Many apologies that this is tardy.  I tried to load it earlier today before New Moon and had problems..alas Mercury is retrograde, isn't it?

 

Virgo New Moon 2009

 

By Tracy Cook

Many years ago I studied lunar phases with Robert Buz Myers.  It is my hope that he would be proud of my work today.  Blessings to you, Buz! 

 

What is a New Moon?

 

A new moon is when the moon is between the sun and the earth and the illuminated part of the moon is very small.  Technically, when you look up in the sky you only see a small, skinny section of moon.       

 

And the not so technical point of view?

 

Well, similar to farmers and indigenous people, who have used the different phases of the moon for eons, Astrologers also utilize the different phases of the moon.  Certainly on the New we know it is time to plant seeds.  But the other seven phases are equally important.

 

 

Where should my focus be during this next 28-day cycle?

When we draft a chart for the new moon we can get a sense of the energy that will be up for processing for the next 28 days. 

 

Okay what is this cycle?

This is THE lunar cycle to fix what is broken.  Really, now you can do it.  I’m not kidding.

 

 

 

Virgo New Moon

September 18, 2009 2:44pm (EDT)

25 Virgo 59

 

Sabian Symbol:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Sabian-Symbols-Astrology-Symbol-Explained/dp/094335840X

 

“The key word is Rapture. When positive, the degree is a completeness of self dedication and an achievement grounded in a consisten worthiness of living and when negative, empty motions in order to avoid any self expenditure.”

 

 

Fly Virgin!

 

Virgo is the sign of “The Virgin”, a word that usually conjures up visions of giggling girls in diaphanous gowns skipping along the roads of Rome with nary a difficult thought in their head except, of course, how to ignore the advances of lecherous men.  Sure, why not visualize that, after all, that’s the way they play it on TV, right?   The problem is THAT is not the type of Virgin we should think of when we think “Virgo”.   More to the point would be Vesta and her Vestal Virgins.  Bear with me for a small history lesson. 

 

Ancient Rome honored Vesta, the Goddess of The Hearth with a dedicated work force of highly coveted priestesses.  These Vestal Virgins were girls originally from upper class families but later from any freeborn family.  They were eligible to become Vestals if they had living parents and no bodily imperfections (How Virgo!). In exchange for a commitment of thirty years (ten in training, ten in service, and ten training others) and a vow of chastity, Vestals were emancipated, and so, free to administer their own affairs without a guardian.  For their service they were given honor, the right to make a will (unheard of for women) and luxurious accommodations at state expense.

 

Their primary job was keeping the all important flame alive at the shrine of Vesta. By doing this they allowed families including the royal to have use of fire.  This was a twenty four seven, three hundred sixty five job.  No time for silly husbands or lovers, there was a flame that needed tending! And if that flame was extinguished there was a vestal virgin who could be out on her duff. “Out” being code for Dead.  Usually buried alive or whipped.  Ouch.  

 

Naturally these gals were hard working and disciplined, they were also the only female priests in Rome’s religion.  The Vestal Virgins had more respect than almost any woman in the empire and they even got good seats at the Theater.  (“Two seats for Lion King--orchestra pit, please”) Clearly their work was important but it was also their dedication to their work that was honored.  “To serve” was respected in the community.

 

And that, my friends is the image you need to hold for the next twenty eight days.  We all need to be Vestal Virgins! 

 

I am sure you are saying, “Why now on this moon do I have to be a Vestal Virgin?” 

 

Besides the fact that The Temple of Vesta was my favorite sight in Rome, actually that’s not true, the cats around the Coliseum were pretty charming—--alas, I drift, the reason why we need to be like Vestal Virgins on this Virgo Moon (versus other Virgo moons) is because this New Moon has a Sun, Moon, Mercury and Saturn all in conjunction in Virgo.  Which means that they are right on top of each other.  One can’t make a move without dragging along the other three.  Added to the mix is that this cluster of Virgo planets is in a tight opposition to Uranus in Pisces.  Talk about dedicated to serve!  The question is “Who are you serving?”  And “who is serving you?”

