Category Archives: New Moon

New Moon in Taurus, May 13-14

The Nebra Sky Disk, found in 1999 near Leipzig, Germany, has been dated c. 1600 B.C. and depicts the Sun or possibly Full Moon, New Moon, Pleiades (in the constellation Taurus), and solstice points.


The New Moon in Taurus on May 13 is a time to celebrate beauty, abundance, and the cyclical dance of life.

It also is a stark reminder of the realities of living in a material world. For some of us, being “spiritual” means denying the physical body or getting our minds off material things. Although it’s true that many people place too much importance on money and possessions, going to the opposite extreme isn’t to our advantage, either. If we weren’t meant to have a physical body, with all its attendant joys and sorrows, we’d be disembodied beings of light in some other quadrant of the galaxy.

At 23°09′ Taurus, the Sun and Moon are in a wide trine with Saturn in late Virgo and a sextile with Jupiter and Uranus in Pisces. The Saturn-Uranus opposition is still big news. Even though it’s separating, the contact remains close enough to be a major influence, and Jupiter’s impending conjunction with Uranus is acting as an amplifier. I’ve written about the cardinal T-square of summer 2010, but we may not have to wait that long to witness some extraordinary global events.

At the Full Moon in Scorpio on April 28, we had an opportunity to let go of whatever needed releasing in preparation for these new circumstances. For some, the letting go may not have been voluntary. If something was taken from you then, the New Moon is your door to a new beginning.

Venus, ruler of this New Moon, is at 22°47′ Gemini, in a wide mutable T-square with Saturn, Uranus, and Jupiter. The mutable signs — Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces — are highly changeable, and swift change is what we can expect. This is a great time to initiate changes, but they may happen with or without any deliberate action on your part.

Pluto also is in a wide square with Saturn, Uranus, and Jupiter in this chart, and that gives the appearance of a grand cross. However, with Pluto in the cardinal sign of Capricorn and the others in mutable signs, it’s technically not a cardinal grand cross. It’s a sort of “hybrid grand cross,” and perhaps that’s key to understanding events around this lunation. It’s a setup to events this summer, some quick rearranging before the big move.

One reason I think we’ll see some very fast action in the next week is that Mercury will return direct on Tuesday, two days before the New Moon, and he’s in mutual reception with Venus. Energy that got blocked at the last New Moon may suddenly kick in.

The Sabian Symbol** for this New Moon is a mounted Indian with scalp locks, with the keyword COMMAND. This may seem like a violent image for peace-loving Taurus, but it isn’t about conquest. Rather, it’s about recognizing the genius of our “enemies” and acquiring it for our own benefit — acquisition being a very Taurus trait. Put another way, imagine if we were in Iraq not for the oil but for the ancient wisdom and knowledge of one of the oldest civilizations on Earth. Incidentally, that is where astrology originated.

Inherent in this symbol is the concept of working with nature to fulfill our highest potential. Our physical bodies are our connection with the material world, and our senses can guide us toward our highest goals and aspirations if we use them to their fullest advantage. We can’t be fully present in the moment without them.

Keep those antennae up, and enjoy the ride!

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

[Note: The New Moon falls on May 14 in the Eastern Hemisphere.]

** From The Sabian Symbols in Astrology, by Dr. Marc Edmond Jones. The author, an astrologer, channeled this work in the early 1920s. There’s one symbol one for each degree of the zodiac, and we can use them to gain insight into charts.

New Moon in Aries, April 14, 2010

New Moon, a sea change. © Algol/Dreamstime.com

Although the astrological year officially begins with the Sun’s entrance into Aries, the New Moon in Aries on April 14 is in many ways a much more powerful new beginning.

Just as the Full Moon on March 29 marked the midpoint between lunar eclipses, this New Moon marks the halfway point between the solar eclipse in Capricorn on January 14 and the upcoming solar eclipse in Cancer on July 11. What’s more, we’re now halfway through the Capricorn-Cancer eclipse series, and that means we’re beginning to see real signs of change in one or more areas of our lives. If you’re in doubt how these eclipses are playing out for you, you’ll know for sure as of this New Moon.

