Hybrid Solar Eclipse / New Moon in Aries 2023

On Thursday 20 April at 1.42pm ACST we have the first of two eclipses, which always come in pairs.

This is a Solar Hybrid Eclipse, a New Moon at 29 degrees of Aries, while the Moon’s North Node is at 4 degrees of Taurus. One of the interesting things about this New Moon is that it is a rare second New Moon in Aries within one month. The first New Moon was at 0 degrees of Aries on the 22nd March. Think back to what plans and ideas were being imagined at the first New Moon in Aries to get a better indication of what is being kicked into overdrive in the coming days and weeks.

This is a doubly-fascinating New Moon Solar Eclipse because while it is generally a time to plant thought-seeds caused by the lack of light from the dark moon phase; planets at 29 degrees of a sign signifies that something has reached its completion and circumstances are about to change. With the Sun and Moon at the tail end of Aries, there is a call for action to have the courage to take the initiative, show decisiveness, be a leader and to take leaps of faith! But the Moon’s North Node is in Taurus, for which the desire for building and maintaining of traditional familial, business and community ties are strong. Taurus North Node asks us to maintain connections which add to our inner emotional and financial security and therefore, we may be in conflict over whether to take that leap of faith into the new, or whether to hold on to that which and who we’ve already invested a considerable amount of time and energy cultivating and building.

The closest aspect to the New Moon in Aries is a difficult square with Pluto, which has been building tensions and triggering power struggles. With Pluto so closely involved, there are deep and often painful subconscious drives at play which have the ability to make us want to assert control over others.

Stay conscious of what is being triggered and take ownership of your responses and actions. Pluto squaring the Sun and Moon in Aries can cause a possible crash following the over-estimation of our abilities.

If you’ve been working for some time on your own consciousness and self-awareness, then you may suddenly benefit from Pluto’s positive influence of advancement into a position of leadership, the realisation of new ideas, a transformation of consciousness, physical regeneration, or some sort of redemption.

Mars also plays an important role in this eclipse as the ruler of Aries. Mars is in the sign of Cancer where he does not always behave in a healthy or effective way. The Cancerian desire for emotional security and for hiding hurt feelings when emotional needs are not met can cause frustration, defensiveness and resentment and result in passive-aggressive behaviours. With Mars forming an aspect to both Mercury and Uranus, even though the aspect is soft, there may still be a sudden release of stored up thoughts and feelings.

Talking things through, honestly, with a desire for a positive outcome for all those concerned will assist in the realisation of thoughts and plans. The spirit of enterprise will be strong and inventive thinking is heightened by the positive aspect between Mars and Uranus. Now could be the time to birth an idea relating to technical sciences, engineering, physics, mathematics and rhythm.

Jupiter in Aries is conjunct the New Moon, but while Jupiter has been busy inspiring big plans and fuelling our creative juices, he is now under the beams of the Sun and peregrine, bringing an awareness that justice may not be being served, or that the truth of a situation may not have been acknowledged. You may realise that your efforts have gone unrecognised, giving rise to moral outrage and a need for greater acknowledgement. Jupiter under the beams can still be effective in assisting a situation but more effort than luck is required.

Be careful. At eclipse time the choice can be taken out of hands, and have a tendency to suddenly rectify situations for good or bad. It is important not to allow our egos to go unchecked, as karmic retribution can be swift and sudden.

You will not be able to rely on luck but instead will need to make a more concerted effort to utilise Jupiter’s better qualities of social cooperation, ethical standards and spiritual protection. Now is the time to keep an open heart and mind, to listen to others’ ideas. This will assist the positive and generous nature of Jupiter to freely flow; ultimately creating a win-win situation for all involved.

Our vitality and will to expand are strong at this time, as Mercury approaches the conjunction of Uranus, providing an opportunity see circumstances differently and to trust our intuition.

Mercury has rulership over written and verbal communications, trading, commerce, learning and travelling, and in conjunction with Uranus enhances our own genius, our ability to see from above and for a greater urge for autonomy. Uranus is the destroyer of old concepts and impels us to rebel against injustices. Yet moments before the conjunction with Uranus, Mercury turns retrograde, causing last-minute nervousness and hesitation.

Don’t burn bridges at this time. There is a need to remain flexible and to stay open to new ideas, which can be difficult with stationing Mercury in Taurus; prone to fixed ideas and a refusal to change directions amid ever-changing circumstances.

You may need to make quick decisions following a last minute change of mind, either yours or someone else’s but sudden success is not out of the question.

If there has recently been a breakdown in negotiations (due to Mercury separating from Mars), when Mercury turns retrograde and reconnects with Mars a few days following the eclipse, there will be another opportunity to revisit those negotiations in a much more productive manner.

This will be enhanced by an exalted Moon in Taurus connecting to Mercury. Thinking will be influenced by feelings and perception; so trust your intuition in the days following the eclipse.

Although Venus is only forming a minor aspect to Mercury through a semi-sextile, they are in mutual reception, with Venus being in Mercury’s sign of Gemini, and Mercury being in Venus’ sign of Taurus. Mutual reception assists each of the planets involved to help the other. When Mercury and Venus combine their energies, there is a greater appreciation and expression of beauty and love. Once Mercury turns retrograde, it will head back towards perfecting the semi-sextile with Venus, a time when authors, artists, writers, and those who work in the beauty, physical appearance or arts industries are re-inspired to return to plans which had been put on the back-burner.

Always allow for downtime and reflection during heightened Moon’s phases and eclipses.

Your first instinct may be to react and lash out, but know that actions taken now will not only have immediate repercussions but long-term repercussions too. Don’t lose sight of what you have worked so hard to achieve but also allow all parts of yourself expression. It will be difficult to edit who you are. So stay true to what you value, honouring your past experiences but allowing yourself to grow through new circumstances which enhance and enliven your vitality, creative expression and spontaneity.

The key principals for this eclipse are VIRTUE and VITALITY. Simply, you are being impelled towards the alignment of your heart and actions.

Love and light, Cosmic Carol