New Moon: Aligning Growth With Our Nature

This week, ask yourself: Which pursuits align with my nature and offer uncomplicated progress?

The New Moon in Taurus brings together five planets and the North Node in Taurus, namely the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, and Uranus. Focused energy within the sign of Taurus heightens its impact and encourages us to approach things practically as we work to bring our dreams into reality. It sets the stage for a mindset of simplicity leading to greater personal transformation.

The chart type is a bowl, with Pluto as the leading planet. Pluto forms a trine with the Sun and Moon, highlighting the potential for profound change. Additionally, the Sun and Moon form a sextile with Mars in Cancer and Neptune in Pisces. This creates a five-planet configuration without an official name, but astrologer, Jim Sher, has referred to it as the "elephant stand" because it can bear a great weight and contain and harmonize intense energies.

Pluto prompts us to view any situation as an opportunity for transformation, while the trine suggests that we learn to allow life to flow naturally, avoiding the impulse to forcefully impose change and instead open ourselves up to growth and evolution.

Furthermore, Pluto opposes Mars, serving as a reminder that using force oftentimes leads to negative outcomes. This theme is reinforced by a trine between Mars and Neptune, encouraging us to let go of ego-driven impulses. Neptune urges us to freely use our imagination and dream without limitations, but after examining our dreams, we must determine what is essential in the present moment.

Lastly, there is a sextile between Mercury and Jupiter in Taurus and Saturn in Pisces. With Mercury and Jupiter aligned, we may feel compelled to expand our knowledge and share information, especially regarding higher education and subjects that contribute to the progress of humanity. The sextile to Saturn in Pisces brings a sense of responsibility to confront life with courage, realism, and discipline. It also emphasizes the importance of establishing healthy boundaries and being honest about our needs.

The Sabian symbol for 29° Taurus, interpreted by Dane Rudhyar, depicts “two cobblers working at a table," symbolizing their equal participation in the work and their shared foundation. Cobblers work meticulously with their hands, repairing and shaping shoes to protect feet. This work is precise, detailed, and practical, suggesting that the understanding being discussed is not abstract or theoretical, but involves a personal, and practical engagement with the world. The two cobblers represent different perspectives, highlighting the necessity of dialogue, contrast, and confrontation to gain understanding. This implies that to comprehend someone else's perspective and approach to life we must be objective about our own opinions and beliefs. Respecting diverse approaches and attaining mature understanding involves actively considering and appreciating others' perspectives. As we deepen our wisdom, we may find we hold less rigid opinions on various matters. The process of gaining wisdom is tested by new experiences that challenge us. Faced with these challenges, we can either react impulsively and cling to fixed positions, or we can choose to collaborate with others to expand our knowledge and understanding.

This Soli-lunar cycle offers an opportunity for us to learn and practice these principles.

Astrological interpretations are by Jim Sher of the Sher Institute of Astrology & Metaphysics.