At 24°27″ Aries, the Sun and Moon are at the base of a Yod with Saturn at the apex. Neptune and Chiron conjunct in Aquarius form the other leg of the base. Saturn is retrograde and recently returned to Virgo. One possible effect of this configuration that comes immediately to mind is that the new healthcare program in the United States will be under intense scrutiny as the country struggles to make the required changes. There will be more political fallout for the Obama administration and the Democrats, too.

In our individual lives, healing processes that we’ve been going through for the past couple of years with Neptune conjunct Chiron finally are producing some practical results. For many of us, the healing has been internal, and this has had a significant, long-term impact on our external reality. It’s not just thoughts that become things. Feelings do, too. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself in a completely new reality within the next couple of weeks.

The base of the Yod is bisected by Jupiter and Uranus, which are approaching conjunction just as the planet of surprises and rebellion is about to make another opposition to Saturn. Jupiter does everything big, so you can pretty much count on a change that is sudden, totally out of the blue, and huge. It likely will be a big wham rather than arriving gradually, in a series of smaller developments. If there is political rebellion in this country or, for that matter, anywhere in the world, it will be explosive.

Mars, ruler of this New Moon, is in a wide, out-of-sign trine with Uranus, fueling rebellion and individual freedom. However, he’s inconjunct Pluto, suggesting an eventual backlash against any populist or rebel movements that crop up now.

Pluto also is at the apex of a T-square with Saturn and Uranus, but it’s no longer the cardinal T-square we’ve been reading so much about, and Pluto is retrograde for the next several months. For the moment, competing world powers are stepping apart from direct conflict and thinking about how to plan their next move. In our personal lives, we should get some temporary relief from any pressures corresponding to the Saturn-Pluto square. Again, what those are depends on your individual birth chart.

Ceres, meanwhile, is moving toward conjunction with Pluto, which I think is going to turn out to be a big deal. Remember, in mythology, Demeter (the Greek version of Roman Ceres) was one of the only gods who was able to change the rules of the underworld. She did this by using her own power, which was the capacity to destroy the planet if Hades and Zeus didn’t do her bidding. They had to take her seriously, or they wouldn’t have had a kingdom to rule. Something may happen very soon that sends a clear message that our economic structure will have to change, or we risk completely destroying our planetary ecosystems.

The Sabian Symbol** for the Sun and Moon at 24°27′ Aries is a double promise, with the keyword SENSIBILITY. I love this symbol, because it embodies what I’ve been writing all along about what it means to be spiritual. We are gaining conscious awareness of how the unseen energies in our universe flow through us. Our lives are the expression of these higher forces. We are their “works of art.”

The next step will be learning how to use these energies appropriately, for the benefit of all of humanity and the planet itself. The “double promise” is expanded consciousness plus the new ways of being that will be possible as a result.

These are wildly changing times. Do your best to keep your nerve.

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

UPDATE: You can read more about the New Moon in this week’s forecast.

** From The Sabian Symbols in Astrology, by Dr. Marc Edmond Jones. The author, an astrologer, channeled this work in the early 1920s. There’s one symbol one for each degree of the zodiac, and we can use them to gain insight into charts.

New Moon in Pisces, March 15, 2010

The New Moon at 25°10′ Pisces on March 15 is a critical moment to focus on doing what is necessary to bring old ways of thinking and being to closure before stepping forward onto a new path.

The Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Jupiter and Uranus are all in the last sign of the zodiac. Neptune, ruler of Pisces, is closely semi-sextile Mercury and Uranus, adding its subtle and compassionate influence. The period between this New Moon and the New Moon in Aries on April 14 is an excellent time to get serious about our internal and external housecleaning.

The Sabian symbol for this lunation dovetails in an amazing way, because it includes the image of a New Moon: “Watching the very thin moon crescent appearing at sunset, different people realize that the time has come to go ahead with their different projects; a keen appreciation of the value of individualized responses to any challenge of life.”

This symbol obviously underscores and amplifies the usual New Moon timing for launching new projects in a significant way. However, it would appear we also need to recognize the possibility that we may need to strike out on our own or with new partners.

The Mercury-Uranus conjunction in Pisces is the ultimate tool for helping us come up with a new way of looking at the baggage most of us are still lugging around, holding us back from achieving our full potential as human beings with open hearts and souls. Pisces is naturally inclined to view life in an inclusive manner, and we desperately need help to do this in today’s polarized atmosphere. I am a firm believer in always looking for solutions that benefit the greatest number of people rather than those that pit “us” against “them.”

