March 2025 – Aries New Moon

Tonight’s sky presents the darkest canvas of the month. The moon has disappeared completely from view—not because it’s gone, but because it’s perfectly aligned between Earth and the Sun in what astronomers call a “new moon.” This celestial dance happens approximately every 29.5 days, but each new moon carries its own unique signature.

Today’s new moon occurs at precisely 10:58 AM Eastern Time (14:58 UTC), inaugurating a fresh lunar cycle that will unfold over the coming weeks. While to astronomers, this marks a predictable, mathematically precise moment in our moon’s orbit, to astrologers and many cultural traditions, this particular new moon speaks a language all its own.

The Ram’s New Moon: Astronomical Facts Meet Astrological Significance

In astronomical terms, today’s new moon is simply another lunar phase—the moment when the moon’s orbital position places it between Earth and the Sun, with its illuminated face turned completely away from us. It’s a moment defined by celestial mechanics, gravitational forces, and orbital planes.

For those interested in the technical details: at the exact moment of the new moon, the lunar longitude equals the solar longitude, with both at approximately 9 degrees Aries in the tropical zodiac system. The lunar latitude is close to zero, though not exactly, which is why we don’t typically see a solar eclipse during every new moon—the moon’s orbital plane is tilted about 5.1 degrees relative to Earth’s orbital plane around the Sun.

But in the astrological tradition, this new moon has a name and a personality: it’s the Aries New Moon.

While astronomers track the moon against the backdrop of actual constellations (the sidereal zodiac), astrologers typically use the tropical zodiac system, which is based on the relationship between Earth and the Sun. In this system, today’s new moon falls in Aries—the first sign of the zodiac—because it occurs during the Sun’s annual journey through this sign (roughly March 21 to April 19).

The Astrological Chart of This Aries New Moon

This new moon presents several noteworthy features:

• Sun and Moon Conjunction: At 9° Aries, forming the core energy of new beginnings and bold initiative
• Mercury: Currently at 14° Aries, enhancing mental clarity and decisive communication around new projects
• Venus: Positioned at 22° Taurus, bringing stability and grounding to relationship matters while forming a harmonious sextile to Neptune
• Mars: At 17° Aquarius, adding innovative energy and community-oriented action to initiatives
• Jupiter: In late Gemini at 28°, expanding intellectual pursuits and networking opportunities
• Saturn: At 15° Pisces, requiring discipline in spiritual and creative endeavors
• Uranus: At 27° Taurus, continuing to revolutionize our relationship with resources and values
• Neptune: At 28° Pisces, dissolving boundaries in collective consciousness
• Pluto: Having recently re-entered Aquarius at 2°, transforming social structures and technological paradigms

Key Aspects:

• Sun/Moon in a trine with Mars (approximately 120°): Facilitating energetic action toward new beginnings
• Mercury forming a square with Pluto (approximately 90°): Intensifying communications and potentially revealing hidden truths
• Venus conjunct Uranus: Bringing unexpected developments in relationships and financial matters

What Makes This Aries New Moon Special?

The Aries New Moon is considered particularly potent in astrological circles for several reasons:

1. The Double New Beginning: This new moon coincides with the early weeks of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, creating a powerful symbolic alignment between the lunar cycle’s reset and nature’s seasonal rebirth.
2. The Fire Element: Aries is the first fire sign of the zodiac, represented by the Ram—a symbol of initiative, courage, and assertiveness. When a new moon occurs in this sign, astrologers suggest it amplifies opportunities for bold new starts.
3. Cardinal Energy: Aries is a “cardinal” sign, meaning it initiates a season. Cardinal energy is associated with leadership, action, and pioneering spirit—qualities believed to be especially accessible during this lunar phase.
4. Mars Rulership: This new moon is ruled by Mars, currently in innovative Aquarius. This creates a dynamic where personal initiatives (Aries) are linked to collective progress and humanitarian goals (Aquarius).
5. Saros Cycle Connection: For astronomical enthusiasts, this new moon belongs to a particular Saros cycle, linking it to patterns of eclipses that repeat approximately every 18 years and 11 days.

