April 2023: Tarot spread for the new moon solar eclipse in Aries

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

The April 2023 new moon solar eclipse 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.

This month also marks the start of eclipse season, with a rare hybrid solar eclipse that will go from an annular eclipse to a total eclipse before going back to an annular eclipse in some parts of the world. The eclipse will be visible in Australia, the Pacific Ocean, East and South Asia, Antarctica, and the Indian Ocean.

This is a highly charged solar eclipse that lends some extra oomph to the New Moon, helping us to break habitual patterns, bringing in an awakening, and offering us a cosmic reboot. New opportunities may arise, which could either come as a surprise or may be around themes we have been working with since a while.

The April 2023 new moon solar eclipse is a super charged time to focus on our deepest desires and creative vision, and to use Aries’ fire to come up with actionable plans to get us closer to what we are longing to create or call into our lives.

Astro-tarot influences for the solar eclipse in April 2023

To throw some more light on the April new moon solar eclipse astrology, let’s take a look at the astro-tarot influences of this lunation. The Aries new moon falls in decan 3, which is represented by the Four of Wands. This is to be interpreted in conjunction with The Emperor, which is associated with Aries.

This is the second Aries new moon in a row, and it amplifies the fire sign’s themes of courage, passion, action, and determination. It could also amplify the negative side of this fiery sign — anger, impulsiveness, and a destructive ego. So there is definitely a need to balance our own inner fire, to engage in practices that keep us grounded, so that we can act from the highest Aries ideals.

Another thing to note is that this Aries solar eclipse falls at the zodiac sign’s final degree. The last degree of any zodiac sign is a karmic point of culmination. And as we know, all endings pave the way for new beginnings.

But before we go off in search of new beginnings, let’s take a moment here to pause. To celebrate our wins. To acknowledge all that we have accomplished in these first four months of this new year.

I don’t know about you, but I tend to forget my wins, no matter how small or big, fairly quickly. It’s very easy for me to look at all that I haven’t done or achieved {like how far behind I am with my 100 day project, even though I am super chuffed with all the washi tapes and journal pretties that I have made so far}, at all the things at which I fail again and again and yet again {like an exercise routine}, and feel like I’m spinning my wheels in perpetuity and getting nowhere.

But there are things that I’ve accomplished that leave a warm glow in my heart, that make me happy every time I look at them, that make me feel like I have, indeed, achieved quite a bit already.

When I come at intention setting from that place of feeling accomplished, I tend to feel more fully in my power. I am more confident with my planning and more optimistic about what I can achieve.

And with this particular new moon, it is a very good idea to make space for confidence and courage, for passion and confident leadership in whatever way works best for you.

Sabian Symbol for the April 2023 new moon

The Sabian Symbol for Aries 29 degrees is A Duck Pond And Its Young Brood.

This Symbol speaks to me of family and belonging, of safety and security, and also of restriction. There’s a sense of tending to young ones, of nurturing and care and discipline and boundaries, all of which are needed for any new goal or project we embark upon. There is also a sense of restriction, which, extrapolated to a project or goal, could indicate being constricted by self-imposed rules or by our inner critic and our own fears.

In 360 Degrees of Wisdom: The Sabian Oracle, Lynda Hill writes, “You may feel restricted and bound in by reality, but you probably also feel safe. Every day can hold some type of adventure, but it is always within limits.” She goes on to say that the mother figure “needs to take great care in directing them in life so that they grow and flourish both as a family and out there in the real world as individuals.”

I’ll leave you with one of the quotes she included in the book, which speaks to me particular during this cycle:

God stirs up our comfortable nests, and pushes us over the edge of them, and we are forced to use our wings to save ourselves from fatal falling. Read your trials in this light, and see if your wings are being developed. – Hannah Whitall Smith

Tarot spread for the April 2023 new moon + solar eclipse

Here’s a tarot spread to tap into the energy of this new moon.

What is ending? This card will represent a pattern whose lessons you have understood at this stage in your life

What is beginning? This card will represent a new energy or cycle that is beginning

How can I harness Aries’ fire? This card will help you to tap into the positive side of this fiery sign

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 April 2023 solar eclipse in Aries

Not a cardslinger? No problem. Here are some journaling questions for you instead.

How/where in your life do you keep yourself small?

Where in your life can you use some fiery Aries confidence?

What feels over-heated? Consider areas of exhaustion, burn out, irritation or anger

What feels like it is coming to an end?

What new beginnings are you longing for?