LIBRA NEW MOON 2012       

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 the beginning of a 28 day cycle.  Technically, when you look up in the sky you only see a thin section of the moon illuminated.       

And the not so technical point of view?

Well, similar to farmers and indigenous people, who have used the eight 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 about?     We are desperate for balance in our life. We know it, we feel it, we hate that we know it but haven't done anything about it. Now this cycle we are doing something to get our equilbrium.   Hurray for us!

 

 

 

 

LIBRA NEW MOON  

 

New Moon Phase

October 15, 2012

8:02am EDT

22 Libra 32

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

 

Libra 23:  23º Libra (203): CHANTICLEER'S VOICE HERALDS THE RISING SUN WITH EXUBERANT TONES.

 

http://www.astrologyweekly.com/sabiansymbols/list.php

 

 

LIBRA NEW MOON  

 

Libra is the second air sign of the zodiac and as we know Communication is the mandate for all air signs.    With Gemini, the first air sign, our conversations are all around us.  We are talking to our siblings, our close friends, maybe a neighbor or two, sharing a fun gossip.   Now when we get to Libra we are talking to our partner.   We are looking at the other person across from us and finding ways to come together.   We are negotiating; we are finding the spot in between our two hearts and two brains.    

 

Libra’s ruling planet is Venus which (among many things) connects us to love, appreciation, money and values.    However, Libra is not mushy and overly romantic.   They do long for things that are nice and even keeled however they are not pushovers.   Hardly!   In fact they can be quite aggressive when they think something  is…“Not fair”     They have a propensity to bitch about things not fair in their life and they’ll bitch about things not fair in your life and the neighbor’s life and their cousin’s life and their co-worker’s life….”fair, not fair, fair, not fair…”  It is constantly on the tip of their tongue.    Of course, they are right that there is a lot of stuff in life that is not fair.  Some of it we can do something about and some of it we cannot.   What drives Libra crazy is figuring out which is which.   

 

In Search of Balance

 

At the core of Libra are the scales of balance.   They are always in search of equilibrium.   They feel lost if they can’t stick their hand out and feel another person.  Not to be cozy but more to find themselves through the other person.   They need to discuss much.  “Should I get the black car or the blue one?”  “Should I go for a raise before or after the third quarter numbers?”  They can be excellent negotiators when they want for themselves and for others.  They can be excellent lawyers.    They also have great ideas to help others find balance.  “If you ask me, you need someone to babysit one day a week so you can get your alone time.”     When they are excelling they are standing up, negotiating and finding a perfect balance of their needs while respecting and understanding other’s needs.    Unfortunately, when Libra is lame they are wildly co-dependent, giving up a lot just to maintain a relationship.  Even a lousy relationship.  And then they also can give up on things that they shouldn’t give up on because they superficially judge it as too much work.   Ah, cue the Clash, “Should I stay or should I go.”       

 

Of course when Libra is brave and stands up for what is fair for everyone involved including themselves they are loved and respected by all.    And when something is so wrong and completely out of step with their values and they walk away from it they can do it without any guilt.   

 

 

Saturn again

 

On this Libra new moon chart the Sun & Moon conjunct Saturn.  After two and half years of Saturn traveling through Libra you would think The Universe would give us a break but apparently not.   Saturn the taskmaster is focused on discipline and cutting the wheat from the chaff.    Saturn separates the higher quality from the lower quality and for the last two years he has been marching through Libra putting his sickle through our relationships and partnership (all of them-- not just love).   Since 2009 we have been focused on what’s working versus what is not working in our relationships, partnerships, negotiations and contracts.   Now that Saturn has moved into Scorpio you would think we would get a breather but apparently in a last act of “Did you really learn something for the last two years?”   The Universe has made sure Saturn is close enough to the Sun/Moon new moon in Libra to challenge us again.   For 28 days we will have opportunities to ponder:  How do we negotiate?  How do we find the middle ground?  How do we stick up for what is fair?  Or are we staying in something long past its value because we fear going it alone?  How do we over compromise? What do we give up when we take the attitude of ‘peace at any cost?’ How do we look the other way because we don’t want to upset our world?   The next 28 days will challenge us one more time to look at what we value and separate the strong from the weak.   But remember, Saturn is in Scorpio so with this new vantage point, pity anyone who gets in front of our swinging sickle.     

