Honing and Directing Our Inner Fire

We are in a rare and powerful moment in time. Seven planets are in Aries, along with several asteroids and dwarf planets. This is cardinal fire energy to an extent we may have never experienced before in our human history.

The New Moon in Aries, on April 17th at 7:51 AM EST, marks a pivotal time of deep transformation and swirling fire. We are at a choice point, individually and collectively. The main question is: how will we direct this fire?

In the sections below, I’ll describe the main themes and planetary alignments occurring during this Aries New Moon. Allow your body and heart to attune to what you are reading. Let them guide you toward the wisdom you are most meant to absorb and explore at this time.

New Moon in Aries Overview

New Moons represent a new beginning; the start of a new chapter. They mark a time of setting intentions for the cycle ahead. This New Moon in Aries holds that new beginning energy to a supreme level, for Aries is the sign of new beginnings and marks the beginning of a new astrological year.

Furthermore, we are now experiencing the spirit of the fire horse more fully with this Aries season, as they are similar frequencies. This is also a 1-year in numerology, which is a year of new beginnings. And lastly, all planets are direct (moving forward in their path) until May. It’s go time — all of these factors are pointing to moving forward, taking action, and trying something new.

During this New Moon, the Sun and Moon are at 28 degrees of Aries. They are conjunct the asteroids Chiron (26°) and Eris (25°). In the earlier degrees of Aries is a powerful stellium involving Neptune (2°), Mercury (3°), Mars (5°), and Saturn (7°).

This is Aries energy to the extreme. The way we think (Mercury), feel (Moon), identify (Sun), strategize (Saturn), act (Mars), and imagine (Neptune), is all through the lens of Aries fire. Individually and collectively, this is about diving headfirst into the new: new experiences, new beliefs, new projects, new habits, new memories, new friendships or connections, and so on.

One of the keywords for this New Moon is “new.” This is a time to initiate something or to do something differently. It is a time to challenge yourself, to be bold, to push yourself out of your comfort zone, and to be brave and confident in yourself.

The Artemis II mission is a wonderful example of Aries energy (especially Saturn in Aries, as such an expedition requires meticulous planning and strategy). Aries is the energy of blast-off, and with the momentum of blast-off, carving a new path forward. It is the pioneer; the trailblazer. The astronauts involved with this mission have gone where no other humans have gone before. That is Aries, and we are being called to experience that in our own lives — to carve a new path for ourselves in some way.

All of these planets and other orbiting bodies in Aries come with a massive surge of energy. It’s like a wave pushing us from behind, and one of the most important things to ask yourself at this time is, " How am I going to ride this wave?” This fire must be directed and honed, so how are you going to direct this fire?

Aries is our primal fire; our survival instinct. It is the sign of courage, adventure, and individuality, and contains the archetypes of the warrior and the pioneer. In its best expression, this energy shows up for us when we need to take action to save our lives — literally and metaphorically.

It is the rush of adrenaline when we need to take swift action. It is the fire that rises from within when we need to make a change for the better. It is what stirs us to live a life well-lived, full of experiences and fulfilled desires. To live a full life requires us to take risks, to be brave, to assert our independence, and to go after what we truly desire. This is what this Aries season can help us with.

This is also a time for connecting more with who you really are. The keywords for Aries are “I AM.” People with prominent Aries know who they are and what they want. Often, they’re not afraid to do what it takes to go after what they want. With all of these planets in Aries, all of us can tune into this energy and embody more self-confidence, self-belief, authentic sovereignty, self-motivation, and assert our boundaries.

In its shadow expression, the primal fire of Aries can become the unhealthy expression of the survival instinct. This can look like hyper-individualism: “me vs you,” “everyone for themselves,” “survival of the fittest,” etc. This is also linked to the ego, because when the ego is threatened, it can manifest as a deep fear of death or elimination (this is not a rational reaction, but nevertheless, a powerful one).

If someone is deeply embedded in their identities and ego, then any perceived threat to their beliefs, actions, or self-image is perceived as a threat to their very survival. This can result in aggression, anger, emotional reactivity, and, in its worst expression, violence. This is the egotistical warrior.

Along with those notes, another keyword to remember for this New Moon is combustible. With all these planets in Aries, especially Mars, the energy is highly combustible. Heated arguments, sharp, cutting words, or heightened reactivity could all occur. Notice when you feel angry, irritable, or frustrated, and proceed with caution. A small spark could quickly erupt into a roaring fire.

It’s not that we should avoid confrontation or areas of challenge; it’s that we want to check our ego, emotional state, and nervous system before doing so. Make sure to give yourself time to blow off some steam and release your fiery energy in a healthy and constructive way, such as through movement, breathwork, or sound. We want to approach situations, challenges, or hard conversations from a place of centeredness and respect.

One of the main themes of the Libra Full Moon was acting from a place of centeredness, and that theme still applies here. Libra helps balance Aries, so we want to lean on Libra’s wisdom to find balance during this season. Libra’s wisdom is all about inner balance, equality, harmony, peace, truth, and seeing both sides of any situation.

