New Moon in Aries 2026
Our first New Moon of the astrological year arrives in Aries with a fiery blast of energy. We can expect the pace to pick up, tensions to increase and new paths to open, but are you ready to tend to the fire within?
How to welcome the New Moon in Aries 2026 | Tending the fire within
April 17th | PDT 04:51 | EDT 07:51 | BST 12:51
The New Moon in Aries carries a passion and drive that is hard to ignore. If you have been feeling that change is needed or that more energy is required, this is a powerful New Moon to work with. Let’s explore how we can attune to it…
In this blog we’ll get curious about:
- What the Aries New Moon symbolises
- An Aries New Moon ritual, including prompts for working with your journal
- Key dates for this lunar cycle
As we entered Aries season, spring called to us with promises of new beginnings and fresh energy. To welcome either, however, we may have needed to let go of something first. Whilst the previous New Moon in Pisces may have provided the space to do this, the Aries New Moon is now ready to blaze a trail forward, cutting any remaining cords.
What the Aries New Moon symbolises
The dynamic sign of Aries is ruled by the warrior planet Mars; a planet that brings our attention to passion, excitement, courage, and conflict. At this New Moon, we see a major build-up of planets in this fiery landscape, with Mars, Saturn, Neptune, Mercury and asteroid Chiron all co-present in Aries.
With this concentration of planets, we may feel an intensity at this New Moon, a mixture of Aries warrior energy, but also more than a dash of frustration or perhaps a sense of things not moving quickly enough, thanks to Saturn’s presence. Any intensity we feel deserves to be stepped into with intention, rather than responded to with any knee-jerk reactions. In this sense, we can still move forward but with strategy on our side.
Consider and Align
Chiron’s healing energy may soften some edges, but Pluto, in conversation with this New Moon’s ruler, also holds some cards, adding a deep transformational feel. This underlines that any changes we make now may be part of a process, even a mindset shift, as we move through the lunar cycle ahead. With Mercurial energy in the mix too, this is an opportunity to consider that your words truly align with your actions.
As Uranus, the Great Awakener, moves into Gemini just over a week after the New Moon, we can expect shifts of direction and change as this planet settles into its new airy home. The Aries New Moon gives us the opportunity to shape the change we’d like to welcome this cycle - don’t waste it!
Setting Intentions
Stepping into this New Moon’s energy with purpose can be a useful way to tune into this new beginning. This month, to honour this special New Moon, I’m suggesting a ritual to do on the New Moon or for up to three days after (this is when the New Moon’s energy is at its peak).
I’d recommend finding your own way with moon ritual work (there are many practices out there), but here’s a simple one to help you set some Aries intentions and begin to tend the fire within:
New Moon in Aries Ritual
What you will need: a red candle (ideally, to symbolise Aries/Mars energy - but you can use any colour), a journal, and a pen.
- Carve out some time, at least 15-20 minutes if possible, and find a peaceful space.
- Light your candle and take 5 minutes to sit quietly. Let your gaze soften and focus on the flame.
- Take a moment to consider what feels like it is burning bright in your world, or where you’d like to see more energy.
- Take your journal and pen and write about whatever comes up or choose one of the prompts below and let your pen flow. Leave at least 10 minutes for this.
- Look back over what you’ve written - is there an intention you can take forward from your words? If there is, write it in your journal. If not, be content that you’ve written from the heart and trust the intention will arise.
- When you feel ready, return your attention to the flame and take a steady breath in and out.
- Blow out the candle as a way of sealing your work.
- Consider one small action you can take over the coming days that honours what has come through.
Journal Prompts for the New Moon in Aries
- Where in my life am I feeling a surge of energy, frustration, or restlessness and what might this be trying to show me?
- Where have I been dimming my passion to keep the peace or stay comfortable? What would it look like to honour that spark?
- If I trusted myself fully, without second-guessing or holding back, what would I do next?
If you feel called to follow this lunar cycle more deeply, I will be holding a special online circle on 30th April ahead of the Full Moon in Scorpio. I’d love to welcome you.
For now, warmest wishes for a beautiful New Moon.
With blessings,
Charlotte x
Key Dates for this Lunar Cycle
If you have the Moon Phase Studios 13 Moon Journal, remember that each of the main moon phases below has a page dedicated to it - so you can let the pen flow.
- 17th April: New Moon in Aries
- 19th April*/20th April: Sun into Taurus
- 24th April: First Quarter Moon in Leo
- 25th*/26th April: Uranus into Gemini
- 1st May: Full Moon in Scorpio / Beltane
- 9th May: Last Quarter Moon in Aquarius
*PDT/ EDT
About Charlotte Lauren
Charlotte Lauren is a resident Astrologer for Moon Phase Studios providing regular insights in our newsletter about each New and Full Moon.
You can sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of the page.
She also provides the astrological data and written content for our Moon Calendars and 13 Moon Journals.
If you want to find out more about how you can attune to the moon you read more on our blog about New and Full Moon’s here.
Alternatively, you can find out more about Charlotte’s work as a Hellenistic Astrologer, via her Charlotte's website.
She weaves astrology with cyclical living to help illuminate a cosmically conscious path for her clients, offering birth chart readings and astro mentoring packages with a holistic approach.
Charlotte also hosts a free Facebook group for women who wish to work with the lunar cycle. You can follow her love of the cosmos on Instagram or Substack.
