Sagittarius New Moon: November 23
Exploring Vistas
The Sagittarius New Moon invites us to examine our beliefs and hone in on what we feel has truth and veracity. We aim to expand our understanding and knowledge. As we journey to discover answers, we may find ourselves filled with questions, those that help us quest for knowledge that expands our horizons. Spiritual, religious, and philosophical subject matters may also feel more interesting at this moment.
It’s a good time to give homage to those who have been our teachers or guides, who have lit the path for us so that we can travel it with more enlightenment. From this reflection we may also gain unexpected insights into how we have served as preceptors for others.
Travel is oftentimes on our minds as we desire to expand our vantage point and have experiences that stretch the definition of who we are and what we understand. Even if actual travel itself is not possible, exploring other cultures through magazines, the Internet, a foreign film, or even enjoying an ethnic meal provide ways to spark new beginnings in our personal journey to understand what is possible in life.
Unique Features of the Current Sagittarius New Moon
The Sagittarius New Moon usually brings with it an aura of enthusiasm and a strong desire to want to feel more expansive and throw off restrictions that may seem to limit one’s independence and freedom of movement. This feeling may be experienced in an even more pronounced way given another stellar event that happens on this very same day this year: Jupiter stationing direct. As it ends its recent retrograde cycle, the power of the planet of growth and learning should feel exceptionally palpable today (and this whole week). The fact that Jupiter is the ruler of Sagittarius underscores the expansive pull we feel to unburden ourselves from perceived ties that bind. Additionally, limits may be a significant theme. We may not only become more aware of them but more averse to them, even so much as denying their existence. And while this can help us to break free of some manacles that have restricted our individual expression, it’s also really important that in our optimism we also have realism. If not, we may set ourselves up for disappointment, accident, or mishap.
The motif of fortune feels like it may wind through this time. This may be experienced as a strong desire for bounty, an affinity for abundance and/or a realization of just how lucky one is.
Jupiter is turning direct in Pisces, the sign for which it is also the traditional ruler. As such, it is an aligned time for accessing wisdom through spiritual or religious traditions and practices. Going with the flow may gracefully attract ease and peace. Speaking of, while water may be a great teacher, as it has qualities of abundance right now, watch that it doesn’t overflow in spots that could yield unwanted outcomes.
There may also be a greater desire to dissolve differences and feel a greater sense of unity. This can inspire experiences of empathy, compassion, forgiveness, and unconditional love. Yet just watch that a blurring of boundaries doesn’t lead to a dissipation of your energy or resources.
This month’s New Moon falls at 1 degree of Sagittarius. If you know your astrology chart, look to see what house that zodiacal spot falls in—and whether it connects to any of your planets or personal points—to further hone in on what this lunation may be inspiring for you. Here’s a free resource where you can cast your astrology chart if you don’t already have it. (And if you ever want to explore what the current and upcoming New Moons may offer you personally, know that that is something we can always weave into a Stellar Guidance astrology session.)
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 degrees Sagittarius. As it turns out, no other planets move through this New Moon degree in the next month.
Stellar Reflection Questions
Here are some prompts for journaling and/or meditative inquiry that align with this Sagittarius New Moon:
·     How do I want to grow and expand my world?
·     What role does religion or spirituality play in my life?
·     If I could design my ideal travel adventure, what would it be?
Sagittarius New Moon Self-Care Suggestions
Sagittarius is associated with the liver, hips, buttocks, thighs, and sciatic nerve. 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 around the time of the Sagittarius New Moon.
Elixir: Vervain Flower Essence
The Sagittarius New Moon can have us expanding our worlds with the heightened desire to share our ideals and philosophies. This can be wonderful in terms of invoking passionate enthusiasm yet if unchecked it can also lead to the nervous agitation that comes from being zealously attached to one’s one beliefs. If you want to stay inspired and yet nurture some detachment and perspective, consider Vervain flower essence. (Flower essences are made from flower-infused water and work energetically to restore emotional and mental balance. You can find them in natural food stores or holistic pharmacies.)
Activity: Planning Travel
Engage the visionary and questing qualities of this time by thinking about different trips you may want to plan. Consider which landscape and cultures are drawing your attention right now and begin to sketch out not only where you’d like to explore and when, but also why. Answering the latter question will help you understand more about yourself and bring you wisdom, even before you set foot on a plane, train, or automobile. However, if budgetary or other lifestyle realities keep you from globe-trotting in the near future, you can still experience some benefits by reading travel memoirs and guidebooks, or exploring travel-oriented television shows or films
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 energetics and opportunities that each of the eight lunar phases offers, see this article I wrote.
For ideas on what to focus your New Moon intention setting upon this month, consider aligning it with motifs associated with Sagittarius. This includes topics such as travel, truth, religion, spirituality, higher learning, cross-cultural exploration, and philosophy. And/or you could look to see where 1 degrees of Sagittarius (the location of the New Moon) falls in your astrology chart—which house and/or whether it connects to a planet or pivotal point—and use that information to help you hone your intention.
Here is a calendar of the eight lunar phases, 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.)
Sagittarius New Moon: November 23, 2022: 5:57 pm EST
Crescent Moon: November 27, 2022: 12:41 am EST
First Quarter Moon: November 30, 2022: 9:36 am EST
Gibbous Moon: December 4, 2022: 1:07 am EST
Full Moon: December 7, 2022: 11:07 pm EST
Disseminating Moon: December 12, 2022: 1:42 am EST
Last Quarter Moon: December 16, 2022: 3:59 am EST
Balsamic Moon: December 19, 2022: 9:41 pm EST
Capricorn New Moon: December 23, 2022: 5:17 am EST
Photos: Ian Dooley, Alex Azabache, and Tom Barrett, all via Unsplash