 

JOLLY AND NOT SO JOLLY JUPITER

 

Besides Saturn, the Sun/Moon in Libra makes a glorious trine to Jupiter in Gemini begging us to expand our world.   How do we find balance (Libra) in sharing (Gemini) opinions and judgments (Jupiter) with others?   If we are a person who tends to keep our opinions to ourselves that is great for not starting wars but at the same time it can be lonely.   During these 28 days we may poke through with a comment here and there and find others who are simpatico to us.  They may be people we already know or it could be new ones stepping in.  Or perhaps we have been a person who is always out there with an opinion and maybe this cycle we will pull it back and watch others be out there.  Certainly new bridges (Jupiter) and alliances (Libra) will be formed.   Anticipate lots of coffees with friends and new associates.   We will feel compelled to be out there in the world during this lunar cycle.

 

At the same time that Jupiter is in nice aspect to Sun and Moon, Jupiter is also squaring Libra’s ruler Venus (exact on 10/16).    Venus in Virgo can be picky about what it likes and does not like.  We just finished up 28 days of the Virgo lunar cycle and how many of you looked in the mirror and said something harsh about what you saw?  Yeah, that is Virgo.   Now we are in Libra lunar cycle where we are softer but Venus is still lagging around in picky Virgo squaring Jupiter in Gemini.   To that we say, “Blech.” 

 

This is a classic case of myopic vision versus bigger picture.   Do we have the magnifying glass in our hand focused on the minutia or do we have big Panavision lens showing us the vast horizon?   Neither is right or wrong but what can be difficult is when we bring out the magnifying glass when we should be looking at the whole horizon.  Or when we keep looking at the horizon when we should be looking at the details.   Since Venus rules values, what we want will be challenged by Jupiter.   On the first week of October Jupiter turned retrograde which has put a lot of our goals (Jupiter) up for reappraisal.  Things we thought were important in July will not be as important when this retrograde ends in January.    One note, during this cycle please use Venus in Virgo to help you separate real information from gossip.   One is helpful, one is not.

 

Mercury Retrograde

 

Also helping us sort through our values this cycle will be a Mercury Retrograde.  On November 6, Mercury turns retrograde at 5 Sagittarius and lasts until November 26 when it turns direct at 19 Scorpio.   Yes, yes, yes, we all know that the Mercury retrograde is taking place on the Tuesday of the general election in the USA.   Along with a retrograde Jupiter in Gemini –the last time we had both of these strange encounters was the general election of November 2000.   Yeah, that was lame.    What will it be this year?  More hanging chads?   Who knows but NO one will be making a congratulatory phone call until it is a sure thing.   That is definite. 

 

Personally, this is our last mercury retrograde for the year and with Mercury in Sagittarius our brains are focused on truth, opinions, judgments and visions.   Do our goals speak to our values?   Does truth bring balance?   Perhaps some of us have been so focused on the here and now that we have lost sight of our bigger goals?  Or perhaps others have their sights on something so beautiful and shiny but during the retrograde we are not sure it matches what is inside our soul.  The fact that retrograde begins on a Libra lunar cycle and ends on a Scorpio lunar cycle clearly means our values will be shifting from airy fairy (Libra) to black and white (Scorpio).   

 

During the retrograde do not make major decisions (if you can) and try to hold off on major purchases.   You can research like a crazy person and you can fine tune projects but try not to launch anything important during the retrograde.  The three weeks before the retro are called the shadow and the three weeks after the retro area also the shadow.   For your calendar you should note that on October 19, Mercury goes into its shadow which means it crosses 19 Scorpio then continues along to November 6 where it turns retrograde and then on November 26 it straightens out and continues until December 14 when it finally gets to 5 Sag again.     What this means is between October 19 and November 6 we may see some stuff come up that will need attention during the retrograde.   Then after the retrograde between November 26 and December 14 we can see those topics come up again but now we will have resolution.     

