New Moon in Aquarius: The Quickening to Imbolc

New Moon in Aquarius: The Quickening to Imbolc

Moon conjunct Sun- 1/24/20 @ 3:42pm CST

Welcome to the Quickening Moon of 2020, the 1^st New Moon of this year. During this lunar cycle, we experience a ‘quickening’ or acceleration which refers to the underground first stirrings of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere (such as the first births of lambs, where the Cross-Quarter Holiday of Imbolc got its name)...or the first acceleration toward Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. We are still immersed in Winter here (or Summer for our Southern Hemisphere friends), but we are beginning to feel the first signs of the changes soon to come...and we usher them in.

This Quickening Moon commences while all planets are in direct motion this year. Since Uranus stationed direct on January 10^th, we have been experiencing more forward momentum in our world...even as some of us are still in the ‘freeze’ of Winter. This All Planets Direct (APD) time lasts until Mercury stations retrograde on February 16^th. So, in this New Moon, we are planting seed-intentions that have an acceleration of this Quickening magic stirring within them.

The New Moon in Aquarius is in a square (dynamic 90 degree aspect which inspires necessary change) with Uranus in Taurus (the planet of sudden changes, surprises, awakening, and innovation). Uranus is the modern ruler of Aquarius, so this square is a prevalent vibration at this time. Aquarius and Taurus are fixed signs of Air (mind) and Earth (matter)...and the two energies can be very set in their own ways, clashing against each other while in a square. Aquarius wants authenticity, while Taurus wants something reliable...but the change needed now has to do with stirring up something that is both of those things. After all, the two ideas are not mutually exclusive. But there may be some initial struggle to understanding what it is that we need now that includes both characteristics. In that case, open yourself up to the possibilities coming through now. Allow for the awakening of your potential as you set forth through this lunar cycle. You may be surprised by what is revealed.

This New Moon is also in a sextile (beneficial aspect of 60 degrees which allows for subtle opportunities for harmony) with Chiron in Aries (the ‘Cosmic Shaman’). The teacher/healer archetype may present itself to you at this time in subtle ways, encouraging you to share your gifts in healing ways. If you pick up on these subtle opportunities, move forward in that direction your are being guided. There is a lot of support from Ancestors in this lunar initiation. They are always with us, but sometimes we forget that we have the opportunity to call on them when we need. They may be sending us signals in this time so that we may better connect with their guidance.

Art by Susan Seddon Boulet

Moon and Sun in Aquarius 5

Sabian Symbol- ‘a council of ancestors’

'Lightworker' by Alex Grey

The ancestral support of this New Moon may at first feel like electricity running through our bodies, needing to ground (the effect from Uranus and Saturn being co-rulers of Aquarius, and Uranus being particularly strong at this time). Chiron, which orbits between Saturn and Uranus, is the bridge between the limits of what we can easily see (Saturn) and breakthroughs into realms of the often unseen (Uranus). So Chiron acts as a conduit (or ‘the hollow bone’ in Shamanic terms) between our physical (ordinary) reality and our metaphysical (extraordinary) reality. Chiron’s key to healing at this time comes from grounding that electric charge we feel in our bodies from our ancestors into our physical reality. When a healer is awakened by their ancestors...there is often an initial discomfort from this charge within the body. It can at first feel like anxiety or dis-ease. The healer often learns to ground by connecting with the ancestors of their blood and bones...grounding that electricity of the call by dancing upon our Earth.

Of course, this story is about the guidance to ground your current ancestral calling...and does not have to be taken so literally. What does ‘dancing that call upon our Earth’ mean to you? Modern as we are in this age, an integral part of who we are is built upon the foundations of those who came before us. What did they do when they felt their own Quickenings? Ask them.

Though everything you are feeling may feel new, it is part of a well-trodden path that those before you remember through you. Some may have been grateful for their own choices, some may have been regretful. The Council of Ancestors that lives in you is guiding you to best possible outcomes...as each descendant holds potential as we continue the ancestral story.

In Aquarius, our Humanity is awakened to inspire our world forward. This energy creates networks of unique individuals inspired toward common goals. Whatever seed you are planting for this lunar cycle, may it be one that honors the past by contributing to our future.

For those of us that celebrate Imbolc (usually on Feb. 1st or Feb. 2nd, although the actual cross-quarter where Sun reaches the mid-point of Aquarius is on Feb. 4th this year), may Brigid's blessings be upon those inspirations stirring within.  Or perhaps it is Groundhog Day you observe in that time...a weather divination holiday that mirrors my own ancestors stories of the Cailleach (the Winter Witch).  As the story goes, the Cailleach comes out of her cave at this time to either do more winter work (if the skies are clear and sunny on Imbolc) or go back to sleep and allow Spring to return without Winter's extension (if the skies are overcast).  Interesting the magic kept alive in new ways these days that is rooted in the practices of those that came before us.  Also interesting that Mars is in Sagittarius 15 for this New Moon...the Sabian Symbol is 'a groundhog looking for its shadow'.  

Love and Gratitude,

Felina Lune Kavi