Saturn is still in Libra, but it is also moving closer to returning to Virgo and the next opposition to Uranus in Pisces, which will be exact on April 26. Between this strengthening opposition and the ongoing square to Pluto in Capricorn – and the fact Saturn is still in Libra – it is likely to be our one-on-one relationships feeling the most pressure. If there are already stress fractures and it is time to let go of the relationship, you may find the courage to move on at this time.

Mars is finally direct in Leo — a day some of us Mars-ruled types thought would never get here! Aided by the sextile to Saturn in Libra, Mars can get cracking on the backlog of projects put on hold last December. Saturn’s influence will help him steer a steady course forward, step by step. Impatient people will be frustrated by the pace, but please hang in there, as Mars will eventually get back up to speed.

Jupiter’s conjunction with Venus is Pisces on the New Moon in Aquarius has now become a far less exciting semi-sextile between Jupiter in Pisces and Venus in Aries. The bloom is off those red-hot romances of a month ago, but things still are not looking all that bad. It is important to respect each other’s need for space and keep expectations in check when Venus is in impatient Aries, because she knows where the door is and will use it if pushed.

Please remember the lessons we can learn and apply from compassionate, caring Pisces. We don’t have to agree on every point to treat others with respect and kindness each and every day. It is never a waste of time to seek out commonalities over our differences. Be well, and live each moment fully.

Libra always seeks balanceposted by Diane . . .

Of course, today is the day to write your New Moon abundance checks! Here’s how.

Image: This photo seems to imply possibilities emerging from the mist on the water. Perfect for a New Moon in watery Pisces.

Saturday Extra: New Moon Miscellany

Here is an in-depth look at the Yods in the New Moon chart and the link to information explaining how to write your Abundance Checks on the New Moon. Enjoy!

We have two very important Yods, or Finger of God, patterns in the chart of the New Moon in Aquarius this weekend and I am taking it on myself to attempt to explain them. One has Venus at the apex and the other has Mars at the apex. Both are connected to the uncompromising Saturn in Libra-Pluto in Capricorn square.

Venus Apex Yod

The base of this Yod is a sextile between Mars Rx in Leo and Saturn Rx in Libra. The apex is Venus conjoined Jupiter in Pisces.

Base: Mars in Leo already is toned down from its normally boisterous self by being retrograde and is further contained by Saturn in Libra quietly insisting he behave with a degree of decorum and manners. Airy Libra generally supports and encourages fiery Leo.

Apex: Venus is very well placed in compassionate Pisces and so is Jupiter. If things were left up to this pair we would be happy campers in the romance department, showering our friends, lovers and family with sweetness and light.

Inconjuncts: The catch with Yods is the base signs are inconjunct or quincunx to the apex sign creating a source of constant low level irritation, difficult to reconcile. Both Libra and Leo while generally approving of Pisces (what’s not to like, right?!) have some major differences with it too. Libra likes clearly defined rules to make sure everyone gets their fair share and takes exception to the Pisces tendency to give indiscriminately to all who show up with their hands out. Leo and Pisces share an appreciation for the grand gesture but Leo is also going to make sure everyone knows who made it and Pisces would rather fade into the background.

Mars Apex Yod

The base of this Yod is Venus conjoined Jupiter in Pisces sextile Pluto in Capricorn and the apex is Mars Rx in Leo.

Base: Pluto in Capricorn is the kindly but stern chaperon for the Venus-Jupiter debutante, floating around looking ethereal and lovely. All funny business will be handled with ruthless dispatch so be warned.

Apex: Long suffering Mars in Leo is further constrained and has no choice but to be on his best behavior.

Inconjuncts: Here the base signs are earthy Capricorn and watery Pisces inconjunct fiery Leo. The real party pooper here is Capricorn because while Pisces is generally tolerant of other’s shortcomings, Capricorn is not. Leo showing up with candy and flowers to ask for forgiveness after an indiscretion is likely to be met with a cold, uncompromising stare from Capricorn.

That is why I said this in my post on the New Moon in Aquarius.

