Virgo New Moon

Virgo New Moon - Grounded Progress

"The importance of art is in the process of doing it, in the learning experience where the artist interacts with whatever is being made."

— Roy Lichtenstein

This week's Virgo New Moon (6:55 PM PDT 11° Virgo) is remarkably well grounded and productive. Mercury rules the New Moon from Leo in a beneficial 'Mutual Reception' with the Sun in Virgo. Mercury is still in the 'shadow' of the last retrograde period and is making the third (of three) trines to Chiron in Aries. The Mercury-Chiron trine brings promising notes of empathy and compassion to a focused, methodical process of sorting through a myriad of inspired new ideas and awakened inspiration. There are some indications that we may be vulnerable to misplaced trust and sympathy but there are also protections that keep us from going too far and giving up too much before we recognize our vulnerability. Venus is conjunct the South Node at the New Moon, suggesting the misplaced trust. But, by Thursday, Venus moves into a conjunction with Juno, which may create an undercurrent of uneasiness if there are any attempts at deception, trickery, or anyone trying to take advantage of kindness and sympathy. Mercury moves back into the third of three squares to Uranus by Friday, which, once again, stirs new ideas and insights. However, in this context the Sun is opposing Saturn which will keep us focused on what is most practical and achievable. The New Moon's 'dispensation' basically offers a logical, process-driven approach but with enough compassion to honor the perspectives of others and not 'steam-rolling' anyone. Just before the New Moon, Uranus stations to go retrograde and Pluto re-enters Capricorn, creating a powerful context for the productive energy initiated under the New Moon. In essence, these shifts raise the stakes — we can feel that there is a great deal 'on the line'. It is not hard to see that there is 'no going back', creating a heightened imperative that feeds directly into the New Moon. Also this week, Mars arrives in Cancer, creating a building undercurrent of uneasiness that will be with us well into next year. Mars will be in Cancer until November 4, 2024 but retrograde back into Cancer from January 6, 2025 until April 17, 2025. In essence, we are entering a period where it will become increasingly difficult to effectively direct our energies. Setting proper boundaries and establishing a 'circle of trust' will be paramount as we move through this period. Over the retrograde period (December 6, 2024 - February 23, 2025), Mars will oppose Pluto three times (first from Cancer on November 3, 2024, then from Leo on January 3, 2025 and April 26, 2025), which certainly suggests tense, ongoing power struggles. The oppositions first bridge the Cancer/Capricorn cusp (in 2024) suggesting a shifting of boundaries and the discarding of unworkable elements from the past. Once the opposition shifts to the Leo/Aquarius cusp (in 2025), we are likely to face challenges to individual self-expression while grappling with a new perspective on how to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number. In the context of this week's competent, 'workmanlike' Virgo New Moon, we can find some hope that the shifts and challenges that we face heading into next year can be well-managed and compassionately processed.

We may feel a bit destabilized on Sunday — security begins to draw more focus. We may be feeling a sense that there is a great deal 'on the line'. The Virgo New Moon on Monday brings a productive imperative, softened by a great deal of compassion. We may not initially have a sense of where to place our attention but the fog clears quickly. We seem to begin to make smooth progress on Tuesday. We should not overlook any potential weakness or questionable information. Energy is stirred up on Wednesday. There is an undercurrent of uneasiness and some questions about where to set our boundaries. There is an amiable atmosphere on Thursday but also a rather 'picky' undercurrent. Any attempts at deception or trickery will be forcefully countered. New ideas are stirred on Friday and may be aggressively pursued. However, we find ourselves more practical and unwilling to pursue anything that seems 'pie-in-the-sky'. There is added support for maintaining balance and clarity on Saturday. While there may be some challenges, there is also inspiration when we stick with a methodical approach and continue to search for deeper truths in service of a productive agenda.