Plus some journaling questions, an astro-tarot forecast and an exploration of the the Sabian symbol for the new moon in Aries

The March 2023 new moon falls in the sign of Aries. The Aries archetype is known for its bold – often rash – action, for going where angels fear to tread. As the first sign of the zodiac, it represents the active core of our spiritual journey on earth, and teaches us to act in accordance with our ideals. The Aries archetype teaches us to be unafraid to march to our own drumbeat, to assert our willpower towards the attainment of our desires, and to embrace beginner’s mind and the innate trust and explosive power {conviction + action} that is needed to start something new.
Spiritually, the Aries archetype teaches us about action. And as most of us know, it’s easier to talk about the things we want to do than to put in the work and actually do the thing! Aries teaches us that courage is the key to unlocking the full potential of this spiritual principle. And that comes from connecting your head to your heart, focusing your will, and taking consistent action towards your dreams.
The March 2023 new moon also highlights the concept of home. Where we lay down our roots, the people we consider family, and more importantly, this body that we inhabit, which is our home on this planet that we call home.
How can we create a sanctuary, a meeting place, for ourselves and the ones we love? What fresh, new creative energy do we need to call in to our lives? What new worlds do we want to open up to? That’s the focus of this Aries new moon.
Given the fiery Aries energy, this new moon could help you burn through things that are holding you back. Just be careful to keep that fire under control!
Astro-tarot influences for the March 2023 new moon
To throw some more light on the astrology of the new moon in Aries, let’s take a look at the astro-tarot influences of this lunation. The new moon falls in decan 1, which is represented by the 2 of Wands. This is to be interpreted in conjunction with The Emperor, which is associated with Aries.

The Daily Pause Oracle Deck
I designed this beautiful, 40-card oracle deck to bring in some stillness, to give us a word or an idea to reflect on as we go about our day.
Supported by the four elements – earth, air, fire, water – and a carefully thought-out structure that connects the cards, The Daily Pause oracle will help you to listen to and trust your own inner knowing.
There’s no learning curve involved with using this deck. Just get quiet, shuffle the cards, pull one out, and reflect on the word you’re presented with.
Choices are strange — sometimes, we bemoan the lack of choices, of how stuck we feel in our lives, how everything is blanketed by a grey fog of sameness. And yet, when we have options, when all we need to do is choose and commit to a path of action, we hesitate, unsure, reluctant to take action, to commit to a path.
Some of that fear comes, I think, from a desire for control. To know where a particular choice will lead. To have some assurances before we expend our energy. What if the choice we made is wrong, we think? What if this is as good as it gets, and change will lead to ruin at worst and instability at best? What if, what if.
While the Wands are concerned with creativity and action, we need clarity of mind, a singularity of purpose to take decisive action and bring about a change.
The 2 of Wands and The Emperor both hold the world in their hand. But where the 2 of Wands is hesitant, The Emperor is confident. He knows he wields the power, he has the clarity of intent, and the determination to take the next right step.
What distinguishes the two, I think, is clarity, confidence, and personal power.
The Emperor doesn’t sit around waiting for assurances about the outcome of his choices. He knows what is within his power, and he knows that some things must be left to chance, or fate. The unknown isn’t the threat, inaction is.
It is this knowledge that ignites the flame of action. This willingness to make a choice, to commit to a path, to take the next best step, and to be open to changing and adapting as the situation demands that helps us to finally act.
Sabian Symbol for the March 2023 Aries new moon
The Sabian Symbol for Aries 0 degrees is A Woman Has Risen Out Of The Ocean, A Seal Is Embracing Her.

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This symbol immediately brings to mind Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus. There’s a sense of emerging…birthing…a new understanding or awareness that can sometimes leave you feeling a bit raw and vulnerable, perhaps even a bit unsure. The first instinct may be to go back to the comfort of what was familiar, but the symbol of the seal embracing the woman is a reminder to welcome the change, the new beginning, to take a chance on it.
In 360 Degrees of Wisdom: The Sabian Oracle, Lynda Hill writes, “It’s best to resist the old familiar ways of being or relating as they can pull you back to outgrown and possibly unsatisfactory conditions…be aware that you possess the power to make the necessary changes in your life. It is time to claim your place or make a mark in this new world. So much potential lies ahead of you.”
And there is that theme of power, again. If the concept of power of personal power feels confusing, you may find this article insightful — I know I did!
Tarot spread for the March 2023 new moon in Aries
Here’s a tarot spread to tap into the energy of this Aries new moon.

- What is beginning? This card depicts the energy that is arising around this new moon.
- How do I connect to my own inner life force? Use this card to create a new daily ritual that will help you navigate this new beginning.
- How do I navigate these currents? This card represents an energy or mindset that will help you to effect change at this time.
- Mamma moon says. This is always an encouraging message.
If you share your spreads on Instagram, please use the hashtag #moontarotstories or tag me @moderngypsy.in so we can connect with each other.
Journaling questions for the March 2023 new moon
There are no journaling questions this month. Instead, I invite you to read this article on personal power and reflect on where you have power within, power to, power with, and power over {as explained in the article}. Do any new insights come up for you? Does it help deepen your understanding of personal power?
Join us for a year of working with the cycles of the moon
Are you interested in spending an entire year cycling with the moon, creating art, journaling, and deepening your connection with mama moon? Would you like to learn art witchery, establish your own art witch practice, and use mixed media art as a spiritual tool? Join me on Moonshine 2023 – a year-long journey into the realm of moon-based art witchery in all its glorious forms, hosted by Effy Wild!
You will join a coven of the most fabulous moon-loving art witches, some of whom have been in the program since its inception in this format six years ago!
Here’s what you get:
- Membership in this year’s Moonshine Coven + Lifetime membership in Moonshine Cafe (both on Facebook).
- Lifetime access to the course materials.
- A monthly PDF of written musings, including an art witch primer with suggested activities and resources that, when collected over the course of the year, forms a complete training system in art witchery. Included within the course materials are art witch tips, new essential oil blends, astro-tarot forecasts, oracle reading layouts, herbal lore and crystal lore.
- A full-length monthly painting tutorial (downloadable video + PDF walkthrough).
- Documentation for each full and new moon, both of which include astro-tarot forecasts and oracle reading layouts.
- A new painting demonstration for the new moon (filmed live on Zoom so we can paint together + offered as a downloadable replay for those who can’t attend live).
- A new painting demonstration for the full moon (offered as a downloadable pre-recorded speed painting) with notes on how I’m engaging the current energies.
- A live activation gathering on Zoom in the first week of the month (also offered as a downloadable replay). In these gatherings, we read the content together, do Q&A, check-ins and draw a tarot card to establish our ‘coven work’ (optional) for the month.
- A coupon code for $90 off for Moonshine 2024.
This experience is meant to give you deep training in art witchery AND mixed media art as a spiritual tool with an emphasis on establishing your own art witch practice based on thorough, scaffolded guidance that will get you sound, self-possessed, and in pursuit of your most deeply held desired outcomes.
Sounds interesting? Click the button for more details + to sign up!