 

Also making a change this cycle is on November 11,  Neptune turns  direct at 1 degree Pisces.   Neptune of course loves being in his home sign of Pisces and even though he moved into Pisces back in February we are all still getting to know him in his sign.   When a planet is their home sign it is empowering for the planet and the last time Neptune was in Pisces was during 1847-1861.    He officially slipped into Pisces this year then three months later turned retrograde.  Since June, Neptune has been tuning in his nobs and getting his different frequencies locked.   It is interesting that Neptune is turning direct in Libra cycle given Neptune is the higher octave of Venus (Libra’s ruling planet).  What does that mean?    Venus is the love between this person and that person, Neptune is the bigger love, the love of humanity.      Neptune is also spirituality and the unknown and how God speaks to us.   Because Neptune can be so dang kooky in many ways he is more comfortable going backwards.  He gets lost in the background noise.    Think of the crazy homeless guy yelling out nonsense on the crowded corner, lost in the traffic noise.   Now when Neptune turns direct the traffic is quiet and we actually hear the homeless person.   What is he saying?  Wait a minute he sort of makes sense!    What messages have we all been getting from Neptune but we could not hear it from all the noise.  Now turning direct we will start to tune in.    See if some silly thought you have had come up during the last four months now makes sense.    And having Neptune turn direct in Libra asks us if our spirituality is balanced in our life?   Has prayer been neglected? Or have we been relying too much on it?   Whatever it is, light a candle on November 11 and tell Neptune and God, “Hey I know you got a secret for me, I’m listening now.”  

 

 

Treasure Maps

 

Back on Aries New Moon we all made maps that reflected our goals and wishes for the New Year (yes, our new year begins in spring not January).   And now at the midway point we need to look at our maps.   How are the manifestations?   For some of you, there is movement happening towards many of your goals.   For others there are some manifestations and you can feel the energy underneath as you see the trend towards your goals is in process.  You can just feel it.  Others are looking at their map saying, “What the heck, I have butkis!”     No matter where you are on the scale, look at your map, dust it off and remember that the person six months ago who built that map is in you today and do not give up.    Consider that some movements that may seem counter to your goals could be supporting it in bigger ways.   And above all be gentle with yourself.    There is still six more months and you will be surprised to see what takes place between now and then.  Manifestations can come in the most whimsical way.

 

In conclusion:

Where do you need balance?  Where are you listing?   Where do you need support?  Where do you need to give support?   Saturn is guiding us this cycle to get our negotiations on.   But it only works if we tell people what we need.   Be brave, remember you deserve thriving relationships. Once you have equilibrium you can open a door to satisfying relationships.    You deserve a balanced life.  Take this cycle to get it.

 

The 8 phases

 

New Moon Phase

October 15, 2012

8:02am EDT

 

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 out your Intent.  

 

Focus:  

Where are you out of balance?  How are all your relationships?  Where are Yin and others are Yang?  Where are you Yang and others are yin?   Does it work for you?  Where do you need to step up?  Where do others need to step up?   What will give your equilibrium support? 

 

 

Special Focus:  

10/16 Mercury sextile Venus: Uplifting, inspiring, love pokes through in communication. 

10/16 Venus Square Jupiter:  Money takes a hit.   Judgment is at odds with values. Beware of exaggeration in the air.  Likeability not high today.

 

 

Crescent Moon Phase

October 18 1:54pm EDT

 

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 are you receiving that speaks to your judgment?  How are you judge and jury?  How does it work for you?  How does it not?  How does it impact your relationships?  How do you find balance when you are in the middle of judging? 

