SHATTERED
BOOM! Is it possible to predict the unpredictable? Perhaps we’ll find out this week as the Oct. 19/20 New Moon in Libra heralds a cosmic shift that may force us to think about our lives – especially our relationships — in new ways. window.addEventListener(‘LPLeadboxesReady’,function(){LPLeadboxes.setExitIntent(‘141ac0c73f72a2:9447e3ade’,{dontShowFor:’1d’,domain:’results.lpusercontent.com’});});
If Libra represents how we see ourselves reflected in the cosmic mirror — or the eyes of another — prepare to have your illusions shattered.
Astrologer Kathy Biehl of Empowerment Unlimited sums it up well:
“The task of coexisting with others has undergone profound shakeups in the past five years. This Libra New Moon is a cosmic graduation exercise, with a not-so-subtle invitation to move into updated models for relating….
“The door is unlocked. It is open. Some unseen force is beckoning you toward it. You’re got the motivation. You’ve developed the nerve. Take the opportunity. Walk through the door.
“And you know who’s really waiting on the other side? You are.”
Let’s take a look and see what astrologers from around the web have to say about this week’s New Moon.
Libra New Moon
New Moons bring opportunities to set new patterns in our lives. In this sense, they are like our annual New Year’s celebration, only they happen each month. Which, if you think about it, is a much more sensible solution – Nature offers many opportunities for a fresh start.
A New Moon in Libra draws our attention to how we relate with others. Cristian of Zodiac Poetry explores the Libra archetype.
“‘I balance’ is Libra’s motto. However, it’s also not unusual to stumble upon descriptions of Libra as the sign with the ‘iron fist in a velvet glove,’ and many find it incredible to associate such statement to the pop-culture depiction of Libra as the shallow, appearance-oriented peacemaker of the Zodiac.
“The metaphor starts to make sense once we cast the popular stereotypes aside, to focus on the true purpose and lesson that lies at the core of Libra; ‘I balance’ suggests that Libran energy is a direct emissary of the Universe’s Law of Compensation.
“The Universe is a constant balancing act between interlocking opposites, and yet, balance can’t be completely removed from strife, contrast, unfairness. Balance is processual, and Libra knows that – the very notion implies that there must be something to be harmonized, rectified, integrated.
“Libra’s tightrope walk between darkness and light can still be gracious and infused with aesthetic sense, but the determination, skills and strength behind such acrobatic performance are not to be underestimated.”
Do yourself a favor. Take a moment during this Libra New Moon and journal about where your own life is in balance, and where it’s not.
The Lightning-Struck Tower
The main event of this New Moon in Libra is its opposition to iconoclastic Uranus – within just four minutes of arc (1/15 of one degree).
Like the Tarot’s Tower card, Uranian lightning shatters the status quo, especially between the masculine and feminine parts both within, and without. Such moments are not punishments or failures, rather openings to allow the old to fall away so something new may be born.
Astrologers explain:
“This is the last Libra New Moon in our lifetimes that takes place with radical, liberating change agent Uranus in the opposing sign of Aries. Libra’s natural balancing act has been complicated by the cosmic rebel’s journey through Aries, where he’s been igniting the role of the individual (and a heap of anger) since 2010.
“Under his persistent barrage of lightning bolts, and pressure from an alliance of astrological influences, relationship and other ground rules have cracked open. Tolerating, putting up with, carrying the supermajority weight of a relationship, behaving a certain way because we were taught it’s necessary or required, downplaying personal needs or expression to keep a connection in place — all have been increasingly untenable.”
Kathy Biehl, Empowerment Unlimited
“You may have to start something more quickly than anticipated. Or, perhaps the fact that you’re starting something at all is the big surprise. Libra wants harmony, but Uranus will push events all the way towards one end of the spectrum. If you’re looking for a neat, predictable event, this is not it. After things kick off, the struggle will be to find a balance point.”
Nadia Gilchrist, Ruby Slipper Astrology
“The New Moon opposite Uranus is going to cause a stir wherever you find it. The electric and volatile energy of Uranus seems to become even more unstable than usual in opposition. The polarity creates wild mood swings and has the feel of a loose cannon. … The revolutionary energy of Uranus means that after the lightening bolt has struck, things are never the same again. This energy is always about to flip out, so we are ready to jump ship very quickly when this happens….
