Notes from the Stars, 31 Jan - 5 Feb
the New Moon in Aquarius, Mercury Direct, and recalibrating the internal compass
I personally feel a sense of relief during the New Moon: the Sun and Moon, our Outer and Inner Worlds, are in alignment and the darkness overhead encourages us to go within. But this lunation might not feel so typical--Aquarius rarely ever is. In my seasonal forecast, I gave this reminder:
"The New Moon on February 1st brings this alignment [of personal value and collective expression] into perspective. New Moons are often a time of personal alignment with the energy of a season but between the Sun's own detriment in Aquarius and the lingering square between the Sun, Moon, and Uranus, we're left in a sort of Aquarian burnout. There is such a thing as too much and after several years of Uranian instability and a non-stop stream of Aquarian change around every corner, it's okay to admit you're done. This is not to say dig in your heels. Mercury is still in retrograde and with Venus in her shadow, complaints shouted from the rooftop are not likely to be met with any sympathy. But you may find this Wolf Moon a perfect time to reconnect with your own pack. Turn your attention back to those who reaffirm your core values and reflect the strongest picture of yourself. Strengthen these connections for the journey ahead."
Except it feels like with each passing day, we grow more and more disconnected. External voices scream ever-louder, demanding not only consideration but undivided attention. Some of these voices have valuable points but it's impossible to discern amongst the cacophony. The airwaves have been saturated.
In this level of noise pollution, we can't even hear our own calls let alone those of our pack in the distance. And in this all-too-Uranian environment, it's difficult not to wonder whether this is by design. With each passing day we're ushered farther into an alien landscape. Our signals are scrambled and our tools malfunction. And in this dizzy disorientation we're told to guide others home to safety.
But who's guiding us? Where do we find shelter?
This Moon may have quite a hangover. On Friday, Mercury stations direct at 24 Degrees of Capricorn. It's a powerful degree, and all-too-appropriate to the larger themes we've experienced lately. The Chandra Symbol for this degree is a woman wearing a mask made of butterfly wings, a disguise so delicate it cannot be felt. This degree speaks to the perfect embodiment of prescribed roles, the grace with which we perform them. But after so much time behind a mask we forget what we look like without it. We deceive ourselves into assuming an identity that is not our own, based outside our experience, our values, our destiny.
I want to remind you that this is largely solitary work. Your "pack" may not be a physical group of friends or even a tangible personal connection. It may be a school of thought or a philosophical tradition that resonates with you. It might be a religious tradition or a social movement that stirs something deep inside of you. Whatever it is, you'll know it by that spark. It may be something you haven't felt for some time. You may even find you're unable to trust your instincts--who's to tell a spark from a passing interest, or worse, a dangerous notion? Give yourself the week to explore. Remove taboo from your vocabulary and allow yourself to indulge every curiosity in order to recalibrate.
This week, the Moon moves from its darkest point in Aquarius through the transcendence of Pisces and eventually lands in self-seeking Aries. Throw away your solar compass and allow yourself to take this internal journey back to your individual path. You may be surprised how far you've strayed--or how close you actually are to the truth.