We are having a New Moon in Aquarius on January 21st at 8:53pm Universal Time. This is initiating a 29.5 day lunar cycle bringing in a new wave of energies and themes for the coming month on top of some of the longer term influences. However, the planetary configurations mentioned in this article will be more prominent over the following two weeks. This cycle will culminate with a Full Moon in Leo on February 5th/6th.
Aquarius season began a day and a half before this New Moon and will last until February 18th/19th. This sign is associated with friends, social networks, the group, the team, humanity, social inclusiveness, the internet, and the overall collective. It is intellectual, objective, and can be rational yet idealistic at the same time. 
Associated with Uranus, it can be unconventional, freedom seeking, innovative, original, inventive, progressive, reforming, and even revolutionary. Science and technology are major areas currently impacting us in a big way that are under the domain of this sign.
Negatively, Aquarius energy can be overly detached, aloof, unemotional, woke, and overly invested in the mind at the expense of the heart. Traditionally ruled by Saturn, it can also be unyielding when it comes to perspectives and/or ideas that it has already decided on. Although Aquarius season and the Lunar cycle is only a month long, we are also in a longer term period with a strong Aquarian backdrop due to the current Jupiter-Saturn cycle that began in late 2020 along with slow moving Pluto entering this sign in the near future. The position of this New Moon near the same degree as the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction a few years back has the potential to really activate its themes for this upcoming month.
Mercury & Mars Have Ended Their Retrogrades
Mars had been retrograde in Gemini since late October which ended on January 12th/13th. In the later part of that window, Gemini’s ruler Mercury was also retrograde in Capricorn from December 29th until January 18th/19th. As we begin this Lunar cycle, both of these planets are gradually picking up speed in direct motion.
At the time of this New Moon and in the following weeks, we are in a better place to take steps forward based on what has transpired over the previous months. However, this is also a conclusion phase of both retrograde processes and therefore it is still possible that further realizations, understandings, or developments can occur to give us more clarity in helping us make the appropriate moves and decisions.
New Moon Sextile Jupiter, Trine Mars, & Square Lunar Nodes
This New Moon is in a tight sextile with Jupiter in Aries. This brings an expansive and hopeful quality to this lunation. This energy is favorable for anything that involves learning, exploring, philosophies, travel, media, or marketing. Considering that we are coming out of two significant retrogrades combined with some potentially heavy Pluto energy in days leading up to the New Moon, this aspect is helpful for helping us move forward in an optimistic and growth oriented way. This will be most prominent in the first three days of this Moon cycle.
A post-retrograde Mars is also harmoniously in the mix with this New Moon and tied in with Jupiter. We may feel that we have more energy to apply ourselves and take on tasks or efforts more easily. This aspect can help us to be more confident and assertive in our actions. We may feel like we want to do things in a big way, or take action that is in alignment with our goals and ideals. Consideration of the ‘big picture’ may also play a role in what we pursue at this time. Some of this energy will also come up strongly January 29th/30th.
This New Moon is also in a square with the Lunar Nodes and the previous Solar Eclipse in Scorpio. The entire lunar cycle is strongly connected to both eclipses that took place in October and November. It is possible that the themes of that eclipse (and/or the Lunar Eclipse following) can come up more so at this time. Read more about them through the links.
This can also be a time in which we may be reflecting on where we are headed and what we need to turn away from. Consideration of the future and what is most fulfilling for us are things that we should factor in when making decisions or plans. This energy will be most prominent on January 28th/29th.
New Moon Square Uranus Changing Motion, Venus Conjunct Saturn
This New Moon is in a wide square with a stationary Uranus as it begins to change from retrograde to direct over the following days. Similarly to some of the aspects mentioned above, this can also trigger themes of the previous Lunar Eclipse which was aligned with Uranus.
In the week before and after this Lunation, Uranian energies will be very strong in a way that involves moving forward. We may experience breakthroughs, sudden changes, separations, rebellion, disruptions, surprises or apply ourselves in ways that involve originality, new approaches, seeking freedom and getting out of limiting or restricting situations. In some cases, this can also manifest as insights, realizations, or some sort of awakening around something. Some of this energy may also be strong when Mercury is trine Uranus on January 29th/30th and when the Sun is square Uranus on February 3rd/4th.
As Uranus changes motion, Venus and Saturn in Aquarius will be in a conjunction on January 22nd/23rd in the same sign as this lunation. Our relations with others at this time can have a tone that is more serious, realistic, mature or involves responsibility. At best it can have a stabilizing effect around our relationships, however combined with Uranus stationary, for some this can also manifest as significant changes or perhaps endings when it comes to friendships, acquaintances, lovers, or perhaps can even be connected to financial matters/resources. Obstructions or challenges that we face may have a limiting effect on things that are pleasurable. For some people this can also play out as the initial steps towards a significant relationship.
Making Intentions & Things To Consider
What new insights and realizations have come up for you in the week leading up to this New Moon? What do you need to be doing differently? What have the developments of recent months shown you and how do you currently perceive the ways in which you need to apply yourself from this point onward? What areas of your life are calling for some sort of expansion? Is there anything that you need to shake up or separate from? Are there any important decisions or discussions that you need to make/have regarding others? Do you feel like you need to engage with your relations in new/different ways? What direction do you need to go in and is there anything that you need to change or let go of that may be getting in the way of that? Is it time for you to incorporate technology in new ways or perhaps make some technological upgrades?
These are just some examples of what to consider or focus your intentions on at this time; however, it is good to reflect on anything else that is coming up for you. It is generally best to make any intentions within the first 24 hours following a New Moon. The exact moment of it will be occurring at 8:53pm Universal Time on January 21st. You can click here to see what that is in your time zone.
Written by astrologer Carmen Di Luccio
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