This Aries New Moon is especially bold and powerful and occurs on March 26, 2009. Each new moon is unique in that, while it falls in one of 12 signs of the zodiac, it is also at a particular degree, and each degree has its own particular meaning. The Moon and Sun are conjoined at 6 degrees Aries 7 minutes.

What’s so important about a New Moon anyway you might ask? The most important two cycles of the Moon are the new and full moon cycle. The moon moves through all the signs in about 28 days. The new moon phase is when the Moon and Sun are conjunct; i.e., they appear to be aligned with one another based on our perspective from earth looking up at the heavens. This is called geocentric or earth-centered.

Each month there is a new moon in a different astrological sign. The importance is ‘what’ the new moon cycle represents as, in a nutshell, it is a ‘time of seeding’ focused toward desired manifestation. The full moon follows the new moon approximately two weeks later and is considered a ‘time of manifestation’ for that which was ‘seeded.’

Most people are totally unconscious of this process and may plant the seeds of negativity and reap the results not understanding just how they participated in this process. We are attempting to be much more conscious and aware by using this important natural cycle positively. How we do this is through ‘intentional’ thinking and doing.

It is not like thinking, "I want to get rich, so I will focus on getting rich each new moon." However, prosperity consciousness is not a bad thing to focus on especially if you have a poor self-image, lack self-confidence, or have a job that is just a means to an end and does not support right-livelihood. A new moon can and should be used to support whatever your hopes, wishes, and dreams may be.

The sign Aries is the first sign of the zodiac. It occurs at the beginning of spring; a time when we often begin readying the ground for planting our gardens. The Aries sign and therefore people who were born under the sign of Aries or who have an abundance of Aries planets are seen through the following traits: enthusiasm, courage, self-confidence, forthright, impulsive, impatient, egotistical, assertive, leadership, and many more.

Aries wants to go where no man has gone before; to take the road less traveled. She/he can become impatient when blocks are put in their path or others try to prevent them from realizing their goals. They are often self-made individuals preferring to strike out on their own especially if they do not receive recognition for their efforts from superiors. They believe in ‘lead by example;’ and will not usually ask more of others than they are willing to give of themselves.

This Aries New Moon is especially powerful since the Moon while aligned with the Sun is also joined by Mercury and Venus. This becomes a very powerful four-planet stellium (grouping of planets) focused on communicating (Mercury) feelings and values (Venus) and just what we can accomplish with enthusiasm, boldness, and determination when we put our heart (Venus) and mind (Mercury) to it.

This stellium is in a very direct and challenging aspect (square) to the planet Pluto in Capricorn (the sign of discipline). If we are to manage to ‘manifest’ our hopes, wishes, and dreams suggested as possible at the new moon, we must be willing to discipline ourselves, and realize that a lot of determination and hard work may be required. There can be power plays, authority figures who challenge us, and even some, possibly not so subtle, coercive measures used by others. We must learn how to be powerful and how to empower others–to not be afraid to stand up and confront people and situations if you feel you are being taken advantage of and especially if someone is trying to ‘silence’ you or negate your feelings.

The 6th degree of Aries relates to, according to the book, "The Zodiac Image Handbook–Cardinal Signs," to an "extraordinary potential and formidable talent for resisting coercion." How interesting, since Pluto’s square to the Aries stellium can bring out so many issues involving coercion/control.

The image of the 6th degree shows us a man riding on a horse climbing up a mountain on a dangerous narrow path. There are many people working hard in a valley below him. There is the suggestion that the image represents a person who must emerge from a lower state of consciousness, something of a ‘slave mentality’ and pull himself up through a ‘pioneering and exploring consciousness’ to a much higher spiritual level. There is the danger of taking a ‘fall’ due to excessive ego and pride especially if one forgets where one has come from and the meaning of slow, determined work especially of a service nature.

It is easy to see that excessive, possibly menial, overwork just to make ends meet may keep us with our nose to the grindstone and feeling unable to rise above our daily tasks. However, we are prompted to see that we are more than this physical being and that part of us must rise up and send impulses to that part of us that needs to ‘wake up’ and ‘get up’ off your knees and look to the Heavens and strive to get above these restrictive and sometimes, hopeless conditions.