 

 

Serve or be served

 

Going over this cluster let us remind ourselves of the four important planetary energies.  In the grouping we have Saturn who is a taskmaster and a CEO.  He walks in, accesses the situation and then puts everyone on a tight regiment. For the next twenty eight days, we will become our own boss our own CEO. We will assess the situation that is our life and then we will hire ourselves to fix it! 

 

Saturn is no nonsense and it is interesting that as Saturn is about to end its two year stay in Virgo it gets the final gift of a Nice New Moon on top of him.  

 

Remember this new moon could have happened at any of the thirty degrees that make up a sign. But this New Moon is EXACTLY on top of the Sun and Moon at the 25^th degree of Virgo—Right where Saturn is now.  If I believed in coincidences I would say, “Wow, that’s a coincidence” but I don’t believe in them and instead I say, “Wow, what a gift from the Universe for us to stop ‘ffing around.” 

 

Also any OCD behaviors (Virgo tendency) will be tempered because that is just crazy thinking and Saturn might be strict and tough but he is not into crazy thinking.  What a gift to have the new Moon right on top of him as a final act before he treks out of Virgo and into Libra(October). Don’t waste this great opportunity to really fix your life.  But remember, you do it in bits and pieces.  Don’t look at the whole mountain of work, just start moving the rocks bit by bit. That is the way it works in Virgo.  Even the Vestals broke up their work in increments.

 

One thing and I implore you, if diet is a problem—FIX it on this moon.  For gawdsake, call nutrisystem, call jenny craig, go into the gym and set an appointment, clear the junk food out of your cupboards, join e-diets, I don’t care what you do but don’t waste this New MOON and Lunar Cycle---Start the diet and exercise now.  

 

Because Virgo rules daily activities, it also rules health and hygiene.  So when I say, “sick of the mess.” I mean it figuratively and literally.  What kind of crap is going on in your life and how is it making you sick?  Since September 2007, when Saturn entered Virgo we have become aware of the messier areas of our life. (Of course if you know your chart you can look at the house that has Virgo for more insight) Now, the Sun likes to inspire and energize and the Moon likes to emote and feel.   I promise you, this is the New Moon to finally deal with stuff that has needed to be fix that you have known about since 2007.  The Sun and the Moon will be cheering you on via inspiration and emotions and they have Saturn there to help.  Nothing like a guy with a whip to make things clear!  (Remember the Vestals)

 

And finally there is Mercury in the group.  He is a bit wonky since he is in retrograde but he is still has an influence on the lunar cycle.

 

Do you remember when you were a kid and you did something wrong and you gave some lame answer and your parents said, “You should have known better.”   That usually was the conversation stopper wasn’t it?—--because they were right—you should have known better!

 

Well, that is Mercury conjunct Sun, Moon and Saturn in Virgo.  No matter how much we tell ourselves excuses, the Sun, Moon and Saturn will say to us, “yes, but you should have known better.”  Mercury is our thoughts and brains and our way that we communicate. Virgo is precise and dutiful.  And again, because Virgo is the sign of daily activity (remember the Vestals) watch your words!  “I’m so fat”, “I hate my kid, husband, wife, boss, mother, sister….”  You keep affirming it and the universe will give you more reasons for you to hate them.  

 

For the next twenty eight days take the gift of this stellium (multiple planet conjunction) and if you are NOT fixing the problem then you CAN NOT talk about it.  You may ask for advice and you can do strategic thinking, Saturn in Virgo loves that. But if you are just complaining about the same old crap over and over again you will be wasting this moon and missing the gift of solutions.  Again, the Vestals were not talking about keeping the flame alive ---THEY were doing the work!!!

 

And then there is Uranus

 

We already got it that the Universe was very generous by giving us this Virgo New Moon on top of Saturn and Mercury. Great.  But get this, and I say this with the knowledge that you will get it----not only are those four planets right on top of each other in Virgo they are exactly opposite Uranus in Pisces!  What another perfect gift from the Universe.  Of course, it is like (and sorry to beat the same drum) a surprise gift of a great Ralph Loren suit--one size too small.  Argh!!! I got make it work!!!! 

