February New Moon - The Innovator

​The Innovator
New Moon, Partial Solar Eclipse
27 degrees Aquarius
February 15, 2018 at 1:05pm

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Today there was a New Moon and Partial Solar Eclipse in Aquarius at 1:05pm. It was at 27 degrees Aquarius, so if you have your natal chart, check to see if your ascendant or any planets in your chart fall between 25 and 28 degrees.  If so, this New Moon will have a greater meaning for you. You can calculate your own chart and get some really cool free reports at www.astro.com.

In the zodiac, Aquarius is the Innovator.  Innovation, discovery and intuition are fickle companions.  They never seem to be available when you feel you need them the most because they need space and expansion.  If you have ever read biographies of great thinkers like Einstein or Newton, you will quickly learn that often their biggest discoveries, their biggest ah-ha moments did not happen while working.  Their ah-ha moments happened while on a walk, at morning tea, while swimming, or perhaps while sitting under an apple tree!  These ah-ha moments happened when they were NOT working or actively thinking.  These moments happened in places of stillness, space and expansion. It is so important for us to cultivate space and quiet times in our lives. The importance of doodling, napping, and taking breaks from work is supported by neuro science.  If you are interested in finding out more, check out Dr Srini Pillay’s book Tinker Dabble Doodle Try. 

Last month, the New Moon was in Capricorn, the architect. I talked about how we are the architect of our lives and that we build our lives step by step, stone by stone.  I talked about how this is hard and important work.  It is true that hard work is a necessary part to achieving our dreams and goals. However, our true, genius innovator cannot rise to the surface if we don’t cultivate expansion and make time for quiet contemplation. Think how boring and limited our lives would be without innovation. We would not have any tools, technological advances, interesting architecture, or spectacular bridges crossing large bodies of water.

Speaking of bridges, it just so happens this New Moon degree reduces to the number 9, which corresponds to the Hermit, a key member of the Bridge Constellation. The Bridge Constellation is an amazing way of understanding this New Moon.  According to Angeles Arrien author of The Tarot Handbook, Practical Applications of Ancient Visual Symbols (my favorite Tarot book), The Bridge Constellation shows us the path of how to move from one way of being to another. The first step in this journey is The Hermit, who represents the principle of Contemplation, Introspection and Space.  For this New Moon the Sun, Moon and Mercury are all dancing together in Aquarius, highlighting this theme of contemplation, introspection and space.  

The Bridge Archetype also has three resources and one challenge.  Looking at the astrology chart for this New Moon, the relationships between Mars and Venus, Neptune and the North Node are all highlighted.  The three resources Angeles Arrien talks about in the Bridge Constellation require trust. When we trust ourselves, we can  tap into our inner strength (that’s Mars talking). When we trust our instincts, our actions tend to have heart and we are more likely to  love what we do (that’s Venus). Lastly, when we trust our inner guidance, we tend to align with our soul’s purpose and great things can happen (that’s Neptune and the North Node).  Mars’s relationship with Venus and Neptune is challenging, but I think it is giving us the energy to finish our old projects and resolve unsettled business so we can create the space needed to get that ah-ha moment!

The Hermit is also known as the ‘way shower.’ Because of the intense introspection the Hermit has done, he understands himself deeply and in turn can help others do the same. In this New Moon, Mercury (the way we think) has an interesting relationship with both Chiron (the wounded healer) and Saturn (structure and form).  Often when Chiron shows up, it shows us where our injuries are giving us the opportunity to transform or ‘bridge’ from our wounded ways to being the ‘way shower’ for others who have the same or similar wounds.  When Saturn shows up, it is usually asking us to either build a new foundation or to evaluate what is already present.  In this situation, I think Saturn is helping us to evaluate how we think about our hurts (Chiron) and how that creates who we are.  The challenge Arrien speaks about in The Bridge Constellation is cruelty, specifically cruelty towards oneself. When Chiron and Saturn dance with Mercury, it is possible to get trapped in being overly self-critical. 

In Summary, this New Moon, encourages us to first create space and time in our lives. We can do that by going for a slow, meditative walk in the woods, by doing a puzzle or an art project, or perhaps taking a restorative yoga class.  Then, with clarity of mind, we can clear away old projects so we may gain a clearer vision of what truly has heart and meaning in our lives. By cultivating space, we provide the opportunity for innovation and the ah-ha moment to surface, so perhaps we may find our way across the bridge to a new, more authentic way of living.
 
Dive Deep and Ascend!