posted March 28, 2006 04:23 PM            

Total Solar Eclipse
2:30amPST
8º 44'

Because Aries is the youngest of the signs, this is the New Moon for fresh starts. Aries represents the inner child; that amazingly trusting, innocent soul that lives within each of us. Even in the worst of times, it is important to be aware of the ever-present humor that exists in the darkest moments of our lives. After all, the greatest comedy does arise from the deepest tragedies. I realize innocence is hard to conjure up when the world is in such disarray, but this is the only New Moon of the year when we get to start all over again. If this past year has left you feeling beaten down, depressed, and physically or emotionally wounded, this is the New Moon to start anew. When darkness comes into our lives, we must remember that the dawn will eventually come.This New Moon is the rising sun, the light at the end of the tunnel, the beginning of your journey back to wholeness. It is a refreshing and joyful New Moon. Winter is over! Renewal has arrived!

This is the best New Moon for turning over a new leaf or starting a new phase, especially with the Total Eclipse. Eclipses energetically heighten Full and New Moons. Eclipses in Aries are always challenging, and with Saturn in Leo trining the Sun/Moon/North Node conjunction in Aries, this New Moon will have an air of seriousness about it. So be mindfully present with your emotions and your thoughts on this day, in order to keep impulsivity and egotistical needs under control. If you want to read more about the eclipse go to NASA's Eclipse page.

If your life is in upheaval, this is the best time to set your intention and make change happen your way. This New Moon in Aries is the best time to create a ritual for getting exactly what you want, no matter how hard the solution, no matter the amount of despair and hopelessness. Renewal is a matter of changing our perspective to include the magical and imaginative realms of possibility; especially with Mercury in dreamy Pisces, Venus and Neptune in "why not?" Aquarius, and Mars in fun-loving, "all possibilities" Gemini. Dive back into a childlike world where if it can be thought, it can be made to happen. Aries says, "I can!" with a level of faith that only an innocent child who has not yet failed can muster. When you do your New Moon in Aries ritual, your heart and mind must be centered in an open attitude of excitement-"let's go," or "I can do anything," or "I can be anyone," or "the world is my oyster," or "life is an adventure!".

This is a New Moon that asks us to take a leap of faith and do the impossible. This a New Moon to come at who you are with a sense of wonder, magic and first-time awe. Go find out who you are and what you want; you might just be surprised. Even with restricted, controlling, Saturn in Leo trining the Moon and Sun, this is the New Moon to let go of constriction and relearn how to go with the flow. Think of Saturn as all the experience you have had up to this moment. What you have learned, what you have lost and gained. Then let go of the need to believe that nothing can be different. Don't control the possible now by holding to expectations from the past. We are so busy controlling our lives that we forget to recognize and value synchronicity and serendipity. Learn to let go and trust that everything is as it should be. It makes for a more peaceful and contented life. Though few of us like to admit it, the truth is that security is an illusion because everything is in a constant state of change.

Aries is all about adventure and the indomitable spirit of the adventurer. The Neptune/Venus conjunction in Aquarius should certainly heighten the joy of facing anything new and exciting. Consider trying something different; something you think isn't you… but might just be. This is also the New Moon to reinvigorate your lust for life. We have all become so fearful and risk-averse. Go on an adventure, be spontaneous, or just do something wild and crazy. There is a time and place for play, and this is the New Moon to remember that all work and no play make us very dull people! So use your ritual to figure out how to bring more fun into your life! After all, life is just a big adventure.

Most of you know that the Ares was the Greek God of war. However the constellation with his namesake, Aries, not only rules war, but also is the youngest of the signs, and by extension, the child of the zodiac. Aries represents the undeveloped self, learning about itself through experience. Since an undeveloped self does not readily put itself in the place of the other, this lack of relational skills is what makes violence, killing, and rape possible. War making is the natural outcome of actions that stem from an immature, underdeveloped self, with little ability to creatively solve problems. So this is the New Moon to discipline your demanding inner child, who rules you with feelings of impulsivity, selfishness, oppositionality, and impatience. Peacemaking really does begin at home.

Use this New Moon to reinvigorate your relationship with the inner warrior/warrioress. Though we need this part of ourselves to stand up and advocate for our positions, we also need to learn how to use this power appropriately. Create a ritual to discover or reconnect with your power animal teachers. They are the key to gaining a deeper understanding of our instinctual nature and how to successfully integrate it into our lives. With North Node, Sun and Moon in Aries, and Neptune, Chiron and Venus in erratic Aquarius, this is the New Moon to work on anger management skills. We must all learn to speak out, without acting out and causing harm to others. Studies show that being angry only serves to rehearse anger which in turn increases anger levels. Instead of blowing off steam, next time you feel angry, try reaching for the mindful compassion of an evolved Uranus and Mercury in Pisces, to increase thoughtfulness and maturity when expressing feelings of anger.

One more thing: Aries rules sports and exercise. Spring has arrived and if you have been couch-potatoing all winter long, it's time to get out and start moving your body! This is the ideal New Moon for starting an exercise program and making it a natural part of your daily routine. Just taking a 30-minute brisk walk each day can increase your health dramatically! For those of you who are already active and may want to take on a special challenge, this is the New Moon to initiate that dream of doing your first marathon or triathlon.

One thing Aries knows for sure: life is what you make it! So make it exciting and full of joy!

By Lisa Dale Miller www.astrowisdom.com