It’s time to set your new moon goals.
This month, look to the future and dream big!
Today, Friday, February 9, at 5:59 p.m. Eastern Time, we will have a new moon at 20 degrees of Aquarius. Like all new moons, this one kicks off a brand new lunar cycle with fresh opportunities for setting intentions, initiating projects, and planting seeds for growth and manifestation. As this moon illuminates the innovative and forward-thinking energy of Aquarius, it encourages us to embrace our individuality, seek out new perspectives, and foster collaboration within our communities.
It’s also the first new moon to take place since Pluto re-entered Aquarius on January 20, ushering in a transformative social, cultural, and (more than likely) political era centered around community, connectivity, technological and medical advancements, egalitarianism, and social justice. Pluto, a slow-moving, outer planet that transforms everything it touches, will traverse this sign for roughly the next two decades! In other words, neither we – as individuals – or the culture will come out of this new era the same way we’re going in – that’s assured!
What does all of this Aquarian energy mean for this week’s new moon and the upcoming 28-day lunar cycle?
If Aquarius had a mantra, it could very well be “Power to the People.” This energy emphasizes the elevation of our collective human experience, while also celebrating each individual’s uniqueness and authenticity. After all, Aquarius is a bit of a quirky rebel, known for its fearless attitude toward breaking with convention and social norms.
On a collective level, we’ll likely begin sensing a more significant shift towards Aquarian ideals in the coming month, particularly with a whopping four celestial bodies – the sun, moon, Mercury, and Pluto – currently in this sign, and Mars on its way in next week. We had a glimpse of this new reality early in 2023 when Pluto briefly dipped its toes into Aquarius between March and June, before retreating back into Capricorn for the rest of the year. This time frame brought us widespread discussions and concerns about AI and, for better or worse, the uncertain consequences it brings. With this influx of Aquarian energy, the focus on AI is bound to intensify, alongside more headlines about new medical breakthroughs, space exploration, climate change, financial and political corruption that gets exposed, or people getting fed up with massive power imbalances and inequality. It’s no coincidence that these issues have come into sharper focus at the same time that we collectively begin transitioning into Aquarian energy.
However, collective movements often begin on the individual level, so the new moon in this sign urges each of us to break free from outdated routines or perspectives that no longer serve us. In doing so, we can move toward a future where we are more grounded in our identities and values, and better able to elevate the energy of everyone around us.
Transits that may further impact the energy of the new moon
Expect the unexpected over the next few weeks!
This new moon will square its modern planetary ruler, Uranus, at 19 degrees of Taurus. Uranus is an uber-eccentric, unpredictable rebel with a tendency to shake things up and propel us out of our comfort zones to advance progress. With a square aspect, there’s friction, indicating that a situation could arise that creates an almost explosive urge for change. This aspect craves freedom and independence, and it demands those things now. Given Uranus’ placement in Taurus, a sign associated with financial stability and material resources, we could see even more news headlines, events, or online chatter highlighting vastly imbalanced wealth distribution or economic injustices.
While Uranus typically has a collective bent, some individuals may also experience unexpected developments leading to profound personal changes. The square aspect could prompt a radical shift in values, for example, or inspire a desire for significant lifestyle alterations. If this occurs, it may help to practice the Aquarian art of calm, detached objectivity rather than letting emotions get the best of you – especially with a Mars-Pluto conjunction coming up next week. We won’t feel the full impact of that until Valentine’s Day, but it could still be close enough between now and then to heat up tempers and intensify conflicts, especially among those who are having a difficult time coping with the rapid personal or collective changes taking place.
If any this sounds daunting, take heart. Uranus will still be forming its trine with Venus during this new moon, offering a gentler, more harmonious influence to anything prickly that crops up. Venus loves beauty, diplomacy, and abundance, suggesting that any disruptions are not simply there for disruption’s sake – instead, they are ultimately in service to the highest good.
Finally, we can’t talk about Aquarius without checking in with Saturn, the traditional (as opposed to modern) ruler of this sign. It’s currently residing in Pisces, the most compassionate sign, and will be forming a sextile with Jupiter in the fixed sign of Taurus – all of which helps to provide stability and lay new foundations for long-term endeavors. Whatever begins now should have staying power!
How to use Aquarian energy to focus your new moon intentions and goals
It’s time to get clear on your wishes and set your goals for the month! Start writing your list as soon as possible after the new moon occurs, which you’ll remember is around 6 p.m. ET. The first few hours following a new moon tend to be the most potent, but anytime over the coming weekend is still encouraged.
