The Power of the First Degree: The New Moon & Outer Planets Align
A look into the Astrology, Human Design Gates & Sabian Symbols active on this Virgo new moon
The Power of the First Degree: Initiation, Activation, and Transformation
The first degree of any Zodiac sign is a potent threshold. They are called critical degrees because they are points of initiation, raw potential, and the moment of taking a first step into a completely new energetic territory.
In astrology, 0–1 degrees represent beginnings, and in Human Design, these early degrees often correspond to gates at the edges of transformational cycles, energies activated for new experiences, relationships, or shifts in consciousness.
When planets or luminaries transit through these degrees, their messages are sharp, immediate, and catalytic.
This Week’s Virgo New Moon is at 0° Virgo, in Human Design Gate 59
The New Moon at 0° Virgo, Gate 59, emphasizes intimacy, bonding, and the alchemy of breaking barriers to connection. Gate 59 in Human Design is the Gate of Sexuality and the driving force for connection with others, whether it be physical, emotional, or energetic. This degree is about creating trust and dissolving separations so intimacy, collaboration, and shared experiences can flourish.
The Symbol for 0° Virgo is: “A man’s head.” This symbol speaks to the refined sense of self-identity, highlighting the importance of clarity and discernment in one’s thoughts and actions, especially in relating to others. Intimacy is ultimately more truthful when it is rooted in sovereign beings coming together, not codependency.
The New Moon Squares Uranus at 1° Gemini, Gate 20
The New Moon is making a square to Uranus at 1° Gemini (in HD Gate 20). While not the very first degree of the sign, 1° is still potent, activating and fresh energy. Gate 20 is the Gate of Now, the ability to act in the present moment, and to bring conscious attention into immediate awareness. It embodies presence, spontaneity, and the power to respond authentically.
The Sabian Symbol for 1° Gemini is: “Santa Claus filling stockings furtively.”
This symbol evokes a sense of secretive generosity and the joy of giving, highlighting the unseen acts of kindness that bring unexpected blessings. It suggests that spiritual and material abundance often come in subtle, unacknowledged ways, emphasizing the importance of faith and a childlike openness to the wonders of the world.
The square between Uranus and the New Moon suggests tension between these two energies:
Structured intimacy vs. unexpected freedom: You might feel a push-pull between creating deep, intentional bonds and being surprised or thrown off by sudden revelations, disruptions, or unconventional approaches in relationships or projects.
Visible effort vs. unseen support: Virgo’s energy wants careful, deliberate effort in connection. Uranus in Gemini suggests some support, guidance, or insight may arrive quietly, indirectly, or unpredictably, like gifts “slipping in” under the radar. The square asks us to remain present and grounded while embracing surprises!
Awakening through delight: The playful Sabian imagery of Santa Claus reminds us that liberation, freedom, and insight may come through joy, generosity, or unexpected events, rather than through purely rational planning.
In Human Design terms, this is a tension between the desire to form deep, intimate bonds (Gate 59) and the need for freedom, autonomy, and disruption in the present moment (Gate 20). The new moon/Uranus square asks: How do you connect without losing your independence? How do you bring presence and openness to relationships while honoring your individuality?
This New Moon also Forms a Yod - the proverbial “Finger of God”- with Saturn/Neptune & Pluto
Adding to the intensity of this lunation is a yod formation in the skies, connecting the moon and sun at 0 virgo to Saturn at 0° Neptune at 1° Aries, in HD Gate 25, and Pluto at 1° Aquarius, in Gate 41.
A Yod is a powerful and challenging astrological aspect, also known as the "Finger of God" or "Finger of Fate". It is formed by two planets in a sextile (60 degrees apart) aspect, which both also form quincunx aspects (150 degrees) to a third planet, called the apex planet. This creates a narrow, isosceles triangle pointing to the apex planet. The Yod emphasizes a sense of destiny, a specific purpose, and often involves challenges that push individuals towards significant growth and evolution. In today’s case, the outer planets are “pointing” at the Virgo New Moon as a place to pay extra attention to, indicating a cosmic necessity to make a choice or experience a transformative activation in life surrounding the themes of 0 degrees Virgo (Which I see is the fine balance between intimacy and sovereign selfhood).
Saturn in Gate 25 (0° Aries): Gate 25 is the Gate of Spirit, the unconditional love of life. Saturn here grounds the spiritual lesson into responsibility, structure, and discipline.
