The April new Moon is Wednesday, the 26th at 06:17 am Mountain Time while Moon is in Aries and Ashwini nakshatra. This is a beginning, a fresh start, a release- ushering in a cycle of rejuvenation and healing. 

Ashwini nakshatra is one of three gandantas in the zodiac- gaps that cause transformation and powerful change. Ketu, the planet of disconnection and liberation, rules all three of these gandantas, which indicates there will be some loss involved. The new Moon brings potential, possibility, an opening. With this new Moon and the cycle ahead, it's an important time to attend to the tilling of your inner soil, uproot, release and let go of all that is not serving you. If you don't wish to carry it forward, if it truly isn't benefiting you, it must be composted and allowed to die.

The constellation of Ashwini is a the first star of the zodiac, as Aries is the first sign- thus a fresh start, new beginning has arrived. You may be feeling the immense potential and opening- and unsteady, uncertain and vulnerable simultaneously. The Ashvini-Kumara twins rule this domain of the sky and provide healing and rejuvenation through health protocols such as Ayurveda. Their magical healing energy provide strength and power, stamina and vitality. They fight poison with skill and determination. They have life=giving powers that can restore youth and life force energy. In the Vedic tradition, the healing arts span everything from health to the arts. The understanding is that creativity is a life giving resource which supports the healing process. Creativity of all kinds are supported in this coming cycle as a result.

This waxing cycle offers gains, but not without conscious and diligent release. From your losses, gains will arrive. What are you letting go of? What are you creating space for in your life? Use your losses and grief as fertilizer. Your pain and challenges are resources for gains, new awareness and cultivating more clarity about what you need- in order for greater nourishment and life force.

There is still clean-up taking place as Mercury, Saturn and Jupiter retrograde. Mental, physical and spiritual bodies are requesting your attention and intention. Clean, clear and purge the mind so that body and spirit have more space to support you. What stories are keeping you stuck in lack? Until Mercury goes direct on May 3rd, attend to themes of clean up with communications, connection, creativity, money and commerce. The mind needs your attention and requests that you attend to outmoded personal mythology that keeps you from being nourished.

At the time of the New Moon, Sun, Moon and retrograde Mercury are on the Eastern horizon. They receive gaze from Rahu (the head of the serpent), which gives shadowed mental and emotional body experiences and strong cravings. Desires intensify. Get clear on what your goals are and where to put your energy most effectively. Nourishment is a driving force in the coming cycle, but the ultimate goal is balance. Seek more balance with masculine and feminine, action and inaction, goals and relaxation.

The next cycle brings new relationships and partnerships to the forefront. How are you preparing for more connection and creativity, more nourishment, love and harmony? Make the space for this now.

Akshaya Tritiya

Days after the new Moon, the most auspicious day of the year arrives, Akshaya Tritiya- when Sun and Moon are exalted simultaneously. It is said that only positive outcomes can emerge on this day, that there can be no harm. All actions will be fruitful and yield positive results. As the third tithi arrives (Tritiya) of the waxing phase, with exalted Sun and Moon, the power and energy will be palpable. Luck, success and powerful results occur when you align with the strength of this day.

Akshaya Tritiya officially begins at 23:00 MDT on the 27th, once the Moon moves into the third tithi. This passage of the Moon will end as Moon shifts into the 4th tithi of the waxing cycle at 19:27 MDT on April 28th. Moon will be transiting Rohini nakshatra the majority of the time, a highly creative star- connected to manifestation and ruled by Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma and his wife Goddess Saraswati, are the ultimate united team of manifestation, since Lord Brahma created the universe from his navel. On this day, take a powerful action step towards your desires, dharma and purpose. Step forward with confidence and clarity!

Vishnu, the god of preservation in the holy trinity of Vedic gods, rules over Akshaya Tritiya. This year, Parushuram Jayanti, the celebrated birth date of the 6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, arrives on the 27th, just before Akshaya Tritiya begins. Parushuram's role is to destroy the ignorance of those in power positions and those misusing their authority. He removes sin and exterminates those leaders who are misaligned with power and right-action.

Create a list of self care activities that nourish and support your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies.


1) Align with your inner nourishment: Using craypas, paints or pencils, create an image of your nourishment. What does nourishment feel like for you? Create an image that expresses this feeling using colors, textures and shapes. Allow 20 minutes at minimum for this nourishment image. Title your image.