 

 

 

First Quarter Moon

October 21,  11:31pm 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:   What actions are you taking that speak to your executive abilities?  What about your relationships how are you managing them?  Are you working for your partner or is your partner working for you?  Where are you out of balance with your goals?   Are they too far reaching or do they not reach enough?  What about your partner, do they need to reach further or pull back?    

 

 

Special focus:

10/22:  Sun enters Scorpio:   Give your Scorpio a Gift Card.  They need it.  Even if they have money they still need you to give them a gift card. They are in a ‘put up or shut up’ mood.   Whether they say it or not. 

10/25: Sun/Saturn:  Tough day if you have been fuzzy about money and resources.   Great day to look at the world in black and white.  Grey does not serve. 

 

Gibbous Moon

October 25 4:17pm

 

Gibbous:

We refine our information.  We pick and choose, we discriminate, we organize  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:    How is spirit shifting the debate in your head?   You want more balance in your life but how do you resist it?  How is Spirit showing up and pushing the cause for balance?    What are you looking for in spirituality from your partner?

 

 

 

Special Focus:

10/28:  Venus enters Libra:  Gentleness, relaxing, letting others do the work while we find our muse amusing. 

10/28: Mars oppose Jupiter:  Actions that are based on beliefs will be supported.  Actions that are at odds with beliefs will be seen as fraudulent.   

10/29: Mercury enters  Sagittarius:   Here we go again with all of our opinions.    Lots to say but also a lot jokes and humor.     Mental bridges are made.

10/29: Mercury square Neptune:  Communication is cloudy.   Deceit is in the air.   Passive communication.   Hard to find the truth.     

 

Full Moon Phase

October 29, 3:49pm

06 Taurus 48

 

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:    How is money important in your partnership?  How is being practical a solution to finding balance?  How can hard work, discipline and no nonsense get your relationship online?    What is going on too long and just needs to be ditched?  In a real practical sense, what relationships are just no longer serving? 

 

 

 

See my blog for more on full moon.  http://tracyastrosalon.blogspot.com/

 

Special focus:

10/30:  Sun sextile pluto: An energizing flow with accent on resources.   Letting go of the dead and moving on to the new.  

11/1: Venus oppose Uranus:   Sometimes our money and our love life and our values need an electric bolt.   Have we shown up for our partner too much?   Why aren’t they doing the work?   Or do we need to do more work because they have been doing too much?    Watch for bolts.   Watch the money piece.  

 

Disseminating Moon Phase

November 2 7:30pm

 

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:      What are you sharing with others that helps them make connections?  Where are you being flexible?  Where are you getting advice from others that helps you see another point of view?  How are others helping you get your point of view out there?    How are sharing that you know how to pivot?

 

 

Special focus:

11/3: Venus square Pluto:  More money, values, love issues and what will it take to overhaul it all?  Doesn’t need overhauling?   Hmm….might want to rethink that position. 

11:4 – Set your clocks back (USA returns to standard time)

11/6: Mercury retrogrades(see above) 4 Sag 18 until 11/26 (5:48pm)  at 18 Scorpio 10

 

 

Last Quarter Moon Phase

November 6  7:35pm

 

Last 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 are you brave in your relationships?  How are you protective and loving in your relationships?  How do you stand up for self in relationships? How do you give it all away in relationships?   Are you confused?   Watch your ego and that will tell you much this three day cycle. 

 

 

Special focus:

11/9: Venus trine Jupiter:  Accent on abundance, joy and love.   Gentleness meets generosity.   Uplifting feelings are supported.

 

Balsamic Moon Phase

November 10 10:47am 

 

Balsamic:   We let go.  By releasing we can prepare for the new. 

 

Focus on   We release being a partner. We release our imbalances.   We release our diplomacy.    We release our codependent behaviors. 

 

Special focus:

 11/11:  Neptune turns direct 00Pisces22  (see above). 

 

 

SCORPIO NEW MOON  *SOLAR ECLIPSE November 13. 5:08pm  

21 Scorpio 57.