritual and physical realms and, when in harmony, they align and create a balanced flow between vision and action. The esoteric journey of integrating the Sun and Mars is learning to act with purpose - Mars through the wisdom of disciplined action aligning with the higher light of the Sun, while the Sun reminds Mars to act in service of the greater good, avoiding impulsivity and self-centered ambition.

The Mars synodic cycle influences how we experience and work with Martian themes like:

• Energy & Drive - the cycle will reveal how our motivation and energy levels ebb & flow over time.

• Conflict & Action - Mars’ retrograde and opposition often coincide with heightened conflict or the need to re-evaluate how we assert ourselves.

• Ambition & Goals - cycle marks phases of initiation, culmination, and adjustment in our pursuit of goals.

In Shamanic Astrology, the synodic cycle begins with the Mars-Sun opposition. This perspective emphasizes the conflict and tension inherent in the Mars opposition, viewing it as a crucial turning point in the cycle where confrontation and necessary change are likely to occur and kicks off the transformative cycle (6 phases). In Western Astrology, it begins with the Mars Cazimi (Mars conjunct the Sun). This approach sees the cazimi as the initiation point of the Mars cycle, signifying a time of intense focus, motivation, and potential for strong action due to Mars' close proximity to the Sun.

I think both views of the cycle carry value; its a personal preference in what story framing most aligns with you. Let’s look at the Shamanic Astrology Cycle in closer detail. In its opposition with the Sun, Mars is physically closest to the Earth. This is when Mars rises in the east as the Sun sets in the west and is called an acronychal rise. The zodiacal sign that Mars is in when beginning their Synodic Cycle is called the overtone. The planet typically spends 7-8 months in the overtone sign before, during, and after, the acronychal rise.

In Shamanic Astrology this Synodic Cycle pattern is divided into 6 distinct phases which is outlined below. In this train of thought, Mars represents the archetype of the Divine Masculine and explores the ideas of healthy masculinity, such as standing in one’s power, embodying courage, and pursuing passion and purpose with integrity. If you are working with Divine Masculine healing, Mars can provide insights into your natural assertiveness and how you channel that energy in healthy ways.

Phase 1:

Beginning with the acronychal rise, Mars is retrograde for half of this phase and also at its brightest. Phase 1 ends when Mars returns to back to the original point in the sky (sign and degree) that it was at arconychal rise. Shamanically, Phase 1 is like the Call to Adventure or the start of the Vision Quest. It can also be seen as a birth and emergence as well as an early youthful period of time for the Masculine.

Phase 2:

This is the longest phase of the cycle and typically spans 10-11 months. During this phase of the cycle Mars meets the Moon on a monthly basis. In Shamanic Astrology, these are known as the Challenges and represent specific areas of growth for the masculine varying greatly on the sign and constellation that Mars is in. Phase 2 ends when Mars disappears in the glare of the Sun (15 degrees from Sun).

Phase 3:

This phase lasts 3-4 months and is known as the “underworld phase” and is a time of masculine surrender. From Earth, Mars is now on the other side of the Sun during this phase. Shamanically, it is celebrated as Native American Sundance of Okeepa initiation. It is a process of facing one’s fears and death/rebirth.

Phase 4:

This part of the cycle occurs when Mars is visible in the early morning, right before sunrise. This phase lasts 4-5 months. It ends when Mars re-enters the zodiacal sign that it was in at the acronychal rise.

Shamanically, this phase is about rebirth and growth, or harvesting the potent wisdom from the Phase 3 journey through the underworld.

Phase 5:

This phase begins when Mars re-enters the zodiacal sign of its original acronychal rise. Shamanically this represents the gift of maturity and elder wisdom. This phase ends when Mars reaches the zodiacal sign of its next undertone.

Phase Zero:

This is a period of gestation in preparation for the next phase of the Mars cycle. It includes metamorphic shift from one sign/archetype to the next, carrying with it the wisdom of the previous cycle.

