Every New Moon initiates a cycle that influences the following 28 days. This month’s New Moon (which is a conjunction of the Sun and Moon) on Wednesday, April 10 occurs in fiery Aries, the first zodiac sign, making it an even more significant starting point as it helps to shape the year ahead.

That’s because this lunation is closely conjunct Astrology’s lovers, Venus and Mars. The planets of attraction and action in close proximity to the New Moon in Aries bring an infusion of creativity, romance and social skills that can be used to resolve personal and collective problems.

Why we resist making change

The most difficult issues we face exist because we view them from an outmoded point of view. Concerns about the economy, environment and security, for example, are almost never seen with new eyes. We’re stuck with false choices based on old models that may never lead to desirable solutions.

In some ways, these backward-looking perspectives reflect the deep-seated resistance to change held by powerful institutions and individuals. Those who benefit from the inequities of these times are symbolized by potent Pluto in authoritarian Capricorn. Their retrograde beliefs are promulgated by the media and we generally accept them as reality.

The series of 90-degree Uranus-Pluto squares from 2012-2015 represent the struggle between revolutionary forces and reactionary ones. And while it’s easy to project resistance to and fear of change on governments, corporations, religion, the media, etc., we are each challenged to recognize where our personal beliefs keep us stuck in the past.

Breaking free of destructive patterns is both a private and public matter that needs to be addressed individually and collectively. If you want the world to change, change yourself.

Breaking free with the New Moon in Aries

Fortunately, the process doesn’t need to be painful thanks to this week’s Aries New Moon. The conjunctions of pleasurable Venus and energetic Mars enrich this lunation with joyous innocence and an adventurous spirit. It is a reminder that play can be productive, and it’s also an effective means for turning our lives in a more positive direction. Venturing into fresh territory in pursuit of fun or by exploring your creativity can be the key to discovering a brighter future.

Spontaneous Aries is about jumping in and taking risks without being overly concerned about the outcome. Don’t worry about commitment and let discipline come naturally whenever it’s needed. In fact, allowing yourself to make mistakes provides the freedom required for truly new things to be discovered.

Whether it’s about making art, love or money, joy is the juice that opens hearts and minds. Our challenge now is to stop seeing life as a challenge or a problem to be resolved, but instead to see it as a great game that is being won whenever we’re having fun.