Monthly Astro Forecast; New Moon in Virgo
The new moon in Virgo is about walking the talk and creating tangible change. Life has become one long process of refining and adapting as we all adjust to the ever changing "new normal". This new moon grounds us in our own reality, whatever form that takes right now. What are we bringing into being and how exactly are we going to make it work? Virgo reminds us of the everyday magics, the ways we can bring moments of mindfulness and connection into our day, truly living in the moment and making the best of all that we have.
The new moon is trine Saturn in Capricorn, suggesting both focus and duty, our duty to the collective good. We live in a world (here in the "west" at least) which puts so much emphasis on the individual that some say that doing what they are asked to do for the collective good is an infringement of their civil rights - as if they as an individual are all that matters. But what about all the other individuals who are the only things that matter too? The many lessons the pandemic has brought us remind us that we are all connected, that we need to see beyond our individual concerns. For many, the pandemic has brought a renewed focus on community work and new ways to give service. I was just reading this morning that where I live, mutual aid groups are planning a long term food co-operative. This is the work of Virgo, looking at what needs doing and taking practical steps to create tangible change. It might be difficult to reconcile the ideal and the reality - the new moon is also sesquiquadrate Uranus in Taurus, challenging us to express our truth clearly. With Virgo, the power is in the doing, the taking of small steps, the figuring it out as you go along. Virgo combines thinking and doing, an earth sign ruled by Mercury, mental energy manifesting on the physical plane. Duty is not a chore, it's a gift - an opportunity to use our skills in the service of others, to build community, to connect with our sense of purpose, to be - dare I say it?! - a useful member of society. The new moon is also square to the Nodal axis, challenging us to find new ways of being, to reach for something more fulfilling rather than settling for what we've always had.
22nd September brings the Equinox when the Sun moves into Libra and we look up from our useful work to consider the people around us. Sun in Libra shines a light on our relationships, with all of the world around us, not just the human people. Once again we are reminded that it's not just about us, that it's about what we give as well as what we take. The Libran ideal is a world built on reciprocity instead of individual self interest.
The planets in Capricorn are also shifting through this lunation. Jupiter has already turned direct (on September 12th), Saturn will station direct on 29th September and Pluto on 4th October. We've been in retrograde limbo for so long, perhaps the heaviness might abate a little or at least we can put it to good use. Have you noticed how much of this post, of all my posts for months and months, are about work? 2020 is a year of Doing the Work, doing the hard thing, summoning up all of our persistence and determination to survive and if we possibly can to thrive. The Virgo new moon is yet another reminder of this but Virgo brings that much needed flexibility and adaptability, rather than the caution and convention which is the public face of Capricorn. We are also taken deeper, asked to reconcile reason and emotion, when Mercury moves into Scorpio on September 27th, turning retrograde in that sign on October 14th. The retrograde liminality isn't over yet...