Working with the Aries New Moon Energy

For practitioners of various levels, here are specific techniques to harness this potent lunar moment:

• Set intentions focused on personal courage and initiative
• Wear red or orange to resonate with Aries’ fiery energy
• Place carnelian or red jasper stones on an altar or carry them
• Use affirmations that begin with “I am” or “I will” to align with Aries’ self-starting energy
• Calculate which house in your natal chart this new moon falls in to understand which area of life is being activated for new beginnings
• Note any aspects the new moon makes to natal planets, particularly anything at or near 9° of cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn)
• Create a ritual incorporating Mars energy through movement, drumultural tradition, or personal meaning-making, tonight offers a unique opportunity to pause and reflect on new beginnings.
  ming, or working with iron
• Journal about where hesitation might be blocking action and how this Aries energy can help overcome fears

For Advanced Astrologers:

• Consider progressions and solar arc directions to this new moon point
• Examine the Sabian Symbol for 9° Aries: “A crystal gazer”—suggesting the power of focused vision and intention
• Work with the fixed star Algenib (27° Pisces), which is influenced by Mars and Mercury energies
• Track this lunation point through subsequent lunar phases to observe how initiatives seeded now develop over time

The Science Behind the Dark Sky

 

From an astronomical perspective, tonight offers exceptional viewing conditions for deep-sky objects. With the moon’s reflected light absent, faint stars, distant galaxies, and nebulae become more visible to both casual stargazers and serious astronomers.

Some celestial objects worth seeking out tonight include:

• The Andromeda Galaxy (M31): Currently visible in the northwestern sky during early evening
• The Orion Nebula (M42): Still observable in the southwestern sky after sunset
• The Pleiades star cluster (M45): Positioned high in the western sky
• The Leo Triplet: A group of three galaxies (M65, M66, and NGC 3628) visible in the eastern sky

With the new moon in Aries, the constellation Aries itself will be difficult to observe as it sets shortly after the Sun. However, the neighboring constellation Taurus, hosting Uranus at this time, will be visible in the western sky.

Lunar Mansions and Vedic Perspectives

In Vedic astrology, this new moon falls in the Nakshatra (lunar mansion) of Ashwini, the first of the 27 Nakshatras. Ashwini is symbolized by a horse’s head and governed by the Ashwini Kumaras—divine twin horsemen who serve as physicians to the gods.

Key attributes of Ashwini include:

• Swift movement and rapid healing
• New journeys and transportation
• Medical knowledge and recovery
• Youthful energy and rejuvenation

In the Vedic tradition, this Amavasya (new moon) is considered especially powerful for:

• Beginning medical treatments or health regimens
• Commencing journeys or transportation-related ventures
• Invoking healing energies for oneself or others
• Starting educational pursuits, particularly in healing arts

Historical and Cultural Perspectives

The Aries new moon has been significant across multiple traditions:

• In ancient Mesopotamia, this period marked the beginning of the year, celebrated during the Akitu festival
• In Persian tradition, it aligns closely with Nowruz, the spring equinox celebration of the new year
• In Celtic traditions, it was associated with the fire festival of Beltane, though that typically occurs closer to the full moon in Aries
• In Chinese astrology, this period falls during the Rabbit month but carries the dynamic energy of the Dragon’s approach

Looking Ahead: The Unfolding Lunar Cycle

In the coming days, a delicate crescent will appear in the western sky just after sunset—the waxing crescent phase. This visible return of the moon serves as a reminder that cycles of darkness always give way to increasing light.

For those tracking the moon’s movements:

 

• First Quarter: April 5, 2025, at approximately 3:24 PM ET (19:24 UTC) at 16° Cancer
• Full Moon: April 13, 2025, at approximately 9:17 AM ET (13:17 UTC) at 23° Libra
• Last Quarter: April 20, 2025, at approximately 11:45 PM ET (03:45 UTC on April 21) at 1° Aquarius
• Next New Moon: April 27, 2025, at approximately 7:31 PM ET (23:31 UTC) at 8° Taurus

The full moon that will complete this cycle will be the Full Pink Moon in Libra, occurring around April 13, 2025. This opposition between the Aries Sun and Libra Moon will create an interesting dynamic between self-initiation and relationship harmony, according to astrological tradition.

Finding Meaning in the New Moon

Whether approached through the lens of astronomy, astrology, c

 

The darkness of the new moon provides both a scientific wonder to contemplate and a symbolic reset button recognized across cultures and traditions. This particular Aries New Moon invites everyone to connect with their courage, initiative, and pioneering spirit.

What new beginnings might this Aries New Moon inspire in your life?