Sagittarius New Moon Astrology: Sappho, Pholus, Love & Poetry

Some New Moons ask us to take action.

Others ask us to tell the truth.

A Sagittarius New Moon invites us to step beyond what we already know and follow the stories that shape our lives.

As I explored this chart, two lesser-known asteroids stood out to me: Centaur Pholus and asteroid Sappho. Together, they tell a fascinating story about healing, creativity, and how seemingly small moments can change the course of a life.

A personal note: At the time I first wrote this article, Chiron was activating important points in my own birth chart, making these themes feel especially personal.

In this New Moon chart, Mars, Moon, and Sun in sagittarius are trine Chiron in Aries. Plus, you know, Sagittarius is the home of the Centaurs, like Chiron and his wife, Chariklo. So having a New Moon in Sagittarius is like an opening of a new healing portal, calling us to stepping out of our familiar selves and going on an adventure to find a new self.

And in this New Moon chart, I came across Centaur Asteroid Pholus and Asteroid Sappho. Now, Pholus came into my chart little prior to this, when he was a part of Kite configuration in my dream chart for decoding dreams.

Here’s the brief story of him; A Centaur Pholus lived in a cave on Mount Pholoe. When his friend Herakles visited him, Pholus opened a jar of wine crafted by Dionysus, attracting other wilder centaurs. Herakles defended the cave and killed many centaurs with his bow. While burying the dead centaurs, Pholus examined one of the arrows and accidentally dropped it, piercing his foot. The arrow was tainted with the blood of the Lernaean Hydra, causing Pholus's death.

To me, Pholus symbolizes those seemingly insignificant moments that can alter the direction of our lives. A small choice, conversation, or realization becomes the catalyst for something much larger than we expected.

In the New Moon chart, he is conjunct with Mercury in Capricorn, square Chiron, trine Jupiter, and sextile Venus. Before we discuss what these may signify, let's meet Asteroid Sappho, which is conjuncting Venus in Scorpio.

Asteroid Sappho is named after the Greek poet Sappho, who was known for her prolific poetry. She is most famous for her love poetry, but her surviving fragments also touch on themes of family and religion. Although most of her poetry has been lost, she was highly esteemed in ancient times. Little is known about her personal life, but she came from a wealthy family in Lesbos and was exiled to Sicily. Legend has it that she took her own life by jumping from the Leucadian cliffs because of her unrequited love for the ferryman Phaon. Her poetry was greatly admired in antiquity and continues to influence writers today.

So, it seems that she was a poet, but her life itself was a mystery and a drama, like a poem. The placement in Scorpio with a detrimental Venus, I sense the profound tragedy of a romantic tale, perhaps ones that she might have written. It evokes passion, rust, forbidden love, possessiveness, and a bit of toxic nature, with darker and more enigmatic aspects of love. This connects to our deep emotions, memories, and thoughts that are crystallized and hidden in a dark place.

In astrology, asteroid Sappho often symbolizes artistic devotion, poetry, beauty, heartfelt expression, and the desire to communicate what words alone sometimes cannot hold.

Now, with Pholus conjunct Mercury in Capricorn, this energy is primarily focused on our thoughts and reasoning. In our minds, we are trying to manage our emotions and ensure that we don't get too caught up in love. However, there are situations where a seemingly insignificant encounter with someone can lead to a profound outcome. If love emerges from such a situation, can we truly control it?

Ok, it doesn't have to be a romantic scenario or even love itself. Perhaps this New Moon is urging us to venture into unexplored areas of our mind and uncover hidden emotional treasures. We can express our experiences through storytelling, poetry, or simply journaling about them!

This is a quote from her poem that I thought would be perfect for this New Moon. These profound words encapsulate the irresistible power of love, a force that can both exhilarate and confound us, leaving us powerless in its embrace.

So, I invite you to brew a cup of tea—perhaps hibiscus for passionate love, chamomile for nostalgic love, or lemon balm for platonic love. Light a candle and spend a little time exploring the depths of your emotional landscape.

Allow yourself to linger with the memories, longings, and stories that surface. Notice where love has shaped you, softened you, challenged you, or transformed you.

And above all, start writing!

Here are some journal prompts to get you going:

Personal Growth: Reflect on a seemingly insignificant encounter or event in your life that had a significant impact on you. Consider how it affected your path, your perspective, or your personal growth. Write about the lessons you learned from this experience and how it shaped your journey.

Your Love: Reflect on a profound experience of love in your life. It could be a romantic relationship, a deep friendship, or even the love you have for a pet or a hobby. Consider how this experience has shaped your understanding of love, influenced your personal growth, or transformed your perspective on life. Write about the emotions, lessons, and insights you have gained from this journey of love.

Soul Journey: Reflect on your soul journey and the lessons you have learned along the way. Consider the challenges you have faced, the growth you have experienced, and the spiritual insights you have gained. Write about the moments of transformation, the guidance you have received, and the connections you have made on your soul journey.

Self-Love: Reflect on your journey of self-love and self-acceptance. Consider the challenges you have faced, the breakthroughs you have experienced, and the lessons you have learned along the way. Write about the practices, affirmations, or rituals that have helped you cultivate a deeper sense of love and compassion for yourself. Explore how self-love has influenced your relationships, your mindset, and your overall well-being.

Spiritual Journey: Reflect on your spiritual journey and the growth you have experienced along the way. Consider the moments of connection, insights, and transformation that have shaped your path. Write about the spiritual practices, teachings, or experiences that have had a profound impact on your journey. Explore how your spiritual journey has influenced your beliefs, values, and overall sense of purpose.

And although this article was inspired by a Sagittarius New Moon, Sappho's symbolism can be explored at any time.

Look for asteroid #80 Sappho in your birth chart by sign, house, and aspects. Notice where creativity, poetry, beauty, and heartfelt expression naturally arise.

During Sagittarius season, these themes may become especially vivid, inviting you to tell your story, write, teach, or share your truth with others.