The cycle ends at the acronychal rise / Mars-Sun Opposition.

Looking at the Western Astrology Approach, there are also 6 key phases, aligning with her movement and angles with the Sun:

Conjunction - Mars sits behind the Sun and is invisible as it is obscured by the Sun’s glare. This is symbolic of the “seed point” in the cycle, akin to a new moon. It represents a time of initiation, setting intentions, and beginning new actions. New energy & plans related to Mars begin to germinate.

Emergence - Mars as a Morning Star; Mars emerges from the Sun’s glare and becomes visible in the morning sky before sunrise. This is a period of growing awareness and active engagement. The seeds planted begin to take form. This is a time to act on new ambitions, confront challenges, and assert independence.

Opposition - Mars is Opposite to the Sun; this is when Mars is physically closest to the Earth, at its brightest, and is visible all night. This is considered the “Culmination” or peak of the cycle; akin to a full moon. Actions, conflicts, or themes come to full expression and it is a time for resolution or escalation of issues.

Retreat - Mars as an Evening Star; after its opposition, Mars begins to move away from Earth and appears in the evening sky after sunset. This phase represents a waning energy in the cycle. A time to reflect and integrate lessons learned during the peak; ie. analysis of results, adjust strategies, and let go of what is not working.

Retrograde - Mars appears to move backwards in the sky from the Earth’s perspective (an illusion due to the differences in orbital speeds between Earth & Mars). Mars slows down her external progress and invites an inner exploration into Mars energies (goals/action, anger, desire, conflict, and energy expenditure). This is an invitation to internally reflect on past conflicts, reassess desires and actions.

Return to Conjunction - cycle begins anew as Mars returns back to align with the Sun again.

The Mars synodic cycle aligns beautifully with the Hero’s Journey as it represents a cyclical process of growth, challenge, and transformation through the lens of our personal drive, courage, and the Divine Masculine.

• Call to Adventure - Mars Cazimi. The hero hears the call and begins his new journey. Your individual inner warrior is reborn with new desires, ambitions, and a renewed sense of purpose.

• Crossing the Threshold - Mars Evening Star Phase. The hero crosses into the unknown and the journey begins.

• Trials & Challenges - Mars Opposes the Sun. The hero’s story unfolds as he confronts external trials, allies, and enemies. It is a time of testing strength, courage, and resolve forcing you to confront fears and limitations. Emotional triggers and external pressures test your ability to stay focused, aligned, and in balance.

• The Descent & Ordeal - Mars Retrograde Phase. As the illusion of Mars moving backwards in the sky unfolds, so does this symbolize a backward motion on our journey. This is the chapter of deep inner work and integration. It is the dark night of the soul on our journey. The hero confronts their shadow, unhealed wounds, and inner demons. It is a time of reflection and re-evaluation. The Divine Masculine energy becomes introspective and invites you to evaluate how you take aligned action.

• The Atonement - Mars Direct & Emerges As the Morning Star. The hero integrates their lessons and emerges transformed. This is a period of clarity, understanding, and alignment with one’s true purpose. You will emerge with a renewed sense of confidence and drive. The lessons learned in retrograde help refine how you assert yourself and take action in the world. You will begin to engage in the world in a much more empowered way.

• The Return Home - Mars Approaches the Next Conjunction (New Cycle Preparation). As he moves closer to the Sun, he completes his cycle. The hero returns home with newfound wisdom and strength, ready to share their gifts with others and begin again on a new chapter of their journey. New rebirth and wisdom of your Divine Masculine Energy emerges.

As the Mars Opposition occurs today, it offers the reflection of clarity re. patterns of confrontation or empowerment that have surfaced:

• What situations or relationships in my life are testing my courage and assertiveness right now?

• What drives my actions today: love, fear, or anger? How can I align more with love, trust, and purpose?

• In what areas of my life do I need to reclaim my power and take action?

