DIRTY DANCING
Lovely, graceful Libra, renowned for its fondness for harmony and pleasantries…but what’s this? Trading some of that lyricism for different attire under the October 2018 New Moon in Libra on the 8/9th?
“It’s putting a grow light on specific connections, the rules and agreements we live by, and the social constructs that govern how we get along. And shoving us to do something about them. Lovingly.”
Let’s look at how astrologers across the Internet are weighing the October 2018 New Moon in Libra.
October 2018 New Moon in Libra
The New Moon occurs every month when the Moon meets the Sun. The pairing refreshes areas of life ruled by the Moon’s sign.
New Moons are “a time of blending of our intentions and our emotions, a union that creates a feeling of completeness that fills us with excitement. When the New Moon falls in the Libra, communication and socializing are sparked up….and social or personal relationships are the focus of attention.”
Andrew Ifandis, Cosmos of Astrology
Sweet Nothings…Not!
The Moon’s ruler is Venus, goddess of love, desires and beauty. Don’t underestimate her power, though. My forecast explains:
“She’s hardly sweetness and lace at present. She’s in sex-and-power goddess mode, in the dark, steamy, I-can-see-into-the-depths-of-your-soul waters of Scorpio. And her guise seeps down into all our interactions.”
Adding to her intensity: she’s retrograde. I continue:
“Venus is just three days into a retrograde that will last into mid-November, backing her out of Scorpio and all the way to 25 Libra. As the relationship energies of the Libra New Moon develop, we’ll revisit past connections and dynamics (in thought, memory, dreams and actual communication) and reevaluating what still has value and meaning to us.”
Andrew Ifandis, Cosmos of Astrology, looks backward, too, and makes connections writhing with potential:
A New Moon in Libra while Venus is retrograde in Scorpio “has happened only twice in the past fifty years. The first time was the New Moon on Oct. 30, 1970, when Venus was retrograde at 23° 23’ of Scorpio, and the second was the New Moon on Oct. 7, 2010, when Venus was at the time stationary retrograde at Scorpio 13° 13’.
“Now, once again, the promise of this New Moon has a strong karmic feeling and is simultaneously charged with passionate eroticism…. Within the Scorpio part of the Via Combusta, Venus expresses love in its most introverted, relates in a martyred way, and is intrigued by Mars male assertion.”
Bring Me a Higher Love
Venus is not all spooky, though. The goddess of earthly love has the direct line to illusive-yet-divinely-inspired Neptune.
My forecast looks at the softening effect:
“Venus is in an easy flow to the other god of love, Neptune, font of compassion and higher wisdom. Their trine does more than increase the love vibe (earthly and spiritual divisions). It’s a channel to inspiration, to artistry, to overlooking faults, to dispensing and receiving forgiveness, to rising above the grime and creating some peace and bliss.
“Thanks to this pair, the reality and higher potentials of love remain in the picture as we push our relationship sagas forward.”
Gimme Gimme Good Lovin’
Despite being glammed-up by Neptune, Venus isn’t sugar-coating what she wants. And her square to her lover Mars (ruler of our actions) demands that he deliver.
The action could be steamy.
“Venus when in Scorpio is ruled by Mars….Venus is at the same time in an applying aspect to Mars in Aquarius. This is a double astrological affinity that reinforces the connection of the two planets. … It is pure animal magnetism, sexually charged.”
–Andrew Ifandis, Cosmos of Astrology
“She’s not just delivering marching orders; she’s shoving him to act on them. Desires require follow through…. Relationships are crackling with demands. Perhaps crackling with sexual charge as well.
“Mars is conjunct Black Moon Lilith, whose presence echoes the primal ferocity of Venus’ current Scorpio guise. No one’s asking for flowers and chocolates. Nope. Nothing that … trivial.”
–My forecast
Fresh Air
Venus may be in a shoving match with Mars, but the October New Moon in Libra enjoys a far more harmonious relationship, an easy going trine.
It brings intellectual ease, says Andrew Ifandis, Cosmos of Astrology:
“This is an aspect that channels the prominence of the Air element of the chart, clears our mind and counter-balances the darker Venusian intensity. It gives energy and a more detached expression to our will and our feelings and moves us towards new beginnings.”
Elsa Elsa gives a symbolic take:
“Think of this like chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. No sprinkles, no sparklers, it’s pure.”
Who’s On Top?
