It’s the small habits.
How you spend your mornings.
How you talk to yourself.
What you read and what you watch.
Who you share your energy with.
Who has access to you.
That will change your life.
Michael Tonge
The New Moon September 6, 2021 at 8:51 pm EDT at 14 degrees Virgo reminds us that even the smallest pebble tossed into a pond can create ripples that touch and change the shape of the water. It is the same with the actions we take in our life.
The Virgo Moon invites us to focus in on the details of practical and mundane matters. Ruled by Mercury, Virgo emphasizes our mental faculties to sort, discern and analyze the particulars with an eye to creating increased balance, order and efficiency.
Let the intention we set for the coming weeks zero in on daily routines and habits. It is an excellent time to introduce a new diet or exercise routine, clean out a closet, do the home repair we have been putting off, or reconcile our spending patterns with our budget. We can declutter, tend to the messy areas and devote ourselves to activities or projects that promote healing and greater wellbeing. We are to pause efforts on big plans and projects and, instead, give generously to the cyclical, repetitive rituals of daily life so that these routines can support us when we turn our attention back to the big things we wish to move and change.
The New Moon Invitation is Given an Added Boost
Mars (also in Virgo) trine Pluto
There is a force, a passion being stoked within us that wishes to transform and make something happen. These two power planets (Mars and Pluto) in earth signs have teemed up to give meticulous and substantive momentum to small definable ways we can better care for our physical body and our immediate environment.
It is the small incremental adjustments we make to shift a habit that will yield the biggest results. Shifting how we conduct ourselves in our career, in the routines at home, or care extended to our physical wellbeing will have a ripple effect, thus shifting the overall shape and feel of our life. This passion for giving attention to the smallest of details or patterns will continue in the coming days as both the Moon and then the Sun trine Pluto.
Our power lies in our small daily choices,
one after another,
to create eternal ripples
of a life well lived.
Mollie Marti
The New Moon Sparkles with Possibility and Brilliance
Sun and Moon in an exact trine with Uranus
Uranus (planet of sudden change) is also in an Earth sign: Taurus. Sudden opportunities, surprising developments, and unexpected events can wake us up from our automatic way of operating and viewing things. A Progressive and exciting change may happen quickly and bring excitement and a sense of freedom. We can welcome a break in our routine and being out of our comfort zone. This can lead to self-discovery, creative breakthroughs, and innovative approaches to how we care and feel cared for.
Strong Emphasis on the Earth Element
Brings us Down to Earth, to Ground Ourselves and Keep it Real
With so many key planets in earth signs, our attention goes to what is right in front of us, what we can reach out and touch. We are to slow down and enjoy taking our time tending to what me call the tedious, mundane tasks we overlook when we are hurried and busy tending to big endeavors.
Where Virgo falls in our natal charts will indicate the area of life where small changes can yield big results. If we have planets in our chart that are between 12 and 15 degrees of an earth sign (Capricorn, Virgo, Taurus), we have added potential and desire to have the small changes we make at this time to yield greater spaciousness and wellbeing in our lives.
There is a lot of conversation happening between the planets at this New Moon, encouraging shifts in perception that allow us to clean up our act. It is beneficial to take a look at was these are and how they give further shape and texture to the invitation of the New Moon.
In the dew of little things the heart finds
its morning and is refreshed.
Kahlil Gibran
Mental Clarity and Healing Communications
Mercury, Ruler of the New Moon, is in a Grand Air Trine with Saturn, Ceres and the North Node, and opposes Chiron
There is a clarity about how to cooperate with others (Mercury in Libra) to build something long term (Saturn) that is aligned with the future we are living into (North Node). Our thoughts may be looking at generative ideas around how we acquire, keep or prepare food (Ceres). We are likely to be asking insightful questions and have pivotal conversations and agreements within collaborative efforts. Mindful of the power words have to heal or wound (Chiron), we are more likely to give added consideration to how our words impact others and look to how we can create win/win solutions in our relationships (Mercury in Libra).
Today, Mercury begins its shadow phase for its upcoming Retrograde (September 26 to October 18). Mercury will return and hang out at the same place in the sky for an extended period of time at the end of its retrograde. This means that the conversations, thoughts and collaborative efforts that we are experiencing now may become themes that need extra through and consideration as Mercury goes backward and covers the same territory it did the first weeks of September.
Mercury in Libra enjoys talking things through with others with a value for creating harmony in relationships. We have added interest in the aesthetic and beauty of how to have a good conversation as well as in what we want to create through the topic of the conversation.
We are more inclined to invest in the conversation needed and not rush decisions (Mercury in Libra). When Mercury turns Retrograde, it is prudent to not give in to a feeling of urgency to make a decision or push an agenda forward, but to sink even more into having the conversations needed so everyone who is part of a decision is on the same page and feels good with the direction of where the conversation is leading. The next newsletter will explore more around how to harness the potential of the Mercury Retrograde and not fall into its traps.
Libran themes of communication, fairness, diplomacy and aesthetic will be a strong flavor for September as Mars and the Sun also enter Libra. Mercury and Venus are already in Libra and Mercury will have an extended stay in the sign, spending the better part of the next couple months in Libra. We are encouraged to be honest and transparent in communications, and receive what others are bringing to the table in the spirit of cooperation. In preparation for these conversations, the Virgo New Moon invites us first get our own life in order and discern what we want to bring to the table to discuss with others later this month.