Another planet that can help us find internal balance during this fiery Aries season is Neptune. With Neptune conjunct the Aries stellium, it is reminding us to delve into our spiritual practice, and to perhaps try something new within it. Anchoring into a spiritual practice that lights you up, grounds you, and allows you to find clarity at this time will be most supportive.

Above all, this Aries season is about attuning to your inner fire and learning how to direct it and utilize it in the most positive and beneficial ways. All the while, being mindful of Aries' shadow expression, such as being egotistical, brash, quick to anger, reckless, or inconsiderate of others' feelings or innate sovereignty. By consciously opening up to and accepting this wave of energy, allowing it to teach and move you, you’re much more likely to harness the extraordinary gifts of this Aries New Moon.

Reflective Questions

• Who am I? 

• What am I passionate about? What lights a fire within me? 

• How and where will I direct my inner fire?  

• What and where in my life am I meant to initiate, create, or move forward with something? 

• What in my life is calling for a change? What or where in my life am I meant to try something different? 

• What are some new things I can try this week? 

• In what ways do I need to push myself out of my comfort zone to help me grow? 

Healing the Aries Wound: New Moon Conjunct Chiron

With the Sun and Moon conjunct Chiron during this New Moon, we are confronted with deep wounds related to our sovereignty, individuality, self-expression, inner authority, and self-motivation. This could manifest as a sense of victimhood, casting your own projections or blame onto others for your challenges.

This can also relate to instances in our lives when we were overshadowed or felt that we could not express our individuality. Perhaps there is a fear of expressing oneself due to one’s childhood or past experiences. This could also be wounds related to giving our power and authority away to external figures, rather than trusting our own inner knowing.

The medicine of Chiron is one of shamanic initiation. Our wounds become our greatest teacher, and through their teachings, we become torchbearers for their medicine. In doing so, we can reclaim our sovereignty, self-expression, and inner authority. And, with the wisdom we have gained through facing and healing our wounds, we can help others who are going through the same challenges.

This placement encourages us to face our wounds related to our autonomy and innate sovereignty, and to see what fears, victim identities, or blame towards others live in our shadow. Bringing our consciousness to these wounds is the first step in the process of healing, accepting, and releasing them.

With the asteroid Eris here as well, we want to pay attention to any moments of chaos and discord, for these moments can point to our Aries wounds. The goddess Eris demands equality, and she can rise like a fire within us when we are experiencing injustice or inequality.

Those moments directly touch our wounds related to our sovereignty and individuality, and can be key indicators of where we may give our power or authority away to others. Those types of experiences can also give us clarity around what situations, relationships, or environments do not support or respect our sovereignty and innate worthiness. They may indicate that something needs to change, evolve, or be let go of.

Reflective Questions:

• What does sovereignty mean to me? 

• In what ways do I identify myself as a victim that no longer applies or serves my highest path forward? 

• In what ways do I give my power or inner knowing away to external authority figures? How can I reclaim this power?

• In what ways do I blame others or life circumstances for my problems? 

• What wounds do I have related to my autonomy and individuality? How have these wounds shaped my life experience and ability to express myself? 

(These questions are a bit fiery to the face (it’s Aries season!), so proceed with them gently and carefully. These questions are not intended to bring up inner judgment or shame, for I believe we all exhibit these behaviors in different ways. Rather, they are to help you identify where you may be giving your power away that no longer serves. In recognizing where you give power away, you can begin the process of reclaiming that power and being a more conscious co-creator of your reality.)

Transforming Old Aries Energy with Pluto and Uranus

During this New Moon, Pluto at 5 degrees Aquarius is in sextile to the Aries stellium (Neptune, Mercury, Mars, and Saturn). Because Mars is also at 5 degrees, there is an emphasis on the relationship between Mars and Pluto.

Essentially, this has to do with how we wield our power. Directing our inner fire is simply another way of directing our power and creative life force. Pluto represents our innate power from the depths of our being – from our unconscious — which includes both our shadow and unrealized gifts. Because a sextile is a harmonious aspect, this is supporting us in wielding our power for the greatest benefit to ourselves and the collective (Aquarius).

This placement is reminding us that our actions are not isolated events; they ripple out and affect our lives and the lives of those around us. Pluto is calling us to bring the power of our consciousness to our actions and decisions — to move forward with clarity, precision, and consideration for how our actions affect others and our environment.

Another supportive aspect is Uranus conjunct Venus in Taurus, which is also sextile to the Aries stellium. This placement could manifest as rapid shifts in consciousness, changing the ways we see ourselves, how we act in the world, how we think and communicate, and how we connect to the spirit within and without. Venus here is reminding us to balance the masculine, movement-forward energy of Aries with the free-flowing, slow, and present feminine energy of Taurus.

Uranus, as kundalini awakener, conjunct Venus, is pointing to awakening to feminine wisdom. Feminine wisdom is a deep connection with self (the body, emotions, and inner knowing), the earth, others, and the greater cosmos. When we embody feminine wisdom, we don’t just intellectually believe we are interconnected with all that is; we know it. We know it in the core of our being.