 

As I have mentioned numerous times we right now are experiencing an aspect that only happens about every forty years which is an opposition between Saturn and Uranus. The last time we had this was in the late 60’s.  Some of you remember it and some of you have studied it but the images of people in the street demanding change is burned in our mind—it defined The Era.  We are under the general influence of these two planets digging in, causing a bit of chaos but at the same time demanding structure.    The first time they opposed each other was November 2008 (Election day) then they touched again in Feb then again three days ago just before this New Moon.  So, as you can imagine this New Moon is full of chaotic energy that needs solutions.

 

I don’t know about you but I had an intense week.  Yes, the aspect happened on a balsamic moon, so there was some release to it, but still I could feel it.  The key to this tension between Saturn and Uranus is figuring out what is worth holding onto and what needs to be released. Are you driving yourself crazy trying to maintain something that is not worth it any longer?  Perhaps you are doing it and don’t know it.  Well,look for stuff to come up during these twenty eight days that will shine on what you have to shift.  And also, if you are trying to fix something that ain’t broken—this will be the lunar cycle for you to knock that off!  

 

I promise you that there are areas in everyone’s life that need changes.  I am not saying that in some waxing philosophical manner like I’m sitting in a café along the Arno sipping wine.  I am saying it like a foot soldier in a long battle.  YOU CAN NOT have Uranus oppose Saturn without instigating change in individuals and groups.  It is happening for a greater reason.  Now having read all this do you really get why Health Care Reform is THE conversation of Uranus in Pisces oppose Saturn in Virgo?  Of course it is. 

 

But let’s not get too far out there, back in your backyard there will be stuff that comes up during this lunar cycle that demands a shift from you.  It will at first seem unusual (Uranus) and you will have to release (Pisces) and then use your skills (Virgo) to rebuild (Saturn).  Remember we have been feeling this for some time so you must have ideas where it is in your life.

 

I can tell you that this opposition is occurring in my sixth and twelfth house.  Oh, my god, I have been pushed in the most unusual (Uranus) ways to be of service (sixth house) especially charitable (twelfth house) in nature. I have received plenty an email (Uranus) informing me that someone was behaving unethical by lying (Pisces) and then I would have to fix it (Saturn) usually on that day (Virgo).  It has been a long year of shifting and changing and releasing.  I am exhausted but I continue the work because when Saturn moves to Libra I will have other work related to relationships so I better  use these Virgo skills now! Then I’ll be ready to relate.

 

 

Jupiter turns Direct

 

On October 13, Jupiter which has been retrograde since June will turn direct at 17 degrees of Aquarius.  I have discussed previously that this year we are experiencing a conjunction between Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron. It is one of those ‘aquarian age’ aspects that demands we expand and release and heal and we do it as a group.  Once Jupiter turns direct it will be heading for a throw down with the other two planets so be looking for something to catch all of our attention after October 13^th.   As is often the case we may have an opportunity to learn from other’s mistakes—so something in the public will probably be an eye-catching event.  And of course, we may step on our own egos by overreaching and causing some upset.  Remember to think of the group before you go too far and you should be in good shape. And yeah, I know it is hard but for gawdsakes you have been doing it all year so you should know it now better than ever.  Groups count.   

 

In conclusion a bit more about Mercury

 

Mercury will turn direct on September 29 and not a minute too soon for this gal.  In the meantime fix the things that are broken.  I had a modem that I had to take in the backyard and shoot during this retrograde.