• How can I face challenges with strength and integrity instead of aggression or avoidance?

• Who or what is triggering me today and what lesson does this hold for my growth?

• What can I do today to balance boldness (Mars) with mindfulness (Sun)?

• Am I taking actions that align with my long-term goals and values or am I distracted by short term frustrations?

The Mars synodic cycle reminds us that most things in nature have a cycle and that attuning to that cycle can often impart wisdom and beautiful shifts in our alignment in life. As the classic phrase from the Emerald Tablet reminds us “As above, so below”, tracking Mars’ phases in your natal chart allows you to align your actions and ambitions with the natural rhythm of the cycle, enhancing your own personal effectiveness and growth.

Revolutionary Renewal: Embracing the Aquarius New Moon’s Call for Change

Aquarius New Moon – 9 degrees of Aquarius on Wednesday 29, 2025 at 7:26am EST

Interesting Aspects:

• Uranus – (Modern) Ruling planet for this full moon is at 23 degrees Taurus.  Is currently retrograde and will station direct the day after.  Uranus represents the higher mind or the observer, while Mercury represents the ordinary mind (negative thoughts, broken records, brilliant ideas, etc).  Uranus represents the part of us that watches everything happening inside us and does not judge it. Saturn (Traditional) Ruler of Aquarius provides the grounding needed to build lasting change while Uranus inspires radical shifts and fresh perspectives.  Both rulers carrying the dual power of structure and rebellion.  This balance reminds us that innovation often requires honoring the lessons of the past while fearlessly breaking free from outdated systems that are holding us back.

• Aquarius Stellium: Conjunct the sun, Mercury, Chariklo, and Pluto

• Trine Jupiter (still retrograde) in Gemini and Black Moon Lilith in Libra; creating an air grand trine.  This supports the energy of fearless self-expression, radical new ideas, and an amplified ability to challenge norms while maintaining diplomacy.  It is an excellent energy to support intellectual breakthroughs, further explore our visions for the future, and reclaim our personal power through our words and ideas.

• Square Vesta in Scorpio – this creates a tension between innovation and deep, focused devotion.  It calls into focus our inner sacred flame; what it is we are called to be in service to.  And may also help surface hidden truths or subconscious attachments that are holding you back from personal freedom (Aquarius).

• Dark Goddess Energy – Eris and Medusa oppose Black Moon Lilith, Hecate is square, Persephone is conjunct Pluto.  This speaks  to deep truth, wisdom, shadow work, transformation, and radical awakening.  Deep sacred feminine energy at work to help support our growth.

The last New Moon in Capricorn came to set the tone for the year ahead and move us into deeper purpose and align with our potential.  Then, to illuminate our way forward was the Cancer Full Moon encouraging us to lean into our intuition, nurture our inner home, and empower us to step fully into our path ahead.  Now, to quantum leap us into new timelines and a new future vision, is the Aquarius New Moon.  The first new moon of Aquarius with Pluto fully ingressed and present, this New Moon is visionary, bold, and ignites the new Plutonian energies of Aquarius.  It offers serious momentum for transformation.  This is the first meeting of both the Sun and Moon in Aquarius and she will be loud and revolutionary.  Adding even more magick, it aligns with the Chinese Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake which is a “9” in Numerology.  The number 9 as well as the Snake, represent letting go of what no longer serves us to make space for what we wish to call in next.  It is symbolic of transformation and Scorpio energy (ruled by Pluto).  This energy is all about shedding our old skin and stepping into higher frequency.  And while Plutonic/Scorpionic energy can be quite intense, Aquarius helps us remain objective and detached (two of its gifts!), trusting that any shedding that is happening right now is for our greatest good. 