Consider using the themes of this new moon, as well as the themes of the house it illuminates in your natal chart, to help you define your intentions. Of course, you can always set whatever intentions you wish with any new moon and make progress toward them. The new moon is a potent time of initiation and rebirth no matter what sign it’s in. But working with the energy that’s most widely available can be especially powerful. If you need ideas, here are some suggestions to consider:
Find your truth. Are you showing up authentically in each area of your life the way you want to be? Are there any issues you’ve been avoiding because they felt to difficult to face or work on? If not, what steps can you take to love and honor yourself more going forward?
Build a life you love. Are you living the life that you most want to live? Does your daily routine reflect your values? Our time here is precious and short, and the new moon in Aquarius invites you to disassemble old structures or routines and build something new and better in its place. What steps can you take to rearrange your current reality?
Give back. Aquarius is the sign of humanitarianism and good will. Our current culture places a premium on independence and individual success. But the truth is, true security comes from our connectivity with others. How might you be able to further contribute to or lift up the people and communities you care about? Are there any communities or group efforts you’re not involved in yet that you’d like to be? No group or effort is too big or too small here.
Break old habits. This may be one of the best times in all of 2024 to let go of unhealthy habits. Aquarius desires physical and mental health for all, so if this part of your life is up for review, consider ramping up your efforts to become healthier and commit to drinking less, eating less junk food and/or more fresh food, walking more, beginning an exercise routine, starting therapy, or quitting smoking, to name just a few possibilities.
Update your tech (or your relationship with tech). As the sign of modernism and futurism, Aquarius creates a welcoming space for us to learn how to use a new technology or a new platform or app. If there’s something tech-related you’ve been meaning to check out, now’s a fortuitous time to do that. It’s also an ideal time to replace older hardware or devices, if you can afford to do so. And if you can’t afford to, don’t be shy about putting out a call for support within your social networks. With this energy, something lucky and unexpected just might show up! Alternatively, you might also want to review your or your family’s relationship to tech. Are you using it in ways that make your life better? Or has it become a source of distraction and disconnection? What steps can you take to bring things back into balance?
Plan for the future. A long-range visionary, Aquarius asks us to stop making short-sighted decisions and instead think about what we’d like to be doing not just this month or this year, but in 5 years, 10 years, or even 20 years (when Pluto finally leaves this sign and makes its foray into Pisces). It’s also the sign of hopes and dreams, so it dares you to think big as you make your plans. Get really clear and detailed on the life you envision – and don’t be afraid to reach for the stars!
In addition to these Aquarian themes, look below to find out what’s most likely to show up for you now, based on your rising sign.
Aries Rising
With the new moon taking place in your eleventh house of friendship, communities, and groups – and, incidentally, the house naturally ruled by Aquarius – now is the perfect time to reach out and start connecting with like-minded individuals (bonus points if you’re connecting with others around shared values or a desire to contribute to the greater good). Now is not the time be a wallflower, Aries risings! Socializing, networking, and teamwork are where it’s at for you right now. Call those friends you haven’t seen in way too long. Accept the invitation. Go to that event that catches your eye. Join that gardening club that intrigues you. Brainstorm with your colleagues. Start that focus group. Get involved in that charity or social movement that’s been on your mind, but haven’t yet made the time to get involved in. And, since Aquarius is both social and technological, start that new social media campaign and highlight the heck out of your business or brand. Finally, this house is also associated with our aspirations, hopes, and wishes, so don’t be sheepish about making big plans for the future, no matter how wild or outlandish they may seem right now.
Taurus Rising
This new moon is transiting your tenth house of career and public image, so this has real potential to be the beginning of a productive new professional cycle for you. Consider reassessing your long-term career goals and clarifying what you really want in this area of your life, as well as whether what you’re currently doing (or how you’re doing it) makes you feel aligned and authentic. What is it that you really want to be putting out into the world? How does the arch of your career align with your life, your wellness, and who you are at your core? Consider how it benefits the collective or makes a contribution to your team and/or your people. Additionally, perhaps there is some expertise you’ve wanted to dive into and really master. It might be time to level up in some way, and you can take steps to begin that process now. Finally, with Aquarius in the mix, we can never rule out the unexpected, so it’s also possible that a new opportunity or unanticipated “twist” in your career story crops up for you. If this occurs, it may help to channel your inner-Aquarius and approach the situation with a sense of calm, objective detachment, openness to experimentation and new possibilities, and willingness to relinquish full control of the outcome.