“Pre-nuptial agreements will come with the engagement ring, conservative marriage vows will be back with an emphasis on respect, honor and fidelity and being less than honest in any way will be dealt with ruthlessly – all of this played out against the candle lit, rose-colored background created by Venus and Jupiter closely conjoined in romance loving Pisces.”

We need to brush up on our manners and keep in mind behaving well towards others is always a good policy, Valentine’s Day or not.

Of course, today is the day to write your New Moon abundance checks! Here’s how.

Libra always seeks balanceposted by Diane . . .

New Moon in Aquarius, February 13-14, 2010

If there ever was a time to check our expectations and assumptions about love and romance at the door, the New Moon on February 13 is it (February 14 in the Eastern Hemisphere).

The Sabian symbol for this New Moon, at 25°17′ Aquarius, is “a garage man testing a car’s battery with a hydrometer.” This image is very descriptive of what we need to do to find our way through the pitfalls of our expectations of others and how we think our beloved should behave on Valentine’s Day. Is it so hard to simply tell our sweeties what would please us the most?

By communicating our wishes, we can reduce the possibilities of a breakdown considerably due to a dead battery in the romance department. For example, my husband knows I can’t eat chocolate anymore but that I do love flowers, and I know he appreciates a nice card and a homemade Valentine’s gift.

The stellium of the Sun, Moon, Chiron and Neptune in Aquarius closely semi-sextile Uranus in Pisces puts a strong emphasis on all matters related to Aquarius, the eleventh house, the collective, and thinking outside the box. Allies, associates, peer group, and our favorite charities and organizations are the focus now.

This also is a wonderful time to search for original solutions to existing problems or puzzles, and perhaps we will see some innovative ideas emerge in the near future to resolve issues facing us as a whole. That said, don’t forget to double-check your facts before launching your grand crusade for the betterment of humanity, because it is easy to overlook the practicalities under Neptune’s influence.

On the Full Moon at the end of January, Venus and Mars were opposing each other aligned with the Sun and Moon. This time around, Venus has moved into Pisces inconjunct Mars in Leo, and both planets receive extra attention as the apex of two different Yods. Suggesting that there are plenty of pitfalls on the path to true love is an understatement.

Keep in mind that Saturn in Libra is still squaring Pluto in Capricorn. Saturn is sextile Mars with Pluto sextile Venus, creating little to no wiggle room when it comes to commitments. The Saturn-Mars sextile is the base of the Yod, with Venus conjunct Jupiter in Pisces at the apex. Pluto sextile Venus and Jupiter is the base of a second Yod, with Mars retrograde in Leo at the apex. I could go over this in greater astrological detail, but the essence is this: Pre-nuptial agreements will come with the engagement ring, conservative marriage vows will be back with an emphasis on respect, honor and fidelity, and being less than honest in any way will be dealt with ruthlessly – all of this played out against the candle-lit, rose-colored background created by Venus and Jupiter closely conjunct in romance-loving Pisces.

Mercury in Aquarius opposes Mars in Leo and has a role to play, too, because it falls midway between Pluto and Venus. Having Mercury as the release point of a Yod (the point directly opposite the apex) in this case suggests that the best way to handle disagreements and conflict is through very carefully worded communications. Cool, rational Aquarius will help up to a certain point, but since both Leo and Aquarius are fixed signs, if no compromise can be found, it may be wiser to wait and give all parties a chance to cool down.

My suggestions for making this a New Moon Valentine’s Day one to remember happily is to take time to talk over your plans with your sweetheart and listen closely to what they have to tell you. Listening with love, your complete attention and willingness to compromise is recommended for a happy ending.

For those who do not enjoy Valentine’s Day and prefer to ignore it altogether, this New Moon is also an excellent time to launch new projects, especially those benefiting humanity as a whole. Just apply all the above to working with friends and colleagues!

Good luck, and remember always to be kind to those who cross your path.

Libra always seeks balanceposted by Diane . . .

Capricorn New Moon Solar Eclipse, January 14-15, 2010

The New Moon this week is a powerful solar eclipse, so it would be a very good idea to pay close attention to the area of your chart it illuminates. At 25°01′ Capricorn, this lunation will take place late Thursday night in the western United States and on Friday on the East Coast and Europe.

