On Sunday 3rd April, there was a New Moon in Aries – Easter always follows with the Full Moon two weeks later. A New Moon is created by the Sun and Moon coming together in the same degree of a sign, monthly, around the Zodiac. A Full Moon is when the Sun and Moon are in the opposite sign two weeks later, monthly around the Zodiac. Sometimes these Solar/Lunar phenomena can occur without engaging with any of the other planets in our Solar System. However, what makes this particular event interesting for us is that there were no fewer than 4, yes 4, other planets sitting in Aries at the same time.

So what can it mean, I hear you ask? To start with Aries is a warlike sign and the day before the New Moon, ruling planet Mars entered Aries and was sitting on top of Uranus – a Mars/Uranus combination is associated with weapons and technology and arguments flaring up suddenly – especially in bellicose Aries. The New Moon (and Sun) were sitting very close to Jupiter, the exaggerator, and a few days earlier, Mercury further along Aries had decided to move backwards to communicate his two cents’ worth as well and changing our minds for us into the bargain.

And just to add extra interest (!) to all this, Saturn was exactly opposite the New Moon and Jupiter, constellating a powerful resistance to all the foregoing from authority figures. When Saturn and Jupiter face each other off across the Zodiac like this there is an almighty struggle between the status quo (Saturn) and freedom (Jupiter). Even in our personal or business lives, to the extent that one partner wants to do one thing and the other resists – it can seem like blockage for its own sake, however common sense must prevail and the outcome can only be more like reality. The theme is really about checks and balances – the famous Saturnian reality check.

All in all, a lot for us to cope with – especially on a collective level. Crowds don’t do fire signs well – they erupt and get violent en masse, even if they originally intended to do it peacefully. I think our news agencies are showing us the results of this energetic overload.

At the same time as this was happening – and it’s important to remember that while the events were already happening due to Uranus’ entrance into Aries a week or so earlier, Sunday’s New Moon would exacerbate everything.

I cannot stress enough that the planets (the Universe, even) are never out to get us – yes, it can sometimes feel like it, however, once the dust settles and we have licked our wounds, new doors open that were previously closed to us.

For us on a personal level, those of us who are Fire signs: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius; and Air signs: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius ; will likely feel somewhat more enthusiastic and creative, while the Saturn element will ensure that the details of any project are carefully in place before we act. Slow and steady wins this race for us. And sometimes it is OK to stop and take a breath!

For those of us who are Earth signs: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn; and Water signs: Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces; we will be finding it all somewhat stressful. Too much fiery energy can overheat our systems and our tempers right now. This is particularly noticeable for Virgo and Scorpio – either as Sun Sign or Ascendant. It can be challenging when the route we thought we were taking turns out to be a completely different one. For Scorpio it can feel like a huge headache – too much stress can do that. For Virgo it can feel like you are being given too much information too quickly for you to take in and digest properly.

However, I repeat – the Universe isn’t out to get us, it is simply testing the validity of all we are engaged in right now and may be flagging up holes and gaps in our planning. This can be an uncomfortable feeling, yet necessary for the smooth working through of our ideas and plans to a more realistic result.

The energy of a New Moon lasts for a month – if it’s an eclipse its effects can be evident for a year. So, in another month, the dust will have settled, excitement quietened down and something like normality can ensue.

An added note about retrograde Mercury – astrologers routinely advise their clients against buying any communication tools, technologies, when this event is occurring. It’s great for the seller, not so good for the purchaser, goes the rule. Don’t launch new ideas under a Retrograde Mercury they always say. However, each time this phenomenon is in the sky above our heads, Steve Jobs brings out another great Apple invention or development – and it’s always successful. Why is that? When I examined his birth chart, I saw that he was born under such a Mercury – and I’ve noticed the same with other inventive types – the 3 weeks that Mercury is retrograde every 4 months or so is the right time for them personally.

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