Perfection In Progress: September 2020's New Moon in Virgo

What is a New Moon?

A New Moon represents the beginning of the lunar cycle when the moon is conjunct the sun and invisible to the human eye. New Moons are a good time for fresh starts and new beginnings. It is a good time to start a new project or make a radical change. It's also a good time to find clarity on what you want and release what no longer serves you. The effects of a New Moon generally last for about two weeks, up until the next Full Moon.

With the New Moon in Virgo, we can expect new beginnings related to health (both physical, mental, and spiritual), cleanliness, our everyday routines, new skills, and the way we organize our life and mind.

It may be helpful to think back to what was going on in your life during the Full Moon in Pisces or the Full Moon in Virgo six months ago for certain themes may be repeating themselves.

Whatever intentions you set now should come into fruition by the time of the Full Moon in Aries on October 1st.

Those of us with planets or angles between 20 & 30 degree of the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) will most especially be affected by this New Moon.

September 2020's New Moon in Virgo

Virgo, a mutable earth sign ruled by the planet, Mercury, is depicted by a young women holding a grain in her hand, symbolizing the beginning of harvest season, when we reap the crops we've sewn. This can be seen as a metaphor for harvesting the results of our labor. With hard work comes a reward. Virgo is a symbol for purity & perfection, and those born with Virgo in their charts often work very hard to perfect their environment or whatever skills they perform. While given a reputation for being critical, often their motive is to help. If a Virgo tells you there's something stuck in your teeth, it's probably because they don't want you walking around embarrassing yourself and they'd most likely want you to do the same for them. That said, some Virgo types do need to learn that there is a time & a place to point these things out and unsolicited advice isn't always appreciated.

But Virgo can't help noticing the small details, the little things other people neglect or forget about. Virgo, like Gemini, is ruled by Mercury, "the messenger of the gods" & planet of the logical mind: Virgo's minds are constantly on overdrive. They're constantly moving about, always-on-the-go. However, unlike Gemini, an air sign prone to going wherever the wind takes them, Virgo is more down to earth, preferring the structure of an organized and tangible system to build their ideas from. Rather learning just for the sake of it, Virgo prefers to study only all that's useful and serves a practical purpose. Their nature is to analyze and fix things, improving things until they reach their perfection.

The New Moon on September 17th falls into the third decan of Virgo and conjunct the fixed star, Copula. The third decan of Virgo is ruled by Mercury, according to the Chaldean system, but Venus by triplicity, making it arguably the most social decan of the three. This decan is both intellectual and motivated by beauty & harmony, their perfectionism serving a social purpose. Copula is actually a galaxy, located in the constellation of Canes Venatici, the Hunting Dog. It's name means "leash." Of the nature of Moon & Venus, it is said to bring passion, blindness and disappointment, but the constellation itself indicates faithfulness, love of hunting and a penetrating mind. Interestingly, given the corona-virus pandemic we're in, it rules the right lung. The sign of Virgo itself is associated with health and disease.

Perhaps, the most strongest aspect the New Moon at 25'01 degrees Virgo makes is a trine to Saturn. Saturn, the Roman equivalent to the Greek Kronos, Lord of Time, is home in the sign of Capricorn, the goat, where it currently sits at 25'47 degrees. Ambitious & goal orientated, Saturn in Capricorn represents limitations, boundaries, responsibility & structure. With Capricorn trine the Sun and the Moon, we aware of our limitations but in a way that helps inspire us rather than crushes us. We are mature, focused, and responsible in pursuit of our goals. This aspect can also indicate security, discipline and emotional steadiness. We are able to remain calm and in control of our emotions rather than let them overwhelm us. The New Moon is also separating from a trine to Pluto at 22'33 degrees Capricorn, giving us the deep insight to analyze ourselves and understand the root of our own feelings and needs.

However, the New Moon's inconjunction to Mars Retrograde at 27'43 degrees Aries (and Saturn's square to Mars) shows that it can be hard to actually take any direct action on our feelings. Aries & Capricorn are both cardinal signs, rooted in the need to lead and take action. However, they do this in two very different ways. Mars in Aries is driven to act on it's impulses, without forethought but Capricorn & Virgo are more cautious in nature. While the New Moon in Virgo tries Saturn in Capricorn shows a plan of action, we may be lacking in the patience to follow through or we might feel like we're suppressing some natural drive, leading to frustration.

Another significant aspect occurs between the Moon and the North & South Node at 24'31 degrees of Gemini & Sagittarius, respectively. We may find ourselves challenged by life and perhaps, repeating lessons we've still been resistant to learn fully. Fated events may occur, especially related to family and our relationships, particularly with women, forcing us to learn lessons about adaptability and the right way to communicate & interact with others. It might be an emotionally difficult period but one that inspires much growth.

Coinciding with the New Moon, Virgo's ruling planet, Mercury is at 17'28 degrees of the balanced & fair-minded sign of Libra. Mercury is making a sextile to Libra's own ruling planet, Venus at 12'20 degrees of the courageous & fun-loving sign of Leo. This aspect inspires flirtatiousness, charm & good times. If we're aiming to impress anyone - for instance, if we have a job interview or a date with the person we've been crushing on - now is a good time. Those influenced by this New Moon will be extra charming at this time due to a mix of both confidence and consideration.

Venus in Leo is also separating from a square to Uranus, known as the "Great Awakener" in astrology, at 10'16 degrees Taurus. For some of us, this can create an unexpected and electric jolt to our love lives. For some, this could be a sudden attraction to someone that we weren't expecting & a quickly developing relationships but for others, it can be a sudden split or break-up. We may feel an extra urge for freedom at this time. Venus doesn't just have influence on our relationships but our tastes and aesthetics as well, and we may decide to express ourselves in unusual ways during this transit. We may decide to change the way we dress or if we're artists of some type (whether painters or song-writers) our art may take on a rebellious or revolutionary quality. This is especially true when in the creative and passionate fiery sign of Leo. We feel confident enough to express ourselves the way we actually want to, no matter how weird or unacceptable it may seem to others.

Conclusion

The New Moon in Virgo increases our desire for perfection and self-improvement. The New Moon's trine to Saturn & Pluto in Capricorn increases this; with Pluto giving us a deep & penetrating insight into our own psyches and Saturn gives us the responsibility, patience & hard-working focus necessary to make any changes. Of course, Saturn's square to Mars Retrograde in Aries may challenge that, but essentially, it's just a better time to plan & take caution action rather than act on impulse or rush into things. The Moon's square to North & South Node in Gemini & Sagittarius suggests fated or karmic experiences and challenging moments of emotional growth, especially related to our interactions with others. Of course, a square from Uranus to Venus in Leo may actually increase our desire to rush into relationships (but could also trigger break-ups for some) while Venus' sextile to Mercury in Libra indicates charm and confidence. It can be a good time to change our appearance or make rebellious art, as we're more confident to express our own uniqueness. Essentially, in order to become the most perfect version of ourselves, we may need to accept our imperfections first.