Represented by the Water Bearer, Aquarius is an air sign that pours forth the wisdom of creation to encourage humanity towards a better future. It teaches us that our individuality is not separate from the collective – it is what enriches and uplifts it.  It encourages us to break free from limitations, embrace our own unique purpose, and imagine a brighter future for ourselves and the world.  The astrology in the sky supporting this New Moon creates a powerful moment for deep emotional healing, creative expansion, and stepping into the unknown with faith, optimism, and wisdom.

Under the energies of this new moon, I want to encourage you to really look towards the future and get very real and clear about what exactly you want for your life.  And, I want you to make sure these intentions are big, bold, and expansive – ie. they should stretch you in some way.  Make sure that the intentions you set for yourself this new moon are fully in alignment with the vision and desire you have for yourself ahead.  Trust what you are being called towards and look, to your long-term future and what you want for yourself, over the next year, 5 years and maybe even the full 19 years that Pluto will be in Aquarius.

Don’t look for quick fixes at this moon or things that may temporarily make you feel a bit better about your life. Although useful at times, this moon wants something much deeper, more visionary, and for you to take a courageous quantum leap and expand into new territory.

It is time to stop playing small.  Dig deep into your soul and call forth the desires that most deeply resonate with you and the life you wish to manifest ahead.  Do you feel stuck and deeply crave more fulfillment? Instead of writing an intention to feel unstuck, perhaps dig deeper.  What did you used to do – perhaps even years ago, as a child, that made you feel most alive, in the flow, and truly connected?  Was it playing unabashedly, drawing, hiking, making music, or ­­­­­travel adventures that you most remember fondly?  Tap into that creative spark inside of yourself and bring it to life in some way this new moon and rediscover your joy.  The vitality you fuel from that simple step could very well be the spark that will next help you tap into a passion project that offers you a job change in the near future or raises your vibration enough that you start attracting new opportunities or even a new partner.  Sometimes it is the little, but meaningful, steps that we take that help re-align us to our life path and start the internal motion we need to move us closer to our larger dreams.  The only thing you need to do is lean into your soul self and trust that you are never given a dream without also being given the means to achieve it.

With Saturn, the traditional ruler of this new moon in Pisces conjunct Venus, and Uranus, the modern ruler of this new moon sextile Venus, Neptune and the North node in Pisces, you are going to be able to access deeper levels of consciousness and receive wisdom, direction, guidance, and answers that can’t be accessed or understood on a human level.  All of this Aquarian and Pisces energy is asking us to move into the intelligence beyond our human consciousness and to tap into the sacred, the spiritual and the Divine.  Venus, as of yesterday, entered her pre-retrograde shadow in Pisces.  She is inviting us to blend spiritual dreams with practical commitment.  Asking us to heal emotional wounds, cultivate unconditional love for ourselves, and to build a solid foundation for both our creative and relational growth. 

Whenever Pluto, Lord of the Underworld, meets the moon, we are always taken deep into our subconscious, where we encounter our shadows, all that we have hidden from ourselves and others, as well as, our deepest emotions.  And, as this new moon truly wants to free you to move into a new timeline, you may feel this energy even more so. Pluto shows us where we resist change and is the planet responsible for the death, rebirth and transformation process that breaks down and reshapes our ego, taking us closer to our soul. But Pluto will only strip what is out of integrity and alignment with your soul’s path.   Pluto teaches us through pain or purpose. If you’ve been avoiding what you know needs to change in your life you may feel it intensely this new moon, as not only Pluto but also Uranus tries to free you from what is no longer in alignment with your soul.  This will be especially true with so many planets in Pisces, the final sign of the zodiac asking you to let go of anything that has expired on a soul level so that you can move on and into new timelines in your life.

I have a natal Pluto complex and I can attest to this – Pluto is an energy I have come to have great respect for.  There have been many dark nights of the soul in which I have been brought to my knees through the wrecking ball like energy of Pluto in my life.  But, over time, I have learned to surrender to this energy.  Even, when it is hard.  Trusting that he is there to bring me closer to my authentic self and the path that I was designed to walk.  Sometimes, we get comfortable and out of alignment.  Pluto will help snap you back closer to your purpose.  That snap is always a bit less harsh when we surrender to it vs. a reckoning through force.

