Aries New Moon: Brave New World

Crowds across the globe erupted in cheers last Friday evening as Integrity, the Artemis II Orion capsule, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean and four brave astronauts disembarked after their week-long lunar tour. Here in San Diego, local space aficionados packed the Aerospace Museum, and the historic Hotel del Coronado hosted a lively celestial watch party – complete with “splashdown” signature cocktails.

This global celebration marked the successful conclusion of the first crewed lunar mission in over half a century. Uniting millions at a time of deep fractures between left and right, as well as dire threats to humanity, Artemis II accomplished its mission in more ways than one. The Orion capsule breached the atmospheric wall and brought humanity’s farthest-traveling crew safely back home. Meanwhile, it also brought us together – at least for a vivid moment in time. We tested the limits of our skills and survived.

This Moon mission was launched during a collaborative Libra Full Moon and completed under a futuristic Aquarius Moon, just as brave Mars entered its own sign of Aries. The four astronauts clearly bonded in space – you gotta love those photos of them embracing inside their tiny capsule! And at the splashdown, Mars was very near watery Neptune in Aries, which triggered a teary, world-wide celebration.

Next up is a record-breaking New Moon in which seven planets line up in the sign of the Warrior. This Aries New Moon (April 17, 4:52 a.m. PT) is a major ignition point in which the individual meets the collective. This lunation wants to light a fire under us – as well as test our limits. Yet with this much fiery spirit at play, things can easily burn out of control – as certain hotheads on the world stage are already demonstrating. Mercury and Neptune lead the pack at 2-3 degrees, bringing dreamy (yet possibly deluded) visions. Mars and Saturn are close behind at 5-7 degrees, lending grit and strength. Chiron joins the Sun and Moon at 26-27 degrees, offering healing and redemption. Pluto at 5 degrees Aquarius sextiles Mars in Aries, and since Mars rules the lunation, action carries the day – for better or for worse.

Aries turns up the heat and accelerates things. With so many planetary bodies jammed into the first sign of the zodiac, we become charged with urgency, courage, and a desire to make things happen. What has long been brewing in the background is now in our collective face. The old story no longer hangs together, no matter how much right-wing news outlets try to spin it. Outdated systems are showing visible strain. This pile-up in Aries affects us all, in regard to whatever house of our chart it occurs.

It may feel like the world is on fire throughout April. Yet, amazing things are happening. A dictator ousted in Hungary! Free health care for all in Mexico! As we’ve just witnessed with Artemis II, new ways of doing things are getting jumpstarted. Big developments with AI or extra-terrestrial activity are likely. Still, there’s a double-edged sword to all of this. Chiron in Aries challenges us to stand up for ourselves, as it triggers old wounds to potentially heal them. Mercury-Neptune fires up our imagination but also boosts the spread of disinformation. Mars-Saturn can alienate others if we push too hard but also offers superhuman strength.

Be careful as you’re out there blazing new trails, as some folks (especially fire sign Suns or Ascendants) may be acting without forethought. Go for your goals – but protect yourself and others. With no planets retrograde, the path to your vision is wide open now. Plant seeds for ground-breaking projects that require time and patience to unfold. Test yourself against your limits. Invite healthy competition.

In this brave new world that we’re entering, the Moon, once a place of magic and mystery, has become an orb we intend to inhabit. Four astronauts have just flown around it to begin a long, careful process of relocation. NASA says we could live there within a few years. They plan to domesticate our nearest neighbor by landing near the Moon’s south pole, where ancient water is believed to lie frozen, and using it to sustain life and fuel future missions. At some point, the Moon will become a place where we work – and live. I just pray that we don’t continue to neglect Mother Earth! She will always be our true home.