Humility, Compassion and Service will Guide Us Forward
New Moon oppose Neptune in Pisces
Virgo and Pisces both value service, humility and selfless devotion. Yet one of these planets is an Earth sign and the other a Water sign. The Virgo Moon is looking to sort, discern, categorize and create order. Neptune’s impulse to dissolve boundaries and distinction is only enhanced in the sign of Pisces. Opposite the New Moon, Neptune is softening the edges of definitions we are trying to establish. As Shakespeare's Hamlet said to a friend, “There are more things in heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” Neptune is prodding us to not pigeonhole ourselves, but to consider and be attuned to the bigger picture of what is unfolding and perhaps to allow room for the divine creative force to make its contribution to the shape of things to come.
Like a drop in the vast ocean, each of us
causes ripples as we move through our lives.
The effects of whatever we do -
insignificant as it may seem - spread out beyond us.
We may never know what far-reaching impact
even the simplest action might have...
Margaret Weis
Relationships Get a Kick in the Right Place
Venus in Libra conjunct Haumea, trine Jupiter, square Pluto and Eris
The planet of relationships and pleasure, Venus is active, communicating and negotiating with several planets to move forward her agenda of love and connection.
There is a new opening happening in our relationships where we can move closer to others and not lose ourselves in the process (Venus conjunct Haumea). Haumea is an asteroid named after a Hawaiian goddess of fertility and regeneration. Her presence indicates that relationships can be revitalized and renewed if we make some small effort in this direction.
We are feeling more inspired to spend time and enjoy the company of others with a sense of faith in ourselves and our ability to feel spacious and abundant with those we love (Venus trine Jupiter)
There can be a sudden twist, an introduction of a seemingly innocent element that can have big impact (Venus square Eris) Eris, the Goddess of Discord, is looking to right a wrong, and will introduce a chaotic element to draw forth what is not being addressed. It is not enough to just put a band aid on an issue we have in relationship, but to look for the opportunity to transform some dynamic or pattern.
Our desire to love and be loved is heightened. With this, we are more aware of the obstacles within ourselves and in our relationships that inhibit the flow of love. Intense feeling and desire may surface that doesn't have a straightforward path to being satisfied. We need to be mindful that we don’t manipulate a situation to get our love needs met, but instead be honest with ourself and others as we explore ways to deepen the trust in the relationship so obstacles can be resolved (Venus square Pluto).
Venus is drawing forth our desire to have our relationships be more meaningful and satisfying. We are wanting to move beyond the social and superficial and feel a soul connection. With the New Moon, we may very well be looking at taking a step to shift patterns in how we behave, how we communicate, or how we care for ourselves that will help us to be more present and responsive so that interactions provide greater connection and pleasure.
Come December, Venus will conjoin with Pluto in Capricorn as she begins her Retrograde cycle (December 19 to January 26). The question of where we need take responsibility for our part in creating the relationship dynamics we have and the best way to shift unhealthy patterns will be contemplated through the holiday season. Themes in relationships emerging around this New Moon may be further explored with Venus' coming retrograde cycle. More on this in December’s newsletter.
In one small drop is found
all the secrets of all the oceans.
Kahlil Gibran
My final thought on the Virgo New Moon has to do with Vela (conjunct the Virgo Moon). Vela, a constellation in the Southern Sky, is the Sails of the Argo, the Greek Ship that carried many Greek heroes on their adventures. Vela is the Latin word for Sail and is derived from the Indo-European root ‘weg’ which means: to weave a web.’ It is also related to the word, ‘velum’ which means ‘veil’ and which in turn is associated with the words 'reveal' and 'revelation'. So, what do we make of all this?
First, Vela indicates we are ready to set sail, to set our course for new lands and discover a new way of moving in the world. The Virgo Moon reminds us to keep the next steps small. It is more about cleaning out a closet or getting to bed at a reasonable hour than it is about quitting our job and moving o a foreign country. Still, the sail is raised. The wind has picked up. It is time to set a course and let the sail harness the wind to carry us forward.
It is the course we set that determines how the wind will support the forward movement and weave the web of days. Each step we take weaves with the next step and with the one after that. In the end, the fabric of our life is woven. For now, we cannot see the fabric that is taking shape, only that we are to place the next thread. The setting of the course and taking the next small step will reveal things to us – perhaps the fabric taking shape, perhaps our innermost desires, perhaps something else. This revelation speaks to the ripples that this action makes shape and reshape our life so that we move assuredly towards fulfilling our soul's purpose and desire.
The influence of the September New Moon lasts for four weeks up to the October 6 New Moon. The best time for starting new projects is during the waxing phase of the moon, from September 6 up to the September 20 full moon.
Astrology Workshop "Synthesis"
Four Week Online Course
End of September to End of October
Stay Tuned for Dates and Times of Course
Do you understand the basic component of astrology (planets, signs, houses, aspects) and are at the stage where you want a better grasp of how to put it all the pieces together, what to emphasize, and how to give a reading? This workshop is then designed for you. Each week, we will meet on Zoom for 75 minutes to look at 2-3 charts and discuss how to read the chart. Charts that will be viewed will come from participant suggestions. Space in the workshop will be limited so that everyone feels able to ask questions and engage in the discussion.
If you are interested in the Synthesis Workshop, please email Liv at livwoodford@livbydesignastrology.com
Fall Reading Special!
One Hour Reading
$110
The reading will provide
A look at the overall momentum of this past year from the Great Conjunction last Winter Solstice, to what was unleashed with the emphasis on Aquarian visioning, to how you have been impacted by the Saturn/Uranus square that is defining 2021
Ample focus to the dynamics of the next few months, notably a Mercury Retrograde, two eclipses, and a Venus Retrograde.
A view of the big movements and opportunities that are prodding us to integrate the movements that opened a new way for us this last year and the needed adjustments in our perception and plans, so that we are well-situated for what the next bend in the road will bring.
Offer ends September 20, 2021
and cannot be combined with any other discounts