New Moon in Aries April 17, 2026

Moon Magic is back!

I started writing about the influence of the Moon on our lives years ago when I published The Healers Almanac: Wisdom from the 21st  Century Goddess. In this refreshed Moon Magic series, I weave together lunar astrology with the Goddess energy of the month. Then top it all off with a meaningful ritual to help us work consciously with the cycles instead of feeling tossed around by them.

The New Moon in Aries on April 17, 2026 is one of those lunar moments that feels and looks like striking a match in the dark. It’s brilliant, and alive with potential.  I can say the same for you during this Aries New Moon.  You are alive with potential and beaming with individuality.  You get to begin again as yourself. Not as who you think you should be. Not as who keeps everyone comfortable. But as who you truly are.

Aries and Spring are about planting seeds that start out kind of insignificant, but grow up to be something quite unexpected. This is exactly what this Aries New Moon is asking you to do for yourself.  Ok, maybe you don’t need to completely reinvent yourself, but some honest introspection could reveal where you have held back or said no when you really wanted to say yes, if you had the courage.

The universe is forgiving in that way. If at first you don’t grab the brass ring, chances are, it will come around again.  Now is the time because this New Moon arrives in the final stretch of Aries, which can feel like a “now or never” moment.  Not in a pressured way, but in a clarifying way filled with strong inner knowing.  This means you can launch yourself anew and still release the old version of you.  Pick your anthem;

• I’m done negotiating with fear. Becomes confidence and self-trust.
• I’m done waiting for permission. Becomes personal leadership.
• I’m ready to act like my life is mine. Becomes reclaiming your right to want what you want.

As a bonus, Chiron’s presence in Aries during this period adds a deeply healing undertone and the opportunity to kick impostor syndrome to the curb once and for all.  This includes the fear of being seen (my personal favorite), fear of making the wrong choice and another of my fav’s; believing you have to be perfect before you begin. 

A Very Normal Experience of this New Moon

You may notice clarity about what you want and don’t want, which includes wanting a fresh start somewhere in your life.  A little bit of impatience edging in as Aries energy is a speed freak. Some emotional vertigo as you allow yourself to rise out of the fog. When fear shows up, and it will, let it be proof that you are close to starting something real.

New Moon Ritual with Katelyn, Goddess of Individuality

In The Healers Almanac goddess tradition, Katelyn holds the frequency of individuality. Such a perfect mirror for Aries.

In this ritual you will be reconnecting to your true essence and witness yourself with tenderness.

What you’ll need

• a yellow candle (for clarity, confidence, selfhood) I recommend the Aunt Jacki Crown of Success Candle
• a mirror
• a journal or paper

The ritual

1. Light the yellow candle and take a few slow breaths.
2. Place the mirror nearby (you’ll use it at the end).
3. Close your eyes and imagine yourself walking down a gentle path into a peaceful natural place.
4. Invite Katelyn to help you reconnect with your real self. This is the you that existed before expectations took hold and lead you astray.
5. Sit quietly and receive: images, feelings, words, a sense of “yes.”
6. When you’re ready, open your eyes and look into the mirror softly.
7. Say (out loud if you can):
   “I see you. I’m here. I choose you.”
8. Write down what you learned, even if it’s just one sentence.

Aries New Moon intention (speak it like a spell)

“I begin again as myself.
Clear. Brave. Alive.
I take the next true step.”

Journal Prompts for the Days After

• What am I ready to start, even if I’m not fully ready?
• Where have I been waiting for permission and what would it look like to give it to myself?
• What version of me is ending, so a truer version can lead?
• What daily habit would make this new beginning real in 30 days?

Closing Blessing

May this New Moon in Aries remind you that courage is not a personality trait but a divine trait and needs to become your practice.

You don’t have to know the whole path.
You only have to choose the next honest step.

Let this be the month you stop dimming.
Let this be the beginning that actually begins.

Until the next Moon Magic,
With love,

Patty Shaw, Author, Public Speaker, Teacher, Spiritual Counselor who works with the Akashic Records, Reiki Master and Direct Divine Light Healer with Spiritual Arts Institute,CA.  Facebook page is Healing with Patty Shaw