New Moon February 20 2023

Actualizing the Dream: New Moon in Pisces 2023

Helgi Halldórsson from Reykjavík, Iceland, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Full Moon @ 01 degrees Pisces 22'
February 20, 2023
12:06 AM PST
3:06 AM EST

This month's New Moon in tropical Pisces aligns closely with Saturn in Aquarius. While the Sun is days past its conjunction with Saturn, a sobering and limiting focus is infused in this lunation. In the context of Pisces, known for its more dreamy and idealistic inclinations, this New Moon is a powerful starting point for bringing the intangible into reality. 

Firstly, the Sun's Saturn conjunction in the days leading up to this New Moon (in the waning Moon phase) has likely brought our attention to certain limitations. As astrologer Steven Forrest describes Saturn as "the brick wall of reality," this manifestation can be collectively and personally felt as a brief plunge into potential doubt, insecurity, depression, or overwhelm prompted by various external or internal catalysts or obstacles. 

With this New Moon aligning with Saturn, the "brick wall" can hang around for several more days than the usual (and annual) Sun/Saturn conjunction. Especially in the waning dark of the Moon, motivational energies and enthusiasms catalyzed by the Full Moon two weeks ago can easily feel suddenly deflated as they meet the limitations of the material world. 

However, don't let yourself succumb to the more negative dimension of this New Moon. In fact, new potentials are possible and likely emerging now, and while they may require more work, effort, discipline, focus, and some sacrifice, they are within your grasp and possible to achieve. The task is choosing the right projects, goals, and visions that can be realistically molded and made real. Also, give yourself time to reflect and clarify what feels right. 

As the planet of limitations, the usefulness of Saturn is helping (and sometimes perceivably forcing) us to declutter and become more decisive in realizing what is and isn't aligned for us. This New Moon, while brief, is an excellent opportunity to clarify where to expend your focus, time, and energy, especially as we move deeper into the New Year. With the major planets all direct and gaining their normal speed, this lunation is actually more propitious than we might feel or perceive. 

The Piscean archetype stimulates us to dream, indulge in fantasy, and overall imagine what might be possible. It invites us to engage with mysteries not yet solved or a larger mission or purpose. Saturn here can limit all of the above or lead to some disillusionment, but realize that what falls away under this New Moon is making space for a more authentic dream to come forward and be actualized.