You may notice lots of past memories or habits surfacing to be healed and released.  There is a huge opportunity for healing at this new moon as Chariklo, the cosmic midwife, and wife of Chiron, is conjunct the moon. Here, she holds space for our deep healing and supports us through big life transitions. She will help you with any deep healing that you need to do so that you can move to the next stage of your evolution.

Once you’re in alignment with the changes that need to be made and the places in your life that need transformation, Pluto will call you forwards with purpose and take you into the next level of potential and empowerment in your journey.  You’ll suddenly be able to see the world differently and find new out-of-the- box solutions, insights and inspiration coming through to help you along your way. This is when you’ll be called to rise as Uranus pushes you to be more authentically you, as that is what will ultimately create all of the shifts and changes that you are desiring in your life.

This new moon is a call to deep authenticity, truth and who you want to be in this new world, and all of this can only come from the inside. Jupiter’s supportive trine is bringing a hopeful, optimistic energy where literally anything feels possible. Especially as Jupiter is currently retrograde in Gemini, asking us to find an inner expansion around our stories and inner narrative, as the internal dialogue and stories we tell ourselves directly determine what is and isn’t possible. Make your inner story is one that is rooted in belief and trust that anythingis possible for you when you are in alignment with your soul’s path. This may take time, work and effort, but if something is in alignment with your soul it’s already yours – you just need to align your current life with the timeline in which that thing already exists.

Begin to follow more of what is true and aligned for you, even if it feels far away right now, and free yourself from the past and limitations in your life - anything, including people, behaviors or beliefs that you have outgrown, so that Uranus doesn’t need to do it for you.  When Uranus stations direct, tomorrow, the day after this New Moon, it asks you to break out and set yourself free of anything that has been restricting you or holding you back. It’s like releasing the bow from the arrow on the trajectory toward your destiny.

Under this new moon you have gotten clear on what you want from your future, Uranus will show you what you still are allowing to hold you back. You may feel this as frustration, anxiety, deep emotions or simply Uranus coming in to pull the rug out from under you and bring sudden changes to help free you. In a similar way to Pluto, Uranus will only break up what is old, stuck and stagnant, but he often does this in a way that feels unexpected, sudden and, in ways, that you weren’t prepared for.

This new moon also reminds us that it is our energy that creates our reality.  The frequency that we maintain is what we will attract back to ourselves.  We are being asked to get very clear about our energy.  And, it is opening a portal – an invitation- to choose our own vibration intentionally and to align it with our intentions and desires.

This is a moon to tap into miracle consciousness, to dream big and envision a new world – for yourself, and for others. You came here at this time for a reason and it’s now that you begin to be called forward to find out exactly why. Be part of the revolution, the change, the shift. Take a quantum leap towards your soul and trust that you’re going to get caught. As the visionary trailblazer Ralph Waldo Emerson reminds us:

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

You are creating your own future under this new moon, make it a future that you deeply desire and want.

It’s time to explore, dream and discover.   This new moon is calling you to create the future that you desire by authentically following the call of your soul.

Journal Reflections:

• What does living authentically mean to you?

• How do you embrace your own uniqueness?

• What dream or vision do you have that challenges the norm (ie. societal expectations) and how can you step towards it?

• What thought patterns and systems limit your freedom ad authenticity?  What emotional patterns or beliefs around love are you ready to release?

• What is your current body vibration?  What frequency are you putting out into the world?  What vibration are you intentionally cultivating each day?

• How does that vibration reflect what is happening within you?

• What are 3-5 things that you can do to change your vibration?

• What top 3 things consistently lower your vibration?

I am the architect of the unseen.

I root my vision into the Earth and carry it forward with love.

   I trust my vision, carry my purpose, and am guided by the light of my own vision and desires.