This understanding of our innate connection with all that is — that we are not separate or isolated — is the medicine to Aries' shadow, to unhealthy survival instincts. In its lowest expression, Aries (along with its ruling planet Mars) rules war.

When we are caught in strong ego identifications, fear-based survival instincts, and a “us vs them” mentality, war — to some degree — is inevitable. If we believe we are alone and separate, then anyone and anything can become a threat to our survival. In this state of being, we are less likely to consider the far-reaching effects of our actions.

This is how wars begin within ourselves, with each other, against the earth, and between countries. To survive, we must eliminate the other — we must be the dominating force to stay safe or to keep our ego structures intact.

This is old Aries energy, and I believe this Aries stellium, sextile to Pluto in Aquarius and Uranus in Taurus, is pointing to a deep transformation of our primal survival instincts that are keeping us in a survival state of a “me vs you,” “us vs them” mentality.

It is reminding us to reclaim our power and reclaim the sacred feminine wisdom of being in right relationship with all that is. We are both individual and interconnected, living in harmony with one another and the earth while honoring our innate sovereignty.

We are called to remember the sacredness of life and that the Divine is within all. We are not separate, and what we do to another, we do to ourselves. If we wish to evolve out of war consciousness on a collective scale, then we have to be honest about the ways we still feed this energy in our own lives — towards ourselves, nature, life circumstances, other people, and other belief systems.

Reflective Question:

• What does it mean to me to be in right relationship with my community and the environment? 

• What practices help me to embody the sacred feminine wisdom of interconnectedness? 

• Do I have any inner conflicts with myself? Are there aspects of myself that are at “war” with each other? How can I balance these seemingly opposing forces and bring them into harmony? 

• Are there any conflicts I have with another at this time? In what ways am I called to resolve or release this conflict? 

• How do I react to beliefs, cultures, or ways of living that are much different from mine? 

Practice Ideas

As mentioned above, this is a time for trying something new, whether that be a creative project, a community event, a physical activity, a different hiking trail, a spiritual ceremony, a new book, or a change in habit. Feel into what you are called to pursue and trust your intuition. See if you can push yourself out of your comfort zone, even just a little bit, with whatever new experience you decide to try.

If you are having a new moon ceremony, make sure to include fire in some way, such as with candles or an outdoor bonfire. Along with these ideas, you can feel into the following meditations:

Embodying Feminine Interconnectedness

For this practice, you’ll want to be outside or on the lowest level of your house. If you have a view of the outside, that would be best, but it isn’t necessary. Either standing or sitting, take several deep breaths and come fully into your body. Once you are in a meditative state, bring your awareness to your root chakra. Using breath, movement, sound, visualization, and intention, invite the energy to stir and awaken in your root. Imagine it swirling and moving in a spiral.

Once the energy feels activated, start to direct that energy down through your legs and out the bottom of your feet. You are growing roots deep into the ground. Now take a moment to look around you at the trees and plants that are growing nearby (if you can’t see them, you can just think about what you know is growing near you). Visualize your roots connecting with all the root systems beneath your feet. Imagine connecting to the mycelial network in the soil.

Deepen and feel into the connection you now have with the plants, trees, and mycelium around you. Send pulsing waves of love to these plants and allow them to send messages or sensations back to you. You are interconnected with the living land around you; feel into this oneness.

Once you feel complete, start to detach your roots from the roots around you and bring them back up into your body. Take some time to return to the room around you and reflect on the experience. See if you feel different toward the plants or trees in your yard than you did before.

You can also practice this connection when you’re out walking. Rather than growing roots, connect with your toroidal field emanating from your heart. Everything in nature has its own frequency or vibrational field that it emanates, so the intention is to harmonize your field with the land’s field, allowing you to move into the same frequency. This creates a deep sense of connection with all that you encounter.

Fire Element Activation:

You’ll want to have a flame before you for this meditation, in either the form of a candle or a larger fire. Enter a meditative state through breathwork and energetic hygiene.

Gaze into the fire. See how it flickers and dances. Connect with it from your heart space. Allow the flame before you to become a mirror image in your heart or somewhere else in your body — trust wherever it arises within. Close your eyes and focus on the flame within. Allow it to grow. Connect with its energy and the way it feels. Allow it to move you and teach you. Dance with it; sing and howl with it. Let it burn away anything that no longer serves; let it transform you.

Birth yourself through the alchemical fire. You are the element of fire; you are the warrior of flame. How will you direct your fire? Allow the fire to guide you as it directs you on what you are meant to focus on at this time.

May this Aries New Moon remind you of your sovereignty, that you are a Divine being with the power to direct the course of your life. Who are you and what are you meant to become? Allow the fire to spur you into motion; let it transform you as you rise from the ashes of all that you’ve overcome.

With love,

Rhianna Quanstrom
Read my other works here on Substack!