New Moon in Virgo

22 Aug

Written By

Dear Friends

The Sun enters the sign of Virgo today, and tomorrow morning we have a new moon (23rd Aug, 7.08am, UK time) in the first degree of this mutable earth sign, whose image is that of the Harvest Goddess, who bears a sheaf of wheat in her hand. So often misrepresented as a nit-picking critic, or servile administrator, Virgo connects us to the fecund earth and her bountiful gifts, and she is the true alchemist of the Zodiac. As the only ‘unchained’ female figure among the constellations, she is the representative of sovereign female authority in the heavens. A new moon is a time to sow the seed of intention for the month ahead and, as we shall see, the astrological energy in today’s chart is likely to stretch us beyond what is comfortable; so we would do well to hold in mind this image of Virgo as signifier of the embodied wisdom of the Divine Feminine, and let her be our guide, as we set our course for this next lunar phase.

This New Moon Has Some Strong Aspects!

Today’s new moon has some potent planetary aspects associated with it. The Sun and Moon are making an exact square aspect with Uranus in Gemini, which will characterise this next lunar cycle as one of accelerated change and the adoption of more radical perspectives that shake us out of our complacency and provoke a new course of action. Virgo calls for mindful attention to detail, which can involve making seemingly small adjustments to rhythms and routines, but these can have big implications, especially under the energy of a square aspect to Uranus.

The Sun/moon conjunction is also marking the point of a ‘yod’ aspect, making an inconjunct (150˚) aspect to the Saturn & Neptune conjunction in Aries, and another inconjunct aspect to Pluto in Aquarius. The yod is sometimes called the ‘finger of fate’ and it stretches us to take on a type of awareness or understanding that is outside of our comfort zone, and beyond our immediate control: as if a force of destiny greater than ourselves is at play. Adjusting to and integrating these powerful outer planetary forces can be very challenging. It forces to look at aspects of our shadow that we might not have paid much attention to, and we may have to surrender control in ways that are unfamiliar, whilst at the same time, claiming a greater sovereignty in situations where we might previously have abandoned responsibility.

It is a complex picture. Virgo has an uncomfortable relationship with both Aries and Aquarius. They tend to misunderstand each other, yet their relationship can also be a source of fascination and wonder. Aries and Aquarius each have a very different perspective on life to Virgo, being inconjunct, and when planets line up in this way, we must take the road less travelled to trying and integrate very different ways of perceiving the world. A yod presents a wonderful learning opportunity if we are open to it.

So it’s not exactly a comfortable planetary energy accompanying this new moon, but it is certainly compelling and we should expect the unexpected, to be challenged, to be stretched, to be prepared to expand our capacity for growth and wisdom.

Discernment & Embodied Wisdom

As we make that seasonal shift from Leo to Virgo, our task is to harvest the golden gifts of our creative life, and find useful ways to distil its essence in ways that can feed and sustain our body and soul. The Virgo energy of this new moon invites us to consider certain important choices that we must make in our lives now. It is all about timing and adjustment with Virgo, it’s about mindfulness and discernment. Virgo is ruled by Mercury, but unlike Gemini which privileges intellect, wit and language, Virgo carries an embodied intelligence borne of everyday observance, practice and attunement to subtle changes in the rhythms of the earth and the body. This also implicates our work, and how we attend to what we do on a daily basis; to offer our work up in service to love and truth, rather than it simply being a toil, or as a means to an end. As Virgo rules the intestinal tract, it is also an opportune moment to assess what we are taking in to our bodies, as nourishment, and as medicine. This new moon is therefore also a good time to address the question of diet and nutirition, to set an intention to eliminate toxins, and to purify and make sacred our physical vessel.

My Virgo Mantra

“I discern what is essential to my well-being, and it becomes my practice.”

New moon blessings to all.

John

Website: www.kairosastrology.co.uk