Gemini Rising
This cycle will not be boring, Gemini risings! With the new moon occurring in your ninth house of exploration, long-distance travel, philosophy, education, and beliefs, you’ll be looking to expand your literal and metaphorical horizons. And given Aquarius’ quirky, unconventional energy, you could find yourself experimenting with these things in some surprising new ways. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself getting the itch to start planning a big vacation this month, even if it doesn’t actually take place for some time. It might even be to someplace you hadn’t considered going before! Then again, “travel” could, alternatively, manifest as internal exploration, in which case you may find yourself drawn toward a new area of study, taking classes or even going back to school. And because we’re talking about Aquarius in the ninth house, you’re even more likely than others to begin questioning long-held belief systems and whether you want to carry them forward into the future. Whichever of these themes you take on, now is not the time to get stuck dealing with the minutiae of daily life. It’s adventure you crave! Feed it by focusing on the big picture of life and the meaning of your time here.
Cancer Rising
This is the best time to do you taxes, Cancer risings! Of course, that doesn’t sound super glamorous, but with this new moon taking place in your eighth house of shared resources (like money that’s shared, owed, gifted, or inherited) the energy is on your side this month and things may flow more smoothly now. You can also increase your personal freedom by forming a plan to pay off looming debt of all sorts. Alternatively, if personal freedom for you currently means finding the funding needed to start a project or business, pay for school, or buy a home, this energy can be supportive of locating and applying for grants, awards, and loans. Because Aquarius tends to be an unpredictable sign, unanticipated financial developments – whether you view them as gains or losses, initially – can also occur with this transit. Just don’t forget Aquarius is here to propel you forward, so whatever shows up is ultimately here to fuel your long-term prosperity and growth. Additional eighth-house themes, like sex, intimacy, psychological work, and therapy could all be up for review now, too, and may be potential areas of deep transformation.
Leo Rising
This lunar cycle is all about #relationshipgoals, with the new moon occurring in your seventh house of relationships and partnership. If you’re single, and you’d like a romantic partnership, this is the time to carefully consider the type of partner – and the type of partnership – that you really desire. You may find that what you thought you wanted – or what you were conditioned to want – when you were younger no longer applies. It’s also possible that you may find yourself drawn toward a new relationship that is a little out-of-the-box for you, or a person who is unconventional and/or not typically your “type.” If you’re already in a relationship, consider using this time to view the partnership in a new light or breath fresh life into it. This is a lovely time, for example, to address long-standing issues and find new solutions to them. You can look at what’s working and not working and begin to take different actions. Alternatively, if you’re in a relationship that doesn’t match who you are at a core level, this energy may ask you to let it go.
Virgo Rising
Your wellness routines are up for review now with this new moon taking place in your sixth house of work and health. And since good health is important to Aquarius, too, the cosmos are really on your side when it comes to making measurable progress over these next few weeks. Consider both what you need and what’s actually going to work well for you (read: something you can stick with) in terms of dietary choices, meal patterns, workout routines, and wellness activities. What tweaks can you make to your schedule to ensure that your body gets what it deserves? How can you measure progress or incentivize yourself to keep showing up for your own well-being? Now is the time to set new goals, form positive habits, or let go of habits you no longer want. What you begin now is more likely to stick. Alternatively, your day-to-day work life could also be up for review, so you could choose to channel this energy into getting reorganized, increasing your efficiency, or finally reworking your schedule in order to maximize the joy and flow in your life.
Libra Rising
It’s time to have some fun, Libra rising! With the new moon illuminating your fifth house of creativity, romance, and leisure, the possibilities available for you to have a good time, should you choose to do so, are endless. Don’t forget to look for pleasure and enjoyment from unexpected sources – this is Aquarius we’re talking about, after all! Buy some art supplies, even if you’ve never picked up a paintbrush or canvas. Go dancing, even if you have two left feet, and dance like no one is watching. Revisit your childhood by saying yes to that game of Red Rover or make-believe with the children in your life. Go somewhere out of the ordinary for a date. Sign up for the ski lessons or pickleball lessons or ballroom dancing lessons you’ve been thinking about pursuing. This is the time to look at whether you are enjoying your life and what “enjoyment” really means to you. If life hasn’t felt pleasurable enough lately, consider setting some intentions in this area and start taking small steps in a new direction.
