The AstroEssence: We see permanent change to the health, to the health of relationships or finances, and/ or to power situations, their balance and influence. The group may have their say and it influences our own state or assets, or it may be that sudden revelations, a forward-thinking approach, or our own erratic impulses guide our actions and reactions–but in any case our thinking is not in alignment with either our instincts or that primal ‘knowing’ we carry deep within, and that means we may not see how our own inclinations and prejudices are working to shape things, for better or worse (Pluto parallel Hygeia, Venus sq Ceres and Uranus and sxt Chiron, Mercury qnx Sedna)

The New Moon in Sagittarius occurs at 4:17 AM PST at 7 SAG 42, closely conjoined asteroid Juno, square the Nodal axis, sesquiquadrate Uranus-Ceres, square Neptune and trine Vesta. The NM scenario echoes that of the transiting script; that is, we see a very similar story in the Lunar event and the completed aspect picture, though they don’t actually connect to each other. A Sag New Moon is a new beginning that brings our gaze to the far-off horizon; it marks an inception that stirs us to travel, to move, to do (New Moon in a Fire sign), sparking a restless energy that must be exorcised via action. The aspects the NM makes tell us how the energy will flow, in seeking fulfillment, and we know from the sign placement that what begins now is born out of optimism, is an expression of faith, or is something that arises from ‘the facts’, whatever those may be.

Conjoined Juno and square the Nodal axis, the NM promises that what begins here is centered on power and life direction, specifically at a personal level, and that creates a conduit meshing (and so making sense of) the future as it grows out of the past. It may be easier than at any previous time to see how what we’ve been and done in the past has lead to now, and we’ll clearly see what this presages for the future. Illusions or fantasies that block our perceptions will be stripped away–to keep them means we must turn away from the new start–and those most unique facets of our identity and our individuality must adjust to what’s presented here, namely the most effective way to our own empowerment. ‘Natural’ roles and expressions (for instance, our role as a woman or a man, as a mother or father, or as a sexual or creative Being) shouldn’t be ignored in choosing our life direction; we are meant to seek a place among the elements at this time, though we might be tempted to deny that these life-long role-affinities are still a part of us (out of a need to feel we’ve grown beyond them, perhaps?) We need to recognize that the NM offers an event or beginning that allows us to bring these roles to a higher, more authoritative expression, one that brings their realization much closer to our ideal.

We have the support of the mate or home environment, and can count on our highest values to help define the new start we’re offered; we also see how those things to which we’ve chosen to dedicate our energy literally create the Path forward–again, how the past has formed and informs the future. Today’s scenario may be one where we are caught up with the daily aspects in such a way that our attention goes to those permanent changes, as we attempt to manage them, so that both the unconscious and the New Moon slip in their influence without our seeing it, until a little time has passed. This is supported by the Sabian symbol for the New Moon: ‘Within The Depths Of The Earth New Elements Are Being Formed’. Deeper elements of the Self will bubble to the surface, in time; they are called forth by changes in the current landscape, and by the promise of what’s on the horizon–and, whether we are aware of it or not, they begin to form, to gain coherence and cohesion, with this Sagittarius New Moon.

For those born with the Sun at 8 Sagittarius: As the Sun enters the 8th degree of the sign, it is precisely conjoined with Juno, with no variation at all, and is also exactly square the Nodes. This is of note if only because we rarely see such a crisp picture involving more than one body or point–and here it suggests you are, at this point in time, a totally empowered Being, and that the events this coming Solar year, through to your next birthday, will revolve around you seeing how your past has created your future. It may be upsetting, disheartening, or exhilarating, to realize with such clarity how much you have been in charge of your own life and fate all along, but its best purpose is to open your eyes to the fact that this year, there’s nothing stopping you from making your life exactly what you want it to be. Here’s a hint to go about it: rewards come from taking a chance, from unexpected sources, and by demonstrating your own originality. Good luck, Sag, and Happy Birthday!