The New Moon in Sagittarius is attended by an elegant array of planetary aspects. Mercury stations direct shortly before, leaving only Uranus in backward motion, after a succession of retrogrades over the last several months. Sagittarius is the archetype of the Seeker who becomes the Sage, and governs the realms of travel and learning. The preceding period of retrogrades ushered in review of how we act upon our desires, find balance in relationship, and train our thoughts. Nestled together in the center of the sign, this New Moon is the chance to bring into better focus the vision that guides our journey.
Jupiter, ruler of Sagittarius, auspiciously accompanies the Sun and Moon in the sign. It is a joyous homecoming to his archetypal abode for the first time in 12 years. The natural exuberance of Jupiter finds easy expression in this sign. Jupiter here stimulates our adventurous spirit, and bolsters our confidence to disembark from our routines and set a new course. Jupiter illuminates our opportunities through the radiant power of optimism. Associated with the mental realm and vision, Jupiter in Sagittarius teaches the wisdom of taking a broader perspective.
These beneficial influences are immediately challenged by a square to Mars, the planet of conflict. Mars himself is conjunct Neptune in Pisces. The focused and fiery planet, Mars, is not comfortable in the wondrous and watery realm of Pisces. The diffuse nature of Neptune can drain Mars’s motivation, which can result in a downward spiral of self-defeating attitude. However, Neptune in Pisces is a strong channel for Spirit, and when properly partnered, these two planets together can serve to incubate inspired action, fueled by a limitless source.
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Meanwhile, Mercury in Scorpio forms a Grand Water Trine with Chiron in Pisces and the North Node in Cancer. Like Jupiter, the archetype of Chiron is that of the teacher, and like Sagittarius, the mythological Chiron is a centaur. The symbol, half horse and half human, shows the power of uniting the primal force of our animal nature with the boundless potential our aspirations. However, while Jupiter inflates our confidence, Chiron checks our hubris. The wisdom of the teacher is born of experience, and this combination of aspects illuminates the strength of humility. By confronting challenges to our preconceived notions, we force ourselves to face our own discomforts. It is precisely this impetus that pushes us past our old boundaries to explore new frontiers.
This new moon, embody the energy of Jupiter, and expand your horizons. This is a wonderful time to commit to learning something new, traveling to that long-dreamt of foreign destination, and expressing your generosity within your community. As you traverse unknown terrains, overcome reticence by honoring your ambitions with action. Sagittarius, the Archer, encourages us to aim high--after all, the more you give, the more you get.
SCORPIO NEW MOON: Wishing Well
This month the Sun and Moon conjoin in the heart of Scorpio. The sign of Scorpio has been a celestial center stage recently, with the Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter transiting the sign. Scorpio is also host to two current retrograde cycles--Mercury who will move back into the sign as he retrogrades from his current abode in Sagittarius, and Venus, currently in Libra, who will retrace her steps through the sign after she turns direct.
Marianne Williamson famously said, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” This quote speaks to the nature of Scorpio. The sign of Scorpio rules death, sex, and shared resources. These subjects are rife with the dynamics of power and are potential tools for manipulation. It is no wonder this sign carries a loaded social stigma! Ruled by Mars, the planet of raw energy, and Pluto, the planet of transformation, when properly focused, Scorpio is indomitable. This archetype connects us to our primal urges, our sexual vitality, and our subconscious desires. It serves to remind us of the mandate of our incarnation. It contains the remnants of the rituals of socialization that existed before the pressure of civilization coerced the individual to keep a lid on their creative cauldron.
The energy of Scorpio plunges us into the depths of our self-identity as social interactions challenge our commitment to our values. It is in the proper channeling of the power of our personal energy that we discover our magic. Magic is earthly art, a manipulation of the material realm. Magic involves harnessing one’s personal will power to engage with the natural forces that conspire to create form. Being of the incarnate realm, magic is bound by the laws of cause and effect, and requires self-mastery to avoid its pitfalls.
Thus we encounter the secretive quality of Scorpio. In many ways, the magic of Scorpio was forced into hiding, as social expectations shifted and turned towards subjugating the power of the felt-sense in favor of logic. In other ways, this hidden nature is a chosen condition. All matter is energy, and energy is characterized by its vibration. For human beings, sound is the most direct way to manipulate energy. For this reason, Scorpio’s power is in its silence, for Scorpio understands to speak idle thoughts is to dilute the magical power inherent in one’s voice. Being ruled by assertive Mars, Scorpio favors direct action, but is not of an impulsive nature like the Fire sign Aries, the other sign ruled by Mars. As the Fixed Water sign, Scorpio instead pools its strength, and like its symbol the Scorpion, waits for the right moment to strike.
The Water element is particularly strong this new moon, and we may find ourselves sinking deep into our own inner well with the darkening of the Moon. A Grand Water Trine has been uniting the latter degrees of the three water signs in harmonious connection--Chiron in Pisces, Jupiter in Scorpio, and the North Node which has recently entered Cancer. This arrangement reveals connections of deep wounds (Chiron), faith (Jupiter), and destiny (North Node). Meanwhile, the new moon itself makes a trine to Neptune, the mythological ruler of the sea, in the oceanic sign of Pisces. The modern ruler of Pisces, Neptune connects us to the Cosmic Heart of our spiritual source. As the traditional ruler of Pisces, Jupiter imparts the optimistic nature of faith. The day following the new moon, the Moon meets Jupiter on the threshold of Sagittarius, making the new moon the last major astrological event in which Jupiter remains in Scorpio.
This new moon, examine the balance of power in your relationships. What relationships, emotional, financial or otherwise, drain your energy and deplete your magic? Conversely, what fills your well? Consider what debts need to be repaid, and what your investments have yielded. Don’t be afraid to cut your losses. Even when we find ourselves on the losing end of a bargain, we may still find value in the lesson of the experience. Before he leaves the sign, take this new moon to channel the optimism of Jupiter, and carry with you the faith that in every death is a rebirth. Your power is beyond measure. Tap the deep well of your heart-space, be honest about your desires, and speak your wish.
LIBRA NEW MOON: Art and Heart
The Moon and Sun meet in the sign of Libra today. Libra is ruled by Venus, known mythologically as the goddess of beauty, pleasure, and prosperity. Like Taurus, also ruled by Venus, Libra prefers comfort over austerity. However, while the Earth sign Taurus revels in personal sensual delights, Libra has a more social focus. As an Air sign, the element emphasizing the mental sphere, Libra seeks the Ideal in all situations, and elevates Art as a sacred expression of the human heart.
Symbolized by the Scales, Libra aims for balance. Diplomacy is one of Libra’s key strengths. Air signs have a special skill for communication, and where others may find conflict in opposing views, the healthy Libra energy encourages compromise. While the undeveloped Libra may retreat from conflict, the mature Libra understands there lies something greater beyond the two viewpoints for which to strive. Libra endeavors to honor each person’s individual experience, and connect them into a greater whole, to achieve Harmony.
The orchestra requires many unique instruments to create its symphony of sound. The painter requires many hues to draw its richness upon the canvas. Likewise, the tapestry of humanity requires many individual threads to weave its wonders. The Ideal of Harmony is born of unity, not uniformity. In attaining the proper balance between different elements, we transcend the mundane and enter the realm of magic, where form becomes malleable. Thus, Libra aligns the concept of perfection perceived by the preceding sign of Virgo with the universality of archetypal understanding, transporting us towards the alchemical sorcery that is the secret of Scorpio.