Here at Jo Tracey Astrology we have a mission- to bring astrology out of the textbooks and into real life. Intrinsic in this is helping you to help yourself. DIY astrology.

To that end, here’s my handy how to guide to the New Moon.

Oh, and although I talk in the royal “we,” Jo Tracey Astrology really just consists of me and Kali the Wonder Dog who deigns to wag her tail every time I talk to myself during the course of the day.

Anyways, the New Moon.

What is the New Moon?

It’s that time of the month where the Sun and Moon are joined together in the same sign. Heart and Spirit, Body and Soul are aligned.

The night sky is dark, the Moon is not visible, yet it’s full of the promise that is to come.

New Moons are like this. They’re the time for new starts, new habits, new projects, new beginnings (which is like new starts but ever so slightly different…). We have an idea, an impetus. We know where we’ve been, but we can’t see where we’re going. To this end, the New Moon requires faith and a belief in the future, that the sky will become illuminated, that the cycle will continue.

What does it mean for me?

Each month I’ll ask you a couple of questions:

• Where does the New Moon fall in your chart?
• What part of life is getting the New Moon treatment?
• What planets or chart points are being aspected  for you?

1. Where on the chart?

Before you can even begin to answer these questions, you need a chart.

If you’ve had a reading with me as a client, I would have sent you a copy of your chart. Keep this handy each month

If you haven’t had a reading with me, you’ll need to generate a chart. This is super easy to do- even easier if you know your birth time.

Just head over to astro.com (sorry, if I put the link in, it links to all the charts I have in there- and that is so not a good look), enter your details, and there it is.

If you want more info, I’ve pinned this post to the front page of the website.

Now, find the sign that we’re talking about.

This month the New Moon is in Aries- the symbol for that is looks a little like a stylized V.

Now look for the degree. This month we’re after 10 degrees.

This will tell you what part of life is being energised by the New Moon.

2. What part of life?

Each segment of the chart, we call them houses, represents a different part of life.

On the astro basics page, you’ll find a run down of what this means. Or, you can check out this post.

This is where the Moon is transiting.

The Cross of Matter

• Any New Moon falling in angular houses ie the 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th, will work more obviously and publicly. These houses are associated with action.
• The New Moon falling in succedent houses, ie the 2nd, 5th, 8th and 11th, will make you look more closely and work a little harder to identify and take advantage of the opportunity being presented to you. These houses are associated with security.
• The New Moon falling in cadent houses, ie the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th, will require a deeper focus, an adjustment or change, and will ask you to think, observe and learn from something or someone.

3. What planet or chart point is being aspected?

Look at the degree again. This month it’s 10. Now take a look around your chart. You’re looking for any planet or chart point that is located within two degrees (either side) of where the New Moon falls.

Are there any planets between 8 and 12 degrees? Anywhere?

What about the degree that’s on your ASC or MC? This should be clearly marked on your chart. This is what I mean when I refer to chart points.

• Any planet within 2 degrees either side of the New Moon in the same sign as the New Moon is conjunct the New Moon. This month, that is any planet (or point) between 8-12 degrees Aries.
• Any planet within 2 degrees (either side) in the sign opposite the New Moon is in opposition to the New Moon. This month, that is any planet (or point) between 8-12 degrees Libra.
• Any planet within 2 degrees (either side) in the sign square the New Moon, and in the same modality to the New Moon is square to the New Moon. This month, that is any planet (or point) between 8-12 degrees Cancer or Capricorn.
• Any planet within 2 degrees (either side) 3 signs around from the New Moon, in the same element as the New Moon is trine the New Moon. This month, that is any planet (or point) between 8-12 degrees Leo or Sagittarius.
• Any planet within 2 degrees (either side) 2 signs around from the New Moon, in the same polarity as the New Moon is sextile the New Moon. This month, that is any planet (or point) between 8-12 degrees Aquarius or Gemini.

Give emphasis to the personal planets- remember, everyone in your generation will have Uranus, Neptune and Pluto in a similar degree to you- what becomes important is not the aspect being made by the New Moon to these outers, but the aspects that those outer planets make within your natal chart that are, in turn, activated by the New Moon.

4. What is the nature of the aspect?

What is the nature of the aspect? This will tell you whether the transit will be “easy” or “hard”- and that doesn’t mean “good” or “bad.”

Que? Trines and sextiles are supportive, but if the situation promised is not a welcome one, it will happen quicker and easier than anticipated. Likewise, squares and oppositions are challenging and may make you work harder and wait longer for a promised but welcome situation.

• When the Moon is conjunct a planet or chart point, her energy is fused with that planet. She takes over that planet. Her energy is stronger than the planet she is invading.
• When the Moon is opposing a planet or chart point, “someone or something “out there” is doing something to you and furthermore, it’s their fault.” A decision is necessary.
• When the Moon is square a planet or chart point, there is tension and frustration- something happens which will force you “into a mode of action that you have not yet explored…results stimulate actions rather than decisions.”
• When the Moon is trine a planet or chart point whatever is going to happen will happen quickly and relatively easily. Obstacles will be removed. This doesn’t mean that it will be good or painless, just that whatever is going to happen will happen quickly and relatively easily.
• When the Moon is sextile a planet or chart point opportunities may arise.

5. What does it mean?

In short, here are the guidelines I use- thanks to the remarkable The Eagle and the Lark, by Bernadette Brady:

• What house is the Moon in natally? What house is the planet being transited by the Moon in natally? These areas will be where the transit starts to happen.
• What house is Moon transiting? This is where the main action will be occurring.
• What house/s is ruled by the Moon natally? What house is ruled natally by the planet being transited? These are the areas of life that will be affected by the outcome of the transit.

In my case, my natal Moon is in the 1st house and rules my 5th house. All New Moons will, for me begin with me, and have their outcome on my “babies”, i.e. everything in my 5th. The main action around this will occur in the house the New Moon falls in- in this case, the 1st. the story will be altered by any planets being aspected along the way.

This month, there are no planets or chart points within 2 degrees for me.

6. There are no planets in the house receiving the New Moon?

That’s ok. This area of life will be activated regardless. Aspects made by the New Moon to planets in your chart will change the conversation that’s happening. No aspects, means general energy directed to that part of life. This house will have extra importance to you at this time.

7. What about intentions?

Set your intentions for the month based on the area of life that is being triggered by the New Moon. What does that area of life mean for you? What is currently happening there? What long term goals do you have surrounding this? Are there any quick wins you can put into place? Be creative, and think laterally. Essentially you’re kicking off a year long journey into this part of your life.

It’s a great idea to keep a New Moon journal- it allows you to track the Moon through her cycles, and allows you to check in regularly with how your goals are going.

8. Keep an eye on any longer lasting transits

The New Moon will activate the promise of any slow moving transit currently present in your life.

See also The Anatomy of a Full Moon

Have you signed up to receive my monthly New Moon newsletter? It’s a round up of anything that’s happened in the sky or on the blog over the month, a heads up for what’s around the corner and advance notice of workshops and classes.