The October New Moon in Libra also squares off with Pluto, lord of death and rebirth, in Capricorn, sign of the status quo. Their stress triggers power issues, which could be productive. Andrew Ifandis, Cosmos of Astrology, explains:
“This aspect brings desire for control and dominance that fuels up the obsessive way that Venus in Scorpio relates.
“It is at the same time an aspect that holds the transformative potential of this New Moon. A transformation that is found in our ability to suppress manipulative behaviors, either … from ourselves or coming from others, and to instead share deep connection and deepened our emotional bond.”
Marina Marcario, Darkstar Astrology, explores some darker potentials:
“This is probably one of the most intense and hungry Moon aspects you can have. This is the raging Kali archetype par excellence. Moon square Pluto can be the product of an obsessive, possessive mother or be obsessed with being a mother. In some cases (The West’s, Kenisha Berry) the mother as destroyer can be literal.”
The Moon’s square to Pluto also means change is coming, big time. My forecast explains:
“Transformation is a given, in goals, tribal/family systems and specific arrangements. The New Moon is squaring evolutionary change agent Pluto in Capricorn. He’s the lord of the underworld, and it’s notable that the asteroid participant in the square, Ceres (conjunct the New Moon), is named for the mythological mother who lost her daughter to him six months out of the year. She’s pushing back now, adding issues of nourishment and the mother/child relationship to the growth imperative.
“The old guard and the old ways can fight all they want. Resistance is futile.”
Work this to your favor, counsels Jamie Partridge, Astrology King:
“A health or relationship crisis may force a radical transformation. You may have to become ruthless in eliminating poison from your life. This is a good New Moon for starting a new diet, exercise or detoxification regime….
“Your body and mind may be due for a good detoxification. This is the right time to cut all things from your life that are unhealthy. This includes the common causes of illness like smoking, alcohol and sugar. Think about what you put into your body. Poisonous thoughts like revenge, jealousy and envy can make you ill and harm others. Bad habits and destructive behaviors can also be left behind now.
Other major aspects occurring in chart.”
Other considerations
The heavens are vast, and so are the techniques astrologers have used to explore them. Let’s look at how some of these add meaning, nuance and depth to the New Moon in Libra.
Fixed Stars
Fixed star maven Marina Marcario, Darkstar Astrology, says the Libra New Moon falls on the fixed star Kraz in the constellation of the Crow. The contact is … extreme:
“The Moon here seems to create either mad geniuses or bring out the vilest attributes of the crow.
“All the stars of Corvus fall in Libra decan 2, so the mythology of this constellation is very important here. The sun god Apollo sent the raven with a cup (Constellation Crater) to fetch some water for his feast. On his way, he was distracted by some fine figs on a tree and lost track of time gorging upon them. When the crow suddenly remembered his errand he picked up a passing snake (Constellation Hydra) and used it as his excuse for why he had not filled up the cup as asked.
“Another myth says: ‘The Raven, was given a task by Apollo of keeping a watchful eye on Apollo’s pregnant lover Coronis. The raven reported back to Apollo the unwelcome news that she was having an affair with someone else. Apollo in anger cursed the raven, and its color changed from its former silver hue to the present black.’”
The Moon is also near the minor fixed star Merga, which Jamie Partridge, Astrology King, describes:
“The closest star to the New Moon is 38 Boötis. It has the name Merga which comes from the Arabic for “the chained woman.” Constellation Boötes the Herdsman gives prosperity from work, strong desires, a tendency to excess, a fondness for rural pursuits and a liking for occultism.”
Asteroids & Minor Planets
As mentioned earlier, the New Moon is conjunct the asteroid Ceres. Jamie Partridge, Astrology King, details the issues she’s adding to the mix:
“Minor planet Ceres rules motherly love, female reproductive issues, family bonds and relationships. As a virgin goddess, Ceres represents independent single women and sole parents. As a grain goddess, Ceres rules the growing of plants and food crops, the harvest, natural resources and the environment.”
The mother/child relationship is a focus. Marina Marcario, Darkstar Astrology, explains:
“Moon conjunct Ceres at the same time brings out Ceres’ shadow side, in the form of Demeter who mourned the abduction of her daughter Persephone. So there is some sorrow attached to this aspect since the Moon is so sensitive to pain.
“This New Moon themes could bring up the absence of the mother through death or through her being focused on earning her “pentacles.”
“There is a priestess/herbalist side to Ceres, so if she is not a hardcore materialist then she could place a lot of her energies into healing the world.”