 

There usually is a cloud on a new moon when it has Mercury retrograde since we don’t like to begin projects on a mercury retrograde but at the same time New Moons are the time to begin. Given the influence of Saturn this is truly the ideal time to begin an overall project of “Fixing Stuff”.  And given that we have a square with Pluto we Know darn well what needs to be fixed and we can do it.  It won’t be easy but then it was not easy work keeping the flame alive for Vesta.  But the whole community needed it.   So, get out there, do the work, know that I am fighting the good fight over here and together we will build better lives for ourselves and our community.  I promise.  Don’t forget to check my blog for more updates during the cycle http://tracyastrosalon.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

The Eight Phases

 

 

NEW MOON

September 18, 2:44pm(EDT)

25 Virgo 59

 

 

New moon: Plant seeds, make calls, activate, start projects.   Activate something that will ideally lead you to more.  This is the phase where INTENT is critical.  Even if the results are not immediate, the intent is there.  You may not have all the answers or road map but you should put your Intent out there.  Remember no matter how small it is still the INTENT that is important.  

 

Focus on Daily lives. Our schedules, our calendars. How we run our lives.  Is it working?  Why not?  How can you fix it?  How are you spending your money daily?  How can you make one purchase last longer?  You invest in yourself and fix the issues at hand.

 

Special focus

9/20 Venus enters Virgo

http://www.astrologyweekly.com/learn-astrology/venus-in-virgo.php

9/20: (Sun/Mercury) Brain and Mind are in synch. Good Talk day.

9/20: (Venus/Pluto) Great resources available like love & money

 

 

CRESCENT PHASE

 

 

Crescent:  We will receive information, we will research a bit more, perhaps get feedback on stuff that we planted on new.  Perhaps get some information that will help down the road on a seed we planted a while ago.  We can collect some data now.  Even if you think you are not getting information, stop, and re-look at everything.  Who called you?  Even the silliest things, when they come up during Crescent are note worthy.  A parking ticket?  An argument with a spouse?  A refund check from the phone company?  All of it needs to be considered a message from the universe.  How can this information help you?

 

Focus on:  What information is coming to you that is precise and exact?  If it is like a laser it will have importance to you.  Your own communication cuts to the quick.  Fluff and superfluous discussions are useless to you.  Cutting out the nonsense is rejuvenating.  You actually see life on the other side of mind clutter and it is appealing.   

 

 

Special focus:

September 22  2:43am (EDT)

9/22:(Mercury/Saturn) Realistic thoughts maybe cold but correct.

9/22: Sun enters Libra.  Take your Libra friend out for a coffee or meal. Give them time and let them talk.

9/23:(Sun/Pluto)Tough day. Bumpy ride all around. Just breathe.

9/23:(Mercury/Uranus) Unusual thoughts, wild talks maybe harsh but liberating

 

 

 

First Quarter Moon

September 26, 12:49 am (EDT)

 

 

First quarter: We do more actions based on the information that we just received.  Or we feel our instincts guide us on something.  We pursue again.  We make another call or we see someone. We mail something.  We stir the pot again.  This can be a time when we realize that the goals we planted on New need more action from us, perhaps actions that involve breaking away.   Are there people who say they have our best interest in heart but fear us growing away from them?  Maybe we need to get help from others not the usual suspects.  Some independence may need to be exerted.

 

 

Focus on:   Actions taken need to be measured and wise.  Channel your inner executive and then make your next move.  Be your own CEO and then make the move.  Did I mention there is no room for actions based on sentimentality?   Think of the seeds you planted on new moon and then rise to the top and tell yourself what to do next.  You can do it, boss. 

 

 

 

Special Attention:

9/29 Mercury turns direct 21 Virgo 37 9:14am

Thank you, lord!  I didn’t think that would ever end. 

 

 

Gibbous Moon

September 30, 4:07am  

 

Gibbous:  We refine our information.  We pick and choose, we discriminate, we organize, we tend to be ‘virgo’ like.  We sort through details.  Have we missed something?  How are we sifting through the information?  Go back and make sure something hasn’t been neglected.  Refine our actions. 

 

 

Focus on:  What adjustments can we take that bring in our group?

What refinement do we need to make to our tribe?  How can we adjust to fit and find our tribe?  How is our daily work and refinement working to help us reach community goals?

