- stepping back to get a clearer view - love that allows the loved one to be and do exactly what they need to be and do, even if that means they walk away - loyalty that stands by an accepted friend even when that ‘friend’ is hurtful, yet which can dismiss a family member for ever when standing up for itself - consideration given as perfect as that which is desired in return - the strongest humanitarian ideals, together with sensitivity that cannot bear to be too close to people - desire for true inner freedom from the pulls and constraints of habitual, and socially acceptable, reaction patterns -

My understanding of Aquarian people is that I’m not going to be able to understand them exactly as they feel themselves to be - a perfect reminder not to ‘box’ people into a generality, and yet I do want to say of them: because they step back to observe more clearly, what they say is generally right!

Although this New Moon is in Aquarius, the focus in this chart is strongly on our relationship with the practical side of life (Mercury in Capricorn trine Mars in Virgo). Perhaps we get so fixated on the details, we have to give ourselves a break (Aquarius) to remain sane!

Clearing undergrowth in a forest

(Mars appears to travel backwards through Virgo from this New Moon until the middle of April, and then forwards again, still in Virgo until 3 July.)

Mars represents the ‘masculine’ energy we all have, that drive that gets us doing things, the force from our solar plexus that motivates us to survive well in the physical world. We tend to assume that supplies of anything are limited, and therefore we get competitive over them. So we need to be aware of this drive within us, but not to be ruled by it.

The Virgo quality of this Mars energy focuses it on the organisation of life, how we structure our day, and the health of our body. We are likely to notice those areas where all is not well, and, rather than criticising circumstances or ourselves, we need to set about correcting up any old habits that no longer serve us. Weaknesses showing up give us a wonderful opportunity to hone ourselves for whatever is next on the horizon. But the first stages tend to feel discouraging because we don’t see good results as soon as we would like (Mars stationary to retrograde in Virgo).

In Virgo, the highest motivation for our actions is truly to help others, to make the world a better place for everyone. But when our physical energy runs down, we can resort to telling other people what we think needs doing and how they need to do it! Mars energy can leave a person you meant to help, feeling attacked.

This tendency to see the possibility of achieving what we would like, and yet feeling unable to manifest it, is reflected in another aspect in the chart (Jupiter in Taurus opposing Saturn in Libra). It’s as though we are being encouraged on the one hand to go for some visible expansion, while on the other hand feeling other people, or a lack of time, making it difficult to do what we have in mind. Maybe it feels like having to ‘walk on eggshells’ round a loved one, or feeling crushed by what the others say about our hopes and dreams, or just dissatisfied with the results of our own efforts - i.e. crushing oneself.

The chart suggests that we may just leave the dilemma (Sun/Moon square Jupiter and Saturn), ignore the entire situation and do something else (Sun/Moon sextile Uranus). This may or may not be the best solution.

A thing I notice about the planetary energy of any moment is that each person tends to act out one of the planets in a pattern, and then react to whoever is acting out another planet; so that a pattern of planets becomes a dynamic pattern of behaviour in a group of people. This is not to say that our feelings are not real, but rather that particular feelings are being emphasised, at the cost of a balanced view. This can feel a bit like the ‘gods’ playing with us, but it only happens when we allow ourselves to react blindly, without taking responsibility for our part in the situation.

When stuck, take a break

The way to deal with the dilemma of opposing pulls is beautifully present in this New Moon chart, and it is shown in two stages. Firstly, we may need to take time out to reconnect with ourSelf, do something of our own or rest for a while; or maybe just step back from the situation to observe it all more clearly (Sun/Moon square Jupiter and Saturn, and sextile Uranus). Secondly, as we are now detached from the situation, we are able to see how we may have contributed to it, and generally accept, and surrender to, what is actually happening, what is there (Neptune/Chiron sextile Jupiter and trine Saturn). From this new and open perspective, we can empathise with other people, and intuit solutions that take all sides into consideration.

So, take time out from your struggle-to-get-it-right, lift your head to get a sense of what the rest of us are doing, and wonder what the spiritual lessons may be at this time. We don’t need to know the answers - it just helps to open the door, and practise trusting that all is unfolding as it needs to.

and - Love is all we need

We are very likely to be feeling everyone else’s emotions just now (Venus is in Pisces until 8 February) so lots of closeness, empathy and affection - don’t lose the true value of this by falling for romance and ignoring the rest! This is a field of human experience that is due to grow for many years (on 4 February, Neptune goes into Pisces for the next 13 years) and along with closeness to each other, we will need to grow our inner spiritual focus, and trust.