The Sabian symbol for 26 Capricorn, “a nature spirit dancing in the iridescent mist of a waterfall,” is evocative of Venus in Capricorn closely conjoining the Sun and Moon. It reminds us that Capricorn is a feminine earth sign with deep ties to the natural world. This is a subtle beauty, easily overlooked in our fast-paced world.

A lovely sextile from the Sun, Moon, and Venus to Uranus in Pisces can open the doors for creative ventures and inspiration. This is a wonderful time to lay the groundwork for making changes, but keep in mind we are still talking Capricorn here, and be prepared to do your homework and have a workable plan in place.

In addition to the Sun, Moon and Venus, both Mercury and Pluto are in Capricorn square Saturn in Libra, weighing this New Moon heavily to Saturn’s point of view. Forget about taking shortcuts and making excuses, because they will not fly.

Any new enterprise started under the aegis of this lunation needs to be well thought-out and clearly viable. That being said, the period following this New Moon is pretty darn good for laying the groundwork for your next major project. Just be aware as long as Mars is retrograde to allow for a slow unfolding.

Speaking of Mars in Leo, it is sitting this one out, as it makes no major aspects to the other planets. It comes back into play on the Full Moon in Leo on January 29-30, conjoining the Moon!

Venus in Capricorn and Saturn in Libra are in mutual reception, since Venus is Libra’s ruler and Saturn, Capricorn’s. This combination is very supportive for understanding how much plain old practice goes into perfecting any type of creative skill. Writers need to write, painters paint, and musicians practice their chosen instrument in order to shine in the end. Talent is lovely to have, but without the boring practice, practice, practice behind the scenes, all the talent in the world will come to naught.

Pat covered the series of planets changing sign and direction in her weekly forecast for January 11 quite well. I do want to point out that both Mercury and Saturn are retrograde on this lunation, suggesting the pace will continue to be deliberate, so plan accordingly. No speedy resolutions in sight yet!

It is also worth noting the tight semi-sextile between Neptune in Aquarius and the New Moon-Venus stellium in Capricorn. This is a good reminder that we are dealing with influences that will affect the collective in subtle ways. Venus and Neptune both work to soften the sometimes harsh edges of Capricorn, allowing for opportunities to express kindness and compassion for ourselves and others.

This really is an excellent time to learn more about the contribution that well-organized Capricorn types make. If you are heading to job interviews, dress appropriately and please, please resist the urge to show off or oversell yourself. Be scrupulously honest too – anything else is likely to come back and bite you in the backside. Good manners go over well and are never out of style, either.

The feeling of a profound shift taking place continues, and it may well turn out that this particular solar eclipse will mark a major turning point in many of our lives. Please remember to practice kindness and tolerance, as always. Be well.

Libra always seeks balanceposted by Diane . . .
Of course, today is the day to write your New Moon abundance checks! Here’s how.

Image: A photographer for REUTERS in China captured this amazing image of the eclipse on July 22, 2009. The statue is Houyi, a Chinese hero who, according to legend, shot down nine suns with his bow and arrow. The path of the Moon’s shadow began in India and crossed through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and China.

New Moon in Sagittarius, December 16, 2009

Indi's Christmas StockingBy and large, the focus of the New Moon at 24°39′ Sagittarius on December 16 is on the last quadrant of the zodiac, encouraging us to review our place in the collective and consider carefully where we wish to apply our talents and energies for the benefit of all.

The tight sextile between the New Moon and Jupiter, the Archer’s ruler, is almost sure to bring opportunities for increasing our knowledge base, which Sagittarius lives for. Since Jupiter in Aquarius will make his last conjunction with Neptune on December 21, it will be interesting to see what we have learned over this past year about our personal truths and where we have been deluding ourselves.

December 21 is also the solstice and a very important point in the yearly cycle of dark and light. The next week or so is a very good time for contemplating our progress and setting intentions for the next cycle. This solstice is shaping up to be a powerful turning point, with Mars in Leo stationing retrograde the day before. Both Pat and I will be adding more on this subject between now and then.

