Beginnings and Astrology

With the start of a new year coming, we all think about the things we hope to do with a new year. We look back on what we didn’t do, and we think about how we can make this new year better. Astrology can help you with that!

If you're not yet, make sure to sign up for the free monthly worksheet so you're always on top of the planets!

Astrology of Beginnings

Astrologically, beginnings are associated with:
- the Sun
- the 1st house
- New Moons

When you have a planet positively aspecting (sextile or trine) your 1st house cusp, ruler, or Sun, this is a time for you to begin something, where the conditions are in your favor and you‘re in the mood for it.

Harsh aspects (squares and oppositions) to your 1st house cusp, ruler, or Sun are times where you can encounter many obstacles and delays when you try something new, or you aren’t comfortable with beginning anything.

When a planet is touring your 1st house, this can help or hinder depending on which planet it is:

- Jupiter in the 1st house makes new beginnings easier for you, presents opportunities to begin something to you, and things go in your favor
- Saturn in the 1st house is traditionally a difficult time for new beginnings, and you’re required to put in much more work
- Uranus in the 1st house makes you begin unexpectedly, pursue ventures that are unusual or different from usual, and you don’t think too much before you jump
- Neptune in the 1st house will make it hard for you to make up your mind and see everything you need to see, but is good for creative or spiritual ventures
- Pluto in the 1st house can make you obsessed with the ventures you begin

The faster planets  (Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars) give you a surge of energy when in your 1st house or making aspects, especially Mars. Mars is the planet of energy and drive, pushing you to take action; Mars is also the natural ruler of the 1st house.

Mars in your 1st house or aspecting the cusp, ruler, or Sun makes you want to begin something NOW. The urgency you feel makes it hard for you to ignore the energy. 

Also note that when the Sun, Mercury, Venus, or Mars are in your 1st house, what you start can be a focus for the next year (Sun, Mercury, Venus) or 2 years (Mars) of your life since it's the start of a new cycle for you of that planet in your houses.

The Moon in the 1st house can give a few days each month where you want to start something, but it's generally not as strong since the Moon moves so quickly (goes through all 12 signs in less than one month). It may be strongest right around when the Moon conjuncts (aligns with) your Ascendant/1st house cusp.

A New Moon in the 1st house is great for new beginnings in general; if you want to do something specifically, a New Moon in the house ruling it is a good time, especially if that New Moon also makes positive aspects to your planets.

New Moons have energy for about 2 weeks before and after they occur, so this is generally when you can start something. You'll experience 1 or 2 New Moon in your 1st house each year, and it'll come when the transit (moving) Sun in your 1st house.

The worst time to start something new is usually during a retrograde, especially in your 1st house, or in the house associated with what you want to begin. You’ll usually find that you can’t follow through, or have to go back to the drawing board. Retrogrades are times to look backward, not so much forward. Unless, of course, you were born with that planet retrograde - then it might be the best time for you to begin! This is because that's the natural energy for you, and it can be the time when you're most focused.

Suggested Reading: The 1st House page

Keep track of the planets every month with the monthly worksheet!

(you'll also be signed up for the newsletter and get extra astro tidbits and pixie dust in your inbox each week)