2009 Menu

New Moon in Libra - 18th October 2009  
 
 
New Moon in Sagittarius -
16 December
New Moon in Scorpio -
16 November
New Moon in Libra -
18 October
New Moon in Virgo -
18 September
New Moon in Leo -
20 August
Second New Moon in Cancer -
22 July
First New Moon in Cancer -
22 June
New Moon in Gemini -
24 May
New Moon in Taurus -
25 April
New Moon in Aries -
26 March
New Moon in Pisces -
25 February
New Moon in Aquarius -
26 January
 
 

Libra

Libra describes the slice of life where we focus on each other and what happens between us, before we engage at a deep Scorpio level. Society is impossible without gentle forms of behaviour, and agreements not to damage or intrude in inconsiderate ways. Here we reach out to touch, not to push or rock the boat. Here we are drawn to those who express in ways that harmonise with our own. A sense of colour and sound that weaves into a healing experience – art and music that promote peace and conviviality.

The problem comes when aspects of our nature are not harmonious for those around, where Scorpio describes better the seething interactions and tugs-of-war that grow us from spontaneous children to responsible adults. Libra needs to expand its understanding to include the necessity for struggle, and see that light is balanced by darkness, day by night, and that harmony must include honesty. Without this, Libra can descend into hypocrisy and lies, to keep a semblance of peace at the price of personal integrity.

Libra is about our relationship with every other individual being, including animals, plants and the Earth herself. In true relating, we give of ourselves to balance the gifts of the other. And the third party in relationship - the angel or spirit of ‘me and thee’ together - takes care of itself and unfolds its potential through us both, stretching and growing us into the wise and loving people we can be – if we let it.

Hopeful times

There’s been a subtle shift in the last few days. After four months retrograding, Jupiter slowed to a stop and began moving forward again last Tuesday, releasing our sense that dreams may be possible to achieve, that we might actually do, and have, what we would like. Mercury and Venus are now in Libra focusing our communication on beauty, harmony and love – and fairness, justice and balance in our dealings with society.

Mercury’s connection with Jupiter this week sets off the spreading of ways of being in community. It will be easier to present your ideas attractively, so that more people feel open to giving them a try. If you have wanted to form or to join a community oriented group, now is a good time to gather. This month is partly about that spread, whereby seed ideas become honed to workable projects.

On 15/16 October Mars, moving into Leo, lifted the mood, generating motivational energy – the scene is set for enjoyable relating with family and friends in group outings, parties, or work projects. We may want to dig out projects that have been left on the back burner waiting for more motivation and less depressed criticism. We will want to get going, and linking with others will feel more fun. A bit to watch out for and avoid (with Mars in Leo until next June) is getting caught up in roles where your ego starts making the decisions before allowing the unfolding of group consensus.

 

Sort the foundations before expanding

On the other hand, Saturn will soon be moving into Libra, completing his two years in Virgo by the end of October – which suggests that we finally file the papers, dust the corners, and complete the organisational side of our lives, so that we can pay more attention to how we have been relating to each other.

In case we don’t manage to complete our efforts to organise our health, homes and finance by November, Saturn will be retrograding back into Virgo April to July 2010, giving us another push in those areas. You might be tempted, come November, to leave what remains undone (for me, it’s tax forms) as though they would really disappear when their priority level drops into oblivion! But whatever those issues are, they will come back in importance next year to trip us up, unless we at least schedule another attempt to get them done.

The movement from Virgo to Libra is like: carefully preparing for your party promotes it being a success; sorting out the details of income versus costs, and getting them in on time, smoothes the flow and may even bring a rebate. So before we allow optimism to expand our activities too far, we do need to make sure that the foundations are secure.

. . . in summary

On a communication level, this first week of the New Moon is for open-hearted discussion, new discoveries, scanning options. The following weeks and months, our new perspectives will be tested by challenging circumstances (as Saturn in Libra squares Pluto). So, as always these days, change is the word, and flexibility the style. Don’t be lulled into thinking that the big changes are over. They may start coming in a different area of our life, but our need to adapt continues.

Remaining with ‘the good of all’, you will find it easier to roll with changes that could otherwise overwhelm. Don’t hold onto your plans too tightly! Complete re-thinking could be needed during the next couple of months, and this can be fun if we sort it out together. Discussing things with others reassures us that we are not on our own with what’s happening in life.

 

Contemplation for this New Moon in Libra
Settle down with yourself, and breathe.
Within your awareness, you are the centre of the universe.
But you are not alone -
the other is in front of you.
Look into the eyes of whatever confronts you.
What is the look in their eyes?
the expression on the face?
What are they thinking about you?
Now – can you find it in your heart to just look into those eyes
without reacting, or judging
Just look,
until love begins to well in your heart.
And know that you are looking in a mirror
at part of yourself looking back at you.
 
Have compassion for yourself
and you will find compassion for all that lives.