Adding clarity to this New Moon is the square to Uranus in Pisces. Squares can be very good for delineating differences, and for allowing us to see them and make changes based on that information. Sagittarius is often impatient with Pisces’ fondness for “going with the flow,” because it wants a clear target to shoot for, not Neptune squishiness. Uranus is always pushing us to take the cutting edge option, but it won’t hurt to make sure you are going with the well-tested version, not the beta.

The Saturn in Libra square Pluto in Capricorn is clearly operating in full force, teaching us lessons in how to relate to others and deal with differences in opinion. I am seeing others (and myself) having to choose between compromises or ending a long-standing relationship.

For some reason, this square is calling to our attention the differences between people’s words and their actions. Pluto in Capricorn pretty much demands accountability for our actions as well as the need for honesty. Saturn in Libra is all about getting real in the way we interact with others. Between the two, we either will clean up our act or be shown the door – I do not see much leeway in this. Those with strong Libra signatures in their charts are bound to be the bellwethers for the rest, because if they are seeing these issues in their relationships and taking action, then sooner or later, it will be happening to others.

On a lighter note, Venus in Sagittarius is having the time of her life right now, with Mars in Leo right there ready to escort her to the nearest holiday party. This influence will be fading by Christmas, so all you fire signs out there better make the most of it while you can. Mars going retrograde and Venus moving into Capricorn on December 26 are sure to give us one heck of a hangover.

Mercury is in Capricorn and slowing down to station retrograde on December 26. We still have some time to take care of business correspondence and enjoy the brisk, matter-of-fact way Capricorn handles communications in general. Have you sent out your Christmas cards and letters yet? If not, better get cracking!

For the New Moon, the Sabian symbol is 25 Sagittarius, “A chubby little rich boy rides upon a hobbyhorse.” My sense is that we have opportunities for imaginative play in a protected situation, but it is important to keep in mind a hobbyhorse only goes back and forth in one place. Enjoy the moment, but remember the party always ends.

Please express your gratitude and appreciation for family and friends every day all year round as well as during this holiday season. It is easy to be generous and loving when life is upbeat, but it is critical to do so when times are tough. Be well and be kind to all who cross your path.

Libra always seeks balanceposted by Neith . . .

Of course, today is the day to write your New Moon abundance checks! Here’s how.

Image:  This is a Christmas stocking I cross-stitched for my granddaughter. It took me roughly ten months of working on it almost every evening to complete and is an example of tenacity-patience (Saturn) creating something beautiful (Libra) for a loved one.

New Moon in Scorpio, November 16, 2009

New Moon in Scorpio at sunset. If there was ever a time for figuring out the source of difficulties in our lives, the New Moon at 24° 34′ Scorpio on November 16 is it.

The Sabian symbol for this New Moon is so fitting and descriptive that I am going to lead off with it this time. It is 25 Scorpio, “An X-ray photograph helps with the diagnosis.” How appropriate is that for a New Moon in Scorpio square Neptune in Aquarius and trine Uranus in Pisces? There is little doubt that if we can identify a problem, we are well on the way to resolving it, providing we apply a generous dose of compassion and diligence.

Scorpio’s penetrating vision and willingness to use a scalpel to lance the wounds it finds may not be easy or comfortable, but if we can accept the necessity of doing so, we have an opportunity to really start healing wounds long ignored. There is also little hope of being able to continue to bury our heads in the sand, because our vulnerable backsides are sticking up, just waiting to get kicked. Fortunately Uranus in Pisces trine the New Moon offers new possibilities and solutions to old dilemmas, with a nice measure of empathy thrown in.

Mars, Scorpio’s ruler, forms a square from dramatic Leo to Venus in very private Scorpio. This sets the stage for potential disagreements with friends and lovers, because both of these fixed signs tend to be somewhat possessive with jealousy as a consequence. Scorpio likes to hold their feelings close to the chest, and Leo prefers to make a public display of theirs – not a happy combination. Honesty is by far the best option, because if Scorpio finds out they have been lied to, there will be all hell to pay.

On the subject of honesty in relationships, the Saturn-Pluto square is just one day past making the first of three exact squares (the second one is January 31, 2010 and the third, August 21, 2010). At this time, we have help in the form of Mercury in forthright Sagittarius forming a sextile to Saturn in Libra and a semi-sextile to Pluto in Capricorn. Yes, the words may be blunt and to the point, but if they reflect the truth as each person understands it, progress in resolving our differences can be made. I know I sound like a broken record on the subject of being as honest as possible in our dealings with ourselves and others under this transit, but please, do your best! The rewards will be well worth the pain.