Scorpio Rising
With the new moon shining on your fourth house of home and family, your energies will be well spent using your look-beneath-the-surface, Scorpio x-ray vision to closely examine the family and household systems that you rely on to make life work. Are there aspects of your family life that need to be repaired, modified, or up-leveled? The answer could be related to family and household dynamics or to the physical home itself. It’s a good time to upgrade your home technology with an eye toward Aquarian themes, such as internet speed, solar panels, “smart” systems, etc. But any home improvement project will do, even if it’s simply rearranging your furniture for better feng shui. It’s also possible to decide that you no longer enjoy where you’re living and start looking to move! On the family front, the fourth house encompasses our roots, so there is opportunity here to “upgrade” your relationships with your elders, like parents or grandparents, especially if you’ve been waiting to assert your independence or set appropriate boundaries. If that’s been difficult for you in the past, this energy may allow you to look at childhood issues with fresh eyes and approach them in new ways. Finally, remember that the natural rulers of the fourth house are Cancer and the moon itself, so don’t be surprised if this lunar cycle gives you all the feels, as well as some opportunities to examine what you need in order to feel secure.
Sagittarius Rising
Feeling behind with regards to returning text messages, emails, or general correspondence? With this new moon shining a light on your third house of thinking, communication, and everyday life, you may feel inclined to put all your ducks in a row. It’s also a great time to flex your brain a bit, so you may have a sudden desire to learn about a new topic or engage in a new type of mental activity (soduku, anyone?). That new stack of library books aside, Aquarius is an air sign and very relational, so it’s also quite likely that it will challenge you to take a look at a the effectiveness of your communications or your communication style. Are you conveying the right message(s) to others? Or, are you speaking up for yourself enough and asking for what you want? If the answer is no to either one, there’s plenty of energy available now to begin approaching your interactions in fresh, new ways. Finally, the third house also envelops our siblings, so it’s a good time to chat or hang with them. All in all, don’t be a bit surprised if you have a very busy month!
Capricorn Rising
This new moon will be illuminating your second house of personal finances and values, so you’ll have a lot of energetic support in the coming weeks around setting financial goals, budgets, and/or looking at new ways to manage your money. Caps are among the best at making and executing plans that require discipline and staying power, so this cycle should be right up your alley. The best course of action now is to get clear on what you want and the steps you need to take to make that happen, and then just do your thing, determined Capricorn! Or, you could also decide to change your perspective on making money altogether and look for ways to do so that you hadn’t considered before now. Alternatively, if you’re just not feeling the money vibe, you could go a very different route and use this time to build a stronger sense of self-worth and self-esteem by tapping into that cool, Aquarian detachment and objectivity to quiet those nasty gremlins in your mind that like to say you’re not enough (or, it’s cousin, the dreaded “too much”). You may even find that embracing who you are just happens to “unstick” something on an energetic level and allow more prosperity to flow in!
Aquarius Rising
This is you’re time to shine! If the way you’ve been presenting yourself or projecting yourself into the world isn’t a true reflection of your core, you can now give yourself a literal or metaphorical makeover with the new moon shining on your first house of self. In fact, eccentric Aquarius insists that you do! This could be an action as mundane as a vibrant new hair color, a wildly different wardrobe, a redesigned personal website, or something deeper like allowing yourself to get more real and vulnerable in the public spaces in your life. That can be scary, but nothing opens up the gates of joy and prosperity (whatever that looks like to you) like radical self-love and acceptance. Whoever you are, and whatever you want to be, now is the time to own it. Be as bold as you wish, and trust yourself!
Pisces Rising
Rest up, Pisceans, you are now wrapping a 12-month-long lunation cycle that’s walked you through every house in your natal chart. With the new moon in your twelfth house of spirituality, solitude, and completion, now is the time to take stock of where you’ve been and reflect on your journey over the past year. Make time to sit with your thoughts and feel all the feels. Committing to a spiritual practice, like journaling, meditation, yoga, art, or anything that increases awareness of your intuition and your higher self will help you process your experiences, remain gentle with yourself, and prepare you for the rigors that will inevitably come up starting next month when the moon embarks on its next trip through your chart. If you do feel inclined to come out of your shell this cycle, having twelfth-house themes highlighted will likely draw you toward activities requiring an extra dose of compassion or empathy – which, fortunately, happens to be an area where you already shine oh-so-brightly!
Happy wishing, my friends! Stay tuned for more lunar updates and moon-related tips throughout the month to help you move toward your goals.
Until next time…