2) Create a relationship with your nourishment: Use your image to inspire a movement exploration. Let your body move in response to your nourishment image with an intention of "moving with your feelings of nourishment". What sensations emerge for you during your dance? What awareness? Allow 5 to 10 minutes for this movement exploration. I encourage you to extend this time frame as you recycle this process.


3) Harvesting: In your journal answer these questions:

I am, I want, I need, I sense, I feel, I imagine.

What deeply nourishes me? What no longer nourishes me?

Where do I feel support in my life? Where do I need more support?

What am I opening to? What am I closing to?

This new Moon week begins with depth and silence as four planets continue in retrograde motion. The inward pull is strong as the emotional body turns inward and multiple retrograde planets invite deeper internal excavation. Sun moving through its sign of exaltation, provokes intensified experiences with power, wisdom, awareness and truth- as well as conflict and challenge. Exalted planets express themselves outwardly, while retrograde planets do the opposite. With Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and Mercury all moving in reverse right now, there is a deep inner calling presenting itself. What part of you is being pulled inward? What part of you is being pulled out? The week finishes with a new Moon and the most auspicious day of the year. Set intentions and be prepared for action steps.

Monday, May 2nd
Moon in 11th tithi
Ekadashi

The week begins with Moon in close conjunction with Ketu, moving through Aquarius and Purvabhadra Nakshatra. Duality is strong today, yet there is great possibility for awakening the inner conflicts very consciously as a result. Aquarius exemplifies two paths, opposing forces- opens and closes. Ruling deity Ajaikapada strengthens the polarity dance with his "foot in two worlds" expression. He begins the release and transformation process that the latter half of this constellation, finishes off. Open the door of your awakening process. Notice where you are stepping forward and where you seem to be stepping backwards. Where is the tension between opening and closing? Saying yes and saying no?

Tuesday, May 3rd
Moon in 12th tithi
Dvadashi

Just as Tuesday begins, Moon moves to Pisces, the final sign of the zodiac, representing endings, release and liberation. Mid morning Moon shifts to the latter half of the Bhadra constellation, Uttarabhadrapada, ruled by Ahirbudhnya, serpent of the deep. He provokes deep inner investigation and inquiry, digging up hidden, unseen parts of ourselves in order to bring them to the surface, the light. Though Moon is outside of the drishti (gaze) of the other planets, the sign of Pisces is difficult for the emotional body. Notice the movement, change and flux and find a way to dance with the currents. Allow the changes, rather then resisting them. The mind will be challenged by the surrender. Find a way for both to harmonize.

Wednesday, May 4th
Moon in 13th tithi
Trayodasi

Mid morning, Moon shifts to Revati nakshatra, ruled by Pushan. Pushan ensures safe travels and fruitful endeavors as well as abundant resources along the way. Ruling planet is Mercury here, who is currently moving in reverse through Aries. Mind is hot, one-pointed and fixed on an outcome, goal and purpose. Notice where you're stuck in accomplishment at all costs. Leave room for surrender, release and honoring your process, rather than product. Mind wants outcome, to know with certainty.  Your job is to find the balance between inner and outer, flow and structure. As Moon moves through the final sign of the zodiac, it's as though your inner intelligence has a foot in two worlds- endings and beginnings. What are you releasing and sending off? What are you opening to and inviting towards you?

Thursday, May 5th
Moon in 14th tithi
Chaturdasi

Moon leaps to Aries just after Thursday arrives, jump starting a new cycle with opens and arrivals. Where do you feel possibility enlivened? Where are you noticing release is necessary? As Moon moves into Aries, it joins exalted Sun, retrograde Mercury and Venus as well. All receive gaze from retrograde Jupiter and Rahu. Expansion comes with the opening, yet requires release and letting go in order to do so. Where are you resisting the release? Seek new resources and support today for your healing and awakening. New resources mean new results. The first nakshatra of the zodiac, Ashwini, supports your renewal process. Step forward!

Moon moves to the final phase of the waning cycle in the evening. Surrender to the silence, the serene, unlimited peace within you. Find ways to pause, listen and check-in with your needs. Just before midnight, Moon shifts to the second nakshatra of the zodiac, Bharani. This fierce star brings Yama's restraint with him. Simplify tonight.