This particular New Moon falls within a degree of my Scorpio Ascendant and I find myself being terser and more focused than usual. Usually my pleasant Libra nature shows more, but with Saturn in Libra sextile my Venus now, my more serious side is coming to the fore these days. That being said, I wholeheartedly recommend taking time to really listen to your friends and loved ones with love, kindness and compassion foremost. These are difficult times for many people, and we need to feel someone really cares about our welfare and well-being.

Blessings and peace to all.

Libra loves beautyposted by Neith . . .

Of course, today is the day to write your New Moon abundance checks! Here’s how.

New Moon in Libra, October 17-18, 2009

New Moon in Libra
The New Moon offers us an opportunity to renew our understanding of the sign it falls in, and this month’s New Moon, at 24°59′ Libra, is no exception.

Libra is noted for being fair-minded, well-mannered, and loaded with charm, thanks to Venus, Libra’s ruling planet. In general, those with a strong Libra presence in their charts are better than most at concealing their cardinal natures behind a smokescreen of reasonability and sweetness. Don’t be fooled, because once all the options have been carefully weighed and a decision has been made, these natives can implement their decisions with ruthless dispatch. We’re talking cardinal air here – the intellect rules, not emotions. That said, you will usually get your “medicine” served up with a generous dose of Venusian sugar.

The New Moon in Libra is closely trine Neptune in Aquarius. While issues before the collective could be dealt with fairly, equitably and compassionately, this also could mean that our ability to get caught up with potential rather than actual is ratcheted up.

I know I have a somewhat jaundiced view of Neptune and am very wary of all the high-minded attributes often attributed to the nebulous one. Nonetheless, it never hurts to do a reality check any time he’s in the room. There is a very good reason most cultures and belief systems have stories or sayings meant to teach the importance of being grounded in reality before taking a leap of faith. One such saying that comes immediately to mind is, “Trust in Allah, but tether your camel first.”

The inconjunct, or quincunx, between Uranus in Pisces and the New Moon in Libra offers us opportunities to be of service in unique ways, if we can get anything done. Libra and Pisces have a very different dialogue than Virgo and Aquarius. At the very least, they are both polite and prefer a non-confrontational approach. The trick here is getting them to come to any conclusions! It can end up with Libra saying “you first” and Pisces saying, “no, you first” ad infinitum! Add in the exact semi-sextile between Uranus and Neptune, and we can end up totally sidetracked – not the most favorable atmosphere for launching new projects.

No discussion of a Libra lunation is complete without seeing what her ruling planet, Venus, is up to. Venus is overjoyed to be back in her home sign of Libra and is further comforted by a lovely sextile to Mars in party loving Leo. But, and it’s a big one, Venus is just recovering from an exact square to Pluto on October 15 and a conjunction with Saturn on October 13.

Jealousy and obsessive behaviors can crop up whenever Pluto aspects Venus. What Venus sees as being mildly flirtatious and just her normal charming self, Pluto can see as potentially threatening to their relationship. Honest, open dialogue can help head off problems with an emphasis on honest – Pluto is exceeding good at nuance and detecting lies.

While Saturn is great for being responsible and dependable, he doesn’t do romantic worth a darn. Since Venus is pulling away from the dour one quickly, this will soon feel like a bad dream and she can enjoy life for awhile anyway. When Saturn moves into Libra, everyone is going to be reminded about the importance of responsible, dependable behaviors in their relationships. Pat and I will be writing more about this big change soon.

The waxing trine from Mercury in Libra to Jupiter in Aquarius makes it easy to come up with ideas designed to benefit the collective as well as take an upbeat approach to problem-solving. Between now and October 20 is the best time to take advantage of this energy.

Ceres, mistress of cycles and seasons, is now in Scorpio and sextile Pluto in Capricorn. Add in the Sabian symbol for 25 Libra, “The sight of an autumn leaf brings to a pilgrim the sudden revelation of the mystery of life and death,” and we have a potent reminder to pay attention to endings, beginnings and all cycles of death and rebirth. The leaves fall to the earth, rotting over winter to provide nutrients in the spring, when the sap rises for the tree to bloom anew. In our own lives, we need to pay attention and release what we have outgrown, to make way for something new. If we don’t, we take the risk of having Pluto rip it away . . . and don’t think he won’t.

