April 2024: Tarot spread for the solar eclipse in Aries

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

The April 2024 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.

We have the second eclipse of this season, with a total solar eclipse that will be visible in Mexico, the US and Canada. Parts of Western Europe, South America, Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic will also see a partial solar eclipse.

Solar eclipses typically lend extra oomph to the new moon, helping us to break habitual patterns, bringing in an awakening of sorts, and offering us a cosmic reboot. The April 2024 new moon solar eclipse 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.

This solar eclipse can help us get super clear on how we can root into our lives, reclaim our mental space and health, and create a sanctuary, a meeting place, for ourselves and the ones we love.

Astro-tarot influences for the April 2024 new moon solar eclipse in Aries

To throw some more light on the astrology of the April solar eclipse, let’s take a look at the astro-tarot influences of this lunation. The Aries new moon falls in decan 2, which is ruled by the 3 of Wands. This is to be seen in conjunction with The Emperor, which is associated with Aries.

There’s a creative, initiatory energy to this new moon, which offers us the opportunity to think about what new seeds we wish to plant, and to determine the direction in which we want to grow.

The figure on the 3 of Wands is ready to embark on this journey. He looks out at the horizon; destination known, perhaps; but just like with any travel, there’s never any certainty that things will go to plan. The car may break down, the flight may be missed, there may have been some miscommunication when booking the hotel room, the holiday may not go exactly to plan. And yet, we roll with it. No one ever said, “right, that holiday was shitty. I’m never going on vacation again.” But at the first sign on failure, of goals being missed, we hang up our boots and think “I’m not cut out for this. I give up.”

What we tend to forget is that the hero’s journey isn’t a one and done thing. We are constantly learning, growing, trying things, failing, and trying again.

In Tarot for Change, Jessica Dore writes, “Here is an image of the liminal stage of initiation into a mythic hero’s quest…a path toward something that is not yet cohesive, where you must do your own transcribing and arranging, and where, as Joseph Campbell said, “you’ve got to work out your life for yourself.”

I love that line — “you’ve got to work out your life for yourself.” Live life on your own terms. Question the “normal” path. It may be just what you want — the job, the marriage, the kids, the house with the white picket fence. But if you never stop to question, to consult your inner navigation system, you can easily have everything you want and not realise it. Or you can get caught up in chasing everything that’s expected of you, achieve it, and feel empty inside.

This Aries new moon solar eclipse is particularly potent, and can help us gain clarity on our path. It also has the potential to offer us a new way of being that could bring about a significant change in our lives. This change may initially feel subtle, but as with most things in life, you’ll be able to see just how much shifted and changed in hindsight.

Chiron, the wounded healer, is particularly active during this solar eclipse. There’s a tremendous healing and medicinal power to this new moon, so if you’re grappling with something particularly challenging, this energy will give you a boost of energy and motivation to move forward.

Sabian Symbol for the April 2024 new moon

The Sabian Symbol for Aries 19 degrees is A Young Girl Feeding Birds In Winter.

This is a beautiful, caring symbol — an act of love and service we can perform selflessly. A way of nurturing life and beauty, of offering nourishment to those who need it, a simple act of kindness that can create ripple effects along the web of life.

In 360 Degrees of Wisdom: The Sabian Oracle, Linda Hill writes, “Nourishment can come in the form of food, water, words, advice, etc.” She goes on to say that there are “those who stubbornly resist moving on or changing their habits, even if it is to their own detriment” Which indicates the caution in this symbol, because all symbols have light and shadows. “Are you stepping out into the cold to help others? Be careful that what’s being “fed” is in fact nourishing for those receiving it, and not just feeding co-dependence.”

Tarot spread for the April 2024 solar eclipse in Aries

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

For this spread, split your deck into three piles – court cards, major arcana, and minor arcana.

A new direction: Pull from the minors. This card represents a new way of being, of showing up, that could bring about a significant change in your life. If you pull a “negative” card, consider the light aspect of the card.

Embodied action: Pull from the court cards. This card represents the energy to embody at this time.

Mama moon says: Pull from the majors. This is a a positive, encouraging message for your path.

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 solar eclipse in Aries

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

Where have you been directing your attention recently? Is it serving you? If not, where would you like to redirect your attention?

What does the word sanctuary mean to you? How can you create a sense of sanctuary in your life?

What new seeds, if any, do you wish to plant at this time?

What area of your life or practice do you want to deepen into and nourish? List some ways in which you can do that.