The first new moon of 2023 arrives in the sign of wishful, collaborative Aquarius. It’s finally time to set your 2023 resolutions and intentions. Here’s how to use the power of the Aquarius new moon to make magic.
All together now! The January 2023 Aquarius new moon awakens the spirit of innovation and magical collaborations. But there’s something unique about this first new moon of the year: it’s in Aquarius and not Capricorn!
This is a huge contrast to years that begin with a new moon in industrious, traditional Capricorn (which is the only other zodiac sign that can kickstart the year’s new moon cycle).
A wildly experimental year may be in store for us all!
Everything “certain” is up for examination with this Aquarius new moon. That could lead to some lively debates. Fortunately, there’s a collaborative vibe in years that begin with a new moon in Aquarius. This is, after all, the zodiac sign that wants to give everyone a seat at the table. So: Where could you open your mind a little wider?
What is the date of the Aquarius new moon?
The Aquarius new moon arrives on Saturday, January 21, at 3:53 PM EST, a day after the Sun moves into this zodiac sign for the four weeks of Aquarius season.
What is the meaning of the Aquarius new moon?
The spirit of unity is in the air! The annual new moon in Aquarius fosters collaboration, drawing people together around common ideals and community missions.
Inclusivity is more essential than ever during this open-minded lunar lift. Seek to welcome a wide spectrum of viewpoints and personalities. You don’t create a chorus with everyone singing the same note, right?
While the moon is emotional, Aquarius is rational, so their dance can be an awkward one. Think of the January 21 Aquarius new moon as a day to unite heart and head. That’s a theme that everyone could benefit from in 2023!
Love & the Aquarius new moon
If you could wave a magic wand over your love life, what would you create—and with whom? January 2023’s new moon in Aquarius, the sign of hopes and wishes, evokes romantic idealism.
Why not visualize every possibility instead of simply settling for what’s in front of you? We’re all set in our ways. How you choose to level up your love life is up to you.
But, spoiler alert! Experimentation might be less of a “thing” in 2023 as the fierce Water Tiger hands the baton to the fantasy-fueled Water Rabbit for a year. But that’s not to say there won’t be dreamy fun to be had.
Chinese New Year & the Aquarius new moon
The Aquarius new moon always dovetails with the Chinese/Lunar New Year, the moment when our astrological animals post a change of guard.
The evening of the Aquarius new moon on January 21 also ushers in the Chinese New Year! We say farewell to the sultry, savvy Water Tiger and welcome the spiritual, abundant Water Rabbit.
After a year of strategic stakeouts, we can, er, “hop to it” with the Rabbit’s creative flair. But keep your boundaries more firm than fluffy. Without the Tiger’s protective prowess, we’re more vulnerable to predators under the forgiving Rabbit’s rule.
Read more about the Chinese/Lunar New Year in our article: Year of the Rabbit 2023: Lunar New Year Horoscope
What to do during an Aquarius new moon?
Here are 6 cosmic collabs to try at the 2023 Aquarius new moon
1. Cultivate community
Even as we work remotely and commune virtually, the Aquarius new moon reminds us of our need to share energy. Has your world become a bit too isolated for your liking? Time to break out of that rut. Let this new moon guide you to “your people.”
Seek out people who share your interests, even (and especially!) the quirky ones. Sync up with friends and colleagues are working toward similar goals. How can you better support each other’s success? For example, if you’re all entrepreneurs, you might set up a weekly mastermind call. Artists can go back and forth with a file to co-create a masterpiece. P.S Our Launchpad program is designed to get you out into the world—back to your life, passions and dreams! If you’re a soul-centered entrepreneur, a mystic on a mission, or you’re simply tired of isolation, this is for you! Starts February 5. Details here.
Change how you work and how you live. The “sharing is caring” vibes of the Aquarius new moon could also point you towards some modern-day remedies. Co-living is gaining popularity as friends pool resources to invest in a shared building or a piece of land. Even if the 1960s flashback fantasy isn’t your cup of mushroom tea, this new moon may inspire other co-sharing ideas. For instance, maybe you rent an office with fellow freelancers. Or set up a babysitting or dog-walking pool with neighboring (pet) parents. How can you make each other’s lives easier and more fulfilling?
2. Build a “cosmic cabinet”
The Aquarius new moon serves a powerful prompt to find your soul squad. But beyond your Sunday brunch crew and social media friends, who are the people in your “cosmic cabinet?” This is your inner circle of go-to advisers, people whose feedback you trust to be unbiased and in your best interest. Some of them may be in-the-trenches collaborators who you know will step in for support at a moment’s notice.
