New Moon in Virgo 8*23*25
Very early Saturday morning the Sun and Moon both enter Virgo at the same time, forming a New Moon at 0 degrees of Virgo. This New Moon is special for a few reasons. First, it is the first of two New Moons in Virgo this year. There will be a second New Moon in Virgo on September 21 which will also be a Solar Eclipse. Periodically a sign will have a double New or Full Moon (aka 'blue moon') and this is one of those times. Secondly, this New Moon is considered to be the start of eclipse season. The next two lunations in September will be eclipses, but this New Moon is paving the way for the influences of those eclipses. Third, a New Moon at 0 degrees of a sign is extra potent because the energy of beginnings is emphasized. New Moons are the start of a new lunar cycle, and 0 degrees of a sign is the critical starting point, the threshold of entry to that sign.
Virgo is the mutable earth sign. It is a sign dedicated to being of service. Virgo energy wants to make things better. It is organized, analytical, detail oriented and efficient. Virgo season is the transition to autumn after the bright light of summertime and Leo season. The shift to Virgo means it's time to get serious again. The days grow shorter, weather gets cooler, school starts and to do lists lengthen. Virgo takes responsibilities seriously; sometimes, too seriously.
Unbalanced Virgo energy can become so focused on "getting it right" that it anxiously strives for perfection. It becomes enmeshed in minor details and spends more time than is necessary on a task, checking and double checking every detail. That self imposed pressure often generates more anxiety. Like all earth signs, Virgo needs to be able to work at a comfortable pace. It suffers when it feels rushed. Capricorn is shrewd and paces itself as it plays a long game. Taurus simply refuses to move at an uncomfortable pace. Virgo will try to muscle through the 'to do' list no matter how long it is. The stress of such intense industriousness takes a physical toll, often with tension headaches and digestive issues. Virgo energy needs to be in peaceful environments, especially when working.
Under this Virgo New Moon, consider how you approach responsibilities. Do you prioritize your to do list or do tasks compete with each other? There is a difference between what seems urgent and what is actually important because it aligns to the bigger goal you have set. Can you tell the difference? Do you try to get everything done or do you pace yourself? Do you become immersed in the task at the expense of your peace of mind? Do you second guess your decisions or triple check every little thing? Are you striving for perfection? Is overwhelm becoming your default setting? Do you periodically check in with your nervous system and see how it is faring? Do you have practices that help create calm and ease? How is your environment, especially your work space? This New Moon is the time to change how you do your 'to do's'. It is a great time to declutter and organize your space. Perhaps add some greenery or pictures of nature to help create a peaceful atmosphere. Earth signs like Virgo do especially well when surrounded by nature.
Build in breaks to help cool off your nervous system through the day. Check in with yourself regularly; especially notice where you are holding tension in your body. Earth signs experience life through the physical. Experiment with gentle stretches and deep breaths. Create moments to ground yourself and reorient to your rhythm. Even one minute of rest or mindful breathing can interrupt the "get it done" mentality for a stretch and let the body discharge some of the accumulated tension.
The New Moon is being challenged by a square from Uranus at 1 degree of Gemini. Uranus spent the past 7 years in earthy Taurus stirring things up in the arena of values, possessions, resources, and material security. Now in Gemini, its focus is on new ways of communicating and acquiring and sharing information. Uranus's electrical energy flows easily in airy Gemini, bringing sudden insights and pushing us to jettison any old, limiting attitudes. Uranus operates in innovative ways. It says "Let's look at the situation from a different angle. We need new approaches. What would happen if we do this?" The Sun/Moon in Virgo are not so quick to jump on the bandwagon. They are asking "How will this change affect the process as a whole? How can we just use an approach we are not familiar with? Has anyone tested it? Are we sure it will work? Have you looked at the details, the possible risks?"
Squares bring tension and a need to adjust how something is done. This square to the Sun/Moon means there will be some tension between the desire to stay on task and the push to try new ideas or express yourself in innovative ways. On the plus side, Uranus is making easy aspects to Saturn and Neptune in Aries and Pluto in Aquarius, meaning these opportunities for change that will show up unexpectedly are well supported in the bigger plan. The Virgo energy here will need to adapt to the "out of the box" perspective running through the prevailing currents. Its focus on improving systems and enhancing efficiency is an important addition to the cycles of transition the outer planets are creating. Still, there is a difference between due diligence and micromanagement. Virgo can swing in either direction.
We are in an undeniable cycle of change. It is not going to feel comfortable. The point of this New Moon is to create conditions that allow us to control how we do the things we are responsible for doing, to take care of ourselves in practical ways, and to allow our time and talents to be used to their fullest and most beneficial extent. We are all here to contribute to the community (Pluto in Aquarius) but not at the expense of our own dreams and authenticity (Neptune and Saturn in Aries). This is the time to consider who you are serving and why. What are your efforts creating for yourself and others? Are the systems you have in place to meet your responsibilities supporting the life you want? If not, how can you adjust them to offer you more of what you desire?
Uranus in Gemini is amplifying curiosity and introducing new, unexplored paths. Virgo likes guarantees and prefers to tweak what is already in place. The trick right now is to be honest about what is not working and be willing to change it. You can set the pace to an extent, but if you resist doing anything differently until you "feel comfortable" or "are sure", you are going to create a lot of frustration for yourself. This is a time for some faith in yourself and in the greater plan.
The rest of this year will provide lots of opportunity to review, revise and reevaluate your approach to just about everything as all the outer planets (Pluto, Neptune and Uranus) and Saturn and Jupiter go retrograde until 2026. In other words, nothing is carved in stone right now; everything can be modified. But, the status quo is not viable and we are being shown that repeatedly. Consider this an experiment in creating a life you can't wait to wake up to every day. How would you act if you knew success was inevitable?
"When the winds of change blow, some people build walls. Others build windmills." ~ Chinese Proverb