In honor of Libra season, please take a moment to say “please” and “thank you,” the more heartfelt the better. Expressions of appreciation never go out of style, and seeing another’s face light up when receiving those is a reward in and of itself.

Libra loves beautyposted by Neith . . .

Of course, today is the day to write your New Moon abundance checks! Here’s how.

** Neith is still not accepting new clients and is not sure when she will be able to, thanks to Uranus transits. **

Image: A lovely crescent moon rising behind the trees. Photo by Pat Paquette, all rights reserved.

New Moon in Virgo, September 18, 2009

Virgo by Susan Seddon-BouletI doubt if there are many people who follow astrology who are unaware that Friday’s New Moon at 25°59′ Virgo conjoins the Saturn end of the Saturn-Uranus opposition in Virgo-Pisces. This opposition, exact this week, gives extra weight to this lunation.

Because Mercury, Virgo’s ruler, is part of the Virgo stellium, it would appear to tilt the seesaw in Virgo’s favor over Uranus in Pisces, the sole body on the other end of the opposition. While I’m not entirely sure Uranus is not an even match, I do believe it is an opportunity to look more deeply into the sixth house-twelfth house theme of service.

We are more familiar with the idea of serving others, but often pay less attention to the importance of serving ourselves. Both Virgo and Pisces tend to devote time and energy seeing to the health and well-being of their loved ones, their co-workers, and humanity in general. However, both are also inclined to neglect their personal lives in favor of those others.

As someone with Virgo on the Midheaven, I have experienced numerous occasions when the demands of my job and my family took precedence over my own needs — so much so that I frequently run myself into the ground and am forced to take considerable downtime to recover. The lesson of this New Moon is to remember to regularly take time solely for ourselves so we can return to the fray, ready for action.

An opposition can promote polarization or it can provide the means to see what is out of balance. This New Moon is not only flanked by Mercury but by Pallas as well. Pallas in Virgo offers a dispassionate clarity of vision so essential for cutting through the rhetoric to the core issues. It is more than past time to stop looking at our differences and to see our commonalities. Both signs on either end of this opposition are concerned with healing and will be more than happy to support efforts in that direction.

Just in case all a person wants to do is offer lip service instead of a real commitment to healing breaches, please recall Pluto in Capricorn is closely square Mercury right now and is capable of enforcing the need for honesty and integrity. All we have to do is read the headlines to see examples of people in positions of authority caught out of bounds. Keep in mind also that Pluto is going to be in Capricorn for many years to come . . . this is just the beginning!

Neptune in Aquarius currently is enjoying one last romantic dance with Venus in Leo before she leaves the ball and moves into the calm of Virgo on September 19. This is a signal the party is about over and it’s time to get ready to go back to work once more.

The inconjunct, or quincunx, between the Virgo stellium and Neptune in Aquarius is an uneasy association, because Virgo never quite believes that all of those lofty ideals Aquarius promotes can ever be penciled out. This one works far better if those ideas inspired by the mutual reception of Neptune and Uranus can be turned over to the worker bees represented by the Virgo stellium. Just stand back and let them do their job, because they are very good at it.

For the New Moon, the Sabian symbol is 26 Virgo, “A boy with a censer serves near the priest at the altar.” Genuine humility is often associated with Virgo, and Taurus Harry S. Truman said it best: It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit. This is an attitude I can wholeheartedly support, because we need a whole bunch of quality Indians to offset the superfluity of chiefs.

It is easy to get caught up in hype and drama now, making it all the more important to maintain the rhythm of our daily lives with grace and dignity. It is highly unlikely the sky will fall tomorrow, but if we have done our best to live each day to the fullest, it won’t matter. Virgo is a sign devoted to minding their own business, and this is a great time to do the same ourselves. Remember to treat others with care, patience and kindness, now and always.

Libra seeks balanceposted by Neith . . .

Of course, today is the day to write your New Moon abundance checks! Here’s how.

Image: This image is of a painting by Susan Seddon-Boulet, 1941-1997.