New Moon in Aquarius

There is a New Moon at 1 degree of Aquarius on Saturday, January 21st at 3:53 pm EST. With Mars and Mercury recently completing their retrogrades and now direct, this New Moon heralds what feels like the real start to the new year, finally. It also marks the Lunar New Year, which begins Sunday. We’ll be in the Year of the Rabbit!

I am hoping for an energetic shift with this New Moon. We should be able to feel like we can FINALLY move forward after having to take many steps back. Because Mercury and Mars are both in their retroshades, meaning they are still retracing steps they already took (once forward, then once back), we may be dealing with some decisions that were made or issues that arose when they were retrograde, but we’re putting that stuff to bed now. 

This New Moon is also in a cross-sign conjunction with Pluto, the planet of rebirth, death, and transformation, giving it extra gravity. 

I can see the light of a clear blue morning! (Dolly Parton is a Capricorn [and also the best].)

Here is what the New Moon in Aquarius may bring for the various signs. 

Aquarius & Aqua Rising – The New Moon is in your first house, which gives it extra emphasis for Aquarians, especially if you were born toward the early part of Aquarius season or are an Aquarius rising. This is a time to be self-absorbed in terms of thinking about what it is you want, both for this year ahead and the long term. How do you want to change your life? Now is the time to manifest. Make the list, take the first steps, and think of this as the real New Year for you. 

Pisces & Pisces Rising – This will be a more contemplative New Moon for you. You may be feeling super tired and sleepy, and that’s ok. Focus inward on the things that are really preoccupying or troubling you, and pay attention to the dreams you have on Saturday night and in the next few days. The steps you take toward finding some inner peace at this time, whether it’s meditation or medication or just working out, will likely pay dividends for you in the long run.

Aries & Aries Rising – Aries never needs an excuse to move forward and take action, but this New Moon represents an opportunity to do so with regard to friendships, community, and groups. With Mars, your ruler, now direct and cruising through the area of your chart associated with communication and your neighborhood, you may want to tackle some local problems and join up with local groups or friends to effect change. And since Aries are natural leaders, you may feel called to form your own group. Get out your megaphone! Unionize! 

Taurus & Taurus Rising – This New Moon is in your area of career and legacy, so it’s about prioritizing the mark you want to make on the world. Big, heady stuff. Give some serious thought to what it is you want to do, and if it’s different from what you are currently doing, it’s an auspicious time to take baby steps or big leaps in the direction of what you want. Life is too short to grind away doing something that doesn’t fulfill you.

Gemini & Gemini Rising – With Mars finally moving direct through your sign, you are likely feeling much more energized now and clearer on the areas of your life that merit your focus. You’re ready to go. The New Moon in Aquarius will help you on whatever journey is calling you. Book a trip to Asia, or take the LSAT. This is a really opportune time for making a move toward whatever your next great adventure is. 

Cancer & Cancer Rising – The focus with this New Moon will be on what you give to others, and what you get back in return. How do you share your light? Take stock of how you give your time, energy, and money, and lean into what fulfills and energizes you. Aquarius is about thinking differently and discarding what doesn’t work. This could also be a time when you see your partner finding new financial opportunities, so if they need some encouragement to think differently or take leaps, it’s worthwhile to give them that. 

Leo & Leo Rising – Every time there is a New Moon in Leo, the Moon is conjunct your chart ruler, the Sun. It makes each New Moon a little extra emotional for Leos. This one occurs in your 7th house of partnerships, so the conversations with your partners, be they romantic or platonic, may feel extra emotional, but they will ultimately be cathartic if they are truthful. If you are not in a relationship but hope to be, this is a good New Moon for putting yourself out there, honestly and authentically.

Virgo & Virgo Rising – Alright, your chart ruler, Mercury, is now direct, so that in itself will feel like a relief for you. Now this New Moon in Aquarius offers ample opportunity to break out of your patterns, especially in your work life, and in your health routines. This is like the real New Year for you. If you have been thinking about making commitments to improve your health or change your habits, if you do make those now, they will be much more likely to stick. If you don’t have a standing desk, I recommend investing in one! 

Libra & Libra Rising – With Venus conjunct Saturn also in the area of your chart that is focused on creativity and joy, the New Moon in Aquarius is a time to tackle new creative projects or artistic endeavors. It’s a time to start the manuscript, take a sketch class or dance lessons, or think in a way that’s outside the box about the stuff in your life that has been sapping you of happiness. As Chani Nicholas always says, life is short, have fun!

Scorpio & Scorpio Rising – For Scorpios, this New Moon is occurring at the bottom of your chart, in the area of your roots, childhood, home, and family. So this could be either a more surface-level New Moon for you, where you paint your walls or rearrange your furniture or get a new shower curtain, and even minor home improvement projects will give you some energy. But it’s also a good time to think about your family bonds, and if there is anything you are hoping to work on with those closest to you, or any wounds you want to work through in therapy, this New Moon offers a new beginning for that as well.

Sagittarius & Sag Rising – Time to get creative about your daily life. If you feel like you’re experiencing drudgery or stuck in a rut, change it up! Sagittarius is about learning, seeking new experiences, adventure, and with Mars and Mercury now both direct, seize that opportunity. You may even be called to move to a new neighborhood or city, and if you’re feeling that, this is a good time to go for it. 

Capricorn & Cap Rising – Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, which is still in Aquarius during this New Moon and is forming a conjunction with Venus, the planet of values. This New Moon is a good time to be thinking about making money in new ways. What do you want to be doing as a career, or at least as a way to earn income? If you want to make that align with your passions, or if you are just ready for a shake up, this a good time to make it happen, in a Saturnian, methodical, responsible way, of course.

As always, keep in mind that astrology is not fortune telling, and we all have free will. These are my interpretations of the current sky and how you could take advantage of it, so to speak. Take them with a grain of salt!