Libra New Moon

Libra New Moon - Judgment

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

—Martin Luther King Jr.

Decisive, productive action requires considered, well-balanced 'judgement'. Tuesday morning's Libra New Moon (5:24 AM PDT 28° Libra) provides us with excellent capacity for such judgement. Following the New Moon, we make a distinct shift from Libra's discerning balance and judgement into a much more decisive and determined environment. The Moon quickly moves into Scorpio, after the New Moon, to make a demanding but transformative square to Pluto. The Sun follows up on on Wednesday — the same day that Neptune moves back into Pisces for one more 'dip' into the deep waters of compassion, empathy, and faith. This week's Water Sign energy is both emotional and cleansing. A Mercury-Mars conjunction in Scorpio at the beginning of the week may bring quiet confidence but is subtly challenged by the forming Jupiter-Chiron square — a highly idealistic configuration that is reminding us that our confidence must be built from the inside and balanced with honest, clear-eyed awareness. The potent shift into Scorpio energy certainly brings increased decisiveness but also suggests the shadow elements of Scorpio, such as vindictiveness and deep-seated resentments. Both the Scorpio Moon and Sun must move past the gauntlet of the squares to Pluto which opens the door to transforming any residual anger, bitterness, or resentment into a powerful basis for healing. But this is not a simple or easy process. The admonition to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Mathew 5:44) can seem hopelessly weak and out of touch. We might consider that a Scorpion does not actually 'sting itself to death out of frustration' as the myth suggests. Nonetheless, the Scorpion's instinct to fight can lead to confusion, disorientation, and a loss of control. In the context of the sign of Scorpio, it is the loss of control that brings the ultimate terror — which is actually the fear of transformation. Holding on too tightly to fear, bitterness, anger and resentment in this week's environment can completely blind us to the powerfully transformative opportunities that are being offered. In our blindness we can feel completely out of control. Our confidence is likely to begin to dip this week but the powerful presence of Saturn and now Neptune in Pisces offers us a powerful connection to faith. By the end of the week, Mercury makes connections to both Jupiter in Cancer and Saturn in Pisces — a Grand Water Trine — which lays an intellectual foundation for the decisive actions that will be initiated next week when Mars takes the place of Mercury in the Grand Trine. The involvement of Jupiter in Cancer brings a strong concern for personal safety but, in a square to Chiron, also stirs powerful idealism and a heightened demand for individual freedom. Both Mercury and Mars are highlighting the lengthy, ongoing Jupiter-Saturn trine which will come to within 9 minutes of exact next month but not fully complete until next year. The underlying balance between enthusiasm (Jupiter) and control (Saturn) is extremely fortunate but should not be taken for granted. We have the opportunity to build a deep connection to 'like-minded' others and form a deeper sense of community that can help to support the confidence and sense of purpose that we are working so hard to stabilize this week.

We have support to make the most of the revelations that unfold on Sunday. There seems to be little impulsiveness in the environment but rather, a significant propensity for careful planning. Decisiveness is strangely lacking on Monday — we seem to be somewhat stuck in an information loop, looking for just one more 'tidbit' that will provide us with the certainty that we are seeking. Understanding how to balance external input with an internal 'sense of direction' is the challenge. Tuesday's activity opens the door to transforming any residual anger, bitterness, or resentment into a powerful basis for healing. The process that is initiated is likely to be far more complex than we realize. Restless impulsiveness can be quite overwhelming on Wednesday and there may not be a great deal of courage to back up any unwise or ill-timed action. We need to be very careful to avoid succumbing to the temptations for some kind of 'quick strike'. We are encouraged to transform any vindictiveness or deep seated resentments into a powerful force for broader shifts and productive changes on Thursday. The unfolding clarity that is offered should not be taken for granted. Intuitive guidance is extraordinarily potent on Friday, providing us with freedom and a determined sense of direction. Our individual freedom and power is amplified — but weakness is also subject to exposure. A building, individual confidence and power is amplified by deep connection to 'like-minded' others on Saturday, helping to form a deeper sense of community. We are encouraged to lay an important foundation for the coming burst of initiatory energy.