Every 29.5 days, give or take, the moon falls perfectly in line with the sun, rendering it invisible to stargazers, insomniacs, and astrology devotees alike here on Earth. To the average person, this period of three or so days each month might be easy to ignore—out of sight, out of mind. But for those in tune with the moon, and aware of the power it has to impact your everyday life, the new moon is a recurring astrological event that deserves a mark on your calendar.
For those who don’t already observe each new moon like it’s a national holiday, you might be asking: Why is this phase of a lunation so important? Well, it’s all about a fresh start. “You can think of the new moon as a monthly reset or rebirth, where [it] disappears from the night sky, then reappears a few days later as a waxing crescent,” says the team at CHANI, an online astrological mecca and app founded by astrologer Chani Nicholas. “There is a quality of emergence and curiosity during a new moon—but it may take awhile for your plans and ideas to find their form.”
Generally speaking, each new moon can be looked at as an opportunity to both reflect on the past cycle and start a new one—but not all new moons are created equal. Because a new moon occurs when the sun and moon are aligned, the moon will always be in the same sign that the sun is in. This means that each and every new moon will come with its own set of unique characteristics, and you’ll want to take note of the sign in order to truly harness the full power and potential of the moon.
Another reason the new moon is so powerful: It’s the only lunar phase during which a solar eclipse can happen. And yes, this is definitely something you’ll want to mark your calendar for, too, but more on that in a bit.
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Here is a look at the 12 new moons of 2023, and how to best tap into each moon’s astrological energy to make your year magick.
New Moon Calendar 2023
January: New Moon in Aquarius – Saturday, January 21
Utilizing the power of the moon is often a time to let your creativity run rampant, but the first new moon of the year is a chance to let your left brain do the work for once. “Aquarius new moons tend to be more detached and analytical, helping us assess the data and weigh potential pros and cons,” says the CHANI team. “Just remember that feelings offer valuable information, too.”
February: New Moon in Pisces – Monday, February 20
“Pisces new moons are dreamy, intuitive, and inspired. This time is ripe for escaping into your imaginal and creative realms,” the CHANI team says. Phew. All that logical, methodical thinking can be set aside… for now. With the Pisces new moon, the goal is “to let your imagination inspire your reality, rather than neglect it altogether,” says the team at CHANI.
March: New Moon in Aries – Tuesday, March 21
“Aries new moons are fiery and action-oriented,” says the CHANI team. “This is a moment to take healthy risks, such as starting a new business or sharing your grand plans with a potential collaborator.”
It’s important to note that the moon can be a little bit of a trickster, so don’t let the energy in the air lead you astray. “The [warning sign of] this lunation is the idea that you can or should go it alone. Remember, no one is self-made,” says the team at CHANI.
April: New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aries – Wednesday, April 19
“The sun represents our vitality, our ego selves, and our sense of authority,” explains the CHANI team. “When the sun’s light gets blocked during a solar eclipse, it can feel like an ego bruise, or like our sense of authority gets challenged or dented. It can also be a time when our systems feel run down or ragged.”
This may sound a tad scary, but solar eclipses aren’t all bad. The solar eclipse that takes place during the April new moon, for example, has its perks.
“The first eclipse along the new sign axis, this moment marks the beginning of a fresh chapter in our lives. It will activate our hunger and urge us to tackle all projects at once,” says the CHANI team. “As eclipse protocol would dictate, it may be wise to take a deep breath (or ten) and reconsider whether or not the opportunity before you is a wise way to spend your energy.”
May: New Moon in Taurus – Friday, May 19
Fun fact: This is the first new moon in Taurus that hasn’t been paired with a solar eclipse. “That alone is a reason to celebrate,” says the CHANI team. “Traditionally, [the moon] is considered exalted in this sign, which means the soil is extra fertile for setting intentions. Nurture that project, relationship, or idea that you want to grow from the ground up.”
While this new moon is the perfect time to plant seeds of intention, May is also the ideal month for sowing literal seeds. Celebrate the onset of summer by viewing your garden, or houseplants, as physical representations of your manifestations.
June: New Moon in Gemini – Saturday, June 17
“Gemini new moons inspire flurries of ideas and the urge to chase each one. These lunations tend to be fun and flirty—but not necessarily focused,” according to the CHANI team. Coming from a Gemini, that’s so Gemini.
To make the most of this scattered, chaotic energy, there are a few things you can do. “Keep a record of all your flashes of inspiration, but remember you can’t tackle them all at once,” the CHANI team suggests.
July: New Moon in Cancer – Monday, July 17
“The moon is at home in Cancer, so Cancer new moons are especially sweet and fertile for new beginnings. Cast your spells accordingly,” says the CHANI team. “Note that your intuition can be heightened at this time, so you might experiment with divination or dream interpretation.”
This new moon could be the perfect time to carry out a candle ritual focused on manifestation, or break out your moon water for a little scrying practice.
August: New Moon in Leo – Wednesday, August 16
Leo, Leo, Leo—the center of attention. You gotta love her. “Leo new moons are all about strutting your stuff, and taking selfies while doing so,” says the CHANI team. “Whether you express yourself through your art, your statement jewelry, or your famous bake sale carrot cake, this is a time to radiate your uniqueness.”
September: New Moon in Virgo – Tuesday, September 14
“Virgo new moons prioritize care by tending to the details, so organize your bookshelf. Deep-clean your home. Polish your candlesticks. Not because you ‘should,’ but because you deserve a pristine temple or sanctuary,” says the team at CHANI.
Virgos will feel at home during this new moon, and for the less organized signs (hi, Aries besties), this is the perfect time to tap into that much needed Earth energy.
October: New Moon Solar Eclipse in Libra – Saturday, October 14
“This is the first eclipse of its kind in Libra that we’ve had for nearly twenty years,” explains the CHANI team. This one will focus on themes of letting go: “On the sacrificial altar? People pleasing, unhealthy codependencies, and any relationship pattern where you consistently center another person’s needs before your own.”
November: New Moon in Scorpio – Monday, November 13
Because Scorpio is a feelings-fueled water sign, “Scorpio new moons can stir up tender emotions and memories. Cue the moody playlists and Dear Diary confessionals,” the CHANI team says. “This is a moment to patiently parse through feelings, but remember none of them are final.”
December: New Moon in Sagittarius – Tuesday, December 12
Ah, yes, the last new moon of 2023. What can you expect? And how can you best observe its energy? “Sagittarius new moons pack big ‘don’t fence me in’ energy. This is a time to let loose with your far-roaming plans,” says the CHANI team. “Travel mentally or physically and prioritize the books, podcasts, or projects that stretch your horizons.”
Are your calendars marked? Is your spell-book ready and cabinets of curiosities fully stocked? Most importantly, do you feel prepared to tap into your inner power and harness the energy of these 12 new moons? Whatever the answers to these questions may be, go forth into the rest of 2023 knowing that you’re prepared for whatever the lunations have in store.
Aliza Pelto (she/her) is a rurally raised, NYC-based writer, Gemini, and iced coffee enthusiast. Her work has appeared with The National Organization for Women, Alma, and both in print and online at BUST Magazine. When she’s not reading, recording her podcast (Little Sleep//Much Reading), or doing something witchy, you can find her dissociating via TikTok for hours on end.
