Aquarius New Moon: January 21
Galvanizing a World We Value
Here are some insights about the opportunities and challenges that the Aquarius New Moon offers. May they help you make the most of this moment.
During an Aquarius New Moon, we may find ourselves turning some of our attention away from our personal lives towards larger collective issues. Inherent within, there’s a knowingness that we are not separate, that a connection unites us to those we hear or read about around the globe.
If there were a theme song for the day, “We Are The World”—the 1985 pop star-riddled ballad that raised money for humanitarian aid—may very well be it. During this time, we may be inspired by the power of the people as well as the awareness that we are not isolated beings, but rather global citizens. We sense that what happens on the other side of the world can appear as proximate—and relevant—as what is happening down the street.
The Aquarius New Moon is also a good time to reflect upon how technology may offer us unique solutions while also seeing ways that it may overshadow human connection and personalization. Given that Aquarius is an air sign connected to the electric, we may also find that energy is a subject upon which we are focused. This could include conversations related to circuitry, voltage, and power as much as it may be a galvanized interest in healing systems—such as acupuncture, homeopathy, and reiki—that highlight our personal bioenergetic system.
Additionally, we may gain insights into how an intellectual approach may help solve problems. And yet, we need to watch that being too reliant upon the rational doesn't crowd out the emotional.
Unique Features of this Aquarius New Moon
Given all the other astrological action occurring this weekend, this year’s Aquarius New Moon period feels quite riveting.
As the Sun and Moon unite with Pluto, this New Moon may bring with it an undertone of transformation. It’s not just that something new has the potential to emerge, but that it may really shift the landscape of our lives if we want it to. Focusing our intentions upon feeling a greater sense of empowerment and seeing where we do have control—and where we truly do not—seems to be an invitation.
What we may also tap into around the time of this New Moon are two other big movements. One relates to Uranus going direct and the other to the Venus/Saturn Conjunction, both occurring Sunday, the day after the New Moon.
With renegade Uranus shifting direct, Uranian themes such as surprises, breakthroughs, r/evolutions, creative chaos, and/or innovation may pepper our hearts, minds, and lives. We may find ourselves more open to change and changing things up. Given that Uranus is associated with the unexpected and out-of-the-blue, be adaptable and, as I like to say, stay bouncy! Consider that detours may arise as may opportunities to pivot. In fact, instead of waiting for a detour to present itself to you, see if there are any that you would like to make—doing so may very well expand your vision, enabling you to make connections that you wouldn’t have otherwise.
The Venus/Saturn Conjunction brings our attention to the importance of building a strong foundation when it comes to Venusian subjects such as our relationships, money matters, ways in which we seek pleasure, and the manner in which we define beauty. If we’ve been cutting corners in these realms, we may find ourselves experiencing some consequences for doing so. Yet, if we’ve been dotting our I’s and crossing our T’s (so to speak), we may experience great rewards, and have something to show for all the effort that we have previously invested.
Additionally, Venus is associated with values, both what we cherish in the world as well as the regard we hold for ourselves. As such, it’s a powerful time to survey our personal gifts, skills, and talents, and revel in the value we are and the richness we add to others. As we focus upon taking our value more seriously, we can connect to a sense of inner and outer reward and fulfillment.
This month’s New Moon falls at 1 degrees of Aquarius (the position of the Sun and Moon). While everyone experiences the energies of a New Moon, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or IC/Midheaven) around this degree in Aquarius or the other fixed signs—Taurus, Leo, Scorpio—it may impact you more intensely.
Calendar Connections
I find it interesting to track whether a planet will reside in the zodiacal position of the month’s New Moon as this can often reflect opportunities for further sparking the creative potential of what was generated. For this lunar month, that spot is 1 degree Aquarius. Here are some dates to note:
February 12: Mercury will pass through the New Moon point. You may find yourself called to further share what you began to realize during this New Moon period and/or discover the need to learn more about subjects that caught your attention during this time.
March 23 – June 11: During this two and one-half month period, Pluto will dipping its proverbial toe into Aquarius (it passes the baton between Capricorn and Aquarius throughout 2023 and 2024). While it won’t reach the exact degree of this New Moon, that it will be so close feels like it may spark some resonance. As such, you may find that what gets informed and inspired related to this New Moon gets further developed and/or serves as a precursor for things that unfold over these upcoming months.
Stellar Reflection Questions
Here are some prompts for journaling and/or meditative inquiry that align with this New Moon:
What three things can I do to make the world a better place?
In what ways do I beat to my own drum?
These are the areas of my life in which I wish I had more freedom:
Aquarius New Moon Self-Care Suggestions
Aquarius is associated with the calves, ankles, peripheral circulatory system, and the body’s bioenergetics. Pay attention to these parts of the body and areas of health around the time of this New Moon. Here is a suggestion for both an elixir and an activity that may help inspire your well-being.
Elixir: Passionflower
If you’re feeling a bit buzzy and looking for a natural way to induce calm, you might develop a passion for his herbal remedy. You can take passionflower on its own, although it is often found in botanical combination formulas with other sedative herbs, including skullcap and hops. Passionflower is available in dried herb, capsule, and liquid tincture form. (As with all herbs, just make sure it doesn’t have contraindications with any medications or health conditions that you have.)
Activity: Legs Up the Wall asana (Vipariti Karani)
This gentle, restorative yoga pose inspires calm and relaxation. It can provide benefit for the Aquarius-ruled calves and peripheral circulatory system as it helps to bring the blood flow from the lower legs back to the torso. To practice, sit on the floor with the right side of your body next to a wall and your legs bent and feet on the floor. Lie on your left side (perpendicular to the wall) and roll onto your back, bringing your legs straight up to rest against the wall. Scoot your buttocks forward so that they are as close to the wall as possible. Close your eyes and relax for at least five minutes.
This Month’s Moon Mapping
Each month’s New Moon is thought to be an opportune moment for crafting intentions, envisioning what you want to bring to form over the subsequent four weeks. By following an approach called Moon Mapping, you can align your actions and orientation throughout the month so as to more readily manifest your intentions.
For an overview on the opportunities that each of the eight lunar phases offers, see this article I wrote, which I adapted from my book, The Complete Guide to Living by the Moon.
For ideas on what to focus your New Moon intention setting upon this month, consider aligning with motifs associated with Aquarius. This includes realms such as altruism, community, technology, logistics, networks, and social progress. Or if you’re familiar with your astrology chart, you could look to see where 1 degree of Aquarius (the location of the New Moon) falls—in which house and/or whether it connects to a planet or pivotal point—and use that information to help you hone your intention/s.
Here is a calendar of the eight phases for this current lunar cycle, which you can use along with the Moon Mapping information on my website. Note that each phase lasts about 3.7 days. I’ve included the date/time of the subsequent New Moon so that you will know how long the last phase, the Balsamic Moon, lasts.
Aquarius New Moon: January 21, 2023 – 3:53 pm EST
Crescent Moon: January 24, 2023 – 8:42 pm EST
First Quarter Moon: January 28, 2023 – 10:18 am EST
Gibbous Moon: February 1, 2023 – 10:07 am EST
Full Moon: February 5, 2023 – 1:28 pm EST
Disseminating Moon: February 9, 2023 – 3:06 pm EST
Last Quarter Moon: February 13, 2023 – 11:00 am EST
Balsamic Moon: February 16, 2023 – 9:33 pm EST
Pisces New Moon: February 20, 2023 – 2:05 am EST
Wishing you a New Moon filled with possibilities and new beginnings!
Photo Credits: Jon Tyson, Jon Tyson, and Joshua Rawson Harris, via Unsplash