New Moon @ 4 degrees Aries 12’
March 24, 2020
2:29 AM Pacific Daylight Time
5:29 AM Eastern Daylight Time
March's New Moon occurs in the thick of the most intense astrology of 2020 and arguably the past few decades. I've written extensively about the Saturn/Pluto conjunction in an early 2019 article here, as well as more succinctly in 2016 and 2017. The United States, and indeed most of the world, are in a precarious moment. To understand the bigger picture of Saturn/Pluto, read or review my past articles. Saturn and Pluto made their exact conjunction in January, and now Saturn moves into Aquarius until early July due to its retrograde cycle. Saturn will then re-enter Aquarius in mid-December after a short dip back into Capricorn. While Saturn moves from Aquarius to Capricorn, Saturn and Pluto will be in orb of conjunction until the end of 2021.
While we are past the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere, it might not feel like spring for much of the world while in quarantine. It might feel like winter has been extended, and Saturn/Pluto periods do carry that sense of an archetypal long and arduous winter. Alongside this New Moon, Mars, the ruler of Aries, conjoins both Pluto and Jupiter in Capricorn. The New Moon itself also conjoins Chiron while closely squaring the lunar nodes. Pluto, god/goddess of the underworld, is the archetype that most epitomizes death, destruction, and existential angst. Pluto seeks to bring about a lucid understanding of entropy and mortality that redirects consciousness to what matters most.
The combination of Mars, Saturn, and Pluto in Capricorn is a collective wave of fear and dread, and indeed a pandemic or any collective crisis will inevitably bring on strong emotions. Is Saturn and Pluto (also square Eris) causing any of this? I don't think so. However, the synchronicity of these events, both terrestrial and cosmic, indicates a collective amplification of these primordial emotions and reactions. Additionally, Jupiter has an inflammatory nature, correlating with events that become larger and sometimes more exaggerated. I'm not downplaying the severity of what's happening or discarding the need to follow expert advice, but rather pointing to the possibility that our reactions may not be 100 percent concordant with the full reality of the situation.
However, Jupiter will be in orb of conjunction with Pluto and Saturn clear through the end of the year. What we're currently dealing with on the world stage will magnify and inflame consistently the rest of 2020, leading to the significant conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in Aquairus this December. As difficult as it can be with this New Moon, step back from emotionally charged responses and exercise some critical thought. How is fear currently being magnified beyond what's needed? Conversely, consider that sometimes ignoring or discarding all concern can be an attempt to resolve cognitive dissonance to avoid uncomfortable feelings.
Also, be mindful of misdirected anger and frustration. Are there constructive outlets to express these feelings without throwing them onto those around you? How can we channel this collective surge of fear and anger toward effective action in the world? This New Moon's conjunction with Chiron is a fascinating synchronicity. Chiron is the centaur healer who was severely wounded by a poison arrow but couldn't die due to his immortality. Chiron represents woundedness in several contexts, but also the transmutation of pain and suffering through a shift in perception. An Aries wound might manifest as frustration over an inability to take action in the usual way, or a paralyzing fear that disables all mobility or assertiveness. This New Moon offers us an opportunity to adjust our perception or attitudes to reframe our perception of a situation.
Instead of dwelling on what directions you can't take, focus on what new opportunities you now have time for, or projects that you can initiate instead. An Aries New Moon is a perfect and potent starting point, but Chiron here suggests that all new beginnings will require an adjustment of how we perceive the situation and an opportunity to heal wounds associated with free-will, autonomy, and assertiveness. With the lunation (Sun and Moon) conjunct Chiron and squaring the nodal axis, the current meaning of the nodes is highly relevant for this New Moon. We see the South Node in Capricorn with its ruler, Saturn, in Aquarius. A Capricorn South Node emphasizes a collective release of our bondage to time, overwork, and a build-up of emotional constipation.
Saturn in Aquarius emphasizes alienation or indifference to the suffering of others. The North Node in Cancer suggests we are being called on to seek healing, connection, and cultivation of compassion. The Moon in Aries, conjunct Chiron, suggests being proactive and transmuting a victim's perspective to a courageous stepping forward to effectively meet incoming challenges. Yes, these are difficult times, but this Aries New Moon can help remind you that you're more durable and more capable than you might initially think. Additionally, the irony of this moment is that while many of us might feel isolated and alone, there is an emerging opportunity to work together and eradicate the barriers that have kept us collectively apart.
The Aries archetype is a warrior and trailblazer. This moment calls for taking the initiative as well as embracing paths that have yet to be tread. When it can seem like the darkness is closing in on us and so many previous pathways are suddenly closed off, we're forced to get creative and change the way we look at things. One of Chiron's most notable teachings here is that we can get stuck dwelling on what's broken, scary, or what angers us. Both rage and stress can become addicting. Refocus your attention to a larger cause or purpose, and there you will find the gift. The next several months will not be easy, but being courageous enough to trust this moment can remove at least some of the burden.
