Pisces New Moon: Healing Waters

An ancient Chinese story tells of a fisherman whose wife was gravely ill and near death. When doctors could not help, the man visited a small temple dedicated to Guanyin, goddess of compassion and healing. He prayed for hours, begging for her mercy. Then, exhausted, he fell asleep.

In a dream that night, Guanyin told the fisherman, “Bring your wife water from the spring behind the temple and let her drink with faith.” He woke before dawn, filled a bowl from the spring, and brought it to his wife. After drinking it, she quickly began to recover.

Guanyin (aka Kuan Yin) has long been revered by Asian cultures. Traditional stories describe how she brought miracles—physical, emotional, and spiritual. Guanyin’s healing power stems from her limitless compassion, bestowed upon anyone who sincerely calls her name. For many years, pilgrims have claimed that after praying in her temples, they experienced sudden recovery from illness or gained desperately needed emotional peace.

Guanyin is associated with flowing waters, pink lotus flowers, and the healing practice of qigong. In a recent blog, qigong teacher Martha Blane writes, “The urge to control the unfolding of our lives is a natural inclination. Yet, recent years have highlighted a crucial realization: we cannot predict what lies ahead or how to move forward. During these unsettling times, along with our qigong practices we can engage Guanyin as a supportive symbol of comfort and compassion.”

Martha has a large wooden statue of Guanyin on her altar and a delicate painting of her in the qigong studio. “She is my go-to for mercy and grace,” Martha explained to me. When she first heard stories of Guanyin’s compassion from her Chinese teachers, Martha said she immediately began to feel the goddess’s presence bringing her solace and relief. “Over time,” she added, “I became like a sponge absorbing her TLC. Whenever I’ve felt despair or fear, Guanyin was there. I only need to think of her to sense her comforting energy, reminding me that I am never alone. When painful childhood wounds arise, her unconditional motherly love illuminates the way forward.”

As a water deity, Guanyin aligns with the flowing Pisces New Moon (March 18, 6:23 p.m. PT). And, in these uncertain times of division and war, we need her solace more than ever. Hopefully this lunation will bring some relief after the recent destabilizing Mars square Uranus and Saturn conjunct Neptune transits. This is a wonderful time to go inward, dream and heal. Still, we may not be able to fully find our footing – or the clarity to move forward – until sometime after Mercury turns direct March 20 at the Equinox, when the Sun charges into spirited, fresh-start Aries to begin the astrological new year.

Meanwhile, next Wednesday, as the Sun and Moon join at 28 degrees of Pisces in an exact sextile to Uranus in Taurus, watch for flashes of insight or unexpected developments that help you heal, release or complete something quickly. All of the recent lunations have fallen at late degrees of their signs, reminding us that endings must occur before we’re ready for new beginnings. Now Pisces, the last sign of the zodiac and the archetype of endings and release, is giving us a final push.

Retrograde Mercury in Pisces joins the North Node at this New Moon, in trine to Jupiter in Cancer, recently turned direct on March 10. Despite any twists of fate that Mercury and the Node may bring, benefic Jupiter will be happily bestowing delayed blessings – especially on matters related to home and family. I love what astrologer Nina Gryphon says of this shift, “Whatever has been asleep these past four months now awakens into a different world, like Sleeping Beauty after her century-long slumber. We are not the same people we were in November when Jupiter went retrograde, but he is now ready to reenergize our new reality.”

At this lunation, let Guanyin help you heal and comfort yourself or the world at large. Create an altar with an image of her, a glass of water and some flowers. Call in her compassionate presence by chanting Om Ma Ni Pad Me Hum. As you sip some water, imagine healing for all. Guanyin is particularly attuned to the vulnerable hearts of children in distress, so include them in your prayers. If you practice qigong, bring Guanyin into your flow sequence to enhance your adaptability to change. With Guanyin’s support, you can hone your ability to remain centered, grounded and compassionate in these unpredictable times.