The New Moon in Virgo is unusual in that it is quite paradoxical. It takes place at 4° Virgo in an exact square to Mars at 4° Gemini. This planetary combination oftentimes indicates a very high desire for action and could even be aggressive about it. However, there are five planets retrograde right now (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto), with Uranus still very potent at the degree it stationed on August 24.
Retrograding planets encourage us to reflect and review, and to act only on that which is necessary to move things forward. They ask us to slow down so we can pick up anything that is missing in our thinking or approaches to projects we’re working on. Thus, the impulse to act might be premature or even ill-advised, especially if we are feeling a strong impulse to just do anything rather than nothing simply out of an emotional need. If we are feeling anxious, it is best to slow down and take time to reflect on what we are feeling we ought to do. This will give us the space to reach a decision based on what is truly needed rather than emotional reactivity.
Another facet of this Soli-lunar cycle is a tight T-square between Venus at 19° Leo, retrograde Uranus at 18° Taurus and retrograde Saturn at 20° Aquarius creating a sense of tension which must be resolved. The Venus/Uranus square can lead to hasty or unexpected shifts in our values or relationships, while the Venus/Saturn opposition asks us to pay close attention to these things and integrate any feedback we may be getting from others. This type of transit will focus on becoming accountable in our relationships and seeing them exactly as they really are, which could cause us to feel frustrated or disappointed. We ought to be willing to process whatever new information we may be seeing, which has been there all along but is only now becoming clear and transparent. Taking time to reflect may save us from acting in ways we may need to become accountable for later. This configuration has the potential to provide a Uranian awakening aspect that helps us realize changes are necessary and a Saturnian ability to maintain a stable and realistic pace in how we start to integrate those changes.
The Sun and Moon merging in Virgo provides an archetypal key to resolving the paradoxical nature of the cycle juxtaposing a need for action with a need to reflect. Virgo is a practical earth sign that embodies a willingness to be of service. It has a highly refined sense of order that can devolve into being critical of anything that does not meet one’s personal standard for correctness. In Transpersonal Astrology, Virgo presents us with the challenge to be tolerant, not just with people or situations outside our scope of preference, but tolerant of any form of change itself, including within our own nature. In its essence, Virgo teaches us to be open to integrating unfamiliar people and experiences into our field of reference which in turn helps us integrate the unknown elements of our psyche. We thus build up our tolerance and ability to withstand the intensity of change. When we willingly participate in this process, something magical happens. There is an alchemic heat associated with change that can catapult us into more inclusive states of being. We become something new ourselves. As we become tolerant of opening to others and all existence, the Virgo in us serves the very need of the cosmos to evolve our consciousness.
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