“The incredibly rebellious and forceful energy can bring great success for individuals involved with spiritual or social reformation, if they play their cards carefully and righteously. Those plugged into this New Moon can create exciting new utopias and visions for the future that inspire others to follow them on their path to illumination. Part of this Uranian awakening will be shocking people to their senses! Sometimes something painful has to happen in order to shake people away from their screen-gazing.”
Marina Macario, Darkstar Astrology
Grace Under Pressure
This New Moon’s ruled by Venus; she’s also moving through Libra, her own sign. As the goddess who governs what we desire, Venus in Libra knows she’ll have to negotiate to get her needs met. In her ideal world, everyone wins. But she also knows how to play smart, to make sure things are fair and balanced for the sake of long-term harmony.
“Venus, planet of love, values and relatedness, will spend four weeks in Libra, one of her two astrological domiciles (the other one being Taurus.) While Taurus awakes this ethereal goddess’ hunger for hedonism and comfort, luring her into the earthy pleasures of the material world, Venus’ transit of Libra lends itself to a refined, sophisticated assessment of the mutuality and cooperation in our closest relationships. What we give. What we take. What we put out. What we get in return. The dynamics of power and positions of privilege that might undermine the harmony in our surroundings … In short, balance – or lack thereof.
“While it’s true that Love, at its purest, is divine, unconditional and all-encompassing, the power structures that subliminally shape our everyday interactions can condition the way Love is expressed, given, received – and there is no doubt that one-sided relationships and unequal exchanges, as well as co-dependence and projections, will stick out during this transit.
“Thankfully, Venus’ social grace, amplified by the natural resonance of fair-minded Libra, also provides an opportunity to assess and rebalance such differences in power, through reciprocity, and shared effort.”
“You know what you want to experience, in energetic terms and likely a number of specifics as well. And the New Moon’s ruler Venus, goddess of love and desire, supports you.
“Venus is in her home base of Libra, too far from the New Moon to aspect it but nonetheless palpably at the party. She has arrived home with unusually clear ideas of what she wants and needs, which she handed off to Mars, her counterpart and handyman, and ruler of our drive, when they met last month in Virgo.”
Kathy Biehl, Empowerment Unlimited
The Tangled Web
The Libra New Moon occurs amidst a busy sky, which may make maintaining your balance is harder than it seems at first glance.
Messenger Mercury and action-oriented Mars are in one another’s signs, which astrologers call a mutual reception. A very strategic pairing, you may find yourself taking a step back to assess a situation before jumping into the fray. Knowing what you truly want is key to making a plan to go get it.
But a few caveats to consider…
Mercury is traveling with Jupiter through Scorpio. You may need to remind yourself to see things as they are, not as you wish – or fear – them to be.
“Yes, the prospect is scary. With Jupiter now conjunct Mercury in the intense and mysterious waters of Scorpio, communication is poised to plunge into intimacy, which stirs issues of trust and betrayal, as well as riling the monsters that dwell beneath our surfaces. Baring our souls is terrifying, because it holds the prospect of betrayal, rejection or abandonment.”
Kathy Biehl, Empowerment Unlimited
On the other hand, Mars is squaring off with Saturn, which may bring extra urgency to the need to get past limitations and other blockages.
“Mars is still carrying out the marching orders he and Venus agreed on last month. On the far side of a square to Saturn, he has been pushing to clean up belief systems and to behave in accordance with our moral compass. Mars is adding ‘just do it’ pressure to the sextile from the New Moon to Saturn, while also making a growth aspect to the New Moon. Make that: ‘Just do it,’ with a chaser of ‘You can do it.’”
Kathy Biehl, Empowerment Unlimited
Finally, all this drama is taking place in the shadow of the upcoming Saturn-Uranus trine.
“Saturn trine Uranus increasing in strength as it approaches its third and last exact aspect on Nov. 11, 2017. This is a transition phase that is ideal for making positive changes in your life. These changes should run smoothly and not be too upsetting or erratic. You will find new ways of doing old things without rocking the boat.”
Jamie Partridge, Astrology King
We won’t see another easy trine between the Saturn, planet of structure, and Uranus, planet of liberation, one until 2048. Find a way to make it a good transit, because if you miss it, you’ve got another 30 years to wait.
