The Dark

When the moon goes dark…

We are in the dark moon phase. The 3 days before the new moon are a time of composting things before we set intentions at the new moon. It’s also called the balsamic phase. Balsamic (not the vinegar) literally means “balm” or “restorative”, so this time of darkness is meant to be a time of healing and restoration. Things do feel dark right now. I find myself writing but feeling scattered. Some days I blame this on perimenopause and the constant barrage of “personal summers” I have all day and night making me cranky and tired from crappy sleep but usually I have to admit that I am just filled with rage...all the time.

I look at the astrology and it’s intense, in fact we’re coming into a year where we will see aspects that have never been seen before and the end of January and all of February are an intense period. The Saturn Neptune conjunction that has been lingering throughout 2025 becomes exact on February 20th following the Aquarius new moon, lunar new year and an eclipse of February 17th. This conjunction has not been seen before because it occurs at 0° of Aries. This is a very important placement, in fact many astrologers and ancient astrology always look to see where this point is in a natal chart as a point of importance. 0 degrees of Aries is a powerful “starting point”.

The Saturn Neptune conjunction is one of the biggest aspects happening in astrology this year and already has been breaking down our structures and ideals...well duh. I know it’s bad when the few folks I still talk to that have vastly different political opinions than I do text me, “The world has gone fucking crazy”. Ya think? The heartening part of this is that people are starting to admit things are not ok, and that’s great, but people are dying, and we are watching things we never thought we would see in America. Every day it’s some fresh new hell and it’s incredibly hard to not feel helpless. Besides, we still have to pay bills and work and do all the mundane stuff that comes with living in whatever it is we are living in. I’m still hopeful that we will get through this and as the corruption is blatantly exposed, we will actually take action to change and do what is best for the collective. Saturn and Neptune in Aries can cause disillusion, the things we believed as truth are exposed as false, the structures we counted on turn out to be facades and if nothing else these realizations are disappointing. Aries energy is impulsive and joyful and Saturn in Aries can be a bit of a downer without Neptune included. Adding Neptune to the mix is like watching your dreams dissolve. The thing is, we can adjust and embrace the truth. The shifts are challenging, depressing even, but knowing the truth can bring us into a more concrete reality, dreams can be reset with realistic timelines and faith does not get left behind, it walks hand in hand with despair.

The dark moon is pulling us to really get honest about what we need to let go of, and a lot of that is the old ideas that things will always be ok. We are not ok. Old ideals of who we are, and the structures that we’ve been holding up have rotten cores and yet composting them can bring new growth. Looking at our daily lives and where we put our energy helps us better understand how we can reach our goals and make intentions reality. We are in unprecedented times, so we have to get serious about things. Oh, and we still have to live and living means finding joy and being in community and participating. It can be easy to get caught up in the tidal wave of doubt but focusing on our own mental and physical health is key, like putting on your own oxygen mask before assisting others. You can’t help others when you have nothing in the tank.

I was listening to an episode of Astrology Hub with Rick Levine and Steve Judd (I’ll link it here) and Rick was talking about a Hopi prophecy (there are many and they are pretty intense) that says when the river floods, do not try to hold onto the bank because you will be torn apart. Instead, let go and focus on keeping your head above the water. Look around and see those near you, they are your family now. You can’t control the river, but you can work with it and work with those around you to build community. Know who your people are and where your food is coming from. This prophecy is happening now and it is a call back to basics...like decency. That doesn’t change the technology we and innovation that continues to happen around us but focusing on basics can help level set in these strange times.

When I feel this rage and sadness, I remind myself that my soul chose this time to be here. That we are in fact made for this and that in the end we will persevere. I remember that death brings new life and we have to accept death even though change is scary and can hurt. So, as we close in on the coming new moon, what are you willing to let die even if it hurts. Where is your energy going and what do you want to prioritize in the coming year? If you are, like me, angry and sad, use these emotions to build something, anger and sadness are tools after all. We don’t have to be consumed by the rage, in fact, living and being compassionate and filled with empathy would be a giant “eff you” to the current state of things.

I’ll write more on the new moon in Capricorn and the astrological anomalies this weekend but for now, keep your heads up. we are not alone out here in the Dark.

Oh and Fuck ICE.

What’s happening locally?

Check out all upcoming events at The Exchange where we gather, learn new crafts, laugh and plot the revolution….

Revolutionary Witchcraft February 12th! This spellbinding workshop welcomes in the New Year and are a monthly thing! Join us each month for open discussion and group ritual work as we build community and craft a better future!

New Moon Women’s Circle February 8th- Aquarius Season!

Let’s Work Together!

I am a hedge witch living in Vallejo, CA with my 3 sons, husband, and Ember, a 7-year-old ball python. I am a certified Death Doula, Funeral Arranger, Astrologer and Writer.