 

 

Special focus:

10/1: (mercury/mars) Thoughts and actions cooperate beautifully

 

 

 

Full Moon

October 4 2:09am 

 

11 Aries 10

 

Full Moon:  We make the needed adjustments on the things we planted. Usually emotions are up and running and for those people who perhaps did not utilize the new moon and the rest of the waxing moon, this is when emotions can get the better of us.  There can often be a big emotional break, for no other reason than to get back on track.   Some partnership will offer up some balance.  The moon is bright and full and there is no room for shadows, what is reflecting on you? 

 

Focus on:   Where do you lead your life?  Where do you let others take over?  Is it working for you?  What adjustments would your world have to make if you stood up and told everyone the truth?  Can you visualize yourself a general? Why not?  Do you get lost in your relationships?  Why?

 

 

Special focus:

10/4: (Mercury/Mars) More good energy with thoughts & actions

10/4: (Mercury/Uranus) our brains need liberation and our liberation needs proper thinking.  Read that twice.

10/4:(Mars/Uranus)Great creative day, unusual activities, FUN

 

 

 

Disseminating

October 7 5:18 pm 

 

 

Disseminating: Share information, find a teacher or someone who has more knowledge. Perhaps there was a big ol’ blow out on the full and one feels in need of support and help, this is the phase to reach out to one who knows more. This is when we find a rabbi or a minister or therapist who gives us more insight.   And of course, you too may be ready to teach and share your own information. 

 

 

Focus on:   We share practical insights. We find support that offers us concrete help.  We reach out beyond our circle or parish to get real results.   We continue to put our nose to the grindstone but we share our skills.

 

 

Special focus:

10/8 (Mercury/Saturn) Strong words, coolish temper, smart

10/9 Mercury enters Libra

http://www.astrologyweekly.com/learn-astrology/mercury-in-libra.php

10/9 (Venus/Uranus) Odd love stuff, out of the blue money stuff

10/10(Sun/Jupiter) Big ideas, actions, goals-All green lights

10/10(Mercury/Pluto) Cranky, mean thoughts and communication

 

Third Quarter Phase

October 11 4:55am

 

 

Third Quarter moon:  Now we do the final adjustments to the seeds we planted on new. The final call, the final letters to send, we follow all the trails that came up that still make sense.  And we let the other parts lay fallow. It is a time of action but wise action.  It is a time for living  “The serenity prayer”

 

God, grant me the Serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change Courage to change the
things I can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference.

 

 

Focus on:  How does our family pushes us towards us? Not in a bad but in an energized way?  How do we use our family or our roots to push us to the finish line?  What work do we need to do that is based on our emotions and our desires?  It will not be our minds that get us to the final point. It will be our gut and desire.   Love of family, love of roots, love of emotions will be the engine in us for these next three days. 

 

Special focus:

10/12(Mars/Saturn) Great productive day and energies

10/13(Venus/Saturn)Serious love, commitments and money action

10/13(Venus/Mars)Fun, sparks, love, joy, values in synch

10/13 Jupiter turns direct 17 Aquarius 10 (see above)

 

 

 

 

Balsamic Phase

October 14 2:48pm  

 

 

 

Balsamic:  We release.  We let go.  We prune, we discard, we ditch stuff. We house clean. The things that no longer work, we let them out of our life.  We release so we can clear our unconscious and dream.  We prepare our unconscious to be ready for the next

 

 

 

Focus on   Release your mental craziness.  All the stuff that keeps you awake at night must be ditched.  Give up your calendar.  Clear it all.   Relax your brain.  The stess is nonsense.

 

 

Special attention:

10/13: Venus in Libra

http://www.astrologyweekly.com/learn-astrology/venus-in-libra.php

 

10/15: (Venus/Pluto) Tough, harsh love & money stuff-yuch

10/16: Mars enters Leo

http://www.astrologyweekly.com/learn-astrology/mars-in-leo.php

 

 

Libra New Moon October 18 1:33am 24 Libra 59