Other Considerations
Though many may not realize it, astrology is embedded in our everyday lives and language. For example, a word like “consider” comes from a Latin root which means, to flow “with the stars.” And in astrology, there’s always more to “consider” as we search to align ourselves with the flow.
Asteroids & Minor Aspects
The previous Virgo New Moon fell opposite the asteroid Chiron – known to astrologers as “the wounded healer,” the Libra New Moon revisits the theme, prepared to make a few adjustments.
“The New Moon will make a difficult inconjunct to Chiron Rx in Pisces, so even if events are favorable, there will be something about this surprise that makes you uncomfortable. You could feel exposed, underprepared or uncertain if you can handle it. Chiron won’t be a major part of this Moon’s events – more of a side thing.”
Nadia Gilchrist, Ruby Slipper Astrology
“Not taking on others’ wounds and baggage may be part of the new protocol — figuring out a way to connect without being engulfed, to be in relationship but not of it.”
Kathy Biehl, Empowerment Unlimited
Fixed Stars
All of the planets move along against a backdrop of “fixed” stars. (Technically the stars are shifting too, but at a rate so slowly it takes centuries to notice the drift.) Many of the brightest stars carry their own symbolism, down from the earliest days of astrology.
This Libra New Moon aligns with two of the brightest, and most auspicious, stars in the night sky, Spica and Arcturus.
The Sun conjunct Spica, according to Robson, gives: “Great and lasting preferment, eminent dignity, immense wealth, great happiness to native’s parents and children, help from friends among clergy, favorable for public and legal affairs.” Spica is usually depicted as an ear of wheat in the left hand of the Virgin. Symbolically, this star is the Seed and it does sit next to her Womb. In medical astrology, Spica actually represents the naval in the human body. Morse says that as the star of the grain harvest, Spica is the provider of our material needs, but he warns that you only reap what you sow.
“Fixed star Arcturus … is even closer to the new moon and, like Spica, brings riches, honors and prosperity. However, according to Ebertin, if Arcturus is critically aspected, the good influence will be hampered or made into a real handicap.”
Jamie Partridge, Astrology King
Sabian Symbols
Astrologers have also devises systems for assigning meanings to individual degrees of the Zodiac; the Sabian symbols became the most popular of the 20th Century
The Sabian symbol for the Libra New Moon: “An airplane sails high in the clear sky.”
In his commentary, the astrologer Dane Rudhyar writes that this image suggests that it’s “through the use of mind, backed by the efforts and struggles of past generations… the individual can fain a new perspective on human problems and reach freedom and peace in a supernal realm of being.”
It’s a synchronistic echo of the Uranus opposition to the New Moon. Uranus was a sky god; he reminds us to embrace the “sky view.”
Lunar Mansion
In Western Astrology, we’re used to using the 12-sign solar Zodiac. But there’s also an older tradition; a lunar Zodiac based on how the Moon moves through the sky from night to night. The Medieval Arab astrologers referred to lunar Zodiac signs as the Lunar Mansions.
The Libra New Moon falls in Lunar Mansion 17; the Arab’s named it Iklil al Jabha, but I call it The Monkey for short.
When the Moon is in this Mansion, it’s a good time to exercise caution; be on alert for those who seek to deceive you, or perhaps for ways that you deceive yourself.
Summing it Up
It’s not always possible to plan. Sometimes following the cosmic script means opening yourself to what’s in front of you, and allowing it to teach you. Especially for those touched by this Libra New Moon, your soul may breakthrough in ways unexpected to your ego-self. However, when you look back on it, you’ll realize the change was actually a long-time coming.
Lunaria Datebook
Last Moon Phase: October Full Moon in Aries
Next Moon Phase: October Full Moon in Taurus
October New Moon Times and Dates:
San Francisco: Thursday, Oct. 19, 12:12 p.m. PDT
New York: Thursday, Oct. 19, 3:12 p.m. EDT
São Paulo: Thursday, Oct. 19, 5:12 p.m. BRDT
London: Thursday, Oct. 19, 8:12 p.m. BST
Istanbul: Thursday, Oct. 19, 10:12 p.m. TRT
Mumbai: Friday, Oct. 20, 12:42 a.m. IST
Tokyo: Friday, Oct. 20, 4:12 a.m. JST
Sydney: Friday, Oct. 20, 6:12 a.m. AEST
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Beautifully done!