as we enter this Aquarian Lunar Cycle we may feel a streak of rebelliousness. while some are perfectly content to travel the paved roads society lays out for us, there is a fierce and wonderful breed of folks who can’t help but question “why?” they poke and prod at these pathways that were laid without question. asking whomever may pass “why are you doing this? how does it make you feel” and possibly the most heavy of questions : “does this make you feel fulfilled?”

the Aquarius Lunar Cycle brings this inquisitive nature to all of us. while some may be quite comfortable with this quizzical guest, others may be temped to shut the door. each astrological event invites us to to see things with a different point of view. to feel things with a different vibe. to experience an energy- temporarily- that will help us from getting too lost in our own thoughts.

this cycle starts tonight (January 31st) with the New Moon and ends with the following New Moon (in Pisces) on March 1st. we have a whole month to work with a specific goal, focus, and/or energy as we wake up each day. which is my intention with these collective New Moon Readings: to offer you a theme to be aware of as your life unfolds.

for this cycle we are being asked to remember the power of the Emperor. the towering Redwood who watches over the forest kingdom it is rooted to. aptly, this ties into Aquarius’ most beloved trait: being a part of a collective. while any group may do, this water barer thrives when it finds one with a shared passion, focus, and vision for the world. but it is inherently tricky when you bring many individuals to work together. teamwork requires communication, vulnerability, and the capacity to listen to others’ beliefs- which may not match your own.

this is where the teachings of the Emperor can come in.

while the idea of a singular “boss” or “ruler” may immediately bring up unpleasant connotations, please note that there can be many different kinds of leaders. while in our current society we are plagued by monstrous industries that are so gigantic you can never see the man at the top- this is far from the ideal form of leadership. these rulers are so detached from the folks who do the work for them, their customers, and their supporters. these CEOs live in an isolated bubble, lacking the positive teachings of the Emperor, and this can create an inevitable collapse. Which we’ve seen in the histories of Rome, and the French Monarchy.

leadership in smaller groups is a more sustainable model. by removing all the layers of access, the community that the leader is responsible for has more space to share their concerns, vision, and labor. and by having smaller groups the leader has the ability to get to know the individuals they work with. from here, proper leaders can see the strengths, weaknesses, and desires of the folks they are watching over. by having this intimate awareness they can take individual needs into consideration. a true leader can troubleshoot the ways in which the collective can work best together and empower the folks they watch over.

the Redwood’s roots are actually quite shallow compared to the massive height of this towering tree. how can this be? how can such a large being be anchored safely into the ground below? it’s because this tree is not meant to survive on its own. it belongs to a community that keeps it secure. the Redwood’s roots are interwoven into the other plants that live around it, and some of those bushes, trees, and other woody flora do have the immense taproots that the Redwood lacks. it is strength in numbers that keeps the mighty tree grounded. it is through trust, knowing, and leaning on others to provide what they may not have themselves.

reciprocity is key. mutual respect is key. knowing when to ask for help and to provide help is so important.

as you walk through this next month ask yourself if you’d be a good leader. are you someone who would rule with an iron fist, with little flexibility and the inability to access differing points of view? or would you like to take a more holistic approach? would you wish to see yourself as more of a facilitator, a teacher, or captain on a team? how do you rule over your own body? how do you rule over your own life? and if you’re quite harsh, how can you soften a bit and see yourself less as “me vs. them” and more as an individual piece with a role to fill?

how can you cultivate structure in your life in a way that you would like to live by? how can you knock down those dictators that refuse to see your individual power and vision? and could some of those dictators be the voice within yourself?

everyone’s’ individual experience is nuanced and often different from one another. however there are moments where we see a running theme throughout the most differing of stories. it is up to you to glean the bits of information from this collective reading and put them in your pocket for the next 29 days. then as you wander through your own lived experience take a moment to pause, check in, and notice how the stories of Aquarius, the Emperor, and the Redwood appear to help you in your own life.