Moon in Pisces

Thursday morning through Saturday night

The Moon swims into Pisces' cosmic ocean at 11:46am EST Thursday, moving toward the New Moon in Pisces on Friday, March 4. There is strong focus on Pisces in the right now, that carries through the New Moon: Six planets span the sign from Chiron at 01 Pisces to Uranus at 29. The lineup also includes Mars and Mercury, as well as the Sun and Moon.

Pisces is visionary, empathic, and intuitive, with a felt sense that we are all part of each other, and of the cosmos. With the intensity of Pisces energy over the next few days, we're likely to feel more emotionally sensitive.

Thursday night brings Mars and the Moon together, and each one into a flowing sextile with Pluto. During this Moon transit, we may find ourselves ready to act (Mars) on intuitive guidance, or in following a creative muse, to do something transformative (Pluto).

Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac, a place of endings, of releasing what no longer serves us back to the cosmos. Having Mars active at this time can also make it easier for us to let go, readying ourselves for the new cycle that begins in Aries.

The usual approach for setting intentions and making wishes at the New Moon, is to wait until after the New Moon has occurred, when the last of the waning energy is past. This month, however, offers a special time before the New Moon, beginning Thursday night. The Hindu holy day Maha Shivaratri, described in this blog post by Ellen Longo, makes this the most auspicious New Moon of this year, a time when millions of Hindus worldwide will chant the name of Shiva, offering prayers and asking for blessings. In fact, the celebration of Shiva has already begun and will continue in waves through the many time zones of the world.

Shiva is a Piscean figure, the awareness the animates the universe, and one who sacrificed himself to save the world. He carries a trident, the Ganges flows from his head, and his third eye is open. Whatever our individual beliefs, we can merge with the energy of this special time, realize we are all one, and call on Shiva to help us.

The New Moon arrives Friday at 3:36pm EST, at 13 degrees of Pisces. Astrologer Hiroki Niizato sees emotional intelligence as the key theme for this New Moon, a time when we can tune in with our emotional antennae, live in the moment, and release the need for control. Solitude is powerful now, allowing us to connect with what is within.

Checking your birth chart for where the New Moon falls offers guidance on which areas of life most need release, or emotional intelligence, or both. Check also which of your birth planets are being aspected by the New Moon. Wishes and intentions can be made any time within about three days after the New Moon, as we plant our wishes like seeds in the new waxing cycle. If you create a personal ritual at this time, include water, a time for quiet meditation, and perhaps some creative expression, to honor the energy of Pisces.

Saturday morning, the Moon reaches the last degrees of Pisces, joining Mercury, and the Uranus in the very last degree, where he is poised to move into Aries in a few days. The Moon leads the way, entering Aries at 12:14pm EST.