We’ve lived through this conjunction recently, points out Jamie Partridge, Astrology King:
“The lunar eclipse [in Leo] on Jan. 31, 2018, was also conjunct Ceres so similar issues will probably arise in the next four weeks as in the first half of this year.”
He looks at the conjunction’s impact on the Libra New Moon:
“New Moon should make you more sympathetic and comforting towards your family and especially children. … [It] will focus attention on the rights and freedoms single mothers and working mothers. Social discussions and political debate in this Moon phase will include parenting styles, custody rights, maternity leave, childcare and equal pay.
“The environment and climate change should also be topical, and how they affect food production. Other planetary aspects mentioned below also point to concern about chemicals like pesticides, plastic packaging and growth hormones. Then there are the effects of genetically modified foods, excessive amounts of sugar, and even more suspect practices of multinational food corporations.”
Minor Aspects
The October New Moon in Libra makes a quincunx (also called an inconjunct) to Neptune. Some see this as an aspect of adjustment. Jamie Partridge, Astrology King, looks at the effect.
“Sun quincunx Neptune brings glamour or intrigue to your life, or a delicate balance between the two. This balancing act can also manifest as savior and victim, or saint and sinner. It is important to believe in what you are doing because confusion about your identity would lead to a lowering of self-esteem. Neptune likes mirrors and cameras, so use these tools to improve your self-esteem if needed.”
This aspect also occurred with the Jan. 31 lunar eclipse. Jamie Partridge, Astrology King, says the recurrence “makes it almost certain that you will be dealing with similar circumstances, relationship issues, or people as earlier in the year.”
He also notes that the January eclipse, at (at 11 Leo) and the Libra New Moon are roughly 60 degrees apart, in a sextile.
“This means they work together well so you can easily resolve ongoing problems, finish things you started back then, or further develop and perfect new skills you have worked on this year.”
Decans
Each astrological sign can be divided into three sections, known as decans (10 degree divisions of the Zodiac). This Moon is in Libra decan 2, which is ruled by the Moon and Venus.
Marina Marcario, Darkstar Astrology cautions:
“By dignity, the Moon is not happy in Libra decan 2. It is unsure of itself and much too concerned with what others think of them. Those touched by this Moon will strive to succeed so they can win the approval of an audience.
“Moon Libra Decan 2 brings out the classic narcissists that forever crave adoration. On the positive side, we can use this energy to generate a following that does good works in the collective. At this time we could crave to be loved and approved of so much that we may not be discerning enough when it comes to whom we give our body.”
Sabian Symbols
Over the years, astrologers have devised systems to assign meaning to each degree of the Zodiac. The most popular of the past century has been the Sabian Symbols, proposed by Marc Edmund Jones.
The Sabian Symbol for the 16th degree of Libra is: Reconciliation.
In his commentary on the Symbol, astrologer Dane Rudhyar gave the Keynnote as: “The need to keep in operation steady links between the vast Unconscious and the ego-consciousness.”
Lunar Mansion
Though you may be familiar with the 12-sign solar Zodiac, there’s also a far older 28- (or 27-) sign Lunar Zodiac. Arab astrologers called these nightly lunar signs the “Mansions of the Moon.”
The Moon falls in Lunar Mansion 16, which the Arab astrologers called Al Jubana (the Claws). Donna Woodwell of Donna Philosophica nicknamed it “The Scales.”
The mansion’s purpose is to gain wealth through negotiation. Donna advises: “It’s a good time to make investments and other plans for building wealth or negotiating business arrangements. But don’t pursue romantic encounters.”
Summing It Up
The October 2018 New Moon in Libra promises powerful, steamy, sexy moves. With Venus retrograde and so much Plutonian action, we’re heading into the past and into the depths.
Could heightened intimacy be a result? Dive in and see….
Lunaria Datebook
Last Moon Phase: September Full Moon in Aries
Next Moon Phase: October Full Moon in Taurus
October 2018 New Moon in Libra Times and Dates:
San Francisco: Monday, October 8, 8:46 p.m. PDT
New York: Monday, October 8, 11:46 p.m. EDT
São Paulo: Tuesday, October 9, 12:46 p.m. BRST
London: Tuesday, October 9, 4:46 a.m. BST
Istanbul: Tuesday, October 9, 6:46 a.m. TRT
Mumbai: Tuesday, October 9, 9:16 a.m. IST
Tokyo: Tuesday, October 9, 12:46 p.m. JST
Sydney: Tuesday, October 9, 2:46 p.m. AEST
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