There’s a quote from thought-leader Jim Rohn that says: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Take stock of your closest quintet. Are these people lifting you higher? Helping you further your dreams? Pushing you when you need some momentum? It’s not like you have to unfriend anyone, but some shuffling could be in order.
You might start by mapping out the roles you need on your cosmic cabinet. Or form your official cabinets.
You may have a cabinet for business, one for family life and another for a passion project. See what happens if you list the roles on your cabinets by duty like “web developer” or “tax accountant.” Are there any gaps on the roster? Start scouting with the Aquarius new moon! Ask friends for recommendations since the people you’re looking for may be a mere degree of separation away.
3. Activate your activism
Since Aquarius is the sign of unity and social justice, let the Aquarius new moon shift your activism into high gear. There’s no shortage of issues demanding attention from racial equity to environmental and reproductive justice.
Organize a GoFundMe for an out-of-work neighbor. Set up a Little Free Pantry on your block that neighbors can place dry and canned goods in. This new moon can show you where your generosity can make a difference. Or, if you’re short on time, lend support with a monthly donation.
Politics also fall under Aquarius’s domain. This new moon reminds us that one voice can make a major difference. Joining an existing chorus can really shift the tide. Find a place to engage and go make a difference, using this new moon as your guide.
4. Make a sudden move
Aquarius is ruled by Uranus, the planet of sudden events, breakthroughs and radical change. Yeah, we’ve all heard sayings like “one step at a time” or “aim for progress, not perfection.” But sometimes, a bold leap is the way to go, even if it leaves jaws on the ground.
At the Aquarius new moon, a swift shift could be in order. Step out of the safety zone and try a radically different approach. A little shock value can snap people back to attention. Have a read (or listen) of branding guru Seth Godin’s Purple Cow; it makes a strong case for standing out in the crowd!
5. Get more tech-savvy
There’s an app for everything now. But how well are you using all those $1.99 downloads cluttering up your home screen? Good chance your life would be a whole lot easier if you synced the data or set up automations and alerts. But what about your privacy settings? Many apps have built-in location trackers that you might not even be aware of, recording your every move and stamping your photos with meta data. On the bright side, there’s never been a better time to make a living as a media maven or online entrepreneur.
The Aquarius new moon is your call to sharpen your digital skills—for fame or fortune (or both). Being an Instagram influencer, Etsy mogul or TikToker can be a legit path to prosperity especially with the whole world going virtual. Do you have something to teach, a special skill to share, a unique product to sell? Check out places like General Assembly, that offer a suite of online trainings in everything from data analysis to UX design. Or literally watch YouTube videos on how to turn your social media account into a cash machine. So meta!
6. Be a relationship “anarchist”
Liberated, equality-oriented Aquarius is the sign of universal love. This cosmic energy is the opposite of possessive. It’s experimental. Broad-minded. Rational. Under the thought-provoking Aquarius new moonbeams, you have the objectivity to pull back and view your closest connections from a totally different perspective.
Are you satisfied with the “container” you’ve set up for yourself? Or is it feeling restrictive or maybe unoriginal as if you’re following someone else’s guidelines instead of trusting the wisdom of your heart? The term relationship anarchy has been popular among the non-monogamy community for years, and with good reason. In its original definition, it allowed people to create their own manifestos and agreements for how to date and relate—unbound by any rules except the ones that the people in the relationship agree to.
Whether your heart has vacancy for multiple partners or is a room built for two, the Aquarius new moon is the perfect moment for reviewing your values. If you’re feeling courageous, you may want to host a “state of our union” with a significant other(s) in your life. Are you all on the same page? Happy with the direction of your bond? Where do your comfort levels lie around erotic and emotional exploration?
Caution: Conversations like these can get charged quickly, bringing the lightning bolt temper of Aquarius into the mix. If you choose to host such dialogues, don’t do so on a whim! Set a serene mood and make sure everyone has time to delve in deep. Taking periodic cool-down breaks may be necessary as differing viewpoints invariably emerge. Getting through the reactions is the hardest part. Once you do, intimacy could grow to unprecedented levels. You could see each other as unique human beings coming together by choice. That’s the “one love” vibe that Aquarius Bob Marley was talking about.
Feature art by Rosie Dienhart
