New Moon & Solar Eclipse in Aries
Astrological Overview
The Aries solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 is one of the most impactful astrological events of the year, setting us up on a journey of self-discovery and new beginnings. Eclipses are said to bring about fated events that will help shift us to a higher state of consciousness and new moons represent the start of a new cycle. Solar eclipses always fall on a new moon, magnifying its energy and making it an especially potent time for setting intentions.
This Aries solar eclipse is a north node eclipse, meaning its energy is rooted firmly in the future. While our last full moon and eclipse combo were centered in the energy of letting go, clearing space for something new to come in, this energy gives us a hard kick if we were still caught looking at the past. This eclipse/new moon in Aries combo urges us to let go of what was and look forward to change as an important step toward stepping into the authentic lives our higher selves intended for us.
The eager, innovative energy of Aries lends us enthusiasm for kicking off new things. It begs us to get off the sidelines, take action and simply follow our impulses. Aries is also the ram and its shadow side can be reckless, combative and quick-tempered. It’s helpful to keep this in mind when doing self-reflection now. Are there ways you’re battling yourself? What obstacles or self-doubt are holding you back and perhaps could use a helpful shove? How might I be appearing combative with myself or others in a way that isn’t helpful?
Lastly, this solar eclipse takes place near Mercury which is currently retrograde. While we don’t want to get caught in an endless loop of replaying past events or stuck in a web of limiting emotions or trauma from our past, an solar eclipse near Mercury gives us the opportunity to reprocess events so that we can release them. When Mercury goes retrograde, it beckons us to step back from big conversations with others and have a heart-to-heart with ourselves. Getting honest and raw can help you learn what may be holding you back from your highest expression of Self.
Once you’ve had the opportunity to do that deep work and truly understand what you need to move onto your highest path, this is the time to set your intentions for maximum impact.Plant your seeds of intention, then let go and lean into the heightened receptive feminine energy upon us now to let it unfold as it will.
Sun & Moon Meet Chiron
Chrion is known as the “wounded healer” and is symbolized by a key in astrology, since it is known to represent what can unlock the wisdom we’ve gained through our hardships in life. We now have the sun, moon, and Chiron all aligned in Aries, the warrior of the zodiac. Some are calling this celestial event the “Chironeclipse” because it signifies a major shift. With the sun and moon accompanying Chiron in Aries, we’re collectively being asked to examine what we’ve learned from the pain and hardships of years past. Remember Aries is the warrior, are we fighting for ourselves or against ourselves? We can either harness this energy to embrace change and move toward peace or continue on a destructive path.
Jupiter and Uranus
Jupiter and Uranus will align in an exact conjunction on 4/20/24. They’re coming together for the first time since 2011. Jupiter is the planet of growth and abundance and Uranus is the planet of transformation and new beginnings. Their reunion sparks fireworks and encourages us to break through any self-imposed limits, clearing the way for our soul’s expansion and our true light to shine forth.
POETRY THAT MOVES US
Selected Poems by Maureen Mancuso, from “Notice: Poems of Creation in the Sacred Ordinary”
Bent Elbows and Coffee
It’s 9 o’ clock in the morning and the day has already begun;
Efficiently working from the never-ending “To Do” list
I stop to smell Jasmine dancing full bloom in the wind.
Fragrant messenger of grace—I pause in gratitude for God’s creation where my
soul sings.
Suddenly the phone rings and I am greeted by, “Can we meet for coffee?”
“Of course!” without hesitation I reply, “Where? What Time?”
It never occurs to me to ask the why.
I arrive at the roaster’s and keenly observe,
she sits at a corner table, gazes on bent elbow;
her hands hold up her chin.
She peers through the glass; dejectedly thinks
life only happens on the other side of the pane.
Her other hand follows the curb of the ceramic cup,
warmth is the gift it brings;
the cup’s tender ceramic texture reminds me
how fragile life can be—
one often breaks so easily in pain.
Today a story needs to be told; in attentive consolation I sit,
my elbow bends while my empty cup waits to be filled.
Bent elbow and coffee—gift to another.
Bent elbows holds smiles and sadness
while tears flow and voice reels a tale of woe.
Cathartic release is about to squeeze through
sighs and why's, and how could it have happened?
In mirrored empathy of bent elbow and coffee
true friendship unfolds.
Cinnamon Beauties
Tallest of all tall trees, you stand in endless beauty;
your elegant branches extend back to early days of humankind.
You are observers of change, who stand quietly listening to the call of the
land, and know its pain.
Mountains are your brothers and your sisters are the seas;
you are the history-holders, ears to peoples’ dreams, and the sorrow-keepers of
the world’s lament.
You are dream-catchers; prophets whose wisdom most cannot bear to hold as
you stand majestically above your kindred conifers.
Exclamations and echoes of your beauty are voiced and lifted beyond vision
of your top branches.
O’ Holy Cathedral, green and sienna colors blend, you stir my spirit and
delight my eyes; I hear your story in my soul; carry your wisdom in my
bones.
You stand in silent witness; original blessing and grace;
inspirited, awe-struck splendor—divine gift to a near-sighted race.
You reach to the heavens and reach into our hearts; reveal the way by which,
we must turn around, saturate our hands in your soil;
to undo our damaging doing throughout our planetary home.
It is you O’Cinnamon Beauties, Giant Sequoia trees, wisdom-bearers of earth,
who climb to the heavens and infiltrate my dreams; I trust in your witness, I
have been brought to my knees; while you wait and withstand
the puzzlement of the human species.
RECOMMENDED READING
You can find all of these books right here at Sagrada:
The Life Brief: A Playbook for No-Regrets Living by Bonnie Wan
Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World by Scott Shigeoka
All the Gold Stars: Reimagining Ambition and the Ways We Strive by Rainesford Stauffer