Sabian Symbol for 0° Aries: “A woman rises out of the water, a seal rises and embraces her.” This symbol speaks to the emergence of potential and the recognition of one’s true essence.Neptune in Gate 25 (1° Aries): Neptune softens Saturn’s discipline, inviting surrender and devotion to the bigger picture. It represents the idealism and spiritual connection that transcends the material world.
The Sabian Symbol for 1° Aries is: “A comedian entertaining a group.”This symbol emphasizes the importance of humor and the ability to entertain and engage others. It suggests that the individual possesses a lively and charismatic personality, capable of bringing joy and laughter to those around them. This energy can be harnessed to uplift spirits and create a positive atmosphere in various settings.
Pluto in Gate 41 (1° Aquarius): Gate 41 is the Gate of Contraction, which is the ‘new year’ in the 64-gate Human Design mandala. 41 is about the potential for new beginnings, visions, and the seed of experience. Pluto in the gate of contraction intensifies transformation and deep inner release, similar to how uterine contractions during labor lead to birth. (As someone who has given birth, I’m reminding myself to ride the waves and rest as much as possible in between contractions during this transit!)
The Sabian Symbol for 1° Aquarius is:“An unexpected thunderstorm.”
The symbol conveys the idea of sudden, unforeseen events that can disrupt the status quo, symbolizing nature’s uncontrollable forces. It reflects the potential for abrupt changes that challenge existing structures and expectations. Such occurrences often prompt a reevaluation of one’s approach to stability and control.
This symbol suggests a need for adaptability and resilience in the face of unexpected challenges. It encourages embracing change as a catalyst for growth and transformation.
The yod points to the New Moon in this triad, highlighting a moment where intimacy (Gate 59), discipline and devotion (Gate 25), and deep transformation (Gate 41) converge. In Human Design, this can activate a pivotal recalibration in how we bond, create, and step into higher purpose, especially in relationships, creative projects, and spiritual alignment.
The New Moon in Virgo is asking us to integrate the springlike energy of emergence and spiritual innocence (Saturn/Neptune in Aries) with radical transformation and storms of unexpected change (Pluto in Aquarius).
The lesson here is to recognize that true intimacy and connection may only manifest by embracing both support and surrender (Aries in 25) while navigating upheaval and transformation (Pluto in 41). Unexpected events or disruptions are not threats, necessarily, but they are clearing and preparing the way for more authentic, grounded connections.
Navigating the 0–1 Degree Energy
This is a moment for initiating new cycles. The 0–1 degree energies demand presence, courage, and conscious alignment. With the New Moon at 0° Virgo:
Your relationships are being tested and recalibrated through tension (Uranus square) and guidance (yod).
Your inner truth and soul purpose are highlighted by the yod to Saturn, Neptune, and Pluto.
Your capacity to act in the now (Gate 20) must balance with intimacy and deep connection (Gate 59).
In practical Human Design terms: trust your emotional waves, honor your presence, and be willing to confront old patterns that block connection. The yod asks you to take responsibility for your energy in relationships and to allow new visions to unfold naturally.
The 0–1 degrees of signs are powerful cosmic invitations to step into the new with awareness, courage, and presence. This Virgo New Moon is a call to initiate intimacy, courage, and transformation, catalyzed by Uranus’ disruption and guided by the higher purpose of the finger of Saturn, Neptune, and Pluto pointing at the new moon.
Wishing you a beautiful new moon and starry dark skies,
Alison
Cycles of Time is a weekly forecast that explores at the energies of the upcoming week through the lenses of astrology, the Pagan Wheel of the Year, the Daoist 5-Element Cycle, the Indigenous Medicine Wheel, and the 64 gates of the I’Ching/Human Design/Gene Keys/ mandala.
Each of these ancient, cyclical systems have the potential to connect us deeply with the changing seasons and also with the wisdom of our global ancestors. Viewed together, they reveal the profound interconnectedness that human beings have always held with mother earth. Thanks for reading & listening!
This is yet again an incredible deep dive. Resonating deeply with a lot of connections here. Relating to Aries (my rising), I’ve Been thinking a lot lately about how to balance my humor and uplifting others with my professional identity and how that is shaped in different settings with different people, how to light up any room without blinding others or dimming myself :)
Wow. This was spot on clarification of the happenings in my life, and many of my friends lives. Thanks for interpreting so I can digest.