Aquarius New Moon: Idea Power

An idea is a living entity. It can change the trajectory of our lives and open up new possibilities. But exciting new ideas, as powerful as they are, tend to also create chaos and trigger pushback, as they challenge the status quo. It can take years for a new idea to become accepted and integrated – whether within ourselves or the world at large.

Quantum mechanics is a good example. Since its origins in the early 1900s, this new branch of physics has upended established thinking by demonstrating that energy influences matter. Yet we’ve barely begun to integrate the deeper meaning of this idea – the realization that our conscious participation not only changes what we focus on, but also enables us to create new realities.

According to Paul Levy in his eye-opening book Wetiko: Healing the Mind Virus that Plagues Our World, we’re at a critical juncture in history in which new ideas are desperately needed. Particularly, he says, “saving ideas” which can open up new streams of cognition in the human psyche and potentially save us from destruction.  Wetiko is one such idea. Wetiko is a destructive mind parasite known throughout various cultures by different names, which has infected us all to some degree, and is now gaining momentum. Yet wetiko also contains a great blessing, claims Levy. Waking up to its presence liberates our immense creative powers as it sets us free from the darkness of our own psyches.

Ideas belong to the air signs. And we’re about to have an airy Aquarius New Moon ((Jan. 31, 9:45 p.m. PST) that launches us into new imaginative territory. The New Moon at 12 Aquarius conjuncts Saturn and squares Uranus, reigniting the square between those titans that has brought clashes between old and new over the last year – but also breakthroughs and new beginnings for some. This New Moon has the feel of wetiko about it, a bit off-kilter but full of potential. It may insist that we face our shadows (both personal and collective) and implement new creative ideas. With Saturn involved there will be realities to face, and perhaps a resolve to commit more deeply to something that benefits the collective (Aquarius). Mars in Capricorn trines Uranus in Taurus, which is auspicious for well-thought-out business ventures and efforts or inventions that help regenerate Mama Earth. Also of note: All planets will be direct through the end of April once Venus turns forward on Jan. 29 and Mercury follows suit on Feb. 3. That’s almost three months of forward momentum in which to grab hold of new ideas and run with them!

February 1, the day after the New Moon, rings in the Chinese New Year of the Water Tiger. This heralds an emotionally-driven year, prone to quick tempers and big decisions – a year in which wild dreams can become reality. According to Essential Feng Shui practitioner Karen Abler Carrasco, self-confidence is the key to thriving in the year ahead. “This requires knowledge of one’s True Self and a steadfast dedication to defending it,” she explains, adding, “This year we are being called to plunge deeper, and hold fast to the inner anchors of honesty, integrity and truth-telling, no matter how much the outer world tries to dilute our resolve, to tug us into its stronger current, away from our truest selves.”

This watery theme will be emphasized strongly from mid-Feb. through April, as many planets dive into Pisces. This period features the rare and inspirational (but potentially overwhelming) Jupiter-Neptune conjunction. I’ll be writing more about this in coming essays, but for now I’ll just note that this oceanic energy, happening while all the planets are direct, may feel like catching a mammoth wave and surfing it to shore. We’ll need our wits about us to stay sharp and clear, with that much water underfoot.

In the meantime, we’re in the more rational vibration of air, and can use this bright, innovative Aquarius New Moon to find inspiration and implement plans (for important launches, however, it’s best to wait until the week of Feb. 7, once Mercury is getting back on track). Be open to new ideas wherever they appear – in dreams, books you’re guided to read, conversations with friends, even an ancestor or a guardian spirit whispering in your ear. Keep an open mind, as you never know when a new idea might change your life for the better!