To strike a balance with this degree, we must see that hard work prepares us for the fulfillment of ideals. Work, however menial, with the right intentions and attitude is very positive. If we bond with nature and concern ourselves with mother earth and the survival of our planet, we may become loving guardians of our most valuable asset that sustains us on all levels. A balance needs to be struck between what we personally need and want and what is good for the collective and how we can take care of ourselves and benefit others at the same time.

In this balanced way, we can see ourselves as part of the human family--one that desires to make planetary peace and inner peace a concrete reality.

Famous People with 6 degrees of Aries prominent:

Joseph Campbell, Sun, Mercury, and Jupiter-- teacher and author of "The Power of Myth" and many other books.

Richard Dawkins, Sun–science author and ethologist; formerly Professor for Public Understanding of Science at Oxford, first came to prominence with his book, "The Selfish Gene"

Robert Frost, Sun–poet

Bill Moyers, Moon–journalist, author–extensive involvement with public television producing documentaries and news journal programs

Eric Fromm, Mercury–social psychologist, psychoanalyst and humanistic philosopher; reading his books, "Escape from Freedom," and "Man for Himself" might give much additional insight into this 6th degree

Paramahansa Yogananda, Mars–mystic, founder of Self-Realization Fellowship

Emily Dickinson, Mars–author, prolific poet–themes of death and immortality

John Gray, Jupiter–author of the popular, "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus"–he has at least 18 books in print on the topic of ‘relationships’

Sinead O’Connor, Saturn–singer; known for controversial public outbursts

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Neptune–painter; one of the greatest artists of the Post-Impressionist period–his work presented the exciting and provocative images of the decadent life of those times

Stephen Foster, Pluto–composer, songwriter

Jimmy Hoffa, North Node–Union Leader; former President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Rosa Parks, North Node--Civil Rights Activist–a woman of strength and courage who stood for what she deemed to be right

Brigham Young, North Node–religious leader; nicknamed the "American Moses" because he led his followers through the desert to their desired ‘promised land’

Joan Baez, South Node–folk singer; many of her songs deal with social issues

Nikolai Lenin, Chiron–Russian revolutionary leader

Eva Peron, Chiron–politician; first lady of Argentina; became powerful for speaking out for labor rights; for her many good works to champion the under-dog and before her death at age 33, she was given the official title of "Spiritual Leader of the Nation" by the Argentine Congress

Pete Seeger, Chiron–folk singer, pioneer of protest music, environmental activist

Alfred Russel Wallace, Chiron--Evolution Scientist Geographer; social activist; one of the first scientists to raise concerns over the environmental impact of human activity (19th Century)

When you look at the list of names of famous people, think in terms of what this degree means as listed above. You can strongly see the leader emerge affecting a greater community in the lives of Jimmy Hoffa, Rosa Parks, Paramahansa Yogananda, Brigham Young, Nikolai Lenin, Evita Peron, Alfred Russel Wallace, and the others in various ways.

You might ask yourself how you can, personally, use the energies of this new moon to your benefit? Make a list of the things that are important to you that you would like to see manifest. They could include: greater self-confidence, more enthusiasm, doing things that give you joy, accentuate your oneness with nature, increased physical activity, going after your aspirations, inspiring and motivating others to be their best, assuming more of a leadership position, doing something that requires courage, and anything else you can think of. For some, a personal goal could be as simple as working towards being an ‘ideal’ weight or having a ‘healthy body’– which starting a new diet and exercise program supports.

Draw a triangle and write your particular goal inside. As an example, let’s take the goal of ideal weight and write that inside a triangle. Underneath it, write the words that support the manifestation of this goal which could be: proper diet, exercise, and will power. Think of at least three goals you would like to manifest and write them down as well. Then write down the behavior which supports manifesting these goals.

You have now taken some very powerful steps towards putting you on the path to manifest your hopes, wishes, and dreams. Now place the paper with the triangles somewhere prominent in your house where you will see it several times a day.

Lastly, listen to the new moon music which has been created just for this particular new moon and let it do its magic to lift you up and reinvigorate you to fulfill your destiny in the best way possible.

Aries New Moon