Tomorrow’s New Moon in the third and final decan of Virgo reminds us of the impermanence of life. Virgo brings the end of summer, a time of harvest.
We’re heading toward the northern hemisphere’s Autumn Equinox, which arrives September 23, during this waxing lunar cycle.
The New Moon creates a Grand Trine in Earth with Pluto retrograde at 28º02’ Capricorn and Uranus retrograde at 22º57’ Taurus. The Uranus trine is close, within a degree, but Pluto is definitely part of this picture.
Having these two planets, of quick change and deep transformation, linked to the New Moon reminds us we’re in a time of great change, not only the seasonal changes we experience every year.
In fact, Pluto anchors this chart. Not only are they part of the Grand Earth Trine, but still square the Nodes of the Moon. If we want even more uncertainty, Pluto sextiles Neptune retrograde in Pisces.
The New Moon opposes Neptune. The ordinary solidity of Virgo faces the shifting mists of Pisces. Our world is changing, politically, socially, and ecologically. We don’t like to be reminded of this. It’s unsettling. We can feel the changes without having any surety about the outcomes.
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Why, then, have I chosen the word “fresh” as the title for this New Moon?
It’s because, at the end of Virgo, we known that change, even the culling that happens at each harvest, carries within it the seeds of a new cycle. This is true for the world as it is true for this year. It’s exactly what happens, one way or another, at every New Moon.
There are signs that point to this renewal.
On September 15, less than 24 hours after the New Moon, Mercury stations direct. Mercury, also in Virgo, the sign they rule and in which they are exalted, rules this New Moon.
Mercury is powerful at the New Moon, already in the degree in which they will station, and not moving. Notice Mercury is in the first decan, the beginning of Virgo, where we experience new life emerging.
What has come up for you during the weeks of this Mercury retrograde? Things have gone sideways in some curious and interesting ways.
I traveled, and both my flights were delayed for reasons I had no control over and were kind of goofy. I’ve heard stories from friends and clients about the same kinds of things: mistakes and missteps and miscommunications that somehow had an odd, weird vibe.
There’s always something to learn when Mercury points us toward review, reflection, revision, and reimagining. Still, I think most of us won’t miss this particular retrograde.
Venus squares Jupiter very early on September 17, still within the New Moon phase. This is the third and final square between the two benefics that has been part of the Venus retrograde in Leo.
The first square happened June 11, with both Venus and Jupiter direct. Venus had not yet entered her pre-retrograde shadow, but Jupiter entered his pre-retrograde shadow this same day.
The second square happened August 22, with Venus retrograde and Jupiter direct, at 15º18’ Leo and Taurus. From here, Venus continued on her descent journey. Jupiter, however, remained right where he was.
At this third and final square in the series, Venus is now direct and Jupiter is retrograde as they meet again at 15º18’ Leo and Taurus.
Venus moves much more quickly than Jupiter, but their retrogrades don’t always interlace in this particular way.
I explored this Venus retrograde as Inanna’s journey to the underworld, a mythic pattern that can be linked to any Venus retrograde but is especially appropriate when Venus is in Leo.
Inanna, queen and goddess, had to give up every external sign and symbol of her power to reach her shadow sister in the underworld. There she died, to be rescued and resurrected. On her return journey, which is still happening, she was renewed. She learned who she was in herself, reconnecting with her inner grace and power.
In that story, I saw Jupiter as Inanna’s father Enki, the most senior of the gods and the one who realized it was essential Inanna be brought back to life. He insisted the world needed her presence and put her rescue in motion.
Jupiter’s retrograde is taking place in Venus’ nighttime home of Taurus. This pattern, in which Venus’ journey happens entirely within Jupiter’s pre-retrograde shadow in Venus’ own sign, links these two mythic figures.
What does it mean in your chart that Jupiter waited for Venus to return? How do these events factor into your experience of the Venus retrograde? Jupiter now embarks on his own journey, unfolding over the coming months.
The deeper cycles of big change will remain in force. On September 15, 24 hours after the New Moon, the Sun reaches an exact trine to Uranus. Deep earth changes are facilitated at this trine, which brings the Grand Earth Trine into sharper focus.
Trines are supportive, flowing aspects. With Uranus and Pluto in the mix, what is currently flowing includes deep change, which can also be quick and unexpected. It’s worth checking what you have in your chart around 21 and 22 degrees. The Earth signs, of course, will be affected. So will any other signs aspected by Taurus, Virgo, or Capricorn.
The Sun will reach an exact trine to Pluto on September 21, within this waxing cycle. Because the Sun has such a long reach, the Grand Earth Trine with Uranus remains in force. Only when the Sun enters Libra with this big pattern shift into something new.
Yet we still come back to our day to day life. Our Virgo life. And there is a freshness to autumn. It’s always been my favorite season. I spent a lot of childhood with my nose in a book, the kid who looked forward to the beginning of a new school year after the hot, heavy days of summer.
Tea, bookstores, and the scents of autumn woods. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and apples. New pencils. New challenges. We’re heading toward this equinox with Venus and Mercury newly direct and Jupiter beginning his own dive into reflection and reexamination. Jupiter is at home in the 9th House of learning. What new things will you learn with this New Moon?
