Waning Dark Moon in Aries, April 20th-22nd
- Waning Dark Moon: Aries
- Begins: April 20th-22nd
- Element: Fire
- Modality: Cardinal
- Planetary Ruler: Mars
ABOUT THE DARK/ BALSAMIC PHASE
The Waning Dark Moon is the phase when it’s still displaying a thin silver line, at the verge of becoming invisible in the night sky as it approaches the Sun. Symbolically, it represents the declining phase of the cycle of life. It begins two nights before the New/Dark Moon, which is when it has lost all of its illumination. Thus, this phase prepares us for the rebirth and new beginning that comes after the exact conjunction between the two luminaries.
RETURNING TO THE CAVE
Further, it always begins in the sign of the last astrological season and thus, of the last New Moon. It represents the time when we’re heading back to the cave, when we return from our journey through the outside and head towards our inner/underworld. In its growing phase (New Moon) we meet the outer expression of that sign during the lunation. Conversely, when it’s waning, we meet its inner expression, as the Sun is no longer in that sign. Further, it invites us to rest, recharge, release from energetic or body toxins, banish or cut the cords that attach us to the past. It’s when we enter the Crone phase, commune with the Dark Goddess and meet with our shadow side.
WANING DARK MOON IN ARIES | CLOSING LAST SEASON’S CHAPTER
Aries season was the midpoint between the eclipses of the Capricorn and Cancer axis, meaning that it was this month that we were going to see their effects on a more conscious level, making it one of the most challenging seasons of the year. This is because it made a square (a tense alignment) to the lunar nodes and to the Pluto and Jupiter conjunction. The union of these two began a new cycle of regeneration and transformation of structures that have been collapsing internally and externally from the eclipses of 2019 to the Saturn and Pluto conjunction of January. When the Sun in Aries clashed with Jupiter and Pluto, the Moon reached its last quarter in Capricorn and conjunct both. This marked a potent time to begin the process of liberation and purification of what was illuminated during the Full Moon in Libra.
However, the Sun has entered Taurus and Aries Season has come to an end, but we’re meeting the Waning Dark Moon now, indicating that we’ve reached the most powerful phase to enter our inner underworld and to release. It serves as an opportunity also to reflect on what happened or ended during the last astrological month, and depending on your personal situation, go deep in your process of liberation, banishment, cleansing, healing or of grief.
THE MOON THROUGH THE ZODIAC
The Moon will be forming a conjunction to Mercury, Chiron and Lilith, which provides the perfect energy for introspection and to let out the unconscious wounds so that they begin to heal. In addition, it’s ideal to detoxify from feelings that fill the soul with darkness, which are anger, hatred and resentment. From the past months we’ve been talking about the conjunction between the wounded healer and wild Lilith, and that they are initiating a cycle of healing of the dark feminine within. With Mercury joining them, the suppressed is now being expressed. Hence, them being conjunct by the Moon reinforces that it will help us release the suppressed emotions, the tension and find relief. In the sign of Aries, it highlights that it’s through connecting with our inner warrior, our courage and our sovereignty that we should partake this healing and banishment process during this Waning Dark Moon.
In its last degrees, the Moon will make the same tense alignment that the Sun made to Jupiter and Pluto during the Last Quarter. As this aspect sheds light to the shadow, to the darkness within and ignited in our conscious mind what must end for the new to emerge, with this lunar phase, it’s now time to take action on it with the purpose to release.
ACTIVITIES AND RITUALS
With the Waning Dark Moon in Aries, it’s perfect for candle magick or to burn away what no longer serves. Hence, using the element of fire. It’s also perfect for shadow work and to reflect on which structures in your life you feel that are collapsing, that need to end or to transform. The New Moon will occur on April 22nd, making until this event a time to dedicate for these matters and prepare for the new emotional/lunar cycle.