Friday, May 6th
Moon in 15th tithi
Amavasya

Moon moves through Bharani nakshatra today, sandwiched between Venus, exalted Sun and retrograde Mercury. The emotional body is vulnerable and charged. New Moon is at 13:30 MDT, while transiting the fierce star, Bharani nakshatra. This is Yama's domain and he requires restraint and simplicity, while also honoring vulnerability and strength simultaneously. He offers the ultimate relationship with transformation- through the death and dying process, as well as birth. The symbol of this nakshatra is the yoni, which signifies great beginnings. Birth after all, is a death process in and of itself. Bharani reminds us that death and life are one and the same, that unity, presence, and ultimately, simplicity, are the path of Yoga. Yama is quick to remind when you are not in alignment with Natural Law, nor in right-relationship with restraint and self control.

On this new Moon day, the inner realms will be activated and easily accessible. Access your inner wisdom with creativity, meditation, movement, dance and yoga. Move inwards, towards your Self and listen to the guidance in your silent, soft center. Take time for harvesting your inner wealth and honor the closing and beginning of another cycle.

Read more about the new Moon and use my Creative Ritual for deeper harvesting.

Moon moves from Bharani nakshatra to Krittika nakshatra early evening. Agni and his transformational energy takes over. 

Saturday, May 7th
Moon in 1st to 2nd tithi
Pratipad to Dvititya

Moon transits krittika nakshatra, moving to Taurus just as the day begins. As Moon lands in its sign of exaltation, emotional body waves increase but with a certain softening effect. Krittika brings mixed results- both soft and hard. Ruling deity Agni brings a sacred transformational quality with him. He is responsible for change on all levels of your being, clarifying, awakening and healing in the process. All nourishment is digested and assimilated because of Agni, the fire of life. Retrograde Saturn and Mars give their drishti to the Moon over the coming days, bringing a certain heat and pressure with it. Notice how the emotional body feels with the tension of stop and start, yes and no. Saturn is the no, while Mars is the yes. How do you work with the energy of conflict that is arriving, your inner polarities?

Early evening, Moon shifts to the powerfully creative star, Rohini. Lord Brahma and Saraswati bring their manifestation qualities to this nakshatra and allow abundant creative potential to take place. Sun and Moon are both exalted and in strong positions right now, leading up to Akshaya Tritiya on Sunday- the most auspicious day of the year. Plant your seeds and tend to your desires with action steps and purpose.

Sunday, May 8th
Moon in 2nd to 3rd tithi
Dvitiya to Tritiya

The most auspicious day of the year arrives with Moon and Sun both in their favorite signs of exaltation simultaneously. Moon has shifted to its mulitrikona degrees, but when it arrives in the third tithi (phase)  of the waxing cycle, the auspicious support of this time is activated.

Akshaya Tritiya officially begins at 06:22 am MDT, once the Moon moves into the third tithi and ends as Moon shifts into the 4th tithi of the waxing cycle at 03:23 am MDT on Monday, May 9th. Moon will be transiting Rohini nakshatra the majority of the time, a highly creative star- connected to manifestation and ruled by Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma and his wife Goddess Saraswati, are the ultimate united team of manifestation, since Lord Brahma created the universe from his navel. Moon shifts into Mrigashirsha nakshatra, ruled by Soma, during the final portion of the Akshaya Tritiya festivities. On this day, take a powerful action step towards your desires, dharma and purpose. Step forward with confidence and clarity!

Late afternoon, Moon shifts to Mrigashirsha nakshatra, Soma's domain. Find the nectar of life and be nourished. Move towards that which nourishes and supports you on all levels of your being!

Read more about Akshaya Tritya in my New Moon Wisdom article.

Monday, May 9th
Moon in 4th tithi
Chaturthi

As Monday begins, Moon shifts to Gemini, receiving gaze from both Ketu and retrograde Mars. The week begins with a bang, literally. Watch for sudden outbursts, events and issues with heat and fire. Emotionally, you may feel overheated today or like the mind is full of hot air. Stay grounded and in your body as much as possible. Keep cool on all levels of your being. Moon continues through Mrigashirsha until noon. Find the nourishment and support of Soma as your day begins. Attend to health on all levels of your being and take time for sacred pause and actions that support your well being. As Moon shifts to Ardra, a certain sharpness arrives. Do you notice the sudden roar? The harshness? An ability to take executive action? Be in touch with your emotional body today and notice what it needs for greater understanding. You may find yourself intensely agitated, filled with grief, overwhelmed with joy or sadness, pain or anger. The waves come strong with Ardra. Rudra's power and strength is ultimately teaching you how to surf with the strongest, hardest waves.