shedding + pisces new moon

On February 18th we entered Pisces season & we will remain here until March 20th. Now is the time to take a deep dive into the abyss of your emotion, letting whatever feelings arise wash over you. The final sign in the zodiac, Pisces is profoundly intuitive, containing the wisdom & lessons of the 11 astrological archetypes before it. The cumulative pause before we burst into fiery, infantile Aries season and the rejuvenating Spring Equinox. 

As  I write this, we are also under the influence of the Pisces New Moon on February 28th. During this phase of the lunar cycle, we have complete darkness as the moon’s shadow side is facing us. I connect this sensation with the imagery of floating in the dark, rippling, expansive ocean. Returning home to mother ocean, stripping oneself of all earthly, material items & accepting what remains; pure, raw, unfiltered emotion & intuition. Taking time to check in with our deepest feelings can feel daunting as we learn the art of the surrender. 

a glimmer of hope & magic emerging after the storm. original photo.

In this time of darkness, I am undergoing some personal shedding. I find myself wallowing in winter, desperately looking for a sign of spring but knowing realistically, here in North Dakota, we still have at least 2 more months of bone-chilling cold. Feeling particularly uncertain in many aspects of my life currently, I keep asking, seeking an answer for clarity, so ready to release this stagnation. The animal totem of the snake kept coming to me intuitively. 

snake totem in nature. original photo.

Interestingly enough, 2025 is the year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac. A very powerful, symbolic creature in many cultures, the snake can also elicit feelings of fear & discomfort. This parallels sensations we may uncover as we dive into the depths of our emotional body, the fear of the unknown or the discomfort of deeply engrained memories & identities. The snake is constantly undergoing the cycle of shedding & growth, shedding & growth. Purging what no longer is needed, only to emerge soft, vulnerable & renewed. 

snake card from the Celtic Lenormand deck, art by Will Worthington. original photo.

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, Pisces season marks the final month of winter. This is the last stretch of hibernation before we emerge, refreshed & rested in spring. This is our last chance to reflect on what no longer serves us, what is weighing us down, what we do not wish to carry into the next season or chapter of our lives. Take time to sit with the vast expanse of the Pisces new moon & the energy of the metamorphic snake to fully cleanse & prepare for the renewal of spring. I encourage you to follow the Pisces New Moon writing ritual below to aid in your shedding.

until next moon,

kerry + metamoon