Pisces New Moon
The New Moon in Pisces reminds us of our sensitivities and essential connections to one another. And being in an early degree, we are prompted to reflect on the lessons of Pisces. This compassionate Moon lends a reminder that when we hurt another, we also hurt ourselves. This idea’s rooted in the ancient Stoicism of Marcus Aurelius, and also in Buddhist philosophy, as echoed by monk and peace activist Thích Nhat Hanh, author of Taming the Tiger Within: “Punishing the other person is self-punishment. That is true in every circumstance.”
Marcus Aurelius’s chart features Venus in Pisces trine Saturn. His idea in his book Meditations is that “what injures the hive injures the bee” — if you hurt one person, you hurt the group as a whole. Upon reflection of the deeper wisdom, we may recall feeling badly when we hurt someone — at least later, if not in the moment. Or we may appreciate how we rely on one another in our various groups — families, communities, work hubs, etc. — and if something goes wrong because we hurt someone, then the group suffers too.
The Moon is conjunct dry, old Saturn, echoing an “uphill struggle” as we work to access compassion toward ourselves and others, whilst finding balance against the choppy sea of life that Piscean sensitivity will surely have us rocking around on!
Saturn is our teacher and governor as much as our strict parent or jailer — depending on what frustrating or limiting situation we may find ourselves in. Sometimes it is the simple framework of life, with its relentless march of time, that places us in such challenging circumstances. At others, we deal with individuals, groups, or institutions determined to stand in our way. But if we meet with the stony resistance of a concrete pillar in our midst, we can learn something from it! Maybe we need equally solid resources to mount our case and make progress — or we appreciate how forcing through such material with our delicate, human flesh simply hurts, and unless we relish cuts and bruises, we consider another path in our pursuit.
If our lessons and realizations seem painful along the way, at least we can take heart from the Moon’s slightly wide sextile to its North Node in Taurus, hinting at growth from our efforts, despite uncertainty of how or when it will manifest. Jupiter is in the more wilful, self-focused, and go-ahead sign of Aries. But before that sounds like a heap of trouble, we might notice that it is conjunct healing asteroid Chiron. It seems there is a need to do some of our own thing, whilst ideally finding a way that doesn’t threaten or harm others.
Besides, the pressing energy of Jupiter in Aries can make someone a generous leader, whilst fulfilling any internal desire for glorious accomplishment. Sir Bob Geldof from Irish band the Boomtown Rats — a Jupiter in Aries native — is famous for kicking off the Band Aid and Live 8 initiatives, and the massively successful 1985 Live Aid concert in London, raising over $200 million for charity in Africa — whilst earning a knighthood!
This article is from the Mountain Astrologer by Diana McMahon Collis