The new moon in Taurus waves its eco-chic wand and casts an emerald green spell over our lives. Just as the springtime buds are exploding into leaves, this new moon calls us into nature’s al fresco temple. The first of the earth signs, Taurus is all about creating the fertile soil to plant our seeds in—both literally and metaphorically. Our focus goes to the foundations during this lunar event. Do we have our feet on solid ground? And are we feeling grounded once we’re there?

Refresh, renew, release! This Thursday’s new moon in Aries is like a cosmic spring awakening, rebooting our systems for another 365-day cycle. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, sending our focus to fresh starts, creative opportunities, and new beginnings. This is one of the most fertile times of the year for planting seeds. Ruled by red-hot Mars, Aries energy fires up our passion and gives us the courage to compete, even fight for our dreams. Here’s how to maximize the mojo of the zodiac’s Ram:

The new moon in dreamy, enlightened Pisces sends us all on a fantastic voyage this Tuesday. It’s time to set sail in the waters of spirituality, imagination, and an uncharted exploration of our own subconscious minds.  New moons are our launching points, the results of which culminate six months later, under the light of the corresponding full moon. Circle August 31, 2012 as the date of the Pisces full moon: it’s anyone’s guess where we’ll drop anchor then. If we feel “lost at sea” this week, the answer is not to splash around furiously, trying to regain control. Pisces is the sign that’s associated with surrender. Lean back and float: that’s how we’ll ride the waves and get our “sea legs.”

It’s the first new moon of 2012, and this time, it’s also the Chinese New Year. The fierce, fabulous Dragon roars in, the flames of its breath fanned by air-sign Aquarius. Dragon years are intense and karmic, and can bring births, deaths and major transformations. The last one was in 2000, another year like 2012 that had significant myths and even legends around it (remember the Y2K data-crash scare that never happened?). End of the world? Doubtful, but with the Dragon’s transformative powers, it might be the end of the world as we know it, a time of important change.